Yorkton This Week 2023-02-01

City budget unveil shows tax hike

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Yorkton Council unveiled its 2023 operating and capital budgets to the public Monday at its regular meeting after months of behind closed door preparation, and deliberation.

And the bottom line for taxpayers is that the document proposes a 3.93 per cent increase in taxes, 2.93 of that going

to operating and the remaining one per cent to capital.

Councillor Ken Chyz asked how the increase compares with other Saskatchewan cities.

Ashley Stradeski –Director of Finance with the city, said there have been reported increases of 3.5 to seven per cent.

“I’d say we are in the middle of the pack, maybe bottom third,” he said.

On a home valued at $215,000, the mathematical average in Yorkton, the increase will mean an increase of roughly $6.50-$7 per month, said Stradeski.

Stradeski in presenting the budgets Monday suggested Yorkton residents would see at least some of the city’s fee for services rise as well in 2023 as another way to deal with increasing costs.

“This year is an interesting one. Just like everyone we’re (the city) facing huge increases in costs,” he said.

For example, inflation for the year has been sitting around the seven per cent or higher mark, and this affects all of the goods and services the City requires to operate, explained Stradeski.

Likewise, items like asphalt and other aggregates used in construc-

tion are up 15-25 per cent, electricity is up eight per cent and energy costs up more than 17 per cent.

And, high fuel prices (50 per cent higher or more throughout the year) affect many of the core services that utilize mobile equipment, as well as driving up costs of nearly every product the City purchases, he continued.

Such increases impact a budget.

At the end of the day, the total required budget has gone up; this is not due to increased areas of spending, but rather increased costs to do the same amount of work, noted Stradeski.

Stradeski also stated the approach taken in creating the 2023 budget was to maintain the existing level of services, with the overlaying

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Brakes pumped on pump track

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Money for a development of a city park behind Columbia School has more than $1 million allocated in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 city budgets, but the project has now been shelved for at least a year.

In 2021, City Council heard public requests for recreational facilities being basketball courts, and a pump track bike park. The basketball courts were approved in the 2021 Capital budget and thereafter Council heard a request for the development of a pump bike track.

Initially the pump track was estimated to cost $350K but in

the 2022 budget $425K was allocated.

The total budget, for the track, two courts, parking and work associated with drainage was $1,090,000. At the Dec. 5, 2022 Regular Council Meeting, the following resolution was made.

That Council directed Administration to:

*Proceed with presenting the design concept of the Columbia Park Development, including the drainage plan, to the Public Open House on December 8, 2022.

*Proceed to tender on Phase 1, which will determine the final construction costs for Phase 1, and report back to Council with the bids, and to

obtain direction if the tender price exceeds the approved budget of $1,090,000.00.

*Defer other phases of the Columbia Park Development to future budgets.

But Monday Councillor Quinn Haider was calling for the brakes to be put on the project.

“During budget discussions in 2021, City Council approved funds for a Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This plan will guide the development, delivery, and improvements of parks, sport, culture, recreation programs, and recreations facilities. This plan will help to identify the changing needs and demands of the community and help

us to manage these services,”

detailed a Notice of Motion presented by Haider.

“We almost have detailed design of Phase I of the Columbia Park Development complete, and this has been an essential step in determining next steps, however I do not feel that this project should proceed at this time, and therefore would like to revisit direction to proceed to tender,’” stated Haider. “In a time when our residents are facing unprecedented grocery bills and other substantial increases, I feel we need to be more fiscally responsible than ever. As well, I would like to see what the Master Rec Plan will tell us in regards to how

to best meet the rec needs of our city.”

While there was general consensus for delaying the project, there was concern for how long.

Coun. Ken Chyz said he feared if the project was shifted to the backburner it might “totally get forgotten about.”

“How long do we wait? When do we pull the trigger?” questioned Mayor Mitch Hippsley.

The answer to how long to wait is apparently until deliberations for the city’s 2024 capital budget as that was the amendment attached to Haider’s motion to put tenders on hold.

No go for snowmobiles on new trail

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

A request from Yorkton Sno Riders to extend the snowmobile trail system in the city to provide access to their new clubhouse on Myrtle Ave., was turned down by Yorkton Council Monday, well sort of. The Public Hearing on the issue took place at the January 9, regular Council meeting. At

that meeting there were no public comments brought forth and no written submissions were received, but the request had been deferred earlier by Council allowing feedback from the Protective Services Committee and CN to be provided.

A Protective Services Committee meeting was held on Thursday, Jan. 19. Prior to the meeting, the Fire Chief

received feedback from a CN representative that the proposed route could not be approved due to the inclusion of a new rail crossing, explained René Richard, Director of Engineering and Asset Management with the city. In light of that feedback, a revised proposed route was developed and presented to the Protective Services

Committee for their comments. This new route is contained to legal road right-of-ways, on City property, or through private property located at 41 York Road. The City has received communication from the Sno Riders indicating they have already received permission from the owner of 41 York Road to groom a trail through the property should Council decide to amend the bylaw, he

added.

“During the Protective Services Committee meeting, the revised route was debated at great length,” said Richard. The main concern expressed during the meeting pertained to the proximity of the revised route to the CN property south of York Road. More specifically, there were

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File Photo by Tyson Off

a budget presented Monday is approved.

BUDGET

Continued from Page A1 question asked, “what’s it going to take to do that.”

The resulting document reflects that, he added.

“There’s not a lot of increased spending in the budget, but increased costs,” he said.

Stradeski also reported that the first draft of the budget was showing an eight per cent tax hike to maintain the status quo but was pared down over the process of finalizing the document.

In part that was achieved through reaching out to the public for their view via a pre-budget survey conducted on “Shape Your City”.

With regards to how to fund cost increases, there was a clear leaning towards increasing user fees, said Stradeski, adding user fees are

charged on various services the City offers such as recreation passes, penalties on taxes, and many other items. These are collected such that the individual who used the service or incurred the expense pays for it rather than the taxpayers in general.

One example of fee hikes will be at the Gallagher Centre.

Overall costs were up around 4.4 per cent at the Gallagher Centre, however decreased revenue from leases and concessions have added to this.

To offset, many of the fees and charges at the facility will be increased by five per cent throughout the year, with a net increase in cost of $250,000, explained Stradeski.

RCMP costs are up too, with an increase on more than four per cent due to requirements for body cams and other personal equipment that

has been overdue for replacement or modernization, said Stradeski. The increase is almost one per cent of taxes collected.

Public works also sees its operating costs rise significantly.

The overall budget here has been increased by 9.87 per cent to offset the increased asphalt, fuel and snow removal costs, said Stradeski.

Another fee increase already announced relates to the water utility. The budget includes the previously approved 4.75 per cent increase to water rates as well as the $3 / month increase to the residential water base charge.

On the capital side the one per cent increase is roughly $267,000, which brings the city’s annual capital expenditure total to $4,910,000 for 2023.

The capital budget as prepared is

a two-year capital budget to allow for planning of larger and more complex capital projects, and the 2024 year has a planned increase of one per cent as well.

For 2023, the capital budget was approved last year and included funding for York Road, and updates to the Kinsmen Arena ice system to keep it operational for the future.

New items on this budget are the 2024 capital, which include projects such as the Airport Terminal building, replacements for several street lights and traffic signal poles, and further funding towards roadwork, reported Stradeski.

The complete budget document is now posted online at www.yorkton.ca allowing for public feedback before being brought back to Council for final approval.

App launching to aid missing kids

EGADZ is launching a new app to reduce the number of young people who are reported missing from government care. The Saskatoon Police Service and the Government of Saskatchewan joined EGDAZ for a live demonstration of the app that will be rolled out to Saskatoon agencies first and then expanded to agencies across the province in the coming months.

“I am pleased to announce we provided close to $50,000 to support the development of the Missing Youth Saskatchewan app to engage and support these youth,” Saskatoon Willowgrove MLA Ken Cheveldayoff said on behalf of Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky. “EGADZ continues to be one of the most innovative community-based organizations in all of Canada, and we are so proud to partner with them to support vulnerable youth here in Saskatoon.”

The app builds on EGADZ’s Operation

Runaway risk assessment tool that helps youth workers engage with and assess the youth’s level of risk if they do not return to their home as scheduled. It was developed using input from the EGADZ youth committee and is informed by their lived experiences with being in care. If the app guides the worker to report the young person missing, with a click of a button the worker can then easily share all relevant information with their local police services.

“The Saskatoon Police Service has had a long and successful partnership with EGADZ in our joint efforts to address the needs of youth at risk,” Saskatoon Police Service Deputy Chief Randy Huisman said. “We look forward to the digital expansion of the Operation Runaway program and the opportunity to build additional working relationships with other youth care homes.”

“Not all young people who miss a check-in with their worker are at risk of harm,” EGADZ

Executive Director Don Meikle said. “Our youth committee was really clear that we need to engage police services for youth who need to be prioritized and report young people who are truly at risk.”

Examples of some factors that may create an increased safety risk for a young person includes mental illness or drug use.

Since EGADZ implemented their risk assessment tool, the number of youth reported missing from EGADZ’s My Homes has steadily declined. Of the nearly 1,500 risk assessments completed by EGADZ staff last year, only 235 resulted in missing person reports to Saskatoon police.

The Ministry of Social Services provides annualized funding for EGADZ residential, street outreach and Operation Runaway programs that provide support to at-risk children and youth.

EGADZ is a nationally and internationally recognized social innovator and won Saskatchewan’s

first Governor General’s Award for Innovation in 2019. They offer several programs and services

to Saskatoon’s children, youth and their families to improve their quality of life, including street

outreach, housing, education and employment support and parenting programming.

Kelvington curling

The Good Spirit 4-H Curling Club Juniors competed in the NE Regional 4H Playdowns held at the Kelvington Curling Club on Jan. 29. The team, comprised of several youths from Saltcoats, Canora and Norquay, competed against four other teams and won the tourna-

ment. The team will move on to the Saskatchewan 4-H Provincial Curling Championships held in Swift Current February 17, 18 and 19. From left to

Paisley Wolkowski, Jackson Callin, Lane Harper, Rachel Armbruster, Jordan Lukey, Jesse Lukey.

York Road wrecker still awaiting approval

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

A business on York Road is hoping to expand the business it does, but will require a discretionary use permit to expand, was again put on hold by Yorkton Council Monday.

A Development Permit application for a Salvage Yard use at 85 York Road West was requested, but while the Zoning Bylaw does not include salvage yard as a defined land use, the definition of auto wrecking/junk yard most closely resembles the proposed use, explained

Carleen Koroluk Land

Use Planner with the city at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council in

January.

The property is zoned MI-1 Light Industrial and is located on York Road West, along one of the main entrances to the City.

The applicant purchased the property in November 2021, and was issued a temporary Development Permit for a light industrial use in January 2022, specifically for the purchasing and processing of metals such as copper wire. At the time it was indicated that ferrous metal, like vehicles, would not be stored on site, explained Koroluk.

“Much has changed from the applicant’s initial proposed use and

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the business has subsequently grown from five employees to 17 employees working both on and off the site,” she said in January.

The applicant did not initially apply to the City to undertake the revised development, and therefore was no longer in compliance with the issued Development Permit. Planning Services was forced to initiate enforcement, resulting in the subject application, detailed Koroluk.

As a result, Council approved Administration be authorized to proceed with Public Notification for Discretionary Use application which proposes an Auto Wrecking/ Junk Yard use as defined in City of Yorkton Zoning Bylaw at 85 York Road West, which was passed

by Council. The city received one letter opposed to the application from Kelvin and Pat Borys.

“Frankly we don’t understand why this application is even being considered. Over the years City Council has approved Bylaws that protect homeowners from living next to someone who allows their property to become a junk yard. Now we’re being asked to accept living adjacent to an industrial sized salvage yard. Of all the cities we have travelled to over the years we’ve never come across a city that has an Auto Salvage/Junk Yard next to a residential area. Why would anyone think this is a good idea?” stated the letter circulated Monday.

“. . . In closing we have one question we would like council members to

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ask themselves when voting on this issue - Would I want to live across the street from an auto wrecking/junk yard?”

In addition, the application was referred to the Planning and Infrastructure Commission for review at the January 18, 2023 Commission meeting, however quorum was not able to be met and, as such, the meeting could not proceed, explained Koroluk at the most

TRAIL

recent meeting of Council Monday.

As a result of not having a quorum it was proposed to present the application at the next PIC meeting scheduled for February 1, 2023. The Commission’s recommendation would be brought back to a future regular Council meeting. In the end the request was deferred until feedback from the Planning and Infrastructure Commission can be provided.

Continued from Page A1 concerns expressed that, even though the revised route would be contained in a legal road right-of-way, should a snowmobiler wander away from the trail, it could present a safety concern, offered Richard.

“It should be noted that as part of Administration’s evaluation of the revised route, there is an assumption that snowmobilers would remain on the groomed trail and thus would not be encroaching on the railway right of way,” he said.

As background, Richard had previously explained the club’s reasoning in requesting the trail addition.

The trail groomers are stored at the new clubhouse and are currently driving along Myrtle Avenue and York Road to connect to the existing trail system. Additionally, some members utilize their snowmobiles to attend club meetings with no trail access to the new clubhouse. The Club has requested an amendment to the bylaw to allow for a safe trail for snowmobilers to access an area near the new clubhouse across the street to attend meetings, and for the groomers to have a trail access not located along the street.

Councillor Chris Wyatt was not in favour of snowmobile access, suggesting the city only grant groomer access on the proposed route.

“I don’t think we want sleds around the train tracks at all,” he said.

Coun. Quinn Haider agreed.

“I’m of the same mindset as Councillor Wyatt,” he said.

Coun. Ken Chyz said the Sno Riders are “upstanding citizens.” Adding he saw no reason to think they would not follow the trail safely.

Ultimately Council moved to amend the route as proposed but only for the groomer operated by Sno Riders, not for snowmobiles.

right.

Photo courtesy Brett Callin

Up Front

Good Buy to Hunger raises $32,710

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – Employees of several Yorkton Co-op stores and donation recipients gathered at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre on Jan. 26 to celebrate the success of Co-op’s Good Buy to Hunger program.

“This program was initiated several years ago when Legacy Coop partnered with the Soup Haven to raise funds and provide food and goods throughout the

year,” said Bruce Thurston, General Manager of Yorkton Legacy Co-op in his address to those in attendance.

“This has proven very popular — very successful — and we’ve raised thousands of dollars,” said Thurston, adding, “I belive in the last five years it would be over $100,000.”

“We can’t do this alone, so partnerships are formed with various groups in the communities we serve to give a hand out to those that need it from time to time,” said Thurston, adding,

“our Goodbye to Hunger program this year has partnered with a number of groups who do some great work towards food security in our communities.”

Partnerships included the Soup Haven, Salvation Army, Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours (Kamsack), Bruno’s Place, Shelwin House and Churchbridge Public School: Snack Program.

“All of these groups will be sharing in the funds raised this past

December,” said Thurston.

“As we were going through the month of December, a couple of us threw out a challenge to the staff – to raise more than $27,500 for the campaign,” said Thurston, adding, “our members and staff raised $32,710 – as a reward they’ll get to throw a pie in the face of a couple of us.”

“The main goal of the campaign was to raise money for food security in our communities, but secondary – we wanted to have some fun with this.”

YTC to donate $100,000 to YBMHS

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – Yorkton Tribal Council announced on Jan. 25 during a press conference a $100,000 to the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society over the next five years.

“For the last year and a half or so we’ve been pounding pavement trying to raise funds for a combination interpretive and events centre at the site of the mill. We’ve been able to come together a few times to make some large fundraising announcements and we’re

so pleased to be able to do that again here today,” said Terry Tyson, Chair of the Capital Committee for the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritiage Society.

The donation will go towards the outside grounds at the site of the brick mill and comes with naming rights.

“You’re writing a big cheque today, but you’ve been at the table with us working on the grounds, planting grass, working on wheat varieties for the crop display – you’ve partnered with us to hold events at the mill site — Indigenous Teaching Tuesdays, some culture days — it’s a partnership that

we have valued so much and continue to value and today’s announcement just bolsters that even further – we can’t thank you enough,” said Tyson in his address to the YTC.

“Yorkton is our community – we work here, we live here,” said Tribal Chief, Isabel O’Soup.

O’Soup said that YTC’s involvement with the YBMHS came about one day when she drove by the site of the mill.

“I drove by one day, saw a whole bunch of elderly people raking the grass, raking the ground — it was dirt — I stopped and I said, ‘what are you guys

doing?’,” said O’Soup, adding,”before that I never knew what the brick mill was – I just saw an old building that nobody used and I thought ‘you know, we’ve got to do something with this’.”

“As time went on I could see movement there and Larry (YBMHS Director) and his comittee were there — and I knew nothing about it — that’s kind of how we got started,” said O’Soup.

“We were there a couple of weeks later and we were helping Larry and his crew to seed the grass and we were there raking with them and it’s been

Continued on Page A16

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Legacy Co-op General Manager Bruce Thurston (right) and Dillon Zolkavich, Palliser Way Manager (left) recieved a pie in the face as a result of the fundraising efforts by their staff.

Better understanding of First Nations issues needed

MURRAY MANDRYK

Politics

As a government that started out by trying to bridge the divide between First Nations and nonFirst Nations in this province, the Saskatchewan Party government has recently run into problems.

When it comes to that gap, the problems have always been education and understanding — the lack of the latter being directly contributing to the lack of the former.

Most of us of my vintage growing up in Canada learned very little about First Nations history— or at least, First Nations history that wasn’t taught from the immigrant perspective. We learned about Northwest and Hudson Bay Companies taming the wilderness and the bravery of the coureur de bois and Jesuits in the face of hostile Indian tribes.

Treaties? Residential Schools? Well, these were issues for First Nations people who now probably have developed a deeper understanding of our true history than perhaps non-First Nations ever did.

To its credit, the Sask. Party government under then-premier Brad Wall set out to change all this.

It began prioritizing the understanding of treaties in schools. As Wall used to say: “I was taught more about Treaty of Versailles than I was about Treaty Six that gives us right to our property and land.”

But during Premier Scott Moe’s tenure in the past five years, there is sense things have been moving backwards.

Some of it has to do with circumstances.

Immediately after Moe became premier in January 2018, we saw the Gerald Stanley not guilty verdict in the killing of Colten Boushie that clearly heightened racial tensions in the province.

But while Moe and his Sask. Party government likely don’t get credit for the good that they have done, other things they have done that haven’t exactly fostered education and understanding.

One such short-coming is the strange unwillingness to simply acknowledge First Nation grievances when asked to do so.

Even things as simple as meeting with teepee protestors on the lawns of the legislature raising concerns about the treatment of children and high First Nations suicide rates, has heightened the perception that the Premier and his government cannot be bothered with these historical grievances.

That may not be case, but it is perception catching up with this government.

Recently, a group of First Nations people gathered in the NDP Opposition conference room to express their frustration over the government not following the duty to consult process on the sale and lease of Crown land near reserves.

First Nations raised concern that the Ministry of Agriculture was circumventing the duty to consult process. By doing so, they were putting in jeopardy lands First Nations say they have used for traditional purposes including ceremonial ones. Further complicating matters is the fact that some of the land in question is land thought to be set aside for Treaty Land Entitlement purchases.

“That’s why Ochapowace has taken Saskatchewan to court as part of the claim based on our shortfall acres that we have yet to purchase,” said Ochapowace headwoman, Shelley Bear.

Perhaps even more consequential, however, is concerns raised by Ochapowace Chief Margaret Bear over last fall’s Saskatchewan First Act that she and other say was introduced with little consultation or acknowledgement that there are major First Nations issues in play including rights to lands and resources.

Many will argue there is politics in play here. There always is.

But there was surely politics in play with the Saskatchewan First Act in the first place. And even a little understanding or mention that there are issues affecting First Nations would have been a helpful start.

The Sask. Party government didn’t do that, again sending a message that it didn’t really have to consult. This defies the spirit of the treaties that supersedes the province.

Perhaps government needs to better demonstrate education and understanding of the treaties.

Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics since 1983.

Where does city best invest taxpayer dollars

In what has to be a surprise to no one taxes appear to be going up again in 2023.

Council revealed its operating and capital budgets to the public for the first time at its regular meeting and with all the nitty gritty discussions completed behind closed doors the public unaware of the position of its councillors on most aspects of the document.

In the end the key aspect of the documents unveiled for most will be that the proposed budget includes the following increases required in taxation: operations 2.93 per cent and capital one per cent for a total hike of 3.93 per cent.

When you consider the factors impacting budget such as the inflation for the year has been sitting around the seven per cent or higher mark, as was detailed in Council documents, or the continuing deficit in terms of pavement, sidewalk and sewer and water line renewal an increase was all but guaranteed.

In fact, most could point to numerous infrastructure shortcomings not yet addressed – think your favourite pothole on a city street.

But wait, at the same meeting of Council it was also decided to proceed to complete the design on the Columbia Park Development. The development has a budget of roughly one million with a BMX Pump track at its heart. For those with no idea of what a pump track is – most local taxpayers one might

expect – Wikipedia describes them as “a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders ‘pumping’—generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedaling or pushing.”

Outdoor recreation facilities which cater to youth being active should be high on a community list of desired options, but how does a pump track measure up against pavement replacement.

Now the motion Monday was to complete design but not go to tender, which means we are willing to invest in paying someone to draw plans, but we won’t commit to building it. That seems a bit of have your cake and eat it too.

To those who came to Council asking for a track they can be told plans are under way. Those questioning the cost, well the city isn’t building anything – at least yet.

Whether a pump track is a good investment of course is a highly subjective thing with people having their own reasons for saying yay, or nay. The same would have been the case for the millions into a clubhouse for golfers, or the facility on York Road to house many city services.

Certainly the above three examples look far nicer on a city brochure than the same dollars laying pavement and sidewalk cement, but that does not mean infrastructure needs go away either.

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306-786-1700

Request for Proposals

Name of Proposal: Deer Park Golf Course Food and Beverage

Proposal must be received before 4:00 p.m. on February 3, 2023

Proposals will be received online at www.biddingo.com/yorkton

Details of Proposal:

The City of Yorkton Recreation and Community Services Department is soliciting proposals from experienced and capable parties interested in being the first food and beverage operator at the newly built Deer Park Clubhouse, which is scheduled to open for the 2023 golf season.

Specifications are available: Online at www.biddingo.com/yorkton

Proposals shall remain open for acceptance by the City and irrevocable for thirty (30) calendar days following the date specified for closing.

Proposals received after the date and time specified for closing will be marked late and returned unopened.

Contact Person Enquiries regarding the proposal procedure and particulars can be directed to:

Darcy McLeod, Director Recreation and Community Services City of Yorkton

Phone: 306-786-1750

Email: parksandrec@yorkton.ca

The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Lowest or any proposal not necessarily accepted.

February 1 - February 7, 2023 GENERAL INQUIRIES: 306-786-1700

Thanking the health care system

A Letter to the Editor;

Just a few months ago I had the misfortune of having a limb removed as a result of a blood clot. While snow clearing during the storm of Nov. 07, 22 I felt my foot as a block of ice. No amount of care could help the blood flow.

In addition, due to the inclement weather, neither the Air Ambulance, nor ground ambulances were able to get me to the General Hospital in

Regina. Thirteen hours later I arrived at said Hospital whereupon the Vascular Surgeons could assess and proceed to deal with a foot that was without oxygen for so long. As terrible as the outcome was, I was amazed at how well I was treated by all who had anything to do with my care. The Doctors and staff of the General ensured I was kept abreast of all

that was and was to happen during my recovery. Every effort was made to get me up and on my way with great care. I was fortune enough to have my wife Beverley as my main care giver which helped ease the load of the nursing staff.

Even the meals were wonderful and properly sized, specifically for me in my condition. Most of the time I was not that hungry but as time

passed I was able to enjoy the fruits of the dietary staff. The same could be said for the kitchen of the Yorkton Regional Hospital. The meals during my recovery were great, I was lucky enough to have had a full course, roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings for a Sunday meal. My last four days of recovery were in our local Yorkton Regional Health Centre where,

again, I was treated with wonderful care and attention. I was overwhelmed with the professionalism and genuine interest shown me by all the Staff. When you hear negative reviews of our local Hospital one wonders if they are true or not. Let me say that not once during my stay would I have had a negative response to anything. If anything, I now have many new and good friends from my

experience within our Saskatchewan Health Association centres.

Again, I must give a genuine and sincere, “Thank You!” to all the health workers during my two weeks from surgery to recovery. I have a renewed appreciation for all the health care workers for who they are and what they do, thank you.

— Peter & Beverley Franck, Yorkton, Sask.

Vanessa Andres will lead the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce in 2023

The local Chamber elected Andres at the January Board of Directors meeting held Thursday morning.

The Chamber’s Board is currently comprised of 15 members, who in turn, elect the Executive.

Andres is serving the second year of her first term as a Chamber Director.

The new president said that 2023 is going to be an active year.

“We held our Planning Session last evening and our plan is to work to engage our members through a variety of activities,” she said. “The 2023 Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated group of people focused on working for the betterment of everyone”.

— Vanessa Andres, Yorkton Chamber Director

Chair. Mike will also continue his role as Past President as term for Marty Sveinbjornson, the 2022 President did not seek re-election for another 2 year term on the Board.

Joining Andres on the Executive are Alicia Simoneau as Vice President; Meghan

Lindgren as Chair of Business Development; Stephanie Buckle as Chair of Events; Breanne

Swiezak as Chair of Marketing & communications; and Mike Stackhouse as Policy

The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce is “the voice of business in Yorkton” and represents over 450 members.

— Submitted

Local organizations receive grant money

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Recently SaskTel announced more than $193,000 in TelCare donations for 2022.

Among organizations receiving funds were Bruno’s Place and Yorkton Nursery School Cooperative.

Angela Chernoff, coordinator at Bruno’s Place explained all sponsorship donations recently have gone directly to the cost of providing shelter and food to shelter clients.

“In December we

provided 184 nights to individuals,” she noted, adding “approximately 12 per cent of our nights were covered by sponsorship donations.”

Krista Mulder, chairperson of YNSC Board of Directors said donations are always appreciated.

“We are incredibly grateful to have received funds from SaskTel,” she said. “Our plans are to use the donation for toys, books and experiences to enhance the learning experience while at YNSC.”

In a media release SaskTel noted recogniz-

ing the important contributions that SaskTel employees make to worthy organizations across the province.

“SaskTel employees continue to demonstrate their commitment to the communities they serve

through the TelCare program,” said Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SaskTel in the release. “I’d like to thank all SaskTel employees for the work they do every day, and for continuing to support those in need.”

SaskTel TelCare is a volunteer organization of SaskTel employees who contribute donations through an automatic payroll deduction. SaskTel donates 50 cents for every dollar employees contribute through TelCare. Across the province this year, the program raised $128,832 that, when combined with SaskTel’s commitment to match 50 per cent of each donation, has allowed it to donate a total of $193,250 to 44 charitable and non-profit organizations operating in Saskatchewan.

“We make this

announcement as we commemorate a new year, but SaskTel employees are giving year-round to support non-profits in the communities where they live and work,” said Doug Burnett, SaskTel President and CEO. “TelCare is a timehonoured tradition for SaskTel and our employees, and it is an area of pride that so many employees continue to be involved with.”

There were over 600 SaskTel employees across nine districts in the province donating to the fund this past year.

Will you quit smoking in 2023?

Your pharmacist can help!

1. Choose a starting point

We all have to start somewhere, so pick date and set goals.

Tell your friends and family and ask them for support.

2. Meet your pharmacist Your pharmacist will:

Determine how dependent you are on nicotine

Help you understand your main smoking habits and identify your triggers

Ask you about your previous attempts to quit smoking

3. Follow a personalized treatment

If needed, your pharmacist can prescribe a tailored solution, including:

Nicotine replacement products used for replacing the nicotine from cigarettes (patches, chewing gum and lozenges)

4. Reward yourself

You should reward yourself when you’re progressing.

Within 20 minutes after your smoke your last cigarette, your body begins a series of positive health changes that continue for years. Even if you have smoked for a long time, you can still improve and protect your health by quitting.

· Within 48 hours your sense of smell and taste improves and your chances of having a heart attack start to go down.

· Within 72 hours your lung capacity increases and bronchial tubes relax, making breathing easier.

· Within 2 weeks the nicotine is removed from your body.

· Within 3 months circulation improves and lung functioning increased up to 30%.

· Within 6 months coughing, sinus congestion, tiredness and shortness of breath improve.

· Within 1 year your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

· Within 10 years risk of dying from lung cancer is cut in half.

· Within 15 years risk of dying from a heart attack is equal to a person who never smoked!

We are incredibly grateful to have received funds from SaskTel

— Krista Mulder, chairperson of YNSC Board of Directors

We held our Planning Session last evening and our plan is to work to engage our members through a variety of activities,

Wetlands have broader importance

When we think of Saskatchewan farms we tend to hold pictures of fields of wheat or canola, or maybe a pasture dotted with cattle, as images in our mind.

While those are certainly part of a Saskatchewan farm, another image might well be a wetland slough with ducks swimming.

Sloughs and wetlands have of course been part of the farm landscape from day one, areas normally too wet to allow for crop production, so left to nature.

Of course through the decade’s farmer ingenuity and better equipment has allowed many wetlands to be drained

so they can be productive acres for crop.

That reality is very much a good news – bad news one.

It can be good in terms of the individual farmer adding a few acres and not having to manoeuvre ever larger equipment around sloughs.

For example, “wetlands help mitigate the extremes of flooding or drought, and they store carbon by helping remove sediments, impurities, excess nutrients and bacteria, cleansing waters used for cooking, bathing and quenching thirst,” noted the Nature Conservancy of Canada in 2016. “Over

Agriculture

Calvin Daniels

two-thirds of Canadians get their drinking water from lakes, rivers and reservoirs, and the quality of that water depends on watershed health and functioning wetlands. Like giant sponges, wetlands absorb, filter and replenish water as well as buffer our com-

munities from climatic extremes.”

Wetlands are also an important ecosystem.

“Wetlands are also key nesting and feeding grounds for many migratory bird species including waterfowl and shorebirds, and they are nursery habitat for

amphibians and fish, as well. At least one-half of our wildlife species rely on wetlands for part of their lifecycle,” reported the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

So it’s not surprising that World Wetlands Day (WWD) is celebrated each year on Feb. 2, which marks the day when the Convention on Wetlands was adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. The Convention is an international government agreement acknowledging the importance of wetlands and plays a central role in the wise use and conservation of these critical ecosystems.

The importance of

a wetland extends far beyond the small piece of land owned by a farmer where it exists.

So perhaps draining the slough is a positive for a farmer, but less so for the broader community.

If that is indeed the case, should a farmer hold those acres out of production for the broader good, at his cost?

That doesn’t seem particularly reasonable but is generally the case, which makes one wonder if it’s not time for tax concessions, or outright annual grants, to make it a good business decision for farmers to maintain wetlands?

Breeders use science to grow sheep population

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Brandon Sun)

A group of Shetland sheep breeders in Manitoba have pinned their hopes for boosting the quality of their flock’s wool on a unique blend of science and nature.

Margaret Brook, who cares jointly for a flock of Shetland sheep with a friend, has been involved in sheep breeding for 15 years. She’s also an organizer of the Manitoba Fibre Festival, an event that connects local fibre farmers with the crafting community.

Brook and her friend started caring for three ewes, and didn’t have any plans to breed at that point. Now, she is excitedly counting the days, weeks and months until May, when she’ll find out if her ewes will give birth to some very special lambs.

In December, Brook and other Manitoba Shetland breeders, along with the help of a veterinarian, inseminated their Shetland ewes with Shetland ram semen imported from the United Kingdom. There are very few Shetland sheep in Manitoba, and Brook said introducing bloodlines from the U.K. could help stock the province with high-quality genetics that will ensure future generations of Shetland sheep that provide top-quality wool.

Despite the small number of Shetland breeders in the province, there is interest and momentum building in raising sheep for wool. Shetland sheep are perfect for this, Brook said, because of their wonderful colours and patterns and superior quality of wool.

“That’s why it’s so addictive to breed Shetlands, because you want one of every colour and every pattern, and then you want more and more because they [produce] such good fleece.”

Shetland fleece is dense and protects well from all kinds of weather. It’s also soft, which makes it ideal for clothing and other forms of knitwear, Brook said. On top of that, the breed is a healthy and hardy one.

Originating in the Shetland Isles in Scotland, and part of

the Northern European short-tailed group of sheep, they’re also kept for meat.

In 1948, around four Shetland sheep came to Saskatchewan, with around 30 more imported in the 1980s. Every Shetland sheep in North America is the descendant of those animals, Brook said. Earlier imports of semen from U.K. rams for the artificial insemination of Shetland ewes took place in the late 1990s and again in 2007.

“This happened before, so there’s now been some variety in the genetics,” Brook said.

Still, she and the other Manitoba breeders decided that since there are so few Shetland sheep actually registered in the province, due to sheep being sold to commercial flocks, the time was right to give artificial insemination another try. If all goes well, there will be a new generation of better quality rams who will pass their genetics on to future generations, eliminating the need to use artificial insemination from U.K. rams in the future. Brook said she plans on selling some of the rams, but wants to keep a couple of them to use within her own flock as well.

“This is an opportunity to establish a couple of new bloodlines here in Manitoba, which we can then work with for a few years at least right before we have to go looking for new genetics again.”

To ensure the best chances of success, Brook and the other producers worked with OC Flock Management out of Alberta to import the semen. The company also supplied a veterinarian to perform the insemination procedure, which Brook said is complicated due to the nature of

the animals.

“Sheep have much more complicated anatomy than some other animals, so this is actually like a laparoscopic surgery,” Brook said.

The sheep are slightly sedated and then strapped to cradles before insemination takes place. Semen “straws” are then introduced to the animals’ uteruses.

“It’s not that invasive,” Brook said. “They’re up on their feet again … 10 minutes later.”

Preparing the sheep for insemination is also not a simple process, Brook said. There’s a short window of time where breeders must synchronize the ewes’ heat cycles so they’ll be receptive to semen. To do this, producers rely on medications introduced to the ewes through sponges that are inserted into their vaginas.

“That stops them from wherever they were in their cycle. And the next designated day … the day before the procedure, [we] remove those sponges and give them an injection of something that is supposed to make them all ovulate,” Brook said.

Dr. Dinesh Dadarwal, professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, is cautiously optimistic about the artificial insemination of the ewes, but said there are many factors that could work against the process.

These include the age of the ewes that received artificial insemination, with fertility rates for mature ewes dropping off as they grow older. The laparoscopic technique is also usually not as successful in inseminating ewes as traditional mating with a ram.

Still, Dadarwal thinks the innovation shown by

Brook and the other producers is a positive move for the industry.

“I know at least some veterinarians who have done laparoscopic artificial insemination and they have consistently achieved 50, 60 per cent, all the way to 80 per cent pregnancies, and this is pretty good, pretty awesome, actually,” he said. Even if this round of artificial insemination doesn’t offer rates

of pregnancy as positive as those, Brook said she feels it’s the right way to go, and is ready to try again in the future.

“We do have 10 more straws of semen in storage for the next year or two years. We’re not done yet.”

Her biggest hope is that other producers will hear about what they’re doing and consider getting into Shetland breeding and registering their

animals. Registering any new Shetland sheep that come out of the procedure, and subsequent generations of rams and ewes, is incredibly important to preserve the breed and it’s characteristics, Brook said.

“We really want to get some more flocks established. That [way], in the future, it’s not so hard. You don’t have to travel so far to find new stock.”

Terriers lose 4-2 to North Stars

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The Terriers hosted the Battlefords North Stars at Westland Arena on Jan. 27.

The Terriers’ Greg Nelson opened up the scoring in the

first at 5:44, assisted by Tyson Perkins and Cale Strasky.

Midway through the period, at 11:39, the North Stars’ Emmet Wurst put one past the netminder followed by two successful power play efforts by Bradley Blake at 13:34 and Kian Bell at 16:02 giving the visitors a

two-goal lead heading into the second.

The Terriers wasted no time scoring in the second with Pavel Mckenzie putting another on the board at 00:58, assisted by Cohner Saleski and Dylan Ruptash. However, it would be the lone goal of the period.

It was a 3-2 game for the better part of the third period. The Terriers pulled goalie Caleb Allen at 18:32 in a last ditch effort to tie the match, but the North Stars’ Kian Bell was able to put one in the empty net at 19:26 resulting in a 4-2 loss for the home team.

Allen blocked 48 of the 51 shots faced.

Josh Kotai was in net for the win, facing 37 shots. The Terriers will visit Weyburn to take on the Red Wings on Feb. 4 and host the Flin Flon Bombers at Westland Arena on Feb. 8.

Maulers go 1-1 in weekend match ups

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The Maulers played host to the Regina Pat Canadians and the Notre Dame Hounds in back-toback games held Jan. 28 and 29.

Coming away from the action with a 5-3 loss to the Pat Canadians and a 4-3 shootout win over the Hounds, the ninth place Maulers trail the Prince Albert Pintos by two points in the standings.

In the first game of the weekend match ups, Casey Brown put the Pat Canadians on the

board in the first and was answered a short time later by Mauler Luc Fortier.

The Pat Canadians had a successful second period with Matthew Ronn making use of a power play effort, followed by another goal from Brown and two consecutive goals from the team’s Noah Asmundson.

The Maulers’ Edwarrd Knittig opened up scoring in the third with a power play goal and teammate Jaxon Sperling posted another for the Maulers several minutes later, however, it wouldn’t be enough for the Maulers

to claim the win.

The Maulers had a rough start in their Sunday match versus the Hounds, giving up two in the first to the Hounds’ Aleksandr Skratov and and a power play goal to Carter Hynes midway through the period.

Another power play goal from Skuratov midway through the second and things were looking bleak for the home town team until late in the period, with less than a minute remaining, Edward Knittig put the Maulers on the board during a power play effort.

Knittig would go on to repeat the effort early in the third and teammate Dylan Brass would go on to tie the match with less than a minute remaining.

Knittig was the lone goal scorer of the shootout and earned himself Star of the Game for his efforts.

Blake Sittler was in net for the win, blocking 24 of the 27 shots.

Grady Peterson was net minder for the Hounds with 21 saves against 24 shots.

The Maulers will visit the Prince Albert Mintos on Feb. 4 for their next match up.

Kin-ball hoping to grow interest in Canada

When it comes to sport there are far more than most are aware – myself included even though I tend to enjoy reaching out to cover as broad a range as I can.

So, it has been in the back of my mind for some time to do something on Kin-Ball, a game of particular interest because of its origin.

Kin-Ball, is a team sport created in Quebec back in 1986 by physical education professor Mario Demers, which I

suppose is not all that different from James Naismith creating basketball as an educator decades earlier.

Certainly Kin-Ball is different from other sports, if not unique.

To start it is played with three teams, which certainly isn’t typical, but as noted in a recent Sports This Week article other three-team sports exist, Omega Ball being the one covered.

The game is also played with a monstrous

Whiskers & Tails

CALVIN DANIELS Sports

tive sport.

ball -- four feet (1,22 m) in diameter and weighing two pounds (1 kg).

But, what makes it very different is that it is designed to be a coopera-

Should your new cat be allowed to roam outdoors?

If you’ve recently adopted a cat, you might be wondering whether to let it roam freely outside or keep it indoors. While your kitty might enjoy the extra space to explore, there are several risks that come with having an outdoor cat. Among other things, it could:

Get hit by a vehicle

Contract a serious illness like feline

AIDS or feline leukemia virus

• Get injured in fights with other cats

• Be infected with parasites such as worms, ticks and lice

Get adopted by someone else, especially if it doesn’t have a collar

Be poisoned by eating a toxic plant

• Contribute to the stray cat population if it’s not sterilized

Become more aggressive or stressed

Unless you adopt an older cat that’s used to coming and going as it pleases, it’s generally preferable to keep Mittens indoors. In fact, it’s estimated that outdoor cats live about five years less

than indoor cats. And since your cat would be more likely to get hurt or sick, you could end up with higher vet bills. Keep in mind that your cat can lead a happy and active life indoors if you offer plenty of stimulation with toys and access to windows. You can also use a harness to take your cat on supervised outings, which reduces the risk of your feline getting into trouble.

Precautions for an outdoor cat

If you want to let your feline roam outdoors, there are several steps you should take to maximize its health and safety. Make sure your cat is sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped, treated against parasites and wears a collar.

The idea is a team member – one of four per side -- basically catches a ball, and the two other members join the catcher forming essentially a triangle to hold the ball up for the fourth to then hit.

The hitter designates which of the two opponent teams must defend and hits the ball.

Kin-Ball is played on a court no larger than 20 metres by 20 metres.

Paolo Zambito,

Executive director with Kin-Ball Canada said the way the game keeps everyone involved on every play is a key for the game.

“It’s the only cooperative organized sport in the world,” he said, adding that is an aspect he believes make the game stand out once it is tried.

Since all players are involved in catching, setting and hitting it’s not unusual to see young students interested in playing Kin-Ball where they might not generally be into sports.

“Everybody’s always in the action,” he said, adding one ‘great’ athlete can’t simply takeover play in Kin-Ball. “ . . It’s something that’s amazing with the sport.”

While the game has been around for nearly 40-years now, it is still

quite regional in Canada, with Quebec not surprisingly its hotspot as that is where it was created.

Zambito said there are pockets of play in other areas of course, for example in Halifax.

“A teacher fell in love with the game and became sort of an ambassador for the game,” he said.

Certainly crystal balling for the future Zambito said he dreams of growth across Canada, adding a sport needs to be played in multiple provinces to be eligible for Sport Canada funding.

“The hardest part is making people aware of the sport. We have to start from scratch,” said Zambito.

Interestingly, as regional as Kin-Ball remains in Canada, the country is still a powerhouse on the international scene.

Canada’s women’s team has not lost a World Championship yet, the men having lost only one back in 2015, said Zambito.

While Canada dominates, Kin-Ball is drawing interest globally, with 10-14 countries normally involved in World Championships, said Zambito, adding countries such as Japan, France and Czechia are traditionally very competitive.

“We’re not doing the Olympics very soon,” offered Zambito, but in the next five to 10 years he said he’d be happy “. . . to double the number of teams at the world level –maybe 25-30 at the international level at world championships.”

Terriers hosted the Battlefords North Stars Jan. 27.

The Maulers hosted the Regina Pat Canadians and the Notre Dame Hounds in weekend games.

Courtesy Kin-Ball Canada

SHALER - Jack passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023 at the age of 91 years. He will be remembered by his children; Carol, Dody, Ron (Karen), Kathy (J.J.), and Ruby. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Christine, David (Corina), Nicole, Tracy,

PROKOP - Tony Prokop beloved husband of Shirley of Yorkton passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. He was 82 years of age. Tony Anton Prokop was born on July 22, 1940 in Canora, SK to Harry and Albina (Schushetski) Prokop as the second youngest of twelve children. He grew up on the farm in the Tadmore district and attended Forest Hills School. He helped on the farm and later worked at odd jobs in Regina. He married Shirley Polowick on June 30, 1965. Tony and Shirley took over his parent’s farm until 1971 when they moved to Yorkton where he worked with his brother John for Logan Stevens Construction for seven years then at P&H (Parish and Heimbecker) elevator, and later at Anderson Lodge for 19 years.

Tony semi retired in 2006 and fully retired a few years later after doing odd jobs, working at Walmart, and Fairview Village. Some of his hobbies were collecting keychains, reading, playing music, camping and woodworking. Tony attended and was very active in Holy Trinity Anglican Church, always willing to lend his talents and help in any way he could.

Tony was predeceased by his parents, Harry & Albina, brothers Steve, Bill, Peter (Mary), Joe (Pearl), Sam (Alice), Mike and John; sisters, Helen (Paul) Marchinko, Anne (Owen) Mead and Mary (Steve) Kachur. He leaves to mourn his wife of 57 years, Shirley; daughter, Tracy of Regina, SK; son, Corey (Karen) of Calgary, AB; grandchildren, Calvin, Samantha, Austin, Sienna, Caeli; great grandson, Paras; as well as his sister, Nellie (Siegie) Marohn of Richmond, BC; sister-in-law Elsie of Pincher Creek, AB; sister-in-law Alice of Yorkton and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Luanne Hrywkiw of Holy Trinity Anglican Church officiating, Tributes and words of remembrance were given by Tony’s children, Tracy and Corey. Soloist, Janet Simpson sang ‘Where the Roses Never Fade’. Hymns were ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Blest Be the Tie That Binds’ and ‘Beyond the Sunset’. Interment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Colin Prokop, Ross Kobitz, Don Werner, Harvey Prokop, Richard Mead and Randy Hrykiw serving as the casketbearers. Memorial donations in memory of Tony may be made to Holy Trinity Anglican Church as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at baileysfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral Home.

JOWSEY - Hugh Norman Jowsey, born August 26, 1937 in Saltcoats, SK, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Calgary, AB at the age of 85 years, following a brief illness. He was the grandson of prairie pioneers and was the beloved father to Stephanie Harfield, her husband Leagh Harfield and loving grandfather to Ben and James Harfield. Hugh was predeceased by the love of his life, Mary Ann Kerr; his parents, Ralph and Maude Jowsey; and his brothers, James and John Jowsey. Hugh was lifelong friends with Earl and Verda Upshall and his nephew, Harold Jowsey. He had a wonderful life and was known for his strength of character, tremendous work ethics, self-discipline, and friendship to others. He loved farming, gardening, and beekeeping; and was an avid fan of the Roughriders, Flames, and Stampeders. His favorite activity was to cheer on his grandsons, and was extremely proud of all their achievements. He loved his grand dogs, Ozzy and Mushu. Hugh was an accomplished dairyman and while in his teens, an award-winning dairy competitor with the 4H, winning a trip to Toronto for the Canadian National Exhibition. When Hugh was 24, he inherited the family farm and continued farming in the area. During this time, he worked as a carpenter at the potash mine, as a school bus driver, and meat cutter. He also successfully farmed near Regina where he survived a tornado that destroyed his home. He built his next home and then relocated to Okotoks. There, he worked at several grocery stores in Calgary and made lifelong friends. Hugh was a horse racing enthusiast and loved long distance driving. He visited friends all over Canada and the US in his red Ford 150 pickup and enjoyed restoring his red Farmall-A tractor. He cared for many elderly relatives and was known for his selfless devotion to others and had many friends who became family to him. He frequently shared from the abundance of his garden, gave honey produced by his beehives and never missed the opportunity to pick up visitors at the airport. He had strong opinions about farming and politics, saying, “I may be wrong, but I know I am right”. His family, many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and friends, were blessed to know and love him and will never forget his many acts of kindness, wisdom, and integrity. Funeral Services was held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Reception followed in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Family and friends who were unable to attend in person were invited to join Hugh’s service streamed live on the day of the service at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos may also be shared and viewed there. If friends so desire, his family requests that donations be made to the Saskatchewan 4H (4-h.sk.ca). In living memory of Hugh Jowsey, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.

KONKIN - Ryan Michael Konkin was born to Teresa Lapitsky and Russell Konkin on October 29, 1985 in Yorkton, SK. On January 12 he sustained injuries from an explosion at work in St. Catherines which he could not recover from and passed away on January 13, 2023 with his fiancé, in laws, sister Nicole and brother Garrett by his side. Ryan tended to have the least, but give the most, expecting nothing in return. He could make friends with complete strangers at a fishing hole, an upscale event or with a houseless person on the street. To Ryan, all people were equal and deserved his time of day. He loved fishing, woodwork, hiking, kids and animals. Ryan was blessed with the best two years of his life with his fiancé, Natalia Sepulveda-Lastra and her family, in St. Catherines, ON. He is survived by his son Vincent, sisters Allison and Nicole, brother Garrett, nieces Kenzlee and Lemon and his nephew Kayden. Ryan’s response to adversity was “Everything is going to be alright” and lived his life to the fullest through curiosity. He was such a comforting and gentle soul who left everyone better than he found them. To honour Ryan in the most authentic way possible, we will meet for a Shishliki BBQ Celebration of Life on May 20, 2023 in Kamsask, SK followed by a bonfire and fishing social the next morning. Visit gofund.me/9b33a1b3 for more information and to contact Nicole for the event details and to register.

STRAKER - Murray Elder Fitzroy

Straker passed away on January 7, 2023 at the age of 88. Lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Barbara (Ford), his son Garnett (Charlaine), daughters Glenda, Alison and Devra (James Henderson), grandchildren Luke, Christian, Lillianna, Samantha, Kayla, and Kelsey. Murray was born in Dubuc, SK, the second born child to Cecil and Ena (Keith) Straker, and sibling to sister Nita. He grew up in the Bangor and Dubuc area, and following the death of his mother when he was two, Cecil later married Helen Gibson and they added siblings Gail, Lyle, Joan, Merle and Jimmy. Murray completed his education in Yorkton and he then headed to Alberta, where he spent 20 years. During that time, he and Barbara got married and started their family, before returning to Saltcoats where they remained surrounded by family and friends for the remainder of his life. Throughout his lifetime, Murray had many careers, always in pursuit of a better life for himself and his family. Murray’s interests were many. Passionate and varied, they included woodworking, photography, camping, boating, fishing, hunting, firearms, motorcycles, history, and genealogy. In later years, he had a keen interest in the world wars, and authored two WW2 books. One of Murray’s major accomplishments was facing the challenges of a lifetime with diabetes and having a normal, productive life despite this obstacle. One of Canada’s longest surviving insulin dependent diabetics on insulin for over 74 years, he participated extensively in diabetes research with the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Canada (DRIFD) and the Joslin Diabetes Center (Harvard Medical School affiliate) in the USA. In lieu of flowers, a donation box is set up and donations to the DRIFD in memory of Murray are much appreciated. The family will be hosting a gathering in honour of Murray on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM in the Saltcoats Community Hall, 203 Glasgow Ave., Saltcoats, SK.

KINDRATSKY - It is with deepest sadness that the family of Nestor Kindratsky announce his passing on January 10, 2023, after a brief illness at the age of 83. Nestor Lawrence Kindratsky was born on August 11, 1939, in Canora, SK to Joe and Anna (Stusick) Kindratsky. He was the youngest of their eleven children, given the nickname “Pappy” by his oldest brother John. Nestor grew up on the farm north of Stenen and in Canora. After deciding that school was not for him, he worked driving truck for Kay’s Limited, Ball Cartage and A&S Transport before starting at CNR in Melville where he worked for almost 30 years. He was the original commuter, driving daily between Yorkton and Melville. Nestor also enjoyed being a weekend farmer on the Lozinski home quarter. Following his retirement in 1999, Nestor found a part-time job shuttling vehicles for Yorkton Key Chev Olds and Yorkton Toyota. He enjoyed these trips, especially those with Art Gazdewich. After making these trips for over 20 years, he retired again. Nestor had a daily routine of going for coffee first thing in the morning to Sweet Wanders, then coming home to classic T.V. shows and movies with the family dog Boots. On October 9, 1966, Nestor married Ilona Lozinski at St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church. Together, they had three children Karen, Lorie and Robert. As a family, they enjoyed many camping and fishing trips as well as lots of trips out to British Columbia to visit family. In 2005, they were blessed with the first of three granddaughters, Julia followed by Jessica in 2006 and Jenna in 2011. Nestor loved to take in all the activities his granddaughters participated in like curling, dance, flag football and soccer. Nestor would often reminisce about his childhood (burning down the pigpen), his days curling in the Stenen Bonspiel, goose hunting with his cousin, partridge hunting with his brother Ed and son, and fishing at Deschambault Lake, Madge Lake, and Sturgeon Landing. He liked to farm with his son, driving a tractor or combine until the summer of 2022 and supervising from the lawn chair in the shop. Nestor loved to get together with family playing cards 65, rummy, and cribbage. Nestor enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends through regular phone calls, coffee socializing, family gatherings, especially the family reunion in 2022 and the July 1st pancake breakfast in Stenen. Nestor and Ilona were married for 48 years before Ilona passed away in 2014. Nestor is also predeceased by his parents Joe and Anna Kindratsky; in-laws William and Nellie Lozinski; siblings and their spouses Mary (Paul) Rewakowsky, John (Mary-Anne), Stanley, Tony (Kay), Edward (Anne), Victor (Alyne), Jean (Jim) Bracken as well as brothers-in-law Lawrence Kilmister, Ron Tanton and Jack Banks. He leaves to treasure his memory daughters Karen and Lorie, son Robert (Janel), granddaughters Julia, Jessica and Jenna, sisters Ellie, Vicky and Evelyn as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. A prayer vigil was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 7:00 pm from St Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church, Yorkton, SK with the funeral mass on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 11:00 am also from St Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church, Yorkton, SK with presider Mary Bybliw for prayers, and officiant Rev. Louis Kim Nguyen for mass. Accompanists were Juliana Ubongen and Chris Fisher. Urn bearer was Robert Kindratsky. Interment will be held at a later date in the Canora Cemetery, Canora, SK. A time of fellowship and refreshment was held at St. Gerard’s Church following the prayers and service. Donations can be made in Nestor’s honour to the Health Foundation of Yorkton or to St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church.

Monuments

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Granite, Bronze, Marble Monuments, Vases, Cemetery Inscriptions & Cremation Urns. FULLY GUARANTEED LICENSED AND BONDED 529 Main St. South, Box 476, Ituna, Sask. S0A 1N0

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Funeral Services

Your locally owned and operated full-service funeral home.

Our promise is simplewe are committed to providing the 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 In loving memory of

PLAN OF THE WEEK

WORONIUK, NickIn 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 IreneWoroniuk_1x50.c01_ R0011924361.indd

Mary Diakuw February 2, 2011

Dearest Mom: Your memories are our keepsake, From which we’ll never part: God has you in His keeping, And we have you in our hearts. Missing you & loving you always, Love Debbie, Keith and Margie

Adult Personal Messages

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

Legal/Public Notices

Liquor Permit

Advertising Form

Notice is hereby given that HCNRevera Lessee

PLAN NUMBER 7-3946B A MODERN TWIST ON A POPULAR PLAN

This home features a modern twist on an otherwise popular floorplan. This homey and liveable three-bedroom family residence is highly sought after. Entry is up a couple of steps into a roomy foyer. A coat closet is located nearby, across from a powder room. Immediately to the right of the foyer is a den, featuring French doors to a

covered porch. Through an archway is the great room, with a dramatic double-height ceiling and a fireplace. The dining room, open to the great room, occupies a bayed-out area and enjoys access to a spacious terrace — the perfect spot for al fresco summer meals. The kitchen is separated from the dining room by a prep island, so the cook will never feel isolated. The sink, set diagonally into a corner, will receive lots

Prayer Corner

ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE

John 3:16

Do you need prayer?

Please call: 306-516-0038 or 250-217-5294 or 306-783-8540 Visit heavenlanguage.com

Notices / Nominations

unclaimed items that remain will be kept in storage, by the Personal Representative, Sharon Saunders, for a period of 1 year commencing March 31, 2023. Any items that remain uncollected at the expiry of the 1-year period will be deemed abandoned and dealt with accordingly. Please contact the business directly by telephone at 306-782-1744 or attend at the business during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. A. Goode Upholstery thanks you for your continued patronage over the years and for your cooperation in this matter. In addition to the above, if anyone happens to know where Nelson Saunders stored his 1971 Monte Carlo, please contact the business as indicated above.

Notice to Creditors Turn to today’s Yorkton This Week Classifieds for the day’s best buys.

of light from windows on two sides. A walkthrough pantry connects the kitchen to the laundry room. With a useful coat cupboard, as well as access to the double garage, the laundry room can double as a mud room.

A U-shaped flight of stairs leads to the second floor, a portion of which is open to the great room below. The master suite features a large window that overlooks the back garden. The walk-in closet is separated from the

four-piece en-suite by a handy linen cupboard. A shower stall and soaker tub in the en-suite add a touch of spa-like comfort.

The second and third bedrooms, separated by a three-piece bathroom, both enjoy an extra-wide windowsill.

Ceilings measure nine feet throughout. The double garage is large enough to contain a compact workshop.

Exterior finishes include lux panel siding and ledgestone pilasters that frame the front entry.

This home measures 38 feet wide and 54 feet deep, for a total of 1,997 square feet of living space.

Plans for design 7-3946B are available for $855 (set of 5), $920 (set of 8) and $972 for a super set of 10. Also add $35.00 for Priority charges within B.C. or $60.00 outside of B.C. Please add H.S.T., PST, OR G.S.T (where applicable) to both the plan price and Priority charges.

Our 52ND Edition of the Home Plan Catalogue containing over 300 plans is available for $16.50 (includes taxes, postage and handling). Make all cheque and money orders payable to “Jenish House Design Ltd.” and mail to:

JENISH HOUSE DESIGN LTD.

c/o...Yorkton This Week #201- 1658 Commerce Ave Kelowna, BC V1X 8A9

OR SEE OUR WEB PAGE ORDER FORM ON: www.jenish.com

AND E-MAIL YOUR ORDER TO: homeplans@jenish.com

At Your Service

& SERVICE DIRECTORY

SPRINGSIDE HOUSING Authority is currently accepting applications for a 3 bedroom home. Fridge and stove included. Well kept, clean and

FARMLAND WANTED

saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com

Houses For Rent

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

For Sale - Misc

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP

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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.

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Yorkton This Week is owned and operated by The Prairie Newspaper Group LP, a division of GVIC Communications Corp.

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

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

Find QUALIFIED, LOCAL EMPLOYEES, using the strength of community newspapers! Visit www.swna.com or call 306-6491405 to find out how!

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 51 local community newspapers, distributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306-649.1405 or visit www.swna.com for details.

The Village of Ebenezer is accepting applications for the position of Water Treatment Plant Operator. This is a permanent half time position which is available immediately. Class 1 Water & Wastewater Certification is required. The job duties include but are not limited to:

1. Treatment of the water as required..

2. Maintenance and minor repair of the Water Treatment Plant.

3. Maintenance and upkeep of the Lagoon and anything else that would involve the day to day operations of the Water Treatment Plant/Lagoon.

Wage will depend on the experience of the applicant. Please send your resume by email to village.ebenezer@sasktel.net or by mail to:

Village of Ebenezer Box 97 Ebenezer, SK., S0A 0T0

VILLAGE OF EBENEZER

The Village of Ebenezer is accepting applications for the position of Town Maintenance Person. This position starts on April 15th, 2023. The successful applicant must be able to work alone and without supervision. You must have some knowledge of operating equipment for cutting grass as well as grading the roads. Duties will include but are not limited to:

1. Keeping the grass cut and trimmed around the village and municipal buildings.

2. Minor repairs and maintenance of town equipment.

3. Grading the roads in the summer and cleaning snow off the streets in winter.

4.Reading water meters 6 times a year, as well as any other duties assigned by the Council.

Wage will depend on the experience of the successful applicant.

Please submit your resume by email to: village.ebenezer@sasktel.net of by mail to:

Village of Ebenezer • Box 97 • Ebenezer, SK., S0A 0T0

Seniors, Parents, Children!

The Stiles sisters looked like they were having a great time with their grandfather Morgan Stiles, playing a game called Tasso Safari at the Meeple Guild’s Board Game Afternoon held at the Canora Public Library on Jan, 28. From left, were: Sophia, Elizabeth, Morgan and Lydianne Stiles. Tasso Safari is a game of strategic placement of game pieces. The winner is the one who gets rid of all their pieces first.

Board game enthusiasts meet at Canora Library

“This is a renaissance period for board games.”

Calvin Daniels was among several Yorkton residents who started the local Meeple Guild in that community to promote the enjoyment of board games.

“We have hundreds of board games, and began with a board game night,” said Daniels. “Being face-to-face with other people produces much more human interaction than staring at a video

game screen. We believe it’s all about being good citizens.”

Word of the growing popularity of the Meeple Guild in Yorkton spread to Canora, and the group agreed to host multiple board game playing events at the Canora Public Library, with the first held on Jan. 28.

“We brought familyoriented games as well as games that are more for adults,” said Daniels. “We are finding that

there are increasing numbers of new board games being produced each year.”

Additional Board Game Afternoons are coming up at the Canora Public Library on Feb. 11 and March 11.

“Who knows, maybe some local residents will get interested, spend some money, buy some games, and build board game interest in and around Canora,” concluded Daniels.

Roughriders launch Grey Cup Festival Legacy Grant program

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By John Cairns, SASKTODAY.ca

REGINA — Eligible communities and organizations should get their applications ready for the Grey Cup Festival Legacy Grant Program. Applications are now being accepted for the grant program which was announced by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday. A total of $250,000 is being set aside for grants to establish and support programs toward mental health, youth and healthy lifestyles. The money will be available to communities across Saskatchewan.

According to Jonathan Huntington, one of the Volunteer Host Organizing Committee Provincial Outreach chairs, this program will be unique. Each applica-

tion will be eligible for a maximum per application of $50,000 in grant money. The groups eligible to apply are municipalities, Indigenous communities, and registered charitable organizations.

“The money can be used for infrastructure programs, it can also be used for program costs,” said Huntington.

When asked what might be an ideal application, Huntington posed a couple of examples: one possibility is that an Indigenous community could seek funds for sports equipment or sports facilities, or a municipality or charitable organization could seek to set up a mental health program. He emphasized the grant dollars awarded would come to these communities and organizations this year.

The program is open as of Jan 30, with application forms found at the website Riderville.com.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 27.

Huntington encourages applicants to apply early as they expect a “significant number of applications.”

“Grant dollars are hard to come by in Saskatchewan, they’re much needed,” said Huntington. “We know that when we looked at the marketplace.”

As for funding for the legacy grants, those come in part from the 50/50 proceeds from the Grey Cup game.

The program comes following the successful Grey Cup Festival in November, when Regina hosted the 2022 Grey Cup. The football game and associated events

Jonathan Huntington and Kent Paul describe the Grey Cup Festival Legacy Grant program which is being launched this week.

Brent Butt still living his dream

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

When Brent Butt takes to the Painted Hand Casino stage Feb. 17, it will be just another step on a career path the wellknown comedian has been on since he was a youth.

Butt, perhaps best known as the creator, and star of the long running TV series Corner Gas, grew up in Tisdale, Sask., and knew he wanted to be a teller of jokes to make people laugh from a relatively young age.

“It was very much the dream. It was number one on the list since I was 12,” he said in a recent Yorkton This Week interview.

The dream started when he was watching TV one day.

“I saw a comedian on TV. Seeing somebody walk out and just talk and be funny – It’s hard to put into words how that hit me. It was the only thing I wanted to do,” explained Butt. As a teen Butt said he had a list of four possible careers including being an NHL goaltender, something he knew by 13 he wasn’t going to achieve.

“I didn’t have the skill set to do that. I wasn’t willing to put the work into it,” he said.

Comic book artist was on the short list too. In fact, Butt would partner with Colin Oleksyn and produce a short-lived two issue comic book Existing Earth when still in Tisdale.

The experience had Butt crossing artist off his career list.

“I realized I didn’t want to draw comic book panels all day,” said Butt.

Comedy was different.

“Stand up comedian was always number one,” reiterated Butt. “. . . Everything about it resonated with me.”

Butt recalls his first time on stage, again back in Tisdale.

The high school was having a variety night and Butt decided to audition.

“I thought it was the perfect place to try it out and see if I could do it,” he said.

The audition though was a challenge, him on stage before a panel of one teacher and two other students.

“Nobody had tried doing stand up before, but I did the stuff I had written and got some laughs,” he said, adding

with an audience of three “it was hard to tell if I was doing well.”

But he was accepted, and the show put him solidly on a career path.

“It went gangbusters. It was very encouraging,” he said.

A year later he was in Saskatoon, following his comic book partner there as Oleksyn was in university.

“I was just selling advertising and worked on the comic book at night,” said Butt.

But he would soon

muster up the nerve and headed to a comedy club and in February 1988 he did his first legitimate show.

Even when Corner Gas was at its height, Butt said he literally craved opportunities to do stand up, to the point of occasionally heading off during lulls in shooting to do a set on stage.

“I just get super titchy if I don’t do stand up,” he said. “. . . It’s something if I wasn’t doing it I’d be super miserable.”

And what about

Corner Gas and how even today years after production wrapped up has legions of fans.

Butt said he hopes people always follow the show.

“It’s something I’m very, very proud of,” he said. “So much of what I have now is because of Corner Gas. For me I know Corner Gas will always be what I’m most known for.”

And that success opens doors to do what he still loves most.

“It helps me do more

stand up,” said Butt. “Everything spokes off stand up.”

So how has he managed to find material for decades?

“I started coming up with something new long ago,” he said, adding he has never forced his writing. “I never really made writing stand up a thing where I sit down for three hours and have to come up with two bits.”

Butt said that while that might be the process a comedian takes, it rarely is.

“Most take a more organic approach,” he said, adding when he started out he carried a notebook to jot down “germs of ideas”, which he would then “sit down and try and hammer into a bit.”

Now Butt is embarking on a new project releasing his debut novel later this year.

It won’t be the funny book many might expect, but rather it is a dark psychological thriller.

Butt admitted being an author was something different for him.

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to go,” he said, adding he at least has script writing to draw upon, although that is highly structured writing.

But said a novel is far more freeing, likening script writing to being a wild animal constrained by a fence and novel writing to the gate being open and he could run where he wanted.

“There’s so much less structure to it . . . I absolutely loved it,” he said, adding he had an 87,000-word first draft in 12 weeks.

So does Butt worry ‘fans’ might not buy a dark tale from a favoured comedian.

Butt suggested Corner Gas worked because they wrote the stories they wanted, and it found its audience, adding on the surface who would have thought a comedy based on a small Saskatchewan town would work?

Initially a humour book was what publishers wanted, “but it wasn’t what I wanted to write. It was not in my heart,” he said, adding he is confident by being true to himself, “it will find an audience.

Fans can get updates on the book’s release at brentbutt.com

While the TV show was a huge hit opening many doors, and the book a new venture to embark upon, Butt said he will always be a stand up comedian, adding that is enough for him.

“I would have been completely happy as an unknown working comedian,” he said, adding that was what he was before Corner Gas and he still thought he had “made it” because he was travelling doing gigs. “. . . I was making a living as a stand up comedian. I was living the dream.”

And the dream continues in Yorkton in February.

Submitted Photo

“I saw a comedian on TV. Seeing somebody walk out and just talk and be funny – It’s hard to put into words how that hit me. It was the only thing I wanted to do.”

—Brent Butt

For believers, Heaven will be even better than your best memory

We were young. Foolish around the edges. But decades ago, while travelling up the Oregon Coast, the Preacher and I did something crazy.

Nine years earlier, we’d spent our honeymoon on that coast. Now, our two small children safely cared for by grandparents, we felt like those carefree newlyweds again. And I had a secret I’d guarded for nearly two weeks.

As our Hyundai Pony clicked off the miles toward our Vancouver Island home, we passed a strip of vast sand dunes fringing the Pacific. The famous Oregon dunes beckon dune-buggyriding adventurers from

the world over. We could see them from the highway, buzzing over the sandy mountains like drunken beetles. “Too bad we can’t afford that bit of fun,” the Preacher said. And out popped the secret.

Just before leaving, my sweet cousin RenaMae had sent me a Bon Voyage card. Inside, I found a $100 bill (a lot of money back in ‘85) and a note. “This is mad money. Use it for something you’d never ordinarily spend money on. Just go mad.” I hadn’t told Rick, hoping to surprise him at a perfect time. We pulled into the first buggy rental we saw, slapped down that

bill, just enough for two buggies, put on our helmets, hopped on the machines and headed for the hills.

For an hour we knew nothing but hot sun and mad fun. We swallowed our fear and tasted sand. We threw caution to the wind and let it fly to the sea. We lost each other in the dips and thanked God for

the machine’s roll bars and tall flags. We summitted gargantuan sand hills and dropped with bone-rattling thunks on their hither-to unseen backside. Once one of our buggies (can’t recall which) bogged down in soft sand and we had to lift it out. We raced, yelled and whooped like toddlers on steroids. We laughed till our sides

ached.

At least that’s my memory. The Preacher, more restrained, likely prayed the entire time. When his machine died, I stayed with it while he raced back on mine to fetch an employee and another machine.

At our hotel that evening, chatting like kids, we flushed sand out of every bodily crease and crevice. The bottom of the shower resembled a small beach. That spontaneous decision was the best $100 we’ve ever spent. It bought a memory, a lifetime of laughs and undying gratitude to Rena-Mae.

I don’t know why I remembered that this

morning. I’m writing during a winter storm; perhaps God knew I needed the reminder of heat. I’m writing as a (pretty new) senior; perhaps God knows I needed a reminder of youth. I’m writing nearby my amazing, but frequently pain-wracked, disabled husband; perhaps God knew I needed to remember who he is under all that pain. And perhaps I needed the reminder that for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, God promised that Heaven contains joys beyond what we can imagine.

I hope it also includes sand dunes and free buggy rentals.

So many options when looking for apples

What is your favorite variety of apple?

While there are many delicious apples out there, our favorites have always been McIntosh and Spartan. But sometimes they are not easy to find! Do you ever wonder why?

It’s an interesting question, and if you start reading about it to find out why some varieties are more common in the produce department, you will find many answers to that question.

Some common reasons why some varieties of apples are more prevalent than others are that consumer tastes have changed: some like smaller apples, sweeter apples, crunchier apples, apples that aren’t quite as crunchy, and part of it is that on-going interest to try something new.

From the apple growers side, they have to consider which apples produce the best, have the most uniform size and color, will transport well and keep their fresh-picked look without bruising, and which will

stay crunchy.

Did you know that the University of Saskatchewan has been breeding apples since the 1920’s, with focus on developing apples that can adapt and survive prairie cold; developing apples that have delicious fruit quality, and developing apples that will store well.

Home apple growers, once they have determined that they have room for an apple tree, must find the best spot for the tree to grow. Apples like and need full sun to produce to their potential, with well-drained soil being ideal. Once again, gardeners need to be patient; apple trees won’t produce fruit the first year, and might take several years to get established. You need more than one tree for pollination, either in your yard or neighborhood.

Now the question: which apple tree to choose? Visit gardening.usask.ca/gardeningadvice and you’ll find bushel baskets of apple information. Including

DEBBIE HAYWARD

YORKTON AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Gardener’s Notebook

suggested apple varieties. There are several that have been developed of the U of S, such as “Prairie Sensation” which is described as “sweet with great flavour, firm, crisp and juicy”. Another variety, “Autumn Delight”, is listed as “very juicy and sweet, firm and crisp…can be picked

after frost, increases the sweetness.” A variety called “TreasurRed” has apples similar to Macs, but is a tree that might be very well-suited to city yards, since it is a “columnar tree”. This list of apple tree suggestions has other varieties that might be familiar to you: Westland, Battleford,

Seeking Your

Dolgo, and Rescue. One of the trees listed is “Fall Red”. We have this tree, and it has been an amazing specimen, with heavy crops every second year, and large, crisp fruit that is just delicious.

Another apple factoid: in 2021, Canada produced 351,565 metric tons of apples, most coming from British Columbia and Quebec, the two provinces that have the largest number of fruit farms.

When it comes to apples, there is a tree and a taste to suit everyone! Maybe 2023 is the year you might add an apple tree to your garden! Apples are a wonderful addition, and keep

in mind that there are dwarf apple trees such as “Prairie Magic” that grow to only eight feet high at maturity, perfect for smaller yards.

The first meeting of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be on Wednesday, March 15 at 7:00 PM at the Yorkton Public Library. This will be our first meeting of 2023, everyone is welcome. Be sure to visit our website at www.yorktonhort.ca and see what is new with the group. Thank you to our friends at YTW for their great work.

“Life begins the day you start a garden.” Chinese proverb. Have a nice week!

STARS aided

Submitted Photo

On Friday Jan 27, Harvest employees Brennan Wiens (HR Manager), Kevin Manovich (Employee Association President), and Sherry Vranai (Employee Association Treasurer) travelled to Regina to present a cheque to STARS for $5000. The money was raised through an employee raffle, an Employee Association donation, and a Harvest Meats donation. STARS indicated it costs an average of $5000 per trip and that in the last year they have made 37 trips to Yorkton.

“Changing

109 Maple Avenue, Yorkton

Senior Pastors Dag & Bukky Lawale

Every Sunday - Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.

Every Wednesday - Bible Study at 7:00 p.m.

Last Friday of each month - Prayer Meeting at 7 p.m.

For more information please phone 306-782-2427

“A Place of New Beginnings”

St. Andrew’s United Church

SECOND AVENUE AND SMITH STREET OFFICE 306-783-4157

MINISTER REV. JEN DRESSER

Website: http://www.standrewsyorkton.ca

Facebook: St. Andrew’s United Church

Join us Sunday, February 5th at 10:30 am Online (Zoom/Facebook/Youtube) and in person!

Church of God in Christ Mennonite

AT SALTCOATS

SUNDAY SCHOOL EVERY SUNDAY AT 10:00 AM

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11:00 AM

EVERYONE WELCOME

Pastor Laurel Wiebe -- 306-898-2099

Pastor Tim Warkentin - 306-217-8222

Westview United Church 355 Bradbrooke Dr. 306-783-3063 westviewuc.ca

Worship Service

Sundays 10:30am

Everyone is welcome!

St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church 155 CATHERINE STREET 306-783-4594

Conducted by Ukrainian Redemptorist Fathers Phone 306-783-4594 or 306-783-7778

Saturday - 5 p.m. (English)

Sunday - 9:00am (Ukrainian) 11:00am (English)

SICK CALLS ANYTIME—BAPTISM AND MARRIAGE BY APPOINTMENT

St. Mark The Evangelist Orthodox Church

160 Betts Ave., Yorkton, Sask

“Services In English” www.stmarkyorkton.ca

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee Saturday

- Vespers

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

ROUGHRIDERS

Continued from Page A13 throughout the week attracted fans from across the province and the country.

“The Grey Cup Festival Legacy Grant Program was created to ensure that even now that the Grey Cup is over, its legacy will live on,” said Grey Cup Festival Operations Chair and Roughriders Chief Financial Officer Kent Paul at the announce-

ment Monday at Mosaic Stadium.

Other Grey Cups have had legacy programs, but Huntington said they wanted to make sure that this legacy “was not just in Regina, it was around the province. So one of the best ways to do this, we felt, was a grant program.” He also noted he didn’t know of other Grey Cups having done their legacy programs this way.

He pointed to the com-

munity celebration tour that took place for the Grey Cup, and there was an online application program associated with that last spring where more than 60 communities applied for the $25,000 grants available.

“So we know there’s huge appetite for this, and we think we’ll get flooded with applications.”

This particular legacy program differs somewhat from 2013, which

saw different portions of the soon-to-be-dismantled Taylor Field distributed to different communities as part of that process, including the scoreboard and seats. Officials noted the particular focus on mental health is a distinguishing factor this time around.

As for the ultimate criteria on which programs or communities are selected, Huntington made clear the focus is

YTC

Continued from Page A3 a pleasure ever since to be really involved and see the development that’s coming along,” said O’Soup.

“The history of the brick mill is very important to the community, very important to the province of Sask and even Canada – we need to preserve the history that’s there,” added O’Soup, noting, “First Nation’s people have a history with agriculture and farming and we want to learn that history — we want to be part of it to learn — to know that First Nation’s people have a big part in agriculture when we

MAKE PLANS TO

more about quality as opposed to geography.

“We’re going to take the best applications that come in,” he said. “There will be a scoring matrix, just like we did with the Grey Cup Festival Celebration Tour. We had a matrix then, we’ll have a matrix now.”

Huntington noted as part of the ‘Riders commitment to reconciliation, the adjudication

were farmers.”

“There’s still a lot to learn and that’s why we get involved,” said O’Soup, adding, “history is important.”

“A lot of the members of Yorkton Tribal Council have spent a lot of sweat equity along with rehabilitating those grounds and making it look pretty,” said Tyson addressing members of the media, adding, “it is such an important thing to continue to receive these generous donations – this in particular – frankly we’ve been a bit quiet lately and it’s been a while since we’ve been able to come

Spend a Day at Sacred Heart

Wednesday, February 8 Registration Night

HIGH SCHOOL

7:00pm School Tours

OPEN HOUSE

7:30pm Information Session in the Theatre

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

panel will give “particular attention” to applications with an Indigenous engagement plan.

Paul told reporters details of the full legacy project, along with the announcement of the grant recipients, will come during the spring when they also hope to release financial results of the 2022 Grey Cup and Grey Cup Festival and its economic impact on Saskatchewan.

to the table with a big announcement,” noting the $100,000 donation pushes the YBMHS to around $1.3M raised of their $2M goal.

“The project is getting very close to within reach here,” said Tyson.

Mayor Mitch Hippsley was in attendance for the announcement on behalf of City Council.

“The visions of both the Yorkton Brick Mill and YTC is truly remarkable and we’re very lucky to have them here,” said Mayor Hippsley, later adding that the YTC makes things happen and gets things done, “it’s not smoke and mirrors and we’re so lucky to have that.”

“We love to support our local organizations and we just love to support the Brick Mill Society and what you guys do in making sure that we retain and capture our history and make sure that it continues to go forward,” said Trevor Acoose Director of Operations with Yorkton Tribal Council, noting the YTC employs over 70 people and continues to expand their programs.

“We want to create partnerships with the city that we work in,” said O’Soup, “I just think we would be a better community if we all worked together for our community. It doesn’t matter what ethinic background you are – I think we’re all better when we work together.”

All grade 8 students in Yorkton & surrounding area are invited to spend a day at Sacred Heart High School

7:00 p.m. School Tours

7:30 p.m. Information

Session in Theatre

Please call 306-783-3128 to register.

“We get to incorporate our First Nation history into it as well — and that’s probably the ultimate goal — for the city of Yorkton to learn First Nation history as well,” said O’Soup, “whatever we can contribute and get our history involved –that’s the ultimate goal.”

All Grade 8 students in Yorkton and surrounding area are invited to join us at Sacred Heart High School’s Open House. Explore the wide variety of choices and opportunities available to Sacred Heart students. Ask questions. See the classrooms, labs and shop. Visit the art and sports facilities. Learn about our Advanced Placement and French Immersion programs. Get the information you need about our unparalleled academic, athletic and extracurricular programming.

Explore the wide variety of choices and opportunities available to Sacred Heart students. Ask questions. See the classrooms, labs & shop. Visit the art & sports facilities. Learn about our Advanced Placement & French programs. Get the information you need about our unparalleled academic, athletic and extracurricular programming.