Yorkton This Week 2023-04-19

Mekayla Bali vigil marks seven years since disappearance

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – A vigil for the missing Mekayla Bali was held at 37 Betts Ave. for the seventh anniversary of when the teen first went missing.

“I think one of the most difficult things through this whole process has been how emotionally taxing it is to choose faith over fear...wherever and whatever has happened to Mikayla...she is in God’s hands,” said Paula Bali, mother of the missing woman, in her address to the near 50 people in attendance.

“I’ve attempted to do this on my own and have not been successful in locating her,” said Bali, adding, “in my heart I still continue to feel that she is with us – so thank you everyone for coming.”

The somber evening was filled with music from local talent and written expressions from friends and family.

“Today we’re here to remember a life altered – a young life in its beauty and sweetness, a young life unfolding and maturing into a lovely sweet woman...a life that was plucked from a home of love — she was kind and gentle — always more concerned about others than herself,” said Bali of her missing daughter.

“Mekayla was a child who was always anxious to please–she was a soft and snuggly kid, really warm and precious,” said Bali.

“A life full of potential and promise, cut short before its time – it feels like a tragedy to lose someone so young with so much potential and so much to offer the world,” said Bali, adding, “it’s a reminder that life is fragile and precious and we should cherish every moment we have with those we love.”

“She helped me to appreciate the beauty around us, she profoundly touched the lives of those around

Continued on Page A2

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The Yorkton economy and the canola industry both received a major shot in the arm Tuesday.

The boost came when Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), announced it will

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

expand its canola crushing facility at Yorkton.

“This investment supports the group’s strategic growth plans by reinforcing core merchandizing activities, in this case with additional capacity to originate and process Canadian canola seeds to

The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce presented a pair of life memberships Thursday to Jack Dawes and Lyle Walsh.

“It’s an honour being here in front of all of you,” said Walsh in his acceptance remarks.

Walsh said while the award was his, and not the company he worked for, the radio station

provide nourishment for people and livestock,” LDC Chief Executive Officer Michael Gelchie said in a provincial government release. “It also positions LDC as a strategic feedstock provider to renewable energy producers and acceler-

allowed him to be involved in many of the activities he was through the years.

“With the belief that it’s volunteers and small businesses which keep communities thriving, Lyle Walsh has strived to support small businesses and take his turn volunteering,” said Chamber Board member Mike Stackhouse in reading the citation. Walsh also credited the

ates our contribution to a global energy transition that we are excited to be a part of.”

Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley said the announcement is simply huge for the city.

“We’re ecstatic,” he said, adding the City

community itself.

“Yorkton was a great community with many opportunities to do anything we wanted,” he said.

In 1985, Walsh became the General Manager at GX Radio.

“He wanted the radio station to be ‘local’” so he hired people with little or no broadcasting experience but who understood the area, agriculture, small towns and

“had a hint” something was coming when LDC purchased some Cityowned land adjacent to its current location – land Hippsley noted was not that currently occupied by the Yellowhead stock car track.

Now that the

LDC announces major plant expansion Chamber installs two life members

Yorkton,” said Stackhouse.

“He insisted that events and activities around the listening area be supported and covered because the people in those communities deserved the recognition.

“It was important to Lyle to have his staff be seen as part of the community so he encouraged them to volunteer for clubs and causes in the community that were of inter-

announcement has been made Hippsley said the city will get a short-term construction boost and then long-term jobs when completed.

“It will add all kinds of new lifeblood to the

Continued on Page A2

est to them.”

In many ways his staff were following Walsh’s lead.

“The desire to help build the community drove Lyle to volunteer,” offered Stackhouse. “He served as a Yorkton Chamber Director for 10 years and as its President in 1993. He also served on the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce for a time.

Continued on Page A2

Paula Bali addressed around 50 supporters at a vigil held for Mekayla Bali on April 12. The date marks seven years since her disappearance.

EXPANSION

Continued from Page A1 city,” he said, adding construction will be a twothree-year process and that means construction crews spending dollars while in Yorkton.

Once complete Hippsley said it has been suggested some 80 new jobs will be created.

The expansion also sends something of a message in the sense LDC is a major international entity and they see value in expanding here.

“It’s a vote of confidence for the city moving into the future,” offered Hippsley. “They’re in it for the long haul.”

It helps that Yorkton is serviced by multiple highways for collecting

canola, a good water supply essential to processing, and two rail lines that are a key to shipping oil to markers worldwide, said Hippsley.

The facility’s new capacity will be over two million metric tons, which is more than double its current capacity.

That’s good news for the canola sector offered Tracy Broughton, Executive Director with SaskCanola.

“It’s a really good news story,” she told Yorkton This Week, noting the LDC expansion shows confidence both in the region’s capacity to grow canola, and a market for the oil once processed.

“It really shows the

CHAMBER

Continued from Page A1

“He has served on the city’s Economic Development Committee, the Yorkton Airport Authority and Gallagher Centre Management board. Lyle has been a member of the Lions and Optimus Clubs; served on the provincial Crime Stoppers Board and was its Chair. He has been a Director of the Yorkton Exhibition Association for several years, serving as its President and chairing the Harvest Showdown and Farm and Leisure committees.”

“I’ve always admired businesspeople,” said Dawes when accepting the award. “. . . I really do appreciate business; the risks you take, and how you hang in there.”

As for the awards the

duo agreed you don’t do anything based on a hope for eventual recognition.

Instead, you just do the things you feel need doing, said Dawes.

“Our parents always tell us as a kid work at it – work hard,” he said.

While Dawes is best known for his years in media; newspaper with Yorkton This Week in its earliest years, the radio predominantly with GX in the city, Dawes did have some time in the business world too.

“For a couple of years, Jack was the Manager of the Parkland Mall. He said the small store owners were wonderful to work with,” said Chamber President Vanessa Andres in reading Dawes’ citation.

“It was a great education for me,” he noted in his acceptance address.

For Dawes the mall

BALI

Continued from Page A1 her and that we will remember whether we see her again or not,” said Bali.

“Let’s honour her memory by living our own lives with kindness and compassion and a deep appreciation for the beauty around

stability of canola production in Canada,” she continued, adding “. . . it shows the growth of production over the last decade.”

As for sales, Broughton said while the market for oil for food is rather stable. The biofuel sector is an area of growth.

“There’s lot of opportunity for canola expanding in the biofuel market,” she said.

The province sees it as

good for the economy too.

“This major investment by LDC is good news for Saskatchewan canola growers and good news for workers and the economy in Yorkton and right across the province,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in the provincial government release. “This expansion brings Saskatchewan even closer to several of the 2030

Growth Plan goals, including the ambitious goal of crushing 75 per cent of the canola produced in the province. This investment strengthens the province’s position as a global leader in agriculture value-added processing and will further increase Saskatchewan’s international exports.”

In addition to helping with the canola crushing goal, the expansion puts the province closer to meeting several other key goals outlined in Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan, including: • Grow private capital investment in Saskatchewan to $16 billion annually; • Increase the value of

exports by 50 per cent;

• Grow Saskatchewan’s agri-food exports to $20 billion; and

• Increase agriculture value-added revenue to $10 billion.

Canola oil and canola seed were among Saskatchewan’s top three agri-food exports in 2022, with a value of $3.5 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively. An official sod turning will take place in May, and construction of the additional canola crushing line is expected to begin later this year.

LDC initially opened the Yorkton facility in 2009 and currently employs approximately 120 people.

the situations handed to him.”

At one point, Jack was employed by Leon’s Manufacturing as the Promotions Manager.

But eventually media would be his truest calling.

“His broadcasting career began in Prince Albert at CKBI,” said Andres. “He learned the basics of news gathering and calling play-byplay for both football and hockey. A highlight was having the opportunity to interview several times, the Member of Parliament, former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.”

cess on very quickly recognizing that for the story to be interesting, he had to approach it from a farmer’s point of view,” said Andres.

experience was one of a rather varied job career that actually started out as a teacher.

“At the age of 18, he found himself teaching 36 Grade 4, 5 & 6 students

us...let’s cherish every moment we have with out loved ones and let’s never forget the preciousness of a life that’s been tragically altered.” Mekayla Bali disappeared on April 12, 2016. The last confirmed sighting of the now 23-year-old was between

in a three-room school in Manitoba,” said Andres. “He credits the three years he spent teaching there with helping him to develop his confidence and learning to deal with

1:00 and 1:45 p.m. at the now closed STC Bus depot.

At the time of her disappearance, Bali was wearing glasses, a teal/ mint infinity scarf, jeans, a 3/4-length burgundy or purple coat, and blonde wavy hair worn down.

“Any information, no

Eventually he found his way to agriculture coverage when admittedly knowing a lot about agriculture, he was hired as the Ag Reporter at GX in January 1987.

“Jack credits his suc-

matter how insignificant, may be important to finding Mekayla Bali, so please contact your local RCMP, Crimestoppers or [call] 306-641-9436 with any information,” read a press release from a website dedicated to finding the missing person.

“Another key was creating a network of farmers and researchers who were willing to share their knowledge. He has covered topics such as innovation in the industry; farm safety net programs; the Canadian Wheat Board; Farmers for Justice; the growth of the prairie oat industry; and of course, the Port of Churchill. “Jack’s interviews of farm families are popular with his audience because it sounds like he’s just having a conversation and people find other people’s stories interesting.”

It was the first life membership inductions since 2019.

In April of 2022 an anonymous group of Angel Supporters helped to increase the reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Mekayla Bali to $100,000. For more information visit bringmekaylabalihome.com.

23044GE0

New Chamber life members Lyle Walsh, left and Jack Dawes.

Up Front

Spring Regional 4-H show in city

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

It was a veritable ‘bovine beauty salon’ as 4-H members groomed their cattle in Yorkton Thursday and Friday.

Clubs from Sheho to Cymri, Neudorf to Weyburn, and Kelvington to Candiac converged on

the city for the 29th annual Yorkton 4-H Spring Steer & Heifer Show.

The three-day event meant the cattle had to look just right in the show ring and members were hard at work washing, blowing, and combing ahead of the show.

The show itself was a split affair over two days

with the Jackpot Show Friday afternoon with Dean Sentes judging, and the 4-H Open Show Saturday with Kurtis Reid the judge.

Ryder Beutler of the Whitewood 4-H Beef Club showed the Grand Champion steer in the Jackpot Show, with Trinities Beres of the

Goodeve 4-H Beef Club showing the reserve champion.

The Grand Champion heifer in the Jackpot Show was shown by Abby Tomblin of the Sheho 4-H Beef Club, with Scarlett Englot with the Candiac 4-H Beef Club capturing the reserve.

In the Open Heifer

Show it was Emily Sebastian with the Candiac Club taking grand champion honours with the reserve championship going to an entry from Avvi Brehaut of the Wawota 4-H Beef Club.

The Open Show steer champion was an entry from Carter Gaudy of the

Weyburn 4-H Beef Club. The reserve champion was shown by Eric Fetes of the Radville 4-H Beef Club. The show also featured grooming clinics Thursday followed by a team grooming competition, and Friday had a judging competition on the agenda.

Abandoning RCMP Depot training a bad idea

MURRAY MANDRYK

Politics

It’s been less than two years since RCMP Constable Shelby Patton was killed on a street in Wolseley in a hit and run after a routine traffic stop.

The Yorkton-born and raised constable was just 26 years old. The Indian Head detachment was his second posting after one on Parliament Hill after graduating from the RCMP Depot in Regina.

Yet in his short time in Indian Head, Patton made a lasting impression on the community — so much so that there is now a Memorial Park in his honour.

It says much about how we truly value the work and sacrifice of the RCMP.

We all need to keep officers like Shelby Patton in mind as we consider the response to an even bigger tragedy — the 2020 death of RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson and 21 others in and around Portapique, Nova Scotia that became the sight of the country’s biggest mass murder.

There are lessons to be learned from what started as a domestic violence situation and escalated.

As pointed out by the wide-ranging Mass Casualty report, we need to improve communication on the scene — both among RCMP officers and the community at-large that fell victim to the deranged gunman.

More training is likely required to recognize those that are a threat to community. Situations involving actual or threatened domestic violence must be taken more seriously. And in that vein, perhaps we do need laws that restrict or prohibit access to guns among those who are a threat to others or even themselves.

But it’s also about here where the recommendations in response to the April 2020 Nova Scotia massacre that further calls for more restrictive gun laws in this country for everyone begin to go too far.

Included in those recommendations is a call to disband the 26-week training program at RCMP Depot in Regina and replace it with university-based training across the country in a model that emulates Finland.

Is that really what we need in places like rural Saskatchewan where the realities are quite different than Finland? Would this necessarily have prevented the Portapique tragedy or even the tragedy that led to Shelby Patton’s death?

Perhaps what happened in Nova Scotia is a wakeup call that tells us a 26-week RCMP Depot training does need to be enhanced. It doesn’t seem enough time to prepare young men and women for the complexities of modern-day policing … although it seems unlikely the authors of the Mass Casualty report spend all that much time examining how Depot training has dramatically changed in the last 30 years.

What goes on at Regina Depot is far removed from even what now-retired officers went through the Regina academy a few decades back when training was more about fitness than community policing.

“It’s a living, breathing thing. Every single day, we make adjustments,” Christine Hudy, director of training program support and evaluation, said in an interview last year.

Hudy explained a “switch was flipped in the mid-1990s” when the emphasis moved to situational-based problem solving and more emphasis on community policing.

Does more need to be done? Absolutely. But this is still about policing. More sociology training alone is clearly not the answer.

As someone noted, you don’t call someone with a sociology degree when someone is breaking into your home.

This is not to say that RCMP cadets would not clearly benefit from more classroom training that probably cannot be accommodated in a 26-week training.

But we can clearly do both in Regina.

Does it not make more sense to have enhanced training for cadets at the University of Regina or First Nations University of Canada be a far better solution?

We owe officers like Shelby Patton the best tools available to do their jobs. But mostly, we owe ourselves to ensure we are all protected.

Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics since 1983.

Editorial◆

Canola new foundation of local economy

Shift your mind back to 2006, and you arrive at a day in September which fundamentally changed the fortunes of Yorkton.

It was the day two companies separately announced they would be building large plants for processing canola here.

Suddenly Yorkton was a major hub for the canola sector as regional producers would soon have two large scale canola crushing facilities to deliver too.

The first announcement came from James Richardson International Ltd., announcing a $100-million plant capable of processing 840,000 tonnes of canola per year.

The second announcement was from Louis Dreyfus Canada Ltd., which said it would build a $90-million canolacrushing facility to handle 850,000 tonnes of canola a year.

At the time of the double barrel announcements there were many who thought one of the two projects might not move forward, but they did, creating a boom in construction, and continuing to impact the city with dozens of new jobs.

The two businesses have obviously found success, and that success has signalled growth for both too.

Richardson International Limited announced a significant investment in their canola crush plant in Yorkton in 2021 to double its processing capacity to 2.2 million metric tonnes annually.

And now Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), has announced it will expand its canola crushing facility here.

The facility’s new capacity will be

over two million metric tons, which is more than double its current capacity.

“This investment supports the group’s strategic growth plans by reinforcing core merchandising activities, in this case with additional capacity to originate and process Canadian canola seeds to provide nourishment for people and livestock,” LDC Chief Executive Officer Michael Gelchie said in a provincial government release. “It also positions LDC as a strategic feedstock provider to renewable energy producers and accelerates our contribution to a global energy transition that we are excited to be a part of.”

Not surprisingly Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley said the announcement is simply huge for the city.

“We’re ecstatic,” he said, adding the City “had a hint” something was coming when LDC purchased some City-owned land adjacent to its current location – land Hippsley noted was not that currently occupied by the Yellowhead stock car track.

Now that the announcement has been made Hippsley said the city will get a short-term construction boost and then long-term jobs when completed.

“It will add all kinds of new lifeblood to the city,” he said, adding construction will be a two-three-year process and that means construction crews spending dollars while in Yorkton.

And that is the true significance of the canola sector for our city, it is now foundationally critical in terms of the local economy, and the continued growth of the two plants speaks to it being a strength for years to come.

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.

Earth Day falls on April 22 each year, which is Saturday this week. So we choose Earth as the word of the week. The Modern English word Earth developed, via Middle English, from an Old English noun most often spelled eorðe. In its earliest attestation, the word eorðe was already being used to translate the many senses: the ground, its soil, dry land, the human world, the surface of the world (including the sea), and the globe itself. Earth may also have been a personified goddess in late Norse mythology: Jörð ('Earth'), a giantess often given as the mother of Thor. (Wikipedia.org)

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Exercise caution turning onto highway

Dear Editor, This has been a very long winter and once the temperatures improve gardeners will be making their way to Young’s Plant World. I’ve been driving Highway 9, north and south bound, for over 30 years as I work at the airport north of Yorkton. Every start of the gardening season I tell my co-workers to exercise extreme caution as the traffic to and from the

greenhouse is extremely dangerous. This was the location of a very unfortunate fatal accident a number of years ago. What’s the issue? Shopper’s leaving the greenhouse access road fail to realize we are travelling at highway speed. This is not downtown shopping! I have witnessed way too many close calls myself. When I see someone about to

leave the greenhouse I am entirely focused on whether they are going to pull out or not and I plan what I have to do for accident prevention. Those unfamiliar with the pending danger may not be as prepared. South bound travellers are not only at highway speed, we crest a hill at the railway tracks so visibility is poor.

Additionally, I have seen way too many gar-

deners suddenly apply their brakes discovering the greenhouse access road is close. This too is very dangerous as cars north bound are just departing a speed limit zone and are beginning to accelerate to highway speed. Move to the shoulder please! As for south bound cars suddenly braking, they are at risk of being rear ended and crossing into oncoming traffic.

One of my worst experiences was a pullout to head south (into Yorkton) from the greenhouse. They had their vehicle’s back seat absolutely full of plants that reached to the car roof. I wonder if their visibility was somewhat impaired as they looked for oncoming traffic, or did they even look? There were vehicles behind me and I swerved onto the shoulder then into the

entrance of the business on the west side of the highway to avoid a pile up. I encourage all drivers to use extra caution on this portion of Highway 9 during gardening season; but I am making a large appeal to greenhouse visitors to be more diligent and aware than what I have experienced over the years.

Cheryl Denesowych, Yorkton, Sask.

Dog owners fund raise for Wiggly Field

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

In March dog owners using Wiggly Field Dog Park in the city appeared before Yorkton Council hoping the city would add some amenities and new fixtures to the facility.

At the meeting Shannon O’Neill told Council dog owners were hoping to see three features added at the park; lighting at the north gate, a wind shelter for owners, and some canine enrichment structures.

The park was opened in 2015, and sees continued growth in yearround usage, said O’Neill Co-Chair of the Wiggly Field Improvement Committee, citing that according to reports (source: Abacus Data), almost one million

Canadians adopted or brought pets into their homes during the pandemic.

The group behind the request to the city has continued to meet with the city toward seeing the improvements made.

Since the presentation to City Council the group was referred to the department of Parks Recreation and Culture, said O’Neill.

“We’ve had a faceto-face meeting with them,” she said, adding they were encouraged by the results of that meeting.

O’Neill said they were told the city would come up with some firm cost estimates for the project including solar lighting like that used on Logan Green.

The city also indicated it would do instal-

lation, and could even provide some old tires as play structure, she said.

“So they’ve been really willing to work for us,” said O’Neill.

At the meeting of Council O’Neill said dog and owner safety is the most important issue currently at Wriggly Field. As it stands to date, there are two lights inside the park fence however they are not very bright and only light up the south gate and cement padded area. The rest of the park is very dark, and you cannot see your pet if they stray anywhere else.

The shelter would give owners a place to get out of inclement weather.

The proposed shelter would be similar to the baseball dugouts at

J.C Beach Ball Diamond to not only match the aesthetic but also this allows for a partially open shelter where pet owners can effectively watch their pets.

Structures would keep dogs happy.

Enrichment structures not only provide fun for the dogs, but it has been known to “reduce stress in dogs and reinforce socialization practices” (source: Purdue University), explained the presentation.

When asked the potential cost of the improvements, O’Neill said while it might vary and they had not worked with the city on an estimate they were expecting $15-$20,000, but they expect a more accurate number when they again meet with the city in May.

The other message from the Parks Recreation and Culture meeting was for the owner group to do some fundraising because that would make it more palatable for the city to undertake the project with user group financial support.

The first fundraising effort has already been announced.

“We have partnered with a local business, KbK Designs, to launch our first fundraiser as a

Dog Mom’s Mother’s Day campaign,” said O’Neill. “Through this campaign we will have various shirts and sweaters for pet parents to purchase and 20 per cent of proceeds will come back to the organizing committee.” The campaign will run April 14 to-23 and also includes apparel for cat parents and dads. What is offered, and how to order can be found following the links at www.kbkdesigns.ca

April 19 - April 25, 2023

Monday, April 24, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

GENERAL INQUIRIES: 306-786-1700

Mayor’s Office............................306-786-1701

After Hours Emergency..............306-786-1760

Access Communication Water Park.................................306-786-1740

Yorkton Airport............................306-786-1730

Building Services........................306-786-1710

Bylaw Control.............................306-786-1725

Central Bookings; Indoor & Outdoor Facility Rentals...........................306-786-1740

City Clerk....................................306-786-1717

City Cemetery.............................306-786-1750

City Manager..............................306-786-1703

City RCMP..................................306-786-2400

Engineering Department............306-786-1710

Environmental Services.............306-828-2470

Fire Hall.....................................306-786-1795

Gallagher Centre........................306-786-1740

Gloria Hayden Community Centre.....................306-786-1750

Parks, Playgrounds, trees, Outdoor Spaces.........................306-786-1750

Program Registrations...............306-786-1740

Property Sales............................306-786-1730

Public Works..............................306-786-1760

Recreation & Community Service.......................................306-786-1750

Tax Department..........................306-786-1736

Water Billing Department...........306-786-1726

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DEPOT

SATURDAY, APRIL 22,

Next Council Meeting

Monday, April 24, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

April 19 - April 25, 2023 RECYCLABILITY ENTERPRISES 180 BALL ROAD, YORKTON

Request for Tenders

Name of Tender: Westland Arena Hot Water Heaters

Tender must be received before 2:00 p.m. on April 28, 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 from interested venders for the supply and installation of hot water heaters within the Westland Arena.

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

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

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

Contact Person Enquiries regarding the tender procedure and particulars can be directed

to:

Kurt Stechyshyn Facilities Manager

Recreation & Community Services

City of Yorkton

Phone: 306-786-1750

Email: parksandrec@yorkton.ca

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

Request for Proposals

Breakfast reinforces safety when digging

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

A ‘Dig Safe Breakfast Program’ hosted in Yorkton Thursday attracted some 90 participants.

The Contractor Dig Safe breakfast program is a signature initiative of the SCGA’s Dig Safe Month supported by 21 industry sponsors, and is held in communities across the province by the Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance (SCGA).

The breakfast was highlighted by four informational safety videos which covered various topics, including reminding workers of their rights and reinforcing the message to call to have underground infrastructure marked before doing any excavation work.

Elmer Hollinger, an operations manager with SaskEnergy in Yorkton, and sits on the SCGA’s Public Awareness and Education Committee, said while it remains important to reinforce the message to call before you dig, it is better today. Hollinger noted at a recent breakfast event in Watson anecdotally he was told that it was a very rare occurrence to call back in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

Today, reputable contractors generally make the call, said Hollinger, who added it can be missed on occasion, and at times homeowners or farmers doing work on their own property will not call first.

It’s important to respect property of utility companies, so no attaching a new deck to a power pole as was noted in a

video shown Thursday.

When it comes to identifying where underground lines might be it starts with a simple call to Sask 1st. Sask 1st Call is a service for anyone planning to dig or excavate. The service provides underground facility screening and notification for excavators. The Sask 1st Call team is dedicated to the prevention of unnecessary damage, injury or death due to unsafe digging practices.

So who should contact Sask 1st Call?

Anyone who is panning to dig, excavate, or otherwise disturb the ground; commercial or residential.

The call should be part of a work plan that

includes things such as identify any equipment, personnel, permits or approvals required, look for facility signage and other signs of ground disturbance, and develop emergency response plan.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 1/2023

Amendment to the Urban Forestry Bylaw No. 15/2007

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Yorkton intends to consider approving Bylaw No. 1/2023, to amend the Urban Forestry No. 15/2007, at the April 24, 2023 Regular Council Meeting. The Proposed Urban Forestry Bylaw amendment will include changes to increase the variety of trees to diversify and preserve our urban forest.

A Public Hearing will be held at the April 24, 2023 Regular Council Meeting to allow the public to express their opinion or concern with any of the changes being proposed.

You can review the bylaw on the city’s website www.yorkton.ca or by visiting City Hall. Questions regarding the proposed bylaw may be directed to:

Darcy McLeod, Director of Recreation and Community Services

Phone: (306) 786-1750

Email: parksandrec@yorkton.ca

OR

Matt Charney, Parks Manager

Phone: (306) 786-1780

Email: parksandrec@yorkton.ca

Public Hearing: City Council will hear all persons who are present and wish to speak to the proposed bylaw and all written submissions will be read verbatim aloud unless the submitter is in attendance to speak on the submission, on Monday, April 24, 2023 in City Hall Council Chambers, Yorkton, Saskatchewan at 5:00 p.m.

Any written submissions must be received by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 and must be directed to:

Jessica Matsalla, City Clerk Box 400, 37 Third Avenue North Yorkton, SK S3N 2W3

Email: jmatsalla@yorkton.ca

A ‘Dig Safe Breakfast’ attracted a number of workers early last Thursday morning.

One reason Canadian Prairie farmers have always managed to survive – at least as a collective – is their willingness to try new things.

While there are times the sector is criticized for not taking on new production technologies quickly enough, the barrier is often cost as opposed to general reluctance to adapt to something new.

You can go back to the emergence of zero till seeding as an example. While the benefits might have been realized by research data, producers had press drills already, so there was a big cost associated with

Will yaks become farm niche?

the changeover to the new tech.

It’s a similar consideration with autonomous machinery. It may well be easy to see the benefits – for example reducing some pressures on finding trained operators for current equipment – but again producers have an equipment fleet and replacing it is a big cost.

By contrast, a new crop might come along – for example the hype over lupins dating back to the 1990s. The markets never quite developed and interest waned rather quickly, but farmers could dedicate some acres to trying

Agriculture THIS

WEEK

Calvin Daniels

the crop with less input than some first generation machinery which makes a technological step forward.

It’s the same on the livestock side, where through my years -- first growing up on a farm and then covering the sector as a journalist for more than three

decades – producers have been willing to try a massive range of critters. Through the years there has been big interest in ostrich and emu, elk. Bison and fallow deer, red wattle and wild pigs, Boer goats, llamas, alpacas and now yaks.

Most of the ‘next hot thing’ fizzled away rather quickly – red wattle hogs and ostrich and fallow deer some examples.

But others matured into at least continuing niche markers led by bison and Boer goats.

So what about yaks?

Who knows?

A report at www.producer.com noted interest in forming an association which would of course promote the animals, so that would be a start, but of course it ultimately comes down to creating market and ensuring supply, hurdles that are often too high for new farm prod-

ucts to scale.

Of course yak aren’t exactly a new animal to domestication like bison and elk were. They have been farmed in other countries for years, so that too is a positive, as if having a registry to help monitor genetics -- yak breeders can register with IYAK, the international yak association, and USYAK.

It’s not likely yak will ever be a major ag sector in Canada, but could they be the next bison – a longstanding niche sector?

Time will tell, but it is certain producers in Canada will be trying to make yak work here.

Manitoba Farmer Wellness increases outreach effort

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

It has been just over a year since Manitoba Farmer Wellness first opened. This year, the group is hoping to provide care for even more producers looking for help with their mental health.

Manitoba Farmer Wellness, created for farmers by farmers, was launched in March 2022 after Gerry Friesen, the organization’s chief administrative officer, and other members of the board recognized a gap in the ability to access mental health services in the agriculture sector. The organization offers no-cost counselling and support to Manitoba farm families.

Last year, 120 spots were open for farmers and their family members who needed support with their mental health. The services include six free, confidential, oneon-one, one-hour counselling sessions with a registered counsellor who has a background in agriculture.

“Our goal this year is

to raise funds to help 160 farmers,” Friesen said. “We’ve noticed a significant increase in people reaching out for services.”

The organization raises money and pays for the counselling sessions on its own, which is why outreach and awareness is so important, Friesen said. From being active on social media to having a presence at Manitoba Ag Days in January, the more people that know about Manitoba Farmer Wellness, the better, he added.

One-quarter of all Manitobans deal with mental illness, according to a report released by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. The Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba says one in four people will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.

The University of Guelph’s 2021 survey on mental health outcomes in agriculture noted that farmers are experiencing mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation at higher rate than the general population.

When you couple those statistics with farming, which Friesen said can often be an isolating job that is subject to the ups and downs of the economy and the instability of Mother Nature, it’s important that producers know where to turn to when they find themselves struggling.

“If you don’t need these services, good for you. But we all know someone that does, so let’s make sure we spread the word. Let’s make sure we tell others about this program,” Friesen said.

A former producer who goes by the name “the Recovering Farmer” in his public speaking events, Friesen is no stranger to the challenges that mental health can throw at people. His career in farming and the stress involved in it contributed to his own mental health journey, and now he’s passionate about talking to others to let them know that no matter how dark things seem, there is always hope, and that there is no shame in asking for help.

“There needs to be an outlet,” Friesen said. “There needs to be a dedicated service.”

Providing the role of

that dedicated service and offering mental health counselling to farmers means that producers and their families who opt to take part in the six sessions Manitoba Farmer Wellness offers have a lot of groundwork covered to further their healing, Friesen said.

The group is able to change the lives of so many people thanks to

the generosity of personal donors, individuals, businesses and commodity groups, who Friesen said Manitoba Farmer Wellness could not exist without. Since the organization receives no government funding, donations of all sizes are incredibly helpful, he added.

“I went to the mail last week, and there

was a cheque in there for $150,” Friesen said. “I’ve received cheques from people I don’t know, that just cut a cheque. It’s amazing.”

At the same time the group’s organizers are focusing on fundraising, they’re also setting intake goals for next winter, Friesen said, in hopes of reaching even more people in the future.

Gerry Friesen

Yorkton youth wins gold at SAA Target Provincial Championships

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – A Yorkton

youth brought home a gold medal from the Sask. Archery Association Target Provincial Championships in held in Prince Albert on the weekend of April 15.

Dallas Kaufman, 12, was the only Yorkton archer to medal at the two-day long under 18 provincial event.

“We had archers anywhere from seven up to 17,” said Blair German, Coach and Treasurer with the Broken Arrow Archery Club, adding, “we took 13 from Yorkton and I’m estimating probably up to 400 archers [were at the event].”

“It meant a lot to me,” said German of

Kaufman’s win, adding, “400 kids and he brings gold home to Yorkton – I was impressed.”

German noted that the event had the best of the best archers in province and said that the youths from the Yorkton club who attended represented their club respectfully.

“It was a tough competition – if you want to win you have to have your a-game on,” said German, adding, “I want

these kids to see that people care and that their accomplishments don’t go unnoticed.”

German said the River Valley Archery Club from Veregin was in attendance as well as archery clubs from from Sturgis and Canora.

“Our area was wellrepresented,” said German.

German said he hopes the win gets more youths interested in the sport.

“We’re just hoping to get more members come the fall,” German, added that the club is currently looking for a new building to practice archery in as they lost their building due to closure earlier this spring.

“It’s way cheaper than hockey,” said German with a laugh.

Former curling champ studying sweeping

If you followed the Men’s World Curling Championships recently you no doubt heard repeated discussion about the evolution of brushing, and its seeming growing impact on the game.

Given that brushing, or its predecessor sweeping with a broom, has been a part of the game since basically forever, that it would evolve is hardly a surprise. It happens in most sports, the baseball glove of today is a cavernous thing compared to those of 100 years ago, and today’s ultra-light composite hockey stick shafts being vastly different than wooden sticks even in the 1970s.

So, it’s not surprising brushing/sweeping has changed going from corn brooms such as the ‘Little Beaver’ I used in the late 1970s, through the sock broom revolution – I used a ‘Black Cat’ and then the move to brushes.

In relative terms brushing is still rather new, and the sport is learning new ways to approach the skill and, in the process, some seem to think it is over-influencing the game.

But it might be a case where the very act of brushing is not fully understood.

That is certainly the contention of Eugene Hritzuk. If you are a long time

Saskatchewan curling fan you will recognize the name Hritzuk, a highly successful curler from Saskatoon.

Wikipedia notes

Hritzuk won two provincial championships as skip, once in 1985 and again in 1988. This qualified him for the Brier both times. At the 1985 Labatt Brier, he finished the round robin with a 6-5 record. He had to play in two tiebreakers, which he won to get to the semi-final, where he lost to Northern Ontario’s Al Hackner. At the 1988 Labatt Brier, he finished the Brier with an 8-3 record, and lost to Alberta’s Pat Ryan in the final. It would be his last Brier.

Since then, Hritzuk has been a successful seniors curler, and has represented Saskatchewan at the Canadian Seniors Championships in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2012. He won his first Canadian Seniors Championship in 2008. Hritzuk won the World Senior Curling Championships in May 2009.

Today Hritzuk not only curls but is involved in research, in particular about what exactly happens when a curling rock is brushed.

In that regard Hritzuk notes curling is the only sport in the world where the field of play’ is actually influenced, as the rock

CALVIN DANIELS Sports

moves across the ice, by the action of brushing.

“Ironically what I have found from over 55 years of competitive curling, and the past several years of research, study and working with elite curlers that brushing is the most poorly understood, coached, practiced and executed part of curling,” he wrote in a March 2020 The Curling News.com article.

In the article Hritzuk suggested brush head placement is the key to brushing, adding “which I find when watching the elite curlers, is often poorly done.”

There are three basic principles to understanding what brushing does:

1. Brushing cleans/polishes/heats the ice.

2. Brushing reduces stone-ice friction which causes a stone to glide further.

3. Brushing pressure varies greatly through the length of each stroke which impacts the amount of curl.

Today the influence

of brushing is being debated more than ever, but Hritzuk might quell the talk through some research into brushing with a team from the University of Saskatchewan including Dr. Sean Maw, Linda Yip, and Amir Ravanbod.

In an interview with Yorkton This Week Hritzuk said the influence of brushing is likely generally overstated.

“Curlers like to think and talk they can do anything, but there’s really a lot of limitations to what they can do,” he said.

For example, there have been suggested powerful brushing actually scratches the ice, to which Hritzuk calls nonsense. He said there have been microscopic level photos taken and there is no evidence of scratching.

“What brushing does do is clean, polish and heat the ice,” reiterated Hritzuk, adding the level of those three elements relies on the technique of the brushers, and that

comes down to a combination of strength to put pressure on the brush head, and the speed of strokes.

So, frost crystals formed from humidity in curling venues can be polished and smoothed and melted “if you brush hard enough . . . If you press hard enough you melt the frost crystals,” said Hritzuk, but adding “not everybody does.”

If there is enough to melt the crystal, it momentarily – a second or two – leaves a film of moisture which allows the rock to slide over that spot more easily.

But a brush stroke is also not a constant thing, noted Hritzuk, with far more pressure on the brush head closer to the core of the body and decreasing rapidly as the arms extend away from the body, even over a short stroke of only a few inches, so the impact dissipates too.

“Its not anything really

magical . . . If one understands the anatomy of a brush stroke,” he said.

The current research effort is to better understand the science behind brushing, which Hritzuk said is needed because at present a lot of effort goes into brushing without fully understanding what is happening.

“If they understood what they are doing to the ice they wouldn’t be doing it,” he said. “. . . We want to find out more about what brushing does.”

The work was already under way when the World Curling Federation became involved to push the project farther.

“They (WCF) want us to do more,” said Hritzuk. Research will help brushers do it better.

“It’s understanding what science is behind it to be better sweepers,” said Hritzuk. “. . . It’s going to be an interesting journey.”

The team studying sweeping in curling, from left Eugene Hritzuk, Dr. Sean Maw, Linda Yip, and Amir Ravanbod.

Members of the Broken Arrow Archery Club.

Photo Courtesy Blair German

Courtesy Blair German

12-year-old Dallas Kaufman earned a gold medal at the Sask. Archery Association’s Target Provincial Championships.

Courtesy Hritzuk / The Curling News

SCHMIDT - With great sorrow, we announce the passing of Arnold Schmidt on Friday, April 7, 2023 at the age of 86. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 44 years, Linda Schmidt; his daughter, Carla (Darrell) Almasi; his son, Bryan Schmidt; and his grandchildren Presley, Toby, Avery, and Scarlett Almasi. Arnold was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Rose Schmidt, and his sister, Evelyn Haberman. Arnold was born in Bengough, SK on March 25, 1937. He was raised on his family farm near the Horizon district. Arnold farmed with his father until 1974, when they sold the farm and moved to Regina, SK. In Regina he met his wife Linda, whom he married in 1978. He then spent his time doing various jobs, such as working at the Department of Highways, Degelman’s, a car salesman at Bennett-Dunlop, working at the print shop and security guard at the Cooperators, then worked as security at the Centre of the Arts. In 1990, due to Linda’s job transfer, Arnold and his family moved to Yorkton, SK where they called home. At this time, he retired and focused on his family. Arnold loved to garden, do yard work, go for coffee, play cards, watch TV, shoot guns at the gun range, do word searches, cruise around on his scooter, but most importantly, spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant officiating. Words of remembrance was given by Arnold’s grand-daughter, Presley Almasi. The inurnment followed in the Prairieview Columbarium, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Arnold’s grandchildren serving as urn bearers. Memorial donations may be made to the Health Foundation (41 Betts Ave, Yorkton, SK S3N 1M1) as gifts of remembrance. Condolences may be left for the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.

MCINNES(NEEFoster)–Ourwonderfulandamazing EllenpassedawayinVancouver,BC,onMarch18, 2023.Shehadanincomparablejoiedevie,andwewill missherdearly. EllenwasbornnearEdam, SK,onMarch21,1926,to AllanandRuth(Presley) Foster.Shegrewupinrural Saskatchewan.ShecompletedSaskatoonNormal Schoolin1945andthen graduatedfromtheUniversityofSaskatchewanwitha B.Ed.in1973.Ellentaught schoolinrural Saskatchewan,Uranium CityandYorkton. EllenwasactiveintheNDP, BetaSigmaPhiandtheInternationalFederationof UniversityWomen. Ellenenjoyedtravellingand engagedinmanyphysical activities.Morethananything,shelovedtodance-sheballroomdancedwithherhusbandandmany friends.Ellenthrewherselffull-tiltintoanyactivitiessheengagedin.

EllenissurvivedbysonIan(Bettina),daughtersLori(Marcelo)andDawn (Adrian),grandchildrenArdenandThomsen(KajsaHeyes)andgreat-grandchildMagnus.Shewaspredeceasedbyherhusband,Gordon. ThefamilywouldliketothankthestaffatOpalwhotooksuchtender,loving careofourmother. Inlieuofflowers,familyandfriendscandonatetoascholarshipfund,inEllen'sname,attheVancouverCommunityCollegeFoundation,createdfor HealthCareAssistantsstudents. (vcc.ca/about/foundation-and-alumni/donate-now).

ACelebrationofEllen'slifewillbeheldinSaskatoononThursday,April27, 2023,from1:00to3:00pmattheHillcrestFuneralHomeandCemetery.A privatefamilyintermentwillfollow.

MANDZUK - It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness we announce the passing of Jeanne Elizabeth Mandzuk (nee McMurtrie), after a very short but courageous battle with cancer. Jean passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the age of 60. She is survived by her loving husband Kelly; their two children: daughter Kristi Mandzuk of Regina, SK; son Kevin Mandzuk and his fiance Carrie Livingstone of Regina, SK; and their beloved dog Lola. Jean is also survived by her brother Scott (Maureen) McMurtrie of Red Deer, AB; sister Nancy (Kerry) McMurtie-Whitters of Yorkton, SK; sister Heather (Gordon) Gorecki of Esterhazy, SK. As well as several nieces and nephews. Jean is also survived by her sister in law, Tammy Mandzuk of Delta BC, her mother in law Kathy Mandzuk of Delta, BC and step mother in law Norma Mandzuk of Nanton, AB. Jean was predeceased by her father William McMurtrie; mother Joyce McMurtrie; father-in law Dave Mandzuk. Jean was born in Yorkton, SK, on December 10, 1962, and graduated from the Yorkton Regional High School in 1980. She started her career at Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation in January of 1980, in the Yorkton District Office and continued working for the same agency for forty years before retiring in June of 2020, in Regina. During retirement, Jean decided to join the Hyde Construction team part time where she worked alongside her close friends Lora Drinnan and Tom Hyde. Jean and Kelly were married on September 26, 1987, in Yorkton, where both of their kids were born. In 1998, Kelly and Jean’s careers moved them to Regina. Jean’s passions in life were her husband and kids, her love of reading, and her love for travel. Jean’s passion for both her children and travel often took her and Kelly on various adventures in support of their kids. From her trip to Paris, France with Kristi to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to watch Kevin umpire baseball. Jean could read a book a day and often did when she and Kelly were on their many adventures. Their adventures took them to such places as Ireland, Scotland, France, Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, and St. Maarten. One of Jean’s proudest moments was in December, 2021, when she got to see her son Kevin propose on the beach in St. Maarten, to his fiance, Carrie Livingstone. Although Jean’s battle with cancer was short, it was very courageous. The family would like to thank the following people: the doctors, the nurse, the entire medical team at the Regina General Hospital, of the ER department 5F (Orthopedics); especially Dr. Beggs and nurse Afroditi Bennett for their care and compassion; staff at the Pasqua Hospital, unit 3B (Oncology); staff at the Allen Blair Cancer Centre, for their professionalism and quality care. Special thanks to Dr. Bowmann and NP Barb Troy Hebert from the Palliative Care Team for their support in Jean’s journey. As well, the family would like to thank the entire nursing staff at Grace Hospice, especially RN Trish for the end of life care they provided to Jean. Thank you to social workers Erin Franks and LaRae Beebe. Finally, the family is forever grateful to our family friend and RN Dana Yee for assisting in caring for Jean while at home. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 10:00 AM, at Victoria Avenue Funeral Home. The family invites all those in attendance to join us for lunch after the service. A private family interment at the mausoleum will be held later. As Jean’s favourite colour was blue, the family encourages anyone attending to wear blue if they are able.

STYCHYSHYN - Katherine

Stychyshyn passed away peacefully at the Yorkton Health Centre on December 2, 2022, with family by her side. Katherine was born on June 1, 1941 in Gorrie, Howick Township, ON, the firstborn of parents Valma and Addison Jacques. She drew her first breaths in the same 1895-era brick farmhouse where her mother was also born. Not only did they share the same birthplace, they also shared the same birthday. Kathy’s younger sisters Karen and Janette joined the family in 1944 and 1950. Kathy was known for being protective of her siblings, as well as her kindness and tolerance for the girls’ antics. They occupied their time outside at the park, climbing the hills and trees and playing with the neighbourhood children. Frequent trips were made to local beaches, including Powell Beach in the Trout Creek area of Summerland. Kathy was a regular beach-goer, enjoyed sunbathing more than swimming. She was not an overly bossy older sister, but she preferred it when things went her way. Kathy’s youngest sister Janette was her shadow, alongside her wherever she went and they always had fun together. Kathy was an animal lover. In the old house in lower Summerland, Kathy once heard scratching at the back door and went to let the cat in. To her surprise, it was a mother skunk and three kits, looking for a den and an overnight stay. Mom and her babies stayed outside. Kathy met her husband Daniel, the Saskatchewan farmer, in Nelson B.C. Their love story started at the Woolworth’s food counter where Kathy worked. Kathy was smart and beautiful, which drew Daniel, the handsome charmer to her. Likewise, after many visits her favourite customer was served more than a sandwich in return for his affections. The two were married on July 8, 1961. In 1963 they lived in Penticton and Summerland B.C, and Kobzar, SK; returning to Summerland in 1964. They then moved to Saskatoon where Daniel attended college before they settled in Yorkton in 1965. They had three daughters: Dana, Brenda and Annette. Family life was busy, with leisure time spent together at the cabin Daniel built at Good Spirit Lake, and vacations to Calgary and the Okanagan to meet up with her sisters and their families. Another family destination that Kathy enjoyed was the Lylyk Farm. Life on the family farm was always a great time, with large feasts and laughter that filled the room late into the night. An unforgettable family vacation, for all the wrong reasons, was a trip to Headwaters Fishing Camp near Peachland B.C. in 1975. An enduring endeavour of crashed motorcycles, strange encounters, unpredictable behaviour, stolen shoes, and a member of the party running in the forest, unwilling to go to bed. Over time, it’s become a great story, a perfect storm of uncomfortable and awkward moments and one of the few times that everyone was all together. At one memorable night out at a local nightclub, Katherine, with her Irish name serving her well, was serenaded by the Irish Rovers, forever after becoming their # 1 fan. She loved dancing, going out on the town and visiting with friends and family. In 1964 Katherine was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Her symptoms included fatigue and numbness in her legs and on her left side. She continued to work, looking after her family while also providing child care for others. Her strong work ethic was demonstrated in her promotions from Floor Clerk to Supervisor at the McLeods store, where she worked for more than 15 years. She sat on the social committee, organizing social functions, including the Christmas party. Her hobbies included ceramics, researching the family genealogy, reading, watching TV and caring for the beloved family dogs: Dino, Duddley, Brandy, Muffin and Lucy. Kathy volunteered both for the Genealogy Society in Yorkton and Ontario, coordinating meetings and delighting in sharing what she learned with others. She was also a dedicated volunteer for the MS Society. She loved helping people and wanted to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this dreadful disease. Kathy helped out with the Yorkton and Area Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, coordinating and suggesting topics for meetings and planning fundraising suppers and car raffles. Kathy and Dan attended the meetings together. They both found comfort and support from others, knowing that they didn’t have to face the challenges of MS alone. Kathy, although uncomfortable and fatigued at times, took her MS in stride. She laughed off most slips, stumbles and falls. She was a great listener, always making time for others. Sharpminded and witty, she kept her friends and family members on their toes, who were entertained by the clever one-liners she was known for. Kathy lived at the Lakeside Manor Care Home in Saltcoats, SK for 18 years. From staff to fellow residents, Kathy valued and cherished her friendships she made in the place she came to know as home. A highlight was when she presented The Royal Princess Anne with a bouquet of flowers on a royal visit on June 1, 2007. Kathy was on the Fun Committee and helped fundraise for the transport bus and community hall. Participating in daily activities, she was ‘Queen of Bingo’ winning often. She loved live music, including the Mennonite Choir and Butch Fleury. Kathy enjoyed her garden and received many compliments on the bright roses that bloomed just outside her window. Daniel was a faithful visitor and a regular volunteer and member of the Lakeside community. A real rabble-rouser, her activities at the home echoed her days at Mcleods when she worked to form a union. She set her mind to advocating for more care and services at Lakeside Manor, using her voice to help make positive change for herself and other residents. Kathy’s strong determination and willingness to carry on showed up in her adult life as she fought many obstacles after her diagnosis. She frequently expressed the pride she took in her daughters, granddaughters and her great-grandchildren as she watched them grow throughout the years. Katherine lived a life that mattered. She lived a life of love. She was a woman of few words who believed in hard work and a job well done. She truly had a heart of gold and believed we can do small things with great love. As a family, we will continue to make her proud and live the legacy she has built. Together we will celebrate her life, her love and her friendships. Katherine is predeceased by her loving husband Daniel, her parents Valma and Addison Jacques (Zimmerman) and her father and mother-in-law, Carl and Anne Stychyshyn, and sister-in-law Elsie Lylyk, brother-in-laws, Bill Dunetz, Bill Lylyk, Metro Stychyshyn, Mike Stychyshyn and his loving partner Anne. Along with nephews and nieces David Gilmore, Paul Lylyk, Connie Bowling and Melanie Agustson. She leaves to cherish her memory, her sisters Karen Gilmore (Don), of Summerland B.C. and Janette Senger (Buddy) of Vernon, B.C. Sister-in-laws Ida Dunetz, Violet Huska (Walter) and Deloris Fagnan. Daughters Dana Datema (Greg), Brenda Ashley (Peter), and Annette Quan (Arthur). Granddaughters Jennifer (Dan) Young, Jana Young, and Tessa Datema. Greatgrandchildren, Hudson and Hannah Chernipeski, and Luc Girardin. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends and Grand-dog Mimi. The Memorial Service was held on Friday, April 14, 2023 from Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Doreen Day, certified celebrant officiating. The interment followed in the Garden of St. Matthew, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Hudson Chernipeski & Dan Girardin serving as urn bearers.

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Granite, Bronze, Marble Monuments, Vases,

In Loving Memory of

On behalf of the family of Dr.

We wanted to express our most sincere thank you for the overwhelming support that we have received during this most difficult time. The many texts, calls, visits, cards, flowers and prayers have been gratefully received.

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customers in the normal course of business transactions. We use that information to provide you with our products and services you request. On occasion we may contact you for purposes of research, surveys and other such matters. To provide you with better service we may share your personal information with our sister companies and also outside, selected third parties who perform work for us as suppliers, agents, service providers and information gatherers. Our subscription list may be provided to other organizations who have products and services that may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to participate in such matters, please contact us at the following address: Yorkton This Week, 20 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, S3N 2X3. For a complete statement of our privacy policy, please go to our website at: www.yorktonthisweek.com or stop by our office and pick up a copy.

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HIS & HERS 3 speed bicycles. Like new. Ladies’ left-handed golf set. Call 306-783-6132

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.

122 SUNSET DR N Thursday April 20 & Friday April 21 9:30am5:30pm. Saturday April 22 9:00am - 12:00pm. Household, garden tools, miscellaneous. Moving Sale.

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1-866-974-7678

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15 OPEN dehorned Hereford heifers. Call Wes 306-743-5105. Langenburg, Saskatchewan. www.vcherefordfarm.com

FOR SALE - Bred Heifers Calving Now. Simmental x Angus (Black) - 18 Head; Char x Simm6 Head; Simm x Angus (Red) - 7 Head. Price $2850 each. Call 1306-547-2105. GROWTHY YEARLING & 2 year old dehorned Hereford bulls. Semen tested. Call Wes 306-7435105. Langenburg, Saskatchewan. www.vcherefordfarm.com

AGRO-FORESTREE FARM: Up to 25% off on bundles of 25 tree seedlings. For shelterbelt and fruit trees text/call Seanna Kirchner at 306-452-7965. Pickup in Yorkton. Visit our website agroforestreefarm.com

REQUIRED

IMMEDIATELY:

Person to COOK & CLEAN for heavy construction camp this spring with possibility of year round. Spring location: Arborfield, SK. Must have valid driver’s licence and safe food and handling ticket. Send resume and work references to:

Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email:

brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www.

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HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS & LABOURERS WANTED

For all heavy equipment: ie. dozers, excavators, scrapers etc. Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d. Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email:

brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www.

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If you would like a route, please e-mail us at: circulation@yorktonthisweek.com or telephone circulation at: 306-782-2465

Yorkton Spring Expo

In marriage, the little things matter in a big way

I’m sure it’s out there. Waiting for me. The single placemat on my side of the dining table. In a few minutes I’ll leave my computer and check.

While I still worked outside our home, I left the house before breakfast. After a half-hour commute to the office, I felt ready to eat my yogurt, oatmeal and fruit. I did so at my desk, nibbling as I checked emails and listened to phone messages.

After leaving my job, the Preacher (who left full-time work years ago) and I started eating breakfast together at about the same time I’d ordinarily be head-

ing out the door for the office. He set the table with two placements. Neither of us spoke much, as unfamiliar to sharing that time of day felt at first. Those breakfasts always ended with prayer and reflection, precious to us both. But unlike my husband, I’m not an early bird. And I rarely eat until I’ve been awake a few hours. We now have a more natural pattern. Most days, he wakes at five and spends a few hours reading scripture and praying before baking a few loaves of bread or watching an episode or two of a favourite TV show. I sleep longer.

Then I spend time read-

Sunny Side Up

ing or writing before leaving our room. (At the opposite end of the day, he goes to bed hours before I do.)

Sometimes we surprise each other, but generally, by the time I reach the kitchen, Rick has already eaten, cleared his breakfast and removed his placemat. He leaves mine on

Hort meeting may help with garden plan

If you’re starting to plan out this year’s garden, you won’t want to miss this! The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society invites you to their next regular meeting on Wednesday, April 19, at 7:00 PM at the Yorkton Public Library. Our special guest will be our great gardening friend Frank Woloschuk, speaking to us about exciting perennials for early, mid and later blooming. Isn’t it nice to think about our plants in the garden?

Everyone is welcome, please join us; you don’t have to be a member to attend the sessions. I know that Frank will have great information to share with us!

A common question is, what is the difference between an annual and a perennial?

The easy answer is that perennials grow for years, season after season. Some can have very long lives, barring something drastic happening to them! We have hostas in our yard that are decades old, and still growing strong. We have some irises that Mom gave us many years ago, and they were “mature” when she gave them to us, meaning that she already had them in her garden for years. And some of our lily of the valley plants were given to Mom by a friend, and they, too were gentle old plants when Mom received them. So perennials can be in our gardens for a very long time. But they do not live forever.

Annuals, on the other hand, finish their entire growing life in one season, and perish when frost comes to our gardens in the fall.

Other things to consider: annuals may bloom all growing season; perennials usually have a shorter blooming season.

But here’s a twist: some annuals stay with us into the following year. Why? Because these lovely plants are very good at self-seeding, which

Do

Tell

Gardener’s Notebook

means that before the plants die out completely, they will drop their own seeds and could grow again in the next gardening season. Technically, they are annuals, but they can come back for a return visit by seeding themselves. The difference between them and a perennial is they seed themselves, and do not come back from a root, as a perennial would. Make a note that for this self-seeding to happen, we can’t dead-head every spent blossom, because the flowers must mature and ripen on the plant. When you see that the seeds have turned brown and dry, they are ready to either fall to the ground and “self-seed”, or you can collect them at that point and save them to plant next year.

(Another note: not every self-seeded annual that comes up will look like the parent plant, the color may be different. And letting the self-seeds stay in the garden means that it might look a bit on the wild side, certainly not everyone’s choice. But the bees enjoy them! Some our favorite selfseeders are calendula, poppies, and cosmos.)

We had happy surprises in our garden even with tomatoes, which did not “self-seed” in the traditional sense but visited us again by their fallen fruit. We’ve all had the situation where a tomato ripens or over-ripens and falls to the ground, where it rots and fall apart. Last year, we had several clusters of tomato seedlings that sprouted, unplanted by us, and went on to be quite robust little plants!

Most gardeners like

the table, a reminder that he has considered me. That he knows I’m coming—sooner or later.

“Thanks for the placemat, Hon,” I tell him often. “I love that you do that.”

In general, we’ve learned to understand each other’s rhythms. (We’re still working on a few, but that’s married

life.) Accepting our differences and accommodating them with grace (and God’s help) has helped us reach almost forty-seven years together.

It’s almost eight a.m. I’m writing this in our bedroom. At the other end of the house, Rick has likely already eaten. Once I’ve finished this column, I’ll go out there. “Good mornin’, Hon,” I’ll say. He’ll greet me back. I’ll wander into the kitchen and spot the placemat. I’ll smile and thank God for the reminder that someone loves me. That he prepares for me, even though he understands

I’ll be late to breakfast. We’ll keep our habit of joint spiritual focus at a different time of day. An old marriage isn’t necessarily a good marriage, I’ve observed. Neither is a newer one. But little things, like the frost scraped off your spouse’s car on a winter morning, the wash folded (or the snow shovelled) when it’s not your turn, an unexpected kind word, a hand reached out for a moment of prayer, or my waiting placemat— those things go a long way toward marital contentment.

If you’re married, I pray that for you today.

a mix of annuals and perennials for variety of blooms and colors. We can use this time to make this year’s choices! Thank you to our friends at YTW for their great work every week. Visit the hort society at our website: www.yorktonhort.ca and find out what’s coming up with the group! Have a nice week!

Evening procession

Our Natural Home

PRAIRIE HARVEST

CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE

72 Melrose Avenue • PHONE 306-786-6840

Senior Pastors Des & Cheryl Klingspon

Employment Program 306-786-1840

Online Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. will be on our Facebook page

• Contemporary Worship • Children’s Ministry • Youth Ministry phclc.org

“Changing

Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church

89 Bradbrooke Drive, Yorkton, SK S3N 2Y2 • 306-782-2998

Father Michael Faryna 306-601-9043

Thu. Apr. 20: Moleben - 2:00 pm - Theodore Nursing Home Sun. Apr. 23: Divine Liturgy - 10:00 am - Yorkton Sun. Apr. 23: Provody - 3:00 pm - City Cemetery

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, April 23 at 10:30 am Online (Zoom/Facebook/Youtube) and in person!

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 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

email

Sunday April 23rd Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

St. Thomas Sunday Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Priest: Rodion Luciuk Phone: 306-786-6216 Cell: 306-621-5341

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.”

Lives of all saints was commemorated Friday by members of St. Mark Orthodox Church in Yorkton, The

gathering moved from the church to the cenotaph on Darlington St., and back to the church.

Staff Photo by Calvin Daniels

Former Yorktonites support local Ukrainian newcomers

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

A gathering for Yorktonites held in Calgary has made a donation to help Ukrainians settling in the local area after being displaced by the invasion of their homeland by Russian forces.

Larissa Danylchuk-

Van Caeseele, with UCC Yorkton said the unexpected donation for $500 was made recently, adding it was raised in what is a longstanding reunion held in the Alberta city.

Duval (Duvy) Lang of Calgary is one of the people behind the event help last July.

The gatherings have

been held periodically in Calgary for decades, spearheaded largely by Yorkton graduates dating back to 1967, he explained.

“There’s a helluva lot of Yorktonites living in the Calgary area,” he said adding many still have an interest “in celebrating all things Yorkton.”

The event last July

was organized by Lang, Stuart Yaholnitsky, Jim Gibney, Susan Jarett (formerly Nesteransky), and Wee Lee.

The day attracted more than 90 coming from Vancouver to Ottawa, and through the day ticket sales on ‘Yorkton swag’ donated by Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley and Councillor Randy

Goulden, and money left over after paying for the hall, DJ and meal, $500 remained.

Initially, “we didn’t know what to do with it. But we wanted to donate it back to something in Yorktown ... So let’s find a good cause in Yorkton,” said Lang.

Since many involved had “Ukrainian blood

in their veins,” or knew people that did it became obvious the money could be well used to help new arrivals, said Lang, adding UCC Yorkton can help those needing a little “help setting up.”

Lang said there remains interest to gather again, and it will happen “but it might be a couple of years.”

Kwayskahstahsôwin at the YPL

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – A panel discussion with Sask. Indigenous leaders took place at the Yorkton Public Library April 11.

“This is the second of a four part speaker series that we’re doing in four communities across south-east Sask. and it’s called Kwayskahstahsôwin or ‘putting things right’,” said Lori Campell, Associate VicePresident of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Regina, in an interview with Yorkton This Week.

Around 30 people were in attendance for the discussion which featured Alicia Morrow and Chasity Delorme.

Morrow—a Cree woman from Peepeekisis First Nation—is the Founder and CVO (Chief Visionary Officer) of The Comeback Society, an Indigenous led non-profit organization focused on amplifying Indigenous voices and culture by promoting food sovereignty, cultural programming, cultural collaborations, land base education and education and training (thecomebacksociety.com). Morrow holds a Bachelor of Arts and Ceritificate of Reconciliation from the First Nation’s University of Canada.

Delorme—a Cree woman from Cowessess First Nation—is board member of the University of Regina’s Community Engagement and Research Centre,

a Graduate of the First Nation’s University of Canada and is enrolled in the Masters of Education Psychology Program at the University of Regina, according to the U of R’s website.

“Kwayskahstahsôwin is a Cree word. It’s a word that often within our communities our Cree speakers use when they speak about reconciliation because reconciliation doesn’t really translate into our languages,” said Campell, adding, “Kwayskahstahsôwin is about putting things right.”

The hour-long discussion touched on multiple topics of reconciliation and why they were important.

“It’s kind of a conversation to help community members know that they have a place in reconciliation–that we want them to be engaged and to help them hopefully get an idea of where they can start and participate after the conversation,” said Campell.

Campell said the series was made possible through funding from the South-Saskatchewan Community Foundation and lectures were to take place in Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Regina and Yorkton.

“The target audience is really just sort of regular people,” said Campell, adding, “I always hear that there’s a lot of interest and people have a better understanding of the history of Indigenous Peoples that have occurred here in our country. Everyday

average people are interested in wanting to know more and to take action – to help put things right.”

“We’re at the University of Regina and sometimes it can be hard for people to get to the city or they don’t feel like the university is the most comfortable place for them, so this is an opportunity for us to come out and meet people in the communities where they’re at,” said Campell.

At the time of writing, a lecture had already taken place in Moose Jaw, which Campell said was well received by the audience of 50 people.

“I don’t know how many people really felt

an impact—hopefully many—but I do know there was a couple that followed up with e-mails after who were teachers in the school and were looking to do things with their school and they wanted some more information and how to connect with others,” said Campell, adding, “for me I think that’s a positive— that’s having impact—so I feel pretty good about that.” When it comes to setting things right, Morrow said during the discussion that, “being able to create that safe space to have those conversations and understanding [is important],” adding, “we

all have a responsibility to create those spaces to have those conversations.”

“The residential school era wasn’t that long ago,” said Delorme during the discussion, adding, “it’s important that [non-Indigenous people] understand the genocide, the injustice, the oppression, the brutality that Indigenous people went through here in Canada – that’s always the first step... reminding yourself of that.”

“If we can come to an agreement that we want to work together so that you understand that Indigenous people that are suffering and strug-

gling right now to heal and to learn the identity and the culture that was taken away...we have promises to non-indigenous people and viceversa.” added Delorme when commenting on Kwayskahstahsôwin.

“We’re all working at this together and so we’re all learning together–I think just having that oppeness and that willingness to challenge the belief systems and where we’re at is setting it right to me,” said Morrow.

For more information on Kwayskahstahsôwin visit https://www.uregina. ca/events/2023/04/kwayskahstahswin-settingthings-right1.html.

Premier Scott Moe touts economic opportunity in address to SUMA

By John Cairns, SASKTODAY.ca

SASKATOON -

Premier Scott Moe touted economic opportunity in his address to delegates at the 2023 Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Convention in Saskatoon.

“We in this province are on the very threshold of continued unprecedented growth,” said Moe to SUMA delegates Monday morning. “Growth that will and already is unlocking Saskatchewan’s true potential.”

He acknowledged there is a “swirl of uncertainty” being seen around the world, but said “in an uncertain world people everywhere can count on Saskatchewan… Saskatchewan remains an indispensable provider of food, fuel and fertilizer to over 150 countries around the world and now more than ever the world needs what we’re producing right here at home.”

In his presentation the Premier presented a video shown on trade mis-

sions around the world to promote Saskatchewan. Moe spoke positively about the trade missions the government has undertaken, including one to India he went on that also included Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He also pointed to a new trade and investment office in Germany.

“Delegates, we are planting your flag, our Saskatchewan flag in key markets around the world. If we want this province to continue to grow years into the future, we need to be out there, we need to be protecting those existing markets that we have. We need to be working in those markets to expand our market share and then as well work to open new markets in various places around the world.”

The Premier also pointed to economic growth in the mining, energy and ag sectors. He pointed to economic projects such as the Jansen mine, the addition of $2.8 billion to the energy sector, investments by Cargill

and Viterra, Richardson Pioneer doubling their plant in Yorkton, and Louis Dreyfus doing the same. He also pointed to investments in the forestry industry and Cameco reopening their MacArthur River mine.

The premier also referenced the signs the province has put up in airports across the country that are part of their Sustainable Saskatchewan marketing campaign.

“We should be proud not only of what we produce, but we should be proud of how we produce it,” said Moe, saying they had some of the most sustainable products in the world.

In past years at the SUMA convention, the Premier’s address would be accompanied by announcements on what municipal revenue sharing would be in the budget. But the move of the convention to a regular April date brought an end to that annual tradition. Instead, Moe spent most of his time Monday

talking about measures already included in the 2023 budget that was already passed, as well as various government initiatives either before or already passed at the Legislature this session.

Moe touched on familiar themes during his address, pointing to initiatives as the Saskatchewan First Act, the Saskatchewan Marshals’ Service, the

highways work being done in 2023, as well as the four point health care recruitment and retention plan. He assured SUMA delegates that the government was listening to them in addressing health care recruitment challenges.

Moe’s address Monday is part of what is expected to be a heavy provincial presence at the SUMA convention throughout

this week. Also planned are addresses from Opposition Leader Carla Beck and Minister of Government Relations Don McMorris.

On Wednesday, Premier Moe and provincial cabinet ministers are scheduled to be at SUMA for a bear pit session to close the convention, taking questions from convention delegates on a variety of topics.

Lori Campell (left) pictured here with Chasity Delorme and Alicia Morrow. Campell was the moderator for a public discussion with everyday people on the topic of reconciliation.

Premier Scott Moe is seen addressing the 2023 SUMA convention in Saskatoon. YouTube screenshot courtesy SUMA