Yorkton This Week 2023-05-17

Opposition voiced to library sale/move

By Calvin Daniels Staff

“We’ve

an interview with Yorkton This Week last week.

It is a private company interested in purchasing the existing building, which eliminates future

maintenance and capital improvement costs to the City, noted Hippsley.

The private company would pay taxes in the neighbourhood of $60,000 per year.

A Public Notice in YTW detailed Yorkton Council is considering an Option to Purchase the property for $1,500,000.

The advertisement called for submissions from the public regarding the potential sale.

Those submissions were presented Monday

at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council, and a standing room-only gallery – most there in response to the library had a united voice in telling Council not to sell the building, which would necessitate a library move.

“It is incredible to see Council Chambers full,” said Hippsley, adding he had not seen it before in his time on Council.

Administration reported they had received seven writ-

ten submissions, all in opposition to the sale and move, and that the mayor had received others. The city manager had also taken a number of calls in opposition.

Hippsley then asked if anyone in chambers wished to speak in favour of the sale. No one came forward.

But when it came time for verbal submissions against the sale there was a rather long list of those going to the microphone.

Doris Mabin with the Yorkton Genealogical Society which meets at the library was the first to speak.

Mabin said the immediate concern for the group would be access to meeting space in the new library which had been suggested would be in the Gallagher Centre in a space about one-third that of the current library.

The issue of a smaller footprint in the Gallagher Centre loca-

tion also brought into question what the future of the current history room – home to much of the information relevant to genealogical work –might be, noted Mabin.

Last week Hippsley had noted if the sale moved forward it would necessitate finding a new home for the library. Hippsley said space upstairs at the Gallagher Centre currently vacant after housing physiotherapy offices, has been

Continued on Page A2

Health Foundation seeks city dollars

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The Health Foundation is evolving in what it raises dollars for, and they appeared before the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday seeking some city dollars for the new initiative.

Ross Fisher, executive dir-

ector of the Foundation told Council they are continuing to raise dollars for equipment at the Yorkton Regional Hospital.

But, they have moved into raising dollars for education and training of hospital staff.

Part of that initiative has the foundation working with Parkland College to assist them in delivering healthcare

courses that address positions which are difficult to recruit for in rural Saskatchewan.

One of the first examples will have Parkland College delivering a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Applied Certificate program in Yorkton starting in the fall of 2023. Students will be trained in

a laboratory setting and will master skills such as collecting and processing medical specimens.

By training students locally, the hope is that they find employment in surrounding communities, alleviating some of the vacancies.

Fisher said provincially there are some 70 vacancies

for MLAs.

Fisher said the program is focused on helping fill a very specific need.

Generally the system is not meeting the needs of rural health care, he said, adding there simply are not enough Medical Laboratory Assistants

Continued on Page A2

Continued from Page A1 discussed by Council in-camera – taken in-camera as a property matter.

The provincial recommendation – not regulation – for a library serving a community the size of Yorkton is 10,000 square feet, said Hippsley.

The existing library is 16,000 square feet.

Tammy Hall said she was in chambers “as a library lover.”

Hall too questioned the greatly reduced space being suggested at the Gallagher Centre, noting in the current location she “sees every inch is well-used.”

As it stands there is varied programming at the library, with varied groups using the space, said Hall.

“Those may disappear because they don’t have room,” she continued.

Hall said since Jan. 1 there have been near 16,000 visitations to the library, with near 2000 attending programming.

Hall said the proposed location just doesn’t work in her

mind.

“In reality 6000-(square) feet is not enough,” she said.

Keith and Debbie Hayward said losing the current centralized location for the library isn’t a positive either, because it would limit walk-in access for many.

As the library is today it is something of a hub of activity, said Keith Hayward.

Space was also a concern for the Hayward’s as members of the Yorkton Horticultural Centre which also uses the current meeting rooms.

The couple also noted their past involvement with the Yorkton Film Festival which has had “lots of screenings” at the current location which they added have been “very successful too.”

The suggested move came as a surprise too, said Debbie Hayward.

“For library users the proposed move is a blow,” she said.

Debbie Hayward said a library is a key community

asset.

“A good city needs a good library, and we have that,” she said, adding a library is “access to knowledge” for residents.

Carol Bolt also noted the proposed move came as a complete surprise.

“I thought this can’t possibly be happening,” she said, adding she thought “this is ridiculous. They can’t do this.”

Bolt wondered what happens to space such as the pARTners Gallery which was created in part with a bequest from Sandra MacColl, and the area funded by the Yorkton Tribal Council if the library moved to a much smaller space?

“There’s no way in God’s earth you’re going to get all the programming in there,” she said.

Bolt also picked up on the thread of how a library reflects a community.

“A good library reflects a good library,” she said, adding Yorkton has a good library now.

As for the proposed sale and move, Bolt summed it up simply suggesting, “this is an insane idea.”

Melissa Higgins said she has “always loved the library” for the opportunities it provides for “community enrichment.”

Higgins said some things need to be done for the good of a society, and not necessarily because of monetary value.

“This is not really in the interest of society,” she said.

Parking at the Gallagher Centre, especially at times when other events are going on, and access to library for those with disabilities manoeuvring through a busy Gallagher Centre lobby were also themes mentioned by various speakers. By the end of the process more than 20 people took to the podium, all opposed to any sale or move.

Councillor Darcy Zaharia said he has been opposed to the sale, a position he said fits with the calls he has fielded since the possibility of a sale

was made public. “I don’t see any benefit going to the Gallagher Centre,” he said.

Zaharia also suggested the matter “wasn’t handled in the right way” in terms of the community being made aware of the sale.

Ashley Stradeski, director of finance with the city did note the deal is not complete and the building has not been sold. The final decision is likely to be made at the next regular meeting of Council in three weeks.

Mayor Hippsley said the process Monday “was a real eye-opener.”

While suggesting the city needed to look at the offer to buy the building, something that fit his election campaign platform of watching city finances, “what’s best for the city community wise,” must also be considered.

In the case of the library situation, “there is no benefit to moving to the Gallagher Centre,” said Hippsley.

Grade 3 Bike Rodeos kicks off

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The RCMP held the first day of the Grade 3 Bike Safety Rodeo at Heritage Baptist Church parking lot the morning of May 15.

The event, which runs from the 15–18, features in-class lessons as well as an obstacle course for the students to navigate

The audited 2022 financial statements of this non-profit corporation are available for public perusal during regular business hours in the office at 41 Betts Avenue Yorkton Inquiries 786-0506

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the The Health Foundation Office

If you wish to attend please call 306-786-0506

Financial Statements will be presented at that time.

for each of the city’s eight schools and students are set to receive brand-new helmets.

“Thanks to our RCMP and our firefighters, they come out and teach them how to ride their bikes properly and follow the rules and also just hand out some good advice,” said Mayor Mitch Hippsley who was in attendance for the bike rode’s kickoff.

Hippsley said that it’s “extremely important” for kids to learn about bike safety.

“They’re now at an age where they can actually ride far and they need to know what the rules of the road are,” said Hippsley, adding, “when it comes right down to it they have to be taught properly first so this continues with the rest of their lives.”

“Everyone wants a safe community and no one wants to see anything happen so for them to learn at this age it’s perfect,” said Hippsley.

HEALTH

Continued from Page A1 being graduated from existing programs in the province to meet needs.

The Health Foundation has donated just more than $200,000 to cover the medical equipment needed for a new training lab at Parkland College.

The program will also see students spend training time in the hospital labs in the region, Yorkton, Melville, Esterhazy and Kamsack for practical experience, explained Fisher.

The Foundation has also committed to funding a further $300,000 for equipment for new courses being worked toward for 2024.

Fisher said the Foundation is hoping municipalities, including the City of

Yorkton, make donations totalling $100K toward the education initiative.

The initial MLA class will have six, or seven spots, and priority will be given to students within the region in hope once trained they will stay as there are currently spots open in hospital labs they will be training in.

Fisher added that other healthrelated training programs could be developed locally moving forward, geared toward filling specific staff requirements.

Coun. Randy Goulden said Council would take the request under advisement, but also noted the city supplies the land for the foundation’s highly successful crops fundraiser.

Constable Kimberly Flett of the Yorkton RCMP (left) helps a student navigate the obstacle course at the Grade 3 Bike Safety Rodeo.

Treasure troves

Up Front

There was a line up at the door awaiting the Second Annual Treasure Market to open for treasure hunting Thursday. The hall at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre was a maze of tables piled with everything from kitchenware to books, Christmas decorations, pots for spring plants and old LPs. The event which is a fundraiser for St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church runs until 8 p.m. tonight (May 11), and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

The Theodore United Church held a ‘garage sale’ fundraiser Saturday. The event held at the Theodore Recreation Complex saw attendees perusing tables of glassware, bedding, books and more. There were treasures for all.

What was being billed as ‘Yorkton’s Largest Indoor Rummage Sale” was held at the curling rink Saturday. The event, hosted by the City of Yorkton attracted many people who wandered among the tables looking for that special something to take home. The tables had something for many of those on the prowl for the perfect item to take home.

Bredenbury held a community wide garage sale day including a fundraising effort in the hockey arena and Knox United Church of Bredenbury hosted a craft and trade show Saturday held at the Bredenbury Community Hall.

Staff Photos by Calvin Daniels

Isn’t it time for a PST cut?

MURRAY MANDRYK

Politics

Given that Saskatchewan is called next year country, it’s perhaps unsurprising we will have to wait until next year to see a major tax break.

According to Finance Minister Donna Harpauer — about as salt of the earth as they come in Saskatchewan politics — we can never quite be sure in this farming and resourcebased province.

The Saskatchewan Party government needs to remain “cautious of relying on revenues that are not stable year over year over year,” Harpauer said, in budget estimates last week.

“It’s very easy to point to that money and say spend it until it’s gone.”

An added measure of caution always seems necessary.

Maybe we can squeeze another out of the old truck, car or combine because you never know if next year’s crop will allow you to cover the payments.

But when when you’re having a very good year like Harpauer is having in 2023-24 with a proposed billion-dollar surplus is such excessive cautiousness still necessary? Didn’t we have a pretty good year last year, too?

The Saskatchewan government conservatively predicts $19.7 billion in revenue in 2023-24 fiscal year — only a bit less than the $20.3 billion in revenue we saw in 2022-23 (although it should be noted that March 2022 budget was similarly cautions predicted only $17-billion-plus in revenue when it was initially introduced).

Sure, Saskatchewan remains at the mercy of unpredictable resource revenues. But the 2023-24 prediction of $3.3 billion from those ever-unpredictable non-renewable resource revenues ($963 million from oil and gas compared with nearly $1.2 billion last year and $1.4 billion from potash compared with $2.4 billion in 2022-23) are a really conservative estimate.

To the credit of Harpauer and her government, we have moved away from relying on nearly a quarter of budget revenue coming from resources to only 12.5 per cent of all revenue in this most recent budget relying on natural resources.

Yet while not quite as dramatic, this government continues to rake in more and more each from taxes.

According to 2023-24 budget estimates, we can expect $9.3 billion in total taxation revenue — the lion’s share of which comes $3 billion and individual income and $2.7 billion from sales tax.

However it’s that sale tax we continue to pay at a time when people are struggling with inflationary costs that’s problematic. How is this “growth that works for everyone?”

“They’re trying to convince (people) the reality they know is wrong,” NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon said last week. “I think it’s alarming.”

The NDP followed that up with a press conference in which they presented a basket of $150 worth of food bought at a local grocery store — granola bars, yogurt, ready-to-eat salad and rotisserie chicken that is actually cheaper than the raw product.

This has been the way it’s been since 2017 when the Sask. Party government — in a previous budget crunch under former premier Brad Wall — not only hiked the sales tax but also expanded it to include junk food and pre-prepared meals that were previously untaxed by the province.

“For clarity, we just use the federal government criteria,” Harpauer told reporters last week, explaining she was simply following federal taxation policy — ironic for a government loathe to follow the feds on anything.

“It’s clearly for the retailer because it does create a lot of confusion.”

So why not keep it clean and simple and just drop the six-per-cent PST to four-per-cent — lower than the five-per-cent PST we had when the Sask. Party entered office 2007?

“I would like to lower the PST,” Harpauer told reporters.

“I’d love it! We’ll see how we do.”

One guesses her Sask. Party would love it too because 2024 will be an election year.

But political games aside, it does seem we can afford such a major tax break.

Heaven knows, we need one.

Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics since 1983.

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Shoebox locale not answer for library

So the city receives an offer on the building it owns that happens to house the public library.

The offer might have came out of the blue but Council at least took the time to go in-camera – property being one of the traditional items Council discusses behind closed doors, the others being specific personnel issues and anything of a legal nature – and discuss the offer.

According to a Public Notice which appeared in Yorkton This Week the offer is for $1.5 million, a significant but not exactly budget changing dollars.

And of course the city can’t look at the amount as a profit because they will have to house the library somewhere new, and there are going to be costs associated with the move and renovations to wherever they go, and when that’s all done they might have a few hundred thousand to the good.

Is that enough to move forward?

That takes some analyzing.

To start Mayor Mitch Hippsley said Council is looking at the Gallagher Centre.

That is where the library should have been located when the big expansion took place, but Council of the day grew concerned with growing costs and the library stayed where it is now.

But had it been added back then it would have been a new build.

Now Council seems willing to simply shoehorn the library into the only space it has available.

The provincial recommendation –not regulation – for a library serving a

community the size of Yorkton is 10,000 square feet, said Hippsley.

The existing library is 16,000 square feet.

The space at the Gallagher Centre is 6,000 square feet, said Hippsley. He added while the space is only about one-third the existing facility, the plan, if the sale goes forward, would be to spend some of the sale dollars to renovate the prospective space to make it as efficient as possible.

“We don’t want to lose any services,” said Hippsley.

Now how you maintain all the elements of the current library in onethird the space is a huge question?

Does the pARTners Gallery get chopped? Do you lose the meeting rooms used by groups from the Yorkton Film Festival to the bridge club to author readings? The kids’ playroom? The history room?

Hippsley has said they will have a proper design done. Great, but that should be done before you sell the existing building, or you are forced to take what can be crammed in 6,000 square feet.

The Gallagher Centre location would offer the City operational savings. The cost to operate the existing building -utilities, snow removal etc -- is in excess of $185,000 per year.

Now here is where it gets interesting. The $1.5 from the sale gets the ball rolling on a new library build at the Gallagher Centre. The $185K will drop

Continued on Page A5

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Council informed re/ film festival

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The Yorkton Film Festival is upcoming May 25-28.

At the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday, festival co-chair Ron Irvine gave a brief outline of the upcoming

event.

A highlight of the festival will be a screening of the film Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On.

The screening, to be held Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at the Painted Hand Casino will feature Sainte-Marie joining

via Zoom, said Irvine.

The City of Yorkton will present a ‘Networking Luncheon’ Friday at the Gallagher Centre.

The Golden Sheaf awards will be presented Saturday evening.

Overall, the festival

attracted more than 300 entries in 2023, said Irvine, adding there are 97 award nominees in 26 different categories.

Councillor Ken Chyz said the festival is obviously a positive for the city.

“Without a doubt it’s an event that has made Yorkton

very well-known,” he said.

Mayor Mitch Hippsley agreed.

“I don’t think Yorkton realizes how much they have going on down there,” he said, adding if one does not attend they have “no idea what you’re missing if you don’t take this in.”

Business succession focus of chamber lunch

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce held a focus panel during their Business Lunch at Grumpy’s Grill May 11.

Around 40 people were in attendance to hear from professionals about their business succession plans.

“We invited three panelists to speak and share their experiences and knowledge about business succession planning,” said Executive Director, Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, adding, “it’s never too early to think about what’s going to happen when you decide to exit your business...so whether you want to sell it or leave it to somebody or sell it to an employee versus an external source

— you should be thinking about that.”

“I was posed a question — what are the three biggest things that I’ve learned about selling a business or succession planning in a business,” said Cam Mehling, Dealer Principle at Maple Ag, and one of the three panelists.

“When someone wants to sell their business they need to start early,” said Mehling, “it’s not something that happens overnight and you need to have patience.”

Mehling referenced a friend who started his succession plan 20 years before he was ready to exit.

“He had found a partner — a young guy to come into the business and groomed him to be his partner —and that’s the guy who’s running it today,” said Mehling, adding, that’s not necessarily the thing to

do but it’s one of the ways to do it.”

“Making sure your business is ready for sale,” said Mehling, “a lot of people will have messy books — well that’s tough to sell a business with messy books — so you need to make sure your house is in order, you need to make sure that your books are normalized.”

“I do consulting work and I’ve worked with a client that wanted to sell his business, but he wanted to keep the building and he wanted to rent it to the new owners of the business — the problem was the business couldn’t afford to pay rent because he’d owned the building for the last 30 years,” said Mehling, adding, “he didn’t realize that he thought his business was profitable but it really wasn’t —because once it had to pay rent or a normalized cost for that property

[the business] couldn’t afford it.”

Mehling, who has bought and sold several businesses, said he could talk on the subject all day.

“I’ve been involved in quite a few transactions and each one you learn a lot,” said Mehling.

“I think that there’s lot of interest out there and just because you’re attending something related to business succession planning doesn’t mean you’re looking to sell your business tomorrow,” said Polegi, noting, “this kind of information is good for people whether they’re just getting into business or they’re close to exiting.”

“I would hope that if we do something similar in the fall that more people will attend and try to absorb some of that information,” said Polegi.

Arbor Week event set for city

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Arbor Week is upcoming and the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association is planning to celebrate the event May 21. The YFBTA will be planting evergreens along the south side of the Brick Mill property in Yorkton, and will also have trees to give away to those who might have their own Arbor Day plans.

“The establishment of Arbor Day in Canada is credited to Sir George W. Ross, later Premier of Ontario, when he was Minister of Education (1883-1899). Ross established Arbor Day ‘to give the school children

an interest in making and keeping the school grounds attractive.’ The planting of trees and of having school gardens soon became an important part of the life of many schools across Canada,” wrote Walter Farquarson in a YFBTA article.

“It is unclear when the celebration of an Arbor Day gradually lost importance within the Province of Saskatchewan. It is fair to say that some of the factors included the closing of rural schools, urbanization, and the autumn celebration of National Forestry Week combined with the unfortunate false assumption that to have both days honoured was unnecessary. National Forestry Day’s emphasis was primarily on the eco-

SHOEBOX

Continued from Page A4

in a new space, the savings become part of a payment on the build, along with the $60,000 in taxes from the new owner of the old library building.

And certainly a new build is possible financially considering at a recent meeting Council was told the city’s external borrowing was less than $4 million at present, with Yorkton having a provincially approved option to take on up to $42 million in borrowing.

Yes, there are costs on the horizon, like the oftmentioned new hospital, but Council has begun a long-overdue levy – a hospital has been talked about for years and a levy instituted at day one of discussions would have created a significant reserve for

the project by now – to help defray at least some costs to the city.

And, if millions can be invested for a golf clubhouse for generally a very specific user group – many non-residents of the city – then funding an appropriately sized library to support its rather broad range of resident users needs to be considered.

Don’t want to build new, then an outside-thebox option to avoid the library being squished into limited space would be for the city to get out of competition with private and church halls and convert the convention centre into additional library room. Build in the Sport Hall of Fame area and co-op to have the curling lounge open to readers in some fashion, and you create a rather interesting com-

nomic value of forestry throughout the country. The Saskatchewan Forestry Association has been an encourager in the work that has culminated in the commitment of the Province of Saskatchewan to make the proclamation and promotion of Arbor Day/ Arbor Week an annual event.”

The YFBTA then became involved.

“The campaign to have an annual proclamation and promotion of Arbor Day was begun (2018) by YFBTA (Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association aka Yellowhead Nature Society). SOS Trees of Saskatoon, Nature Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Forestry

munity hub.

In an email to YTW Hippsley also noted there have been some security concerns at the existing location and safety of staff and patrons is top of mind.

That is unfortunate but had a much earlier Council not retracted a plan to locate the library across from City Hall, opting to sell that building to become the first casino security would be an RCMP presence across the street.

Yes, the library has been a much-fumbled football by Councils past.

But, past fumbles are likely to pale significantly from the shoe box library hidden away on the upper floor of the Gallagher Centre that seems likely to happen unless Council finds a much bolder vision for its future.

Association all added their support to the call,” wrote Farquarson. “The support of Hon. Warren Kaeding, MLA for Melville-Saltcoats constituency, was enthusiastic and very helpful. The first such proclamation, made in 2020, by Hon. Dustin Duncan, Ministry

of Environment, was followed by the proclamation made in 2021 through the same Ministry, then headed by Minister Hon. Warren Kaeding. In 2022 it was announced by Minister Kaeding that the proclamation and promotion would be an annual event.”

The proclamation this year, 2023, was made by Minister Hon. Dana Skoropad.

The event locally will be held at the brick mill site in Yorkton from 2-4 p.m. in cooperation with the City of Yorkton and the Yorkton Tribal Council.

May 17 - May 23, 2023

Next Council Meeting

Monday, June 5, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

GENERAL INQUIRIES: 306-786-1700

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

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Local support for Women Entrepreneurs Week

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Women Entrepreneurs Week is being marked May 14 to 20 in Saskatchewan.

“So many women have contributed their entrepreneurial vision to our province,” Minister

Responsible for the Status of Women Laura Ross said in a recent government release. “Their success has helped shape our economy and our future, and the number of women business owners keeps growing.

Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan has been supporting women on this journey for many years and our Government is proud to proclaim

Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Week.”

Juanita Polegi, executive director of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce said the minister was on point.

“I agree fully with Minister Ross’s statement that the success of women entrepreneurs shapes our economy and our future,” she told Yorkton This Week. “Currently, of the 16 Directors on the Board of the Yorkton Chamber, 11 of them are women and nine of those are business owners, including our current president. These women, and the many others who are business owners in and around Yorkton, are contributing to the

growth of our local economy.”

Randy Goulden the lone woman on Yorkton Council and president of SUMA said women are certainly playing their role provincially.

“In our province, almost 99 per cent of businesses are small and account for 24 per cent of Saskatchewan’s GDP. Women entrepreneurs play vital roles in the creation of this economic growth,” she told YTW. “We know that if we all work together to empower women entrepreneurs, this province and country will continue to show this continued robust growth.”

Women Entrepreneurs

of Saskatchewan (WESK) is a non-profit dedicated to helping women start, grow, and scale their businesses. They offer a wide range of services, and ultimately, look to connect like-minded professionals and empower female entrepreneurs of every age, stage and culture.

“Women entrepreneurs are a vital part of Saskatchewan’s business landscape,” Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Chief Executive Officer Miriam Johnson said in the provincial release. “By encouraging collaboration amongst all organizations interested in progressing women

entrepreneurs, we can help close the gender gap and promote economic growth in our province.”

To help businesses and individuals in finding and supporting women entrepreneurs, WESK hosts a Saskatchewan women-owned business database that currently holds more than six hundred business listings. For more information or to register in the database, visit https://wesk.ca/ women-owned-businessdatabase

There are several other programs that are available for women entrepreneurs ready to take their business to the next step. The SK Startup Institute helps entre-

preneurs with the first steps in creating their business. Innovation Saskatchewan’s Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive encourages investment in early-stage technology startups via tax credits. The Scale Up for Entrepreneurs initiative provides eligible entrepreneurs with training, skills and knowledge to grow their business. The Government of Saskatchewan also offers a range of incentives and supports for businesses to ensure the province fosters a competitive business climate. For information on incentives and supports, visit saskatchewan.ca/invest

May 17 - May 23, 2023

Next Council Meeting

Monday, June 5, 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.

Lukey honoured by Credit Union

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Kevin Lukey, Cornerstone Credit Union’s former Chief Executive Officer, and long-time Yorkton resident, has been awarded the Distinguished Credit Union Leader National Award.

The award was announced during the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA)’s Annual General Meeting on May 8.

“It was tremendous,”

Lukey told Yorkton This Week, adding while he

spent 40-plus years in the Credit Union system “. . . you don’t do it for the recognition, so when something like this happens it’s pretty cool.”

Lukey said he also had to thank those within the Credit Union who went through the process of nominating him for the award.

“I can’t thank them enough for the kind words. It was awesome they thought of me,” he said.

The Distinguished Credit Union Leader Award is CCUA’s most prestigious honour and

is only awarded to candidates with an exceptional track record of achievement and contribution to the Canadian

Credit Union system. Award winners have demonstrated a personal and professional commitment to cooperative principles and have inspired others through their extraordinary leadership.

“Kevin Lukey has displayed significant leadership, commitment, and service to the credit union system over his 40-year career in the credit union system. Kevin was the CEO for Cornerstone Credit Union for 14 years, retiring in 2017,” noted a release on the award.

“Following his retirement, Kevin continued to be actively involved in the credit union system as a director for SaskCentral and most recently, with Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation.

Kevin’s legacy is well known throughout the Saskatchewan system for his unwavering commitment to members and a relentless pursuit of change throughout the national system in the interests of serving credit union members better.”

“We were proud to nominate Kevin and thrilled to see him hon-

oured, not only for his accomplishments but also because his rural Saskatchewan, grass roots background, exemplifies what credit unions are all about,” said current Cornerstone CEO Doug Jones in the release.

Lukey has always been active in the community of Yorkton including The Health Foundation, Yorkton Council, Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Brick Mill Society, and the Parkland College Capital Campaign Cabinet, to name a few.

Lion Olufemi Asa 431-557-9719

Lion John Bauman 306-521-0027

Lion Todd Allan 306-620-9056

Lion Dave Blommaert 306-620-9990

Lion Vern Brown 306-621-1015

Lion John Den Brok 306-621-5133

Lion Ross Fisher 306-621-2071

Lion Glen Gelowitz 306-621-9495

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Lion Randy Kachur 306-782-1543

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Lion Don Reed 306-621-9295

Lion Andrew Sedley

Kevin Lukey

Blanchard headlines CWE show

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Enthusiastic fans were on hand Friday evening at the stars Canadian Wrestling’s Elite returned to Yorkton with a blockbuster card.

The featured match of the night saw former IMPACT! Wrestling World Champion Tessa Blanchard top. Riea Von Slasher.

But before the featured star came to the ring there were a number of preliminary

bouts.

Ring Of Honor Legend ‘The Zombie Princess’ Jimmy Jacobs took on ‘The Canadian Rottweiler’ Kash.

In a ‘Winner Challenges For The CWE Championship Later In The Night’

match 400-plus pounder ‘The Big Chief’ used skullduggery and the ropes to top Levi Night.

Canadian wrestling legend EZ Ryder broke some rules of his own taking a match over Adrien ‘Bam Bam’ Burton.

In a tag team tilt The SwoleBullzers (‘The Human Terminator’ Marcellus Prime and Bull Bodnar) squared off against The Cannon Corporation (‘The Headline’ Shaun Martens and ‘The Boston Bruiser’ Kevin O’Doyle).

The penultimate match was a CWE Championship affair with CWE Champion ‘The Zombie Killer’ Mentallo defending against The Big Chief who had earned the sport with his earlier victory.

Nature and agriculture can co-exist

It’s always seemed that agriculture and nature were somehow inter-connected.

While the relationship might not exactly be complimentary –deer eat bales and geese eat grain – there is also an understanding that nature is important.

At least that was the case when on the farm in my youth a half century ago.

Back then farmers were of course quite different from today. They were significantly smaller, and while the trend to specialization was starting, most farms were mixed.

That was important in an acceptance of nature where wetlands and clumps of bush were fine for livestock pastures and nature too.

As the move to huge equipment covering massive acres on grain only farms evolved there was no desire to work around sloughs and trees and so they have often been plowed under – the loser being the creatures who used both as home.

It is somewhat ironic

I suppose when you consider I recall my grandfather talking about having to clear his homestead quarter of trees with axe and horse.

My father’s generation was the one planting rows of trees across farmland to create a windbreak to reduce wind erosion after the devastation of the drought of the 1930s. And my generation tearing out those windbreak rows because

Agriculture THIS WEEK

Calvin Daniels

they were an issue for new supersize equipment. Of course it is about balance and farmers have a business to run, and a living to make.

That said though, nature is important and both the farm sector and society have to always keep that in mind.

That is why a couple of ‘days’, one this past Saturday and one upcoming are import-

ant. The first is Arbor Week May 20-28 which is an observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees.

“The establishment of Arbor Day in Canada is credited to Sir George W. Ross, later Premier of Ontario, when he was Minister of Education (1883-1899). Ross established Arbor Day ‘to give the school children

an interest in making and keeping the school grounds attractive.’ The planting of trees and of having school gardens soon became an important part of the life of many schools across Canada,” wrote Walter Farquarson in a Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association article.

With the increased awareness of the threat of greenhouse gases and how they can impact climate trees are increasingly recognized as important to help address that problem.

Planting and preserving trees is critically important to the planet’s future.

World Migratory Bird Day was May 13.

While as mentioned earlier not all birds are

loved by farmers – especially those that munch crops – but imagining a world without migratory birds is not a pleasant future to think of.

All of Saskatchewan and most of Alberta are part of the Central Flyway which encompasses a large portion of North America’s interior. From Canada’s boreal forest and parklands across the Great Plains down to the Texas Gulf Coast, this flyway is home to a large percentage of North America’s ducks and geese, notes ducks.ca

And again the key is finding balance. We need farmers to be successful in producing the food we need, but for a bright future we need trees and birds and nature in general.

Organic farmer touts conservation

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

Conservation and agriculture have always gone hand-in-hand for organic farmer Colin Bialkoski, so partnering with Ducks Unlimited Canada to conserve part of his land just made sense.

Seeing Mother Nature as a partner rather than a force to contend with has been the ethos that drives him on his farm, which is located near Rossburn, 145 kilometres northwest of Brandon.

“You should be trying to align yourself with nature, rather than working against it,” Bialkoski said.

Last year, Bialkoski took his concern for nature a step further by aligning with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) to protect nearly 50 acres of land dotted with marshes and bluffs of trees on his farm.

His decision to work with DUC was motivated by the amount of wildlife already abundant on his farm.

“We love having the birds and seeing the deer. We have no desire to bring a bulldozer in here and plow down the bush and drain the sloughs and make it all ‘productive,’” he said.

Registering their farm as organic in 2021, Bialkoski and his wife Cheryl were following in his father’s footsteps.

“My dad had been organic farming for quite a while at that time, by that point. He had been doing really well,” he said.

Even while he was living in B.C., Bialkoski would come home every harvest to help out. He ended up learning more and more about organic farming.

“As far as getting certified, my dad had already done that, so I could learn off of him how to do it. I kind of used his experience and knowledge, and piggybacked on what he had done.”

Currently, all organic farms in Manitoba must comply with the Canadian Organic Standards and be inspected to these standards annually by a federally accredited certification body.

On organic farms, there are certain standards based on food, feed and seed products that are represented as organic in import, export and interprovincial trade, the website for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says.

Prohibited substances can’t have been used for at least 36 months before the harvest of an organic crop. Measures must also be taken to minimize the physical movement of prohibited substances onto organic land and crops from adjacent areas and equipment used for both organic and non-organic crops. If unintended contact with

prohibited substances is possible, distinct buffer zones or other features sufficient to prevent contamination are required.

Organic seed, bulbs, tubers, cuttings, annual seedlings, transplants and planting stock must be used. Best practices for soil health that must be adhered to include maintaining or increasing levels of soil organic matter, promoting an optimum balance and supply of nutrients, and stimulating biological activity within the soil.

Instead of using synthetic fertilizer, Bialkoski replenishes soil nutrients and improves fertility with organic management techniques.

“It’s all part of this ecosystem,” Cheryl said. “It’s the way nature intended.” Practices to control pests such as insects, diseases and weeds must focus on organic management practices that enhance crop health and reduce losses. These include crop rotations, use of resistant varieties, mulching and grazing and more.

Substances that are

prohibited from use on organic farms include all products and materials from genetic testing, irradiation — the use of high-energy radiation to protect from pests, cloned livestock and its descendants and fungicides, preservatives, fumigants and pesticides.

“I’ve never really wanted to be involved with a bunch of chemicals and stuff like that,” Bialkoski said.

Rotating crops and other best management practices that Bialkoski uses on his farm means that, despite not employing any chemicals or other prohibited substances, he has had a high degree of success protecting his crops from pests and other threats.

“The land is quite fertile. We have no weeds. We have no problems with disease or pests because we’re rotating things all the time. We’re not going to have the same crop two years in a row.”

Taking time in the rotation for cover crop also leads to good yields that are consistent and reliable, Bialkoski added.

Management practices

on organic farms must also include measures to promote and protect ecosystem health on the operation and incorporate one or more of a pollinator habitat, insectary areas, a wildlife habitat, maintenance or restoration of riparian areas or wetlands, or other measures that promote biodiversity.

Partnering with DUC allowed Bialkoski to support wildlife habitat while still effectively managing their farmland.

“It’s important to preserve land for wildlife, but you don’t want to take away from cultivated land that a person can make a living from,” Bialkoski said.

Since he and his wife signed the agreement with DUC in 2022, they’ve noticed benefits to wildlife and their farming operation.

“Trees and grasses help take up moisture from the ground in low-lying areas close to marshes, so the land beside it doesn’t become so saline that you can’t even [grow] a crop,” Bialkoski said.

Working with DUC

has been a very straightforward, producerfriendly experience, the Bialkoskis said.

Kiera Senkbeil, a conservation program specialist with DUC, explained how setting aside some land for conservation would benefit their farm as well as local wildlife.

“She was not trying to push to get more land,” Bialkoski said. “She was looking out for my interest as a farmer, my farming operation, and she was very good at explaining how it would all work and making suggestions.”

It’s important that farmers feel as though they have DUC’s support every step of the way, Senkbeil said.

“We make sure that they know what’s going on and keep everybody in the know.”

Producers have a huge role to play in conservation, especially since up to 70 per cent of wetland ecosystems have been lost to agriculture across the Prairies, Senkbeil said. More and more, producers who care about conserving land for the future generations are stepping up and making the Prairies healthier, she added.

“I think it’s so important that we work together in the future.”

Producers who would like to learn more about working with DUC can visit ag.ducks.ca.

“You should be trying to align yourself with nature, rather than working against it.”

— organic farmer, Colin Bialkoski

Ella Kozak tops Estevan event

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak has added another win to her impressive golf resume. Kozak topped the

15-19 Girls Division at the recent Re/Max Blue Chip Realty Classic in Estevan which is part of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour. Kozak, 17, shot a 78 then followed that with

a 71 on the Woodlawn course for a 149 finish, 12 strokes up on the field.

Tyler Powell of Melville was in the Junior Boys Division shooting 180, well back of Dryajon Sparvier of

the Ochapowace First Nation who topped the Division shooting a 150 then taking a playoff over Assiniboia’s Davin Karst.

In the MJT Mini Tour at Estevan Woodlawn

held May 6 Maxwell Sieffert of Churchbridge shot a 126 for second, 31 strokes back in the Boys 8U Division.

Caleb O’Brien of Melville was second in the Boys 9-10 Division

with a 91, seven strokes off the pace.

Keaton Kreklewich of Melville topped the Boys 11-12 Division with a 72, while Owen San Martin of Melville finished third with an 89.

U18 Expos open season in big way

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

It would be hard to

script a better opening weekend for the Yorkton U18 Expos. The team hosted the

North Battleford Beavers for a doubleheader at Jubilee Park and the home team plated 23

Quinlan reflects on Rush NLL season

To say the Saskatchewan Rush season was a disappointing one would be understatement of the highest degree. After missing the playoffs in 2021-22 with an 8-10 record, just on the outside behind Calgary at 10-8, there was an expectation of better things this season.

It didn’t happen. The Rush started strong, faltered, then won their last two games of the schedule to again finish 8-10, but were left in fifth spot in the NLL west just back of Colorado at 9-9.

It’s been close, but no cigar for two seasons, and head coach Jimmy Quinlan says that simply isn’t good enough.

“We feel like the province of Saskatchewan and the city of Saskatoon, deserve a playoff team,” he told Yorkton This Week in a recent interview.

The question is how to take that step from a slightly sub. 500 team the last two seasons?

Quinlan said early in the season he thought the Rush had righted the proverbial ship.

“I thought we had the guys to do it. . . I think what was disheartening is that we had such a good start,” he said, adding through five games this season he thought the team “was in a good spot.”

And then they went backwards facing some of the same issues of a season earlier, defensive lapses, late game implosions, and in the end too many losses.

“The reality, we couldn’t find 60-minutes (consistency),” said Quinlan, adding the team had too many lapses to win games they looked to have a shot at. “ . . . We’ve got to make less mistakes.”

Quinlan said a lead would erode as a game progressed “and then doubt would seep in.”

Some nights it was defensive lapses, some nights goaltender inconsistency, some nights the inability to score a timely

CALVIN DANIELS Sports

goal. In goal Alex Buque looked to be the answer early in the season, but that didn’t last.

“He struggled to find some consistency . . . Even with the game it wasn’t good enough,” said Quinlan, adding he has spoken to his goaltender and explained “he’s going to have to make some changes,” if he wants a key role next season.

One bright glimmer was Warman, Sask. netminder Laine Hruska who started the last two games of the season, winning both.

Quinlan said Hruska allowed the team to win over Colorado at home, and while he hit a bump in Las Vegas he made big stops late to let the Rush come back to win.

“He’s a young goaltender that has a lot to work on, but he’s not afraid of that work,” said his coach.

Overall though Quinlan said changes need to be made, suggesting in general terms “we want to get bigger in some areas, and more athletic.”

Those needs might be addressed in the draft, but Quinlan hinted trades are likely to happen too.

“We probably have to give up some stuff (to fill specific needs),” he said.

In season end interviews with players Quinlan also had a message, the entire team needs to be in better shape. He said there were times it showed late in games.

Pointing to a late game loss to Halifax Quinlan noted, “we just ran out of gas in that game.”

With NLL teams generally only coming together on weekends for games, conditioning is largely left up to players, and Quinlan said they need to do that better moving forward.

There were of course bright sports like Jerrett Smith “who we just kind of found off the street,” said Quinlan of the Winnipeg product, adding he was far better than they expected.

Clark Walter “was unbelievable for us,” added Quinlan, noting a goal a game made him “a pleasant surprise.”

Mike Messenger drew praise too taking on a key role, with Holden Garlent showing signs of becoming a leader on the back end.

Veteran Robert Church, a free agent this off season, but likely to be back as a ‘franchise’ label is attached to him, was a veteran that did it every night scoring 51 goals, behind only Connor Fields, 52, and Jeff Teat 56 for the league lead. Church had 53 assists for 104 points.

Mark Matthews, inked long term had 73 assists fourth best in the NLL, to go with 25 goals.

runs over two games. In one game the Expos scored eight third inning runs on their way to a 15-2 victory. The big inning came via three walks, three singles, a defensive error and a

ground out. The other contest was also a lopsided affair as Yorkton won 8-1.

A singe by Brandon Spilchen in the first inning scored an Expos run, and the rout was

Spring action

Young gridiron players are back in action in Yorkton. Yorkton Minor Football has a spring season under way for its teams made up of players in Grade 5/6 and Grades 7/8. On the weekend Yorkton was in Fort

Equity Cheques

on, including a four-run sixth.

Ty Ulmer was on the mound for the win, surrendering only the one run, while scattering five hits and striking out 10 over seven innings.

Qu’Appelle to play games against both the host team and Southey. “It was a Mother’s Day treat for the football moms to watch their kids play exciting tough nose grit Gridder football,” said coach Jason Boyda.

Jimmy Quinlan

Photo Courtesy Jason Boyda

The Yorkton U18 Expos were in action Saturday.

GROSETH

-

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother, Iris Groseth (nee: Nicholson). She passed away peacefully at the age of 92. Iris was born to Sandra and Norman Nicholson on June 13, 1930 and was the youngest of ten siblings. She started grade one at Spruce Dale school north of Dubuc. In her second school year the family moved to town where Iris attended school until her graduation. Iris married the love of her life, Lawrence Groseth on October 20, 1951. Iris and Lawrence raised two children, Daphne and Rodney. Iris belonged to the UCW, Deborah Rebecca Lodge and the Dubuc Seniors Center where she enjoyed socializing. Throughout her life she worked as a telephone operator and later worked at the Credit Union until retirement. Iris had great respect for Pieter, who was her manager and friend for many years. She enjoyed special occasions and frequent visits from friends and family where she could serve her delicious apple pies. Iris was an excellent seamstress and also enjoyed gardening and baking. After her husband, Lawrence passed, she continued to live on the farm but eventually moved to Estevan to an apartment. A few years later she moved to St. Joseph’s Long Term Care where she received excellent care from the nurses, aids and staff. Iris is survived by her daughter, Daphne (Neil), grandchildren, Joanne (Bruce), Brent (Chandra), Reid (Brianne), great-grandchildren, Alexis, Clarke and Carver. Her son, Rodney (June), grandchildren, Elizabeth (Kevin), great grandchildren, Ella and Jordyn. Granddaughter, Lexa (Cody), great grandchild, Asher. Brother Richard, sister-in-law Winnie, and sister-in-law Carrie. Iris passed away peacefully on April 30, 2023. She will be dearly missed by her children, family, neighbours and friends. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre, Yorkton, SK., with the interment to follow in the Garden of St. Matthew, Yorkton Memorial Gardens. A livestream of the funeral can be found on Bailey’s website at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations in memory of Iris may be made to the Dubuc Senior Centre or the Dubuc Hall as gifts of remembrance. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral Home, Yorkton.

TOMCHYSHEN - The family of Sylvia Tomchyshen of Yorkton sadly announce her peaceful passing on May 5th, 2023, at Yorkton Regional Health Centre at the age of 81. Sylvia was born on September 9th, 1941, in Goodeve, Saskatchewan to Jack and Mary (Woychesko) Washak. She was raised on the family farm and attended Nanton, Bernardine, and Ituna schools. After graduation, she attended Robertson Secretarial School in Saskatoon, where she enjoyed the big city life for one year. In 1961, she moved back to Yorkton to be closer to her parents, whom she adored. She held numerous clerical positions at the CN, Macdonalds Consolidated, and McKay’s Paint Shop. It was at McKay’s that Sylvia met her husband, Daniel Tomchyshen. They got married in 1964 and started their lives together. Sylvia had fond memories of playing records, attending house parties, Burgis Beach dances and having the occasional libation. Sylvia’s most treasured job was at the R.M. of Orkney and Wallace as an assistant administrator. She loved socializing with all the farmers and “keeping them in line.” After she retired in 2005, she still helped out at the R.M. of Good Lake and Cana for summer relief. She was also proud of volunteering at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre Gift Shoppe and performing cash count at St. Mary’s Church. She was a devout Ukrainian Catholic and found a lot of strength through God and her church community. Sylvia loved to have fun and always enjoyed people coming over to her house to play cards, have coffee, reminisce, and have a wee bit of rum. Her friends were her rock, and she considered them her family. She also liked to spend time devouring a Danielle Steel novel, attacking a jigsaw puzzle, going on road trips with her friends, gambling at the casino, and watching her favourite shows on the W Network. Sylvia also loved her grandchildren and could not wait to soak up their energy and play games with them. She took a lot of pride in her looks and always liked to shop for the most recent trends. Her gumption for life kept her very young at heart. Her soft soul will always remain with us. Sylvia is predeceased by her parents and her brother, Bill. She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Wendy (Dean) Gossen of Edmonton, AB, and Tasha (Lee) Hardy of Saskatoon, SK; her sister, Janey (Stan) Meredyk of Cochrane, AB; her four grandchildren, Drew (Sam) Laue of Edmonton, AB; Janaya (Manmeet) Singh of Dubai, UAE; Grayer and Cooper Hardy of Saskatoon, SK; and three great-grandchildren, Bailynn, Aria Laue, and Avaya Singh. Thank you all for your presence, prayers, and kindness. Rest in peace, Sylvia. The Funeral Liturgy was held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton with Rev. Father Yevhen Zadorozyhni, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. The cross bearer was Cooper Hardy and the epistle reader was Janey Meredyk. Named as honorary pallbearers were Elaine Beres, Gloria Berezowski, Olga Klewchuk, Margaret Mushka, Diane Shorter and Jeann Spilak. Serving as casket bearers were Grant Doupe, Dean Gossen, Lee Hardy, Grayer Hardy, Kenny Washak and Johnny Woychesko. The interment took place at the Yorkton City Cemetery. Memorial donations in Sylvia’s memory may be made to The Health Foundation of East Central Saskatchewan as gifts of remembrance. Condolences to the family can be posted at baileysfuneralhome.com

AMOS - On May 5, 2023, the sun set on the extraordinary life of Al William Amos, a beloved papa, father, husband, brother, and friend. At the age of 71, Al left behind a legacy that will forever be remembered and cherished by his family, friends, and anyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Born on March 5, 1952, in Oxbow, SK to Gordon and Olive Amos. Al’s love for the land, nature, and the simple pleasures of life was instilled in him from a young age. He spent his days roaming the vast expanses of the countryside, cultivating his love for hunting and riding horses. As he grew older, Al became a master storyteller. With the crackling warmth of a campfire, he would gather his friends and family around to share tales of adventure, love, and laughter. His stories were like the embers of the fire - igniting the imagination and warming the hearts of all who listened. These memories will continue to be passed down through generations, keeping Al’s spirit alive. Al’s devotion to his family was unparalleled. He was a loving husband to his wife, Maggie, for over 30 years. The love and laughter that filled their home was a testament to the strong bond they shared. His passion for hunting took him on many adventures, from tracking deer in the dense forests, pursuing moose in the bush and endless hours of fishing. Al’s respect and admiration for the natural world was a lesson he imparted to all who accompanied him on these expeditions. A Celebration of Al’s life was held on May 12, 2023, at the Amos Residence. We celebrated by sharing favorite memories, stories, and adventures of Al. In the spirit of the man himself, let us remember him with laughter, love, and the knowledge that his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He is predeceased by his parents Gordon and Olive Amos his mother-in-law, Dorthea Davis and his brother in law James Davis. He leaves his loving wife Maggie to mourn his passing and cherish his memories. Along with his sister Lynn Keturakis, his son Bryan Walker, daughter Christina Palmer (Derek), Aidan Palmer, angel granddaughters Haley Tate (Marcus Bañez) and Sasha Hleck (Jose Mancia), along with his great grandchildren Aria and Matteo. He leaves behind his chosen siblings: Rusty and Beth Rusch with their family, David Hahn with his little darlings, Helen Topola, Brian Kuyek, Scott MacDonald and anyone who called him Uncle Al. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Legion in Al’s name, so that his love for his father and his own memory can be passed on to future generations. Rest in peace, Al. Your spirit will ride forever in the hearts of your family and friends.

TYMIAK’S

Apartments / Condos-For Sale

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

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. Open concept: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Includes appliances, interior furniture, HUGE deck, and 8’x10’ shed. 2023 lease paid. Asking $47,900. 2004 Yamaha gas golf cart and patio set may sell separately or as a package. Call 204-648-3054

Apartments/Condos for Rent

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

Honda Rotary Lawnmower self propelled. Call 306-782-2381

PLAN OF THE WEEK

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness,

or stop by our office and pick up a copy.

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

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The dining room, separated from the great room by its lower ceiling height, has an optional hutch, always welcome for serving and storage. The dining room has access to the sundeck at the back of the home, making outdoor meals a breeze in the warmer months.

The cook will appreciate the step-saving L-shaped counter configuration in the kitchen, as well as the spacious eating bar that divides the kitchen and dining room. Natural light will come through the double windows over the sink, and a corner pantry will provide lots of space for storage.

rooms look out to the front garden and share a three-piece bathroom.

Cupboards for cleaning tools and linen are located nearby.

Downstairs, the unfinished one-bedroom suite has roughed-in plumbing for a three-piece bathroom. A kitchen area occupies on corner of the main room, which has access to a covered patio.

The laundry room is also on the lower level, near the double garage, which has access to the foyer.

Exterior finishes include vertical siding and painted trim. The overhang above the garage is made of metal roofing, and brick-based pilasters flank the entry and the garage door.

775 are available for $775 (set of 5), $835 (set of 8) and $883 for a super set of 10. Also add $35.00 for Priority charges within B.C. or $60.00 outside of B.C. Please add H.S.T., PST, OR G.S.T (where applicable) to both the plan price and Priority charges.

Our 51ST Anniversary Edition of the Home Plan Catalogue containing over 400 plans is available for $16.50 (includes taxes, postage and handling). Make all cheque and money orders payable to “Jenish House Design Ltd.” and mail to:

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The secondary bed-

This home measures 38 feet wide and 38 feet deep, for a total of 1,200 square feet on the main floor, not including the basement. Ceilings are nine feet high throughout.

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Kaleidoscope

Fable Death among Ruth Shaw finalists

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The Yorkton Film Festival begins later this month with five films vying for the coveted Ruth Shaw Award for Best of Saskatchewan.

Among this year’s finalists is Fable Deaf

“We were thrilled to learn of the nomination of Fable Deaf for the Ruth Shaw award,” said Dr. Joanne Weber, Artistic Director Deaf Crows Collective. “This is an incredible honour, and makes history in many ways.”

“Fable Deaf is a pioneering film, being the first Deaf film made in Saskatchewan, and we believe, in all of Western Canada. It is also the first Deaf film to be nominated for the Best of Saskatchewan Award. This recognition of a Deaf film serves as an affirmation for our highly marginalized Deaf community in Saskatchewan.”

As such it is also the collective’s first film with its world premier planned for the Yorkton Film Festival.

Weber said the nomination is also important in terms of validating the film and helping market it.

“The Ruth Shaw award would be extremely validating for Fable Deaf. It would be a prestigious launch for the film’s festival run, and provide marketing

exposure both for the film and for the Deaf artists involved. Fable Deaf stars an all-Deaf cast,” she said. “Its entire production was overseen by a Deaf consultant. The writing team was a collaboration between Deaf and hearing writers, and the crew was a mix of Deaf and hearing designers and technicians.

“This award would serve as validation for uniquely Deaf expression, creativity and storytelling. It would acknowledge and recognize Deaf artists, actors, and filmmakers, and affirm the significance of Deaf art collectives making work that resonates with both Deaf and hearing audiences.

“Last but not least, this award would highlight that awardwinning, world-class, beautiful films are made right here in Saskatchewan.”

In broader terms the YFF is simply good for the film industry in the province.

“The Saskatchewan film industry is alive, but in order to really thrive it needs the kind of investment that comes from incentives like a film tax credit,” said Weber. “There are so many talented, highly creative film artists in Saskatchewan, some of whom made brilliant and innovative contributions to our own film.

“Showcasing

Saskatchewan films by YFF underscores the importance of this industry for Saskatchewan, in creative and financial sectors.”

In the case of Fable Deaf itself, the story is a unique one, offered Weber.

“Fable Deaf is a magical realist myth, set in a world of visual, rather than spoken language, where anger can bring a storm, and tears of frustration can become a monsoon,” she explained.

“The story follows

Hugo (Allard Thomas), a Deaf elder, stubbornly rooted in history and tradition, whose rigid system of artifacts and memories is jeopardized by the unwelcome arrival of Jaul (Mustafa Alabssi), an illiterate and language-less young Deaf traveller.

“The plot revolves around the conflict between the two men, the interventions of Hugo’s young mentee, Devi (Fatima Nafisa), and the isolation of the Deaf child, Jasper (Oscar Grodecki), whose future in the Deaf com-

munity is at stake.”

And the film was shot and created entirely in Saskatchewan, said Weber.

The film features an all-Deaf cast of four Saskatchewan actors between the ages of 12 and 74 who all identify as culturally Deaf and communicate using American Sign Language, and who have contributed to the film’s narrative.

“Created by Deaf Crows Collective, Fable Deaf is a highly unique short film with lush and stunning visual effects that examines the threat of cultural devastation, and offers an invitation for its preservation,” noted Weber.

When looking at the film now as a YFF nominee has Weber’s view of it changed?

“Now that it’s a YFF nominee, we are even prouder of Fable Deaf than we already were; the nomination affirms the quality and impact of the film for both hearing and Deaf audiences,” she said.

“Fable Deaf has been a labour of love for us.

“Our writing process began in 2018, with plans to film at various rural locations across Saskatchewan during the summer of 2020. However, like many other projects, the pandemic put a halt on our plans for the cast and crew to travel and live together on location.

“We had to devise a new approach to making the film, so the script underwent numerous rewrites as we adapted to changing circumstances and protocols.

“Ultimately we developed a plan to shoot on greenscreen with a minimal crew, and during a brief easing of provincial COVID assembly rules in August 2021, the film was shot at the Saskatchewan Production Stage under provincial pandemic restrictions. Our dedicated crew built a greenscreen and set while the actors rehearsed at the stages. It has been a challenging journey, but one that we are immensely proud of.

“We have spent the past 18 months working with a team of Saskatchewan postproduction artists: colourist Jason Rister, visual effects artist Jack Hilkewich, composer Jason Cullimore and sound design by Roman Empire Studios, and we are now so excited to share this Saskatchewan-made Deaf story with the world!”

After its world premiere at the Yorkton Film Festival, it is expected Fable Deaf will spend the next couple of years on the festival circuit, including screenings at Deaf film festivals in the United States and Europe.

Photos Courtesy Dr. Joanne Weber, Artistic Director Deaf Crows Collective

“No disease will kill that man,” a friend told me, after he learned of the Preacher’s (yet another) medical adventure doing battle with the pirates of life. Admittedly, he’s had his share. Take the last few, the ones long after a fall that paralyzed him from the waist down, the doctors thought for life.(He was walking within weeks.)

But since then, Rick has developed diabetes (currently well-controlled), then West Nile Neurological Disease (WNND). That paralyzed him in three limbs, hospitalized him for six months and scrambled his brain with encephalitis. The consequences of

that nasty mosquito bite still linger.

Then came Stage 4 colon cancer. That pirate stole a good chunk of his colon and a year of his life taking chemo and running to appointments. COVID came next, closely followed by bilateral pneumonia, which earned him a few ambulance rides and several more weeks in two hospitals. That battle nearly ended his life too. Clearly, God had other plans.

“Do I get frequent flyer points?” Rick asked at ER admitting last summer, the day he chopped part of his finger off during a mishap with his table saw. The nurse frowned and delivered a

KATHLEEN GIBSON

safety lecture. (They see a lot of saw incidents, apparently.) Properly cowed, he quietly submitted to the necessary wound cleanse. All that remains of that accident is his oddly shaped pointer finger.

“Miracle man,” some people have called the Preacher. But recently, several friends suggested I start calling him Job.

Frank Woloschuk to speak to Hort. Society

The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society invites you to our next meeting on May 17 at 7 p.m. at the Yorkton Public Library. Our special guest will be a wonderful gardener, Frank Woloschuk, who will be talking to us about perennials that will give us three season color in our gardens. Frank is very knowledgeable about plants of all kinds, and I know he will give us lots of great information to help make our gardens beautiful! Everyone is welcome, you don’t have to be a member to attend. We thank Frank for generously sharing his garden expertise with us!

And while we’re doing some horticultural housekeeping, make a note that the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be holding their annual Spring Plant and Bulb Sale on Friday, June 2 starting at 9:30 at the Parkland Mall, Yorkton! There will be a good variety of plants and bulbs, and eager gardeners will be on hand to answer your questions. We look forward to seeing you there! We have many gardening friends who are there waiting when the sale begins at 9:30; they know that if you have a particular plant you are looking for, best to be there when the sale starts! The sale is scheduled to go till 4:00 PM but is actually while plants last. If we run out earlier, the sale is done! Another good reason to come early!

By now you have probably taken a thorough tour of your garden and might see places here and there where some plants need replenishing or replacing. That is the nature of the garden, that not every plant survives from year to year. So the hort plant sale is coming at a great time! When you come to visit us at the plant sale, keep in mind the growing conditions of these spots that need some extra TLC this year; that will be a big help in choosing the right

Gardener’s

plant for the right place.

It is always a gardening dilemma: we get a new perennial, happily take it home, but when we plant it, it looks so small. Maybe we should add another, and maybe even another after that! Whoa, Nellie! Rein in that garden panic and take a breath. Most perennials take a few years to reach their full garden potential. And even if they look small right now in that gaping spot in the garden, it is important to do research and find out exactly what the height and spread of that mature plant will be. It may be only a few inches across now, but at maturity it could be a robust clump eighteen inches across!

Overcrowding perennials is almost as bad for them as choosing the wrong location, such as too sunny, too shady, or too dry. But luckily, there are lovely choices for all those locations.

So remember the conditions of where you want to put your new plant, and also remember how much space is actually available in that spot. You might have a certain perennial in mind but perhaps there could be one that might do so much better! So when you’re at the sale, talk to the gardeners there: gardeners LOVE to talk gardening: the success, the disappointments, and everything in between!

Remember, too, that you can create a beautiful ‘garden’ no matter what size of plot is actually available to you. Just look up a topic like “small space gardening” online for an abundance of inspiration. I saw pictures of small “gardens” that had only a handful

Notebook DEBBIE HAYWARD YORKTON AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

of perennials; but they were the right perennials for the space, and I think that gardener would get immense enjoyment, sitting there at the end of the day with a cup of tea! Gardens can happen anywhere! Thank you to our friends at YTW for their great work every week. Gardeners, visit us at www. yorktonhort and have a lovely week!

It started with several weeks of unusual exhaustion and excruciating pain from his hip down to hs foot. Sciatica, a practitioner told us.

“I think a bug bit me. Wanna have a look?” he asked three days later. From personal experience I recognized the dreadful cluster of blisters. Hours later our own doctor confirmed it.

Shingles. The lesions spread, tracing the sciatic nerve from the top of his hip to his foot. One planted itself on the bottom of his middle toe, making walking nearly impossible. Many faithful readers have prayed for us during the Preacher’s health battles. If you’re among them, know we are deeply grateful—those prayers have made a difference. Something else that makes me grateful (and humble) are the calls and emails I receive from Sunny Side Up readers who explain that reading about our struggles and the God who has been (and will continue to be) our stronghold through

them, gives them perspective on their own battles; many so much more difficult than our own. Fellow follower of Jesus, whatever you’re doing battle with, remember this: God is faithful. All the time. Our battles may wound us, even scar us for life, but we all have the same choice: trust God’s love in the midst of our pain and release bitterness, or reject him and allow bitterness to ravage our souls, our relationships and eventually our life. Disease may one day kill any of us, including my “Miracle Man.” But for believers, what’s on the other side is infinitely better. Trust.

Mother’s Day tea

Yorkton.

Paul

Staff Photo by Calvin Daniels

by

was

The

We Need More Friends and Fewer Enemies

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 United

Church of God in Christ Mennonite

AT SALTCOATS

SUNDAY SCHOOL EVERY SUNDAY AT 10:00 AM

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11:00 AM

EVERYONE WELCOME

Pastor Laurel Wiebe -- 306-898-2099

Pastor Tim Warkentin - 306-217-8222

Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church

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

Father Michael Faryna 306-601-9043

Thu. May 18: Moleben - 2:00 pm - Theodore Nursing Home Sun. May 21: Divine Liturgy - 10:00 am - Yorkton

Worship Sundays @ 10:30am

Minister : The Rev. Deborah Smith

Everyone is welcome!

Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church

155 CATHERINE STREET 306-783-4594

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

Saturday - 5 p.m. (English)

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

St. Mark The Evangelist Orthodox Church

160 Betts Ave., Yorkton, Sask

“Services In English”

www.stmarkyorkton.ca

Saturday May 20th - Vespers 6:00 PM

Sunday May 21st Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Sunday of the Blind Man

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

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”

The event was hosted

St.

Lutheran Church.

tea

held from 2-4 p.m.

YPL hosts Scientists in School program

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON

–The Yorkton Public Library hosted an inperson ‘Scientists in School’ virtual program May 11. The 60-minute virtual workshop from the charitable organization aims to “inspire children to experience a sense of wonder and gain a real understanding about the world around them. We continually strive to maintain our own

sense of wonder and passion for what we do, as we instill this passion for inquiry in others,” as detailed on the organizations website, scientistsinschool.ca.

“The kids are here going to do it in person today,” said Coralee Danyluk, Children’s Programmer with the YPL, adding, “we have had it as a graband-go in the past where they do it at home...we’re trying to get back to normal, so we’re doing it here.”

Danyluk said the May 11th program would focus on youths learning about nature and said that reception for the program has “always been good,” noting that the following week’s program was booked to capacity.

Danyluk agreed that it’s important for kids to learn about different sciences at a young age.

“It makes it fun — these kind of programs make it fun learning.”

Parents and children learned about nature through at the YPL through Scientists in School’s virtual program May 11.