The public came out in numbers to attend the Spring Fling Trade Show April 22 at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre. Over 60 specialty vendors were in attendance for the event. “It’s all mixed because there’s something here for everyone — it’s a
The complete reconstruction of York Road will begin in May after Yorkton gave final approval for the $26,600,000 project at its regular meeting Monday.
“In the 2021 capital budget, the York Road Reconstruction was identified and approved as a priority project,” explained René Richard, Director of Engineering and Asset Management with the city.
The York Road
Reconstruction project will likely be the most expensive civil project (non-facility) and arguably the most complex in Yorkton’s history to date, added Richard.
“I’m fully behind this project,” said Councillor Chris Wyatt in making the motion to move forward.
Coun. Dustin Brears said something needed to be done.
“Something has to happen. York Road is a disaster,” he offered.
It is a project Coun. Randy Goulden said has
been on the city’s radar for some time.
“As you know this has been in discussion for many, many years,” she said.
Coun. Darcy Zaharia however had concerns with the cost.
“I understand the need to get York Road done,” he said, but added the increase in cost since
first considered made the project unpalatable. He would be the lone vote against the project.
The reconstruction project is from Gladstone Avenue North to Highway 9, and includes complete road reconstruction, curb replacement, sanitary sewer upgrades, storm sewer upgrades, and the north central drainage
upgrades including the York Road crossing.
Initially, in 2021 the estimated cost at that time was approximately $17 million and that amount was approved in budget.
Richard noted leading up to Monday’s decision a lot of work had already been undertaken, including a Traffic Impact Assessment.
“The study showed the existing five lanes can be reduced to three without affecting levels of service,” he said.
“The new design
would include only one lane eastbound and westbound, reduced from the current two in each direction. The center shared left turning lane would remain. This reduces the amount of area of paved surface required which will reduce costs. In addition, since the new curb line along the north side will move south, the majority of the existing water main will no longer be located under the roadway and does not need to be replaced as
Continued on Page A2
An application to amend the Zoning Bylaw to allow for Dream Builders High School as a Public Education Services use within Unit 2 –464 Broadway Street East, led to much discussion at Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.
But while Administration recommended the application not be approved, Council chose to send the matter to committee for further feedback before saying ‘yay’ or ‘nay’.
Before delving into questions Councillor Randy Goulden wanted to know if
the application had went before the Planning and Infrastructure Committee for their feedback?
“I want to see it go to the committee to get the public’s input on this,” she said.
Michael Eger - Director of Planning, Building & Development with the city replied it had not, but ultimately Council would request its committee review the request before they make a final decision.
But, clearly administration was not on-side for the proposed education use at the location.
“There are a lot of things with this application logistic-
ally . . . a lot of regulatory problems,” said City Manager Lonnie Kaal. “There’s a lot more to it than a one-off (decision).
“This would take a lot of time to get through the processes. . . The bottom line is it just doesn’t fit” Coun. Darcy Zaharia asked if “technically it’s doable?”
“It’s doable holistically but
it opens up a lot of things you might not want to see,” replied Kaal.
At the same time there was a recognition of the need for the facility generally.
“We all agree there’s a need in the city for this type of education facility,” suggested Eger.
“It’s a very, very good program,” agreed Goulden. “I don’t think anyone disputes
that.”
The condominium is currently in an area zoned C-3 Highway Commercial and the proposed use is prohibited in the C-3 zoning district, Eger explained Monday.
The property is established as a Condominium Plan with one building consisting of two separately owned units, as well as the common property land surrounding the building.
In addition to the condominium status of the land, this is a very unique situation, in that there are no existing zoning districts which allow for both Public Education Services use
Continued on Page A2
great event,” said Tess Boehm of Totally Tess Tradeshows and Events, Organizer for the trade show, adding that 50 per cent of the vendors were of local origin.Staff Photo by Tyson Off
“Something has to happen. York Road is a disaster.”
— Coun. Dustin Brears
“It’s doable holistically but it opens up a lot of things you might not want to see.”
— City Manager Lonnie Kaal
Continued from Page A1 part of this project.”
A geotechnical report was completed.
“Within the report there is provision for either an asphalt surface or concrete structure. Additionally millings from the existing asphalt will be reused in the structure of the new roadway. Both surface options were included in the tender and evaluated based on which bids provides the best value,” said Richard.
Work was also carried out regarding potential soil contamination, “Due to contaminated soil impacts that occurred during the water main replacement on York Road in 2020 and the industrial nature of the area, an environmental engineering consultant was hired for this project,” offered Richard.
A Phase 1 environmental report was completed to identify potential areas of contamination. Properties were identified as either being low, medium or high risk for contamination. Property owners of the medium and high category were contacted to provide any additional information on past contamination. A modified Phase 2 was completed, and test holes were sampled at six locations. While no impacts over the limit were detected, there still may be some pockets of contamination that may be discovered. Provision to deal with contaminated soil is included in the contract and budget, and a “Soil and Groundwater Management Plan” has been developed to reduce costs and delays to the project should contamination ultimately be
discovered, detailed Richard’s report to Council.
The Traffic Accommodation Strategy for this project is very important, continued Richard.
“Highway traffic will be detoured around the City, but there will also need to be local detours for local traffic,” he said.
“Also, access to businesses must be maintained at all times so business is not negatively impacted. Most businesses along the north side of York Road only have access from York Road. The construction will need to be phased so that each business has access continually. We anticipate that nine phases will be required to guarantee continual access to all businesses on the north side.
“In some instances, temporary access will be constructed to maintain access. Although we will try our best to limit the damage, it is possible that some roads included in the local detours may be damaged. Any potential costs to repair these roadways has not been included in the cost of the project.
As part of the project, a significant amount of underground utilities will be upgraded. There are two sanitary sewers that run under York Road. The 200 mm diameter sewer that runs from Myrtle Avenue to Dracup Avenue is nearing its capacity and will be up-sized as part of the project. The larger 600 mm diameter sewer has capacity and is in relatively good shape. Therefore it can be relined
Continued from Page A1 proposed in Unit 2, and the current Retail Sales use operating in Unit 1, noted Eger.
“Because we have never encountered a rezoning application affecting a building condominium, Planning Services sought guidance from the Ministry of Government Relations, Community Planning Branch. Through many discussions with the Ministry, we have been advised that zoning is specific to a parcel or site and cannot be varied between condominium units. As such, rezoning would be applicable to the entire site and have impacts on all units,” he explained.
The purpose of the C-3 Highway Commercial district is to provide for commercial development in areas along major access
routes at entry points to the City. Permitted uses include, but are not limited to, auto body repair and paint shops, crematoriums, entertainment/ drinking establishments, funeral services, hotels and motels, manufactured home sales facilities, contractor facilities and retail stores including liquor and cannabis retailers, said Eger.
“Existing business in the immediate area include Value Tire, Fedorowich Construction, Affordable Mattress, Farm Credit Canada and Secon Constructors Inc. These uses vary considerably, but include a mix of quasi-industrial and more typical commercial uses. Mixing Public Education Services and bringing high school-aged youth to this area is therefore not compatible with
the neighbouring uses,” he continued.
Eger said administration does have concerns with the use being proposed.
“While the applicant believes the building is suitable for the proposed use, Administration is not satisfied that the property is suitable for the educational services use,” he said.
The building location is the issue, said Eger.
“The applicant has indicated that the building is suitable for their needs in size and layout, however, Administration notes that significant upgrades, including water capacity modelling to ensure capacity for the addition of a sprinkler system, service connection upgrades and additional washrooms will likely be required,” he said.
at a future time when required and does not need to be replaced as part of this project.
“There is a significant portion of storm sewer that is undersized and will be upgraded as part of the project,” said Richard.
“This will help eliminate water ponding during intense rain events. When underground utilities get up-sized to increase capacity, there is potential for vertical conflicts with other utilities such as power, gas, etc. That is also the case with this project. The utility companies have been provided updated drawings as per the tender documents, and we are still waiting for finalized quotations for alterations. This work falls outside of the construction contract, but estimated costs have been included in the project budget.”
Water and sewer service connections that are connected to the York Road utilities will require replacement to the property line to avoid digging up the new roadway if the connection needs replacement in the near future.
The North Central Drainage project is included in the overall York Road Reconstruction project.
This drainage component was identified in the Flood Mitigation Report 2017. It was included in this project due to the significant excavation that will be required to cross York Road, but also will be required to accommodate the increased flows expected from the upgrading of the local storm sewer that
“To accommodate the educational services use, the site will require additional parking and load-
will outlet to this system, said Richard. Three tenders were received, with the lowest which was accepted made by G Ungar Construction Co. Ltd. for $15,615,561 for asphalt.
The total estimated required budget for the York Road Reconstruction Project will need to be $25,500,000 for the asphalt option or $30,700,000 ($5,200,000 difference) for the concrete option.
There is currently $2,500,000 allocated annually in the capital budget ($2,000,000 for road reconstruction + $500,000 for drainage) for the York Road Reconstruction project, said Richard.
In addition, The City of Yorkton signed a contract with the Ministry of Highways (MHI) in March 2021 for their portion of funding for the roadway portion of the project. MHI has committed $4,312,260 for this project which represents 70 per cent of the roadways portion of the cost estimate at the time, he said.
Additionally, a significant portion of the work is related to potable water and sanitary sewer, and those portions could be funded from the Utility Reserve. It is proposed that the Utility Reserve fund $3,700,000 of the project costs, said Richard. Since this project cannot be funded internally, borrowing will be required. The cost of borrowing is not included in the project costs but will need to be accounted for in the payment plan.
ing spaces. While there is adequate area to accommodate this, hard surfacing (paving), includ-
ing on-site storm water management, will also be required. In addition,
Continued on Page A16
YORKTON – On April 18 Yorkton RCMP received a report of a missing 38-year-old female, Doran Kaufmann.
Investigators have determined Kaufmann was last seen on April 11 between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. leaving a business on Dominion Avenue in Yorkton.
investigating areas where Kaufmann is known to visit and following-up on any information that may assist with locating Kaufmann and bringing her home.
Police are concerned for Kaufmann’s well being and are now requesting the public’s assistance in locating her.
Doran KaufmannKaufmann is described as an Indigenous female who is 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds. She has shoulder length brown/black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen on April 10 wearing a dark green jacket, blue jeans, a dark coloured hoodie and a yellow t-shirt with a smiley face on it.
Yorkton RCMP have been conducting neighbourhood inquiries,
If you see Kaufmann or have information on her whereabouts, contact Yorkton RCMP at (306) 786-2400 or your local police service. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
In the April 19, edition of Yorkton This Week the activity in a photograph entitled ‘Evening procession’ was misidentified. The procession from St. Mark was the Holy Friday procession representing the burial of Christ, as part of its Orthodox tradition. YTW apologies for an inconvenience the error may have caused. 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.
•
•
•
•
YORKTON – The grand opening for the Household Hazardous Waste Depot at 180 Ball Rd took place April 22.
Local politicians, general public, the City of Yorkton Environmental Commitee and employees of SaskAbilities gathered at the site of the HHWD on Earth Day 2023 to mark the grand opening of the depot.
“This is where residents of Yorkton can bring all of their aerosol cans, old fuel, propane tanks—just the small size though, we don’t take large,” said Sandy Bilan, Senior Supervisor of the Recycling Centre for SaskAbilities, adding, “if you have unmarked stuff at home and you’re not sure what it is you can bring it here and we’ll dispose of it properly.”
“We’re just encour-
aging everybody to bring all of those old items that you have in your house and you don’t know what to do with — bring them here,” said Bilan.
“Along with the City of Yorkton we’ve hosted a Household Hazardous Waste Day every October for the last few years — people are kind of familiar with what we do,” said Bilan, adding, “this is year round.”
The hours for the HHWD are scheduled for Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m.
“I hope all the residents come out and support our program,” said Bilan, “we really want to keep it out of the landfill.”
“This enables the city of Yorkton to be able to bring their hazardous houshold waste products any day during drop off hours,” said Shannon Erickson, Chair of the Environmental Committe
for the City of Yorkton.
“It’s been a lot of work by the city’s environmental staff and RecycleAbilities with oversight from our committee to try to make this happen,” said Erickson, noting, “it’s been a three year process but it’s very worthwhile.”
“There’s a lot of risks involved with collecting household hazardous
waste...SaskAbilities along with the City of Yorkton did a lot of work to mitigate the impact of those risks and make it possible to have this facility for the public to bring those products,” said Erickson.
“Personally I’ve got a long history with SaskAbilities and recycling,” said Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit, adding,
“back about 30 years ago through my old company we developed a partnership to do cardboard recycling...fast forward now to see how they’ve expanded into different materials.”
“Whatever needs to be recycled in town they’re looking at addressing those different issues and now to move this household hazardous waste
from one day a week to being able to dispose of it properly every day of the year is something that’s pretty impressive,” said Ottenbreit.
“It just goes to show SaskAbilities is very good at developing partnerships but also responding to the needs of the community and benefitting those with different abilities with employment and different opportunities,” added Ottenbriet.
“This is what it’s all about is being responsible,” said Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley.
“We’re starting early enough now that we’ve put ourselves on the right track to develop a great city —as it already is,” said the Hippsley, adding, “it’s really nice to have such a wonderful organization in SaskAbilities — they are so responsible and so engaged in trying to make this world a better place.”
It really is time we got on with the business of governing this province.
One can argue, as the Saskatchewan Party consistently has, that things are not as bad as the NDP Opposition makes them out to be.
We continue to create jobs and experience population growth. The numbers clearly indicate we aren’t doing either at the rate other provinces clearly are. In fact, we aren’t doing either at the rate we were 10 or 15 years ago.
One example is this month's announcement that Yorkton’s Louis Dreyfus operation will double its canola crushing capacity to more than two million tonnes. It represents continued and modest growth.
But even modest growth has to be smartly managed. We can’t just assume doctors, nurses, teachers or others will flock here where there are more lucrative options in what many see as more favourable locations.
And there are big problems here.
Coming out of the pandemic, Saskatchewan’s 4.9-per-cent inflation rate is the second highest in the nation.
If you are a nurse or a doctor considering moving here, that is a tangible disincentive that would likely go into your consideration. It adds to other disincentives like the work climate and work environment.
It is for these reasons that the Saskatchewan Party government must keep its eye on the ball.
Stories and concerns about nurses or other health care workers being told not to talk to touring opposition politicians about problems in the health system — as seemed to be the case when NDP MLAs toured Lanigan — are exceedingly unhelpful. Why would you want to move here to work in the health system if there is a perception that you cannot speak frankly about the problems when asked?
The government has chalked all this up to a communication misunderstanding. Unfortunately, perhaps the biggest communication misunderstanding in the province right now is that bashing the federal Liberal government is the primary job of this Saskatchewan Party government.
The real problem is both the perception and the reality that the Sask. Party government is far too focused on politics rather than real problems.
Premier Scott Moe simply needs to refocus his government’s attention on addressing those critical day to day problems in this province. Maybe he and his strategists are beginning to recognize this need.
At last week’s Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association convention in Saskatoon, the premier explained to mayors and councillors why he didn’t take the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he was in the province two weeks ago because he was only offered what the premier said was five minutes.
That was not enough time to address critical issues like the infrastructure fund, clean electricity standards and the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement that recently caused a massive uproar.
In no small irony, now was an excellent time for the Moe to meet Trudeau, because the Saskatchewan premier is on high ground.
It would have come after Federal Justice Minister David Lametti told First Nations leaders he would take a look at the 1930 Natural Resources Transfer that constitutionally guarantees provincial control over natural resource development.
Of all the fights with Ottawa, this is one worth fighting. The problem, however, is the Sask. Party government agenda is cluttered with less significant fights over plastics in landfills or federal officials taking water quality samples.
“Contrary to what some in this room may think, I don’t get up in the morning and the first thought through my mind is ‘I wonder how I can disagree with the prime minister and the federal government today,” Moe said in his speech to SUMA delegates.
“And that might surprise a few of you.”
But whether he goes looking for fights with Ottawa, there is one thing that’s clear:
We have many problems at home and solving them has to be Moe’s focus.
Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics since 1983.
Owned and operated by: The Prairie Newspaper Group LP, a division of GVIC Communications Corp.
Publisher/
Advertising Manager: John Bauman
Editor: Calvin Daniels
Reporter: Tyson Off
Production Team: Kristin Jordens Diane Miller Wayne Remanda
Advertising Sales: Julianne Thom
Classified Sales: Casey Shields
Open Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone: 306-782-2465 Fax: 306-786-1898
The annual SUMA convention came and went with a good turnout of delegates but not a lot of headline catching news.
That is not surprising when you realize the issues facing urban municipalities, locally, provincially, and frankly nationally, have not really changed in years.
At best the issues shuffle a bit, some gaining added concern at times – for example policing has certainly jumped up the list in the last year as municipalities were handed a huge bill for back pay most had not budgeted for. There was an expectation RCMP costs would rise, but since the contract was negotiated by the federal government and the RCMP municipalities which pay a major portion of the costs locally were not in the loop to see the huge back settlement coming.
While that is a federal dispute for municipalities it is an example of an issue that has gained significance, although policing to maintain safe communities is always of major interest to residents so in turn the elected officials.
Crime concerns do dovetail with discussions at SUMA regarding issues of mental health, addictions and homelessness, which all factor in to the rather complex interconnected bundle of factors which contribute to crime, which in many cases is a social issue as much as a safety one.
Part of the answer would be affordable – frankly free – housing for the homeless since many will forever struggle to hold jobs. In Yorkton it’s great we now have a temporary shelter, but how do the people using that service transition to an affordable, permanent home?
More money to deal with mental illness and addictions is part of the solution too.
But the big question that is always hanging over a discussion of increasing programming is who pays?
That is actually the biggest question that seems to come out of SUMA each year, who should pay for all the thing municipalities ultimately need.
Locally the city is looking at redoing York Road – a single strip of asphalt crossing Yorkton’s north end. The cost after tenders were revealed Monday at just shy of $27 million, and even with a modest $4 million from the province the project will eat into Yorkton budgets for years to come limiting what other projects might be taken on.
And therein lies the problem, Yorkton and its sister cities are almost all sitting atop kilometres of old water pipes, and sewer lines topped with decades old pavement which is bordered by decades old sidewalks. There is a provincial infrastructure in Saskatchewan cities which will take billions to update and it is doubtful even a backroom numbers person in Regina has an idea where that money might come from.
So SUMA lobbies for a slightly bigger transfer pot, or a break on municipal construction PST, but it would be a thimble full of dollars to throw into an ocean of need, and even those humble requests mean the province would have to trim funding somewhere else. Dollars are not elastic to be stretched, and they are finite.
So the issues remain for municipalities – largely the need for more dollars – with no answer to their need being obvious.
Published by 101007550 Saskatchewan Ltd. at 20 Third Avenue North, Yorkton. S3N 2X3 (ISSN: 1186429X) Publication mail sales agreement #40069240. Member of Canadian Community Newspapers Association and Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association. Fully protected by Canadian copyright laws. ◆ ◆ ◆ SUBSCRIPTION RATES: City of Yorkton by carrier or pickup, $50.00 per year. By mail in Canada, $69.55 per year. All subscriptions are payable in advance. Single copy price, $1.60. (The above prices include GST.) Prices subject to change without notice.
◆ ◆ ◆ Advertising rates are available upon request and are subject to change without notice.
Conditions of editorial and advertising content: Yorkton This Week attempts to be accurate in Editorial and Advertising content; however, no guarantee is given or implied. Yorkton This Week reserves the right to revise or reject any or all editorial and advertising content as the newspaper’s principles see fit. Yorkton This Week will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an advertisement, and is not responsible for errors in advertisements except for the space occupied by such errors. Yorkton This Week will not be responsible for manuscripts, photographs, negatives and other related material that may be submitted for possible publication.
e-mail: editorial@yorkton thisweek.com 20 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, S3N 2X3 Welcome
Happy
The weather is finally getting nicer, try to walk to the library. Enjoy the spring!
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.
Visit Yorkton This Week online...
Wordy Wednesday! Fortitude is the word of the week, which is a formal word that refers to the strength of mind that enables someone to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage. Fortitude comes from the Latin word fortis, meaning “strong,” and in English it has always been used primarily to describe strength of mind. For example, to reach the summit of the highest mountains in the world requires not only great physical strength and training but the fortitude to persevere no matter the challenge. (Merriam-Webster.com)
Last week, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) expanded the Patient Booking System to include Yorkton. This new service offers patients the ability to book a number of lab
test appointments on-line. The Yorkton location will continue to offer Electro Cardio Gram (ECG) services on a walk in basis. The SHA’s Patient Booking
System (PBS) expanded in March of this year offering patients the ability to book lab/ ECG appointments online in Swift Current, Prince Albert, North Battleford and Moose
Jaw with a plan to expand to additional communities when appropriate.
To date, about 9,500 medical test appointments have been booked through the PBS in
these communities. The specific services currently available for on-line booking are for blood/urine collection, ECG (where available) and glucose tolerance tests.
Legacy Co-op Celebrates Record Year and Allocates more than $5 Million in equity and cash back!
Legacy Co-operative celebrates another record year with revenues of more than $141 million dollars.
2022 fiscal year is a story of inflation, with prices in petroleum, agro and food increasing significantly.
“In 2022, we experienced cost increases in almost every commodity we sell”, stated Bruce Thurston, General Manager of Legacy Co-op. “Shortages of products, along with supply chain challenges pushed prices up significantly, and very quickly” continued Thurston.
Legacy Co-op sales topped $141 Million dollars with a net
earning of more than $7,650,000. As a Co-operative, profits are shared with the members of the Co-op. The Board of Directors have approved an allocation of more than $5 million dollars for the 2022 fiscal year. More than $3 million dollars worth of cheques will be sent to the members of the Co-operative based on their purchases throughout the year.
Cheques will be mailed out in early May. Allocations are as follows:
Clear Fuel 5.20% (equates to more than 7.0 cents per litre on average price in 2022) Dyed Fuel 5.25% (equates to more than 7.7 cents per litre on average price in 2022) Oil & Grease 10.0%
Harware/Lumber1.0% Ag Equipment/Bins 2.0% Feed 2.0% Food 3.5% Chemical/Seed2.0% Fertilizer 0.17%
The annual General Meeting for Legacy Co-operative will be held May 24, 2023 at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton at 7:00pm.
YORKTON – Royal Auto Group held their Earth Electrified event in celebration of Earth Day on April 22 at Royal Ford.
“It’s Earth Day and as a local company we wanted to show what our manufacturers — and us personally as a company — are doing to support mother nature,” said Terry Ortynsky, Owner of Royal Auto Group.
“We’re totally dependant on the natural world,” said Ortynsky, adding, “it supplies us everything we need ... as a local company we’re participating and doing our part to really help promote a better environment.”
The event highlighted several of Ford’s electric and hybrid vehicles.
“It’s amazing a lot of them are using recyclable products and half the cars are based on recyclable products or renewable materials,” said Ortynsky, noting that the industry is moving towards carbon neutral vehicles.
Ford Motor Company announced April 11 it would be “investing C$1.8 billion into its Oakville, [Ont.] Assembly Complex to transform it into a high-volume hub of electric vehicle manufacturing in Canada – a key part of the company’s plan to scale production of electric vehicles and make them more accessible to millions of cus-
tomers,” according to a media release from the company.
“The campus, to be renamed Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex, will begin to retool and modernize in the second quarter of 2024 to prepare for production of next-generation EVs. This marks the first time a full-line automaker has announced plans to produce passenger EVs in Canada for the North American market,” continued the release.
“The Oakville plant is going to be converting to an electric vehicle plant by 2024 and we’ll be getting vehicles from Oakville as well as other plants in North America,” said Ortynsky.
“We’ve been selling [EVs] for about two years,” said Ortynsky. “[interest] is increasing slowly especially out on the prairies where it’s wide open and people have the anxiety of charging.”
“The charging systems are becoming more and more common as you travel,” said Ortynsky, “as a local business we’re installing three super chargers this year and five level two chargers.”
Ortynsky said that superchargers will charge cars within ten minutes and Royal Auto Group plans to have three of them by Dec. 31 that will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“So you can get a
charge any time you want,” said Ortynsky.
“We’ve got the locations all picked and we’ve contracted a local contractor to do the electrical work and Sask Power has to bring in more services,” said Ortynsky, adding, “we’ve got the plan in place we just have to execute it.”
“It’s very fortunate that we have businessmen in our community like Terry Ortynsky who’s really helping to highlight
and bring awareness to Earth Day because it’s all our responsibility to create the awareness of all the benefits of protecting and enhancing our natural environment for all the future generations,” said Randy Goulden, City of Yorkton Councillor, who was in attendance on behalf of council.
“It’s very beneficial that we have a local dealership that is taking the opportunity to bring in the electric vehicles so people can experience them right here in their home town, take them for a drive and learn and understand what they’re all about,” added Goulden.
The event also featured testimonies from several EV and hybrid owners.
“I bought it as a commuter to go from Yorkton to the mine and back,” said Greg Hall, owner of a Ford Mach-E.
“Normally — with my last vehicle — it cost me about $40.00 a day to go to the mine and back,” said Hall, “with [the Mach-E] my power bill has gone up about $20.00 a month.”
“I am in unique situation because I charge at the mine,” noted Hall, “they have 10 charging
stations at K3, they have four at K1 and K2.”
“Even if I charged at home I’m looking at about $7.00 a day compared to $40.00,” said Hall.
Royal Auto Group has been recognized nationally for their efforts in bringing electric vehicles to the forefront and reduce emissions.
“Just last year Royal Honda was awarded the Silver, Green Dealer Recognition Award through Honda which is a program through Honda that recognizes Earth Day and what dealers are doing across the country to reduce emissions and save energy,” said Clinton D’Souza, General Manager of Royal Honda.
“As per our Honda Canada Rep. Peter, ‘Your dealerships efforts to minimize it’s carbon footprint and champion energy efficient measures is a testament to your stores commitment of Honda’s goal of a green sustainable future,” said D’Souza.
“That’s where we’ve been over the last decade ... transitioning to an EV world of fully electrified vehicles and helping people understand how to get there,” added D’Souza.
23043aa1
to the Board of Directors of Legacy Co-operative Association Limited:
Doug Barber, Retired
Ken Chyz, Business Owner
• Bruce Hansen, Retired
• Dwayne Reeve, Retired
April 26 - May 2, 2023
Monday, May 15, 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
A pilot project to collect organic materials at curbsides announced to Yorkton Council in December has now launched.
The new brown bins “were deployed last week, (April 10-15),” said Lyndon Hicks – Solid Waste and Environmental Programs Manager, with the city.
However, only 400 homes received bins for the seasonal pilot. Hicks said the bins were distributed to single family units in areas of the city with regular bin pick-ups on Thursday and Friday.
The pilot project will operate until Nov. 3.
Accepted products
will include leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, and household food waste (“scrape the plate”).
“Scrape the plate” is an easy to understand approach which will hopefully result in reduced contamination. Simply put, if it can be eaten, grown or composted, it can be disposed of in the organic cart.
It will exclude diapers, tree branches, plastic packaging or plastic bags.
The pilot project is in response to data showing organic material is a major element of refuse going to the city landfill.
Environmental Services evaluated the programs and services they offer and Solid Waste Management is
one of these programs, explained Hicks to Council in December.
“As part of this evaluation a trend in landfill tonnage volumes has been observed. From 2011 to 2021 the city has observed a 57 per cent increase of in-city refuse during the months of May to October relative to the rest of the year,” he explained to Council.
During the summer of 2022 multiple waste aud-
its were completed of incity refuse which found that organic material (yard and food waste) made up 52 per cent of the total refuse by weight, Hicks told Yorkton This Week.
The trend is of concern for three main reasons, which are factored into the current pilot project;
* The material is taking up valuable space in a landfill cell which has
a replacement cost of approximately $5 million dollars.
* Methane is produced when organic materials decompose in a landfill. Without oxygen, decomposition happens anaerobically which means that methane is produced. Methane is a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide and contributes to climate change.
* With proper management organics can be turned into compost which is a usable product.
Hicks said ultimately the organic compost will be used to ‘cap’ the older landfill cell the city has been told it will need to decommission by regulatory bodies within the next few years.
A residential refuse survey was conducted in the spring of 2021 with questions pertaining to a potential organics program. Of the respondents, 64 per cent voted in favour of an organics collection program with an additional 26 per cent responding ‘maybe depending on cost’, Hicks told Council.
For those not in a ‘brown bin’ area for the pilot project the city offers a free yard waste organics drop off service at two locations within the city (RecyclAbility Enterprises and the city Landfill).
The approved pilot project will include operation from April 13 to Nov. 3, with 400 homes in two areas of the city involved.
April 26 - May 2, 2023
Monday, May 15, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
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.
Anyone doubting there is confidence in the future of the canola industry need look no farther than announcements made in Yorkton over the last few years.
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.
Simply put, that means a massive amount of canola will need to be consistently grown in the years ahead within hauling distance of the two Yorkton-based facilities.
Now that doesn’t ensure a reasonable return on the cost-ofproduction for farmers moving forward, but it does at least mean competition for canola with the plants situated roughly within a long stone’s throw on each other.
When it comes to the future of canola, like many things, the crystal ball is rather cloudy.
For example a couple of weeks back I wrote about plans stateside by Corteva Agriscience, Bunge and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. announcing a collaboration to produce winter canola in the southern United States. There is a belief there is potential to grow up to 10 million acres in that region within seven
to nine years. Those new acres could be a game-changer in terms of canola supplies. There is the biofuels sector which could absorb added production, but governments are rattling sabres in ways that could thwart growth in that area. German environment
minister Steffi Lemke says she will soon send proposals to cabinet for the country to withdraw from the use of crop-based bio-fuel to achieve reductions in greenhouse gases.
And, in the US a recent government announcement indicated that country will subsidize its biofuel producers with a blenders’ credit, but only for bio-fuels crushed or distilled in the United States. That is certainly a door closing for bio-fuel production in Canada with an export target of the USA.
As usual government protectionism can quickly muddy produc-
tion markets.
And let’s not forget the Canadian government looking at whether fertilizer use mandates are needed. While policy geared toward greenhouse gas emission reduction should generally be seen as positive, reducing fertilizer usage that would impact human food production and bio-fuel sources as well, should be far down any list in terms of new policy initiatives.
Ultimately, Yorkton is a beacon in terms of future canola interest, but it will not necessarily be a smooth road on the way to the commodity’s future.
SASKATOON –Graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) will experience a one-ofa-kind training opportunity thanks to a new program that has received a $1.6 million grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
The NSERC CREATE grant in Computational Agriculture will explore the deep-rooted collaboration between plant and computer sciences at USask. The unique program will enhance the shift towards data-rich processes in the agricul-
tural sector to drive economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
“This is an exciting opportunity for advanced training. This program builds on the strength that we have at the University of Saskatchewan in computer and plant science,” said Dr. Ian Stavness (PhD), associate professor in the College of Arts and Science, and Enhancement Chair at USask’s Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS).
“USask has been promoting and cultivating their signature areas [of research] and agriculture is one of them.
I think this [funding] is recognition of our current world-leading place in this field.”
Over the course of six years, the program will offer dedicated crossdisciplinary training in agricultural and computer science to 87 students. Students in the computer science program from the College of Arts and Science will come together with students from the plant sciences program at the College of Agriculture and Bioresources to cross-train subjects and collaborate on research in agriculture and technology.
“I think one of the critical aspects of this program is the crosstraining component. Plant sciences students will be trained in data science approaches and programming – areas where they wouldn’t [traditionally] have core training,” explained Stavness. “And the computer science students will get training in biology, plant genomics, and plant breeding and other core topics they haven’t been exposed to before.”
There will be an equal number of trainee students from both streams exposed to the wealth of opportunity in agricultural technology and applying their expertise to agricultural problems.
“The research outcomes will be ongoing, and we expect to see research results immediately and continuously from our graduate students as they move through this program,” he said.
As environmental changes put pressure on the agricultural and food production sectors, using data analysis to drive change for sustainability will be key, not only for these students, but
also the companies and organizations they will work with during their time in the program.
“There is a lot of interest in agricultural solutions to combat climate change. We have significant challenges with more variable weather conditions in different regions across Canada and around the world,” said Stavness. “With this computational analysis program, we are hoping to support advances to adapt agricultural systems to those changing patterns, making plants and cash crops more resilient to those changing conditions.
“[USask has] real strength in plant breeding from the specialists at the Crop Development Centre, and with our computational side, we can build new tools to generate those new varieties that will be resistant to climate change and provide environmental and economic sustainability for farmers.”
Trainees will put their skills to work in professional rotations or company internships and at three training hubs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The
training program will also strengthen the international reputation achieved through the Plant Phenotyping and Imaging Research Centre at USask. The Global Institute for Food Security at USask is also a key partner who will be providing professional development and entrepreneurship training for graduate students in the program.
“Their experiences will be enriched through those rotations and internships. Through those, they will get a better sense of the real needs for ag-tech companies, organizations, growers, and agronomists,” said Stavness. “Those needs will certainly drive a lot of the research problems that we will pursue so they can really tackle the most important problems that will have the most impact in the sector.”
Stavness and his program counterparts are looking forward to seeing the accomplishments of the students as they explore this unique experience at the intersection of plant and computer science.
“When they graduate, they are going to be the employees and leaders in agricultural technology companies and/or entrepreneur activities,” he said. “We see the main outcome is the people and how they will be conducting world-leading research and developing state-of-the-art tools and critical solutions for growers to use to make decisions on the management of their crops.”
YORKTON – The East Central Senior Badminton District Championships were held April 24, at Yorkton Regional High School and Sacred Heart High School.
Over 10 schools from the area attended and competed for the title of District Champion.
Winners earned the right to represent the area at the Regional Badminton Finals next week.
Boys Singles: Vinay Junek
Yorkton Regional High School 1st
Dylan Prince Sacred Heart High School 2nd
Fiel Ramos Sacred Heart High School 3rd
Girls Singles: Angela Fetsch
Sacred Heart High School first
Rycell Perpetua
Melville Composite School second
Kaylee Drotar
Sacred Heart High School third
Boys Doubles: Baron Lauer & Jerin
Keough Langenburg
Central School first
Kai Cowan and Harvey Valcorza
Sacred Heart High School second
Yancee Saracho and Nathan Matechuk
Yorkton Regional High School third
Girls Doubles: Bree Unchulenko/ Rory Verner Esterhazy first
Brynn Debnam and Tessa Sauser Churchbridge Public
School second
Yuka Burrell & Macey Stackhouse
Sacred Heart High School third
Mixed Doubles:
Isabelle Guy & Andrei Aromin Sacred Heart High School first
Ty Thomas/ Taylin Ruf Kamsack
Comprehensive Institute second
Mitchell Newton/ Farren Romanchook Esterhazy Comprehensive Institute third
Area school athletes competed in districts for a shot at finals.
In spite of last week’s snow dump, it is spring in Saskatchewan and that means the CEBL Rattlers are emerging from winter hibernation marked by a series of signings for the upcoming season.
Among the signings so far the Rattlers have added a Canadian ‘big’ with CEBL and international experience.
Forward Julian Roche returns to the CEBL for his second season.
Roche made his professional debut in 2022 signing with the Guelph Nighthawks – now Calgary -- of the CEBL playing 19 games and averaging 2.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.4 assist, and 12.2 minutes per game. He tied a career-high of 15 rebounds in his very first professional game on May 26 against the Shooting Stars. He ranked top-five on the Nighthawks in games played (19), total blocked shots (8), and total rebounds (59).
After his time in Guelph Roche signed overseas with Swiss Central in Luzem, Switzerland for the 2022-23 season. Swiss
Central plays in the Swiss Basketball League (SBL), the top-tier league in Switzerland.
So why the move to Saskatchewan?
Via Zoom Roche said it was a case of looking at CEBL options and deciding “the Rattlers were a great opportunity for my career.”
At just shy of sevenfeet Roche should prove a force for Saskatchewan.
Roche said he certainly realizes his size is an asset he needs to use to his advantage.
“You can’t reach seven-feet,” he said, adding having players with length “... is a valuable asset for any team.”
And seven-foot players – Roche is just an inch shy -- just aren’t all that common either.
“Anywhere in the world they’re not very common,” said Roche, adding being Canadian makes him an even rarer commodity.
Now, he said he just needs to utilize the size to the advantage of the Rattlers, in a league he recognizes is a very good one.
“The CEBL is a very talented league – very
well-coached – very high level of basketball,” said Roche.
With Swiss Central Roche was – at the time of the Rattler announcement -- ranked first on the team in blocked shots (19) and total rebounds (168), and second on the team in total points (290) and field goal percentage (58 per cent). Roche has played 45 professional games in his career while averaging 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 22.2 minutes.
Roche told Yorkton This Week his Swiss success is a foundation he hopes to build on with the Rattlers.
“I want to take a step further,” he said, adding his expectation is “to blossom even more” in terms of his game. Roche said he feels Saskatchewan will be a good environment for that to happen.
“I know the team is very well coached, (Dean Demopoulos is head coach)” he said, adding he looks forward to arriving in Saskatoon. “... It should be a fun summer.”
It helps in that regard that the Rattlers have new natural rivals in the expansion Winnipeg Sea Bears and re-located and renamed Calgary Surge.
Certainly Rattler General Manager Barry Rawlyk likes the signing.
“Julian is a high motor, high character, big body athlete that addresses our need to add depth to our roster at the Canadian Forward position,” he said in a
recent team release.
“He is a personable guy that will dive right into the community and become a fan favourite.”
Prior to his professional career, Roche attended Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire. As a three-year starter, he averaged over 12 rebounds per game during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He transferred to Simon Fraser University in 2018, As a junior, he played all 29 games in the season averaging 22.3 minutes, 8.3 points, 0.9 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game. In his senior
year, he averaged 30.2 minutes, 13.0 points, 1.7 assists, and 8.2 rebounds in 24 games. He was ranked first on the team in points per game (13.0) and rebounds per game (8.2). Simon Fraser recognized Roche as Male Athlete of the Year. He was named to the GNAC All-Conference Second Team and GNAC Men’s Basketball All-Academic Team. During three seasons with Simon Fraser, he averaged 11.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 26.6 minutes in 80 games. The Rattler season begins May 31, hosting the Vancouver Bandits.
Yorkton Dodgeball wrapped its first official season April 22. Four mixed teams competed throughout the sea-
son that began in September of 2022. ‘Dodgeball So Hard’ were declared this season’s champions.
Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, is a minty herb that triggers feelings of excitement, relaxation and euphoria in most domestic felines. Both affordable and harmless, catnip can be procured from your local pet shops in its fully-grown form — either fresh or dried — or as seeds to plant in a sunny corner of your garden. However, this mintscented plant will likely attract other felines that prowl the streets around your house, so don’t be surprised if you catch your neighbour’s cat rolling around in your garden, purring with delight.
supplying fun times for felinesJulian Roche Photo Courtesy the Saskatchewan Rattlers
A new exhibition; ‘Belong Where You Find Yourself’ is now showing at the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery in Yorkton.
The exhibition offers a wide of range of different artworks created by a group of local artists and craftspeople working collaboratively and individually across drawing, painting, photography, film making, storytelling, music, musical theatre, wood working, sculpture, and fabric art.
“Showing together as a group exhibition, the collection tells many different stories from people in our community, and it is itself an artistic statement about life, family, love, and belonging. Lead artists Alana Moore and Amber Phelps Bondaroff have been working for over a year with a group of 12 local artists whose lives have been impacted by dementia, accompanying an artistic process to tell their stories and share their creativity. The result is multidisciplinary and multi-generational, with a range of artistic interests and forms of expression,” details the gallery website.
The show is a multiyear project curated
and produced by the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery, with assistance from Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, in addition to support from the City of Yorkton, Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, SPHERU, Yorkton Film Festival, and SK Arts.
The Gallery launched the project some 18-months ago to provide people with dementia an avenue to sharing their stories through art.
The project put 12 people with dementia together with two professional artists who guided the participants for a year of art creation, explained Jeff Morton, Gallery director and curator.
The idea was for the two visiting artists to help the local participants “express themselves and tell their stories,” explained Morton in a previous Yorkton This Week article on the launch of the project.
The show includes works by local artists Elaine Berard & Herb
Elder; Bonnie & Leon Jones; Merle & Dean Wiley; Amanda Babey & Verna Off; Pat & Ron Walton; Twila Napoleoni & Jeanette Haberstock.
The work on display was supported and encouraged over the past year by lead artists Alana Moore and Amber Phelps Bondaroff, who strived to meet people exactly where they were, at the time of each meeting.
“We embarked on this journey in March 2022. Some of the artists participating in the project knew each other prior, while others met for the first time over the last year. They all share a number of things in common. They call southeastern Saskatchewan home and are navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s and dementia, either for themselves
or a loved one,” detailed a lead artist statement on the Gallery website.
Dementia is an umbrella term for the loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities.
Alzheimer’s is the most common among many forms of dementia, and symptoms may present themselves in a variety of ways. While Alzheimer’s is at the forefront of biomedical research, there is no cure, and much is still unknown about its causes and prevention. Currently, over 18,000 people in Saskatchewan are impacted by dementia, although in reality there may be many more, as the disease often goes undiagnosed.
From March 20222023, Amber and Alana visited Yorkton and surrounding communities
on a monthly basis, meeting all of the participating artists in their homes.
“At other times we met as a group at the gallery, or individually, sitting in kitchens, living rooms, and workshops to share stories, family photos, and cups of tea. Sometimes we drew, sang songs, sewed, and shared skills. Usually, we laughed, sometimes we cried and most importantly we got to know each other through shared acts of creative exploration,” noted the statement.
“While the artists in this exhibition share a common diagnosis, they are defined by so much more than a disease. As the title suggests, lead artists strived to meet people exactly where they were, at the time of each meeting. We developed individual projects collaboratively rather than prescribing one activity or medium to everyone in the group. This process centered conversation, listening, and getting to know one another, while attempting to remain in the present moment. We explored existing interests, hobbies, and talents, while gently encouraging deeper explorations of what was already there. Our plans inevitably shifted with the passing of each month and each moment. The present moment is a slippery thing, fleeting, and everchanging.”
The work in this exhibition is the culmination of a year spent building relationships and resiliency.
“Over time spent meeting and making together, we have learned so much about and from one another. Through creative acts and explorations, we fostered, forged, and fortified relationships, bound by common experience.
“What you see in the gallery are the visual representations of these processes of care and community building; the artworks are accessories to the relationships fostered through their making. We hope that the network of support we have forged continues to thrive, well beyond the physical and temporal framework of this exhibition.”
on
Continued form Page A10
From the outset of the project the exhibition was seen as one to amplify the voices of the artists in telling their stories associated with dementia.
Calling the initiative
“a community engaged art project,” Morton
said it is hoped the effort will “reduce the stigma associated with dementia.”
It is hoped through the project the public will reflect on belonging where you find yourself, he added.
“We may not be able to change the course of
any one person’s diagnosis,” said Morton. “What we can do is address the marginalizing effect.
Morton said now that the art is complete and on display it has become very much a legacy for the participants, their friends and family.
Belong Where You
Find Yourself is a community-engaged art project for people whose lives have been impacted by dementia. This project at the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery is part of a collaborative effort with organizations across the province. Working under the
umbrella of Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewan, we share a goal to increase public awareness and reduce stigma associated with dementia.
The exhibition, will hang at the GDAG until May 23, and in the future Morton said plans are
being developed to take the works out into public locations and neighbouring communities in the coming months.
A documentary of the project is also being finalized.
A reception will take place Sunday, May 7, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
REGINA - Health
care, trade, municipal election dates and the Saskatchewan Income Support program were among the popular topics as cabinet ministers took questions from municipal leaders at the final day of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Convention on Wednesday.
The Bear Pit session with the provincial cabinet had to be adjusted somewhat due to weather conditions. With a springtime winter storm wreaking havoc on travel, most of the provincial cabinet including Premier Scott Moe appeared virtually from the radio room of the Legislature in Regina. A smaller number including Government Relations Minister Don McMorris appeared live in Saskatoon at TCU Place.
A wide range of issues were raised but the one which drew the most comments from the floor was on the Saskatchewan Income Support program. Several municipal delegates went to the microphones in Saskatoon and took aim at the program, saying it was responsible for causing an increase to homelessness.
Councillor David Kirton from Saskatoon made the point the increase seen in the budget in 2023 was not enough to keep people off the streets.
“$30 a month is not going to help people housed or stay housed,” said Kirton. He asked if SIS would return with direct payments to landlords and guaranteed utility payments.
Jordan McPhail of La Ronge also raised the SIS issue and took issue with the contention that SIS “was the plan to help people move from tent cities to shelters. When we are hearing time and time again from these people at these tables that SIS is contributing to that, you can’t expect them to believe that SIS is going to be part of that solution.”
Minister of Social Services Gene Makowsky was left to defend what the government was doing on SIS in his responses. On direct pay, he said that “we’ve listened and we’ve been able to increase direct
pay for those who need it.”
On McPhail’s point, Makowsky responded it was a “complex issue and complex challenge that is seen right across our nation,” pointing to an increase in shelter spaces in the province, to 500 from 225 when they took government. He also pointed to being able to provide wellness centres with wraparound supports, and also partnerships through Sask Housing Corporation with third parties.
Health care delivery was, as usual, a popular topic. As expected, one of the issues raised was on what the government was doing beyond financial incentives to get doctors into rural communities.
Minister of Health Paul Merriman pointed to bringing in nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and again pointed to incentives in place for chronically vacant positions up to $50,000. “If the municipality or town and the community want to complement that they are more than welcome to do that.”
He also pointed to the benefits seen already from their four point health care plan, pointing to recruiting efforts including the 420 conditional offers to Filipino health workers.
“We’re making some significant investments and we’re starting to see the benefits of that.
People are landing on the ground and filling in the gaps in our health care system.”
Other related issues were raised. Mayor Nancy Brunt from Kamsack asked about personal care homes dealing with inflation and low wages for staff. “An increase of $400 is not sufficient for our residents to pay fees and leave them with anything for spending money.”
She suggested increasing it up to $3,000. Makowsky noted there was a 20 per cent increase in the budget and said this was something they would look at over time. Both he and Minister of Rural and Remote Health Everett Hindley noted this was the first increase in quite some time.
“We’ll continue to monitor this situation,” Hindley said.
Unity Mayor Sharon Del Frari wanted to know why SHA continued to tender out their pharmacy services for long term care, pointing to
the closing of some of the pharmacies in their rural area.
Minister Hindley responded the government had made changes, so “essentially if there’s a community with a health care facility and there is only one pharmacy there, that’s a pharmacy that contract would be sole sourced through that pharmacy.” For those with more than one,it would need to be a competitive open process.
Mayor Greg Dionne of Prince Albert asked about the issue of the fixed municipal election date, which currently is set in November within weeks of the provincial election date. He suggested a meeting involving SARM, SUMA and the province to settle the issue.
Minister McMorris said “if SARM and SUMA are in a room and want to hammer out an agreement we’ll have some people there.” McMorris added that he wanted to see a single date recommended by all involved.
Resort Village of Cochin Mayor Harvey Walker asked if the government would start charging school tax to provincial park tenants and pay those to Education.
Minister McMorris said he would get back to him with an answer, while Finance Minister Donna Harpauer noted the issue had been raised a number of times; “we’ll continue to review it for sure,” she said.
The trade video used to market Saskatchewan on trade missions around the world, which was shown to SUMA delegates earlier in the week, was put on blast by Councillor Tony Head of Prince Albert for not showing Indigenous people in the video.
Head asked how they could tell the Saskatchewan story
“highlighting its natural resources and land without including its Indigenous people.”
Minister of Trade and Export Development
Jeremy Harrison responded by noting they had done a number of other videos including with Indigenous representation, noting in particular the one with Meadow Lake Tribal Council about their biomass-bio energy facility. Harrison also pointed to initiatives to help spur Indigenous involvement, noting the government put forward the Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation which he said was a $75 million fund to support Indigenous governments and businesses to participate directly in an equity way on resource, electrical and other projects.
LUTZ - Joyce Josephine Lutz (nee Holstein) was born June 29, 1935, on the farm at Runnymede, SK to Peter and Emma (nee Wegner) Holstein. She was baptized on January 1, 1936 in Rhein, SK. She was confirmed in the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church in Yorkton, SK by Rev. J. D. Elbard on May 13, 1951. Joyce lived on the farm at Runnymede with her parents and her older sister, Evelyn, until the age of seven years, where they attended Carclew School. In 1942, the family moved to farm in the Kamsack area for two years, where they attended Irondale School. Then in 1944, they moved to the Yorkton area, where they attended Mapleside School. In 1948, her parents purchased a farm in the Tonkin area, where she attended Shamrock School. She quit school after Grade 8, due to poor eyesight. Joyce stayed at home on the farm to help with the daily chores. As a young girl she enjoyed playing ball, and learned to do many handicrafts, such as embroidery, knitting, crocheting, and punchwork. She also liked to bake, and learned to bake bread at a young age, which she took special pride in all her life. She enjoyed helping her parents at harvest time, and could be seen driving the team of horses and wagon from the threshing machine to the bin and back again, and later on, the 2-ton truck. In 1948, she was especially pleased when her little cousin, Shirley, came to stay with them at the age of seven months for a period of two years, when her mother took ill and wasn’t able to care for her for a period of time. On November 11, 1956, she was united in marriage to Dan Lutz of Yorkton. Their marriage was blessed with five sons and one daughter. She was a kind, loving, and devoted wife and mother. She took great pride in raising her family. She dedicated her life to God, and taught her family to live a life that was pleasing to Him. She gave freely of herself, so that she could be with the family as they became involved in various activities as they grew up. Her rewards came in life, as she watched her family grow up and accomplish each milestone in their lives. It made her proud to see them grow up and for them to love and respect God and mankind. She loved to sew and did a lot of sewing for the family as they were growing up. She took several short courses in Yorkton Regional Adult Education: sewing, typing, and bookkeeping, and in the early 1970s she wrote her G.E.D. test and received her Grade 12 standing. In her earlier years of marriage, she helped with the daily chores such as milking cows, raising chickens and pigs, etc. until Dan’s allergies necessitated them to sell the livestock. She spent many hours in the garden and trees, as well as cutting the lawn, until the family was old enough to take over some of the jobs. She was always willing to open her heart and home to anyone, and for a time, Dan’s two brothers and sister came to stay with them. They also looked after their godchild for a few months while his mother was ill. When Joyce’s mother became too weak to live alone, Joyce and Dan took it upon themselves to take her into their home, and took care of her until her passing. She was a devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and taught Secondary School and Vacation Bible School for a number of years. She also served several years on the Altar Guild. She also taught Yorkton Creator’s 4H sewing class for several years, where her daughter Shirley became quite a talented sewer. Joyce was a homemaker at heart, a quiet person, content to be at home. She spent many hours at the stove, cooking and baking, and preparing food for family and hired help, especially at harvest time, when she would bring meals-on-wheels to the combining crew. She was always a helpmate for Dan, in whatever he did. She always stood beside him and encouraged him, no matter what he did. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and always welcomed the chance to babysit them. She enjoyed going camping with the family in summer holidays, and later on the grandchildren would like to go with them. She also enjoyed going on several cruises with Dan and in 2008, went on a motorcoach tour to the Maritimes, which she truly enjoyed. Joyce and Dan retired from farming in 2000, when they moved into Yorkton. Joyce became involved in the rental house business after purchasing several houses in Yorkton. Again, they worked together, side by side, enjoying what they did. Joyce is predeceased by her parents, Peter and Emma; her beloved husband Dan; her second husband Art; her sister Evelyn; brother-in-law John; daughter-in-law Marie; and grandsons Matthew and Carter. She leaves to celebrate her life her children: David, Tim (Corinn), Harvey, Shirley (Dale), Jerry (Carmella), and Ken; and grandchildren: Brooklyn, Justine, Jolene, Jake, Jennifer, Kristal, Emma (Darren), Connor (Sam), Courtney (Parker), Kiara, Kaybrie, Kennedy, and Kamry; and great-grandchildren: Nikita, Danika, Liam, Vienna, Carter, Leeya, Hanna, Ella, and Ambrose; as well as her favorite cousin Shirley, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Joyce’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Yorkton Regional Health Centre doctors, nurses, and staff; extended family and friends who sent flowers, food, donations, and kind thoughts and prayers. The family would like to thank Ray and Margaret Ann Yost; the Mens Group and staff at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; special music from Brooklyn and David; Bailey’s Funeral Home for arrangements; All About Flowers; and all of the Bentley Family Staff. Special thanks to the casket bearers, and a final thank you to everyone who attended to celebrate Joyce’s beautiful life. Charitable donations in memory of Joyce Lutz may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The funeral service was held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorkton with Ray Yost officiating. Hymns were ‘Borning Cry’, ‘Here I Am Lord’, and ‘How Great Thou Art’. Son Jerry gave the eulogy. Special music was by Brooklyn Lutz – ‘Here O’ Lord’. Courtney Lutz read the poem ‘Mother’s Never Die’. Kennedy & David Lutz read scripture. The interment took place in the Garden of St. Matthew at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Joyce’s grandchildren serving as the casketbearers. The great grandchildren were the honorary bearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com
DUBNYK - Violet Dubnyk age 83, wife of the Late Albert Dubnyk, formerly of the Wroxton District, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, the evening of November 3, 2022, in her home at the Evergreen Seniors Home in Campbell River, BC. A Celebration of Life will be held at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre, Yorkton on May 6, 2023 at 3:00 pm. Those unable to attend may view a livestream of the service by visiting Violet’s Obituary page baileysfuneralhome.com. Violet was predeceased by her parents, her husband Albert, parents-in-law Matt and Daisy Dubnyk, brother Ross Ninowski, and sister Shirley Halyk. She is survived by her daughter Tracy Dubnyk (Paul) of Comox BC, her son Clayton Dubnyk (Heidi) of Drayton Valley AB, daughter-in-law Penny Dubnyk (Perry) of Saskatoon, grandson Sheldon Dubnyk (Tara-Lee) of Yorkton,
DRESSLER - Kenneth Harvey
Dressler passed away with his loving wife Sharon by his side at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the age of 76 years. Ken was born in Russell, MB on September 6, 1946. He is survived by his loving spouse of 52 years, Sharon; son, Daren (Sara) Dressler; daughter, Lisa Dressler (David Stroh); grandchildren, Alexis (Matt), Olivia, Riley, Emily, Nicholas and McKayla as well as Ken’s first great-grandchild, Emilia. He is also survived by three brothers, Lorne, Reginald (Doris) and Bruce; sister, Patricia (Norman) Gerestein; sisters-in-law, Edna (Ed) Banman, Brenda (Randy) Koehn along with several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Margaret Dressler; father-inlaw and mother-in-law, Iver and Pauline Hagen along with numerous aunts and uncles. A celebration honouring Ken’s life will be held at Yorkton Memorial Gardens on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Rick Gibson officiating and fellowship to follow. A time of reflection and fellowship will also be held in Medicine Hat at the Chinook Village Garden Lounge on Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Condolences can be left for the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.
EHRLICH– OnApril10, 2023,DavidMartinEhrlich passedawaypeacefully, aged96years.Bornin Gherla,nowpartofRomania,Davidestablisheda newlifeinCanadaafterlosingallbutoneimmediate familymemberintheHolocaust.Davidwaskind,wise, curious,charming,openmindedandhumorous.He broughtallthosequalitiesto hisfamilylife,hisprofessionallifeatYorktonand SaskatchewanDrycleaners, andhisretirementlife, wherehelefthismarkasa sought-afterHolocaustoutreachspeaker. Davidissurvivedbyson Perry(Marilyn);sonBrent; granddaughtersLisa Kesselman(David)and MandyRosenbloom(Alex); andgreat-grandchildren JonahandAnnieKesselman,andAdamandElianaRosenbloom.DavidwaspredeceasedbyGrace, hiswifeof69years,andhissonHoward.
DonationsinDavid'snamemaybemadetotheVancouverHolocaustEducationCentre(info@vhec.org)ortheRichmondJewishDaySchool (www.rjds.ca).
FEDUN - The family of Mary Fedun of Yorkton and District Nursing Home sadly announce her passing on April 22, 2023. She was 91 years of age. Mary was born in the Whitesand district, a daughter of Pearl and Peter Fedun. She was raised on the family farm and attended school in that area. She was predeceased by her parents; sister Rosie; brother Nick; sister Adeline; brothers Ervin and Mervin (Barb); brothers-in-law Paul Martinek and Clarence Watson. She is survived by her sister Julia Watson and numerous nieces and nephews. A private funeral service was held with the interment at Yorkton City Cemetery. Rev. Father Leonid Malkov of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church officiated.
Land for Sale
FARMLAND WANTED
I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land. NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS
Saskatchewan born and raised, I know land, farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way.
Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com
Apartments/Condos for Rent
RENOVATED SUITES available. Good location. First Choice 306621-5050
Houses For Rent
4 BEDROOM Lakefront HouseYork Lake. 2 baths, Walkout basement, AC, dishwasher, washer/dryer. Attached garage. References required. Call (306) 6215625 SPRINGSIDE HOUSING Authority is currently accepting applications for a 3 bedroom home. Fridge and stove included. Well kept, clean and quiet neighborhood. Rent is based on income. No Pets. For more information and applications please call Morlie at 306-792-2222 or 306-621-7815. Wanted Craft Items / Gift Ideas
SASKATCHEWAN HISTORY books for sale. The Imperial Review, 1983, $80; Tears, Toil and
NO. 213
ASSESSMENT ROLL NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll of the Rural Municipality of Saltcoats No. 213 for the year of 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection at the office of the assessor from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the following days: Monday to Friday, April 28 to May 29, 2023.
A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
Any person who wishes to discuss the notice of assessment or potential appeal may contact the Assessor at the R.M. of Saltcoats No. 213, Box 150, Saltcoats, SK, S0A 3R0.
Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal, along with the required fee of $25.00 per appeal, with:
The Secretary for the Board of Revision, Liana Stephan, Western Municipal Consulting Ltd, for the R.M. of Saltcoats No. 213, Box 149, Meota, Sask. S0M 1X0, by the 29th day of May, 2023.
Dated at Saltcoats, Saskatchewan, this 28th day of April, 2023.
Ronald R. Risling Assessor
The Rural Municipality of Orkney No. 244
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the R.M. of Orknev No. 244 for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on the following days: Monday to Thursday, April 24 to May 25, 2023.
A Bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
Any person who wishes to appeal his or her assessment is required to file their notice of appeal with the applicable appeal fee to: the Secretary of the Board of Revision, Western Municipal Consulting, Marlene Hassard, Box 149 Meota, SK. SOM 1X0, prior to 4:00 p.m. on Monday May 25, 2023
Dated this 24th day of April, 2023
Bridgette Rushkewich
Assessor
Continued from Page A5
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.
Find QUALIFIED, LOCAL EMPLOYEES, using the strength of community newspapers! Visit www.swna.com or call 306-6491405 to find out how!
HIS & HERS
Published weekly by Boundary Publishers Ltd., a subsidiary of Glacier Ventures International Corp. The Glacier group of companies collects personal information from our customers in the normal course of business transactions. We use that information to provide you with our products and services you request. On occasion we may contact you for purposes of research, surveys and other such matters. To provide you with better service we may share your personal information with our sister companies and also outside, selected third parties who perform work for us as suppliers, agents, service providers and information gatherers. Our subscription list may be provided to other organizations who have products and services that may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to participate in such matters, please contact us at the following address: Yorkton This Week, 20 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, S3N 2X3. For a complete statement of our privacy policy, please go to our website at: www.yorktonthisweek.com or stop by our office and pick up a copy. Yorkton This Week is owned and
by The Prairie Newspaper
1-877-564-8734 Roblin, MB
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
CERTIFIED SEED Wheat AAC Goodwin, Go EArly, PintAil Oats AC JuniPEr, AC MorGAn, AC MustAnG, dErby, CdC so1 suPEr oAt Barley
Ab stAndswEll, CErvEzA CdC AustEnson
CdC MAvEriCk sundrE Peas vEry EArly yEllow ForAGE PEAs, Polish CAnolA, sPrinG tritiCAlE mastinseeds.com
403-556-2609
AGPRO SEEDS LTD. BUYING
HEATED, DAMAGED OFFGRADE CANOLA & FEED
GRAINS. #1 buyer on the prairies, top price paid! Call/text: 306-8730481, AgPro Seeds bids: agproseeds.com, Email: sales@agproseeds.com
A base tax for police and fire services has been in place on all residential properties with improvements for many years.
“In 2022, Council introduced a Police and Fire base tax for improved non-commercial properties. The $250.00 tax amount was the first step of phasing in the tax over a number of years with the goal of every property owner (residential and commercial) paying an equal share of the costs of Protective Services,” said Knudson.
For 2023, the second year of the non-residential base tax phase in, the base tax will be raised to $500.00.
Residential police and fire base tax will remain at $830.00.
In addition, The Recreation Services base tax helps to cover costs associated with our recreational facilities.
The $100.00 base tax will remain on all improved residential properties in 2023.
New this year is a hospital levy.
“The provincial government has identified the need for a new hospital in Yorkton. A timeline for the new build has not been announced yet, but Council’s goal is to be proactive and start saving money for the build,” said Knudson.
A hospital levy will be gradually phased in over the next few years. Improved residential properties will be charged a $25.00 levy in 2023. Non-residential properties will pay a pro-rated share of the levy that is blended into the total mill rate. This amount is equal to approximately 0.6 per cent of the municipal commercial levy. The uniform mill rate (total municipal levy/taxable assessment x 1000) for 2023 is 16.8447.
Career Opportunities Career Opportunities
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. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca
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. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca
General
FORAGE SEED FOR SALE: Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942.
Livestock
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
Agricultural
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
The story of a man and his Spitfire fighter plane is among the finalists for this year’s Ruth Shaw Award for Best Saskatchewan film at the upcoming Yorkton Film Festival.
“As a young child of the 1920’s, Len sustained serious injuries from a dynamite blast cap. As a young adult, despite his disability, he enlisted in the fight against the Germans in World War II. Adventures and near deaths ensue, after he finds himself in the cockpit of a Spitfire,” explains an online synopsis to the film.
For filmmaker Noelle Duddridge
“Len and His Spitfire
was a very monumental story to my childhood,” noted a section on the inspiration behind the film. “My Grandfather, Leonard John Duddridge, passed away from a heart attack when I was three years old.
Not having many memories to hold onto of my grandfather, I took to idolizing him through his wartime photo albums and the stories that accompanied them by my father.
As a child I would imagine my Grandpa Len as a fearless pilot, soaring through the foreign skies of Egypt, Malta, and Italy, protecting his homeland of Hanley, Saskatchewan.
“The inspiration for the aesthetic of Len and His Spitfire
comes from a past project that I completed in University, in which I received a chance to digitally restore and colourize one of his photographs.” Certainly Len & His Spitfire is a film created in a rather different format.
“Len & His Spitfire is a prairie history film based on my grandpa Len’s time as a WWII Spitfire pilot, where I turned his wartime photography into paper puppets to tell his story,” explained Duddridge. “... Through photographs that Len took during the war, I was able to create paper puppets and bring his story to life in Len & His Spitfire.”
The Ruth Shaw Award for Duddridge is not her first at Yorkton’s long-running festival.
“When I first graduated from the University of Regina Film program, I created a student documentary, Coming Out MY YEAR TIME LIMIT, that was nominated for the YFF Best Student film,” she told Yorkton This Week.
“My paper puppet film, Len & His Spitfire, is the first time since then that one of my films has been nominated for a Golden Sheaf award.”
The latest nomination is one Duddridge is very pleased to have received.
“I was absolutely excited and humbled to hear of my nomination,” she said. “I
really wanted to tell my grandfather’s story with respect and also a bit of humour, because that’s who my grandpa Len was, a humorous charming prairie boy. So to hear that people have enjoyed it, is a real treat as an independent filmmaker.”
Such a nomination certainly adds validation to the filmmaker’s effort.
“It’s really special that Len & His Spitfire’s is a little piece of Saskatchewan history, so for it to be nominated for the Best of Saskatchewan award, is just really something special,” said Duddridge. “I think that the nomination should help the film reach a larger audience, which is so important to the independent film industry.”
When you look at the film now as a YFF nominee has your own view of it changed?
“When you make a piece of art and put it out there for the world to see, you never know
what kind of reception it will get. The Best of Saskatchewan nomination has been amazing, in that I feel that I’ve done my grandfather’s story justice, and I think he’d be proud,” said Duddridge.
So, in more general terms what does YFF mean in particular to those involved in the industry in the province?
“The last time I attended YFF was over a decade ago, and it was an absolute blast -- or Lobster Blast I should say -- and I’m excited for the opportunity to attend once again,” offered Duddridge.
“It’s just such a sense of community, with amazing networking opportunities; I’m still friends with film-
makers I met while shooting shotguns and eating lobster over 10 years ago now.
“The YFF is really a big film festival with the chic small town intimate vibes. It gives you way more opportunity to make those important connections that are going to help you with your next big project. And it is in our own backyard, which gives Saskatchewanians like myself a sense of provincial pride. We’ve got great stories here that don’t always get the national spotlight, so I’m grateful for the local opportunity that the YFF presents.”
Len & His Spitfire will be available for viewing on-demand in the festival’s mini-cinema during the YFF.
I had hoped to dig up a little turf to make room for small stepping stones leading from the deck to the back of the yard. I had hoped to be writing in the little sitting shed the Preacher and Benjamin built. I had hoped to search for pussy willows. But on this late April morning, nature has surprised me.
Last night I noted that the last of our snowpiles had vanished. This morning, a blizzard has reversed all that. Forecasters predict up to 40 cm of snow. Clearly, we’re not done with snow-piles. Or snow shovels.
Outside the window over my desk, I spy a
puzzled robin, feathers fluffed to warm himself, pecking the snowcovered lawn, searching for grub. Finding none, he flutters up to perch, dejected, on a large rock. Above him, three others watch from the slight shelter of the mugo pine.
Last week, it seemed winter, having already overstayed its welcome, had finally surrendered to spring. The warmer weather allowed for several days of yard cleanup. Sunshine on my back felt like a benediction. Robins serenaded me as I worked. I shouldn’t have trusted that lick of warmth.
I agree with L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of
Green Gables. “Snow in April is abominable, like a slap in the face when you expected a kiss.”
The birdfeeders sit empty. We’re out of seeds. An hour ago, I placed several suet cakes around the yard. The juncos appreciate those. The robins will peck at them with reluctance, as they have in
Gardeners! Are you excited? Only 26 more sleeps until the May longweekend, the traditional “planting” time. At least that always used to be the unofficial “launch” to the new gardening season. Maybe it might be earlier, who knows…but we can look forward to seeing plants in the greenhouses and being wide-eyed with excitement like kids in a candy store!
I love to read, and lately I have been reading about “the next big thing” in gardening this year. Some interesting little notes: best new color? Magenta. Favorite garden styles? Victorian, with lush and fragrant abundance of flowers, or Japanese style gardens, with restrained but thoughtful plantings of more foliage plants.
Other favorites that came up were planting gardens that will give us delicious veggies, and planting carefully so that we are careful about watering, being aware that we water plants that will feed us, and not be wasteful in the process.
One other trend that I read about is introducing more native plants into our gardens. This is a great idea on several levels. First of all, plants native to our environment have learned to adapt and thrive here. I know that as gardeners we like the idea of challenging ourselves with plants that might not call zone 3B home, and we are thrilled when they do well. But native plants are right at home in our yards, and the best part of that is that they are adapted to water levels and temperatures on the prairies. (**
A note: we used to be 2B, but are now 3B, because the old plant hardiness zone map has changed, based on revised climate averages and better technology to measure these factors. And to clarify, we are the same zone as Dauphin, a prairie gardening legend that we are different that still persists in some areas. Visit planthardiness.gc.ca to see the information.)
DEBBIE HAYWARD
YORKTON AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan can direct wild gardeners to a native plant material and services supplier list. The list has dozens of wild growers. Their website says that “The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan (NPSS) provides this list to support and promote the use of native plants. We hope that through the use of native plants, people will come to understand and appreciate their importance, thereby encouraging their conservation in the wild. The NPSS provides other material related to the native seed industry, growing native plants, and general information on native plants and ecosystems.” Visit them at npss.sk.ca.
Native plants will attract pollinators, butterflies and birds to our garden; a healthy environment for these special garden visitors is a good sign that our garden is healthy.
I remember a conversation once with a gardening friend who commented that there were no ladybugs in her garden. Ladybugs are such beneficial bugs, providing excellent pest control against pests like mealybugs and aphids. Gardeners want to do everything we can to entice ladybugs to visit and stay in our gardens. So why were there no ladybugs in our friend’s garden?
First, there were hardly any flowers that ladybugs like to visit, like calendulas, yarrow, dill, or marigolds. Secondly, the garden was one of those extremely neat and clean gardens, where no leaf is out of place…and where there is no wild little corner to provide safe shelter for delicate
bugs. We have to do our part if we want these special garden guests. Whether you are a trend-follower or not, I know we are all eagerly waiting to be out in the garden! And remember, let’s try at least one new thing this year! Thank you to our friends at Yorkton This Week for their fine work each week. Gardeners, visit the hort society at www.yorktonhort.ca and see what’s new. Have a great week!
past years during similar desperations. Severe prairie weather creates hardy people, they say. Writer Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, “The hard soil and four months of snow make the inhabitants of the northern temperate zone wiser and abler than his fellow who enjoys the fixed smile of the tropics.” Despite
living for over three decades in Canada’s prairie provinces, I am neither wise nor able enough to make peace with this long white winter. After five months of snow, the “fixed smile of the tropics” seems immensely appealing.
It won’t last though. I know that for certain. I pray for a more helpful perspective on what I can’t change. I pray for a grateful spirit—at least I have a warm home in which to shelter, when so many in other world areas have none. I pray for commuters who must brave the roads, despite travel warnings.
I pray for the wildlife, including the confused goldfinch, just landed
on a suet cake. I pray for a wider perspective. And I pray to remember some of the lessons snow teaches.
Apparently, a snowflake takes up to two hours to journey from its home cloud to landfall. Miraculous, microscopic, a stunning fragment of God’s impeccable architecture. How little that single flake can accomplish on its own, but how great its impact when joined with others, for even the worst blizzard begins that way. And I recall that as long as earth lasts, spring, even when it’s very late, always comes round. That’s God’s promise, and he is always faithful. Trust with me.
Saltcoats United Church held a fundraising rummage sale that had tables filled in the basement, and
items on pews upstairs for eager buyers to look over Saturday.
PRAIRIE HARVEST
CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE
72 Melrose Avenue • PHONE 306-786-6840
Senior Pastors Des & Cheryl Klingspon
Employment Program 306-786-1840
Online
“Changing
Every
Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church
89 Bradbrooke Drive, Yorkton, SK S3N 2Y2 • 306-782-2998
Father Michael Faryna 306-601-9043
Fri. Apr. 28: Perogy Supper - 5:00 pm - Yorkton
Sun. Apr. 30: Divine Liturgy - 10:00 am - Yorkton
Westview United Church 355 Bradbrooke Dr. 306-783-3063 westviewuc.ca
Worship Sundays @ 10:30am
Minister : The Rev. Deborah Smith
Everyone is welcome!
“A Place of New Beginnings”
St. Andrew’s United Church
SECOND AVENUE AND SMITH STREET
OFFICE 306-783-4157
MINISTER REV. JEN DRESSER
Website: http://www.standrewsyorkton.ca
Facebook: St. Andrew’s United Church
Join us Sunday, April 30 at 10:30 am Online (Zoom/Facebook/Youtube) and in person!
Church of God in Christ Mennonite AT SALTCOATS
SUNDAY SCHOOL EVERY SUNDAY AT 10:00 AM
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11:00 AM
EVERYONE WELCOME
Pastor Laurel Wiebe -- 306-898-2099
Pastor Tim Warkentin - 306-217-8222
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
Saturday April 29th - Vespers 6:00 PM
Sunday April 30th Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Priest: Rodion Luciuk Phone: 306-786-6216 Cell: 306-621-5341
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature−have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
YORKTON –Cornerstone Credit Union announced today that it will award $100,000 through the annual community investment program. This is a new record for the most money ever
given out in a single year through Project Cornerstone.
“It’s a major milestone for us and we’re excited to make an even bigger impact in our communities,” said Cornerstone Credit
Continued from PageA2 the site lacks developed outdoor amenity space for students while on breaks which, while not required, would be strongly recommended.”
Coun. Darcy Zaharia asked if not at the site proposed, where did administration see as bet-
ter locations.
Eger said there are vacant parcels of land, -- across Gladstone Ave. from Sacred Heart High School, or a portion of the old Fairview School location, that while requiring new buildings be built, are more natural for an education centre.
Union CEO Doug Jones. Applications are now open at www.cornerstonecu.com and will be accepted until July 31. A thorough selection process will follow, with recipients to be announced Oct. 16-20 to
Eger said looking ahead other issues could arise too.
“If the City were to allow for a school use on this site, it should likely consider pedestrian infrastructure improvements such as a multi-use pathway or sidewalks, and an improved cross-
coincide with National Co-op Week. Eligible community groups can apply for projects or programs that support youth and education or community and economic development. Project
ing at Lawrence Ave and Broadway St.,” he said.
“. . . Further, the City may be forced to entertain speed limit reductions, as the location of this site and current lack of pedestrian infrastructure could lead to safety concerns.”
With the concerns
Cornerstone funding is intended to build, expand, and upgrade facilities or develop programs that improve the quality of life in local communities.
Last year, Project Cornerstone distrib-
Coun. Ken Chyz questioned whether the city had jurisdiction.
“Do we have the authority?” he asked.
Egers said they did, but as it would involve altering the Official City Plan which is ultimately approved by the province, they will have a say.
uted $75,000 between projects in Neudorf, Saltcoats, Vibank, and Yorkton. Since 2006, the program has awarded $451,000 to 41 community projects across the region. –Submitted
“The province would be very scrutinous with this,” he suggested.
Mayor Hippsley said the request is a difficult one. “I want to see this work,” he said, then added “there’s a whole whack of complications that come with this.”
