Yorkton This Week 2023-02-15

It’s official; taxes going up

a

3.93 per cent increase in taxes, 2.93 of that going to operating and the remaining one per cent to capital.

The capital budget includes a one per cent increase in taxes, or

Continued on Page A2

RCMP release suspect sketches from Esterhazy/Stockholm homicide

SASKTODAY.ca

STOCKHOLM/ ESTERHAZY – Sask.

RCMP Major Crimes continues to investigate a homicide which occurred

at a residence in a rural area south of Stockholm and Esterhazy the morning of Feb. 10. RCMP say there will continue to be an increased police pres-

ence in the area in relation to this investigation in the coming days.

As a result of their extensive investigation RCMP can provide the following suspect

descriptions: Suspect One

• Male, believed to be in his 20’s

• Approximately 6’ 2” tal

• 180-200 pounds, slender buil

• Piercing/scar or absence of hair on left eyebrow

• May have a lower stomach tattoo

• Face was covered by a thin neck warmer/tube pulled up

• Wearing a black beanie-style head covering/hat

Continued on Page A2

Gallagher Centre ice plants getting update

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

ahead. With only Mayor Mitch Hippsley sitting opposed, Yorkton Council approved a tender of $788,055 for the project at its regular meeting

Monday.

The need for the work has been known for some time, noted Jeff Fawcett – Manager of Capital Projects, with the City.

“Nov. 15, 2021, Council was presented a report on the condition of both the Kinsmen Arena and Westland Arena ice systems, in which both needed significant improvements,” he

explained Monday. Council passed a resolution indicating that a decision be deferred to the 2022 Budget

Continued on Page A2

Ice plants and machine room upgrades at the Westland Insurance Arena are moving

Yorkton Council passed the City’s 2023 operating and capital budgets Monday.

Staff Photo by Tyson Off

Terriers drop two to Mustangs

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The Terriers hosted the Melfort Mustangs on Feb. 10 and visited the city Feb. 11, losing 4-2 and 2-1 in the subsequent matchup.

The Terriers’ Cade Kennedy was the first to score during Friday night’s game at Westland Arena, putting one past the Mustangs’ netminder at 12:30 into the period. Wyatt Cook fired back for the visitors, closing out scoring in the first with a goal at 17:54.

The Mustangs’ Ryan Duguay opened up the scoring early in the second, hitting the target at 3:15 in. Team mate Cameron Emigh closed out the period with another goal for the Mustangs at 18:23. Both teams went scoreless for the better half of the third until midway through the period when the Terriers’ Bret Butz put another on the board for the home town team, but the Mustangs’

TAXES

Continued from Page A1 roughly $267,000, for capital projects. This will bring our annual capital expenditure total to $4,910,000 for 2023.

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,

Leith Olafson managed another for the visitors at 13:57. Goalie Caleb Allen was pulled at 18:28 in an attempt to give the Terriers an edge, but it wasn’t enough to secure the goals needed to tie the game.

Allen saved 30 of the 34 shots he faced.

James Venne was in net for the win, blocking 24 of the 26 shots.

The Terriers were once again the first team to put themselves on the board in Saturday night’s matchup with Clay Sleeva scoring at 7:42 of the first, assisted by Dylan Ruptash. However, it would be the Terriers’ last goal of the evening.

The Mustang’s Wyatt Cook put one past Terrier netminder Tyson Smith at 8:44 into the second. Team mate Aidyn Hutchinson repeated the effort at 9:14. Smith was pulled from the net with 17 seconds remaining in the period in a last ditch effort to tie the game, but the team wasn’t able to rally for the win.

said Ashley Stradeski, Director of Finance with the City.

Stradeski said after posting the budget documents feedback from the public was limited with only about 10 responses via online forms, and he did not receiving a direct email on the budgets.

When Stradeski pre-

RCMP

Smith saved 21 of the 23 shots he faced. James Venne was netminder for the Mustangs, blocking 22 shots for the win.

Continued from Page A1

• Dark-coloured Carhartt/work-style jacket with a lighter-coloured “sherpa” style line

Suspect Two

• Male, believed to be older than suspects one and three

• Approximately 5’ 11”

• Approximately 210 pounds;

• Face was covered by black balaclava

• Sparsely-haired moustache visible

• Small pointed tattoo near the corner of left

Farmers Business Network Yorkton

Will no longer be selling Shell Oils. Our supply is currently limited to what we have in inventory, so it will be first come first serve. Special pricing in effect. Only Cash, Cheque, Visa or Mastercard can be accepted on these sales. We want to thank everyone for their past patronage!

sented the budgets in January he did suggest 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 in January.

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.

eye (possibly a teardrop or arrow);

• Top of arched tattoo partially visible under facial covering near the top of the left cheekbone, under the left eye

Suspect Three

• Male

• Shorter than suspects one and two

• Approximately 200240 pounds

• Face was covered by a thin neck warmer/tube pulled up

ICE

Continued from Page A1 process, where Administration would provide funding options and scenarios for Council consideration as part of the 2022 budget process.

“For the purpose

• Wearing a black beanie-style head covering/hat

• Wearing what is believed to have been a “Red Dragon Apparel” hoodie. There was a large “Red Dragon” logo on the front, no zipper Suspect vehicle information

Investigation by the RCMP also determined the suspects drove a vehicle to the scene and left in it after stealing and setting the home

of this report we will be discussing ‘The Westland Arena Ice System’ which was found to need immediate attention, as was outlined in the Strong Refrigeration review and assessment of the Westland Ice System.

owner’s vehicle on fire. The stolen vehicle was located abandoned on a nearby grid road.

Investigators know the suspect vehicle travelled east and west of the intersection of Highways 637 and 9 after the homicide occurred.

Items stolen from residence; ongoing investigation

Three long-barrelled firearms and a significant amount of ammunition was stolen from the victim’s residence. These

The cost of a new ice plant had been included in the initial Gallagher Centre Renewal Project at an estimated value of $1.6 million,” said Fawcett.

“During the 2022 budget process the

items were being stored appropriately prior to them being taken. The specifics of the homicide are still under investigation at this time. RCMP will continue to release more information to the public as we are able to.

RCMP ask the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information to police immediately by calling 911, their local RCMP detachment or police service.

Westland Arena Ice System project was approved by Council for $1,085,000. Further, the controls portion of this project was completed in the summer of 2022 at a cost of $124,000. This leaves $961,000 to complete the remainder of the project.”

Two bids were received.

Funding for this project planned in the 2022 Capital budget will come from the recreation levy as approved during budget deliberations.

Hippsley immediately noted his concern after administration’s presentation, noting, “there’s something that really concerns me.”

While admitting he is not an engineer Hippsley said he questioned going with a screw processor, adding he has talked to no one who has said that is a good move.

“I’m uncomfortable with this,” he said, adding as a result he had to oppose the project tender.

The Terriers will host the Weyburn Red Wings on Feb. 14 and visit Weyburn on Feb. 18.

The Terriers dropped back-to-back games to the Melfort Mustangs over the weekend. Terriers will visit Weyburn to take on the Red Wings Feb. 18.

Up Front

French carnival at St. Michael’s

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – St.

Michael’s School held a French Carnival on the afternoon of Feb. 10 to celebrate the conclusion of French-SecondLanguage Education

Week in Sask.

“We are hosting our French Carnival for all of our French Immersion students from grades one to eight,” said Nicki Hoffman, French Immersion teacher at St. Michaels School.

“Our grade sevens are running the stations while our grade eights are actually lead-

ing the students around and speaking with them in French – just trying to encourage a lot of French and participation for this afternoon,” said Hoffman, adding, “it’s a chance for the students to put into practice speaking in French.”

Students were encouraged to speak in French for the duration of the carnival.

“We really want to encourage them to speak in French as much as possible because we’re an English speaking community – so when we offer some of these activities this is such a great chance to just have

those moments to speak in French and converse with others in French — it really helps your confidence and your speaking — it’s a great opportunity,” said Hoffman. The school’s carnival was what Principal Steven Boucher referred to as their own version of Carnaval de Québec, a popular festival held in Quebec City in February. The festival features multiple events ranging from outdoor sports to snow sculptures.

“We’re trying to have some of those fun activities that you might see at different festivals and some of those traditions,”

Farm Toy Show returns after two year break

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The 36th annual Yorkton Farm Toy Show was held from Feb. 10-11 at the Yorkton Auction Centre.

The event featured 45 vendors spread out over 86 tables with various toys new and old for people of all ages.

The toys on display

and up for sale were mostly specific to agriculture but there were also diecast cars, Hot Wheels, antiques and other toys for collectors and attendees to appreciate.

“Basically it’s farm toy collectors from all over the prairie provinces,” said event organizer Jeremy Mehrer.

Mehrer said this is his

eighth year organizing the event and noted the shows absence over the last two years due to pandemic restrictions.

“We had a two year break and this is our first year back – this is a new venue,” said Mehrer, adding, “we’re just trying some new things with the show and it seems to be working for us.”

Continued on Page A9

said Hoffman. French-SecondLanguage Education Week took place Feb. 6-10 and was participated in by FSL schools from across the province. The week featured virtual Keynote Addresses

from JUNO-nominated musician Peter Katz and Stéphanie Morin-Robert a multi-award winning and multi-disciplinary artist. The virtual sessions were attended by thousands of FSL students, according to

Hoffman. “We’re just lucky that we have supportive administrators that help us with this and promote it – a real opportunity to build that French community with out students.”

French immersion students partake in a tug-of-war, one of several activities setup for students to participate in at St. Michael’s French Carnival.

The carnival concluded French-Second-Language Education Week in Sask.

Health care reform needs experts, not politicking

MURRAY MANDRYK

Politics

The provinces got more health care dollars from Ottawa — an estimated $196.1-billion more in the next 10 years that will include $46.2 billion in new spending for things that go beyond that has been already budgeted.

Already, premiers are complaining it’s not enough.

It likely isn’t enough, but it’s never going to be enough if we simply keep doing the same things in health care delivery and administration that we’ve always done.

Sure, handing over more money to the provinces might even be a good temporary fix in the same way that last September’s announcement by Health Minister Paul Merriman for Saskatchewan to spend an added $60 million on recruitment of doctors and especially nurses from the Philippines is a good way to keep your local emergency room from shutting its doors.

It will help for now.

But with serious questions as to whether this money will be going to fix health care problems — or, in some cases, go towards health care at all — it’s highly questionable whether this is a long-term fix.

One big problem seems to be that provinces like Saskatchewan can’t seem to put aside their political differences long enough to find shortterm fixes in health care.

Consider a recent story from The Canadian Press that reveals emails obtained through freedom of information show federal Public Safety officials were surprised by Merriman’s Oct. 18, 2021 request for help in the COVID-19 fight.

The request came just before Saskatchewan began flying out — at great cost to taxpayers — desperately ill COVID-19 patients to Ontario and else because emergency beds in this province were above capacity.

This doesn’t sound like a provincial government that was putting the health dollars it had already received to best use. Consider the pain, suffering and cost at the time that maybe could have been at least partially avoided.

Moreover, the emails suggest Ottawa even offered help to the Saskatchewan government that — at the time — was soliciting help from as far away as New York and Pennsylvania. Saskatchewan didn’t get the help from the U.S. it requested.

What all this points to is a need to set aside the politics and bickering and take a fresh look at how to improve a national public system run by each local province.

This will require co-operation, but it may also require everyone to think beyond their political viewpoint. Maybe the best way to do that is to stop listening to the politicians simply demanding more money and start listening to more knowledgeable voices advocating true reform.

One such person is Peter Nicholson who has held most ever senior administrative position imaginable ranging from advisor to the prime minister’s office to executive positions at ScotiaBank and BCE Inc. to founding the Council of Canadian Academies.

In a recent policy brief entitled “Repairing Health Care in Canada: Time to Take the First Step”, Nicholson wrote for the for the University of Regina’s Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy the expert contended that “Canada does not have a world-class health-care system”.

To regain one, Canada’s public health-care system needs to change, but the problem is it has been “remarkably resistant to significant reform,” Nicholson said.

The first change would be simply ending the practice of handing the provinces more cash that “has reduced the incentive for reform,” Nicholson wrote.

Instead, the provinces should be given more taxing power and there should be improvements to the equalization formula, he said.

“For purely political reasons, provinces have nevertheless welcomed an annual block of cash without responsibility for the tax rates needed to fund it,” the long-time executive noted.

But Nicholson also advocated a private insurance component like other countries with public health care system.

A perfect solution? Maybe not.

But it sure beats simply throwing more money at the problem.

Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics since 1983.

Outdoor rec is affordable rec

At the last meeting of Yorkton Council, a project with a price tag of roughly $1 million for a dual purpose recreation facility (bike pump track and basketball courts), was put on hold for at least a year in spite of the money being allocated in budget.

Then at the most recent Council meeting this Monday, (Feb. 13), Council gave the green light to complete another recreation project, redoing the ice plants at the Gallagher Centre, again at a cost of roughly $1 million.

While there is no direct correlation between the two projects in terms of investment, decision making, or even users, they do illustrate something about recreational facilities, and that is the long term costs of indoor versus outdoor investments.

When you have to put walls and a roof on a facility and install mechanical equipment maintenance costs are just going to be more.

Roofs get leaks which need fixing. Mechanical machines break down. And, there is of course the costs of keeping the lights on and the temperature liveable.

Certainly outdoor facilities may need some work over time too – we’ve seen city playgrounds updated to meet modern equipment safety requirements in recent years, and you might well have lights for evening use, the overall costs of annual operation after initial construction costs are going to be significantly lower.

That in itself is a very good reason for municipalities to look at outdoor recreation options closely.

Such facilities also tend to serve a less mainstream segment of the city in terms of sport. For example, the skateboarders or disc golfers may not be the first to sign up to play hockey or football.

And walking trails are a low impact outdoor physical activity accessible to most.

In addition, in-part because operational costs are lower, the fees to use outdoor facilities are lower, or often at no charge.

Not everyone can afford the fees at an indoor pool, or the costs associated with hockey, but having access to someplace to get physical activity is still important. Municipal investment in recreational facilities should always be made with an over arching mandate to serve the broadest range of residents possible.

If that means for some having a few tables set close enough together in a community park to grow a ‘chess in the park’ club, then that is a good thing to at least be considered by the city.

Recreation should be a broadly based initiative which looks at serving as many as possible with as many facilities as is affordable. That said generally outdoor facilities are going to be lower cost from start up to maintenance and that in itself suggests it might be the best bang for taxpayer dollars.

- 4 p.m. Phone: 306-782-2465 Fax: 306-786-1898

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

Most likely everyone had some chocolate recently. That’s why we chose ‘chocolate’ as the word of the week. When most of us hear the word chocolate, we picture a bar, a box of bonbons, or a bunny. The verb that comes to mind is probably "eat," not "drink," and the most apt adjective would seem to be "sweet." But for more than 90 percent of chocolate's long history, it was strictly a beverage, and sugar had nothing to do with it. Etymologists trace the origin of the word "chocolate" to the Aztec word "xocoatl," which referred to a bitter drink brewed from cacao beans. The suffix “atl”, technically means “water” or “liquid.” By the 17th century, mixed with honey or cane sugar, chocolate became a fashionable drink throughout Europe. Finally, in 1847, the first modern chocolate bar was created. (Smithsonianmag.com) American poet Nikki Giovanni once said, “I would put books on par with chocolate, because a good book is delicious.” Enjoy the chocolate, and the books too!

All of Yorkton This Week’s content is protected by Canadian Copyright laws. Reviews and similar mention of material in this newspaper is granted on the provision that Yorkton This Week receives credit. Otherwise, any reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Advertisers purchase space and circulation only. Rights to any advertisement produced by Yorkton This Week, including art work, typography, photos, etc., remain the property of this newspaper. Advertisements or parts thereof may not be reproduced or assigned without the consent of the publisher.

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Municipal Affairs critic makes Yorkton stop

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Official opposition Municipal Affairs critic Erika Ritchie was in Yorkton Thursday for a series of meetings she said were all about listening to local concerns.

In a brief meeting with local press on the steps of City Hall ahead of meeting with members of Yorkton Council, Ritchie said the visit was part of a broader NDP initiative that has leader Carla Beck and other members of the NDP Caucus travelling out to communities.

“What we know … (the current government) has stopped listening to the people of Saskatchewan,” said Ritchie.

Rather than just offer positions on possible issues, Ritchie said they want to hear what people say they need.

For example, in speaking with local

business people, Ritchie said she heard that locally there was a feeling “of hope and optimism,” but also concerns.

One such concern was the impact of property assessments, with challenges arising from the assessment process.

Asked if that meant it was time for a change in how SAMA does the assessments, Ritchie said that will certainly be studied and discussed, but offered no commitment to change.

Other concerns arose around health care, especially in terms of the impact staffing shortages can have on services being maintained. Ritchie noted that in the last five years Saskatchewan has lost 36,000 people.

“That’s twice the population of Yorkton,” she added, pointing out 600 of those were health care workers which reflects back on the concerns over local services being maintained.

January job growth in Sask.

Recently released January labour force figures from Statistics Canada show Saskatchewan is off to a strong start in 2023, with 16,400 new jobs when compared to Jan. 2022, an increase of 2.9 per cent.

“Our province is off to a great start in 2023, with thousands of new jobs across many of Saskatchewan’s various and vital industries,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Saskatchewan’s economy is full of opportunity for newcomers and residents alike, and our government looks forward to strong, continued growth that works for everyone in the coming year.”

The seasonally adjusted provincial unemployment rate was 4.3 per cent in January 2023, down from 5.6 per cent in January 2022 and down from 4.4 per cent compared to December 2022. The rate is the third lowest among the provinces, and below the national average of 5.0 per cent.

Saskatchewan saw record highs for the month of January:

• Provincial labour force reached 606,300;

• Total provincial employment reached 578,600; and

• Total full-time employment reached 466,600.

Full-time employment increased by 4,700 (+1 per cent), with part-time employment increasing by 11,500 (+11.5 per cent).

There were also increases in youth population, which rose to 3,200 (+2.4 per cent), and employment, which is up 1,400 (+1.9 per cent) compared to last January.

Off-reserve Indigenous employment was up 2,500 (+4.4 per cent) for 26 consecutive months of year-over-year increases. Indigenous youth employment was up 2,000 (+25.3 per cent) for two consecutive months of year-overyear increases.

Major year-over-year gains were reported for health care and social assistance, up 4,900 (+5.6 per cent), with professional, scientific and technical services, up 3,800 (+15.1 per cent), and educational services, up 3,000 (+6.1 per cent).

— Submitted

Yorkton Army Cadet practices baritone horn at music clinic

Warrant Officer Condoleezza Erhaze, a cadet with 2834 64th Field Battery, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, in Yorkton, attended a Cadet Music Clinic held in Saskatoon Feb. 4. The music clinics provided specialist instruction in drill, music theory, and practice with instruments in a larger group setting to complement cadet music programs at local cadet corps and squadrons. Erhaze plays the baritone horn.

Official opposition Municipal Affairs critic Erika Ritchie.

Staff Photo by Warrant Officer Second Class Akshita Jain, 702 Lynx, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.

February 15 - February 21, 2023

Next Council Meeting

Monday, March 6, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

Request for RFP

Name of Tender: Bedding Plant RFP

RFP must be received before 2:00 p.m. on February 17, 2023

Please submit RFP through Biddingo

Details of Proposal:

The City of Yorkton is requesting RFP’s for the supply of bedding plants for the 2023 season.

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

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

Information Contact

Inquiries regarding the proposal procedure and particulars can be directed to: parksandrec@yorkton.ca

TheCityreservestherighttorejectanyorallbids.Lowestbidisnotnecessarily accepted Bidssubmittedinanyothermannermaynotbeaccepted.

Request for Proposals

Name of Proposal: Deer Park Golf Course Digital Screens

Proposal must be received before 2:00 p.m. on February 17, 2023.

Proposals will be received through the City of Yorkton’s e-bidding system at www.biddingo.com/yorkton

Details of Proposal:

The City of Yorkton is requesting proposals for the supply of digital screens and related wall mounting hardware for the Deer Park Golf Course clubhouse.

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

Proposal 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:

Taylor Morrison Gallagher Centre General Manager

Recreation & Community Services

City of Yorkton

Phone: 306-786-1740

Email: parksandrec@yorkton.ca

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

General InquIrIes:

306-786-1700

Request for Tenders

Name of Proposal: Deer Park Golf Course Commercial Dishwasher & Glasswasher Lease

Tender must be received before 2:00 p.m. on February 17, 2023.

Tender will be received through the City of Yorkton’s e-bidding system at www.biddingo.com/yorkton

Details of Tender:

The City of Yorkton is requesting tenders for the lease option of a commercial dishwasher and under-counter glasswasher, and the supply of related chemical/sanitizer products.

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

Proposal 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:

Taylor Morrison Gallagher Centre General Manager Recreation & Community Services City of Yorkton Phone: 306-786-1740

Email: parksandrec@yorkton.ca

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

February 15 - February 21, 2023

Next Council Meeting

Monday, March 6, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

TOY SHOW

Continued from Page A3

Mehrer estimated on Saturday afternoon that over 800 people would attend the event and noted he had been

“very happy” with the turnout so far at the two day affair.

“A lot of the people that come here are farmers – they come from a

long ways to come and visit or setup,” said Mehrer.

“There’s people that drive 600 kms to setup at these shows.”

Mehrer — a farmer by trade — had his own tables set up at the event and estimated he had more than 200 items up for sale.

“I’ve been coming to shows since maybe 1988 – this show started in ‘86 so I’ve been to just about all of them,” said Mehrer, noting

that his love for toy collecting was something he was born into, “my dad collected toys and my grandpa collected toys.”

Wrecker finally gets Council OK

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 held 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 and similar material.

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 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 pro-

ceed 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 ask themselves when voting on this issueWould 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 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.

Energy and ag seems connected

What the face of our energy industry will look like into the future is obviously a matter of much debate these days.

We clearly have a fractured view of what that future should look like, at least among the populace.

The science community at least seems generally to be hoping for an articular future, one where energy consumption does less in terms of damaging our atmosphere, although you can find those not worried about it too.

Certainly it seems likely our world is a long, long way from

moving away from mass consumption of energy. An aerial view of any big city freeway during rush hour, or a look at the flight schedules at any major airport confirms that, as does a quick inventory of every electrical device in a modern home.

So assuming we continue to consume energy in massive amounts, which is the best source of that energy? Well that can depend on which perspective you are coming at the question from.

There is the cost to consumer most will care about, although one might expect that factor

Agriculture THIS WEEK

Calvin Daniels

may be lost as bigger concerns are dealt with.

Of course that bigger issue is the future of our planet, and that’s where the real debate begins.

It was only a matter of a few years ago it seemed a significant part of the solution was a move away from fossil

fuels to greater use of biofuels.

While that might still generally hold true, the biofuels industry itself is evolving.

For example, canola producers were excited by the prospect of canola oil going into biodiesel as an alter-

nate market. It seemed to make sense at least from the perspective of canola being a renewable energy source.

But canola oil for a car engine takes away from human food too, and long term that is likely troubling as the world has put zero effort into limiting population growth to the point of barely acknowledging the issue.

And now there are reports Germany may ban crop-based biofuels by 2030 as part of that country’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It would be part of a trend to governments

trying to be more ‘earth friendly’.

For example, www. producer.com reports “there is already a move afoot in the EU to phase out palm oil and soy oilbased biofuels due to concerns surrounding deforestation.”

Of course the question then arises what backfills plant-based oil sources for biodiesel moving forward to reduce fossil fuel use?

Certainly there are more questions about energy sources friendly to the earth than there are answers today, including can agriculture be part of long term answers.

Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry has posted a third consecutive year of record agri-food exports, with a total value of $18.4 billion for 2022.

The leading agri-food export commodities in 2022 were canola oil, non-durum wheat, canola seed, lentils, durum and dry peas. The top five international market destinations were the United States, China, Japan, Mexico and Algeria.

“Saskatchewan’s

agriculture industry is a model for reliability and innovation, as these export figures show,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “Saskatchewan producers continue to make an impact both inside and beyond our borders, as a driver of our provincial economy and as a worldwide leader in sustainable agri-food production. These numbers demonstrate our progress toward the $20

billion agri-food export target in the 2030 Growth Plan.”

In addition to Saskatchewan’s primary production, higher-value processed products are a key contributor to the province’s exports.

With canola oil as Saskatchewan’s top agrifood export and canola meal the seventh-leading, products like these provide an opportunity to reach the 2030 Growth Plan target of increasing

agriculture value-added revenue to $10 billion.

Saskatchewan’s agri-food exports are the second highest in Canada, behind Ontario which exported $23.8 billion in 2022. Increases in agriculture exports continue to contribute to Saskatchewan’s strong economic growth, as merchandise exports saw a 23.8 per cent increase in December 2022 compared to December 2021; this was the second highest increase among provinces, seasonally adjusted. Total merchan-

dise exports for 2022 were valued at more than $52 billion, an increase of 41.7 per cent since 2021.

“It is clear that Saskatchewan has what the world needs, and these impressive numbers demonstrate that,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Our products have made significant gains in both traditional and new markets, which means opportunity for greater investment and a higher quality of life for the people of our province.”

Saskatchewan’s total exports have grown by more than $20 billion since 2012. The province has established trade and investment offices around the world which will be key to continue growing trade by focusing on our strengths and supporting Saskatchewan companies seeking investment and promoting trade. The province looks forward to continuing to expand exports, opening new markets and sharing Saskatchewan’s story on a global scale. — Submitted

Another strong ag export year in Sask. 2023 preliminary runoff report

Recently, the Water Security Agency (WSA) released the preliminary spring runoff outlook for 2023 as it prepares its initial Spring Runoff Report for March 2023. The information gathered in this report is based on conditions as they were on February 1, 2023. The report shows most of southern Saskatchewan with below normal snowmelt runoff potential. The central areas, with above normal snowpack, can expect an above normal snowmelt response; near normal conditions are currently projected for the far north.

Much of the southern areas of Saskatchewan experienced very dry conditions through the summer and into fall last year. The exception is an

area just east of Moose Jaw through Weyburn, Indian Head and Regina, where wetter fall conditions and near normal snowfall have projected a near normal snowmelt. The snowpack is generally above to well above normal to date in the central areas; however, flooding is not expected despite the predicted above normal runoff response. The far north, encompassing the areas of Uranium City, Stony Rapids and Cluff Lake are anticipated to experience a near normal runoff event. Runoff potential is determined based on several factors including the conditions at freeze-up, the snowfall received to date and potential expected further precipitation between now and spring

melt. The melt rate is expected to have a significant impact on runoff yields across the south. With depleted subsoil moisture, a slow melt will likely result in the bulk of the snowpack recharging the soil column. A rapid melt is likely needed to result in an improvement to surface water supplies. The current snowpack is not sufficient to satisfy both. Without additional snowfall, surface water supply issues are likely to occur in southwestern Saskatchewan in 2023. The spring runoff outlook could change as there is potentially another eight to 10 weeks of winter remaining. The first spring runoff forecast will be issued in early March.

Mid-winter pickleball event in city

Pickleball Yorkton

Club hosted its second Annual Mid-winter tournament this past weekend at the Gallagher Center Flexihall. The club members David Weiman, Ken Kolisnek and Brad Ouart were confident that by going into a larger facility, we would be able to expand the number of teams to break into two categories. Players entered the tournament based on their self rated skill level of 3.0 and under and 3.0 and above.

Forty-five teams entered. 11 Mens, 12 Womens and 22 Mixed. With teams coming in from Regina, Swan River, and our surrounding area the 45 teams entered had the five pickleball courts

hosting non stop action from 9 am till 5 pm. Many teams were evenly matched and every point gained was a result of fast played volleys and slams.

The Pickleball Yorkton Club had 18 of its members stand on the podium receiving medals.

“We are very proud of what our club has accomplished in the short while since we became a formal club in 2020. The skill level of the players that entered this tournament was outstanding! Everyone played incredibly well and with unwavering stamina!

Many of the games were over quickly while others became a real battle of the paddles!” stated David Weiman, founding member of PBY. Having

to win by a 2 point lead, each serve was calculated and returns were aimed strategically so as to not get it sent back. All the games were exciting to watch and by the time the finalists came to the last game, only the ones with patience, and the ability to place the ball where it needed to be, won that winning point.

“It was amazing to see the level of skill each player displayed, the spectacular slams and the impossibly fast returns some players accomplished.

TO Arrows coach excited for new MLR season

It’s happy days for rugby fans in Canada as the 2023 MLR season kicks-off this week.

And that means the Toronto Arrows, the lone Canadian team in the MLR, will be back on the pitch.

“I’m really excited. It’s been a long off season,” offered Arrows head coach Peter Smith in a recent interview with Yorkton This Week

Smith and the Arrows will be looking to build on a 2022 that saw the team on something of a rollercoaster in terms of results.

“There were times last year we were really, really good and other times really, really poor,” said Smith.

Part of the issue last season was an injury bug that often left the Arrows with a long list of players out of action.

Smith said staying healthy will be important this year.

“If we can keep some of our key guys on the pitches it will be an advantage,” said Smith.

That said, injuries are typical in a sport as physical as rugby.

“It’s certainly not a sport you can hide, or stay away from the hits,” said Smith.

With the injuries and inconsistencies, the Arrows finished 2022 with an 8-8 record and fourth spot in the MLR East. They scored 414 points while allowing 390.

Now it’s a new season, and Smith says the Arrows will be a different team.

“We’ve had a really good preseason tourney block,” said Smith.

That preseason pitch time will be important in terms of jelling a decidedly different roster together.

“There’s a lot of new faces to be honest,” said Smith, adding the team recruited with two main goals in mind.

The first thing the Arrows were looking to achieve was to add some size and overall physicality to the roster.

And then Smith said he wanted some added

CALVIN DANIELS Sports

It was a fantastic tournament and Pickleball Yorkton can be proud of all of its members that played in this tournament,” president Ken Kolisnek stated, “we will definitely host another tournament here at the Gallagher Center.” The comments heard from our out of town guests was unanimous, we have a terrific facility to host a pickleball tournament and they would be very happy to return for our 3rd annual Mid-winter tournament. Many were very impressed by the whole building, “hosting a hockey rink, curling rink, lap and recreational pool plus the multi use flexihall, and a food court! It’s a wonderful place, Wow! Yorkton is very lucky!”

The PBY executive is very happy with

experience.

“We wanted to add a few older heads to the group,” he said.

Among the new faces for fans to watch for are Irish international Noel Reid, who arrives from the English Premiership side London Irish, with more than a decade of experience at the highest levels of European rugby.

Reid, 32, played for Ireland’s U20 side before making the jump to Leinster’s senior squad in 2011. He would spend eight years with the Dublin side, then signed a one-year deal with Leicester Tigers in 2019.

Also from Ireland prop Conan O’Donnell joins the Arrows.

O’Donnell, 26, arrives from New Zealand side Northland, where the forward has been plying his trade in the National Provincial Championship.

Nic Benn arrives from the Manly Marlins in Sydney, Australia. The 21-year-old outside center is Canadian-qualified through his mother, and lived in British Columbia for six years in his youth.

Then there is Chilean international hooker Ramon Ayarza.

Ayarza, 29, will arrive at the club having most recently featured for Soyaux Angouleme XV Charente, where the nineyear professional helped the French Nationale 1

side gain promotion to the Pro D2 following the 2021-2022 season.

Most recently the Arrows inked centre Tautalatasi Tasi.

The New Zealandborn, Australian-raised Tasi, 28, arrives at the club from Japanese side Tokyo Gas, where the midfielder helped lead the Top East League team to the 2022-2023 championship last month.

Overall, Smith said he likes the roster mix he is working with for 2023, adding a team in the MLR needs depth to deal with the rigors of a long season.

“It’s being able to rely on 30 plus guys,” he said.

Headed into the season Smith said he wants to concentrate on doing the little things right.

“It’s a simple game when you really look at it,” he said, adding a team need to be consistently “really good at a handful of things,” and success comes off that foundation.

This season, for the Arrows the good foundation will be based on being tougher to play, offered Smith.

“We’re a much physical team going into this year,” he promised.

The Arrows start the regular season in Atlanta Feb. 17, then head to New York to face the renamed Ironworkers on the 26th.

the results of the tournament, the number of teams, the support we had from our volunteers and the support from our community. We have to thank Remax Blue Chip Realty, The Bentley by Revera, Supplement King, Tapp’s, Sport Chek for sponsoring our raffle prizes. Plus we have to thank all those families and friends that came to watch the games. The Executive dreamt big and forged forward to take on a large tournament like this and are already planning for 2024th Midwinter tournament

What’s next on

the PBY’s schedule? The club is hosting another “Learn to Play Pickleball” Saturday Feb 25th at the Gloria Hayden Community Center. The clinic starts at 1 pm and runs through till 4 pm. This clinic focuses on the basics of the game. The serve, the return and the rules and scoring of the game. It’s a fun filled afternoon learning pickleball with others that are just beginning too. Registration is open on the Pickleball Yorkton webpage.

Next on the calendar is the PBY’s “Ladies

Continued on Page A16

Pickleball action at the Flexihall in Yorkton.

Staff Photo by Tyson Off

BUCKLE - Marjorie Buckle was born on January 18, 1938 in the Wadena Saskatchewan Hospital, only daughter to Robert Brock and Lillian Marjorie Brock (Nesbitt), and she had one brother James McKay Brock. The second world war was starting, so the family moved to Victoria, BC as Marjorie’s father joined the Navy and was stationed out on the pacific coast. When the war was over the family moved to Saskatoon for a time and then onto Lloydminster and finally settling down in Yorkton, SK where her father was manager of the Singer Sewing Manufacturing Company. Throughout her life, Marjorie enjoyed singing in church and school, and music festivals. Her finest moment was when she won the IODE scholarship, under the age of 16 category, for her singing performance. She was always proud of that award. When Marjorie was a young girl, she enjoyed outdoor games of baseball, volleyball, skipping and running. In later life she enjoyed curling on teams from the Yorkton Collegiate and then as the years passed from Rokeby, Hilltop, and Tonkin curling clubs. Marjorie met and married her soul mate Dywaine Buckle on October 19, 1957. They were blessed with three children, Dennis Robert (Angela Magdalena), David McKay (Sheila Mary), Deborah Anne (Darcy Dean); four grandchildren, Justin Caleb, Travis Dywaine, Daniele Ernest, Thomas Richard. Marjorie and Dywaine operated a dairy farm for 25 years and then operated a grain and beef cattle operation until they were ready to retire. Marjorie took time off the farm to work at day care in Yorkton and then went to work at East Central Home Care district. Marjorie loved her time spent at day care with the children and then with the elderly at home care. Marjorie and Dywaine decided to retire to Penticton, BC for ten wonderful years, until Dywaine’s health started to deteriorate, and so the decision was made to return to Yorkton and live comfortably at Fairview Arms Retirement Home. Marjorie was predeceased by her husband Dywaine, aged 79 years; her father Robert A. Brock, aged 59 years; her mother Lillian Marjorie, 84 years; her grandmother Hattie Jemimah; grandmother Hanna Nesbitt. Marjorie leaves to mourn the passing of her life on earth her three beautiful children, Dennis Robert (Angela Magdalena) of Chesterville, ON, David McKay (Sheila Mary) of Yorkton, SK, Deborah Anne (Darcy Dean) of Melville, SK; four grandchildren, Justin Caleb, Travis Dywaine, Daniele Ernest, Thomas Richard; her brother James McKay Brock (Edna Emma) of Melville, SK; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. Visitation was held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm from the chapel at Christie’s Funeral Home in Yorkton. A Funeral Service was held for Marjorie on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 2:00pm also from the chapel at Christie’s Funeral Home. Interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery. Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Marjorie may be made to Saskatchewan Heart & Stroke Foundation.

PANCHUK - On Monday, January 30, 2023 Rose Panchuk, loving wife of her late husband Dan, and mother of five children, peacefully passed away under the loving care of her daughter Donna at the age of 91, 11 months and 30 days, 3 days before her 92 birthday. Rose was born Monday, February 2, 1931 and raised on a family farm north of Rhein. She married Dan on June 27, 1948 and farmed with him at Kamsack for 45 years before moving to Yorkton for retirement. Rose enjoyed farm life taking care of poultry, beef cattle, milk cows and horses. Her large garden, including fruit trees was her favourite activity that produced bountiful vegetables and fruit for canning and freezing for her family. Rose continued gardening into her retirement years. She had a pleasant way about her to keep her family together no matter what. Her thoughts were with her family, and her extended families. Rose was predeceased by her husband Dan, parents Wasyl and Polly Chorney, her step father, Sam Lepowick, sister Mary, and brother Metro (survived by wife Dorothy and families).

Left with many wonderful, cherished memories are her children and their families: Norma; Derek (Julie), Shelby, Fletcher, Jesse (Lisa), Olivia, Alex; Barry; Sheryl, Brian, Eric (Teneille), Adeylnn, Emmett; Ken (Nom), Jenny, Keri; Donna, Greg, Robert (Carly), Kayley, Mikaela, Jason (Brittany), Halle; Linda (Larry), Lisa (Jarrod), Jasnah; Landon. Rose is survived by her brothers John (Margaret), Mike (Linda), Joe (Marlene), Alex (Mary). She also leaves behind extended family members. The family thanks Donna for the special care of Rose in her final months, her Doctors, her palliative team at North Battleford, and Bailey’s Funeral & Cremation Care, for their compassion, understanding, and patience. Also, thanks to all Rose’s friends and family over the years. The Funeral Service was held at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre on February 3, 2022 with Rev. Deborah Smith of Westview United Church officiating. Words of Remembrance were shared by Kenneth Panchuk. The accompanist, Amanda Buhler led in the singing of the hymns. Rose was laid to rest in the Garden of St. Mark at Yorkton Memorial Gardens beside her husband with Barry Panchuk, Ken Panchuk, Nom Panchuk, Greg Williamson, Robert Williamson, Jason Williamson, Keri Panchuk and Landon Cook serving as the casket bearers. Memorial donations can be made to the Yorkton Regional Health Centre or a charity of your choice. Condolences to the family can be posted on Rose’s tribute page at baileysfuneralhome.com

HOVRISKO - With heavy hearts, the family of Jean Hovrisko announces her passing on January 27, 2023, at 82 years of age. Jean was born October 28, 1940, in Yorkton, SK, to Cecil and Sadie Klingman. She lived on the family farm near Stornoway, SK until three years of age when the family moved to Stornoway for Jean’s older sister, Dorothy, to start school. Jean attended grades 1-9 in Stornoway and grades 10-12 in Yorkton. After completing high school at Yorkton Collegiate in 1959, Jean started nursing school at Yorkton General Hospital, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1962 and working at the newly built Yorkton Union Hospital from 1962-1964. On June 29, 1963, Jean married Paul Hovrisko; they moved to Langenburg in 1964 where Paul started his career at the mine and Jean worked at the Langenburg Union Hospital. In 1966, they built their family home where they raised their family, retired and where Jean lived until her passing. In her earlier years Jean was involved as a volunteer with local minor sports programs including baseball, softball, figure skating and a season or two behind home plate as an umpire. After the closure of the Langenburg Hospital, Jean returned to work in Yorkton, initially at the nursing home then at the Yorkton Union Hospital on the medical wards. She retired from nursing in 2005. Until days before her passing, Jean stayed in touch with many of her nursing classmates. From the class reunions over the years in Ottawa, Vancouver Island, or Good Spirit Lake to the monthly lunches in Yorkton, Jean cherished these lifelong friendships. By all accounts, including many stories and pictures as evidence, this group of ladies played as hard as they worked. Jean was soft-spoken and modest, rarely speaking of her accomplishments or successes. Around her friends and family however, she had a great sense of humor, loved a good practical joke and was always up for an adventure. She was very patient and gentle, qualities which made her an excellent nurse. Her warm smile and bright eyes could light up a room. It was hard to miss her flair for fashion. Jean was an accomplished shopper and was always well-dressed with an impressive collection of shoes, jackets and sweaters. She still insisted on Boxing Day shopping for “maybe a new sweater” in late December. Always predictable, she bought not one, but three new sweaters and loved her final shopping trip. After Paul’s passing in 2006, Jean, newly retired, became very independent. Her grandchildren were her world. She made many trips to Calgary on her own to be part of their lives. There were few home repairs Jean would not at least attempt on her own, with a butter knife her tool of choice. Jean was very active until days before she became ill. She was a lifetime walker and could often be seen on one of her many routes in the morning and cruising around on her bike in the evening. She loved to curl in the winters and always looked forward to the many bonspiels in the area. Jean also loved to golf and openly admitted she was not very skilled but loved the exercise and many laughs with her golfing crew. She was also a big sports fan with a love for the Blue Jays and the Riders, forever in training as an armchair coach/GM for whichever team called first. She was also a curling fan watching most major events on TV and attending the Brier in person three times. Jean was also a hockey fan and one of her grandson’s biggest supporters as she cheered him on at many WHL and AHL games at arenas across Canada. Jean was happiest at home. She was an amazing cook, a skill and a love she learned from her mother, Sadie. It was impossible to leave Jean’s house hungry and there were always leftovers for days. She also enjoyed gardening in her younger years and always maintained a beautiful yard. Besides her home, Jean’s other happy place was Lake of the Prairies. Before Paul’s passing, they spent several summers at Killman’s. She loved to fish and had plenty of fish tales and memories with family and friends. On a mid-summer day, Jean would often sneak in a short nap on the boat with her rod unattended. Jean treasured time with her family making memories in bigger ways like vacations to Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Phoenix to name a few, but also doing simple things like playing cards and dice games, baking cookies, making cabbage rolls or coloring Easter eggs. Loving and caring for others was her life’s work. She instilled those same values in her children and grandchildren by how she lived every day. Jean was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Paul (2006), her parents Cecil (1991) and Sadie Klingman (2011) and her sister, Dorothy Milgaard (1994). She will forever be remembered by her children, Michelle (Kade) Klimchuk and Marlin (Melodie Totton) Hovrisko and three grandchildren, Morgan Klimchuk and Jayme Klimchuk of Victoria, BC and Alexa Hovrisko, of Calgary, AB, her sister, Joyce (Jack) Burkell of Yorkton, SK, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Many thanks to Carly Bergman, Tina Costello, Jenny Rumancik and the Langenburg Home Care team as well as the nursing staff at the Esterhazy Centennial Special Care Home for the excellent care provided to mom and the family support at a difficult time. Prayers will be said at the church Friday, April 14 at 7:30 pm (SK time). A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm (SK time) from St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Langenburg. Interment to follow at the parish cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to Langenburg Home Care Services in Jean’s memory. Friends may visit www.braendlebrucefs.ca to leave messages of condolence for the family.

Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service, Russell in care of arrangements (204) 773-2747

SHANTZ– Shantz,Emma (neeMogor) Emmapassedawaypeacefullyintothepresenceofher LordandSaviourattheage of96yearsonFebruary5, 2023.Predeceasedbyher belovedhusband,Donald, in2017.Lovingmotherof Cindy(Ken)Winegarden andKaren(Allan)Pike. Cherishedgrandmotherof fiveandgreat-grandmother offour.Predeceasedbyher parents,FrankandKarolina Mogor,andbrotherSidney MogorofYorkton.Lovingly rememberedbyhersisters, VioletFriseofYorktonand OlgaMogorofLondon,ON; andnieces,CarolFreeman ofLloydminster,AB;GeorgetteHeshkaofCanora, SK;andSharonPeddeof Yorkton.

EmmawasraisedonthefamilyfarminSaltcoats,SK,whereherfamilywas stronglyconnectedtothefarmingcommunity.ShestartedattendingtheGrahameSchoolatage6,rememberingthelongwalkwithherolderbrother eachmorning.Someofherfondestmemoriesofschoolwerethatofher manyfriendsandplayingbaseballwithherclassmates.At18,EmmaaccompaniedheryoungestsisterOlgatotheOntarioSchoolfortheBlindin Brantford.EmmamadealifeforherselfinBrantfordandlaterToronto, wheresheattendedBibleCollege.Shelatermetandthenmarriedherhusbandin1955.SheandDonaldraisedtheirdaughtersinWaterloo,ON,and weremarriedfor62years.Emmaenjoyedthearrivalofeachgrandchildand, inherlateryears,cherishedvisitswithhergreat-grandchildren.Overthe years,Emmamademanydearfriendsandwasalwayseagertocareforothers.Inherfinalyears,herwarmandlovingspiritendearedhertoallwho knewher.

WewishtosincerelythankthestaffatMcCormickHomeinLondon,ON,for thekindandcompassionatecaretheyprovidedourmother.

FuneralservicewillbeheldonSaturday,February11th,attheErb&Good FamilyFuneralHomeinWaterloo.Therewillbealivestreamoftheservice availableat12:00pmETatwww.erbgood.comforthosewhocannotattend.

YAHOLNITSKY - Gerald

Yaholnitsky of Yorkton entered eternal rest peacefully on Friday, February 3, 2023, at the Yorkton District Nursing Home. Gerald was born on August 27, 1936 to Augustine and Katherine (Kyba) Yaholnitsky. He was raised on the family farm near the Dnieper District, north of Rhein. One of six children, he attended Cedric Elementary School, and Verigin and Yorkton for secondary school. As a young boy Gerald had a vested interest in farming, as his father and grandfather were both farmers. After completing his schooling, Gerald began farming full time with his father. As he matured, he found a passion for sales and working with people. He entered the workforce with Sears Canada, then became owner/operator of Case Power and Equipment Company, with offices in Canora and Yorkton. In 1974, Gerald became owner of Atlas Building Systems and Sales Ltd. Over the years, Behlen Industries, his primary supplier, recognized him with numerous awards for outstanding sales performance. Outside of his work, Gerald found a great passion for his Ukrainian heritage and Ukrainian Orthodox faith. In his formative years, Gerald was devoted to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Mazeppa, as it was his family’s home church. He immersed himself in the study of liturgical music and lyrics throughout his life; a passion he inherited from his father Augustine, and shared with his twin brother Russell. It was this calling that led him to become a cantor/choir director: a role he served in for many years. Gerald’s wisdom informed, educated, and trained many future cantors. Despite his busy business career, Gerald always found time to fulfill his cantoring duties, at times driving hundreds of miles to faithfully attend choir practice each week. With his loving partner Mary Prokopetz, he drove choirmates throughout Saskatchewan and Manitoba, sharing their musical gift at countless services and functions. Gerald and Mary enjoyed many wonderful years together. Their love, along with their faith, was the driving force in each of their lives. When Gerald began to struggle with his own health, Mary devoted herself to caring for him. She visited him daily in the nursing home, bringing his favorite meals for him to enjoy. This continued until her passing in July 2022. Gerald’s faith also called him to serve on various boards, which included: Camp Trident at Crystal Lake, Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton, Ukrainian Orthodox Men’s Association (TYC), Director of Central Eparchy Board, delegate of the Sobors of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, and one of the founding members of the Order of St. Andrew - Yorkton Branch. Gerald was predeceased by his partner Mary Prokopetz, parents Katherine and Augustine Yaholnitsky, twin brother Russell, brother Modest, and sister Nadia Sochaski. He leaves to cherish and celebrate his memory: sister Ruth Slegel, sister Vera Webster, four nieces (Karen Wasylenko, Carla Bosma, Donnalee Weinmaster, Tania Whitmore), two nephews (Scott Webster, Mark Sochaski), as well as special friends Scott Rudoski and Bernie Fisher. The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton with Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna officiating. The cantor, Yvonne Panchuk, assisted by Parish Choir Members led in singing the responses. The cross bearer was Donnalee Weinmaster. The interment took place in Sliding Hills Christian Cemetery, Mazeppa, SK with Scott Webster, James Weinmaster, Bernie Fisher, Orest Tanchyk, Gerald Shymko and Gerald Hoffman serving as the casket bearers. Reflections of Gerald’s life and acknowledgements were shared by Donnalee Weinmaster and Scott Webster. In remembrance of Gerald’s life, memorial donations may be made to Trident Ukrainian Orthodox Church Camp (Crystal Lake), c/o 201 Sunset Dr. South, Yorkton, SK. S3N 3R8 or Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Mazeppa, c/o Box 1524, Yorkton, SK S3N 3K3 as gifts of remembrance.

FANDREY - It is with great sadness in our hearts, the family of Marlene Fandrey (nee Bohn) announces her passing on February 3, 2023, age of 87, at Morris House, Yorkton and District Nursing Home. She was surrounded by her family. Marlene was born on July 25, 1935 on the farm near Ebenezer to Edwin and Grace Bohn. She welcomed her sister Elaine in 1939. Her family lived on various farms around Ebenezer until 1946, when they moved into Ebenezer. She attended Ebenezer school which was across from their home. For Grade 10 and 11 she attended Yorkton Collegiate. She left school after Grade 11 to begin her career as telephone operator for Saskatchewan Government Telephones in Melville in 1953, transferring to Yorkton in 1956. Marlene worked for SaskTel both full-time and part-time until retiring in July 1995. In 1956, Marlene married Arlan and they were blessed with two children, Kevin and Shelley. They raised their family on Deerwood Crescent. Later, they moved to their current home on Darlington Street. Their doors were always open to visitors, especially church youth groups. Family brought her much joy, especially her grandson Jason! She was always willing to help her family whenever needed. Marlene faithfully attended Ebenezer Baptist Church her entire life. She learned to play piano and was pressed into service at the age of 12 (1947) playing for the men’s quartet. She also played for radio broadcasts, Singing Men choir, and funerals. Marlene continued to play piano in church and in nursing homes until summer 2022 when her left hand wouldn’t do what she wanted it to. That is 75 years of serving the Lord with her talents. Marlene was predeceased by her beloved husband Arlan in 2022, her parents and parents-in-law, brother-in-law Lorne, sister-in-law Marilyn and brother-inlaw Harold. Marlene leaves to mourn her devoted family, son Kevin, daughter Shelley (Darrell) and grandson Jason, as well as her sister Elaine, brother-in-law Ken (Karen), sister-in-laws Daphne and Grace, and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00 am at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Ebenezer. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Chain of Love ministry (orphaned children in Brazil) with cheques made out to Ebenezer Baptist Church.

In Loving Memory of

Arthur Honcia Dec. 28, 1965 - Jan. 10. 2020

Henry Honcia Jan. 19, 1964 - March 31, 2022

To: My sons, Arthur and Henry

You gave no one a last farewell Nor ever said goodbye

You were gone before we knew it, And only God knows why.

A million times we will miss you, A million times we will cry

In our heart you hold a place, No one else can ever fill

It broke our hearts to lose you both, But you didn’t go alone

For part of us went with both of you.

The day God took you home

Mom (Stella) Ewa & Wade, Bryanne, Brandon

Yvonne & Clint Kindiak, Ethan, Carson

MACDONALD – Margaret – who passed away February 14, 2022

Though

ONLY JESUS CAN

Do you need prayer?

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

LOOKING FOR honest and sincere gentleman, aged

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE ESTATE OF HENDRIK “HANK” VANDERGRAAF, LATE OF YORKTON, SASKATCHEWAN,

LATE OF ESTERHAZY, SASKATCHEWAN, DECEASED. ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE VERIFIED BY STATUTORY DECLARATION AND WITH PARTICULARS AND VALUATION OF SECURITY HELD, IF ANY, MUST BE SENT TO THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN AND TRUSTEE OF SASKATCHEWAN BEFORE THE 8TH DAY OF MARCH, 2023.

PUBLIC GUARDIAN AND TRUSTEE OF SASKATCHEWAN #100-1871 SMITH STREET REGINA SK S4P 4W4 ATTENTION: KAREN HANSON TRUST OFFICER BRAZEAU MASONRY & ROOFING Rooftop Snow Removal Phone 306-331-8069 BUILDING NEW, Doing Renos, need repairs. Over 20yrs. experience. Able to do framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, tape, texture, paint, flooring. Specialize in walk-in tile showers, finish carpentry, windows & doors, siding, decks. Will travel. Guaranteed workmanship. Call Glen 306-641-

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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, dis tributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306-649.1405 or visit www.swna.com for details.

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

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN HEATED... LIGHT BUGS... TOUGH MIXED GRAIN SPRING THRASHED WHEAT... OATS PEAS... BARLEY CANOLA... FLAX “ON FARM PICKUP” WESTCAN FEED & GRAIN 1-877-250-5252

AGPRO SEEDS LTD. BUYING HEATED, DAMAGED OFFGRADE CANOLA & FEED GRAINS.

Part-time/Full-time Work Available

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

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

Retirees are also welcome to apply.

Please contact:

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

Phone: (306) 728-3732

Email: benefarms@sasktel.net

Coordinator, Post Secondary

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council for the Village of MacNutt intends to adopt a bylaw pursuant to Section 199 of The Planning & Development Act, 2007 for the SALE of dedicated lands.

INTENT

The proposed bylaw will allow for the SALE of a MUNICIPAL RESERVE parcel

AFFECTED LAND:

Block-R1, Plan CA6148. EXT.0

REASON:

The sale will bring additional tax revenue to the Village of MacNutt

PUBLIC INSPECTION:

Any person may inspect the bylaw at the MacNutt Village office between 8:00am-2:00pm on Mondays excluding statutory holidays. Copies available at cost.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Council will hold a public hearing on March 22nd, 2023 at the Senior Center at 7 Main Street North in MacNutt at 6:00pm, to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaw. Council will also consider written comments at the hearing or delivered to the undersigned at the municipal office before the hearing.

Issued at the Village of MacNutt this 13th day of February, 2023

VALERIE STRICKER/ADMINISTRATOR

Viðarneistí brings unique sound to city

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – A unique sound is headed to the stage of St. Andrew’s United Church this coming Feb. 17 in Prairie Debut’s latest concert for Yorkton Arts Council Presents.

Viðarneistí — pronounced vee-thar-nest-ee — will be visiting the city for the last stop of their Sask. tour.

Viðarneistí is the “Icelandic term for ‘wood spark’ [and is] an apt description for what happens when the rich, sultry tone of the clarinet meets the percussive punch of marimba,” according to the group’s Prairie Debut bio.

The musical act consists of Catherine Wood on clarinet and Victoria Sparks on the marimba, who say the goal of their performances is to showcase the capabilities of their two instruments.

Yorkton This Week spoke with Wood and Sparks ahead of their scheduled performance.

“What we bring is a unique instrumentation — we play marimba and clarinet which is definitely an unusual pairing — it’s hard to say what kind of music [it is] because we’ve borrowed from all different kinds of eclectic styles — we commission new pieces that are written for us – we’ve also adapted other pieces that were written for piano or guitar or flute... to work on our instrumentation,”

said Wood.

“The style includes some jazz, some tango, definitely some new music of different styles and very lyrical things — some more unusual things — it’s really quite varied and eclectic,” added Sparks.

“The bars [of the marimba] are made out of Honduran Rosewood so they have a beautiful, warm resonant sound and it really blends so wonderfully with the

clarinet,” said Sparks, adding, “the first time we heard these sounds together we were like, ‘we’re on to something here’.”

The duo — who have been performing together since 2015 — are both of Icelandic descent and credit Nordic, Scandinavian and Icelandic heritage as their inspiration.

“We’re both of Icelandic descent – my grandfather came over

from Iceland to New Iceland in Manitoba,” said Wood, adding, “we tell some of their stories — not just through the music but verbally — it’s not just a come on stage and play music – we talk quite a bit and tell stories.”

“The culture really is very strong [in New Iceland] and people come from Iceland to visit Manitoba in this New Iceland area and they say, ‘it feels like

Iceland around here’,” said Sparks.

Sparks said she had the same sentiments when the duo visited Iceland for a performance.

“You walk around in a place you’ve never been and think, ‘I feel very comfortable here – I feel at home here,’” said Sparks.

“We’ve also worked with several IcelandicCanadian composers – so we’ve actually worked

with composers who have a similar heritage to us and given them a chance to tell some of their stories, memories and impressions through our instrumentation – so we’ve commissioned a few pieces to different Icelandic Canadian composers,” added Sparks.

The duo has taken the stage in Belgium, Iceland and the Faroe Islands to name a few, but this will be their first time performing in Yorkton.

“This is our first multistop tour,” said Sparks, adding, “we love getting a chance to share what we do.”

“We’re really excited about having a chance to get welcomed into all of these communities –everybody has been so kind, welcoming and accommodating,” said Wood, adding, “that prairie spirit is really obvious — we know it –we’re prairie girls — it’s being confirmed for us on this tour.”

The duo said they enjoy interacting with the audience even after the music has ended.

“We often — at the end of a concert — will do a Q and A if people want to stick around,” said Wood, adding, “we’re pretty approachable.”

Viðarneistí is set to perform at St. Andrews United Church Feb. 17 at 7:30. pm. Tickets are available through the Yorkton Arts Council’s website at, https://yorktonarts. ticketpro.ca/en/pages/ YorktonArtsCouncil_2022.

Lamplighter Loppet held

Good Spirit Cross Country Ski Club’s Annual Lamplighter Loppet was held Feb. 11 under a star lit sky and mild temperatures.

This was the second year that the Loppet was held at the warm up shelter at Good Spirit. Hotdogs and hot chocolate was served for all participants.

The bonfire was lit and the shelter was filled to capacity.

The cross country ski trails were in top notch condition thanks to the recent snowfall and the work of the groomers from the park and the volunteers of the Good Spirit Ski Club.

Skiers stayed for the fireworks display at seven and then slowly skied back to their cars.

Many skiers put on more than the trip out to

the shelter, with the nearly 20 km of trails out at Good Spirit skiers could ski to their fill.

The trails this winter have seen a record breaking amount of skied in visits to the shelter. The club appreciates the people that sign our guest book and leave comments about the shelter and the beauty of the trail system.

“It’s good to see skiers coming to the park from all over the country and enjoying all that our area has to offer.” stated Darryl Stevenson President of the GSSC.

“We are proud of the shelter we built and take pride in maintaining our trails. We invite everyone to come out and explore our trails, stop in at the shelter for a warm up or snack. We would love to meet you!”

A warm fire and warm temperatures were ideal for

Courtesy of Prairie Debut

Catherine Wood (left) and Victoria Sparks (right) make up Viðarneistí, a unique musical combination of a clarinet and marimba with music influenced by Nordic, Scandinavian and Icelandic heritage.

skiing.

Submitted Photo

Grandparenting has changed over the generations

No grandparents hovered over my growing years. I have only one memory of my maternal grandmother, one I share with my older sister, Beverly.

I was still a preschooler, the day we drove to her house. This would be our last visit, our parents explained. Grandma, a lifelong polio sufferer, was very sick. She would soon die and go live with Jesus.

Apprehension niggled. Butterflies stirred somewhere behind my belly button, the sensation battling with overwhelming curiosity about death. I’d once held a dead canary, trying to reason why that clutch of sunshiny feathers would never fly again. Never sing again.

But I’d never seen a dead person. What would that be like?

Elderly relatives ushered us, two little kids in church dresses and bobby socks, into a pale green bedroom.

Grandma sat, rigid and uninviting as the Sphinx, in a high bed with an iron frame. An unwrinkled, white chenille bedspread covered her legs. Her gaze poked like an iron barb. Pinned us to the floor. “Have you come to see me die?” she asked.

Always tell the truth, we’d learned well. God hates liars. Without hesitation, we told it then. Simple and straightforward. “Yes.”

I never saw my grandmother again.

Sunny Side Up

Grandparenting has changed in the two generations since the mid 1900s. A doctor friend, observing as I played with my (then young) grandchildren, remarked, “When I was young, grandparents didn’t play with their grandchildren. They only watched them. That’s all. We didn’t expect more. That’s just how things were.”

As a young moth-

er, I resolved that if God should bless us with grandchildren, I would be the opposite of a distant, watching grandmother. Six nearby grandchildren later, I count involved grandparenting as one of God’s greatest blessings. (Although I confess with apologies to their parents, the line between involvement and interference gets blurry sometimes.)

Our top three grandbeans have all reached their teens. The eldest will turn eighteen in two months, and the next two aren’t far behind. Those previous generations of less involved grandparents were saved many hours of worry, I think sometimes. Playing with toddlers and youngsters is unadulterated bliss. Watching them develop opinions, challenge beliefs and test their wingfeathers is more challenging.

“No one told me,” I confided to another grandmom recently, “that having grandchildren is as scary as having children.” She responded in a flash. “It’s TWICE as scary!” I agree. We love

our grandchildren as much as we do our children, but their parents remain the ones with the greater influence over their life direction. That leaves us more time and opportunity to pray. I pray I don’t blow a gasket when they make immature unwise decisions. (As they will, as we all do.) I pray my words will be as true (but kinder) than those I spoke to my dying grandmother. I pray for them to follow Jesus and rise in faith. And I pray, when these days of hands-on grandparenting pass, that our deep love and many prayers, alongside God’s goodness and mercy, will follow them all the days of their lives.

Plumosa fern makes an appearance

Isn’t it interesting to see a plant that we haven’t seen for a long time! In the last couple weeks I saw just such a plant: the plumosa fern.

You know this plant: very, very delicate leaves on slender stems. The leaves look like small needles, giving the plant a wispy, ethereal look. It used to be a very common houseplant, but as so many do, they come in fashion, then go out of fashion when other new plants come along. But it’s been so long since I saw this plant that it was new to me again!

So, time for some homework. First of all, this plant, though it is called a fern, is not a true fern. Ferns are a family of plants that are unique because they don’t make more of their kind from seeds or rhizomes: they reproduce by spores. This plant reproduces by seeds, but is called a fern because it just looks like one. If you do some reading about ferns, you’ll find many interesting surprises: some plants are called ferns (because

they reproduce by spores) but they have solid leaves that don’t look “ferny” at all, like the bird’s nest fern or kangaroo fern. Or if you are familiar with the fascinating staghorn fern, you’ll agree that it doesn’t look like what we think of when we say the term “fern”. There are over ten thousand varieties in the fern family, and they go far beyond the familiar Boston fern. Many make great houseplants. If we have acquired a plumosa fern for our houseplant collection, we will want to keep it away from direct sun: those delicate leaves will dry out or scorch quickly. I read that the plant would love an east window area, or the far corner of a bright room. No direct sun for this beauty. We also want to keep the soil moist, not wet, so that the welldraining soil doesn’t ever dry out completely. We have to be sure they are never sitting in water. We can water them well, but let the water drain out. They love humidity so

DEBBIE HAYWARD

YORKTON AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Gardener’s Notebook

the moisture consideration is very important.

The plant is very diminutive and delicate, and makes an interesting houseplant. And it also has some interesting cousins! The foxtail fern belongs to the same asparagus fern branch of the family: this is a larger

plant but very pretty with fronds that are bushy and have a strong conical shape. The pretty Ming fern is also related in the plant family.

I’ll quickly share a funny story with you. Many years ago, Mom had a beautiful staghorn fern. As you know, the

plant will have what is sometimes called “velvet” on it: the leaves will look fuzzy, because there are tiny hairs on them. Because the staghorn is an epiphyte (that is, it gets some moisture from the air like an orchid), the velvet helps conserve moisture for the plant. Well, one day, a wellmeaning guest thought that the plant was dusty, and so to ‘help’ Mom, she took a tissue and vigorously wiped each frond ‘clean’. Needless to say, the plant died soon after. Lesson? The velvet is a sign of a healthy staghorn: do not remove it!

The Yorkton and

District Hort Society will be holding their first meeting of 2023 on March 15 at the Yorkton Public Library. Our special guest will be Dana from Mehan Flowers, and she’ll be telling us about growing specialty cut flowers, perfect for any occasion! Won’t that be a lovely topic to get us thinking about spring! Come out, everyone is welcome!

As always, we thank our friends at YTW for their great work in bringing us local news. Visit the hort society at www. yorktonhort.ca and see what’s happening. Enjoy your seed catalogues and have a nice week!

The Hard Work of Love

PRAIRIE

CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE

72 Melrose

Wed. Feb. 15: Divine Liturgy - 10:00 am - Yorkton

Thurs. Feb. 16: Moleben - 2:00 pm - Theodore Nursing Home

Sat. Feb 18 - Sat. Feb 25:

Priest’s Vacation

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

Worship Sundays @ 10:30am

Minister : The Rev. Deborah Smith

Everyone is welcome!

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 19th at 10:30 am Online (Zoom/Facebook/Youtube) and in person!

Pastor Laurel Wiebe -- 306-898-2099

Pastor Tim Warkentin - 306-217-8222

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 Last Judgement

Saturday February 18th - Vespers 6:00 PM

Sunday February 19th Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Priest: Rodion Luciuk Phone: 306-782-2482 Cell: 306-621-5341

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Plumosa Fern

PICKLEBALL

Continued from Page A11

Only Spring Fling” Tournament. The date set for this tournament is Saturday, April 1 2023 and is located at the Gloria Hayden as well. Time of the event is from 10-4 pm. Registration for entries will open by the end of February. We hope to have several of our club members participate as well as local area clubs. This will be the second Ladies Only Tournament the PBY has hosted and the club is planning on making it an annual event on Lady pickleballers calendar.

The PBY Club continues to grow with every “Learn to Play” clinic we host, people just fall in love with the game! They enjoy the fellowship they find among the other beginners and quickly pick up the skills to

become confident on the courts. The club stands at 135 members and our Drop In Sport spots during the day at both the GHCC and the Gallagher Center are busy. The Club also has two evenings booked, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 till 7:00pm. These times were booked to address the needs of our working club members and they have proved to be very busy as well.

The Pickleball Yorkton Club is excited about the future of Pickleball in the City of Yorkton, we know as the sport expands and numbers increase that the demands for courts space becomes more and more important. We have been in discussions with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department to review the current

Whiskers & Tails

courts in use and the future plans for more courts. “It’s an exciting time for the sport of Pickleball, and we in PBY want to play a part in growing this sport in the City of Yorkton as well as in our surrounding local towns,” commented David Weiman.

Ken Kolisnek President of PBY extends an open invitation to anyone interested in learning the game of Pickleball to contact the Club at pickleballyorkton@gmail.com or by calling 306-621-8926 or check out the webpage at Pickleball Yorkton.

Tournament winners from Feb. 11:

3.0 and under Womens Gold Sheryl Byczynski-Linda Vaughan Silver Anne StupakKim Hladun

3 things to consider before adopting a pet from a shelter

your new pet could live for upward of 10 years and require a lot of attention. Since the wellbeing of each animal is their top priority, the staff at your local shelter will make sure you’ve carefully reflected on your decision to adopt and that you have the resources to properly care for a pet.

Bronze Karen DelongAnnalissa Ubongen

Mens Gold Brian

Jelinski-Scott Behrns

Silver Patrick DuffyRob Mcdonald

Bronze Jim LeeMichael Yaremchuk

Mixed Gold David

Weiman-Brenda Serfling

Silver Hassan SeifKim Dobko

Bronze Alvin SiebenDanica Smith

3.0 and Over

Womens Gold Janece

Gaudry-Teresa Hrbachek

Silver Marlene Schrader-Brenda

Serfling

Bronze Carla

Desnoyers-Donna Loran

Mens Gold Craig

Zamzow-Kevin Fisher

Silver Ken KolisnekGerard Osicki

Bronze Hassan SeifJeff Templeton

Mixed Gold Lonnie

Donna-Jennifer Hogan

Silver Kevin FisherMarlene Schrader

Bronze Jeff

Templeton-Janet Simpson

— Submitted

In shelters across the country, thousands of abandoned animals are waiting to find their forever home. If you’re considering adopting a cat, dog or other pet from your local shelter, here are three things to keep in mind.

1. Pets are given up for many reasons

It’s a common misconception that pets end up in shelters only if they’re poorly trained, sick or aggressive. Most of the animals at your local shelter are in fact friendly and in good health. Oftentimes, pets are abandoned because their owners are moving or no longer have the time, resources or inclination to take care of them.

2. Adopting a pet is a long-term commitment

Depending on the type of animal you want,

3. There are various costs to factor in Although it’s usually cheaper to adopt an animal from a shelter than to buy one from a pet store, they’re certainly not free. Adoption fees can include the cost of sterilization, deworming treatment, vaccines, microchipping and temporary health insurance. You also need to factor in regular expenses such as food, toys, grooming and veterinary appointments.

If you can handle the responsibility of owning a pet and want to help an abandoned animal find their forever home, schedule a visit at an animal shelter in your area.

Compassionate adoption

Some animals are less likely to be adopted, particularly if they’re old or have special needs. Adoption fees tend to be lower for these pets, but they typically require extra care.

BROADWAY STREET E. YORKTON

Health, Mind & Body

Family Day Free Fishing returns

February 18-20 is Free Fishing Weekend in Saskatchewan - the perfect opportunity to give ice fishing a try, without having to purchase a fishing licence.

“We have world class fishing in Saskatchewan, and we don’t let the cold temperatures prevent us from taking full advantage of it,” Environment Minister Dana Skoropad said. “Free fishing weekend is the perfect opportunity to try your hand at one of our province’s favourite pastimes.”

While a fishing licence won’t be required for residents or visitors angling during the Family Day weekend, all other regulations apply. For example:

• Possession limits remain in effect, including reduced limits on certain waterbodies.

• Free fishing weekend only applies to provincial waterbodies out-

side of national parks.

• Anyone planning on transporting fish outside of the province will require a valid Saskatchewan angling licence.

Safety is key to an enjoyable ice fishing experience. Tell someone where you will be and when you can be expected back. Dress for the weather, as frostbite and hypothermia can happen quickly. Be aware of ice thickness, as water does not freeze uniformly and can be unpredictable - you need at least 10 cm of good ice to walk safely and at least 30 cm of good ice to travel in a light vehicle.

For more information on sport fishing regulations and ice fishing safety, download the Saskatchewan Anglers Guide (aussi disponible en francais), or visit saskatchewan.ca/fishing. — Submitted

How to choose the right multivitamin

Multivitamins contain a combination of at least three vitamins. Some also contain minerals like calcium and iron and natural substances like omega3s. Do you have a health concern or feel the need to supplement your diet with a multivitamin? Here’s how to choose the best one for you.

• Age. Your nutrient needs vary according to several factors, including your age. Consequently, children, adults and seniors require different multivitamins. For example, formulas for seniors contain higher doses of calcium to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

• Gender. Women should look for a multivitamin high in iron to replenish what the body loses during menstruation. Moreover, women wanting to conceive a child, are pregnant or are breastfeeding should consider a multivitamin with folic acid.

• Dose. The doses of vitamins and minerals and the number of tablets to take daily can vary considerably from one

product to another. Moderation is best. Avoid formulas that contain a higher dose than you need.

It’s best to consult your doctor or pharmacist before buying a multivitamin.

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