Yorkton This Week 2022-12-28

the Christmas season

As the old seasonal song says ‘the weather outside is frightful’. For anyone having last minute shopping to do last week it was certainly a time to bundle up warm as

Organic waste recycling pilot approved

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

A pilot project to collect organic materials at curbsides will be undertaken in Yorkton in 2023.

“Environmental

Services are continually evaluating the programs and services they offer and Solid Waste Management is one of these programs. As part of this evaluation a trend in landfill tonnage vol-

umes has been observed.

From 2011 to 2021 the city has observed a 57 per cent increase of incity refuse during the months of May to October relative to the rest of the year,” explained Lyndon

Hicks – Solid Waste and Environmental Programs Manager, with the city at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

“During the summer of 2022 multiple waste audits were com-

pleted of in-city refuse which found that organic material (yard and food waste) made up 52 per cent of the total refuse by weight.”

The trend is of concern for three main rea-

sons, said Hicks.

• The material is taking up valuable space in a landfill cell which has a replacement cost of approximately $5 million dollars.

Tardy taxpayers facing higher penalty

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

If you are tardy paying property taxes in the future in Yorkton it is going to cost you more money.

Yorkton Council unanimously approved higher penalties at its regular meeting Monday.

In May, 2012 Council passed a bylaw to provide for the prompt payment of taxes and the

application of discounts and penalties, explained Raelyn KnudsonAssessment & Taxation Manager the city Monday.

Tax penalties are put in place for the following reasons:

• As an incentive for property owners to pay us. The penalties motivate payment, or encourage communication with us if they aren’t able to pay;

• They establish that

we are a business that needs the tax revenue to operate. The majority of our income comes from the collection of property tax. Without it, we have to borrow funds to pay for our projects and the cost

of borrowing has risen.

Penalties are currently charged at the rate of 0.5 per cent on balances remaining unpaid as of July 1st (current), and 0.5 per cent on each of the

City applying for dollars for York Road

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The City of Yorkton will submit its proposed upcoming York Road reconstruction for some federal dollars.

The City of Yorkton receives annual funding from the

Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), formerly known as the Municipal Gas Tax Program, explained Amber Matechuk – City Controller with the city at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

The grant is typically used

for large scale capital projects, she added.

“We receive approximately $980,000 annually from this grant, which goes towards the annual capital budget,” said Matechuk. “. . . Previous projects using this funding include: Highway #9 improvements,

street light improvements, roadway reconstruction, storm water management and most recently the reconstruction of Darlington/Mayhew.”

“Now that the Darlington/ Mayhew project is completed, the City is required to submit a new project application called

an Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) to apply this funding to go forward.”

The project best suited to submit for a new IIP for this funding is the York Road Reconstruction project, suggested Matechuk.

Staff Photo by Tyson Off

Frosty

the temperatures dipped, but Saskatchewan

folk are a hardy bunch and all still was made ready for Santa’s annual visit.

ORGANIC

Continued from Page A1

• Methane is produced when organic materials decompose in a landfill. Without oxygen, decomposition happens anaerobically which means that methane is produced. Methane is a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide and contributes to climate change.

• With proper management organics can be turned into compost which is a usable product.

A residential refuse

survey was conducted in the spring of 2021 with questions pertaining to a potential organics program. Of the respondents, 64 per cent voted in favor of an organics collection program with an additional 26 per cent responding ‘maybe depending on cost’, noted Hicks.

“The city has also received several resident inquiries regarding interest in a curbside organics program,” he said.

Currently, the city offers a free yard waste

TARDY

Continued from Page A1 succeeding months. If the balance remains unpaid after December 31st of the year the taxes are levied (arrears), a penalty of one per cent is added on the first day of each month, said Knudson.

“According to a list of Saskatchewan City penalty rates compiled by the City of Weyburn earlier this year, Yorkton is

listed as having the lowest rates in both categories,” she added.

The average current tax penalty rate in Saskatchewan cities is 1.46 per cent and the average arrears penalty rate is 3.14 per cent. Estevan has the highest, with a current rate of 3.5 per cent and arrears rate of 10 per cent.

Knudson said the need for an increase was

organics drop off service at two locations within the city (RecyclAbility Enterprises and the city Landfill).

“Interestingly enough we have observed increasing uptake in this program with grass and leaves tonnage increasing by 280 per cent since 2019,” said Hicks. “. . . While this progress is encouraging … we are still witnessing landfill tonnages in May-October increasing drastically, much of which remains residential organics.”

The pilot project approved Monday will include operation from April 13 to Nov. 3, with 400 homes in two areas of the city involved.

Accepted products will include leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, and household food waste (“scrape the plate”).

“Scrape the plate” is an easy to understand approach which will hopefully result in reduced contamination. Simply put, if it can be eaten, grown or com-

posted, it can be disposed of in the organic cart.

It will exclude diapers, tree branches, plastic packaging or plastic bags.

Many jurisdictions across that country have been implementing organics programs for over 10 years. In Saskatchewan, the majority of larger municipalities have implemented some form of residential organics programs, primarily in the form of voluntary drop-off sites, noted Hicks. Regina and

due to various factors.

“Over the last two years, the pandemic and the war have affected us all greatly. We have experienced demand running ahead of supply, supply bottlenecks and labour shortages, all of which resulted in increased inflation, and with inflation, there always comes a higher cost of borrowing,” she said.

YORK ROAD

Continued from Page A1

By submitting a large scale project, the City will not have to re-submit a new IIP as frequently, since it will likely take many years of the grant to be used before the project is funded, she reasoned.

“This project qualifies as an eligible project category as it addresses local roads/highways, drinking water and wastewater. As well, the project is aligned with the long term plans of the City and meets many desired outcomes of the CCBF program,” offered

As a result, city administration suggested a bylaw amendment to increase both penalties by one quarter of one per cent.

This bylaw sets out an amendment to increase each of our penalties by one quarter of a per cent.

“Even with the proposed increase the City will remain at the low end of the penalty list,”

noted Knudson. “. . .

The proposed amending bylaw is not meant to increase tax revenue. The intent of the penalty increase is to motivate timely payment of property taxes.”

The objective of the increased arrears penalty is to motivate people to borrow through a financial institution to pay their tax arrears, rather than leave their taxes

Saskatoon are the first sites in the province to launch a city-wide mandatory organics program which will occur in 2023. There will be no costs to the 400 residents that participate in the pilot project study.

“Environmental Services will incur a cost of approximately $30,000 for the pilot project program delivery. These funds will come from utility reserves,” said Hicks.

Council was unanimous in approving the pilot project.

unpaid, she reminded.

“We are not in the position to offer credit for services, which is essentially what is happening when taxes are left unpaid. We offer the same services to everyone, on the assumption that everyone is paying their taxes on time,” said Knudson.

The proposed bylaw will take effect July 1, 2023.

Matechuk.

The estimated York Road project cost being submitted on the IIP application is $16.8 million, in line with the original budget submitted to Council in 2021.

“Given that the City receives approxi-

mately $980,000 annually for this program, the grant will be applied to this project for many years, while the City likely takes on external debt in order to finance the construction,” reiterated Matechuk.

SLGA stores clearing out the liquor

John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

REGINA - Liquor has been flying off the shelves, fast, at your local government-owned SLGA stores.

Stores are clearing out their stock of alcohol at deep discounts during the month of December, as they prepare for the closure of the 34 remaining SLGA stores in the new year by no later than March 31, 2023. Those 34 licenses will then be auctioned off to potential private bidders, also happening in 2023.

At this point there are no major changes announced to the general timeline for when the existing stores are expected to close and the new licenses awarded, though in the case of a few northern-area stores their closure dates have been pushed back.

But customers have noticed increasingly empty shelves as well as bargain-basement prices on the remaining liquor on sale at the government stores this holiday season.

In an email, SLGA provided this statement: “SLGA stores continue to mostly operate as usual. This includes replenishing most inventory as it is sold and continuing to serve customers during the busy holiday season. Discounts have been applied to products that make up the bottom 25 per cent of total sales volumes (slow moving products). All stores will wrap up operations by the end of March.”

A message at the SLGA website states that for now SLGA stores will continue to operate with some changes: stores are no longer selling gift cards and those must be redeemed before the stores are closed. Also, SLGA Retail has discontinued its special order process and customers are being urged to place special orders through other retailers.”

A less sanguine picture of the situation is being painted by the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU), representing

liquor store employees. They provided the following statement by email: “Saskatchewan residents are already seeing the effects of this illadvised decision to privatize the public liquor stores. Despite the government committing to keep the stores viable until they closed, SLGA shelves are almost empty province-wide, and the only replenishments are of the 100 or so topselling products. If the government was genuinely concerned about so-called decreases to retail profits, they would replenish all products to ensure the highest sales possible during the busiest season of the year.”

Earlier this month, SLGA employees and leaders with SGEU were at the Legislative Assembly pleading one more time to keep the public stores open. During that media availability Bob Stadnichuk, vice-president of SGEU, explained to reporters what the situation was like at the SLGA stores.

“The shelves are looking bad,” Stadnichuk said. “Originally, they told us that they were going to ensure the viability of the stores until the end of March, when the last of the stores close,

but they are not even letting that happen anymore. So they’re putting on some sales, people are coming in looking at the sales, buying what they want, but when you don’t have stock on your shelves, they are not going to come back. So we’ve got employees who are coming to work and literally waiting for the end of the day because there’s nothing for them to do anymore.”

There have been plenty of rumors about the fates of the various government liquor

stores, which are slated to close one by one by March 31, 2023, as well as speculation on which private interests might bid for each of the 34 licenses.

Stadnichuk said “you’re always going to hear rumors, but we won’t know until they start auctioning off these licenses. This is a big cash grab by the government.”

He said the government knows, from past practices, they can make $800,000 to $1 million from selling licenses. Stadnichuk believes numbers like those will price out any current employees hoping to put together a bid.

“We know who can afford million dollar licenses, and it’s not going to be any of the people who work at the public liquor stores.”

As for the future of the estimated 284 full-time equivalent employees (according to government numbers), SGEU had been negotiating a workplace adjustment plan with the province so that employees could have something to fall back on when they departed. In Question Period on Dec. 6, Minister for SLGA Lori Carr confirmed that was happening.

“Right now we’re working on a workforce transition plan for these employees, and those

negotiations are still taking place, Mr. Speaker… So while the transition is taking place, we are going to watch what happens next. And as permits come for sale, the new stores will become available and options will be open at that point in time for everyone.”

This week, SGEU provided a further update, confirming that “negotiations between SGEU and SLGA related to store closures have concluded. Throughout negotiations, SGEU consistently fought to get the best possible deal for members. The employer has issued letters to affected staff with information.”

SGEU also states they have learned from the employer that at least three northern stores in Buffalo Narrows, La Loche and La Ronge will be postponing their closure until March 11, with full shutdown by March 31.

“We were informed that this later date was chosen to provide additional time to navigate health-related aspects around alcohol use disorder. It is obvious the government had no clear plan in place to support store staff, community members and shoppers when making the abrupt and short-sighted decision to close SLGA stores.”

Soon to be laid-off SLGA workers and their union leaders at SGEU made their plight known at the Legislature in early December, as SLGA prepares to close their liquor stores. Photo by John Cairns

Up Front

Looking back at biggest stories of 2022

Each year the editorial staff at Yorkton This Week reviews the many stories covered throughout the year and glean what they see as the top-10 news stories locally.

In this week’s edition we look back on number 10 to #6.

Watch the Jan. 4, 2023 edition for the top-five stories of 2022.

#10 Deer Park Club house moves forward

It was in February, after literally years of talking about the need for a new clubhouse at Deer Park Golf Course the City is finally moving ahead with the project to build a new facility.

At its regular meeting Yorkton Council voted to proceed with the project with an overall cost of $7.6 million.

“At the October 25, 2021 regular council meeting, Council approved a budget for the Deer Park Clubhouse replacement project which includes water and sewer servicing, and further provided direction to proceed to tender and bring bids back to a future Council meeting. The total budget estimate included demolition, construction, contents (furniture), paving, temporary accommodations for operations, consulting, contingency and PST,” reported René Richard, Director of Engineering and Asset Management with the city at the February meeting.

The clubhouse construction was eventually tendered, with five bids being received.

“All five bids were complete, and the bid received from N.L. Construction was deemed to be best value as it met all criteria, was the lowest submitted total bid, and indicated a satisfactory completion date,” said Richard.

The NL tender was for $5,839,245 excluding taxes.

A tender was also offered for the work to supply water and sewer servicing to the new club-

house.

“Four bids were complete, and the bid received from Castle Oilfield Construction was deemed to be best value as it met all criteria and was the lowest submitted bid,” said Richard.

The Castle Oilfield tender was for $715,705.

Councillor Chris Wyatt questioned whether the work would include a tie in to allow serving townhouses or condominiums which have been talked about for the course.

Richard assured that is included in the design.

To get this project through to the tender phase (June 2020 to date), costs have been ongoing to provide the feasibility study and design and tender for the clubhouse building as well as exploration of options, design and tender for the water and sewer services in addition to geotechnical report, environmental, hydrovac services, etc., added Richard. Those costs have been $339,051.

Funding is scheduled to come from the new Rec Facility Reserve account.

The levy generates $1,150,000 annually.

Coun. Quinn Haider was initially concerned if the expenditure would negatively affect work required to keep two arena ice surfaces operating in the city?

City manager Lonnie Kaal said the ice surface requirements were still in the 2022’23 capital budget plans for the city.

Coun. Darcy Zaharia asked about the course’s ability to return dollars on the money spent.

While the course does not generate a profit, Kaal said it has the best return among City-owned recreation facilities, at about 80 per cent.

Mayor Mitch Hippsley said he believes in the project.

“This is about attracting people and industry to Yorkton,” he said, adding it is an investment being made without an increase in taxes to fund it.

“In my mind it’s noth-

ing but positive gains.”

team selected him, or where he went in the draft.

is a good opportunity.

#9

– Two local players in CFL draft

Two football players from the local area were among those selected when the Canadian Football League held its draft in May.

Noah Zerr, from Langenburg, who played most recently with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies was taken in the second round, 12th overall by the B.C. Lions.

Peter Kozushka from Yorkton and most recently from the University of Alberta Golden Bears program was selected in the sixth round, 51st overall by the Montreal Alouettes.

Both offensive linemen developed as part of the Yorkton Regional High School program.

“Growing up in Yorkton it had always been a dream for me for a long time,” Kozushka said of his selection.

Wednesday Zerr said he had had a busy day with several calls for interviews, all of which he said he was happy to undertake, adding as a “small town kid” he hasn’t usually been sought out before.

As for the draft, Zerr said it was another step on a journey in football, a step he did get to share with family.

“I came back home (to Langenburg),” he said, adding his parents put on a brisket on the barbecue, and they waited out the draft.

“By the time I got picked there was probably 35 in the house,” he said, adding it was great to “share the special moment” with neighbours, friends and family.

Like Zerr, Kozushka was with family for the draft, as they joined him in Edmonton to watch the proceedings.

“The phone rang, it was Danny Maciocia GM of the Alouettes . . . It was kind of a surreal moment,” said Kozushka.

Kozushka said he wasn’t particular which

“I just wanted to go someplace and show everybody what I can do,” he said, adding in the CFL combine ahead of the draft he was not 100 per cent so he has something to show the Als.

In addition, to Maciocia, Kozushka said Montreal’s head coach Khari Jones also reached out to welcome Kozushka to the team.

Kozushka said he does follow the CFL, and is looking forward to heading to Montreal, a team he said performed solidly in 2021 before some late season injuries took their toll.

“It is a competitive team,” he said, adding “my goal is just to go and contribute to the team, to help in any way that I can . . . I just want the opportunity to compete.”

Like Kozushka, Zerr said he wasn’t worried where he might be going.

“Usually organizations keep it pretty close to the vest,” offered Zerr.

But, that said, he added “I did have a feeling” it might be the Lions.

Zerr said at the CFL combine Lions personnel had talked to him and left a good impression.

“I was thinking I wouldn’t mind playing for them,” he said, adding he knew the Lions offensive line coach and thinks he can develop a good working relationship with him.

It helps too Zerr has a brother and sister in B.C., and that his girlfriend has ties there.

“So I’m actually really happy to be going out there,” he said.

Before attending the B.C. camp Zerr will however be heading south after being invited to take part in the NFL New York Giants rookie mini camp.

“I’m super excited,” he said, explaining it was the Giants who approached his agent.

Whether he makes the Giants, or not, Zerr said it

“Any experience is good experience,” he said.

As for the Lions camp, going so early in the draft means high expectations for Zerr.

“I think there’s always a little bit pressure when you’re a high calibre athlete, but going in the first couple of rounds there’s a bit of added pressure,” he said.

That said Zerr said that too is part of the game.

“Pressure makes diamonds as they say,” he noted.

#8 – Part of historic St. Mary’s demolished One of the most iconic heritage buildings still standing in the city appears destined for the wrecking ball in the coming months.

The Redemptorists were divesting themselves of assets within the Eparchy of Saskatoon and that included St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church and related properties.

Among the associated buildings was the monastery, demolished in July, built in 1914, which once was home to monks working in the city – one priest still resided there as of 2021. The building, in particular its interior was in deteriorating condition and a decision dating back to 2012 was made to demolish the building.

Over the ensuing years options to save the building were looked into but none were found to be viable.

Meanwhile the cost of maintaining the building was significant, including utilities, and property taxes.

As a result, demolition was seen as the best solution, said Fred Schrader Parish Council President in 2021.

Schrader explained the Redemptorists were prepared to pay for the demolition costs of the monastery.

The entire property, including St. Mary’s Cultural Centre, the

Redeemers Voice building and the church would then be turned over to the Parish, where decisions could be made locally pending Bishop approvals.

“The Parish the Eparchy have agreed to take ownership of the property,” said Schrader.

The Redemptorists had suggested demolition as early as this fall, said Schrader, but the local Parish still has details to discuss which is likely to push the work until the spring of 2022, said Schrader.

#7 – Yorkton man wins millions

When Yorkton resident Ernie Anuik headed out for a regular trip to the store to check his lottery tickets, he did not expect to see the celebratory message on the kiosk that he received.

Anuik was the most recent Lotto Max jackpot winner, collecting a prize of a whopping $20 million from the Feb. 15 draw.

Sask Lotteries had advised that this jackpot’s winning ticket had been purchased somewhere in the province outside of Saskatoon or Regina, but Anuik said he didn’t presume that ticket may be his.

“I have always been an optimistic individual, but that doesn’t mean I was waiting for this type of thing,” said Anuik.

Anuik, a now retired public servant, said that he scanned his winning ticket three times at the self-check kiosk in the local Shoppers Drug Mart, where he also purchased the ticket, not processing how much it was telling him he’d won.

“It was kind of a surreal moment,” said Anuik. “It said, ‘it appears you have won,’ and then a two and then lots of zeros.”

He then called over his son, Jason, to check the ticket as well before heading to the store clerk to validate the win. Anuik said he still hasn’t quite wrapped his head

The old clubhouse at Yorkton Deer Park Golf Course was demolished in 2022.

Peter Kozushka and Noah Zerr were both selected in the CFL draft.

St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church monastery.

Ernie Anuik was a big lottery winner in 2022.

Feds continue to overreach on firearms

The federal government is continuing with its effort to make it harder to legally own firearms in Canada.

When the Liberals returned to power in the fall of 2015, Canada’s gun laws were as good as you’d find anywhere. The Conservative government under Stephen Harper had repealed the long-gun registry, which only served to cost taxpayers large sums of money. The laws in Canada not that long ago allowed people to own guns, but there were some weapons that could not be had legally, likely because there was no tangible benefit for the public in someone owning such guns.

Our laws are much better than what we see in the U.S., where the laws play such a big role in the high death rates due to gun violence.

But ever since the horrible mass shootings in Nova Scotia in the spring of 2020, we’ve been seeing the federal government chip away at the firearms that Canadians can legally own.

The latest measure is an amendment to Bill C-21, which seeks to widen the definition of a “prohibited weapon” to include “a firearm that is a rifle or shotgun, that is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner, and that is designed to accept a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity greater than five cartridges of the type for which the firearm was originally designed.”

That’s a mouthful.

Critics say the measure will target hunters, farmers and Indigenous peoples, and it means far more firearms would become illegal.

The Liberals will tell you that it’s not as serious as the opposition Conservative Party and other critics think. They’ll tell you there aren’t a lot of these firearms currently owned by Canadians. But if that’s the case, then it’s incumbent on them to articulate the facts to support this position, rather than having so many legal gun owners in Canada wondering how they will be subject to this latest crackdown.

When you hear lines like “largest single gun ban in Canadian history” and “ban thousands of Canadian hunting arms”, alarm bells should be going off, regardless of how the Liberals are trying to spin this.

The amendment might sound great to gun critics, urbanites and those who don’t know the first thing about firearms. And there are a lot of those people who are in the Liberal Party or who support the Liberals at this time. This move plays to Trudeau’s base.

It’s going to tick off a lot of people, but those people likely weren’t going to vote for the Liberals in the next election anyways. It won’t cost the Liberals a lot of votes.

As stated before, legislation on guns need to strike a balance. You can’t have American-style laws. We continue to see the aftermath of those laws. But the Liberals are showing the folly of taking the measures too far and trying to take too many guns out of Canadians’ possession.

Most gun owners in this country are responsible people. Some of them have their firearms largely for display. For others, it’s a tool, not a weapon. They have a specific purpose on their farm. They’re used for hunting.

As for those who aren’t, if people really want to get these firearms, they’ll find a way. And with more guns on the banned list, you’re going to have more people looking for a way to find something.

You’d also going to have more Canadians who will be committing a crime because they own something that was perfectly legal months ago and has never been used to hurt another person.

You would not have prevented the tragedy in Nova Scotia with these new restrictions. That person would have found a way to secure what he needed and then would have committed those terrible crimes.

The government needs to rethink this latest amendment and to spend more time talking to people who actually understand that some guns have a place.

— Estevan Mercury staff

Organic recycling a positive move

At the most recent regular meeting of Yorkton Council approval was given to initiate a pilot project to collect organic materials at curbsides in the city.

The concept makes sense from an environmental perspective in as much as controlled composting by the city at the landfill should reduce harmful emissions which are of concern in regards to damage to our atmosphere.

As was noted at the meeting “methane is produced when organic materials decompose in a landfill. Without oxygen, decomposition happens anaerobically which means that methane is produced. Methane is a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide and contributes to climate change.”

And, if tons of organic waste – grass clippings and food waste as an example – are diverted to composting the landfill cell will last longer, putting off the substantial cost of creating a new pit for garbage.

Of course there will be the question of what a city-wide organic waste collection service will cost, and who will pay.

The pilot project which runs for only seven months and will collect from only 400 homes has a price tag of $30,000, which will come from utility reserves.

To collect from the entire city could be significantly more – depending on program details such as collection timing – and any added costs are likely to be tagged onto residential fees.

It is likely though, depending on what those exact costs are, that there will be solid support for the project given increased awareness of environmental issues these days.

In fact, Lyndon Hicks – Solid Waste and Environmental Programs Manager, with the city noted at the Council meeting, a residential refuse survey was conducted in the spring of 2021 with questions pertaining to a potential organics program. Of the respondents, 64 per cent voted in favor of an organics collection program with an additional 26 per cent responding ‘maybe depending on cost’.

While some might argue nothing a small city in Saskatchewan does will change environmental conditions – and certainly the methane produced at the landfill here would be insignificant globally, individual efforts can add up to improvement.

Of course you might ask a broader question of why we still grow lawn grass, sprinkling it with water that itself is a resource of growing worry in many places, only to clip it down with a gas motored lawnmower spewing exhaust when the water helps the grass grow. Then we have waste clippings we need to deal with too. But that is a much larger discussion to one day be explored.

As for the pilot project, it is of course never a bad thing to be proactive as a community and lead in terms of something like organic waste collection, so it’s a good news story to start 2023.

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Happy Wordy Wednesday! Hope you are all enjoying your holidays. Croodle is the word of the week, which means to huddle together from cold. Croodle is a dialectal British word, thought to be related to the Scots crood (“to crowd”). It may also refer simply to cuddling or snuggling when you do not feel cold (merriam-webster.com). For example, watching a fun

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get a chance to croodle with your loved ones

season and we will see you next year!

Welcome to ‘Wordy Wednesday’ brought to you by our friends at Yorkton Public Library, (including Slo the friendly sloth), and appearing here courtesy of Yorkton This Week.

movie croodling with family is my favourite holiday entertainment! The house always grows warmer when family arrives. Hope you all

this holiday

Record population growth in Sask.

the past year, boosting the province’s population to over 1.2 million people for the first time ever.

From October 1, 2021 to October 1, 2022, Saskatchewan’s population grew by 22,135 to 1,205,119 people. This is the largest annual population growth in more than a century - since 1921. The quarterly population growth of 10,316 people is the largest ever recorded since Statistics Canada began releasing quarterly population estimates in 1971.

“Saskatchewan has now grown by nearly 200,000 people since our government took

office in 2007 - the longest period of sustained growth since the earliest days of our province at the start of the 20th century,” Premier Scott Moe said. “Saskatchewan is a great place to live with plenty of jobs and opportunities, vibrant communities, and affordable housing and cost of living compared to many places in Canada. That’s why Saskatchewan today is growing at its fastest pace in more than a century.”

Saskatchewan’s record population growth in the third quarter of this year was driven by net international migration

of 10,553 and a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 1,261 offset by net interprovincial outmigration of 1,498.

Moe said at the current rate of growth, Saskatchewan will reach its Growth Plan goal of 1.4 million people by 2030.

“More people, more jobs and more opportunities means more investment in important services like health and education and a better quality of life in our province,” Moe said. “That’s growth that works for everyone.”

— Submitted

Trade show fundraiser

Tis the season of giving

The Christmas Elves Tradeshow held in Wroxton on Dec. 17, had multiple vendors in attendance for another successful year. Organizers

said the event raised $500 to donate to Bruno’s Place, an emergency shelter in Yorkton.

Submitted Photo

Santa Claus in the guise of Darcy Spilchen from Baker Tilly in Yorkton made the season a little brighter for those involved in the Brick Mill restoration and expansion project with

a $5000 donation. Here Spilchen on the right, presents the cheque to Kevin Lukey, with Larry Pearen, left also present.

Submitted Photo

SENIORS just for

Our Monthly Feature

...For Seniors and about Seniors

Burkell honoured by local curling club

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Craig Burkell was installed Tuesday as the newest life member of the Yorkton Curling Club.

In order to become a life member there are three criteria that must be met.

First you need to be at least 60 years of age.

“Our inductee has that covered. At 82 he continues to curl and is still a force to be reckoned with on the ice,” explained club president Bev Fuchs at the presentation ceremony.

Secondly, you must have been a club member for a minimum of 20 years.

“This particular curler has been a fulltime club member since 1972 – that’s 50 years,” said Fuchs.

The third criteria is that they need to have held at least one leadership position within our organization – again our candidate has this covered.

“He was the office manager from 1981 –1983. Our club was very

hectic back in those days. There would be 96 teams in the Men’s Open Spiel, 64 in the Ladies Bonspiel and 64 teams entered in the Farmers with waiting lists. That is a lot of teams to keep track of and a lot of draws to make – all done manually with cardboard and stickpins,” said Fuchs.

“He has been the club president, served as bonspiel chairperson for many events, he and his wife were co-chairs for a provincial mixed championship and as a board member in the early 70’s he played a part in the decision to move the curling facility to the current location.

“These are only a few of the many contributions this gentleman and his family have made and continue to make to our club and the sport of curling.”

“It really is an honour,” said Burkell moments after the announcement.

Burkell said he has actually been involved with the local club for longer than noted.

“I started curling in

1954 in the old rink,” he said. “I was actually part of the club in the early ‘60s as well.”

He then took a few years off, only to return to the fold for the long haul.

So what keeps Burkell throwing – or now pushing rocks – all these years?

“It’s the fun and camaraderie,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing being around all the other curlers.”

Through the year’s interest in the sport has seemed to wane with the local bonspiel attracting far fewer teams than the 96 mentioned.

“Yes it has and I don’t know just what’s happened,” offered Burkell, looking back fondly on the heyday 1980s.

Burkell said back then the club was running two draws almost every night of the week and the UCT Club even having its own draw Saturday mornings.

That is not the case now, and Burkell said it likely relates to fewer curlers in the 20-to-40 age group which today seems

to involved in other things.

It might also relate inpart to fewer farmers too.

“The smaller clubs, there are not as many rural people out there,” said Burkell. “... When I was growing up in the 50s

the thing we looked forward to was curling.”

And it still is for Burkell who curls twice a week with the local seniors group. While enjoying the camaraderie as he always has, he notes he is still involved

because of the push stick delivery now allowed, adding his knees would have him retired years ago if he still needed to get down in the hack.

As it is he has some shots still to make, he said.

Tips for choosing a walk-in bathtub

Walk-in bathtubs are designed for people with mobility issues. They come with a watertight door and tend to be equipped with a bench and grab bars. Here are four tips to help you choose the right model for your needs.

1. CONSIDER HOW IT OPENS

The door to a walk-in bathtub can open either

inward or outward. If you’re in a wheelchair or use a walker, look for a model with a door that swings outward.

2. THINK LONGTERM

When choosing a bathtub, keep in mind that your mobility may further diminish as you age. Therefore, you may want to select a model with safety features that will come in

handy later.

3. DISCERN YOUR NEEDS

Determine whether you’ll use your bath daily or only occasionally. If you plan on using your tub often, ask yourself if you prefer sitting or lying down and if you want jets for a therapeutic experience.

4.

REFLECT ON THE FILLING SYSTEM

Walk-in bathtubs often take a long time to fill and must be completely emptied before you can get out. Consequently, you may want a model with a quick-fill system and two drains.

Before making your choice, consult a professional who can help you evaluate your needs.

Tips to help seniors stay warm in winter

1. ADJUST THE HEAT

Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature. If you want to keep your electricity bill down, increase the heat in rooms you frequently use and lower it everywhere else.

2. DRESS APPROPRIATELY

Wear wool clothing as much as possible. This material keeps you warmer than fabrics like cotton and polyester. Don’t forget to keep your hands, feet and head covered too. This is where you lose most of your body heat. Plus, wearing thick socks and slippers will prevent your feet from touching cold floors.

When going outdoors, wear several

Craig Burkell is now a life member of the Yorkton Curling Club. The recognition was bestowed recently by club president Bev Fuchs.

Discover the benefits of video games for seniors

Video games provide entertainment and come in a variety of genres to engage people of all interests. Did you know that they also hold potential benefits for seniors?

Improved cognitive function

Recent studies from Montreal focused on the effects of video games on the aging brain. Using MRIs before the study and again at the end, researchers established that doing puzzles or playing games of logic positively affected the hippocampus, the region of the brain associated with memory.

Of the three groups in the study, one group played 3-D video games, one did no particular activity and one took piano lessons, a different type of learning. The subjects who played video games saw their hippocam-

pus increase in volume more than the other two groups. This benefit may be transferrable to other areas of life where tasks require similar types of cognitive effort.

Mental and physical benefits

Depending on the type of game, the benefits can vary. Playing video games improved fine motor skills and shortened reaction times. Beyond memory and cognitive function, certain games improved attention spans, critical thought and emotional health while increasing the ability to do multiple tasks simultaneously. Other obser va tions included increased physical activity, which has its own benefits.

Visit a gaming or electronics store in your area to start building your video game library.

Is it time to review your meds?

As you age, your body may become more sensitive to the effects of certain drugs, and some may cease being appropriate for your needs. Here’s what you should know about reviewing your medication.

WHO TO CONSULT

Ask your pharmacist or doctor to review your medications with you. If you speak with your pharmacist, they’ll contact your doctor if a change in your prescription is needed. Be sure to mention any over-the-counter drugs or herbal rem-

edies you frequently use.

WHAT TO CHECK

It’s important to regularly evaluate your medications and their side effects. This will help you identify if the drugs you take still meet your needs. You can also ask about the possibil -

ity of changing your treatment for one that’s safer. Reducing your prescribed dose, or discontinuing altogether, may also be options. Remember to ask about a followup appointment to ensure the right decision was made.

Ideally, you should review the medications you take at least once a year to ensure they still benefit you.

3. EAT WELL

To stay warm, your body needs to burn a fair amount of calories. Consequently, eating a balanced diet can help you fight the cold. Be sure to eat hot, hearty meals and drink plenty of water. Sipping herbal tea throughout the day is a great way to stay warm and hydrated.

4. USE ACCESSORIES

If necessary, use a heated blanket when watching TV or put a hot water bottle in your bed a few minutes before you go to sleep.

If despite your best efforts you still struggle to stay warm, make sure to consult your doctor.

Sp orts

New girls hockey team perfect at Melville tournament

Courtesy of Canora Courier

The Parkland Prairie Ice, a first-year U13 girls hockey team, was formed in time for the 2022/23 season to give area girls and district audiences the opportunity to enjoy girls hockey.

The team’s roster is filled out by girls from a number of area communities, including: Canora, Norquay, Sturgis, Kamsack, Preeceville and Yorkton.

The players enjoyed their first game action as a team in the best possible way; winning five straight games to capture first place at a tournament held in Melville Dec. 10-11.

The head coach is Nicole Korpusik of Norquay, who was a member of the first University of Regina Cougars female hockey team during her playing days.

The Melville tournament began on Dec. 17 when the Ice hooked up with Parkland Fire, the host team, and skated away with a 6-3 win. Since it was their first game action as a team, Korpusik admits she wasn’t sure what to expect.

“My jaw hit the floor from the drop of the first puck, the leadership was incredible and the teamwork blew my mind,” said Korpusik “Our passing was incredible and the girls took every opportunity to make plays and include each player on the team.”

In their first game together, the players showed a strong ability to handle adversity.

“When the Fire scored against us it wasn’t a hang-your-head moment, these girls would rally around each other and bounce back.”

Harper Danchilla and Avery Lammers of Yorkton led the offence with two goals each. Single markers came from Ryea Harper of Canora and Rowyn Johnson of Norquay.

The second game was later in the day against the Warman Bearcats, which was a dominant 9-0 shutout for the Ice and goalie Ty Northrop of Norquay.

“We had almost every player contribute on the scoresheet, whether it was through goals or assists. It was awesome to see,” marveled Korpusik.

Danchilla and Lammers once again

contributed a total of four goals to the cause with two each. Tessica Mydonick of Canora and Morgan Olson of Sturgis each scored twice, while Makayla Johnson of Preeceville contributed one goal.

The action started early on Sunday, with an 8:30 a.m. faceoff against the Warman Bengals.

“The girls played gritty which resulted in having to work a little harder and be disciplined because we spent some time in the penalty box that game,” reported Korpusik. “Those penalties were mostly the result of hard work, not unsportsmanlike play, so I’ll take it. We came out on top with a 5-1 win.”

For the third straight game, Avery Lammers scored a pair of goals. Singles came from Ryea Harper, Rowyn Johnson and Isabelle Smith of Yorkton.

The final round robin game was against the Hamiota Huskies from across the border in Manitoba. Based on the standings, the Ice players knew they had qualified for the final game before the puck was dropped.

“But this didn’t stop our girls from playing

their hearts out. Again we had a great mix of numbers on the score sheet and came out with a 7-2 win and an undefeated round robin record.”

Harper Danchilla scored four goals and Morgan Olson added a pair, with Avery Lammers rounding out the scoring.

Korpusik said they were given about an hour “to rest and fuel up” before hitting the ice for the championship final, pitted against the host Parkland Fire for the second time in the tournament. The final score was 4-1 for the Ice.

“We knew they’d come out flying. . This was their tournament and they would be hungry for a win. The Fire scored first but our girls responded quickly and the first period ended with both teams on the board with one each. Our girls were showing signs of fatigue and had to dig deep. The passes weren’t coming as easily and the shots weren’t finding the mesh as they had before. We fought through frustrations, blisters, sugar lows, headaches and fatigue. We supported each other and we persevered, we came away as champions with a 4-1 victory!”

Avery Lammers was the offensive leader in this game with a pair of goals. Tessica Mydonick and Cassidy Wolkowski of Canora each found the net to provide the Ice with their margin of victory. Ty Northrop was the winning goalie for all five games, and made an offensive contribution as well with a pair of assists over the weekend.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these girls,” shared Korpusik. “Sticking together is easy when you’re fresh and winning but when you’re tired, hurting and frustrated your true colours as a player and a team come out. These girls stuck it out, never quit and supported each other through the adversity - that’s why they are the champs.”

Jackie Guidry, tournament organizer, was pleased to see the teams from the Parkland area in Saskatchewan and Manitoba “having good, competitive games” during the tournament.

“We need to continue to increase the awareness of female hockey all over Saskatchewan so girls can continue to build lifelong friendships and skills while

playing with and against other girls.”

Korpusik is quite impressed with the accomplishments of her players during their short time as a team, especially since they only had two practices together before the Melville tournament.

“Each of the girls on this team play on a house team in either Preeceville, Canora, Kamsack or Yorkton which means during the regular season we are competitors. This could make building a new team challenging. There are five different team schedules to try to work around in order to plan practices, so finding times that work for everyone and ice time that corresponded with open schedules was logistically challenging. Luckily, we have an incredible manager, Jaime Johnson, who has worked tirelessly to find opportunities for us. I am proud to say our players have bonded quickly both on and off the ice.”

The Ice now get to enjoy the Christmas break, before preparations begin in the New Year for a tournament in Portage la Prairie, Man. from Jan. 13-15.

Female junior hockey league starts next fall

The Hockey Saskatchewan Board of Directors has proudly approved the creation of a new Junior hockey league for Female players in the province.

This new Under-22 (U22) league will be up and running for the 202324 season and a Hockey Saskatchewan AAA/AA Task Team is working on the process that will be put in place seeking applications from communities to be a part of the inaugural launch of the League.

A virtual call was held in September 2022 with individuals from Minor Hockey Associations to discuss the formation of a Provincial Female Junior Hockey League. Over a dozen communities showed interest, and a vast majority were enthusiastic about putting the idea into motion.

“An update on our AAA/AA Task Team is that they have already begun looking at the review of female hockey and a female structure at AAA and AA. One item

I’d like to announce is the Hockey Saskatchewan Board of Directors has endorsed the creation of a Provincial Junior Female Hockey League to begin in the fall of 2023,” Hockey Saskatchewan General Manager Kelly McClintock said.

“With Under-13 AA this year within the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League, we’ve seen that league grow to well over 100 teams. Adding a Junior (U22) option for young ladies is something that’s going to

be exciting as well.

“Our Task Team is creating the process to recommend to the Board how teams can apply, how teams will be selected and how the league will be administered. It is a great initiative for us.”

Members of the Task Team are creating the process for communities/ teams to apply and how the league will be administered. As per guidelines, the Membership will be advised of any recommendations made

by the Task Team that are approved by the Hockey Saskatchewan Board of Directors, and what action will be taken.

Membership can expect another announcement regarding this initiative in January 2023.

The emergence of a U22 Provincial Female Junior Hockey League aligns with objectives outlined in Hockey Saskatchewan’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan.

Hockey Saskatchewan was established in 1912

and is the governing body for organized hockey in the Province of Saskatchewan. With a mission to Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Hockey Experiences, Hockey Saskatchewan encourages competition at all levels – from recreational to high performance. Hockey Saskatchewan has grown through the years and is Saskatchewan’s largest sports organization with over 43,000 members comprised of players, coaches, and officials.

Laskowski amazed by softball experience

It was a case of close, but no cigar, or in this case no gold medal for Team Canada at the recent 2022 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup.

The Canadian men’s team had an outstanding tournament making the final after going 7-1 throughout the round robin and super round.

Across the diamond was the Australian national team, also sporting a spiffy 7-1 record.

It was definitely the meeting of softball juggernauts and on this occasion, thanks largely to the mastery of leftie pitcher Jack Besgrove the Aussies would come out victorious, by a 5-2 margin.

Sean Cleary took the loss in the pitcher’s circle for Canada, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and striking out five batters in four and one-third innings.

Australia scored two runs in the top of the first inning and held Canada scoreless until the fifth on their way to earning the world title.

It was the first gold for Australia since 2009, and relegated Canada to silver.

Saskatoon team member Justin Laskowski said Besgrove was cer-

tainly dominant in the final.

Veteran Canadian hitters were coming back from at-bats saying “this guy’s got it today,” he said, adding being a leftie helped. “. . . You don’t get to see them quite as often.”

If you watched the game Besgrove most certainly had his game face on, one that frankly made him look as mean and nasty as his pitches.

“During the game I didn’t pay too much attention to his face,” said Laskoski, adding he had messages from family and friends remarking on Besgrove’s determined scowl.

It might have been a silver but it was a significant medal for Canada which has now won the most of WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup medals at 14; four gold, six silver, four bronze to move one ahead of New Zealand with 13.

For Laskowski the silver was still a hugely gratifying experience, as was just competing in the World Cup hosted in Auckland, New Zealand.

“The whole thing was unbelievable,” he told Yorkton This Week, after his return to Canada.

Laskowski said just

playing in New Zealand made the event a great one because the country is a hot bed of softball.

“They love their softball,” he said, adding that meant a knowledgeable fan base watching games. “. . . They all love it and everybody knows the rules. They weren’t always cheering for us but they were respectful.”

Personally, Laskowski said he was just happy to be part of a very talented Canadian team.

“I was so blessed to be part of this team with so many legends of the game on the team,” he said, adding many are veterans having been with the team for more than a decade. “. . . And I got to play with these guys. It was a dream come true.”

While Laskowski was on the bench to start the final, he said he was happy to have been given a good chunk of playing

CALVIN DANIELS Sports

time in New Zealand as a newish member of the team.

It started for Laskowski with the team at a tourney in Argentina earlier this year where he played a couple of games where he said “I did fairly well.”

That opened the door to more time in New Zealand.

“I was very fortunate to be the starting second baseman for pretty well the whole tournament,” he said, “my bat got a little cold,” and that took him out of the final two games.

“But I’m just very thankful for the time I got.”

In fact, Laskowski is not likely to ever forget 2022, noting it “was probably the best year of my life,” having travelled abroad with Team Canada several times. “… It was the time of my life.”

In other World Cup action, the United States defeated Argentina 2-0 to earn the bronze medal as Brad Kilpatrick threw a complete game shutout. It was the USA’s first medal in 22 years. The last time the US squad reached the podium in the Men’s Softball World Cup was also a bronze in East London, South Africa, in 2000.

Three Canadian play-

ers were named to the tournament all-star team – Sean Cleary at pitcher, Quinten Bruce in right field and Bryan Abrey as designated player.

Abrey also won individual awards for most homeruns with three and runs batted in with 11, with Bruce taking the batting title with a 0.647 average and Shane Boland the most runs scored with nine.

Kaleidoscope

Time with team marked by award

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Few things make Twylla Newton happier than working with her Clydesdale horses.

In fact, she spends hours with them every day, and while doing it for the joy of it, all those hours have also been recognized.

Newton was recently awarded for documented miles with her horse team Clair and Fontana by the Saskatchewan Horse Federation.

“The Saskatchewan Horse Federation (SHF) offers its members an award for ‘Miles in Motion’,” explained Newton. “There is no charge to enter, and it is only a matter of recording the miles that you have ridden or drove for your horse(s) and then submitting the records to SHF.”

It’s about being active with your horses, not what you actually do, continued Newton.

“How you got your miles with your horse does not matter, ride, drive, trail ride, show, endurance,” she said.

“It is also really neat that this is open to every person no matter if they attend shows or never leave the farm. There are categories for junior and senior SHF members.”

But there is still a record to keep, so why did Newton take on the extra effort?

“I do a lot of both riding and driving horses all year long,” she told Yorkton This Week. “The SHF has had this award for a few years now, and I thought it would be neat to actually see just how much time I am in the barn. Apparently, it is too much, as there were a lot of miles recorded.”

So how many hours exactly?

“My team of Clydesdale mares, Clair and Fontana were drove just under 300 miles, but I added up all the teams and riding horse individual logged miles that I did and it was over 1400 miles,” said Newton, adding “yup, I might have been at the barn too long,”

Clair and Fontana

are not the only horses Newton works with.

“Clair, six years old and Fontana, four years old are my mature and most experienced team, thus they get sent to quite a few events, especially the ones that involve the public,” said Newton.

“There are just over 20 young, home bred, registered Clydesdales at our farm. The oldest horse on the farm is seven years old.

“The ones that are about two years and older are in some form of light training for riding or driving, and maybe even both disciplines.

“The horses younger than that are pretty much just enjoying their freedom in large pastures till it is their turn to go to work.”

So what was entailed in terms of record keep ing of logging the miles?

“The SHF provides a logbook for you to keep track of your miles,” said Newton. “It is as simple as just keeping the book handy and recording the miles that you either rode or drove with your horse for that day.

“Records are submit ted to SHF on a month ly-basis, and then SHF will do a final tally for the year end award. The months that are set aside to record your activities are April to October.”

In Newton’s case there were multiple logbooks to keep up-to-date.

“As I work with mul tiple horses in riding or driving, and some of the horses do both,” she offered. “I had a logbook for each horse that I rode or drove as well as a log book for each team that I drove. It does not matter if you are doing arena work, riding down the trails, or doing field work with a team, all the miles can count towards the award.”

It was not Newton’s plan to focus on Clair and Fontana, they just ended up being her busiest team.

“It just so happened that my team of Clair and Fontana ended up with the most miles out of all the ones I worked with,” she said.

The events Clair and

“The teams that I drove, did a lot of wagon rides, as well as some

to the Rocky Mountains,” offered Newton. “The horses that I concentrated on riding are all at various levels of training from entry level, where they are only lightly rid-

three-to-five times a week and are attending riding shows.”

So can Newton estimate how much time she spends with them all?

“Too much according to my family,” she replied.

“There is daily chores and herd maintenance that takes a few hours every day.

“In the summertime, I spend more time with the riding horses and just work with one or two teams, and in the winter months I do not ride much at all, but have about four teams work-

“It would be safe to say I spend as much time in the barn in the week as

a fulltime job.” But, obviously she loves it.

“My Clydesdales are my passion,” said Newton. “They are part of my family. From me, they receive the best care, food, training and attention that I can offer. In return they reward me with their hearts and their best effort no matter what I ask of them.”

So Newton will likely be logging more miles, many more in 2023.

“Yes, I think I will start the SHF Miles in Motion logbooks again next April,” she said. “Winning or not, it is really neat to see the numbers of miles that get accumulated.”

Fontana and other horses at Tail Winds Farm took part in were rather diverse.

Twylla Newton spends a lot of hours working with her Clydesdale team of Clair and Fontana.

Submitted photos

2022 was great, ‘23 looks positive too

We are the eve of that time in the year when old calendars are turfed and new ones are hung.

Well, that I suppose is more memory of the recent past than reality these days with most opting for the calendars on their laptops or cellphones.

I am of an age though where I recall a calendar hanging in most every room in the home, not that it was hard to do as almost every business handed out promotional calendars at this time of year.

It was not unusual for grandpa being sent on an errand to collect

a calendar from a particular business after grandma had seen a calendar at a neighbor’s she thought would be perfect in one spot or another in their house.

So while I digress down memory lane a little, the time of year is largely about reflection, looking back on the last 12 months, although I recall grandpa noting more than once it didn’t matter because you can’t change the past.

For the most part the farm sector, at least in large parts of the Prairies probably would not change anything in

2022.

Agriculture THIS WEEK

Calvin Daniels

The year was the rare perfect storm for farmers, with generally good yields – better than many had expected – a good weather for fall to get the grain in the bin, and the best prices ever on most crops.

What that all comes together as is a year which is historically significant with many suggesting it is the best of their careers and others at least in agreement it is in the top few years they’ve ever had.

It would be hard to

imagine you could hop in a time machine and go back to improve much about 2022, at least for grain and oilseed producers.

It has admittedly not been as good for livestock producers, impacted of course by the higher cost of feed.

And while we do spend time in reflection on the year that was it’s hard not to pause to look ahead to the next 12 months.

Again for grain producers the optimism has to be fairly high.

Yes, there is a realization input costs are going to be high, but

with the war in Ukraine ongoing, and worries about what Russian leader Vladimir Putin might do next still high, prices are not likely to crash. They might decline but not likely to the point returns won’t be good.

And while crops are not made on the moisture from snow, there is at least a cover of the white stuff in most areas to at least get the next crop growing.

It just all adds up to a holiday season where farmers have to be rather happy about what has just passed and what is likely coming next.

Agribition trip huge opportunity for Hazel Dell farm family

Gelbvieh cattle operation.

The Spray family of Triple S Cattle Company had the experience of a lifetime when they attended and showed three of their purebred Gelbvieh cattle at Agribition in Regina at the end of November.

The family lives and farms 12 miles west and one mile south of Preeceville, and have a successful purebred

“Every year we go to Agribition to see the show, but this year we decided to participate in the Gelbvieh show portion of Agribition,” said Brett Spray. “We showed an open heifer, a bred heifer and a bull calf in the ring. All three of the projects had been a 4-H calf at one point and were used to being showed and halter broke.

The Spray family of Triple S Cattle Company had the experience of a lifetime when they attended and showed three of their purebred Gelbvieh cattle at Agribition in Regina at the end of November.

Courtesy of Preeceville Progress

Amber Spray of Hazel Dell showed one of her parents’ purebred Gelbvieh heifers in the junior category of Agribition in Regina.

Brett Spray of Hazel Dell showed one of his purebred Gelbvieh heifers and a bull calf in Agribition for the first time.

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Continued from Page A3 around exactly how much money he’s won, but that the moment was — and remains — very exciting.

“I only phoned my four sons [afterwards] and I think they thought I was pulling their leg, trying to get a rise out of them, but eventually it sunk in,” said Anuik.

As a fundraising entity, Sask Lotteries supports approximately 12,000 sports, culture and recreation programs across the province.

Anuik said he’s been an avid lottery ticket purchaser for decades, and that he remembers his sons using some of the sport programs supported by Sask Lotteries when they were kids.

“Over the years, I’ve bought lots of tickets because Sask Lotteries supports our kids,” said Anuik. “[My sons] were in various sports, such as swimming and kayaking, and I always looked at it as giving back.”

He has previously won on lottery tickets before, including a win with coworkers in Moose Jaw that lauded him $80 and $6,800 on a Western Max ticket in 2011 — but nothing quite like his jackpot today.

Anuik said he has no concrete plans for his winnings as of yet, but that he’s talking to a financial planner to decide things for the future.

“I think if it had happened 20 years ago or whatever, it would have been a totally different story,” laughed Anuik.

Saskatchewan has been home to several big lottery winners in the past several months, including a $55 million win in Saskatoon in October and another $50 million win in Saskatoon in January.

But the amount that Anuik has won is cer-

tainly top of the pack, falling in as the sixth largest amount won by a Saskatchewan resident via lottery.

Sask Lotteries said that the odds of winning this jackpot were one in 33 million, after it was held over three times waiting for a winning ticket.

Vice chair of lotteries Michael Rogers said that although Saskatchewan may appear to be on a hot streak, winning the lottery remains the same game of chance as it has always been.

He said that although it seems residents are buying more lottery tickets in the past year, that influx won’t change the odds of each jackpot.

“The odds are the same, whatever they may be with each new draw,” said Rogers. “But we’ll enjoy it, as we proceed as a province, and go from there.”

6 – Goulden elected SUMA president In April long-time Yorkton City Councillor Randy Goulden was elected the new president of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association.

Delegates to the recent SUMA convention elected Goulden over Shaunavon Mayor Kyle Bennett.

“It’s a little overwhelming to get all the support that I did,” Goulden told Yorkton This Week after she had returned from the convention.

Goulden said it was also gratifying that so many people she had made connections with over her 20-years on the SUMA board supported her election bid.

Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley said it was great to see a local councillor get the top job with

SUMA.

“We’re extremely excited and happy for her,” he said.

Hippsley said the real winner is Saskatchewan.

“She’s going to be excellent for the province. Because she knows small towns,” he said, adding that will make her a fine advocate for communities across Saskatchewan. “It’s huge for the province of Saskatchewan to have her on board.”

Goulden had been acting as interim president of SUMA since the resignation of Rodger Hayward after just a year in the role.

Hayward, mayor of Naicam, departed as president in February after accepting a promotion at United Agri Products Canada Inc., his regular employer. Hayward had defeated incumbent Gordon Barnhart during the 2021 SUMA election.

Goulden had been interim president in 2016 for a short time as well, but did not seek the top spot then.

“The first time I wasn’t ready,” she said, adding that this time she knew “from the bottom of my heart” that she “was ready” to take on the top role.

“I have the time, the energy, to take on this role.”

While Goulden said she is not the sole voice for SUMA, with an active board to support her, she will be the face of SUMA as it deals with a number of key issues.

From the outset Goulden said it will be about creating a team atmosphere.

“It’s about cooperation and collaboration with our members and with our partners,” she said.

Goulden said SUMA

will also be strongly advocating to be part of discussions when the senior levels of government, national and provincial, talk about issues and policies which impact municipalities.

“We need a seat at the table with other levels of government,” she said.

As for specific issues, there are a number which were discussed over the convention, said Goulden.

For example, she said municipalities are finding they have a role to play in the area of mental health and addictions in their communities.

“Health has never been a municipal responsibility,” she noted, add-

ing that is the role of the federal and provincial governments, but the area of mental health and addictions is being felt at the community level. “I heard that loud and clear it’s an issue happening in our communities.”

There were also concerns about provincial revenue sharing, which is tied to provincial sales tax and as a result declined last year. It’s a decline in funding which will affect what municipalities can do.

Goulden said SUMA has asked the province “to freeze” the transfers in the budget,” but added “we didn’t see that.”

There was also general concern from muni-

cipalities of all size regarding the impact on a new RCMP contract which will significantly increase annual policing costs, and immediately hits municipalities with a hefty payout for back pay. “RCMP costs are absolutely a concern . . . We’re hearing it from all our members,” said Goulden.

Goulden was first elected to Yorkton Council in 1997, and has sat since except for one three-year hiatus. She has been active in leadership roles with SUMA for years. She has been on the SUMA board for two decades and has been a representative with Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

PLAN OF THE WEEK

dow looks out to the back garden. In the ensuite, the soaker tub occupies a bayed-out area with its own window. Double basins will ease the morning rush-hour. A roomy walk-in closet completes the lay-out.

The second bedroom enjoys its own three-piece bathroom and features an extra-wide window sill. A linen closet is positioned conveniently for both bedrooms.

The laundry room, which includes a coat cupboard as well as access to the double garage, will double as a mud room. The double garage might be large enough for a workshop area, and a doorway leads to the side garden.

This home measures 43 feet wide by 64 feet deep, for a total of 1,328 square feet of living space, plus the unfinished basement included in the plans.

PLAN NUMBER 1-2617 GREAT NUMBER OF AMENITIES

The design for this two-bedroom home, which includes an unfinished basement, neatly packs a great number of amenities into a compact space.

A covered entry, always a boon in inclement weather, leads into a foyer where a 12-foot ceiling will augment the feel-

ing of roominess. Directly ahead is the open-plan great-room complex.

A corner fireplace in the great room is angled to save space, and its cosy glow will also be seen in the dining room and kitchen. The dining room’s vaulted ceiling will lend the room a touch of dramatic airiness, and a door onto a sundeck will encourage al fresco meals during the warmer months. Windows

overlook a covered deck, perfect for year-round barbecuing. The optional built-out buffet would enhance the dining room’s spaciousness.

The kitchen is divided from the great room and dining room by a prep island and raised eating bar, configured to make the most efficient use of the area. A roomy pantry will provide extra storage space.

The master suite’s win-

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General Employment General Employment

Randy Goulden

Tame tomorrow’s mystery with the assurance of God’s faithfulness KATHLEEN GIBSON

It’s a funny week, the time-island between Christmas and New Year’s. Last year’s wall calendars (for those who still use them) hang suspended by December’s single bedraggled, often tape-reinforced hole. Next year’s waits to be hung. We may know what fills some of its squares, but most remain a mystery.

If only, at least on our personal schedules, we could be as certain of the twelve months ahead as we are of those behind. If only we could control their content. Leave off the hard, save the good. Last year alone, I would have struck out COVID and its lengthy consequences. Long COVID for

me and for the Preacher, almost a month fighting double pneumonia in hospital. (We almost lost him. God isn’t finished with him yet, we realize.)

I would leave off, erase if I could, the shattering of a good friend’s marriage. The miles walked alongside, aching for her as she choked on the smog of sorrow and uncertainty.

I may ask to be relieved of the causes of countless sleepless nights, many spent uttering prayers that too often seemed to go unheard and unanswered.

I may refuse to watch the news. Wish the bad away, to keep my sunny side up.

Sunny Side Up

I’d keep the sweet things. The making of new friends. The month spent caring for our youngest grandchildren. The joy of planting our front shrubbery and tending our flower beds.

I’d save (and circle in a happy fluorescent colours) our son’s visit. Watching our entire nearby family perform on stage in The Lion, the

Witch, and the Wardrobe. My trip to B.C. to visit family.

I’d savour the fun of watching our grandson Benjamin and the Preacher build the small sitting shed, the one behind the garden shed out back. Regarding that shed, though. (I’ve dubbed it the Nest.) I would have struck off the table saw mishap that

robbed the Preacher of his right index fingertip.

I’d keep (and will forever) the memory of the best laugh I’ve ever had. It took me to the floor, that laugh, gasping for breath.

I would scratch off the regret of having to abandon my desk suddenly, with no chance to say good-bye to people I’d had the long privilege of helping. But I’d keep the memories of the dinner my boss and colleagues held for me when I retired after six months medical leave. And too, the precious gift of their presence.

More memories, both bitter and sweet, keep coming. Some overwhelm me. With them,

however, arrives two fresh realizations: Jesus held us all through those 365 days. And no matter what that new calendar will hold, he’ll do the same.

Each year, the celebration of Jesus’ birth reminds his followers that Heaven rules. That God keeps his promises. That he meets us at the crux of every fear, every doubt—even when we don’t sense him there. Certainly, the future will hold things we’d rather leave out. But as it has for the Preacher and me, looking back always proves God true, and truly faithful. Please remember that, when you hang your next calendar.

Well, gardeners, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is past, we stand at the beginning of the garden path looking to a new year, and a new gardening season.

It is always amazing to me how many people are taking up gardening as a hobby. It is wonderful to see, because it is like they are discovering a wonderful secret for the very first time. I think people who have been gardening for any length of time realize the wonder and joy of gardening and perhaps take it for granted, but for novice gardeners, it is a new and exciting delight.

What does gardening give us? The obvious answers come to mind first. It is a satisfying and rewarding pastime. It’s all good, isn’t it: fresh air, exercise, and it gives us

the chance to grow some of our favorite foods or create our own personal oasis of peace and tranquility with beautiful flowers and shrubs right in our back yards.

Wait, there’s more! We read countless times that gardening can help reduce our levels of stress and therefore help to lower blood pressure; it makes us feel good just by the fact of connecting with nature, breathing in fresh air, listening to the birds, and feeling the sun on our faces.

And talk about a physical work-out! Just think back to the first day last spring that you really did some serious yard work, maybe that first clean-up day. Raking, weeding, pulling, cleaning, cutting branches, hauling them away. Probably every muscle

Sask continues growth in retail

Statistics Canada released retail trade figures from October 2022, showing Saskatchewan’s ongoing strength in the retail trade sector. Compared to October 2021, the province has seen 9.0 per cent growth, above the national average of 6.4 per cent –second in terms of percentage change among the provinces.

“Saskatchewan continues to impress with its strong and growing economy,” Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison said. “We are seeing increased activity in our local businesses and services. Our government will continue to support Saskatchewan’s small business community as we work to maintain our position as one of Canada’s most competitive business environments.”

Saskatchewan also saw 3.7 per cent growth month-to-month, for a

total of over $2.1 billion (seasonally adjusted) over the course of October 2022.

Saskatchewan has ranked first in Canada in several other key economic indicators in recent months. Statistics Canada reported a 46.7 per cent jump in wholesale trade for October 2022, compared to October 2021, while that same period saw the value of merchandise exports up by 47.5 per cent and building construction up by 39.3 per cent. Manufacturing sales in Saskatchewan are also up, increasing by 7.4 per cent compared to September 2022, first in the nation in terms of percentage change.

In November 2022 the province’s unemployment rate fell to 4.2 per cent, the second lowest among provinces, and well below the national average of 5.1 per cent (seasonally adjusted). — Submitted

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you knew in your body, and maybe a few that you forgot were there, likely got a real workout. Probably at the end of the day you felt like you could barely crawl back to the house. But probably it was the most rewarding and exhilarating day that you had for a long while. My sweet Mom always used to say, “It’s a happy tired.” And indeed, that’s what gar-

dening can do for us. I always find, too, that when we start the actual planting, and deciding what plants will go where, it is a very rewarding and amazing creative effort, especially if sometimes we hit that perfect combination of plants that gives us an outstanding container or flower bed. It often happens by fluke, but still, what satisfaction it brings!

Wait, there’s still more.

To anyone who has lost someone special this past year, my heart is with you. I hope that connecting with nature in the garden this coming spring will bring you healing and peace. I know first-hand that this is so, even if many tears water the garden first. It is a healing miracle how focusing on work in the garden, making that connection with the earth, can bring a balm and healing to our sad and troubled spirits.

When my precious Mom died, I can’t tell you how many times I’d be doing various tasks in the garden, and my tears would be falling like rain. It was my solitary pain of missing her; the aching, heart-felt cry that we all

need from time to time. But you know, it was such a cleansing experience, and once it was done, I remembered so very many happy memories of being together in our garden as a family. And in time, after the tears, it brought (and brings) me joy and gratitude to my darling parents for their boundless love and all those happy times.

That’s my wish for you, gardeners. That you find that joy and peace in your garden.

Thank you to our friends at YTW who bring us local news and keep us all connected. Find out what’s new with the hort society at www. yorktonhort.ca.

Wishing you every blessing and good gardening in the new year.

Year-End Reflections

When people fall down, do they not get up? When someone turns away, do they not return?

Rural municipalities tasked with replacing bridges with limited budgets

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

The Northeast region of our province boasts many lakes and rivers. With that comes many bridges that are required to travel the area.

Currently there are 1,307 rural municipal bridges in the province of Saskatchewan. This number is almost double the amount of provincial highway bridges at 786. Rural municipal bridges have become an issue that can no longer be ignored as many are starting to get older in age.

According to Ray Orb, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the average age of these bridges are 50 to 65 years in age. As these bridges age, it is the responsibility of the rural municipality to maintain them and is becoming a bigger issue since he started out as a board member of SARM in 2004. Orb said since 2004, bridges have been a concern for RMs and SARM has been advocating for more funding

since then. SARM conducted a study back in 2004 on the age of bridges and the need for funding and went on to state that you could build a bridge for $100,000 and now in 2022, an average cost of a bridge depending on size is at least $1 million or more.

The Rural Municipality of Connaught No. 456 wins the award of having the most rural municipal bridges, at just under 40. It seems like it would be an impossible feat for any rural municipality to have the ability, staff, education required to inspect, maintain, fix or replace many of these bridges.

According to SARM, all rural municipal bridges are inspected on a three-year cycle by the province. It is split into three regions. The east side of province has, by and large, the most rural municipal bridges and is split into three subregions. The west side of the province is inspected over one year. It takes two years to inspect all the bridges on the East side.

The Rural Municipality of Bjorkdale

No. 426 recently built a new bridge at Barrier Ford, with the cost to replace estimated to be just under $1 million. That bridge is one out of the 21 bridges that are in their rural municipality. The RM of Bjorkdale did

receive funding though an ICIP (Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program) grant.

SARM recently received a boost in funding from the provincial government to invest in rural municipal bridges and roadways. The Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program provides funding for various infrastructure projects throughout rural Saskatchewan.

Before this funding was available, it was estimated that only three municipal bridges were being replaced annually.

Since this funding has become available, approximately $31.5 million over a three-year period, SARM estimated that now in a three-year period, 60 bridges have been replaced. SARM encourages all rural municipalities to contact their office and utilize

their staff and expertise.

The decision to replace a bridge does not come lightly either, for many rural municipalities in order to replace or renovate a bridge an application an permit is required from three regulatory agencies: the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada and the provincial Water Security Agency. Combined with the complexities of replacing bridges and the need for engineers, it has made replacing rural municipal bridges an extremely long and financially burdensome process.

Is there an answer to replacing the aging infrastructure of municipal bridges? Orb spoke directly at the federal government providing more money to the aging infrastructure in rural Saskatchewan. Orb stat-

AGRIBITION

ed, “that with some of the federal government funding based on a per capita basis, it doesn’t allocate funding equally.

Rural Canada just does not get the funding we deserve and the majority of this funding goes to the bigger cities where the population is greater.”

Co-operation between rural municipalities could also help in the financial costs when hiring engineers to look at bridges. Orb stated that SARM has been looking at developing a bridge design that is cheaper, more affordable for RMs and is safe and will stand the test of time. It has been a topic of discussion at the Annual SARM Conference for years now and more advocacy will be needed to help continue in keeping Saskatchewan rural municipal bridges safe and accessible to all.

from Page A12

Continued

My daughter Amber was a huge help as I had never shown any cattle in the ring before, while she, being a part of the Kelvington 4-H Beef Club, had knowledge on how to successfully show animals in the ring,” said Spray.

Amber Spray showed in the junior showmanship team grooming with her friend Anne Wilgosh. Both Amber and her dad Brett placed in the middle of the group and have made plans to work toward a better showing next year.

Rebecca Spray showed in the pee-

wee category and placed first in her age category. Hailey Spray placed second in the Gelbvieh junior grooming showmanship competition. Amber, Hailey and Rebecca are all active 4-H members who have accumulated valuable experience in showing animals.

“We all learned so much and this was the 50th anniversary of the Gelbvieh Association. We received positive encouragement from other breeders. The Gelbvieh bred is growing in Saskatchewan and that is a very positive thing for the livestock industry, concluded Brett.

The new bridge at Barrier Ford is estimated to cost just under $1 million. Rural municipalities across the province are responsible for 1,307 bridges, with their average age around 50 to 65 years in age.

Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Rebecca Spray of Hazel Dell won first place in the peewee class at Agribition.