Regional News-Optimist May 20, 2021

T H E B AT T L E F O R D S

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Thursday, May 20, 2021

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Community says goodbye to Gil Bellavance

70 Years and Counting

A lifetime of volunteering

Staff Ghislain (Gil) Bellavance of Battleford, known throughout the community for his dedication to faith, history and common good, has passed away.

In its record of Bellavance receiving the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General of Canada, it is written: Few individuals have dedicated more time to improving their community than Gil Bellavance. He has spent nearly 30 years helping Canadian veterans access the services they need through the Last Post Fund. In addition, he has devoted a lifetime to volunteering with the Knights of Columbus.

According to Richard Hiebert’s biographical piece on Bellavance published in the NewsOptimist, he was born Christmas Eve, 1935, to Joseph and Marie-Therese Bellavance at North Battleford. He was raised in Paynton and later moved to Delmas during

Gil Bellavance 1935-2021

the Second World War. Following completion of high school at St. Thomas College, he joined the armed forces as a private soldier in 1954 and rose the ranks of Canada’s military.

After graduating from Royal Roads, Victoria, B.C., Bellavance was commissioned into the Royal 22e Regiment (the elite Van Doos), serving in Germany, and later Canada.

His experience includes training with the Green Berets in the U.S., and postings to the far East and later Cyprus. He also served in Malaysia

with the British forces.

In the Seventies, Bellavance was deputy commander of the Canadian Airborne Regiment, later commander of Canadian Airborne Training Centre in Edmonton, and was posted to the Middle East as senior operations officer with the United Nations Emergency Force in the Sinai.

His final posting was with the Air Command Detachment in Regina.

After his “retirement” from the regular forces, Bellavance served as commander of the Saskatchewan Militia District for three years, retiring with the rank of colonel.

He later served as honorary colonel of the North Saskatchewan Regiment for 13 years.

Gil’s military service, full and part time, totalled 45 years. He was also branch president of the Last Post Fund to 1993, and a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Legion No. 9.

Continued on Page 5

Walter Tait still occasionally fires up a John Deere tractor purchased from John Dart’s store in Meota on May 15, 1951. It was brand new 70 years ago when it cost $2,500. To read more about the driver and his favourite John Deere, see Meota News on page 14. Photo submitted

Charges upgraded to 1st-degree in Moosomin murder case

By Lisa Joy

Staff Reporter

Second-degree murder charges against a woman accused of killing Damian Moosomin were upgraded to first-degree murder.

Jannay Blackbird, 22, from Saulteaux First Nation, appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court

by CCTV on May 14. Her lawyer wasn’t present and the matter was adjourned

to May 19.

Police have charged six people for Moosmin’s murder. The other five charged are Tye Partridge, 23, from Moosomin First Nation, Denver Roy, 36, from Sweetgrass Frist Nation, Stormy WapassSemaganis, 23, from Edmonton, Melissa Semaganis, 41, from Poundmaker First Nation, and a young offender who can’t be identified in

accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Partridge is charged with first-degree murder, Wapass-Semaganis, Roy, Semaganis, and the young offender are charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Moosomin’s body was found in the 1500 block of 105 Street in North Battleford on May 16, 2020.

He was reported missing to police on May 11, 2020.

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The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 3

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Sexual Assault Awareness Week in the Battlefords

Representatives of Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre were on hand for two separate flag-raisings in North Battleford and in Battleford on Monday morning, to commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Week. The Ministry of Justice and Attorney General has declared May 17-21 as Sexual Assault Awareness Week. As part of the week, Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre will be hosting Walk a Mile In Her Shoes starting at the Blend on Thursday evening, May 20; registration begins at 5:30 p.m. that evening. Seen at the flag-raising at City Hall on Monday, left to right, are Amber Stewart (executive director), Kayla Vany (community outreach worker), Marla Degenstein (office manager) and Mayor David Gillan. At the flag raising at Town Hall in Battleford, Vany, Degenstein and Stewart were joined by Councillors Judy Pruden and Shelley Boutin-Gervais. Photos by John Cairns

City looking to add solar panels to facilities

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The City of North Battleford is looking to move ahead with plans to install solar panels at their facilities in the community.

At the city’s Planning Committee meeting Monday, council members heard some more details from administration about the solar panels.

Some significant cost-savings have been identified in potentially installing the panels on city facilities. A number of recreation and water treatment facilities were identified as potential sites for the panels in a

presentation to council in February. Those were findings of a feasibility study funded by a grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund.

City Manager Randy Patrick said administration had been looking to install Solar Photo Voltaic Cells (Solar PV) on the roofs of the aquatic centre, curling rink, the wastewater treatment plant, the field house and Dekker Centre.

The total cost of installation is estimated at upwards of $1,485 million.

But this figure is dependent on what council ultimately decides to do — whether it chooses to go ahead with

the entire project or partway, or none at all. Patrick also noted it was also dependent on “having roofs that can hold the panels” and that is not confirmed as of yet. Patrick said they expect to bring this back to a future council meeting for a decision, and present all the options available to council.

Another important item noted by Patrick is that the generation capacity of the solar panels on each building is limited by the rules from the province about putting power into the grid.

Patrick said the system would be designed so the power is the city’s own use, and not put into the grid.

In the meantime, administration has already started the application process to receive federal funding. One funding source available is approximately $800,000 in Gas Tax Funding set aside for the project. But Patrick indicated additional funds were needed as well.

At Planning Committee Monday, Councillor Greg Lightfoot said he was in favour of using the Gas Tax money towards the solar panels. He noted the “energy savings were significant,” and would fund capital projects in the long term. He saw it as killing “two birds with one stone.”

Council also heard further details about solar panels from Jason Praski of Exa Energy Consulting.

He mentioned some new funding opportunities that had become available.

He reported that just a couple of weeks earlier a potential funding source was announced through Infrastructure Canada called the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program. In the case of the retrofits, it would pay up to 80 per cent of the capital costs through reimbursement.

One stipulation is it is meant for underserved or “higher need” communities. Another is that it is for

publicly accessible buildings, so the Wastewater Treatment Plant would not be included for these particular funds.

“It’s a great set of funds for the capital work,” said Praski. He encouraged the city to take a good look at it and get an application in sooner rather than later, because funding was on a first-come, first-served basis.

Planning Committee voted to receive the report, and the next step is for administration to bring back their final recommendations to council once funding and site issues are resolved.

Noisy, speeding vehicles a topic at council meeting

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

If you’ve noticed loud vehicles sounds from the North Battleford streets recently during the nighttime hours, you’re not alone.

The sounds from some of them have been so loud that the complaints have made their way to city council. Councillor Kelli Hawtin raised the issue May 10 at their

regular council meeting, noting she had received complaints from a few residents about very noisy vehicles driving around in the evening and through the night.

She wondered if the Noise Bylaw could apply and Director of Protective Services Lindsay Holm said that it can.

Holm said the RCMP and community safety officers can ticket vehicles that are excessively noisy.

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The hard part, he said, was determining whether it’s an actual factory muffler that’s on it, or whether it’s been altered.

“If they’ve been altered to be made louder, they can actually issue tickets on those,” Holm said.

Holm said that if people have complaints about noisy vehicles, they are encouraged to contact the RCMP, or the CSOs during their hours of operation.

On a related note, Councillor Len Taylor expressed concern at the meeting about repeat occurrences and noted they get repeat calls about noisy vehicles, and about speeding incidents in Fairview Heights and on Sandpiper Road.

Taylor asked if there is follow-up that the CSOs do on complaints such as noisy vehicles, speeders, stunt-driving and so on.

Holm acknowledged

this issue was a frustrating thing for council members and for officers as well, because “a lot of these are complaint-driven.” He said they were trying to get as much data as they can so they could understand where they were having repeat occurrences, and they were also doing more follow-up with people to ensure that when a CSO officer has engaged on a complaint, the person is getting the best service.

Regarding speeding incidents, they have been trying to move around the speed-zone signs as much as possible, on a weekly rotation, to curb some of those activities described.

The hard part, he said is, “I don’t know if we’re going to cure all of them all at once.” It would be a work in progress, but they are trying to track as much of that as they can, Holm said.

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Share your view!

Phone: 306-445-7261 Fax: 306-445-3223 Email: newsoptimist.news@sasktel.net

Letter

Inflation rate out to lunch

The commentaries offered on this editorial page are intended to provide thought-provoking material for our readers.

Contributors’ articles, cartoons or letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of any Regional News-Optimist staff.

Dear Editor Canadian Government authorities are continuing to tell its population that our inflation rate is at 2.4 per cent (Google). I have been watching this inflation posting for a number of years and in my humble opinion the majority of the time the quoted rate is out to lunch. I would like the readers of this post to tell me if it is I who is out to lunch. Here are a few bench marks I have been paying attention to: a) Groceries are we buying them for 2.4 per cent more today compared to a year ago? b) Price of petro c) Taxation d) Commodities such as lumber or any other construction material e) Household necessities such as furniture Now as a citizen of this community if you are buying said commodities for only 2.4 per cent above last year’s price please tell me your source - the point being why are our politicians being let off the hook with little to no resistance from the average tax payer.

Harry Zamonsky North Battleford

Letter

Do not press pause

T H E B AT T L E F O R D S

Dear Editor, In response to the letter, “What have we become?” I would like to acknowledge the hardship that has been endured during the past year and a half of truly isolating, to the point of not even going out for groceries. I admire your strength and commitment to keeping yourself safe, as an immunocompromised person. I can appreciate your comments around the negative attitudes targeted towards health officials. It is very disappointing to add yet another level of stress on to these people, who, like you said are just trying to do their jobs. I think it speaks to the lack of control people are feeling in their lives and perhaps blaming others gives them some control back.

Many people remain in denial that there is even a pandemic or harmful virus spreading and changing people’s lives.

I find myself reflecting on the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and then acceptance. We, as a country are going through these stages of grief due to the loss of familiar routines, support networks, leisure activity and normal routines such as going to get groceries. Considering the extent to these losses, not to mention our sense of safety and security; it really is no wonder we are grieving. Everyone is in different stages of grief and I think it’s useful to understand which stage others are in around us. Maybe this will help us to have more compassion, rather than feel disgust or frustration. I absolutely agree, under no circumstances should people be subject to verbal abuse. We are all suffering. Every one.

Now is not the time to throw rocks at each other.

Lastly, I wanted to touch on the statement, “I definitely understand how people can believe they’ve lost

Regional

almost a year and a half of their lives.” I have been thinking a lot about this lately and realizing that I cannot put enjoying my life on hold until lock downs are non-existent or until I can travel. I have to find ways to enjoy my life; if lock downs were to occur for the rest of my life. I need to find new ways to enjoy my life. For me, personally, I have made a music room in my house to listen to music and scrutinize the not so perfect art I created. I have made an art studio in my basement, even though I’m not very good at painting. I have been writing poetry and have been working on the final edits to my first book being published. I am grateful for the time I have had to focus on these other areas of my life I don’t believe I would have had time for before. I spend as much time out at the river and lake as I can, so I can escape my worries in the wilderness. I refuse to press pause on living a happy life, waiting for things to get back to normal. Let’s start now. What can we still do?

The list is surprisingly growing the more I expand my mind to think of things and we have to continue to be creative to discover what these things are. Shifting our perspective might help us survive, not only physically but mentally as well. I’m remaining hopeful as well and glad you are too!

Tiare Aubryn Fenrich North Battleford

A community newspaper published Thursdays Owned & Operated by Prairie Newspaper Group LP a division of GVIC Communications Corp.

892 - 104th Street, North Battleford, Saskatchewan S9A 1M9 Telephone: 306-445-7261 • Fax: 306-445-3223 Serving the Battlefords since 1908 E-mail: newsoptimist.news@sasktel.net

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We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

Visit www.newsoptimist.ca Follow Battlefords News-Optimist on Facebook and @TheNewsOptimist on Twitter

Letters welcome Letters to the editor are welcomed by the Regional Optimist. All letters, including those which are faxed or emailed, must be signed and bear the address and telephone number of the writer. The name of the writer will be published. Letters are subject to editing. Personal attacks will not be printed.

Letters will be rejected if they contain libelous statements or are unsigned.

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Joyce Wappel Office Manager, Aliya Isaac DTI/Receptionist

Editorial

Jayne Foster Editor - John Cairns - Lisa Joy Reporters

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The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 5

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News-Optimist wins two SWNA awards

Dining Together

Staff

Our regular contributor Jim McLane of Battleford tells us these beautiful and graceful shoreline birds, American Avocets, are common in the shallow waters of the North Saskatchewan River between Finlayson Island and the riverbank.

These pretty birds are about 18 inches tall. Their long, blue legs end in webbed feet, so they are good swimmers as well. They use their long beaks with precision to eat mainly aquatic insects. These birds often feed in pairs, swishing their beaks through the water in unison, like aquatic ballerinas, while they search for food. American Avocets are common on the prairies and throughout the midwestern United States. After nesting season, the rusty head of the avocet turns whitish. They usually have two to four eggs in a meagre nest on the ground, close to shore. Photo by Jim McLane

Gil Bellavance 1935-2021

Continued from Page 1 Bellavance has been recognized for his efforts.

He received the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal for his 25 years dedicated to youth in the Army Cadets. He was also awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for outstanding service to his country, community and fellow veterans.

In 2018, Bellavance received Light of Christ School Division’s Lumen Christi Award for his volunteer efforts within the division and within the several parishes where he acted as deacon. Among those duties included performing lay mass at Villa Pascal and on First Nations south of North Battleford.

“Deacon Gil is a man of faith and has been a member and supporter of St. Andre Catholic Church for many years,” said board vice chair Adrienne Welter at that presentation. Bellavance was also credited as being a large part of the St. Mary community, and his

various activities, Welter said, showed “how a Catholic man can live with integrity in every aspect of his life.”

On the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus website it is stated: “It is with great sadness that we an-

nounce that Deacon Gil Bellavance passed away ... Our council lost a very faithful and dedicated Brother Knight and our parish lost a very dedicated parishioner. Rest in Peace Brother Gil. You will be missed by many.”

VOTE Billy Kennedy

www.newsoptimist.ca

The News-Optimist has won two SWNA Awards.

Honours for our sister paper the Unity-Wilkie Press-Herald included second place for Helena Long for Best Black and White Photo and third place for Best Agricultural Coverage - Single Story or Feature, for “Could steam be the answer?”

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Due to continued COVID-19 restrictions, for the second year in a row the awards were announced on Monday in a virtual presentation held on the ZOOM platform.

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The Battlefords Regional News-Optimist has once again come up a winner in the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association “Better Newspapers” competition.

Both reporters John Cairns and Lisa Joy were winners. Joy took home Best News Story of the Year for “State of emergency responds to suicide, unemployment, crime, drug addiction,” her story on the emergency at Onion Lake.

Cairns won for Best Government Coverage for his series about North Battleford City Hall’s efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“John and Lisa are talented and dedicated reporters,” said Jayne Foster, News-Optimist editor. “Any newsroom would be fortunate to have them on staff and we are glad they are on ours.”

The Battlefords Regional News-Optimist finished second in the category of Best All Around newspaper in Class D - Circulation Over 6,500.

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Page 6 - The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021

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Battleford getting an Oil Can Charlie’s location

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Battleford will soon be the home of another Oil Can Charlie’s location.

At their May 17 meeting at Town Hall, Battleford

council members heard from Jay Bottomley, owner of Oil Can Charlie’s in North Battleford, about his plans for the business.

Joining him at council was Keegan Sparrow who has partnered up with

Council considering tax abatement request for oil change store

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

At their regular meeting of town council on Monday, Battleford council discussed a couple of requests by the owners of the new Oil Can Charlie’s location in Battleford West.

BSR Ventures Ltd. consisting of Jay Bottomley, Keegan Sparrow and Sheldon Rafuse is building a second Oil Can Charlie’s oil change location in the Battleford West commercial area west of Highway 4. The area currently includes a Coop gas bar, a strip mall with a Sobeys Liquor Store, and Tim Hortons.

A couple of requests were before council related to the development. The first was for

approval of a 10-by-20 digital billboard sign to be located on the southeast corner of their property. Council saw no issues with the request and that was carried unanimously.

The second was a request from BSR Ventures Ltd. for a five-year tax abatement for the property. But no decision was made on that request Monday.

Instead, council wanted to know more details about any incentives offered for other commercial builds in that area. The indication was that incentives varied for properties nearby.

More information will be gathered on that issue and the decision on a tax abatement has been tabled to the June meeting of council.

Bottomley on the project.

Oil Can Charlie’s already has an oil change and car wash location in North Battleford, and Bottomley explained the intention is to add a second Battlefords location for the oil change store in Battleford West.

It is to be located in the commercial area in proximity to properties such as the Co-op Gas Bar and Sobey’s Liquor Store. A sign announcing the pending arrival of the business in Battleford has already been put up.

Bottomley told council he had purchased the property from Dean Kupchanko and took possession April 30.

The build will take on several phases. The first phase is for the oil change location, which Bottomley said will be the “exact same footprint as the store in North Battleford.”

But it’s going to be “dressed up” with some exposed timber, stone and stucco for the town of Battleford.

Also planned is a digital billboard on the southeast corner of the property - a two-sided digital sign, with the ability to be dimmed down at night to reduce light pollution and also to save power. Mayor Ames Leslie said their current bylaw doesn’t allow illu-

PUBLIC NOTICE

RM of Mervin No. 499 Public Notice Zoning Bylaw Amendment

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Rural Municipality (RM) of Mervin No. 499 intends to adopt a bylaw under the Planning and Development Act, 2007, to amend Bylaw No. 94-4, known as the Zoning Bylaw (ZB).

INTENT: The proposed amendment would: add a subsection heading for development not requiring a permit; exempt from permitting the screening or closing in of existing covered decks where used for seasonal living or congregation space, fences, and landscaping where specific permitting is not otherwise required; and, add a definition for landscaping.

Jay Bottomley, lower right, outlines plans for a new Oil Can Charlie’s location in Battleford to town council Monday. Microsoft Teams screenshot

minated signs to be lit up at night.

Bottomley indicated the intention is to begin construction on the new location in August and be open for business in November.

The last phase would be a 15-to-20,000 square foot commercial retail unit or

strip mall. Bottomley foresees that project not getting started until 2023 or early 2024.

At this point Bottomley is not planning a car wash for the location, though he admitted “nothing’s ever out of the question.”

So far, Bottomley said,

the reaction to the plans has been positive, with council members expressing enthusiasm for the arrival of the business in the community.

“We’ve felt more than welcomed by everyone that we’ve spoken to,” Bottomley said.

Honours awarded to Comfort Inn and Suites Staff The owner of North Battleford’s Comfort Inn and Suites is celebrating some major honours for two of his hotel properties.

Billy Coles owns the Comfort Inn & Suites in North Battleford, which recently won a Gold Guest Satisfaction award this year from Choice Hotels Canada.

Coles’ other property, the Econo Lodge in Fox Creek, won a Platinum Guest Satisfaction Award.

The award recognizes their operational excellence and dedication to superior guest service, and is the third Platinum award for the hotel in the past four years.

To qualify for the Guest Satisfaction Award, hotels are ranked on a system that includes key performance indicators including guest survey results.

“Our sincerest congratulations go out to Billy Coles and his teams in Fox Creek and North Battleford,” said Brian Leon,

president of Choice Hotels Canada, in a statement.

“During an impossibly difficult year, it is especially meaningful that they were able to reach the highest levels of guest satisfaction.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to win these awards from Choice Hotels Canada,” said Coles in a statement. “We would like to thank our committed staff for all their hard work especially during what has been a very tough year.”

21053AL0

AFFECTED LAND: All lands within the RM would be affected by the proposed changes such that the amendment would be affecting the administration and definitions portions of the ZB.

REASON: The RM wishes to provide clarity in its ZB with respect to identifying those items for which it does not require a development permit by providing a subsection heading to better identify relevant bylaw content, and to specifically identify items for which permitting is not required.

PUBLIC INSPECTION: Any person may inspect the bylaw at the RM of Mervin No. 499 office between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. excluding statutory holidays. Copies will be available to the public at a cost, by emailing the contact below, or on the RM’s website. A copy of the proposed amendment is available for viewing here: www.rmofmervin. ca/planning-and-development/public-notification/ , along with details for online meeting participation.

PUBLIC HEARING: Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday June 8, 2021 at 1:30 PM in the RM office located in the Town of Turtleford to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed amendments. Council will consider written and emailed comments at the meeting. Due to limited space in Council chambers and COVID social distancing requirements, Council is intending to have an online participation component to the public hearing for those wishing to make verbal representation. Interested parties wishing to address Council are required to register for the online component and are encouraged to contact the RM office or its Planner for details. The deadline for receipt of comments, and requests for online representation must be received by the RM office or its Planner by June 3, 2021. For additional information, please contact the Municipal Planner at (306) 397-1000 or yvonne@ northboundplanning.ca.

Issued at the Town of Turtleford this 19th day of May 2021 S. Yvonne Prusak, BASc, MA, MCIP, RPP Municipal Planner RM of Mervin No. 499

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The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 7

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of the Battlefords MARKETING YOUR PROPERTY TO THE WORLD

1391 - 100th Street. North Battleford, SK

(306) 446-8800

Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

www.remaxbattlefords.com

Kayla Petersen

From the GoFundMe page. Screenshot

Owner / Broker

GoFundMe page set up for victims of house fire Staff

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family displaced by the house fire on May 13 in North Battleford.

A page is set up to raise money for Linda Lefevre and her children, whose home at 2322-100th St. was destroyed by the blaze last Thursday.

The page was organized

by Santanna Belyk and has set a goal of $15,000. As of Tuesday morning, $3,830 had been raised from 43 donations, with the largest contribution so far being a donation of $300.

People looking to contribute can find the page at https://www. gof undme.com /f/2322100th-street-linda-lefevre-and-kids-fire?utm _ medium=referral&utm_ source=unknown&utm_ campaign=comms_ p8bh+2322-100th-streetlinda-lefevre-and-kidsfire .

The statement posted on the GoFundMe page reads as follows: “On Thursday May

13th, Linda lost her home and business to a fast moving house fire. At the time of the fire, her oldest daughter was in the house alone, but managed to escape the fire unharmed, and made the initial call to emergency services. By the grace of God, she made it out safe. However, due to the nature of the fire the home had to be demolished mid-fire to spare the neighbours’ homes. She and her children aged 5, 10, and 14, lost absolutely everything in under an hour.

“Anyone who has experienced a loss like this, knows how hard and long the time between the trauma and insurance clearance can be. The funds raised will go directly towards replacing immediate items needed, such as children’s clothing, food, and necessities. All that remains is what they left their house with on their backs unknowingly that day. We are blessed to live in a community that supports and rallies behind those in need, any donation is hugely appreciated.”

Deputy fire chief Colin O’Hara told the News-Optimist that the fire department was dispatched at 4:14 p.m. Thursday afternoon and fire crews were on scene until about 9 p.m. that night. They responded with two engines and 10 personnel that evening.

The fire department was also on site for about an hour Friday morning.

The structure is considered a total loss. Most of the interior of the building was burned out and the roof had collapsed. The exterior walls were taken down and the base was removed in the morning on Friday.

Apart from the fire department there were two EMS vehicles and personnel, and RCMP and CSOs were on the scene, with part of law enforcement’s job being to cordon off traffic and keep control of the number of spectators who watched the blaze.

The cause of the blaze is undetermined at this time.

210526G0 210526G1

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Wally Lorenz

Brett Payne

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REALTOR®/Assoc. Broker

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Randall Cote

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2

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Top floor unit in the Retirement complex of Caleb Village. This freshly painted 962 sq ft, 2 bed, 2 bath condo captures tons of sunlight with its West facing unit, offers fridge, stove, washer, dryer, electric fireplace, TV, china cabinet and titled parking stall (No. 12 directly outside the back doors) included. The master bedroom offers a 3 piece bath and hosts the stackable laundry closet as well. This condo has a 60 sq foot balcony and this unit is located beside the elevator for easy access. With a view to the West you will enjoy watching the afternoon & evening sun across the city skyline. You can choose to do your own cooking, or optional meal plans are available for purchase. Central air conditioning is another luxury with this condo. A $75 monthly fee covers the Lifestyle Package which includes 24 hour access to the Bistro Bar, 24 hour emergency pendant monitoring and scheduled activities and entertainment.

Condo fees for the unit are $325.00 monthly. Live the luxurious lifestyle, call today for a private tour.

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Located in the Resort Village of Turtle View at Turtle Lake this 1300 sq foot year round home has so much room for the whole family! Many renovations have been done over the years and you will find it move in ready! There are a total of 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, or if you love a large master suite you can easily convert the 2 back bedrooms to mom and dad’s oasis from the kids. You will fall in love with the vaulted ceilings and wood beams and the cozy feel of the cabin. Outside you will find plenty of space for kids to play, a nice brick firepit area and a large wrap around deck. Also included is half of the garage on the lot next door. It is fully self-contained with your own access, perfect for parking your boat or toys. Hot tub and smaller shed will stay. Call today for more information!

KAYLA PETERSEN MLS®SK850888 $350,000

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Luxurious acreage overlooking the Lake! Possible business opportunity here! Call for discretionary uses list. This beautiful executive style home on 10 acres welcomes you, featuring 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, vaulted ceiling with windows galore allowing for perfect views, wrap around deck with glass railing (2,000 square feet), above ground swimming pool (built into the deck allowing for easy removal and deck replacement if desired). The gorgeous kitchen features expresso cabinetry, large island, laundry/pantry area just off the kitchen with extra cupboards and counter space. Living room features large wood burning fireplace, 2 sets of garden doors lead out to the deck and outdoor kitchen/entertaining area. The upper level is host to the master suite, featuring 1,000 square feet of openness. Two very large walk in closets and a gorgeous ensuite bath are strategically placed to allow easy access but privacy.

Lower level of this amazing home features heated stained concrete floors, family room, full bath, bedroom, utility room and storage.

Walk out to the covered patio with outdoor wood burning fireplace and ample room to entertain here as well. Need an extra bedroom? Easily add one in the lower level. Nestled in the trees is a fire pit area that could host a large crowd. The 3 car heated garage with in- floor heat and 11 foot ceiling is an absolute dream. Additional features: water supply trenched in from Aquadeo, all windows triple pane, bamboo flooring, heating & air conditioning is geo-thermal, sewer system is septic tank and pump out.

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This unique property will sure to impress you from the minute you drive up where urban meets country.

Why build new when you can move into this immaculate, high end, completely finished 5BD, 3BA family home. This custom-built walkout home was built in 2014, open floor plan which is great for entertaining, featuring a two-sided gas fireplace, lots of natural light, garden doors leading you to partial covered deck overlooking the pasture field and trees making you feel like you live in the country. Main floor has 3 bedrooms, with one currently being used as an office. Quartz counter tops on the main floor, high end flooring throughout, triple pane windows and main floor laundry off the garage also acting as a mud room. Lower level has large windows allowing tons of natural light, floor heat, and 2 large bedrooms, as well as a spacious storage/mechanical room. Garage is heated with floor heat, and has ample storage, floor drain and work bench area. This home is well built and the workmanship and features are evident.

Power is equalized at 151.00/month, and energy at 100.00 per month making it extremely energy efficient. Comes with all appliances, quick possession is available. Call today for more information.

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Very well cared for home in a quiet area of Battleford. This great family home has had the same owners for approximately 32 years. When you enter the home you are greeted to a nice big entrance way. There is new flooring on the whole main floor in recent years. It has 3 good sized bedrooms on the main floor with a 2 pc en-suite and laundry off the master. Main bathroom has recently been up-dated including a new air tub. The lower level has something for the entire family. There is a large rec-room, good sized games area and a theatre room. There is also a fourth bedroom and a recently up-dated bathroom with in-floor heat. There is patio doors off the dining area leading onto a large 2 tiered deck. Back yard is very private. The natural gas B.B.Q. is included. It has a 24x24 attached garage. Fridge, stove, washer, dryer and deep freeze included. Take a good look before it is too late.

BRETT PAYNE MLS®SK852926 $314,900 437 4th Avenue E Unity 1110 sq. ft.

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1176 sq. ft.

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DOROTHY LEHMAN 306-441-7782

Page 8 - The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021

Regional News-Optimist

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Charges upgraded North Battleford man to stand to 1st degree in trial for killing of Ryan Gatzke

By Lisa Joy Moosomin murder Staff Reporter

By Lisa Joy

Staff Reporter

Second-degree murder charges against a woman accused of killing Damian Moosomin were upgraded to firstdegree murder.

Jannay Blackbird, 22, from Saulteaux First Nation, appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court by CCTV on May 14. Her lawyer wasn’t present and the matter was adjourned to May 19.

Police have charged six people for Moosmin’s murder.

The other five charged are Tye Partridge, 23, from Moosomin First Nation, Denver Roy,

For more court and crime coverage visit our website at www. newsoptimist. ca

36, from Sweetgrass Frist Nation, Stormy Wa p a s s - S e m a g a n i s , 23, from Edmonton, Melissa Semaganis, 41, from Poundmaker First Nation, and a young offender who can’t be identified in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Partridge is charged with first-degree murder, Wapass-Semaganis, Roy, Semaganis, and the young offender are charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Moosomin’s body was found in the 1500 block of 105 Street in North Battleford on May 16, 2020. He was reported missing to police on May 11, 2020.

A man charged with manslaughter in relation to the death of 27-year-old Ryan Gatzke in 2019 has elected to be tried by judge alone in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench.

Charles Michael Lewis MacLean, 23, had an appearance scheduled in

North Battleford Provincial Court on May 12. On that day, defence and the Crown consented to go to trial without a preliminary hearing.

MacLean is also charged with break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, and a firearms offence.

Isaac Melko, 22, of North Battleford, and Ja-

cob Joseph Ballantyne, 25, of Edam, and a young offender are also charged.

Melko, Ballantyne and the young offender - who can’t be named in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act - were charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carry a weapon

Preliminary hearing to be set in Meota murder case

By Lisa Joy

Staff Reporter

A warrant to hold for Michael MacKay was cancelled after his lawyer appeared in North

Battleford Provincial Court May 17.

Michael MacKay’s lawyer didn’t appear in court May 14 as scheduled to set a preliminary hearing date.

Nicholas Stooshinoff ap-

peared, however, on May 17 and apologized to the court for the mix-up. .

MacKay, 38, of Meota, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 38-year-old wife

Biggar man charged with sexual assault released on bail

By Lisa Joy

Staff Reporter

A Biggar man facing charges of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, making sexually explicit materials available to a child, transmit or distribute sexu-

for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a license, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Police found a badly injured Gatzke in a house in Battleford in October 2019.

He was taken to the North Battleford hospital where he was declared deceased.

No trial date has been set yet.

ally explicit material to a child, and touching a child for a sexual purpose, was released on bail.

Ryan Sims appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court by CCTV from Saskatoon Correctional Centre on May 11. He was released

on no financial obligation with conditions including not going near playgrounds or where there are children.

Defence lawyer Stuart Busse objected to the condition of a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. because of Sims’ job. The court didn’t

impose a curfew.

North Battleford Crown Prosecutor Loren Klein told the court the Crown is proceeding by way of indictment.

Sims is due back in court July 7 to enter an election and plea.

Cindy MacKay. MacKay was arrested in Warman on March 18. Police say they launched an investigation after health care professionals raised concerns to RCMP. Police didn’t specify what those concerns were.

Cindy MacKay was taken to hospital in medical distress on Feb. 7, 2020, and she died days later on Feb. 12, 2020.

Stooshinoff told the court he needs to determine which witnesses will be called and how many for a preliminary hearing.

The matter was adjourned to June 1 to set dates for a preliminary hearing.

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The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 9

9.5-year prison sentence for shooting at RCMP

By Lisa Joy

Staff Reporter

A man was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison for shooting at RCMP pursing him and four others on Onion Lake Cree Nation New Year’s Day. Danny Lee Weeseekase pleaded guilty last week in Lloydminster Provincial Court.

North Battleford Crown Prosecutor Oryn Holm and Saskatoon defence lawyer Chris Gratton entered a joint submission.

The court heard that 38-year-old Weeseekase has 75 prior criminal convictions.

“That is very, very sad,” said Judge Kim Young.

Judge Young said Weeseekase isn’t beyond redemption and there could be some hope for him in the future.

“But as Mr. Holm points

out, usually in their old age people slow down and they don’t have the energy level to keep up the criminal activity but that’s not so with Mr. Weeseekase. He just keeps going like the energizer bunny. That is very, very unfortunate.

“Protecting the public for as long as possible is a major, major factor in sentencing; to keep Mr. Weeseekase away from other members of the community so he can’t harm them,” said Judge Young.

Crown’s position Holm told the court he has no doubt that Weeseekase has had a hard life, which gives context to his crimes but added that he has “had almost every type of court intervention you can think of and so far it hasn’t worked.”

Holm said he wanted to point out that Weeseekase

had an unnecessary suffering to animal charge in 2019.

“We know what case law says about this,” said Holm, adding that Weeseekase has anger and addiction issues.

Holm said there are Gladue factors but the Crown is of the opinion that denunciation, deterrence and protection of the public was paramount and the Gladue factors don’t override them.

Holm told the court that during the police chase on Onion Lake on Jan. 1, 2021, Weeseekase, who was in the front passenger seat, leaned out the window of the SUV and shot at the pursuing RCMP officer.

During the 10-minute police pursuit at least six shots were fired at RCMP officers who were pursuing the SUV. The suspect-

ed gang associates sped through Onion Lake, past two schools and a medical clinic in the mid-afternoon. Holm said vehicles swerved to avoid the SUV. After police arrested the five occupants of the SUV they found two SKS rifles, a sawed-off shotgun, and a sawed-off 22-caliber in the SUV. Defence’s submission Gratton told the court that Weeseekase, from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, spent time in foster care and was sexually assaulted. His hair was also cut.

“That’s a very significant factor for an Indigenous individual to have his hair cut,” said Gratton.

His parents were involved in residential day school and he was in a residential school in Duck Lake. When he first got involved in the criminal

justice system he was in the North Battleford Youth Centre and was assaulted and sexually assaulted.

“He had a very troubled life and got into trouble after that,” said Gratton.

Weeseekase, however, managed to maintain employment most of his life, mainly in the oil industry.

Gratton said Weeseekase doesn’t do hard drugs but has alcohol addiction issues and has little recollection of that day.

Weeseekase’s charge of theft of a vehicle from Loon Lake was included in his global 9.5-year prison sentence. He was given 203 days credit for the 155 days he served in pre-trial custody.

Weeseekase’s co-accused Twaine Derek BuffaloNaistus was scheduled to be sentenced on May 5 but the matter was adjourned

at the request of his defence lawyer Cameron Schmunk who told the court he wasn’t able to go over the presentence report with his client by phone because he was “passed all over Saskatoon Correctional.”

Glynnis Larene Chief, 37, from Onion Lake has a trial scheduled in Lloydminster Provincial Court Melissa McAlpine, 33, pleaded guilty on May 5 to being an occupant of a vehicle knowing there was a firearm. She was given a nine-month conditional sentence.

In April, Tyler Ryan Wolfe, 35, from Onion Lake was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of discharging a firearm, not stopping a vehicle while being pursued, and driving in a dangerous manner.

Onion Lake man sentenced to two years for police pursuit

By Lisa Joy

Staff Reporter

An Onion Lake man was sentenced to two years less a day in prison after he was arrested last month during an RCMP operation targeting street level organized crime.

Damian Dillon, 26, was sentenced in Lloydminster Provincial Court on May 13 on charges of flight from police, dangerous driving and driving while prohibited.

North Battleford Crown prosecutor Oryn Holm told the court that Dillon fled from police and it just so happened that the RCMP helicopter was in Lloydminster.

Holm said that on April 23 at about 7:15 p.m. an officer attempted a traffic stop but the driver of the vehicle didn’t stop, ran a red light and headed to Highway 16.

The Alberta RCMP K Division helicopter tracked the vehicle to

north of Maidstone and officers put spike belts on the highway. Dillon saw the heavy police presence and stopped.

Holm said Dillon has 16 prior offences including another flight from police conviction where he received an 11-month jail sentence.

Dillon was also on probation and release conditions at the time of the pursuit.

North Battleford Legal Aid lawyer Cara Hill 21054MM0

told the court that Dillon “panicked when he saw the police,” and was motivated by a desire to see his children again.

Dillon was given 32 days credit off his sentence for serving 21 days in remand. After he is released from prison he will be on probation for nine months.

Dillon was one of 40 arrested during the Lloydminster RCMP cross border, intelligence led operation that targeted street level organized crime and gangs.

The operation involved RCMP K Division Air Services, Lloydminster RCMP general duty members,

Lloydminster RCMP General Investigations Section, Lloydminster RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, Police Dog Services, Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (EADCRU), and Saskatchewan F Division RCMP Crime Reduction Team.

21053PM0 21054PM0

Page 10 - The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021

Regional News-Optimist

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Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) Funding will Benefit 760 Municipalities MEEP is a key component of the Government of Saskatchewan’s $7.5 billion, two-year capital plan to build a strong province and stimulate economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about this $150 million program or see a complete list of approved projects, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/municipal-economic-enhancement.

Hon. Scott Moe, Premier

Jeremy Cockrill

MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook scottmoe.mla@sasktel.net 306-747-3422

Ryan Domotor

MLA for The Battlefords office@jeremycockrill.ca 306-445-5195

20210513_News Optimist Ad_MEEP.indd 1

A diversity of ‘justice’

MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford domotor.mla@sasktel.net 306-893-2619 5/13/2021 11:29:05 AM

One in a series of stories addressing justice, injustice and movements for change in the Indigenous community

Group calls for immediate release of sisters they say were wrongfully convicted of murder

By Lisa Joy

Staff Reporter

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) is calling on the federal government to intervene and release two Saskatchewan sisters who have served almost three decades in prison for a murder they say they didn’t commit.

Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance were sentenced to life on seconddegree murder charges in 1994 for the death of Anthony Joseph Dolff from Kamsack. A young offender, who was 15 at the time, was also convicted.

“Despite a lack of physical evidence, and the testimony of (the young offender) stating he was responsible for the murder in 1993, Odelia and Narrisa have remained in prison,” said CAP National ViceChief Kim Beaudin during a Zoom media conference May 18.

“While (the young offender) received a four-year sentence for second-degree murder, the two women were handed life sentences.”

One sister in a healing lodge, the other in hiding Odelia and Nerissa haven’t physically seen each other for 18 years – since their father’s funeral.

Odelia is at a healing lodge in Western Canada.

“I wake up in the morning and say, “Why, why am I still here?’” said Odelia on May 18.

“My sister and I should not have received a life sentence for a crime we didn’t commit,” said Odelia. “We were treated unfairly from the beginning as young Indigenous women living

in Saskatchewan. Someone else has confessed to this horrific murder and still the justice system fails us. My three girls miss their mother and I should be home with them. I feel exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally, and now is the time for my release after almost 30 years.”

Nerissa has been wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for the last three years for parole violations. Following the media conference she spoke to the Battlefords News-Optimist on the phone from an undisclosed location.

“I’m doing awesome,” she said about her freedom. “I’m living the dream I never had.”

After spending almost three decades behind bars, life on the outside has challenges.

“There are still some things I don’t know.”

She isn’t bitter even though she has lost decades of her life incarcerated for a murder she says she didn’t commit.

“I don’t blame nobody, you know. I learned to forgive.”

Nerissa hopes she and Odelia will be exonerated and she said she isn’t concerned about the government financially compensating her.

“The thing about compensation, nothing could ever bring back the things I lost. No money can bring back what I lost.”

Likewise, Odelia says the justice system has taken so much from her.

“It took 28 years of my life,” said Odelia. “I have lost many relatives and I couldn’t go to their funer-

Panel features sisters, senator, David Milgaard

Odelia Quewezance holds an eagle feather during a Zoom call on May 18. Odelia and her sister Nerissa Quewezance were convicted of seconddegree murder in 1994.

The sisters’ supporters say they are innocent and are calling on the federal government to release them. Zoom screenshot

als. It took me away from my children. I have not been a parent physically. I have been a phone mother all these years.

“What the system took away from me is my spirit and to be free. I always ask myself ‘why?’

“It took a lot of my ability to heal and I’m so institutionalized,” she added.

“I worry a lot. I wake up every morning hurting that I can’t be with my family.

I can’t do the stuff I need to do for myself and for my children.”

David Milgaard and Senator Kim Pate support the sisters The Innocence Project has taken up the sisters’ cause. They helped David Milgaard who was wrongfully convicted for the rape

Nerissa Quewezance has been wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for the last three years.

Following the media conference she spoke to the Battlefords NewsOptimist on the phone from an undisclosed location.

and murder of nurse Gail Miller in Saskatoon in 1969. He spent 23 years in prison before being freed.

Milgaard believes in Odelia and Nerissa’s innocence and called the situation a terrible injustice.

“We know they had absolutely nothing to do with this crime. These two women aren’t responsible for doing anything wrong.

The person responsible confessed to it and we want these women to heal and start their life and be free.

This is a situation that has to be resolved quickly.”

Senator Kim Pate said she is stunned the sisters haven’t been exonerated.

“Someone else confessed. Why there hasn’t been a review of their case is beyond me,” said Senator Pate during the Zoom conference May 18. “There needs to be an immediate review of the convictions

Senator Kim Pate said she is stunned sisters Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance haven’t been exonerated. Zoom screenshot

of Nerissa and Odelia.”

Canada’s Department of Justice said the federal government is committed to a fair and impartial criminal justice system that respects the needs of victims while guarding against potential miscarriages of justice.

The Criminal Conviction Review Group (CCRG), within the Department of Justice, handles the criminal conviction review process.

Individuals who have exhausted their rights of appeal can apply to have their convictions reviewed.

“For privacy reasons, we cannot comment on particular applications,” said spokesperson Melissa Gruber in an email statement May 18.

Gruber said should an application be made, the CCRG conducts a review on the Minister of Justice’s behalf and advises the Minister on the appropriate remedy, if any. The Minister will then review relevant material and de-

Speech and Hearing Month MAY IS

Clear communication for a bright future

#2 11204 Railway Ave East

(306) 445-5700

David Milgaard speaks during a Zoom call May 18. He is supporting Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance who were convicted in 1994 of second-degree murder of a Kamsack man.

Milgaard says they are innocent.

Zoom screenshot

cide, on the basis of the facts and the law, whether a review application should be dismissed or allowed.

On March 31, 2021, the Department of Justice appointed Justice Harry LaForme and Justice Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré to conduct consultations in relation to the creation of an independent Criminal Case Review Commission.

Hope for the future Nerissa doesn’t intend to turn herself in and Odelia longs for freedom.

“I wish I knew then what I know now because I know I wouldn’t be sitting here,” said Odelia. “I have a voice today. I’m stronger and I’m not going to give up. I pray my sister Nerissa doesn’t give up and my children don’t give up on me. I just want to go home.

I’m so tired of sitting in prison.”

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The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 11

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OBITUARIES

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

BENTZ, Vera M. (nee Bastian) On April 24, 2021 at Foyer Hospice in St. Albert, Alberta, Vera passed peacefully. Vera was predeceased by her husband, George Bentz; parents, Margaret and Frank Bastian; brothers, Allan, Lorne, and Irvin; sisters, Dorothy and Merna; and niece, Lynda. Left to cherish her memories are her children, Ron (Molly) Mamchur, Dorothy Whitford, and Vera (Tim) Saban; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Vera loved her close family ties and friendships that lasted over the years. Dancing, gardening, reading, crocheting, camping and fishing were her favorite pastimes. A strong love for life and family always brought those she held close together.

The family would like to sincerely thank Foyer Lacombe, Palliative and Home Care staff for all their compassion and care.

Memorial donations may be made online to Covenant Foundation through Foyer Lacombe’s website. Sign the online guestbook at www.evergreenmemorial.com __________________________________________________

Phone: 306-445-7261 Fax: 306-445-3223 In person/mail: 892 - 104th Street North Battleford, SK S9A 1M9

Hawryluk, Audrey Our mother left us on May 14, 2021 to reunite with Bill, her husband of 69 years. Audrey was born in Duval, SK on December 5, 1927. After high school she moved to North Battleford where she met and married William Hawryluk.

They both worked at Sask Hospital until their retirement.

They moved to Saskatoon in 1984 where they enjoyed their retirement attending their grandchildren’s many activities. She is survived by her children Barbara (Ted) Porter, Barry (Cheryl) Hawryluk, Bonnie (Mel) Manchur, Billee (Larry) Walker, 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Special thanks to the staff at Extendicare for the amazing care and compassion they show every day. A Private Graveside Service will be held. __________________________________________________

TO BOOK CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING CALL 306-445-7261 William “Bill” Drager

Bill was born on a farm six miles East of Sutherland in 1933 to Ludwig and Auguste Drager. He was one of the eldest of 14 children. He worked hard in his younger years milking cows, cleaning barns, and hay stacking. Bill loved his team of horses and would hitch them up to the hay rack wagon and go over the Broadway Bridge at full speed. He was sure to stop a few cars along the way. Growing up with 14 siblings you can be sure there was never a dull moment. As Bill got older and learnt to drive, which was done at a relatively young age back then, he talked his brother into skiing behind the old motorcycle. Of course, Charlie ended up with a broken leg and quite the story to tell their parents. Another time, Bill and Wilfred decided to steal a calf thinking it would give them some extra cash. They had some explaining to do when they got caught trying to sell it. Bill grew up being a hard worker with a big heart. He left home at a young age to learn how to be a drywaller and would later start his company, Drager Drywall. In 1956 Bill married Marlene Sloney.

In the following years they would welcome their three children: Cheryl, Cindy, and Greg. By this time Bill was on the road for his drywall company travelling all over western Canada. Bill loved his farm in Dorintosh. He bought it in the 1970’s during his search up North for a cabin. He always wanted to be a farmer and for many years he would juggle that and drywalling. Many special memories were made here. When his grandchildren Elysha, Krystyna, and Ryley were born, Bill would finally slow down a little bit.

Living just miles from Meadow Lake Provincial Park, he started to take up fishing or professionally untangling lines depending who he had with him. From 3-5pm you could often find him fishing along the west side of Waterhen Lake. He would troll back and forth in front of a spot he coined “the point”. Without fail a fish would hit his line every time he passed. Grandpa was extremely patient. He would teach anyone anything if they wanted to learn. Anyone who fished with him knew how to properly fillet a jack fish. Many stories have been shared about his drivers training as well, whether it be a motorhome, the old Fargo, or the white farm truck with the 4x4 strapped to the gas pedal. Grandma was quite surprised to see the white truck coming in from the field with no driver. Needless to say, grandpa felt confident that some lumber and a pillow could easily get a six-year-old behind the wheel. Grandpa would finally retire in 2000 and sell his prized possession to the Zuchotzki family. Little did we know he would continue to reside there for 20 more years and become a part of their family as well. During his retirement, the farm house was never quiet. Grandpa loved having his 8 Track player cranked as loud as possible over a game of cards. He was a social butterfly. His dearest friends kept figurines with change in them on display in his kitchen as his favourite game nickels was never turned down when people came to visit. One of his latest favourite toys was a fancy card shuffler gifted from Stevie. He loved to show that thing off. “Hokey, Pokey, Jokey,” will be stuck in the back of everyone’s minds when they play Nickels now as grandpa didn’t draw from the deck without reciting his favorite catchphrase for a little luck. In 2011 Cindy booked Grandpa his first trip to Vegas and after that he was hooked. Vegas would become a yearly event shared with friends and his siblings Lil and Cec. If Grandpa wasn’t found with Lil at the machines you could almost guarantee he was enjoying McDonalds in the food court. One of his last trips to Vegas we suggested he use a scooter to cut down on the copious amounts of walking Vegas entails. We all took turns driving it up and down the strip until he finally agreed it might not be that bad of an idea. After Vegas he took up Slotomania and invested in an iPhone and an iPad. Many, many phone calls were made trading cards with his clan and trying to figure out how to use his iPhone properly. Grandpa genuinely loved people.

He didn’t just love his kids or his grandkids he loved almost anyone who crossed his path. Saying the actual words however wasn’t his thing, I like to think that’s an old school trait. Most of our phone calls went, “I love you Grandpa.” Followed by “yep, yep, yep, bye.” My grandpa was a grandpa to so many people. He had something special about him that made people feel like his family.

Sometimes I think it was something simple enough as his time. He always made time for a pot of coffee and a visit when he saw you. Even into his 80’s, Grandpa never liked to sit still and could be found folding chicken boxes, cleaning up Cindy’s garage or creating a make work project for himself in the back of the Grab n Go. It wasn’t uncommon for the delivery men or half the town for that matter to be found heading toward the back of the store for a visit. Grandpa’s latest work of art was hot gluing mom’s cutlery holder in her dishwasher because the knives kept falling through. I’m sure now it will never get thrown out. His wit never allowed people to ever feel sorry for him, that wasn’t his style. He liked to keep things light and make people laugh. Even in pain, the last day he physically graced us with his presence, he told the nurses it was “time to cash out”. Boy did he ever cash out. He left behind a legacy of friends, family, and numerous onetime acquaintances whose lives he touched even if only briefly. Grandpa was the most generous man with the biggest heart. It’s going to be hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember. Mr. William “Bill” Drager passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at the age of 87 years. A Private Family Graveside Service was held Friday, May 14, 2021 at the City Cemetery with Pastor Sheldon Gattinger officiating. Bill will be forever remembered by his children: Cheryl Drager and Cindy Olchowecki; grandchildren: Elysha Olchowecki (Jarrod Ducherer), Krystyna Olchowecki (Brandon Ducherer), Ryley Olchowecki; great-grandchildren: Chester, Cash, Brock, Wyatt, Blaire Ducherer; siblings: Lillian Miller, Cec Drager, Martha Roberts, Donna Slywka. He was predeceased by his wife, Marlene Drager; son, Gregory Drager; parents: Ludwig and Auguste Drager; brothers and sisters. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Mr. Bill Drager can be directed to Stars Air Ambulance Nutrien Hangar, 2475 Airport Road Saskatoon, SK S7L 1M4. Condolences for the family can be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium.

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 51 local community newspapers, distributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306-649.1405 or visit www.swna.com for details.

AUCTIONS Saturday May 29th, 2021 Consignment Auction. ONLINE BIDDING 9AM bid.schmalzauctions.com Collectors cars including 1923 Ford T-Bucket (SK reg), 1932 Chevy coupe, 1949 Plymouth coupe, 1929 Chev sedan, Tractors: 1928 Farmall regular, 2 JD AR’s, Equipment: 977H Cat loader, International forklift, IHC 100 crawler loader, home built bucket loader, over 1000 lots of tools etc. Schmalz Auctions PL 911509

LIVESTOCK Black and Red Angus Yearling and 2 yr. old Bulls on moderate growing Ration. Performance Info available. - Adrian or Brian and Elaine Edwards Valleyhills Angus Glaslyn, SK. Phone: (306)4410946 or (306)342-4407

GARAGE SALES

HUGE - 75 PLUS FAMILY & MARKET

GARAGE SALE May 19-23 OPEN 9-5 Covid Rules Apply Fundraiser, Weather Permitting 442-22nd Street Battleford, Sask.

S0M 0E0 HORSES & TACK Will buy all classes of horses. 306329-4382 or 306-222-5540.

HEALTH SERVICES

HIP/KNEE Replacement?

Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and up to $30,000 Lump sum refund.

Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide!

Providing assistance during Covid.

Expert Help:

1-844-453-5372

OBITUARIES PENNER: Breena Jean Penner was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on April 12, 1991 to Debbie and Glen Penner. We lost her far too soon on April 22, 2021. Breena will be lovingly remembered by her fiancé Travis Loessin; children Kyson & Blake; Mom Debbie Penner (Greg Ducharme); brother, Jeff Penner (Kelsey Wood); nephews Nash and Stryder; grandparents: Cornie and Dorothy Penner; Aunts Rhonda, Bev (Harry), Wendy (Dave); cousins: Taliah, Zachary, Kamisha, Darren, Ryan, and Angela. Breena was predeceased by her dad, Glen Penner and grandparents: Jim and Donna Nash. Breena spent a happy childhood in Richard & Maymont, SK. She was a child who loved animals of all kinds and had several beloved family pets. One friendship would stand out from Breena’s teenage years. There was someone who was just always there for all the important moments, her best friend Travis Loessin. It would take a few years before this friendship would become all it was meant to be, but it was worth the wait. Travis was Breena‘s rock in good times and in bad.

Travis says he felt so lucky to of been with her as a friend,best friend,boyfriend and fiancé. Breena found her niche working for the Battlefords Boys and Girls Club as the activity director. Her gift of caring for kids was very evident in the years of devotion to the club. In March 2012 Breena‘s dad Glen was in a tragic accident. Glen passed away in 2016 but not before Breena gave him the gift of becoming a grandparent. Both Breena and her brother missed there dad every day of their lives and looked to his legacy as a parents in their own journeys. There was no greater joy for Breena than becoming a mother. The birth of Kyson was a discovery for Breena of love like no other, the all encompassing love that a mother feels for her child.

Breena was so proud to watch him grow into the sensitive, caring, dinosaur loving little man that he is. Breena and Travis welcomed a perfect baby girl Blake and their family was complete. Tiny little Blake brought her own big personality to their little family and we loved to see reflection of a younger Breena in her. Breena loved to lose herself in reading or listening to a good book. She loved to baby her plant collection, relax at the lake, watching a good movie, playing board games, and cards with friends and in her words soak up every minute with her kids. She had a quiet, deep empathy for others and brought awareness to causes like Organ Donation, BrainIinjuries and Mental Health. Interment took place on May 1, 2021 and was a private family burial. Donations can made to the Canadian Mental Health Assocation in memory of Breena Penner. __________________________________________________

Page 12 - The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Estate of Darren James Gayowski, late of Mervin, Saskatchewan, deceased.

All claims against the above estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 11 day of June, 2021.

Battle River Law Barristers & Solicitors 201, 1291 - 102nd Street Box 905 North Battleford, Saskatchewan S9A 2Z3 Solicitors for the Administrator of the Estate of Darren James Gayowski.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Estate of William Edward Prescesky, late of Richard, Saskatchewan, deceased.

All claims against the above estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 15 day of June, 2021.

Battle River Law Barristers & Solicitors 201, 1291 - 102nd Street Box 905 North Battleford, Saskatchewan S9A 2Z3 Solicitors for the Executors of the Estate of William Edward Prescesky.

LAND FOR SALE

FARMLAND WANTED I am currenlty PURCHASING single to large blocks of land.

NO FEES OR COMMISISONS 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

IN MEMORIAM

Regional News-Optimist

w w w. n ew s o p t i m i s t . c a APARTMENTS/CONDOS FOR RENT INDEPENDENT ADULT LIVING apartments in Martensville, SK. Spend your retirement years in a community close to family/friends in the Saskatoon area that has large city services and small town safety and charm. 2 bedroom suites available. More information at www.chateauvilla.ca, 306-2814475 or chateauvilla@sasktel.net.

FARM SERVICES

Integrity Post Frame Buildings SINCE 2008

Built with Concrete Posts Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and More sales@ Integritybuilt.com 1-866-974-7678 www. integritybuilt.com

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COMING EVENTS

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Canadian Prairie Pickers are once again touring the area!

Paying Cash For Coin Collections, Silver & Gold Coins, Royal Can. Mint Sets.

Also Buying Gold Jewelry

$ $

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PAYING HIGHEST PRICES To arrange a free, discrete in-home visit call

Bonded since 1967

Kellie at 1-778-257-8647 MEETINGS

Meeting Lake Regional Park Notice of Annual General Meeting The Meeting Lake Regional Park Authority will be holding their Annual General Meeting on June 12, 2021 at 1:00pm at the round hall, located inside the regional park. Due to provincial health restrictions, we ask that only one person per family attend.

The meeting will be open to the public, while respecting all Provincial health guidelines in place at that time.

Notice of Annual General Meeting for

Funeral Service and Crematorium

2691 - 98th St., North Battleford (306) 445-7570 24 hours

1332 - 100th St., North Battleford (306) 446-4200 24 hours

Trevor Watts - Owner/Director Robert Mackay - Funeral Director Vanessa Macnab - Funeral Director

Thursday, June 24, 2021 7:00 p.m. at the Pfeifer Learning Centre 801 – 105th Street North Battleford, SK

Funerals | Burials | Cremation | Preplannig

Applications for new membership must in by May 25, 2021 and renewal of Memberships must be paid by 3:00 p.m. June 11, 2021.

FAMILY OWNED FAMILY FOCUSED

eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca

ANNOUNCEMENTS

battlefords humane society Hi I’m Hooch!

Hi I’m Aurora!

CARD OF THANKS

Mike Whitwell

FUNERAL SERVICES

ONLINE

www.newsoptimist.ca

battlefordshumanesociety.com

We love you and miss you every day.

10 years ago our lives changed Forever There will never be a day when we won’t think of you and wish that you were here by our side.

We can’t have the old days back when we were all together.

But secret tears and loving thoughts, Will be with us forever.

Missed Always Mom, Dad and sister Brittany

FORAGE SEED FOR SALE: Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc.

Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942.

Hi, I’m Hooch! I’m a bit bashful.... okay, a lot bashful. I am here at the shelter looking for my second I’m terrified of everyone. Maybe it’s the noises and smells chance at a loving home! I came to the shelter a stressin’ me out. I am getting a bit better with time, and mess needing a little bit of medical care but the with love, patience, and someone willing to work at my lovely staff here sent me to the doctor to get all pace, I’m sure to blossom into a wonderful companion. fixed up. I am not a playful and sweet.

SPONSORED BY CHERRY INSURANCE & REGIONAL NEWS-OPTIMIST

Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories.

January 24, 1982 May 21, 2011

ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grain.

Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, 1-888-483-8789.

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In Memory of

FEED & SEED

CERTIFIED SEED

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Love Mom, Dad, Kerri, Kris, Jaylene, Brad, Ashleigh, Nathan, Cassie, Tristen, Kailee, Bret, Ivy, Otto, Ruby and Jude.

FEED & SEED AGPRO SEEDS is BUYING: HEATED CANOLA #1 BUYER, TOP PRICE PAID IN SK. On farm pickup! Call: 306-873-3006 or email: sales@agproseeds.com.

Check out prices @agproseeds.com

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, if you are interested in attending please e-mail to rjohnson.btec@sasktel.net.

The Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival Committee

thanks the individuals, business and organizations who made the 2021 Festival a success.

• Aaron Friedman - Battle River Law • Alison O’Keeffe • Amy Francais • Andrea Whelan • Battleford Furniture • Battlefords Animal Hospital • Battlefords Blend Sweet Adelines • Battlefords Ministerial Association • Battlefords Regional Optimist • Battlefords Registered Music Teachers Assn.

• BeePlus Workplace Solutions • Beth Walls • Bev and Murray Greenwood • Bill & Don’s/Dance 101 • Bridges Chevrolet • Canadian Tire • CIBC • City of North Battleford • Comfort Inn • Dance Connection • Debbie Logan • Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts • Dianne Gryba • Discovery Co-op • DJ’s Engraving Shop • Donna & Roy Challis • Dr. and Mrs. Hesselson • Dr. Russell Butler Dental • Dr. Yasin & Mrs. Therese Mahmood • Elaine White • Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium • First Rate Financial • Fortress Windows & Doors Ltd. • Gallery Singers • Gladys Erana • Grace Lang • Hudec Law Office • Ilene Wettergreen • Ionic Lodge #31 • Jacquie and Len Pawlus • Jaki Esquirol, CPA CGA • Jaime Maunula • Jennie Friedman • Jennifer Harder • Jennifer Meneses • Jenny Nolin • Jim Pattison Broadcast Group • Joan Bunce • John Dyck • Jon Kachur • June Newsham • Junice Headley

• K. and B. Hickley • Kal Tire • Karen Ulmer • Kelley Bahrey • Kelly Waters • Kiwanis Club of the Battlefords • Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph’s Council #7336 • Lakeland Veterinary Services • Lesley Weiman • Lindsay Charabin • Lizelle Craib • Loralee Cawood • Lorenzo Bacchetto • Lorna McLean • Margaret Sigouin • Mari LaCock • Matrix Law Group • McPhail Family • Meagan Kachur • Meridian Surveys • Michele Isaac • Milbanke Flowers - Urban Accents • Murray & Cecilia Burton • Nikki Holtzhausen • North Battleford Agencies • North Battleford Lions Club Inc. • Paul Weiman • River Valley Eye Care • Robert MacKay • Rotary Club of the Battlefords • Royal Canadian Legion Branch #70 North Battleford • Ruth Solheim • Saskatchewan Lotteries • Saskatchewan Music Festival Assn.

• Saskatchewan Orchestral Assn.

• SaskTel • Sheri-lyn Berry • Shoppers Drug Mart • Sobeys • Sons of Norway • Sound City AVU • Swanson Gryba & Co • Sylvie Masich • Town of Battleford • Trina Bahrey • Ulmer Family • Ultra Print • United Commercial Travellers • Valley Ford • Vantage CPA • Vida and Nester Brunwald • Yvonne and Ken Loehndorf

See you at next year’s Festival: March 29 – April 10, 2022

Regional News-Optimist CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS REQUIRED: motor scrapers, dozers, excavators, graders, rock trucks. Lots of work all season.

Camp job; R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d.

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction Box 100, Arborfield, Sk. S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca 1A TRUCK DRIVERS REQUIRED: Late model winch trucks and trailers; dump trucks and pups. Hauling heavy equipment, gravel, and camp shacks.

Wage negotiable.

Clean drivers abstract a must.

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction Box 100, Arborfield, Sk. S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL TOWN OF CUT KNIFE Pursuant to section 217 of The Municipalities Act, notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Town of Cut Knife for the year 2021 has been prepared and is open to inspection by appointment only in the office of the assessor from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the following days: Monday to Friday, May 21st, 2021 to July 22nd, 2021. The office will be closed May 24th, 2021 for Victoria Day and July 1st, 2021 for Canada Day. A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person who wishes to discuss the notice of assessment or potential appeal may contact the assessor at the Town of Cut Knife, Box 130, Cut Knife SK S0M 0N0 or by calling 306-398-2363. A Notice of appeal, accompanied by a $30.00 appeal fee which will be returned if the appeal is successful, must be filed with the Secretary of the Board of Revision, Aileen Swenson, 31 Wilkie Rd, Regina, SK S4S 5Y3, by July 22nd, 2021.

Dated this 21st day May, 2021.

Preston Olson, Assessor

Currently looking for a General Manager Meadow Lake Building Supplies Ltd is a member of the Castle buying group, a busy, growing business providing quality lumber and building supplies with outstanding service and value to professional and retail customers in Northern Saskatchewan. The position consists of reporting to the Owner/Manager and principal duties will include but are not limited to: -Assist in establishing & carrying out company policy -Establish & maintain a health and safety program in compliance with regulations -Establish & maintain a positive relationship with clientele, assist in providing timely responses to inquiries on products, pricing and service, assist in estimating when needed -Establish & maintain a positive relationship with all suppliers as well as monitor purchasing activity to ensure best possible terms and pricing for the company -Monitor A/R to ensure prompt payment by customers -Recruit, select, promote & discipline employees -Monitor market prices to ensure the company is competitive while also ensuring adequate margins & ROI -Establish work & vacation schedules for all supervisors, managers & employees.

-Assist regularly with counter sales -Work with the Owner/Manager & other key employees to continually develop growth strategies & create opportunities for the company -This position requires the candidate to work the occasional Saturday.

Forward resume & list of 3 references along with their contact info to: acelumberoffice@sasktel.net

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that nominations of candidates for the office(s) of: Councillor: Village of Maymont Number to be elected: 1 will be received by the undersigned on the 9th day of June, 2021 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Village of Maymont Office located at 112 Main Street and during regular business hours from Thursday May 20th, 2021 to Tuesday June 8th, 2021 at the Village of Maymont Office located at 112 Main Street.

Nomination forms and Public Disclosure Statements may be obtained at the following location: Maymont Village Office 112 Main Street Dated this 20th day of May 2021.

Denise Bernier Returning Officer

R. M. of Glenside No. 377

Whereas a poll is not required pursuant to The �oc�� �o�e�n�ent ��ec�on Act for the office of: Councillor: Division No. 3

Regional

Serving the Battlefords since 1908

306-445-7261

www.newsoptimist.ca

RDS

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LEFO

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B AT T

news-optimist

THE

T H E B AT T L E F O R D S

� here�y give pu�lic no�ce that no vo�ng for the said office will take place on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, and that the following person is elected �y accla�a�on:

Joanne Fullerton, Returning Officer

May 19 to and including July 18, 2021 Please contact 306-445-1706 to arrange appointment to view the roll A bylaw pursuant to Section 184(1) of the Cities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required. Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal with: City of North Battleford 1291-101 Street Box 460 North Battleford, SK. S9A 2Y6 Dated this 18 day of May, 2021 — Margarita Pena, City Assessor

(Municipal or School Division Elections)

NOTICE OF ABANDONMENT OF POLL

Dated at Biggar, this 13th day of May, 2021

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the City of North Battleford for the year 2021 has been prepared and is open to inspection, by appointment only, in the office of the Assessor from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following days:

Notice of Call for Nominations

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

Darren Dove, Division 3

NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL City of North Battleford

timist Serving the

Battlefords

since 1908

Notice of Preparation of Assessment Roll TOWN OF BATTLEFORD Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Town of Battleford for the year 2021 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the front entry of Town Hall due to COVID 19 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on the following days: Monday to Friday May 21, 2021 to July 19, 2021 A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal, along with the applicable fee, with: the Assessor, Town of Battleford, Box 40, Battleford, SK S0M 0E0, by the 19th day of July, 2021. The appeal fees are as follows: A) For Residential, Condominium & Agricultural parcels, per assessment roll number: $50.00 B) For Multi-Family & Commercial parcels, per assessment roll number: - $150.00 if assessment is less than 500,000; - $300.00 if assessment is between 500,001 to 1,000,000; - $450.00 if assessment is greater than 1,000,001.

Dated this 20th day of May, 2021.

Ash Alam CAO/Assessor

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 13

w w w. n ew s o p t i m i s t . c a

Serving the Battlefords since 1908

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

We’re hiring!

RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF ELDON NO. 471

NOTICE OF CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

If you are service minded, team driven, career focused and thrive in a digital world…

Public notice is hereby given that nominations of candidates for the office of:

Visit the careers page of www.innovationcu.ca

Will be received by the undersigned at the municipal office during normal office hours until Wednesday, June 16th, 2021 at 4:00p.m. local time.

Nomination forms may be obtained from the municipal office.

Dated this 20th day of May, 2021.

Lee Torrance Returning Officer

T H E B AT T L E F O R D S

Councillor for Division No. 5

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892-104th Street North Battleford 306-445-7261

Page 14 - The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021

Regional News-Optimist

w w w. n ew s o p t i m i s t . c a

Eyes are on the sky watching for signs of rain

By Lorna Pearson Correspondent

The weather is always something to talk about, but until we get some rain we hate to talk about it.

Surely some will come soon. Some farmers have put in crop while others claim they will wait for rain before it is any use putting it in. Some gardens are partially planted, and soon they will all be in. At least one can water them, though it is costly.

Setting out flowers is risky, too. Forecasts show there may be cold temperatures this week, again. There is a great variety of plants to pick from this year.

It is National Nursing Week with the annual radiothon seeking donations for new aesthetic machines for Battlefords Union Hospital.

It’s always nice to see the country girls riding through town on their ponies/ The spider season in Australia on Facebook showed the trees completely covered with spider webs, like a blanket almost. We hate to run into a tiny, single web, and the sight of these was scary. I watch the weather channel often when there is nothing worth watching on TV, and they have some interesting stories, many of which remind one to be happy with where you live.

Bird watching gets really serious now that the

M

eota News

summer beauties are showing up at the feeders. There are red-breasted grosbeaks, hummingbirds and the Baltimore oriole. Each one is exciting to see.

May 19 and 20, Zoom meetings were taking place hosted by Saskatchewan Senior Mechanism on “Positive Aging ‑ Reshaping Care for Older Adults.”

This included Revolutionary Approaches to Longterm Care, Protecting Your Respiratory Health, Virtual CarFit, Australian Home Support Report and Mapping the Future.

I have been told again there are no houses for sale in Meota. The market is red-hot right now. As one drives around you see new houses and a double garage going up in Meota and Lakeview, and sold properties being renovated.

Summer traffic has started with big boats arriving, RVs coming in to set up for the summer and I even saw people in the lake this week. We know it wasn’t warm, but are glad they enjoyed it and provided a glimpse of things to come.

The renovation of the Vawn Community Hall is nearing completion and folks are looking forward

to holding the fifth annual mud volleyball tournament in July. They are fully booked already. Everyone is anxious to get using the hall again and the day will be most exciting.

Tractor Memories Walter Tait still occasionally fires up a John Deere tractor purchased from John Dart’s store in Meota on May 15, 1951.

It was brand new 70 years ago it cost $2,500.

Bob Colliar , who worked for Dart’s at the time, picked it up at Dart’s store in Glaslyn and delivered it to Meota. It was a long, cold ride. As soon as it was home, Walter unhooked the Minneapolis Moline 17-28 from the five-and-a-half-foot seeding outfit and hooked up the John Deere. Walter says the 35 hp John Deere AR was their only tractor for a while and was used for all farming jobs. It was also sometimes used for pulling neighbours’ vehicles out of the mud or snow on the road around the slough.

Maintenance over the years has included replacement of all the tires at least once. New rings were put in once. Also replaced were the radiator screen, governor flap, seat cushions and a few batteries. It is a short list for all those years.

Walter is one of the pioneers, no doubt. He still has a Scots bride, Mary, and their two daughters, Gail Scorgie and Jane Poli-

cha, run the beauty salon in Meota.

Tourist Information Meota tourist information booth (the Trans Canada Trail building in Meota) had their first meeting May 15. Several interested people came out to find out how it’s going to work. Pat Becotte chaired the meeting, while Warren Iverson fielded many of the questions. From the May long weekend until the end of June, the booth will be open on the weekends. The plan is to have it open seven days a week for the months of July and August. Volunteers were asked to commit to three or six hours so the booth can be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The committee has been hard at work preparing the building and the grounds. There is a new front door and signage has been ordered. They are hoping to get brochures from Meota businesses and organizations. They are still working on getting a porta-potty.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help should contact Warren Iverson, Pat Becotte or Linda Ard. Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail had all hands on deck last week. Making sure to be compliant with provincial COVID-19 guidelines was a priority.

It was a beautiful day to spend outdoors cleaning up all around the club-

A cleanup bee was held by Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail volunteers Sunday. Work was completed inside the clubhouse and in outdoor areas. Photo by Lorna Pearson

house. A few hardworking women cleaned windows and doors, as well as all the frames. The inside of the building has had a complete spring clean. Prior to the work bee, a small crew of cleaning volunteers washed walls, the entire kitchen and bar, as well as the bathrooms. The building has been aired out and smells fresh and clean.

The outdoor work took precedence for most of the volunteers. The beach was levelled out prior the to cleanup, but there was still a lot of raking sand and removing sea weed. Luckily there is a new member with a big dump trailer who took three big loads of beach debris and compost away. Boats were moved, the boat house was cleaned up and boat lifts are almost

Former elevator agent passes away

By Elaine Woloshyn Correspondent

The last grain elevator agent at Saskatchewan Wheat Pool in Mayfair was Brian Wilson. He recently passed away at 63 years of age. He and wife Christine lost their eldest son Avery at age nine years while residing in Mayfair. Condolences to Christine and two sons. They moved to Battleford about 22 years ago.

Gordon Sherman in Mullingar area can boast of having five great -grandchildren. Grandson Jarret and wife Sara, who reside in the Martensville area, are now parents. Congratulations to Gordon and grandparents, daughter Rhonda and Steven Persecesky of North Battleford.

There is going to be a new cafe opening up in

Hafford. Many local people will drive there because of close proximity. The old building, years ago called The Sword, is in the process of renovation. I will keep you posted on the official opening.

Hafford is a busy town for eating establishments including AM Bistro and Bakery and Cyndie’s Cozy Corner Cafe and Cakes.

April Lafreinere from Mayfair and her sister Megan Linsley have operated AM Bistro for seven years, serving homemade breads, buns and tasty pastries, along with quick tasty

meals.

Mayfair CWL met in March and the next meeting will be in September according to president Lorena Lafrenier.

Mayfair School reunion was to be held in August 2020. Wade Lafrenier is the main organizer and is atcive on Facebook if anyone has inquires.

Graduation time is always exciting for Grade 12 students. With the reopening of the next three phases, the Saskatchewan government might have some great news for the end of June. Colby, son of Otto and Janelle Lavealee, is looking forward to celebrating with his Hafford classmates. He is enrolled in a welding course in Saskatoon this fall.

A plant sale will he held at the farm of Dora

and Barry six miles south of Mayfair May 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 pm. There will be

a huge selection of perennials, annuals and houseplants. Bring a maskand

in the water. The pressure washer, whipper snipper and lawnmower were all in continuous use.

It’s true that many hands make light work.

It’s also great when there is equipment at hand that can take care of the heavy lifting. All and all, it’s great to see the grounds being maintained for everyone to come and enjoy.

Another wonderful development is the support from the Meota community. Several new members have signed up, with renewed interest in kayaking, paddleboards and sailing. Come check out the boats and boat lifts that are for sale. Better yet, contact Trudy Janssens 1-306374-0843 for membership information and plan to spend time out on the lake.

dress warmly, as the temperatures aren’t predicted to be spring-like that day.

Farmers are looking for rain

By Dorothy M. Mills Correspondent

In my April 22 report there was a mistake in the spelling of the name of the new reeve for the RM of Glenside. He is Coady Dehr.

Sympathy to the family of Menno Fieguth on his recent passing. One of his dreams was restoration of the Opera House on the second floor of Battleford Town Hall. He was a wonderful singer with a voice to remember. He will be missed.

Get well wishes to Doug Reinhart of Battleford West Place apartments.

Farmers are busy with seeding. There are many acres left to go, but progress is evident. The farmers say there is a little moisture in the ground, but much more is needed shortly.

The May long week-

B

aljennie

end approaches. May 24 is Monday, where it all started years ago. Our old neighbour always used to say May 24 was potato planting time.

Thank you to the apartment management and the Town of Battleford for lawn and shrubbery maintenance. The result looks great.

Wild flowers are beginning to bloom, including the everlasting dandelions.

They are good for the bees and other insects. You can pull them, but they come right back. The best controls are chemical, but be careful around other plants. The dandelions seem to be everywhere in

the cities, towns and country.

Mother’s Day has just passed and that’s the time of year to put out the hummingbird feeders, as they will soon be here to feed after their long trip from the Untied States and Mexico. I do miss them and the little house wrens here in Battleford.

It is tick time for both animals and people. With so much tall, dry grass and bushes they are everywhere. These little blood suckers are ready for their prey They love dogs, so be sure to check your pets regularly. They attach ever so easily and are so difficult to remove.

A big thank you to the town for controlling the dust on the road near the apartments.

Happy Victoria Day to all. Holiday season has started.

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The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 15

Believing in Jesus isn’t simply about us Yesterday, I asked Ed if there were some people he would like to meet in person and get to know more about them. My old neighbour often answers a question with a question.

So he asked me, “Why? Who do you think I should meet?”

I said, “Well, since we are coming into the summer golfing season, maybe you would like to meet and pick the brains of a golfer like Danny Klughart, Mackenzie Hughes, or Mike Weir?”

Ed informed me that he would like to meet and play a round of golf with Danny Klughart, as he could learn something from Klughart’s skill,

N

eighbourly Advice

According to Ed

By Raymond Maher

www.accordingtoed.com

raymaher085@gmail.com unlike playing a round of golf with me. I agreed with Ed. I believe we all have people we would like to meet to understand them more fully and perhaps learn from them. The ideal situation is that when we meet someone, we have wanted to meet, that they

will be willing to meet us and get to know us. When we draw near to them, they must be willing to draw near to us.

In the third chapter of John, a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus to meet him in person. He wanted to un-

derstand how Jesus could do the miracles or signs Jesus was doing before the people.

Nicodemus saw Jesus as a teacher from God in that God had to be with Jesus for him to do the remarkable things he was doing. Nicodemus couldn’t understand what Jesus was saying to him when Jesus informed Nicodemus that he must be born again to see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4) Nicodemus was not ready or able to see beyond what was common sense

to him. He was astonished that Jesus told him that he needed to be born again.

Like Nicodemus, we often feel we should understand Jesus or God simply with our reason and intellect.

We want to make God fit our understanding. Many of us resent others when they don’t want to let us be who we are but who they think we need to be.

Many when Jesus was alive and today are not ready or able to believe in Jesus because they insist Jesus become more or less than He says that He is as God’s Son. Jesus told Nicodemus that he had descended from heaven to do God’s will as the Son of Man. As Moses lifted

up a bronze snake in the wilderness to save the dying people who looked to it, He (Jesus) would be lifted up that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Nicodemus helped bury the body of Jesus in a tomb after Jesus’ death lifted up on the cross. For a time, Nicodemus could not understand Jesus, but he wanted to because he felt God was with Jesus.

Nicodemus dared to draw near to Jesus when most Pharisees were opposing or rejecting Jesus. Jesus drew near to Nicodemus, enabling him to trust that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life.

Worship Together Spend some quality family time together.

Worship at the church of your choice.

Our community has a number of churches and a variety of denominations for you & your family.

(RC) St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish 1942 - 98th Street, North Battleford, SK S9A 0N4

TerriTorial Drive alliance church 306-445-5158 www.tdac.ca

306-446-1695

PASTOR: Rev. Phinh Do

DAILY: Tues., Wed., Thurs. & Fri. - 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted

Corner of Scott & Territorial Dirve Sun. 9:15 am & 11:00 am Ministries for the whole family

WEEKEND MASS TIMES: Saturdays - 7:30 p.m. Sundays - 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

ANGLICAN PARISH

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

Rev. Trevor Malyon

1401 - 98th Street, North Battleford, SK

St. Georges Anglican Church Battleford Sunday @ 5:00 p.m.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church North Battleford Sunday @ 11:00 a.m.

Battle River Parish YouTube channel CJNB Radio 1050 a.m. Sunday mornings 7:45-8:30 a.m.

Contact: 306 445 4155 stpaulnb@sasktel.net

306-445-5901

Reverend George Yando Sunday Services 10:30 AM Everyone Welcome

PRE-REGISTER

Living Water Ministry

Hope Mennonite Fellowship 1291 - 109th Street, North Battleford

Sr. Pastor Brian Arcand Pastor Anand George Phone: 306-445-3803 Cell: 306-441-9385 Fax: 306-445-4385

Sunday Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School - 10:00 a.m.

Pastor: Dean Covert

Church Phone 306-445-4181

All Saints Ukrainian Catholic Parish 902 - 108th Street, North Battleford

Divine Liturgy: Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

Celebrant: Very Rev. Janko Kolosnjaji 306-664-2301 (Office) 306-244-2604 (Home) To Register Call Jasmina at 306-445-1002

Battleford United Church 52 - 4th Avenue West Battleford, SK

306-937-3177 Rev. Gayle Wensley

SUNDAY SERVICES 11:00 a.m.

Third Avenue United Church Rev. Dexter van Dyke

Sunday Worship Services at 10:30 am Pre-registration required to register at

306-445-8171

www.thirdavenueunitedchurchnb.ca Email: thirdaveunited@sasktel.net

Everyone Welcome

Sunday Evening Service 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

1371 - 103rd Street (Use East Door)

Battlefords Cowboy Church Services 1st & 3rd Thursday of each Month

Battleford Legion Hall 7:00 p.m.

PASTOR - Rick Martin

LIVING FAITH CHAPEL

1372 102nd St 306-445-3009

11 - 18th Street, Battleford, SK

Phone 306-937-7340 PASTOR - Fr. Sebastian Kunnath

Maidstone/Paynton United Church of Canada Phone: 306-285-3823 Contact: Don Retzlaff

No Services till further notice

Church & CE Wing: 306-893-2611 For booking the Wing: 306-893-4729

Various Weekly Programs Pastor Casey Sitter www.livingfaithchapel.ca

Battlefords Seventh-Day Adventist Church

ROMAN CATHOLIC ST. VITAL’S Saturday Evening Mass - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass - 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Services 10:30 am

1702 - 106th Street, North Battleford

Come Join Us Sundays at 11:00 am Loving God Growing Together Serving Others Phone Church: 306-445-4818 Fax: 306-445-8895 Email: tbcnb@sasktel.net www.trinitybaptistchurch.ca

Pastor James Kwon

Corner 16th Ave. & 93rd Street, North Battleford

Phone 306-445-9096

Saturday Services Bible Study - 10:00 a.m.

Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

Page 16 - The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021

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Co-Jack Construction

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Project Manager Estimator 1171B 100 Street 162 - 4th Ave W 306-445-ROOF (7663) PO Box 1013 306-445-ROOF (7663) &North Industrial, S0M 0E0 Email: Battleford, SK S9A 3E6 Email: www.triumphroofing.com wizard4@sasktel.net www.triumphroofing.com wizard4@sasktel.net

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INVESTMENT & INSURANCE

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SALES CONSULTANT For all your Furniture, Appliance & Mattress Needs

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The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 17

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Bats return, move into new real estate

By Sherri Solomko Correspondent

This weekend kicks off summer with the first long weekend. Whatever you are doing or where you are doing it, be safe, be smart and be mindful of others.

We don’t want to see another spike in cases two weeks from now.

You’ve heard the saying “The cat came back ‘cause he couldn’t stay away?”

Well the bats came back because they couldn’t stay away. Six hundred bats that were part of the massive removal from the Unity arena attic this winter were returned by the Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation group May 12. They were put into various bat houses around town built and funded by volunteers.

Fire bans remain in place in surrounding RMs and the fire crews have been kept hopping this seeding season, so please be mindful of fire hazards. Remember, you must have an approved fire pit in town and it must have a grate. No garbage or yard waste may be burned in it.

Continue to pray and hope for rain for our parched province and our farmer friends. Our phar-

macies in town are now also offering vaccines.

Take advantage of multiple opportunities to stick it to COVID, so we can be out of this scenario sooner than later.

One business recognized during the “Celebrate Unity” event was Our Drug Store, marking 100 years in the community.

A trio of enterprises that include Moon Chung businesses, Dr. Clark chiropractor and Geraldine Barrett with Sunrise Wellness Spa all marked 40 years of business in Unity. Two businesses took the leap opening their doors during the pandemic, so congratulations to Wiggles and Whiskers Pet Supply and Sam’s Family Hair Care.

Speaking of our businesses, they continue to show their commitment to this community through volunteer efforts, donations and sponsorships. Unity Motor Products, with the help of GM Canada, donated 1,000 masks to organizations throughout Unity, including Unity Community Resource Centre and Heritage Manor. Unity Credit Union made donation two of five ($5,000 each) to help fund the new rough mower at the Unity

Golf Course.

I must acknowledge the teamwork consistently given by Brian Woytiuk (general manager of UMP), Terry Smith and Deryl Richards. I can hardly think of a single action completed in Unity they haven’t been part of.

They were a large part of the volunteer labour that helped complete the upper hall community centre renovations. When there is a Western Days event, they are at the rodeo grounds for weeks leading up to, during and after the event.

Recently, these three amigos were part of the bathouse building effort and assisted wildlife volunteers in returning these mammals May. 12. Give these guys a safe air high five or buy them a coffee next time you see them, as some of what we take for granted in town is because of the actions of these guys. And, be aware this paragraph does not diminish numerous other volunteers who choose to give back wherever and however they can.

UCHS staff and students send their best wishes and will be enjoying the last few weeks of Mr. Bick’s classes and enthusiasm at the school, as he

Unity Credit Union presented their second of five instalments for the Unity Golf Course new rough mower. Pictured are Megan Schweitzer of UCU and UGC president Glen Heitt. Photos submitted

has chosen to retire after this school year. The time is ticking away for Grade 12s in the last few weeks of their high school experience. It is not yet known what graduation will look like for these young folks.

St. Peter’s congratulations Mrs. Keller on her retirement after a 35-year career. Certainly her gift of music through the school, in church and throughout the community at various performances will be missed. Also congratulations to Father Greg for his Lumen Christi award given by the Light of Christ Catholic School Division for his numerous contributions to the school.

Unity Motor Products donated 1,000 masks to those in need in the community. Pictured are Kristi Baker receiving on behalf of the Unity Community Resource Centre and UMP General Manager Brian Woytiuk. Photos submitted

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Page 18 - The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021

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Serving the producers of the Northwest

FARMER

RancheR

Canada not getting an accurate account of methane emissions: new study

By Natasha Bulowski

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Canada’s National Observer

Methane emissions from upstream oil and gas production are significantly underestimated in Canada, according to a recently published study, confirming what researchers have been saying for years.

“We’re finding that (methane) emissions are at least 1.5 times higher than what’s currently being reported in official inventory reports,” said Katlyn MacKay, lead author of the study.

Published in Nature, the study measured methane emissions at 6,650 sites across six major oil and gas producing regions in Canada to determine an inventory estimate for Canada’s upstream oil and gas sector.

The emissions associated with upstream oil and gas production include all infrastructure tied to searching for crude oil and natural gas fields, drilling exploratory wells, and operator wells to extract the oil and gas.

Over six years, researchers conducted surveys of air composition at oil and gas sites and measured gas concentrations using laser spectrometers to gather the data required

to make their estimates. “(The findings) means we need to act more urgently,” said Dale Marshall of Environmental Defence.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps over 70 times more heat over a 20-year period than an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide, and a recent UN report highlighted the importance of curbing methane emissions to slow the rate of global warming.

Many studies have arrived at the same conclusion, but this latest piece of evidence is even stronger, he said.

“What makes it important is that it’s the most comprehensive assessment of different oil and gas sites in Canada,” said Marshall.

For Canada to do its part by reducing emissions, thorough studies like this are invaluable, said Doug Worthy, a climate scientist at Environment Canada who was not involved in the study.

“In order to reduce our emissions, we have to be able to monitor the emissions,” said Worthy.

Because the study establishes such a strong baseline of measurements, Worthy said researchers will be able to go back in five-plus years and repeat the experiment to see whether emissions reductions are being achieved.

A researcher records methane emission measurements at an oil and gas site in Saskatchewan in 2015.

Researchers drove to 6,650 oil and gas sites to measure methane emissions in six major oil and gas producing regions based in Alberta, B.C., and Saskatchewan. Photo submitted by FluxLab

He also said the research can help us find sites emitting large amounts of methane and deal with these “super emitters.”

The majority of total emissions originate from a small fraction of sites, according to the study, but the national inventory doesn’t take this into account. Taking action at a small number of high-emitting sites would make significant reductions, Worthy and MacKay said.

Because of methane’s potency, it’s important to make sure the national inventory estimates are accurate, said Tom Green of the

David Suzuki Foundation.

He said tackling methane emissions in the oil and gas sector is some of the cheapest climate mitigation work we can do.

“Canada has committed to reduce its emissions, and if we don’t really know what we’re emitting, how can you track whether the regulations are succeeding at reducing them?” said Green.

Because methane is removed from the atmosphere quicker than carbon dioxide, if we started reducing methane today, we would see the benefits in the near future, said

MacKay. “Given the urgency of the climate crisis … reducing methane is not only the best bang for our buck, but it’s our best chance at seeing the results that we need to see within the next decade,” she said.

MacKay’s study also proved that stringent regulations can successfully reduce emissions.

In Peace River, Alberta, odour complaints prompted special regulations that eliminated the venting of gas in 2017, and from 2016 to 2018, emissions in that region decreased nearly threefold.

The study found certain regions, like Lloydminster, had higher methane emissions because certain processes associated with extracting heavy oil require more frequent venting of gas. Photo submitted by FluxLab

Even though the regulations were put in place to protect human health, not to target methane, they worked.

In 2016, Canada committed to reducing methane emissions by 40 to 45 per cent below 2012 levels by 2025, but modelling from the federal government shows federal methane regulations will only achieve a 29 per cent reduction.

The federal government also approved equivalency agreements from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and B.C. in 2020 — none of which would achieve 40 to 45 per cent reductions.

Regulations need to be prescriptive and mandate companies to look for leaks and repair or replace faulty equipment, as opposed to just requiring companies to report emissions and explain the steps taken to reduce them, said Marshall.

He said Environmental Defence continues to urge the federal government to strengthen its regulations and insist the provinces do as well.

“The federal government needs to update the inventory so that it better reflects the science,” said Marshall.

At the end of 2021, Environmental Defence expects the government to produce a report detailing emission reduction progress and then decide whether they will need to change tack.

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The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 19

Saskatchewan bird feeding guide available just in time for spring Submitted

Nature Saskatchewan

Responding to burgeoning public interest (courtesy of COVID-19), well-known Prairie naturalists Trevor Herriot and Myrna Pearman have produced Backyard Bird Feeding: A Saskatchewan Guide, just in time for spring.

Published by Nature Saskatchewan, this colourful 112-page handbook covers everything you need to consider, from habitat, migration and the basics of offering food and water to dealing with a wide range of problems that may arise. Brief accounts of the 72 species most likely to be attracted to Saskatchewan feeders include information on identification, feeding preferences and behaviour through the seasons. The text is complemented by interesting informational

sidebars and illustrated with photographs from 66 Prairie backyard bird enthusiasts.

It’s a timely arrival.

Backyard bird activity abounds in spring with the return of seasonal residents, fleeting visits from migratory species and transitions in the lives of the bird species that stay year round.

Each having spent years learning about birds and sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with others, Herriot and Pearman decided to work together on this book not just to educate, but also to inspire. “… we offer this book out of concern for the future,” they write.

“We hope that, by connecting people to the birds in their neighbourhood, farms and gardens, this book will contribute to the work of transforming the way humanity regards and values the wild creatures with whom we share the

earth.”

As Nature Saskatchewan president Ed Rodger points out, “the authors’ hope fits perfectly with our society’s mission to engage and inspire people to appreciate, learn about and conserve Saskatchewan’s natural environment”.

Proceeds from book sales will be used to support the organization’s ongoing efforts in the interests of nature.

Copies of the book are available for purchase through Nature Saskatchewan’s online store (https://www.naturesask. ca/store/en/publications/ backyard-birdfeedinga-saskatchewan-guide) and will be sold through a variety of retail outlets, including McNally Robinson Books, Wild Birds Unlimited, Early’s Farm and Garden and Turning the Tide in Saskatoon, DDK Pets in Moose Jaw and the Pharmasave in Esterhazy.

Prairie naturalists Trevor Herriot and Myrna Pearman have collaborated on a new book to assist bird lovers. Photo submitted

Food centre expansion supports value-added ag sector Staff A $2.3 million investment into the expansion of the Agri-Food Innovation Centre has been announced by the governments of Saskatchewan and Canada.

The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, the province’s only commercial incubation centre for food processing, is undergoing a major expansion to assist food processors with adding value to their products and preparing to bring them to market, according to a government of Saskatchewan press release.

The first phase addition has added 12,200 square feet at the site of the AgriFood Innovation Centre in Saskatoon. The first phase expansion will consist of additional incubation suites, storage and an extrusion commercialization suite; the second phase will include a maintenance

shop and a separate facility for food and industrial (non-food) processing.

“The expansion of the food centre reflects not only the growth of our value-added food and beverage processing sector in Saskatchewan, but also the

food centre’s reputation for excellence and innovation,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said.

The food centre is a non-profit organization resulting from a partnership between the Government

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GrainsConnect Canada recognized for excellence in business performance Submitted

GrainsConnect Canada, including locations at Reford and Maymont, has been honoured with the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation.

The 2021 Best Managed program recognizes the best-in-class of Canadianowned and managed companies who expertly leverage strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth.

Keith Hanchuk, GrainsConnect Canada General

Manager in Maymont, said the honour is a representation of the team’s hard work. “We have talent on our team but our work ethic and commitment to helping growers is what helped earn us the designation,” Hanchuk said.

Bobby MacCuish, Reford General Manager at GrainsConnect Canada, said the company’s grower partners are key to GCC’s success. “Farming families have been loyal to us and we want to continue putting our communities on the map as Canada’s best managed growing re-

gions,” said MacCuish.

GCC’s Maymont and Reford teams are joined by terminals in Vegreville and Huxley, Alta; a port in Vancouver (the Fraser Grain Terminal) and its head office team in Calgary, Alta.

Company President Warren Stow described the award as significant for a company that is only in its fifth year of operations.

“Our passion to help Western Canadian farmers is a consistent and daily goal. And to be recognized by an independent party is confirmation that we are

building a long-lasting organization that will be part of rural communities for decades to come,” Stow said.

“At the end of the day, we want to connect farming families to global markets and help feed the world.”

“The Best Managed program has witnessed a stark shift in business sentiment since its inception, and simply focusing on the bottom line is no longer a recipe for success,” said Peter Brown, Partner, Deloitte Private and Co-Leader, Canada’s

Best Managed Companies program. “New and continued winners of the program are increasingly showing a meaningful commitment to their people and purpose. Their determined focus has not only led them to remain competitive on the world stage—particularly during these turbulent times—but to fostering more holistic organizations, united towards achieving a common goal.”

Canada’s Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and

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managed companies with revenues over $25 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. Over 1,100 companies have been recognized since the program’s inception.

The Best Managed program is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business and the TMX.

Keep young wildlife safe by leaving them alone Submitted Spring has sprung in Saskatchewan. This is an exciting time for nature enthusiasts, for hiking, for being outdoors and nature watching. Very shortly, we will start seeing young animals such as ducklings, rabbits, songbirds or fawns in their natural habitats.

Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when well-intentioned people sometimes interfere with young wildlife.

The Ministry of En-

vironment wants to emphasize a simple message regarding young animals: Physical distancing isn’t just for humans, leave young wildlife alone and please don’t touch them.

Trying to help wild animals that appear orphaned, or lost, is often detrimental to their health and safety.

In nature, young animals and birds are purposely placed into seclusion by their mothers to protect them from predators. In the majority of cases, these young animals are not

abandoned or deserted, and the mother is watching nearby.

The chances for survival decrease significantly when young animals come into contact with humans.

The best thing to do is to leave them alone and enjoy the animals from a distance. Young wildlife should only be picked up if the parent is found dead nearby, or in an unnatural situation such as a young songbird found on a doorstep. In that case, the young bird could be moved

to the closest suitable habitat.

Only wildlife rehabilitators are licensed to care for orphaned and injured animals. They are trained

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to make sure animals are given appropriate care and nutrition to help improve their chances of survival when they are released back into the wild.

If there are obvious signs of injury, or evidence that it has been orphaned, please contact the ministry’s general inquiry line at 1-800-567-4224 or by email at centre.inquiry@ gov.sk.ca.

People are also reminded to steer clear of adult wildlife, such as deer or moose that sometimes wander into urban areas.

Large crowds will stress the animals, which could lead to a potentially dangerous situation. Remember - give wildlife its space.

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The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Page 21

Soil research aims to increase crop yields, protect the environment Submitted

University of Saskatchewan

Dr. Jeff Schoenau isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. He owns and operates a grain farm near Central Butte and has been working as a soil scientist for the University of Saskatchewan for 33 years.

In a paper published in the Canadian Journal of Soil Science, PhD student Noabur Rahman, Schoenau and colleagues Derek Peak and Ryan Hangs collected and analyzed soil from across the prairies — including samples from Schoenau’s farm.

The study, which offers recommendations for improving fertilizer use and increasing crop yields for farmers, builds on previous studies Schoenau and Peak have completed as collaborators at Canadian Light Source at USask.

Schoenau considers some of their work done on the HXMA and VLS-PGM beamlines at the CLS to be ground-breaking.

“There are not a lot of folks that have used these techniques to study the fate of some of these nutrient elements in the soil environment as applied in the field,” said Schoenau.

Using chemical analysis and synchrotron techniques, the team looked at soil micronutrients in soil samples from Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.

“We are interested in the fate of added fertilizers containing those elements in the soil, including the different forms it ends up in,” he explained.

The forms an added plant nutrient is converted into affects the ability of a plant to access the essential nutrients it needs to grow. If the plant is unable to access the nutrients in the fertilizer, it can lead to poor plant health and crop loss.

This team wants to help farmers optimize their fer-

Researchers have found that by dispensing fertilizer beneath the surface of the soil in a concentrated band close to the time of plant need, it helps to reduce sorption and fixation, distribute the nutrients close to where the roots are, and therefore increase availability. See more photos from Dr. Jeff Schoenau’s work on the next page.

tilizer management, which would increase nutrient use efficiency and crop yields while decreasing the potential for nutrient escape into the environment.

“We can help improve the bottom line for growers by revealing fertilization approaches that promote greater crop utilization and ‘best bang for their buck’ in regards to fertilizer dollars spent while at the same time minimizing any adverse effects on the environment by reducing nutrient loss,” he added.

In their papers, the researchers provide new insights for best “4R” fertilizer management practices, including best source, timing, placement and rate.

“What we were able to reveal with the synchrotron work described in this particular paper is how basic soil properties like carbonate and organic matter content influence the nature of zinc and copper. We found both of these elements to be strongly associated with carbonate minerals in prairie soils. They become fixed through sorption and precipitation,” he said. “This means it is less

soluble and less plant available.”

Based on their findings, the scientists recommend “banding” certain fertilizers into the soil rather than just spreading them on the surface. By dispensing the fertilizer beneath the surface of the soil in a concentrated band close to the time of plant need, it helps to reduce sorption and fixation, distribute the nutrients close to where the roots are, and therefore increase availability.

Seeing the data was very exciting for Schoenau.

“We concluded that a really effective approach is the use of traditional chemical separation techniques in combination with synchrotron techniques to get the best understanding and confidence about what kind of compounds are being formed when the nutrients are added in that soil,” he said.

He says he believes synchrotron technology has great potential for assisting agricultural research.

“It offers a whole new perspective,” said Schoenau.

Dr. Jeff Schoenau (PhD) doing fieldwork. Photos submitted

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Page 22 - The Battlefords, Thursday, May 20, 2021

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Soil research aims to increase crop yields, protect the environment, continued from previous page.

Clockwise from top left: Working on the study on the farm of Dr. Jeff Schoenau; Plotting for the sampling or micronutrients; Harvesting micronutritents; Taking soil samples. Photos submitted

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