Yorkton This Week 2023-05-10

Hundreds gathered for the Red Dress Day Memorial Honour

to Broadway, and over to City Centre Park.

Red Dress Day Memorial Honour Walk

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – Hundreds gathered at the the Yorkton Tribal Council on King St. May 5 to take part in a walk in observation of Red Dress Day.

The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People is held each year to “raise awareness of the disproportionate number of Indigenous people who are impacted by gender-based violence,” according to a media release from the Government of Saskatchewan.

The event in the park featured speeches from local politicians, chiefs of neighbouring First Nations, as well as speeches from family and friends directly affected by missing and murdered Indigenous women and two-spirit people.

“Today is a day of honouring our women that are missing...

City

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

that are murdered right across Canada,” said George Cote, Chief of Cote First Nation, in his address to the the crowd in Yorkton’s City Centre Park.

“Not only in our nation

but in other nations as well,” added Cote, “it’s affected by all nationalities.”

“This is a moment for us to take the time to acknowledge how much we love one another,

how much we care for one another,” said Cote, “not only for our nation but for nations that we stand with in Canada.”

“I want to address the systematic misogny that goes on in our daily lives,” said Chief Lynn Acoose from Zagimè Anishinabek First Nation, “it’s systematic misogyny that creates situations where women, girls, and two-spirited people are unsafe where they live and we need to acknowledge that this is not just our problem — this problem is systematic.”

“You see it on social media, you see it in daily life, misogony knows no colour boundaries,” said Acoose, adding, “I have to say that in particular Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people are vulnerable due to the economic challenges that our people face in terms of housing, income and family support.”

“Our children, our youth have had to experience fear and anxiety growing up...that’s

the reality of our children,” said Acoose.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to be here and put on an event like this,” said YTC Chief Isabelle O’Soup, noting, “we can’t just take one day out of the year to remember our murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls...we have to remember every day.”

“Some of the families are still looking for their loved ones and we have to remember that and not let it to be pushed to the side...we need to educate our youth,” said O’Soup.

“We acknowledge the harms and the mistakes and the injustices of the past and we are comitted to move forward in partnership with the indigenous nations in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration,” said Mayor Mitch Hippsley during his address, later adding, “Red Dress Day is all about communication and recognizing what has happened and what is happening.”

go off-road re-York Lake access

plaints about the condition of the road in recent weeks.

“There’s definitely a

Continued on Page A2

George Cote, Chief of Cote First Nation

Continued from Page A1 divide on what’s going to happen on that road,” she said.

Kaal also noted the city is undertaking to grade the road because it was deemed “impassable” at a cost of $8,000.

Councillor Quinn Haider questioned what happened to a proposed meeting between the city and the RM on York Lake Road.

Mayor Mitch Hippsley said RM Reeve Randy Trost had suggested a

meeting in January. “That meeting never took place. They were the ones in charge of instituting it,” he said.

Since that time Hippsley said he received a call from Trost telling him the RM “has chosen to walk away from the whole responsibility of that road . . . They are basically handing the keys to us.”

That decision by the RM came after the city allocated and provided $200,000 to do work to be

undertaken by the RM.

Haider wanted to know if the city will get the $200K back?

“I understand we’re going to try,” said Hippsley, adding he still believes he and the city have a good relationship with the Reeve and RM.

Others were not so sure.

“Yes we do have some relationship building to do,” said Coun. Randy Goulden.

Coun. Chris Wyatt said “when the rubber hit the

road” it was obvious the relationship with the RM over York Lake Road was strained.

Calling the road something of “a Pandora’s Box” Hippsley admitted “. . . I think we’ve back slid a few steps.”

Wyatt said ultimately the York Lake Road should not be a priority “as long as we grade our portion of the road.”

Instead Wyatt said York Road “is a way more important piece of infrastructure” which the city

is investing millions to upgrade, but work needs to also focus on moving heavy truck traffic to use Grain Millers Road to preserve the city investment.

With that in mind, Coun. Ken Chyz asked if the city could institute weight restrictions on York Road to preserve it?

“I don’t know for sure,” replied Kaal, who added since the road in a connector she didn’t expect the city would have the authority.

In terms of getting heavy traffic to Grain Millers Road, it to falls under the jurisdiction of the RM of Orkney and any work required to make it viable for additional heavy traffic would fall to the RM, noted Kaal.

In the end the road situation was not added to the top priorities of Council which chose instead to add a review of the York Landing Subdivision and what is being done to encourage land sales there.

Summer fair set to go in July

The Yorkton Exhibition Association has announced its plans for this year’s fair.

This year the YEA has announced a presenting sponsor with the Yorkton Tribal Council coming on board.

Lori Walsh, YEA president expresses that events like the summer fair are not possible without organizations like the Yorkton Tribal Council as well as other great community support.

All the action takes place July 5 – 8, at the Yorkton Exhibition Fairgrounds and Legacy Co-op Grandstand and will feature the long time favourite event, the Eastern Professional Chuckwagon & Chariot Races, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, along with the Day of Destruction Demolition Derby Saturday, and of course it would not be the Summer Fair without four fun days of games and midway provided by West Coast Amusements.

The Family Entertainment line-up for the fair this year is off the charts. We have the Adventure Wrangler Elise with her Reptile and Blast from the Past Dinosaur Show; there will be a hands-on meet and greet after each show as well as velociraptor training for all the dinosaur enthusiasts.

New this year is the Aces Flying Pig Races and the Hockey Circus Show – this is hockey at its funniest. Paz combines acrobatics, juggling, and one-of-a-kind hockey stunts into three

periods of family friendly rocking fun.

There will also be the Silver Starlet’s - an allfemale aerial acrobatic show. Full of glam, glitz and glitter, the Starlets use a 20-foot high freestanding trapeze rig as their stage.

For the animal lovers, stop in at the Meadowcroft Barnyard Animals Petting Zoo and Pony Rides and don’t miss the Kids Zone where Kerr’s Bouncers and Inflatables will be coming with Alien Lazer Tag, Bubble Soccer and much more.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Summer Fair without a trade show and all the yummy fair food.

Wednesday July 5, is Seniors Day and YEA will be hosting opening ceremonies at 2:00 p.m. in the National Bank Convention Place; entertainment to be provided by the Old Country Lads.

Seniors gate admission for the day is only five dollars until 4:00 p.m. The Yorkton 4-H Regional will also be hosting their annual Beef Show and Sale Tuesday July 4 and 5, in the AgriPavilion.

Thursday July 6, is Legacy Co-op Kiddies

Day so YEA will be hosting the annual Kiddies Day Parade starting down at the Yorkton Fire Hall. Every child who participates in the parade will receive free admission into the fair.

As well as any child 12 & under will receive free admission into the fair when accompanied by an adult paid gate admission until 2:00 p.m.

The Light Horse Show will be starting Thursday morning and running all day Friday as well.

Wrapping up the evening on the Legacy Co-op Grandstand is music by Canadian band Constant Reminder from the James Lake Cree Nation.

Friday July 7, is Family Day. Advance tickets to go on sale because of the awesome Family Pass. At the cost of $40, how could you pass it up? It includes two adults and two youth/children.

Day two of the Light Horse Show wraps up on the seventh, and once you take the little one’s home head on back to the Exhibition Grounds for an evening of races and a grandstand show that’s sure to be exciting and entertaining -- more details coming soon.

Saturday July 8, is your last chance to take in all the excitement and you all know what happens on Saturday - it’s the Summer Fair Parade starting at 11:00 a.m.

Don’t forget the Day of Destruction Demolition Derby at 2:00 in front of the grandstand. Grab a beverage at the Westeel/ AGI and Molson Saloon and sit back and enjoy

an evening of music with a platinum selling artist, award winning producer and accomplished song writer – stay tuned for the big reveal.

Finally, you can wrap up the evening with Predator Fireworks who are sure to present one of the most exciting fireworks shows you will ever see.

Tickets are on sale now and available until Sunday, July 2, at the Yorkton Exhibition Office, Legacy Co-op Yorkton Gas Bars and Food Store, Legacy Co-op Kamsack Gas Bar and Legacy Co-op Churchbridge Food Store.

For further details on the Yorkton Exhibition Association Summer Fair Line Up visit www.yorktonexhibition.com, call the Yorkton Exhibition office at 306-783-4800 or follow us on our Facebook page, Yorkton Exhibition Association. — Submitted

Supporting good causes

The Yorkton Antique Auto Association has been donating money to various groups in the city throughout the year. Donations have included; $600 to the Western Development Museum. Ron Blommaert of Yorkton Antique Auto Assn. presented the cheque to Carla Madsen, WDM manager. Close Cuts for Cancer received $400. Blommaert presented the cheque to Leone Ottenbreit. A donation of $500 for a Sask. Opportunity Scholarship for Heavy Equipment Truck & Transport technician through the Parkland Community College was presented by Merv Weinmeister of the Auto Assn. to Michael Carlson. Back in December Blommaert also presented $500 to the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Appeal.

Submitted Photos

Yorkton Exhibition chuckwagons races.

YTW file photo

By Tyson

Staff

Off

Writer YORKTON – Yorkton Minor Football held their

Football Night in Saskatchewan May 6 at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre.

The event featured live music from the Yorkton Adult Jazz Band, a performance from Gridder Cheer,

a full supper, auctions, and address from BC Lion and YMF Alum, Noah Zerr, as well as a presentation from Zeke Sandhu, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of ELITE Athlete Management.

Teachers’ rally should be a bigger problem than it seems

MURRAY MANDRYK

Politics

A crowd of more than 3,000 angry protesters in front of the Saskatchewan legislature would normally strike fear in the hearts of the governing politicians.

Such largely gatherings don’t happen very often and, when they do, they tend to be a signal of a government in imminent peril.

The Keep our Doctors rally against the Co-operative Commonwealth Medicare bill in 1962 and the rally against Fair Share, Saskatchewan in 1991 were the last time we have saw crowds close to the size of the protesting teachers, parents and school trustees in front of the legislature last month.

That both previous large gatherings preceded the multi-term government losing power should be a further reason for unease for the 16-year Saskatchewan Party government.

Moreover, this comes after a billion-dollar 2023-24 surplus budget in March that should easily give the government the capacity to address such issues.

Yet the Sask. Party government clearly isn’t reacting as though this is as big a problem it appears to be.

And while it’s dangerous for a government to ignore a crowd of this size or assume it can spin its way out what seems to be a major policy problem.

One gets why the government — at least initially — isn’t taking this problem as serious as it likely should.

In an interview with the CBC Morning Edition’s Stefani Langenegger Monday morning after the Saturday protest Education Minister Dustin Duncan did acknowledge the size of the gathering, but then quickly implied the large crowd at the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) organized event was largely driven by the upcoming teachers’ contract negotiations.

“They’re motivated to show their support, obviously,” Duncan told the CBC listeners. “There were other unions there as well.”

While such a large gathering critical of the government did attract representation from other unions as well as the NDP MLAs eager to jump out in front of this parade, the rally was far, far more than a effort by teachers to get more money.

Parents and school trustees were also there and most were on the same page in the thinking that the problem was a government underfunding education at a time of plenty.

One problem, however, may be that the teaching shortage/overcrowding is not as big a problem everywhere in the province. And where it is a problem may not make it an immediate political priority.

Consider where we have seen a surge in enrolment in this province since September when the student count was supposed set: Saskatoon Catholic (804 new students), Saskatoon Public (349), Regina Catholic (415) and Regina Public (563).

That’s 2,131 new students in the two cities, alone — enough to fill four brand new schools to brim.

Perhaps one can’t necessarily fault Duncan and his Sask. Party government for not fully or accurately anticipating this surge caused by both students returning classes after COVID-19 and the influx in immigration adding to the numbers.

However, what is the responsibility of any government is to react to any issue in a fair-minded and reasonable manner.

To date, this government hasn’t done so. One can’t help but wonder about the politics behind it.

This is all happening in the cities where the Sask. Party government doesn’t have its strongest representation — especially in Regina where last month’s Insightrix Research survey showed the NDP surge to 57 points.

By contrast, the NDP is only at 26 per cent in popularity outside the cities, suggesting that its firm rural base is as solid as ever.

There’s an interesting chicken and egg argument here as to what came first — the Sask. Party’s bad polling numbers in the cities or the crisis in areas like education.

But bet that if those city-country numbers were reversed, we’d see the Sask. Party react differently.

It’s sometimes hard to separate the politics from the policy.

Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics since 1983.

We all play role in a clean city

Once again Yorkton residents will be able to haul winter refuse to the city landfill free for a week in May, albeit with a list of restrictions and requirements to deal with.

“It has been customary for the City of Yorkton, with the recommendation from the Environmental Committee, to hold an annual Spring Yard Waste Clean-Up Week,” explained Lyndon Hicks – Solid Waste and Environmental Programs Manager with the city at a recent regular meeting of Yorkton Council.

“In order to encourage City residents and School Divisions to clean up their yards and their school grounds, Council has in previous years waived the landfill entrance fees during this week for disposal of winter debris.”

This year the program will run from May 8 to 13, during regular landfill hours Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

It’s a very solid program in as much as it is at least in-part a program which encourages residents to keep our community clean.

That’s an important factor for residents to consider.

Tourism we know is an important

part of the local economy, and while visitors might initially come for any number of reasons, golf, weekend event attractions, family, having a ‘clean’ community certainly enhances any visit, and sends visitors home with a better view of our city.

A good step in keeping the city clean starts with individual yards, and after a long Saskatchewan winter yards can be places where a lot of ‘winter debris’ accumulates – things such as grass, leaves, broken tree branches, grass mixed with garbage and debris that has collected and accumulated on properties, detailed Hicks.

Of course, there is more to keeping our city beautiful than keeping yards clean.

There are many little things we can all do, such as making sure fast food packaging goes into a garbage receptacle, or goes home to a garbage can there, and not out the car window.

Or, making sure to ‘scoop the poop’ when out walking canine companions.

In simple terms it really comes down to having pride in community, and making sure we have a clean city to enjoy, and spring yard clean-up is a good way to start that effort.

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Welcome to ‘Wordy Wednesday’ brought to you by our friends at Yorkton Public Library, (including Slo the friendly sloth), and appearing here courtesy of Yorkton This Week. Happy Wordy Wednesday! Mother’s day is coming this weekend. Have you ever thought of why ‘Mama’ and ‘Papa’ sound so similar in so many languages? Not only in the Proto-Indo-European language family, but also everywhere else. French has ‘maman’ and ‘papa’ while Italian has ‘mamma’ and ‘babbo’. In Africa, Swahili has “mama” and “baba”; in the Philippines, Tagalog has ‘nanay’ and ‘tatay’. Mandarin, so intimidatingly different from English to the learner, soothes unexpectedly in offering up ‘mama’ and ‘baba’. The answer lies with babies and how they start to talk. ‘Mama’ and ‘baba’ are usually the two easiest sounds they can make at the beginning. It has happened with baby humans worldwide, whatever language they are speaking. (theatlantic.com)

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Scouts couch rally impresses Scouts Canada CEO

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The Yorkton Scouts held their ‘Not-So-Annual’ Couch Rally in the city May 6.

“Scouts from around the province came and gathered and walked about 18KM around the city getting photos in front of different businesses and locations in a little competition,” said Kent Latimer, Group Commisioner of the Yorkton Scouts.

“It happened last year, we took a couple years off, it happened three years ago,” said Latimer.

“It’s the not-so-annual because it’s not so annual,” said Latimer with a laugh.

Latimer said the purpose of the Couch Rally was purely for the enjoyment of the scouts, but noted the group will be volunteering around the city in the near future.

“We’re doing a creek clean-up along the riverside creek next week,” said Latimer.

The day also featured the presence of Scouts Canada’s brand new Chief Executive, Liam Burns.

“I started my job on Monday — so this is day six — and am travelling from the west coast to the east coast to meet local volunteers, young people, see the amazing comeback post-COVID that has events like this,”

said Burns.

Burns stressed the importance of groups like the Scouts.

“I think when people have seen what young people have gone through during COVID and lock down for sub-

stantial parts of their lifes — getting outdoors, making friends — building skills for life has never been more important,” said Burns.

“Events like this — local community heros bringing kids together, getting them to try things

they’ve never tried before — means that they’re getting experiences that are just so important,” added Burns.

Burns said he loved the couch rally event.

“I’ve never been to a couch rally before — I didn’t even know what one was — I think the ingenuity of the kids building the couches is second to none,” said Burns, adding, “I think the team work they’ve shown is deeply impressive — I’ve loved the looks on people’s faces as they’ve walked past thinking ‘what on earth is this?’ — it’s a cracking event.”

For youths interested in joing the Scouts, Latimer said to contact him.

“The Scouts just love being outside and love doing stuff and if any kids are interested in joining parents can give me a call at 306-621-1367,” said Latimer.

YCS Students learn about internet safety

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – Student at Yorkdale Central School were treated to an internet safety presentation courtesy of the RCMP on May 2.

“Today we have Adeel [Zaman] coming from the RCMP in Regina to do an internet safety presentation with our grade five, six, seven and eight students,” said Dennis Nesseth, Principal at Yorkdale Central School.

“We’ve done these things in the past just because technology is always changing,” said Nesseth, adding, “different platforms come up with different things...there are lots of safety issues with them.”

“Most recently in the news people may have been reading about a lot of the artificial intelligence aspects to things like Snapchat and Google,” said Nesseth, “there are lots of safety concerns around that.”

“Kids are having conversations with AI or Artificial Intelligence forms on Snapchat and I think they’re getting advice from it sometimes,” said Nesseth, adding, “it just makes sense to educate them and who better to do that than an expert.”

Zaman’s presentation included subjects such as safe and informed online behaviour, related laws, how to protect themselves and how to report issues they may encounter online.

Nesseth said that a presentation for parents on the subject will be available to attend later in the month.

“May 17, in the evening, 6:30 p.m. I’ve got somebody else coming in to talk to parents and guardians about safety concerns on the internet,” said Nesseth, adding, “not only with some of the things that are happening on different apps but also on child exploitation and that sort of thing.”

For those interested in their own internet safety, a self-assessment tool is available online through the RCMP’s website at https:// www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cycp-cpcj/ self-assessment-autoevaluation/is-si/index-eng.htm

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Thank You to Nurses Across Saskatchewan

National Nursing Week is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions nurses make across our health care system. Every day, nurses deliver high quality care and are making a difference to Saskatchewan patients.

The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes the unwavering dedication and commitment of nearly 18,000 nurses working across the province on the front lines of health care.

Saskatchewan is fortunate to have highly trained, compassionate, and dedicated nurses in our province. We are grateful for our registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse practitioners. Thank you for the difference you make in the lives of your patients and in your communities.

We have heard the call for additional staffing and resources to meet patient care needs. Building capacity within our health care system, and strengthening our current and future health care workforce are top priorities for the provincial government.

Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources Action Plan outlines our plans to recruit, train, incentivize, and retain health care providers. Learn more at saskatchewan.ca/hhr

saskatchewan.ca/hhr

The Yorkton Scouts, pictured here, were the winners of the couch rally held in the city May 6.

Liam Burns is the Cheif Executive of Scouts Canada and is currently touring across the country from west to east visiting different Scouts Canada locations.

Adeel Zaman delivered an internet safety presentation to students at YCS on May 2.

May 10 - May 16, 2023

Next Council Meeting

Monday, May 15, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

Request for RFQ

Name of RFQ: Cemetery Front Mount Grass Mower RFQ must be received before 2:00 p.m. on May 19, 2023

Please submit RFQ through Biddingo.

Details of Proposal:

The City is soliciting quotes for the purchase of one (1) Front Mount Grass Mower to be used at the City of Yorkton Cemetery.

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

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

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

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

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Program to recognize road allowance importance

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Road allowances can be an important habitat for wildlife.

To promote preserving the habitat, and to invite people to use and enjoy the public land the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association (YFBTA) is launching a Road Allowance Project (AKA “Skip the Ditches).

The official launch of the project takes place Wednesday, May 17, at the Morley Maier farm south of Yorkton on Highway #9

South starting at 10 a.m.. They will tour the roads – they have a trailer with seats -- place three signs and then meet back at the farm for lunch.

The idea for the project emerged out of the 2022 YFBTA Annual General Meeting when “a committee was struck to look into what could be done to bring the public’s attention to the importance of preserving and having access to road allowance habitat within rural municipalities,” detailed the February issue of the organization’s newsletter.

People should also recognize that the recent ‘Trespass to Property Legislation’ does not include road allowances.

The importance of road allowances has been noted by others too.

“Every scrap of public land is precious in a province that has privatized 85 per cent of its prairie ecozone (and is working hard to sell off the rest). One type of public land that gets little attention is the undeveloped road allowance, a strip of natural landscape that is supposed to run along the edge

of many sections of farmland in Saskatchewan,” wrote Trevor Herriot in his online blog.

“Our road allowances—surrounding all land south of the forest in a grid every mile east and west and every two miles north and south—are often used to provide and maintain transportation and utility access through the landscape, serving the public interest. They form a network of commons upon the land that connects us to services and to one another. But road allowances that are not

used for roads and other infrastructure have also historically provided refuge and connectivity for nature in agricultural landscapes—supporting the commons of healthy, diverse ecosystems we depend upon for our own health and well being,” continued Herriot who is a prairie naturalist from Regina who writes books, essays, and radio documentaries about the intersection of culture and nature on the northern Great Plains.

“All told, these strips of public land only a gen-

eration ago protected hundreds of thousands of acres of habitat in this province. At sixty-six feet wide, each mile of undeveloped road allowance provides eight acres of habitat for an array of plants and animals. When they are left alone, they support a mix of native and introduced grasses and forbs, shrubs and trees in moister areas, and small wetlands. Here and there, scraps of native prairie will persist if no one has put them to the plow.

Continued on Page A14

Two band concerts set for this week

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Yorkton and area

music lovers can rejoice as two notable concerts take place this week in the city.

The National Youth Band of Canada 2023

Tour makes a Yorkton stop at the Anne Portnuff Theatre Thursday for a 7 p.m. concert. Yorkton’s All That Jazz Big Band will be a special guest performer Thursday.

Then for those seeking a Mother’s Day event the Yorkton Community Band will be in concert at APT at 2:00 with a

silver collection at the door.

Dr. Leah McGray will conduct the national band Thursday, with Tom McCaslin the featured soloist.

McGray is the Director of Instrumental Studies for the State University of New York at Geneseo. She conducts the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra, Geneseo Wind Ensemble, and teaches classes in conducting, and theory.

“Previously holding a similar position at Rhodes College in Memphis TN, she has been the conductor for Memphis

Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Leading from Every Chair’ program and a guest conductor with the Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra,” noted www.geneseo.edu. McGray has taught band and orchestra for middle and high school music programs in Canada, and is in demand internationally as a conductor and adjudicator. Professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society, Conductors Guild, Canadian Band Association, Canadian

Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and the Nova Scotia Band Association.

Tom McCaslin has been described by Fanfare Magazine as “one of the contemporary tuba virtuoso’s,” noted calgaryphil.com

Originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, McCain’s playing and teaching have taken him around the globe. He has performed and taught in Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Portugal, Finland, New Zealand and Australia.

“As an orches-

tral musician he has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the Regina Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony, the New Mexico Symphony, the Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música (Portugal), the Lahti Symphony (Finland) and was acting Principal Tuba in the Auckland Philharmonia (New Zealand). In the summers he teaches at the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC, where he serves Principal Tuba with the

EMF Festival Orchestra under the direction of Gerard Schwarz,” details calgaryphil.com

“As a soloist, McCaslin’s solo recordings appear on the Crystal Records and Potenza Music labels. His first solo release, “Inside Out,” was met with much critical acclaim.”

Prior to joining the Calgary Philharmonic, McCaslin was Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium and Chair of the Instrumental Department at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.

Veteran club support application time

The Saskatchewan Veterans Service Club Support Program, which supports veterans and builds stronger communities, is now taking grant applications until May 15, 2023.

Introduced in 2019-20, the program provides grants of up to $30,000 for improvement projects, facility repairs and upgrades, operations, special events, programs and activities for registered, non-profit organizations, Legion branches and Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS) units based in Saskatchewan.

“Our government wants to thank our veterans’ service clubs for

their tireless work on behalf of our communities, veterans and their families,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. “Since the program’s inception, nearly $3.1 million has been allocated to 235 successful projects across the province, and we are proud to continue our support.”

A second intake will run immediately after with an application deadline of August 31, 2023. “Our branches are very pleased to hear of the extension of the Veterans Service Club Support Program in Saskatchewan,” Royal Canadian Legion

Saskatchewan Command President Carol Pedersen said. “Our sincere thanks and appreciation for this ongoing commitment and support. It is through the assistance of this program that many Legions and ANAVETS clubs have been able to sustain themselves and continue to lead the way in support of Veterans, their families and communities.”

“On behalf of the ANAVETS members, staff and directors, I would like to thank the Government of Saskatchewan for their commitment to the veterans of Saskatchewan,” ANAVETS Saskatchewan Provincial Command

President Rick Taylor said. “These Grants have benefited us immensely through the enhancements to our units whether it be furnishings, floor-

ing, upgrades or appliances. Thank you.”

More information about the program, guidelines, applications and eligibility are

available through the Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command at 306-525-8739 or admin@ sasklegion.ca. — Submitted

23052CC4 23052CC5

Jessica Matsalla, City Clerk

Box 400, 37 Third Avenue North Yorkton, SK S3N 2W3

Email: jmatsalla@yorkton.ca

Dated

Jessica Matsalla City Clerk

New art show at pARTners Gallery

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The debut show by Yorkton artist Lynda Dawson is now hanging at the Community pARTners Gallery located in the Yorkton Public Library.

“I was absolutely surprised by it (the opportunity to have a solo show). I wasn’t expecting

it at all,” said the 72-yearold artist.

In fact, Dawson, formerly of Churchbridge, is a relative newcomer to creating art for herself.

“I taught school and did a bit of art with students, after school things like drama and pottery,” she said. “But, I never really thought of myself as an artist.

Then at age 60, and

retired, Dawson turned to the easel, beginning with watercolours and eventually doing acrylics too.

Taking a few workshops, but without formal art training, Dawson found her love of creating art bloomed.

Recently, Dawson took the step to show her works publicly.

“A friend (Judy Neibergall) encouraged me,” she said, adding thanks to the push she entered four works in the local artist show at the Godfrey Dean Gallery in the city, and that opened the door to the pARTners show.

“I was approached and I was taken aback really. I was excited and scared at the same time.”

Today, Dawson creates in both mediums, noting she finds acrylic more forgiving but watercolour has a Zenlike charm.

“To me it’s almost like a gentle art form,” she said.

When it comes to inspiration, Dawson said its all around in nature, adding she loves landscapes and the birds and animals found there.

with my grandfather and grandmother (for walks),” she said, adding back then wildlife seemed everywhere.

Today, Dawson said too many animals are endangered, but when she looks outside in Saskatchewan the landscape and wildlife she still finds inspires her.

because it’s creation is about more than the finished product.

To start with Dawson said you should always be willing to try new things.

Submitted Photos

“I have so many memories as a child going

Dawson said she knows her art is not perfect, but that’s OK,

“No matter how old you are you can learn something new,” she said, adding not every attempt will be ideal, noting in her case “. . . some of them were pretty bad.”

But that never bothered her.

“It’s part of the process, part of the experience,” offered Dawson. “I made mistakes, but I learned so much through them it made me not want to give up.”

The show, located at the Yorkton Public Library will hang until May 31. An artist reception will be held May 13 from 2-4 p.m.

Hands-on automotive training to be included with online learning

By John Cairns, SASKTODAY.ca

REGINA -

Students enrolling in Saskatchewan’s online learning program this fall who are interested

in automotive training will soon be able to take part in automotive placements.

On Thursday the Government of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Distance

Learning Centre and the Saskatchewan Automobile Dealer’s Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Regina, for a new oneyear partnership to sup-

port work placements for high school students in Sask DLC’s Mechanical and Automotive courses for the 2023-24 school year.

SADA is investing $40,000 under the MOU and the plan is for students to complete their theory component online, and then undertake a work placement in any of the 133 SADAmember car dealerships across Saskatchewan.

“The Sask DLC is looking for innovative ways that we can provide innovative courses for students, regardless of where they live in the province,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said.

He acknowledged the Sask. DLC faced a challenge in how to provide practical training to students. This is meant to bridge that gap.

“What the Sask DLC is able to offer is partnerships like this one with the Saskatchewan Automobile Dealer’s Association that allow for the students to do the theory part of the course online, but then when it comes to the work placement, the SADA members are saying is that for this year’s agreement, they will allow work placement for the students to do the practical portion of the class when it comes to automotive technol-

ogy.” Sask DLC will be online this fall to offer online courses for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students.

“We know that trades are a high demand career opportunity in Saskatchewan so this partnership will definitely lead to other ones down the road in other trades,” said Sask. DLC CEO Darren Gasper to reporters.

“Autobody and electrical would be great examples where the need is strong there as well. We look forward to working with those associations in bringing programs online in those trades as well.”

YBID returns with June Days

June days will return in just a few short weeks as YBID has planned themed activities in the City Central Park for every Thursday this June.

Legacy Co-operative Association Limited

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday, 24 May 2023 | 7:00pm Gallagher Centre,Yorkton, Sk.

Agenda: All business to come before an Annual General Meeting including:

• Call to Order

• Board of Director’s Report

• General Manager’s Report

• Auditor’s Report and Financial Statement

• Election of Directors

• Appointment of Auditors

• New Business

• Adjournment

The Nomination’s Committee would like to bring forward the following names for election to the Board of Directors of Legacy Co-operative Association Limited:

Doug Barber, Retired

Ken Chyz, Business Owner

• Bruce Hansen, Retired

• Dwayne Reeve, Retired

Downtown will be hopping all of June and businesses are encouraged to take part and put some specials on for the days, suggests Donna Brothwell, executive director of YBID.

“Bringing people to the district is the goal and other activities are welcome with approval,”

she added. “Come out and enjoy the activities chairs will be provided but bring your lawn chairs and enjoy.”

The days will include live entertainment, activities, food trucks, face painting, rides, dance, culture activities, youth activities and games, and more.

To discuss more or take part by volunteering or bringing out cultural crafts or more, call Brothwell at 306-7839243. –

June Community Day’s Agenda

June 1 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Jamaican Theme

June 8 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. p.m. Vietnamese/ Philippines Theme

June 15 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Ukraine Theme

June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 22 4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. South Asian Theme and Holi Celebration

June 29 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Nigerian/Canadian Theme — Submitted

SADA Executive Director Larry Heggs, Sask DLC CEO Darren Gasper and Educatiom Minister Dustin Duncan sign the MOU for new one-year partnership to support work placements in automotive.

John Cairns

‘French Enough’ up for Ruth Shaw Award

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

A Sask. director’s short film discussing the lives of one prairie francophone family is in the runnings for the Ruth Shaw Award at the Yorkton Film Festival this year.

Alexis Normand’s

‘French Enough’ is a described as “a series of candid exchanges about belonging and bilingualism on the Prairies,” according to the the film’s description.

“It’s the story of my family,” said Normand in an interview with Yorkton This Week

“I wrote and directed it, but I’m also in it with my family,” said Normand, adding, “it shows how we transfer the French language and identity in a inter-generational way.”

“My mom is Anglophone, my dad is Francophone, but really assimilated...[the film shows] how we managed to repatriate what was lost through assimilation over generations,” said Normand.

“We see how our family functions together

and the film shows some of the challenges that we’ve encountered and that my mom specifically encountered as an anglophone.”

“Francophones weren’t always...kind to families like ours,” said Normand, “when you have families where parents are from different cultural backgrounds it’s called an exogamous family.”

“Back then it wasn’t quite as common for family structures like mine to be seen within Francophone communities whereas now it’s a lot more common,” said Normand, adding, the film “talks about my family and the French language and identity and how we transfer that sense of belonging and that identity from one generation to the next despite living in a place where there’s not very much French to begin with and especially within out own family structure.”

Normand, who is relatively new to film-making, is not stranger to arts and education.

“I have a degrees in music and education and

Ruth Shaw Best of Sask. Finalist 2023

I’ve been a songwriter for over 10 years,” said Normand.

Normand toured as a solo Francophone artist but also as a member of Rosie and the Riveters, a trio of musicians that toured internationally across Canada, the US and Europe.

“I discovered filmmaking in 2018,” said Normand, “it changed my life.”

“Film-making offers a lot more as a medium for different things compared to song-writing and recording albums and touring,” said Norman, noting, “when I had made my first student film in 2018 I felt that freedom that sub-titles offered.”

The appeal for Normand as a bi-lingual speaker was being able to express herself in both languages at the same time, describing it as “something that’s much more close to my reality

as a Francophone speaker in Sask.”

Normand said the visual story-telling component was also appealing.

With song-writing she could “describe a lot of things and people could conjure up images in their mind, but being able to show somebody something as opposed to describing it are two very different things.”

The film was shot over the course of three days at Waka Lake, a regional park roughly 100 KM north-east of Saskatoon.

“Because my family is in it, I wanted to make sure they felt comfortable and I also wanted to show how we function in both languages and the best place for me to show that is where we spend our summers together,” said Normand.

Normand said her francophone family spent many summers at

Waka Lake.

“I grew up spending all my summers at the lake and walking down the lanes to visit an aunt or walking a little further to visit someone else...there was always cousins around, so that kind of tradition sort of continues in our family except we all kind of share this one tiny little cottage.”

“Part of the visual storytelling was not just being able to show how language and identity are these important part of our lives that we are transferring from one generation to another, but also the space,” said Normand, “there was already a lot of links between past and present and moving forward that I could draw upon and it just made sense emotionally for that space to hold the conversation.”

“The film is mostly a conversation about Francophone identity,” said Normand, “it’s the very first time that my family ever talked about it...we had quite a lot to say to eachother in that first iteration of how it all came together.”

Normand said she was

surprised at hearing the news of her nomination for the Ruth Shaw Award.

“What a surprise — first of all — was not expecting that...super huge honour, too.”

“It’s interesting for me to discover the legacy of film in Sask. through the YFF,” said Normand, “it feels like a big honour to me.”

To add to the nomination for the Ruth Shaw Award, Normand said the film won Best Franco-Canadian film at the Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma, a film festival held in Montreal.

“That was unexpected as well,” said Normand.

“When I made the film my intention was for it to be mostly for Frenchspeaking people outside of Quebec — there’s a million of us who kind of identify in one way or another to my family’s story — those are the people I thought would be interested in this film.”

“To win in Quebec — I didn’t think they would ever be interested at all — I’m pretty grateful.”

The Yorkton Film Festival takes place May 25–27.

YFF names mentorship program recipients

out in February, and we received many very strong applications from film makers who were interested in taking part in this year’s program,” said Randy Goulden, YFF Executive Director.

“We are excited to again deliver this program and thank RBC Foundation for their commitment to helping us foster the next great

generation of Canadian film talent,” added Goulden.

“We’re delighted to welcome the 2023 program participants who represent geographies from coast-to-coast,” said Jon Barth, RBC Regional Vice President, Southern Saskatchewan, adding, “the experience and advice from their mentors will be invaluable

as they build inclusive, vibrant communities through their storytelling while establishing their careers and contributing to strong economies.”

The arts play an important role in society, and the RBC YFF Mentorship Program is an investment in the creative sector to support a strong future for filmmakers and to foster

diverse contributions to Canadian film and media landscape. Mentorship program recipients will attend the Yorkton festival in May, providing them with workshop and networking opportunities, and will participate in monthly consultation with their mentor to discuss their creative projects.

–Submitted

Courtesy Alexis Normand

The documentary film was shot over the course of three days at Waka Lake and features Normand and other members of her family in a discussion about what it is to be francophone.

Courtesy Alexis Normand Alexis Normand (third from left) is the writer, director and composer for the short film about French language and identity on the prairies.

Mixed messages don’t help consumers

There are times that farmers have to wonder what exactly consumers are thinking when it comes to their decisions about what they put on the dinner table.

There are so many factors the consumer is being asked to consider today that makes understanding their final decisions often confusing to understand.

There are those promoting the idea of livestock being sentient and so should be off the menu.

There are those who point to livestock as being greenhouse gas emitters and so to combat global weather changes should be off the menu, which

one imagines means eating up the existing herds and basically stopping further production – which for some breeds at least could well mean extinction which could have future impacts not well understood today.

Others worry livestock consumes feed from acres that they believe would be better suited to grains for human consumption.

While most of the above reasons might best be described as morale ones, there is also the mixed messages regarding what is best for humans in terms of what feeds our bodies best.

“Meat, eggs and milk offer crucial sources of

Agriculture THIS WEEK

Calvin Daniels

much-needed nutrients which cannot easily be obtained from plantbased foods, a new report issued today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says in an online release on the organization website.

However, revisions

to the Canada Food Guide released in 2019 are pointedly different. The updated Food Guide emphasized plantbased foods and advised Canadians to consume less milk and meat. One can sympathize if consumers aren’t quite sure which message is best for their families.

Ultimately, barring issues such as allergies or medical conditions limiting what one eats, it would seem as in most things, moderation is a good starting place from which to determine family menus. Too much of anything; from raw sugars, to salt, to cured meats to any other menu item is not likely the best option.

It is also likely most any food in moderation is not going to be horrible for some unless the aforementioned issues are present.

Is eating beef or pork OK? Well for most the answer is no doubt yes. The same can be said for

consuming legumes as a protein source.

The better answer still is quite likely a diet with some of both on the menu regularly.

And let’s not forget humans have been drinking animal milks for centuries, so to suddenly think that is bad seems unlikely, although perhaps consumption needs to be adjusted for lifestyle. Most of us do not do the physical work we would have even 50 years ago, so our nutrient needs are going to be different. The key is assimilating the data being tossed out and finding a balance that works in the kitchen for each of us.

Chronic wasting disease a growing threat, even to soil

By Samantha Johnson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Medicine Hat News)

In Alberta, Chronic Wasting Disease is present in mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and moose. It’s a significant concern to wildlife managers and hunters in the province but, at this point, there is no solution to the problem. Data for the 2022-23 hunting season shows a provincewide contamination of 23.4%.

Joel Nicholson, senior wildlife biologist with Fish and Wildlife in Medicine Hat, said, “There are pockets of prevalence that are unbelievably high (in Saskatchewan). We are headed in the same dir-

ection. We’re pushing one in four from a mule deer standpoint. The prevalence only seems to go one direction without major intervention.”

The leading edges of the known distribution are being monitored, along the westward and northern spread. Since CWD was first confirmed in Alberta in 2005, the level of control, from aggressive to less so, has varied.

The head collection program is currently focusing on the leading edge of the disease as well, with the number of freezers provided decreasing. Online information (https:// www.alberta.ca/chronicwasting-disease-information-for-hunters.aspx) states that opportunities

for submitting heads outside the target areas are limited.

“We did have freezers in the Medicine Hat area last year at a lower number,” stated Nicholson. “I don’t know what the status of the program will be this fall.”

While it is recommended that any animal infected with a prion disease, such as CWD, not be eaten, some are not concerned about it said Nicholson. CWD spreads by animal-to-animal contact and through bodily fluids. As it can take years to kill off an animal, there is significant opportunity for the disease to spread.

Debora Voll, who lives on an award-winning multigenerational farm in Saskatchewan, is con-

cerned about soil contamination from CWD.

“I’m very passionate about this and I’m watching the devastation of the deer. We have 55% base of contamination or infection in mule deer. That is a risk to our soil and why I started my research. The more I research, the less I know. I think we need to drive home that soil contamination is a potential devastating outcome to the environment and the agriculture community. Not just for Saskatchewan but for Western Canada.”

Soil becomes contaminated with the CWD prion via saliva, urine and feces from infected animals.

“Studies show plants uptake the prion respon-

sible for CWD. Tomatoes, corn, alfalfa, and wheat. Who is going to buy produce grown in potentially contaminated soil? That is not being addressed,” stated Voll.

A 2021 paper states the CWD prion can persist in a bioavailable state for years and certain soil microparticles enhance the transmissibility of the disease (https:// veterinaryresearch. biomedcentral.com/ articles/10.1186/s13567021-00986-y). When deer consume soil, particularly in areas adjacent to mineral licks, they can ingest the CWD prion.

A plant sprayed with urine from an infected animal will also remain infectious for two years or more. The paper states that results

regarding the uptake of prions by plants are not conclusive. One study showed grass plants do uptake prions from the soil and transport them to above ground vegetation and another showed wheat does not.

The first reported case of CWD was in 1967 and it is now confirmed in 30 states and four provinces, according to March 2023 information from the US Geological Survey. Norway’s first documented case was in 2016 with Finland and Sweden also reporting cases in wild Moose. The disease was shipped to Korea from Canada through imported deer in 1997. Given the impact on wildlife management, studies into CWD are ongoing.

USask students training for the future in agriculture technology

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.”

Sp orts

Urban poling gains interest

As the days are getting longer and the sun has melted the snow and ice the local walking trails are teaming with walkers, joggers and strollers.

And, a Nordic walker, what used to be an unusual sight has become the norm.

Anne Stupak and Karen Ransome, Certified Urban Pole instructors, have now marked their first year of hosting Urban Pole Clinics at the Flexihall at the Gallagher Center.

“It is simply amazing how the participants can feel the difference the poles make in being able to walk with better balance and in a more upright position,” Stupak stated.

“The poles work the whole body when using the poles in the way they were created to be used. The Activator poles are meant to aid in balance and stability, while the Urban poles are used to give a whole body workout aimed at core

strengthening, increased heart rate and calorie burn.”

The pole type is used in a different way depending on the needs and goals of each walker.

“The Clinics we have hosted indoors at the Gallagher Center gives each walker a chance to try the poles that we supply, giving instruction in both types so that the attendee can really get a good feel for what walking with poles is like,” Ransome commented.

They will continue to host clinics in May at the Gallagher Centre, Wednesdays May 17 and 31, starting at 1:00 p.m. -call the Gallagher Center to register at 306-7851740.

The two instructors want to also create walking groups that meet on a regular basis.

“Now that the weather is warmer and the ice is gone, we are meeting outdoors at the Botanical Gardens, Tuesdays and Fridays starting at 1:00

p.m..

Everyone is welcome to come and take a walk for as long as they wish and at a pace that they wish,” said Stupak. “It’s nice not to walk alone and a great way to meet new and old friends within the group.”

With walking being the number one exercise that all health practitioners prescribe to their clients, the social aspect of walking together by joining a walking group multiplies the benefit to each individual, said Ransome.

“We have had a wonderful year of bringing Nordic walking to the City of Yorkton and the surrounding area. We are proud to see a number of people out walking with poles and gratified to hear the stories from our walkers and how these poles have impacted their lives, the weight loss, the ability to walk further, better posture and confidence when walking. Stories

of less pain when walking, happy to get their strength back after knee or hip surgery and overall feeling good when out walking with poles,” said Stupak.

“We appreciate all those that have taken our clinics and we look

forward to continuing to teach the health benefits of walking and full body workout by walking with poles.”

The duo’s mission is to continue to promote Nordic walking with Urban Poling Clinics and to continue to promote

and organize walking groups.

If anyone is interested in learning more about walking with poles or interested in hosting a clinic, contact Anne Stupak at 306-621-8926 or urbanpolingclub@gmail. com

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Awareness Week in Sask.

Aquatic Invasive

Species (AIS) Awareness

Week being recognized in Saskatchewan from May 8 to 12. This is an opportunity to provide education on the potential harm caused by introducing non-native plants, fish and invertebrates into our waterbodies.

During the week, the Ministry of Environment will launch its annual Clean, Drain and Dry campaign and kick off

its watercraft inspection and waterbody monitoring programs. These programs are a critical part of helping to protect the province’s aquatic ecosystems from invasive species.

“Saskatchewan’s many freshwater lakes, rivers and streams are critical to our daily lives, as they provide drinking water, irrigation, power generation and a number of recreational and commer-

cial opportunities for the province,” Environment Minister Dana Skoropad said. “Please help out by protecting our waters from aquatic invasive species. Clean, drain and dry your boats and any other equipment used in and around water.”

Aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and spiny waterflea, are introduced into our lakes, rivers and streams when they attach to boats

or any gear that comes in contact with water. Once established, these organisms are nearly impossible to eliminate, can significantly impact our fisheries and cost millions of dollars to manage annually.

The Ministry of Environment has eight mobile watercraft decontamination units that support its AIS inspection and decontamination program. Two units

will be set up along the Manitoba border and three along the U.S. border. Additional units will be used in key locations across the province throughout the open water season. All vehicles transporting watercraft are required to stop at watercraft inspection stations, when open. Sightings of aquatic invasive species on watercraft or in and

around Saskatchewan waterbodies should be reported immediately to the Saskatchewan Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561, or text #5555 from your SaskTel cellphone. More information on how to properly clean, drain and dry your equipment and prevent the spread of AIS can be found at saskatchewan. ca/invasive-species.

6v6 gives PLL hopeful a showcase

If you are a lacrosse fan, and with the Saskatchewan Rush now entrenched in Saskatoon you should be, you will be aware that 6v6 is the latest incarnation of the sport.

The sport was highlighted at the 11th edition of The World Games which took place in July 2022 in Birmingham, Al.

More recently the 6v6 version of lacrosse took centre stage through the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) as the league hosted its ‘Championship Series’ in February.

The Championship Series saw the top four teams from the preceding PLL regular season standings qualifying for the tournament.

As noted on the PLL website the series was highlighted by the PLL’s mission of trailblazing the future of professional sports, including its broader push for inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in LA, the Championship Series was played in sixes-format.

The final was a classic and showed exactly how dramatic 6v6 can be with Chrome narrowly defeating Atlas 24-23 in the Championship Series finale at The St. James in Springfield, Va.

Canadian Drake Porter was one of the goaltender’s for Atlas in the series.

“I grew up playing box lacrosse. I didn’t really know field existed,” he

CALVIN DANIELS Sports

admitted in a recent interview with Yorkton This Week.

Until he was on the verge of being a teenager the Aurora, Ont.born Porter played the indoor game, and then was drawn outside, but to play a different sport.

“I quit (lacrosse), to play baseball for a few years,” he said.

But, when he entered middle school he found they had a field team, and jumped in.

It turned out he was pretty good, to the point he earned a scholarship from Syracuse, one of the most famous lacrosse programs south of the border.

“It was my dream to play for Syracuse. They were the first team I ever saw playing field lacrosse on TV,” said Porter. “. . . When I got the opportunity it was a no-brainer to say yes.”

It was in Porter’s third year at Syracuse that the PLL was born.

“It was exciting. I was really excited to potentially have a place to play (post college),” he said.

Porter has attended PLL camps but hadn’t cracked a line-up for a

start, at least until the Championship Series.

In some respects Porter was a natural having played sixes before.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play before. I love it,” he said.

Porter said while there were those who questioned the development of 6v6 once played it earns respect on its own merits.

“It’s a lot different,” he said, adding both offences and defences are still trying to figure out what works best. “. . . It’s really cool everybody’s trying to figure it out as they go.”

Of course the PLL likes to switch things up, adding a two-point arc in the series.

“The arc is really huge. It became a huge part of the game,” said Porter, adding it boosted scoring in a version of lacrosse already noted for inspiring high octane offences.

As a netminder Porter said you have to be ready to be busy – very busy.

In an entire 60-minute field game a goaltender might face 25-30 shots.

“In sixes (12-minutes) that’s the expectation.

There are a ton of shots,” said Porter. And with a field smaller than field, the offence gets in closer too.

“They’re closer . . . There’s more shots . . . You’re a little more under siege,” said Porter. “You’re seeing a ton of rubber.” That all said Porter

expects 6V6 will remain a niche form of lacrosse.

“I don’t think it will ever take over lacrosse,” he said, likening it to Rugby 7s.

And like Rugby 7s is now an Olympic sport, that was the hope of creating 6v6 as a form of lacrosse that would draw Olympic interest.

Whiskers & Tails

Is your pet getting older? Consider

Are you concerned about your pet’s health? If your long-time companion starts to experience appetite loss, incontinence, poor balance or issues with hearing or sight, old age is likely to blame. Ask your veterinarian to conduct a full geriatric assessment to identify any potential and current health problems.

What to look out for

Animals in their senior years are much more vulnerable to illness than their younger counterparts. Here are just a few health issues that commonly affect our older canine and feline friends:

Reduced mobility (arthritis)

• Deafness

• Poor eyesight (cataracts, glaucoma)

• Chronic fatigue or sluggishness

Kidney failure

Diabetes

Tumours

Irritability, anxiety or aggressive behaviour

Cognitive difficulties (disorientation, impaired leaning)

Your veterinarian will begin the assessement by asking you a series of questions pertaining to your pet’s behaviour.

He or she will then collect blood, urine and stool samples for analysis, and in certain cases may recommend an X-ray or ultrasound. The vet will also examine your pet’s eyes, ears, fur, mouth and teeth to detect any abnormalities that require immediate intervention, either by means of surgery, medication or a change in diet. The goal of all this is to

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“It was an opportunity to show what I can do. It was an opportunity to see what the PLL was like game day,” he said. The regular 2023 PLL season opens up in June in Albany.

ensure that your pet’s senior years will be as healthy and happy as can be.

When to seek geriatric care

The larger the dog breed, the earlier owners should seek senior care. For example, St. Bernards, mastiffs and Great Danes should all undergo their first geriatric appointment by the age of six. As for medium-sized and smaller breeds — like golden retrievers, Labradors, German shepherds, Chihuahuas, toy poodles and Shih Tzus — the first senior exam should be scheduled around the time they turn nine. And what about cats? Our feline friends generally hit their senior years by age 11. Of course, these numbers vary from breed to breed. To make sure your furry friend stays in fine health, ask your vet about senior pet care and when it should be considered.

Pictured is Judy Kodiak, Diane Davis and Brenda Leppington crossed paths with Bernie Wlock and Brad Ouart on Logan Green.

BETKER - Lorraine, or Lena to her family and early friends, was born on October 23, 1939 to John and Martha Koroluk. She spent her childhood in the Wroxton area and attended school in Kamsack. Later on she attended the Yorkton Collegiate, where she received her business certificate in bookkeeping. She married Edwin Betker in 1961 and worked in the office of McGavin’s Bakery. She continued to work there in between having her children Lauren, Glenn and Corey. Ed worked at the Yorkton Enterprise in production. Ed and his partners decided to start a new paper, Yorkton This Week, and Lorraine went with them to work as office manager. She continued working there until her retirement at age 80! Lorraine enjoyed her social outings with Ed, going out to dances and other Jaycee events. She bowled in a league, curled socially, played ball in high school. She took golf lessons in her 40’s and became an excellent golfer and enjoyed her Ladies Nights at Deer Park and golfing with her friends and family. She enjoyed her holiday trips to the Black Hills, and travelling to see various family members in Calgary, Madge Lake, The Pas, Lanigan, Kamsack. She also enjoyed spending time at the family cabin at Burgis Beach. Ed passed away when he was only 63, and Lorraine never really recovered from that; he had always been the ‘life of the party’. Mom put her energy into her work, and her grandchildren, and began to enjoy this stage of her life. She was a loving grandma and a very supportive mom, and we will all miss her very much. She began to have health problems 4 years ago but was determined to stay in her own home. Recently she injured her back and her heart just gave out on her. She leaves to mourn, her children: Lauren (Tom) Hearn and their children Miles and Jayne. Glenn (Karin) and Glenn’s children Garrett, Laura, Karalie and Kamryn and Laura’s daughter Lyla. Corey (Jana) and Corey’s sons Drew, Brady and Jesse. She also leaves her sisters Ruth Dixon and Verna Black, as well as many nieces and nephews, and their children. The funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, B.Th officiating. The opening song was ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. Pianist, granddaughter Laura Betker led in the hymns ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Sweet By and By’. Sons Glenn, Corey and daughter Lauren gave a tribute to their mom. The interment took place in the Garden of St. Mark with Miles & Tom Hearn, Dean Dixon, and Garrett, Kamryn and Jesse Betker serving as the casketbearers. Memorials were to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com

WINTONYK - Walter Wintonyk (1929 - 2023) passed away peacefully at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the age of 93 years. Walter is survived by his beloved wife, Mary after a blessed 70 years of marriage celebrated in August of 2022, two sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, Rick (Ingrid) Wintonyk and their children Grayden and Callen of Winnipeg, MB, Rob (Karen) Wintonyk and their children Rebecca and Isabella of Kitchener, ON, and former daughter-in-law Elaine (Arnold) Hornung of Grayson and her sons Jesse of Yorkton and Jody (Crystal) Wintonyk of Regina. Also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law George (Lorraine) Flunder and Rodney (Adelia) Flunder all of Yorkton, their families and the families of his siblings as he is the last surviving of his immediate family. Walter was predeceased by his son Barry in 2013, his parents Demetrius “Metro” (Nettie nee Perepeluk) and his sisters and brothers Mary (John) Rubiletz, Mike (Margorie) Wintonyk, Kay (Bill) Mayes, Anne (Andrew) Antony and Ed (Shirley) Wintonyk. Walter was born in Calder, SK November 23, 1929, and was raised on the farm near Wroxton, SK. Mary and Walter were married August 3, 1952, and lived on the farm for a few years, later moving to Yorkton, Saltcoats, Bredenbury and finally settled in Churchbridge to raise their family. In his early years in addition to farming, Walter gained employment driving transport truck and later began working at IMC (Mosaic) potash mine in Esterhazy where he retired on staff as a supervisor. Throughout all those years, his passion and love of farming remained strong as he planted crops yearly working the fields on his days away from work. He often joked that he worked at the mine to support his farming habits. Churchbridge quickly became home as he and Mary made many good friends, and they enjoyed volunteering for the Lion’s club and both became involved in the Catholic Church Community in Churchbridge often participating as Lay Presiders. Another passion became the local town council and later Walter became Mayor of Churchbridge for several years. Together with Mary, they cherished their time working with Saskatchewan Housing especially helping the local seniors in rental housing. In their more senior retirement years, they moved to Yorkton and enjoyed their friendships made at their condo and later the retirement homes they lived in. Aging gracefully and as the needs for care increased due to dementia, we are all thankful they were able to transfer to long term care at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home in Country Meadows. The family would like to thank all the staff of Country Meadows as well as Dr. Andy Van Heerden for their personal attention, care and hard work navigating all the challenges in today’s health care especially following the Covid outbreak. Our most sincere thanks are extended to our sister-in-law Elaine and our aunts, uncles and their families, Lorraine and George Flunder and Adelia and Rodney Flunder. They helped Mary and Walter in every way from their relocation to Yorkton when selling their home in Churchbridge to all their transitions in senior care through the retirement homes and finally the nursing home. Words cannot convey our thanks for the love and support shown to our parents. Finally, we remain thankful for Walter and Mary’s enduring faith which carried them through challenging times and carries us all now. In the comforting words of our mom, “everything is in God’s hands.” A prayer service and a time to visit with the family will be held at St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church, 125 - 3rd Ave N, Yorkton on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 7:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gerard Church on Friday, May 12 at 11:00 am. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and a link is available on Walter’s tribute page at www.baileysfuneralhome.com. Immediately following the Mass, interment will take place in Yorkton Memorial Gardens followed by a reception and time to visit with the family in the Parish Hall of the church. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Association, the Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements in care of Bailey’s funeral home, Yorkton.

WOZNY - Norman February 16, 1941 - May 3, 2013 Yorkton, SK.

It is with great sadness the family of Norman Wozny announces his passing at the age of 82. He will be lovingly remembered by his son Darren Wozny (Sophie Zhang), granddaughters Angelina & Athena Wozny of Calgary, AB, daughter Cindy Wozny (Dave Rubis) of Redwater, AB, grandsons Sean (Ian) Watt and Dustin Thiessen (Angela Schwarzer) of Calgary, AB and great grandson Lucas Thiessen of Red Deer, AB. He was also survived by his brothers Nick Wozny, Glen (Jeanette) Wozny and sister Irene (Yone) Kahut of Calgary, AB. Norman was predeceased by his wife Lillie Betty (nee Onofreychuk) Wozny of 57 years, his parents George & Victoria (nee Horaska) Wozny. Norman was born in the Calder, SK district. He met Lillie and they were married May 18, 1963 in Wroxton, SK and then moved to Calgary, AB where they resided for several years, where he worked for Industrial Sheet Metal as well as a welder for Standen’s Springs for 30 years. Norman and Lillie moved back to an acreage in Calder, SK for their retirement, where he spent most of time welding for the local community as well as hunting & fishing in the Assiniboine Valley. A “Celebration of Life” will take place at a later date. Please visit https//baileysfuneralhome.com for more information.

SHULLMAN– Nellie(Shullman)Krauskopfpassed awaysuddenlyinEdmonton,Alberta,onApril11, NelliewasborntoJohnand JeanShullmanonMarch 20,1949,onthefamilyfarm nearShellmouth,Manitoba. Nellielivedandworkedin andaroundEdmontonmost ofherlife. Nelliewaspredeceasedby herparents,JohnandJean, sisterRose,andbrothers-inlawRobert,AlexandLaverne.Lefttocherishher memoryishersonTroy, brothersEdandJohn (Colleen),sisterJoyceand numerouscousins, nephews,niecesand Nellie'scelebrationoflife willbeheldatalaterdate thissummer.

MATSALLA - At the age of 100 years and 5 months, Stella Matsalla (nee Boychuk) has finally become pain free and is resting in the arms of God. She was the seventh of nine children who all predeceased her, four brothers and four sisters: Mary, Ann, Lena, Peter, and Valdemare Antoniw, plus Pauline, Michael, and Bill Boychuk; as well as her parents Mike Boychuk and Martha (nee Kuculeyma) Antoniw-Boychuk; Stella’s husband, Joseph; her only son, Louie; two daughters, Delores Slaferek and Lucy Kazakoff; four grandsons: Teddy Kazakoff, Joseph, Leonard, and Johnny Balaniuk; and her granddaughter Jolene Balaniuk. Stella was born November 8, 1922 on the farm her parents owned near Mitchellview, SK. She went to school at Oleshaw for only a few years. Having two brothers, Valdemare Antoniw and Michael Boychuk, who were very disabled physically, she had to quit school to help her parents on the farm. After both brothers died, she went to work for a wealthy family not far from home at $4.00 a month. At the age of 18, she married Joseph Matsalla and from that day forward life became a real challenge. They lived with her in laws for a year, moved to Hazel Dell then Foam Lake, over to Benito, where they bought a café and Stella worked day and night to make a living. Everything was homemade: pies, hamburgers, french fries, cabbage rolls, etc. Life took a frightening turn when the polio epidemic hit and her second oldest daughter got polio at the age of seven. They sold their restaurant and moved to Kamsack because they had a good hospital; where they remained until Joseph passed away in 1993 and Stella moved to Melody Manner in Yorkton in 2019. That had to be the toughest time of her life because by now she was deaf and at some point, nobody really knows when, she must have had a stroke because she could hardly speak. Stella spent all of her life helping others, having her elderly parents move in with her until their passing. As a mother of four girls, she worked as a waitress in every café in Kamsack, plus head cook at the steakhouse. She then got home for a little while, changed her clothes, and went over to the Catholic Hall to cook for a banquet, wedding, or other event. Stella tended a large garden and got the U.C.W.L. to grow potatoes and cabbages so they could make and sell cabbage rolls and perogies to build a new church in Kamsack and to remodel the Catholic Hall. Stella was always in demand as a cook for hundreds of weddings from Manitoba to British Columbia. She raised a beautiful garden, she canned and pickled, and kept her home spotless. She loved to play cards, and boy did she ever love to dance. Regardless of how late the dance ended she always made it to Church on Sunday morning. St. Josephat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kamsack was very important to her. So her final days on earth will end with a last mass from the Church she worshipped and prayed in – with her family around her. Stella will always be remembered with a lot of sorrow for how she suffered the last five months of her life and an endless amount of love for all the goodness that she was able to share with her family. Stella leaves behind her two daughters Connie (Bill) of Winnipeg, her children Crystal and Kimberly (Tyler); and Pauline (Johnny) in Yorkton, and their children Theresa (Ken) Darcy, Timothy, and Martie. She will also be remembered by her late daughter Lucy’s family: son-in-law Lawrence; and Lucy’s children Cindy, Wendy, and Jimmy; her other late daughter Delores’ children Ken, Michelle, Freddy, and Danny; late grandson Johnny’s family: wife Trish and sons Jarren, Nathan, and Brennan Balaniuk; plus 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-greatgrandchildren. Prayers were held on Monday, May 8, 2023 from St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church Kamsack, SK, preceded by the rosary led by the UCWL. The Funeral Liturgy was held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 from St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Kamsack, SK with the Very Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac as Celebrant. The UCWL held an honor guard. The cross bearer was Darcy Balaniuk and the Epistle reader was Pauline Balaniuk. The interment followed in Yorkton City Cemetery with Theresa Tkachuk, Martie Balaniuk, Wendy Broda, Cindy Natuik, Michelle Slaferek, Crystal Kinnaird and Kimberly Altomare serving as casket bearers. Memorial donations in Stella’s memory may be made to St. Josaphat’s Church (114 West Ave., Kamsack, SK S0A 1S0) as gifts of remembrance.

KOWALL - So the day has come for Nettie Kowall to leave this world and join her husband, Nick, and most of her brothers and sisters in heaven. Nettie was the oldest girl of 8 kids of the Olenick clan from Swan Plain. She was born in Arabella January 22, 1927. Nettie was raised in Swan Plain, later she moved to the big town, Norquay, where she met her husband, Nick Kowall. They started their life together in Norquay, they had four kids. Dennis who passed away September 2019, Marcel who lives in Sherwood Park with his wife, Leslie, their 2 kids and 2 grandchildren. Colleen Rosendaal of Brandon with her husband, Al, and their two kids, and three grandchildren. Finally Perry from Dauphin, with his wife, Dana, their two kids and 2 grandchildren. Nettie was a busy lady. She was a waitress most of her life. First at the skillet at Zellers and later at the Holiday Inn. Nettie loved picking berries, mushrooms and playing bingo. Nettie was full of Life and Laughs.

As she got older she spent her last few years at the Yorkton Nursing Home where she received excellent care. Especially from staff. Especially in the Skinner Unit, many thanks for that. Nettie will be truly missed by her family and anyone who knew her. A Prayer Service was held on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm from Christie’s Funeral Home and Crematorium, 121 Palliser Way in Yorkton, SK. A Funeral Liturgy was celebrated on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 10:00 am from St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 155 Catherine Street Yorkton, SK.

BILLY - Jean Billy of Saskatoon, formerly of Yorkton passed away in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the age of 89 years. Jean (Jennie) was born near Burgis, SK to Steve and Dora Terlesky. She received her education at West Scalet School. As a young adult she commenced employment as an egg grader. On June 15, 1952 Jean was united in marriage to George Billy in Canora. The couple spent their first year of married life in Burgis before relocating to Canora in 1953 where they raised two daughters, Laurel and Susan and relocated once more to Yorkton in 1976. Jean spent many years as a Tupperware dealer and worked in retail stores such as Eaton’s and Zellers until her retirement at age 65. She volunteered her time as a Sunday school teacher, Brownie leader and in TOPS. Jean was very creative and loved to generate humorous poems and lyrics, paint pictures, crochet, make quilts and decorate rocks, many of which she gifted to family and friends. She liked to garden, cook, bake, read, solve crossword puzzles, watch curling and never missed watching the news. A loving and caring mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother, Jean will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Predeceased by her parents; her loving husband George; brothers Metro (in infancy), George, John, William and Mike; sisters Helen (in childhood), Mary and Alice, brothers-in-law Metro, Mike L., Orest, Mike H., Dan, Sam, Matt, Bob, Norman, and Ray; sisters-in-law Gerry, Aileen, Peggy, Gladys, Olga and Cynthia. Jean is survived by her daughters Laurel (Brian) Bassingthwaite of Asquith, SK and Susan Billy of Saskatoon, SK; granddaughter Erin (Rod); grandson Sean (Amanda); great-grandchildren Ronan, Cordylia, Hazel and Kane; sisters Elizabeth, Vera, Ann, Lillian, Marge (Bill) and Iris; brothers-in law Alex and Jim (Vera) and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Jean’s life was held on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant officiating. Grandchildren Ronan Laverdiere, Cordylia Laverdiere and Hazel Taylor lit candles in memory of Jean. The interment followed in the Garden of St. Luke, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Brian Bassingthwaite, Sean Bassingthwaite, Rod Taylor, Leslie Hudema, Luke Walters and Greg Ottenbreit serving as casket bearers. Memorial donations in memory of Jean may be made to Palliative Care, St. Paul’s Hospital or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation as gifts of remembrance. Condolences may be left for the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.

KNODEL - Meta Ellenda Knodel was born January 20, 1922. She was the oldest child of Adolph and Magdalena (Fink) Schrader. She grew up on the family farm in the Otthon district. Meta attended Jaroslaw School, which was closest to the homestead, with her siblings. She was married to Donald Knodel on July 23, 1947 and farmed with him in the Rokeby area. In 1972, she moved to Yorkton and lived with her parents in their house on Myrtle Avenue. Meta looked after her parents in their later years. She was a devoted caregiver to both her parents in their later years, seeing her mother, Magdalena, through her cancer journey, and later caring for her father, Adolph, as he reached the end of his life’s journey. Meta had a green thumb and would tend to a large garden around the house on Myrtle Avenue. Her spectacular flower gardens were always weed free and it seemed she could grow almost any decorative plant. Her vegetable garden was always very productive, giving her produce to put up for later. Meta was a lifelong member of the Baptist church, faithfully attending Central Baptist, and later Heritage Baptist Church, as she was able. Her church service was an important part of her faith. For many years, Meta helped with children’s groups, such as Discovery Club where she was a Pilot. She was a member of the ladies’ ministries and would assist with Sunday School instruction. She was a long time member of the choir of both church choirs and took part in many activities. Caleb’s Companions, a Bible study, was a favourite. She was a talented baker and cook and she didn’t seem to need a recipe to work her magic in the kitchen. Meta would often help in the church kitchen when needed to assist at a celebration. Meta was a very talented seamstress who made clothes for herself and her nieces and clothes for her niece’s Barbies. She made these creations on a vintage Singer treadle sewing machine. Other crafts Meta enjoyed were painting by number, crocheting, and quilting. Meta made many quilts and crocheted afghans lovingly created by hand for family members and friends. In 1993, she moved into Queen Elizabeth Court. She enjoyed many friendships and took part in many activities while living there. Surely a highlight of her time there would have been the afternoon coffee gathering, where a group of first floor residents would gather after the afternoon soap operas to discuss their days and enjoy each other’s company. In 2017, she was moved to the Yorkton and District Nursing Home when she was no longer able to live independently. Meta’s dementia diagnosis was the reason she was admitted to Skinner Unit and, later, Melody Manor. In the early stages, she was very much herself and participated in any activity that allowed her to sing. She loved cats and was sometimes found in her room, meowing to her plush cat and talking to the care aides about their cats. As her condition progressed, her activities and interactions lessened until, eventually, she was bedridden. And, finally, she peacefully went to her rest. Meta is predeceased by her daughter, Norma; her parents, Adolph and Magdalena; her sister, Pearl; and her brother, Edwin. Her memory lives on with her nieces and nephews and many friends. Many thanks to the staff of Skinner Court and Melody Manor for looking after Aunt Meta in her final years. Even more thanks to Jan Dunn for being a friend and carer to our aunt during this final stage of her journey. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Center with Pastor Brian Kirsch of Heritage Baptist Church officiating. The eulogy was given by Karen MacDonald. Pianist Amanda Buhler led the congregation with the hymns and sang a solo. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Diane Kacher, Karen MacDonald, Sandra Lesko, Fred Schrader, Adam Daniels and Murray Rennie serving as casket bearers. Memorials in memory of Meta may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be left for the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.

Obituaries

SCHMIDT - Wallace Allen Schmidt, known to many as Wally, passed away on August 26, 2022 at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home. He was 86 years of age. Wallace Allen Schmidt was born Oct. 9, 1935 on a family farm in Duval, SK and passed away August 26, 2022. One of 10 children, he soon felt the farm wasn’t for him. He furthered his education through RSES, where he received his Journeyman’s ticket in refrigeration and airconditioning. His refrigeration journey took him to various towns across Saskatchewan ‘til they settled in Yorkton and bought Northeast refrigeration. While working in Regina he met a red-haired beauty by the name of Sheila Lougheed.

They were married on June 7, 1958. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Brad, Lori, Darren, and Brett. Wally became involved in the Elks Lodge. While in the club, he made strong friendships and enjoy contributing to such a worthwhile organization. Sheila and Wally love to travel. Trips to Holland, Hawaii Yuma and Epcot to name a few. Later in life, they enjoyed bus tours to Four Bears and Deadwood with family and friends. Wally was pre-deceased by his wife of 58 years, Sheila; his son Darren; son-in-law Rod Byblow, as well as eight of his siblings and their spouses. He will be remembered by his son Brad (Wendy) and their children: Kyle (Jana) and children Ethan and Jack of Yorkton, and Adam of Yorkton; daughter Lori (Melvin) Hniday and their children: Curtis (Linda), their children Gianna and Brendan of Crossfield, AB, Kim of Edmonton, AB, Mitch (Karlie) and their children Hudson and Harper of Yorkton; daughter-in-law Barb and her children: Reaghan (Dillon) grandson Dylan of Saskatoon; son Brett (Sherry) and their children: Connor and Calista of Airdrie, AB and his dear sister Alice Hamluck of Regina. Thank you to Yorkton District Nursing Home, and Dr. Van Heerden in caring for him through his last years. Cremation has taken place. Friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of Wally’s life, to be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 11:00am from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with lunch to follow. The interment will take place beside his beloved wife Sheila in the Yorkton City Cemetery. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com

Monuments

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In Memoriam

In Loving Memory of Helen Bugoy

July 17, 1926 – May 8, 2020

Somewhere beyond the heavens

We know that’s where you are

We see you when the sun sets You are that shining star

Our heart still ache in sadness and secret tears still flow What it meant to lose you

No one will ever know.

- We love and miss you Mom Rick and Natalie.

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Liquor Permit Advertising Form

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Notice is hereby given that 102111203 Saskatchewan LTD has applied to the Saskatchewan

Mobile/Manufactured Homes for Sale

SUMMER SANCTUARY: 1,120 sq.ft 1986 mobile home at 58 The Plateau, Ricker’s Campground, Lake of the Prairies, MB.

In Memoriam Sandy Trofananko

In loving memory of my wife, Sandy Trofananko, who passed away on May 16, 2002. Still the shock of losing you, is really hard to bear, but I can feel your presence, all around me everywhere. For you were really special and your love is still my guide, and although I can’t see you, you are always by my side.

- Your loving husband, Don DERENIWSKY - Lovingly Remembered, Beatrice Dereniwsky

July 2, 2014

“Thinking of you today Mom But that is nothing new For no day dawns and no day ends without a thought of You.”

- Missed dearly and never forgotten, love from your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren HOLOWKA, BUCSIS, MARTENS, MOLNAR, NEUMANN - In loving memory of Michael & Waltrina Holowka, Peter & Irene Bucsis, Linda Martens, Elmer Molnar, and Doug Neumann

We think of you in silence. We often speak your name. But all we have are memories, And your picture in a frame. Your resting place we visit, And put flowers there with care, But no one know the heartache, As we turn and leave you there.

- Lovingly remembered by your family

Coming Events

METIS LOCAL #13

Meeting for the election of executive and board members.

Friday, May 26 at 5:00PM at the Yorkton Public Library

Notice to Creditors NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE ESTATE OF TERRI LYNN HOULE, LATE OF YORKTON, SASKATCHEWAN, DECEASED.

ESTATE, DULY VERIFIED BY STATUTORY DECLARATION AND WITH PARTICULARS AND VALUATION OF SECURITY HELD, IF ANY, MUST BE SENT TO THE UNDERSIGNED BEFORE THE 17TH DAY OF MAY 2023.

JBK LAW OFFICE #2-31 BROADWAY STREET EAST YORKTON, SK S3N 0K4.

the contact person must provide an address and telephone number. Frivolous, vexatious or competition- based objections within the beverage alcohol industry may not be considered and may be rejected by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Licensing Commission, who may refuse to hold a hearing. Write to: Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Box 5054, REGINA SK S4P 3M3

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333 MORRISON POINT II CONDO FOR SALE

Top floor corner suite; Wrap around balcony; Windows with extensive view facing south east; 1200 sq.ft plus; 2 bedrooms, 2 baths. Phone 306-782-6145

Houses for Sale 900 SQFT+/- HOME ON ACRE IN HAMLET OF TADMORE 2 bedrooms +bonus 1 bathroom Fixer upper, needs plumbing & heating. Reasonable offers only: 306-562-7133 or 587-215-8918

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

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8x12 BARN style garden sheds, vinyl siding, asphalt shingles, 60 inch vinyl covered door. $2100. Can deliver. Sheho 306-849-4501

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PROGRAM

“Historically, road allowances formed ribbons of nature around cultivated land, a wild kingdom belonging to no man where anyone was free to hunt, walk, camp,

pick berries; where badgers, meadowlarks, and burrowing owls thrived, and where the lady slipper and the monarch butterfly took refuge.”

The YFBTA committee met and after discussion

it was decided to install a sign at each end of a designated road allowance promoting the value of road allowance habitat and inviting ‘All to Enjoy’.

The sign is installed on road allowances with the

Seniors, Parents, Children!

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REGISTERED NURSE

Whether it’s working the front lines, educating the health care professionals of tomorrow, participating in community practice or conducting research, nursing plays a valuable role in Saskatchewan, in Canada, and in the world. From everyone at USask College of Nursing, THANK YOU to all the nurses who make a difference each and every day. This week during National Nursing Week, we celebrate YOU!

permission of the rural municipality in order to bring attention to the valuable habitat that lies within the road allowance boundary.

The committee decided that R.M. councils be approached to ask permission to install the signs within their jurisdictions.

The Rural Municipality of Saltcoats was the first to give permission for the installation of signs within their jurisdiction. In the fall (2022) signs were installed on the corners of eight separate road allowances in the R.M. of Saltcoats.

Nancy Bird, acting on behalf of YFBTA, met with and received approval from the R.M. of Orkney for installation of signs on road allowances.

Martin Phillips met with the R.M. of Wallace, and approval has been granted for signs.

The RM of Cana has also approved signage.

“Rural Saskatchewan is changing. Land prices are high and going higher. Land speculators and farm corporations are buying land, clearing the land of bush, clearing old farmsteads and draining sloughs and potholes to enhance the value of the land. Road allowances have not escaped the bulldozers and the trac-hoes. In some cases road allowances have lost much of the habitat within their boundaries,” detailed the YFBTA newsletter.

“Road allowances are not owned by corporations or land speculators. They are controlled by the Rural Municipality and thus all ratepayers within the municipality. They provide access to all when passable. They provide valuable native habitat for many diverse plants and animals.

“Road allowances are important. Signs are installed as a reminder that road allowances should be preserved for ‘All to Enjoy’.”

YFBTA received a number of donations to defray expenditures. Additional donations are invited and may be directed to Monique Smith SecretaryTreasurer YFBTA, Box 252 Saltcoats, Saskatchewan S0A 3R0

Reflections for those difficult Mother’s Days

Most parents I know consider the blessing of parenthood among God’s greatest gifts. Our own two children and six grandchildren have been worth all the pain and prayers, the toil and worry, the inconvenience and expense they brought. As they grew, they grew us up too. I’d have them all over again, if offered the opportunity (and energy, which strangely enough seems to have leaked out along the parenting journey).

Having to put one’s children first in those early years weaned us from immature selfishness. Taught us the meaning of sacri-

fice, the importance of choosing and sticking to right values. Of setting good examples. Of leaving truly priceless treasures one can’t hold in the hand. Of teaching life lessons one can’t learn in school.

Likely the most difficult parenting lesson comes as a parent’s last: mastering the hard beauty of letting go. Allowing them to fly their own courses in life. Even, for some, letting go forever and committing them to God’s hands.

Mother’s Day brings tangled emotions for mothers. Especially those who have lost (or are estranged from)

Sunny Side Up

a child. Parents like beloved friends of ours who recently and unexpectedly suffered that loss.

My friend called to tell me the news. I listened, shocked. I had seen that child several weeks earlier. After hanging up the phone, her sobs still echoing in my ears and my own tears still wet on my

Always exciting to try something new

One of the most exciting things about gardening is trying something new; how will it turn out? Will it measure up to the description on the package? Maybe it will do better! You know that I always like to give a gentle nudge to try some new plant in the garden or in our containers. And now with planting this year’s garden in approaching in the very near future, it’s time to keep that in mind!

First, I’ll tell you about an interesting experiment that a dear friend has tried in her garden; she will be way ahead of us, because she planted a few things last fall! One thing that this industrious gardener does is let her lettuce self-seed. The result is that the plants come up very early and imagine how lovely that would be to have a few tender leaves of lettuce right from the garden when the rest of us are just thinking about getting out there!

Another experiment that she has had success with is planting carrots in the fall. Last fall she also planted a row of peas; when we talked the other day, they still weren’t up, but that was just shortly after our April blizzard. So I will keep you posted about how these things turn out! I love the idea of planting ahead of time!

We all know that some plants that have sown themselves in the fall do very well when spring arrives. In our own garden, we let a portion of certain flowers like poppies, cosmos and calendula mature and drop seeds. These have been wonderful plants to attract pollinators in our garden, so we let them be.

I have read that certain seeds need to be chilled before they will germinate. Guess what this is called? It is called “stratification”, and the cold is needed for some seeds so that

they will sprout properly. Stratification, going through that cold spell, takes some seeds out of a dormant state. For other seeds, the cold helps the seed coat to soften or break. (nature has interesting cases like this, where seed germination needs specific situations. For example, fireweed, which often comes up when soil is disturbed by something like, you guessed it, forest fires).

Just for fun, make a cup of tea and look up “winter-sowing” in Google. You’ll be amazed at the possibility of this interesting experiment, which is based on using seeds that need stratification. Maybe we’ll be trying it this fall!

This weekend is Mother’s Day weekend. For those of us who have lost our mothers, it is a time of remembering. My dear Mom was a true gardener; I learned at her elbow as soon as I was able to walk, and I’m so grateful for those wonderful gardening times we always had together. It wasn’t even all about the gardening, it was about being together, working and talking and laughing. Gardening does that. I have to work at all the knowledge that came so naturally to Mom, but I was blessed to have such a terrific teacher. I will savor every memory like the scent of an exotic rose. Thank you for everything, Mom, I love you!

The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society invites you to our next meeting on May 17 at 7PM at the Yorkton Public Library. Our special guest will be a won-

cheeks, I sat with the news awhile. Soaking it in. Wishing for it not to be true. Trying to pray, but not finding words. God had given words while speaking to her. Now they seemed all to have fled. Words do that in the face of grief. Words to God, and words to those bereaved.

Rita Moran, a

DEBBIE KATHLEEN GIBSON Sunny Side Up has inspired readers of faith since 2001. Read more at www.kathleengibson.ca or reach Kathleen at sunnysideup.press@gmail.com

derful gardener, Frank Woloschuk, who will be talking to us about perennials that will give us three season color in our gardens. Everyone is welcome, you don’t have to be a member to attend.

Thank you to our friends at YTW for their great work. Visit the Hort society at www.yorktonhort.ca and have a great week!

Florida mother who lost a child to cancer, wrote this after losing her daughter.

PLEASE PLEASE, don’t ask me if I’m over it yet. I’ll never be over it.

PLEASE, don’t tell me she’s in a better place. She isn’t here with me.

PLEASE, don’t say she isn’t suffering. I haven’t come to terms with why she had to suffer at all.

PLEASE, don’t tell me you know how I feel unless you have lost a child. PLEASE, don’t ask me if I feel better. Bereavement isn’t a condition that clears up. PLEASE, don’t tell me ‘at least you had her for so many years.’ What year would you

choose for your child to die? PLEASE, don’t tell me God never gives us more than we can bear. PLEASE, just say you’re sorry. PLEASE, just say you remember my child, if you do. PLEASE, just let me talk about my child. PLEASE, mention my child’s name. PLEASE, just let me cry.

“Blessed are those who mourn,” Jesus said in Matthew 7, “for they will be comforted.” If you’re facing parental loss, my friend, and Mother’s Day brings back its sharp edge, know that Jesus cares. And when your grief is more than you can carry, and it will be, let him carry you.

Bowl For Kids’ Sake

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

Big Brothers/Big Sister of Yorkton held their Bowl For Kids’ Sake the weekend of May 5–7.

“It’s the annual fundraiser that helps support our mentoring programs in Yorkton and area,” said Irma

Van De Bon-Nicol, Executive Director of BBBS.

“We’re really grateful for the sponsorship that we received from Yorkton to support Bowl for Kids’ Sake, but also for anyone who has come out to bowl and support us,” said Van De Bon-Nicol, adding, “especially to those

“It takes a community to raise a child and that’s what part of Bowl for Kids’ Sake is,” said Van De Bon-Nicol, “it brings the community together to celebrate mentoring, to recognize mentoring, and to support it further.”

The Little Things

PRAIRIE HARVEST

CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE

72 Melrose Avenue • PHONE 306-786-6840

Senior Pastors Des & Cheryl Klingspon Employment Program 306-786-1840

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

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

“Changing our world with the love of God.”

Destiny International Christian Assembly

Establishing Ministries and Releasing Destinies

109 Maple Avenue, Yorkton Senior Pastors Dag & Bukky Lawale

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

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

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

For more information please phone 306-782-2427

“A Place of New Beginnings”

SECOND AVENUE AND SMITH STREET

OFFICE 306-783-4157

MINISTER REV. JEN DRESSER

Website: http://www.standrewsyorkton.ca

Facebook: St. Andrew’s

Church

SUNDAY

SUNDAY

Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church

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

Father Michael Faryna 306-601-9043

Thu. May 11: Moleben - 2:00 pm - Yorkton Nursing Home

Fri. May 12: Moleben - 10:00 am - Yorkton Crossing Sun. May 14: Divine Liturgy - 10:00 am - Yorkton Sun. May 14: Provody - 3:00 pm - Westbrook

Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church

155 CATHERINE STREET 306-783-4594

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

St. Mark The Evangelist Orthodox Church

160 Betts Ave., Yorkton, Sask “Services In English” www.stmarkyorkton.ca

Saturday May 13th - Vespers 6:00 PM

Sunday May 14th Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

EVERYONE WELCOME

Pastor Laurel Wiebe -- 306-898-2099

Pastor Tim Warkentin - 306-217-8222

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Sunday of the Samaritan Women

Priest: Rodion Luciuk

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

people who pledged those people that are bowling.”

In the poetry category Shepard Corbin from St. Paul’s School topped the field with Meredith Bohn from St. Michael’s School second and Evan Weber from St. Paul’s School third.

Oratory finals held

Christ the Teacher School Division held its oratory finals Friday.

Thirty students – 15 reciting poems and 15 giving speeches – from division schools across the city as well as Melville, went before fellow students, teachers, family and a panel of three judges.

When the morning presentation, held at St. Paul’s School were complete, the trio of judges -- Joanne Sebastian, Donna McCauley and Calvin Daniels went to deliberate over who would take home medals.

In the poetry category Shepard Corbin from St. Paul’s School topped the field with Meredith Bohn

from St. Michael’s School second and Evan Weber from St. Paul’s School third.

Caylee Falconer from St.

You can soon drink alcohol in municipal outdoor parks — maybe

By John Cairns, SASKTODAY.ca

REGINA - It will soon be legal for you to have an alcoholic beverage in your local outdoor park this summer — maybe.

The Saskatchewan Legislature unanimously passed the amendments to the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act to clear the way for beverage alcohol to be consumed in outdoor public parks. Minister for SLGA Lori Carr recently confirmed to reporters it received royal assent, and the change will take effect once an order in council is signed.

That formality is expected to happen soon. But whether the changes will be legal in a municipality where you live will depend on what your municipal council, or

your local park authority (such as the Provincial Capital Commission in charge of Wascana Park), decides to do.

“Municipalities still have the autonomy to decide if they want to allow drinking in the parks,” said Carr last week. “So they will, as they move forward, decide if that’s suitable for their community.”

She said a number of communities had asked for it, and Carr highlighted that Saskatoon had made the “biggest push” for it. “They are doing some sort of outdoor park and they want to be able to have thus as part of that and they’ll be able to do that this summer.”

However, it doesn’t become legal unless the municipalities pass a bylaw in their own com-

munities.

“Right now it will be status quo — no drinking in the parks unless the municipality actually brings this bylaw forward,” said Carr.

As well, Carr indi-

cated the usual rules for alcohol consumption will still apply: no underage drinking, no intoxication in public places, and so on. The new changes do

not apply to cannabis consumption, which is still not legal in public places.

The Official Opposition joined in unanimously supporting the changes, indicating they were happy to see the decision on alcohol in parks left to local municipalities.

“We believe that local voices at the table are really important, said Opposition Critic Nathaniel Teed. “Local voices know their communities, and so we trust that municipalities will be able to make the decisions they need to two work for them.”

The NDP had previously held up swift passage of the changes last May, before the end of last year’s session. Teed explained his party had not been in favor of ram-

ming the bill through and said they believed consultation needed to take place.

He indicated they were able to do that. “So we felt more comfortable having taken the time to pass legislation.”

Now the question becomes whether, and which, local municipalities open up alcohol consumption in public parks.

Regarding the City of Regina, Mayor Sandra Masters would not commit to it for or against in speaking to reporters Monday.

“I won’t get out in front of council on this, nor offer my personal opinion,” Masters said. “I think that will be up to council in terms of where, and if, we do accommodate public consumption in our city parks.”

Michael’s School took top honours for speeches, with Colton Yewsuk from St. Henry’s School in Melville was second and Danica Shewchuk from St. Michael’s School finishing third.

Caylee Falconer from St. Michael’s School took top honours for speeches, with Colton Yewsuk from St. Henry’s School in Melville was second and Danica Shewchuk from St. Michael’s School finishing third.

Photo Courtesy Quinn Haider

Photo Courtesy Quinn Haider

Minister for SLGA Lori Carr spoke to reporters May 4 on liquor changes passed at the Leg.

Photo courtesy John Cairns