The Observer September 11, 2025 by Carlyle Observer

OBSERVER THE

Town of Carlyle partners with local artists for Truth & Reconciliation banner

By Kaitlynn Nordal

The Town of Carlyle recently hung a banner on Main Street as part of its Truth & Reconciliation efforts.

“We were hoping to collaborate with White Bear First Nation on a project,” explained Carlyle Mayor Jennifer Sedor.

approached mayor and council about Carlyle supporting Truth & Reconciliation projects a year ago.

“There was not enough time to quickly pull it together, so we took the year to collaborate,” said Sedor.

This turned into the banner on Main Street.

“We hope this is just the beginning of many more collaborations in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation,” said Dawn Faber assistant administrator with the Town of Carlyle.

started talks about designs for the banners in early May.

With input from Steffensen, Faber came up with some graphic or abstract and text-based designs.

For the text-based design, Faber chose words that represented Truth and Reconciliation.

For the abstract design, Faber wanted orange to be prominent.

The Prairie Lily and a wheat sheaf represent Saskatchewan. There is also a symbol of a rising sun, to symbolize a new beginning and opportunity.

“The rising sun represents hope and healing,

while the teepees connect us to our homes and ancestors. The medicine wheel is a teaching of balance and unity,” saidresents Indigenous people rooted in the land, reaching forward to growth and a stronger future. And the roots remind us that no matter where we go, we remain connected to this land and to those who came before us.”

The design was a collaboration between Faber and

“I came up with the basic design, and Emilee made it beautiful and perfect,” said Faber.

During the designingative control.

“The only direction we gave to Emilee was that we wanted to have something that represented both communities and the history,” said Sedor. “This meant a lot to Emilee. This is her home community, so she took a lot of pride in the project.”

This project did mean a

“Growing up in Carlyle, there was almost no Indigenous representation, I often felt invisible, like our voices and stories didn’t

“That experience shaped artwork today. Culture is at the heart of what I create; it allows me to honour my ancestors, share teachings, and show future generations that our presence matters.”

Since this project was collaborative, Sedor feels

that makes it more significant.

“They were able to collaborate and come up with something that was more holistic than if we were to direct it,” said Sedor.

more than just a banner, it’s a sign of belonging.

“Creating these banners is healing for my younger self, it’s a sign that we do belong, and that our presence is seen and hon-

“For my future self, it’s a reminder to stand tall in who I am, to be proud of where I come from, and to carry that pride forward as I continue to call Carlyle my home.”

A banner blessing and ceremony took place on Carlyle’s Main Street on September third.

“It’s a perfect visual point. It’s not something people are going to miss or overlook. It’s a visual conversation that people can’t avoid seeing,” said Sedor.

Elder Michael Lonechild did the blessing ceremony.

“I was so incredibly appreciative of Michael Lonechild for doing the blessing of the banners, what an honour and special feeling that was, as well as the drummers circle honouring them,” said Faber.

Sedor echoes this sentiment.

“I feel like it was a very educational moment for my community,” said Sedor. “It was a healing moment for both commu-

nities and a time for representatives to speak and come together.”

This project meant just

“The ceremony was emotional and powerful ... seeing my artwork blessed and unveiled in front of community members, me with pride and gratiI said in my speech: “These banners are more than just that; they are a promise. A promise to remember the children who never made it home, to honour the survivors and their families, and to create a future

where Indigenous peoples see themselves represented, celebrated, and valued.”

ner is a good step in Truth and Reconciliation.

“These banners are not just decoration, they are action, and they spark conversation, learning, daily reminders that Truth and Reconciliation lives here in our community. But reconciliation is ongoing; it takes more than one project, and I hope this is just the beginning of many steps forward together,”

The town of Carlyle hung a banner on Main Street after a blessing ceremony as part of Truth & Reconciliation efforts. Photo contributed

Pilot trucks are for everyone’s benefit

By Paul Kimball

It’s not uncommon, while driving the roads of Saskatchewan, to meet a large truck coming towards you from the opposite direction. Occasionally, preceding that truck is a smaller pick-up truck.

A pilot truck.

Why do some large trucks come with pilot trucks…and others don’t? Why do some simply travel with signage that indicates wide load, whereas others require lights – often travelling before and after the rig?

In Saskatchewan, once

a truck and its load surpass a certain physical size, pilot trucks are required. On a single-lane highway, a pilot truck must travel in front of a truck carrying a load greater than 3.05 metres wide. If the load is over 4.27 metres wide, a second pilot truck (at the back) is needed. For loads exceeding 25 metres in length, a pilot truck in the rear is called for. If the load extends more than 30 metres, an additional one is needed at the front.

The height of a load may also become a requirement for a pilot truck.

Pilot trucks, ultimately, are for the safety ofing that an oncoming large load is approaching from the opposite lane… or that a large load is in the lane ahead.

But pilot trucks serve more purposes than that. Communication is ongoing between pilot truck drivers and those hauling the loads. Potholes in the low-lying overhead wires are just a few of the messages that go from the pilot truck to the rig.

Community Calendar

Your first stop to find events happening in our community!

September

Fri, Sept 12 – Maryfield Salad Smorg

– St. Andrew’s United Church

Sat, Sept 13 – Carlyle Legion Pancake Breakfast @ Legion Hut @ 8 am Sat, Sept 27 – Fall Supper – Arcola October

Thurs., Oct 16 – Creative Tables for Cancer - Arcola

Tues to Sat - Mar 25 -29 – 125th Arcola Curling Club Bonspiel

The pilot truck drivers also communicate amongst themselves. It’s not unusual for someone following the rear pilot truck driver to impatiently want to get past the rig (or rigs) in front of them. The pilot truck in the front often passes on messages to the rear pilot truck driver as to whether it is safe to pass or not. When a rear pilot truck driver shifts lanes to prevent passing, it’s not because he or she is a jerk. That action is meant to prevent one from taking an unnecessary risk and resulting in a serious injury or even death.

At other times, the pilot truck drivers have to enabling the load-bearing truck(s) to turn.

Larry Day, a manager at FAST Trucking in company has eight pilot truck drivers in their employ. There is very

little turnover with the drivers, as all seem toable occupation. Most ‘pilot truck shifts’ begin around 6 a.m. and end around noon or early afternoon.

Driving a pilot truck is often a ‘retirement career’, although there are exceptions. Those looking for occasional, parttime work will often try their hand behind the wheel of a pilot truck.

Brian Miller, who retired from a successful career several years ago, decided to re-enter the work force again when he was in his 70’s. His wife, Shirley, had to be placed in a personal care facility and with all the extra time Miller had, he needed a ‘diversion’.

One day, he was talking with Scott Boyes, who operated a pilot truck business. Boyes mentioned that he was

looking for drivers. Miller loved driving, so the more he thought about it, the more he felt that being behind the wheel of a pilot truck was thewan, a special licence to drive a pilot truck is not required, so he was able to start right away.

He ended up driving for about six years, until he moved to British Columbia, where special to continue his career. Considering himself to be too old to go through all that, he retired once again.

Driving a pilot truck was something that he thoroughly enjoyed, although there were moments that tarnished the lustre. From time to time, the rig that he was travelling with would break down…and he was forced to wait…twiddling

until the unit was ready to rumble again. He remembers the time he had to travel to Fort McMurray. Truckers have legal limitations as to how long they can drive for – 13 to 14 hours – and must keep a logbook to record their driving. Pilot truck drivers have no such limitations. As a result, on that trip, a new, refreshed driver took over driving the rig…but Miller had to forge on. It was an arduous 24hour trek.

But those ‘hard moments’ were exceptions in an otherwise very enjoyable job.

The next time you come across a pilot truck…and it will likely be very soon, remember that they are on the road for a reason. They provide safety for the rig drivers that they lead and follow, along with safety for all the drivers on the road.

Pilot trucks are usually seen driving before, and after, large loads for the safety of everyone on the road. Photo courtesy of Brian Miller

Carnduff revels in its Fall Fling

By Paul Kimball

All that planning…and just like that, it was over.

tember 6th. It was a full day, people of all ages, with the intogether.

The day was bookended by events sponsored by the Car-

featuring The Otherz Band from Regina. And in between those two events, there were things galore to do. -

more than did their part. They provided opportunities to put and brought in an old retired a few adults) to bash in.

stration.

er endured a day of bashing and Paton attempted to drive it a few

tires and had been drained of all to deal with!

But as the day drew on, the of the day was spent outdoors.

display. Whole families enjoyed the food brought in by food

The day saw a pet parade and were given to businesses andsand pile treasure dig for the games…on the street…a talent

Jean Hanson, owner of the Cream, got into the spirit of the

There was even a mini-golf

engage in.

Oh, and there was bingo at thedens as well.

The Ag ground was home to a petting zoo. And just when it around 8:30 p.m. They were an awesome display.

Otherz Band. They are a 4-man been together for 15 years andbands.said that they want to make next

Left to right - Morley Robertson, Dean Sauter, Dyon Stadnick, Carl Lang, Darrell Thompson, Joel Purves, Bonner Lamontagne and Alex Huish got everyone off to a good start by fueling them up with pancakes and sausages. Photo by Paul Kimball

The sand pile was a huge hit with the kids. Photo by Paul Kimball

Chief Clint Paton begins the ill-fated drive back to the fire department compound. Photo by Paul Kimball

The good old days were better than today

There is an old saying that “the good old days” are never truly gone. They live on in our memories, our stories, and the traditions we still try to hold onto. These stories and traditions are often of happy times in our lives and something that we want to share with our children.

While the world has advanced in countless ways, from technology to convenience, there is something to be said about the slower, simpler times of the past. For many, the good old days hold a charm and sense of value that today’s fastpaced world cannot seem to replicate.

In the past, life felt less complicated. People worked hard, but they also were available to connect with neighbours, visit family, and enjoy community events. A handshake meant trust, and a promise carried real weight. A handshake will still hold up in court, although it can be dif-

ered a deal without the courts.

Communities were tight-knit, and people looked out for each other without hesitation. Today, even with social media connecting us at the touch of a button, that deep sense of closeness great tool to stay in touch with old friends, but in the old days, we picked up the phone and chatted for an hour on the party line.

kind of joy, one rooted in simplicity. Children played outside until the streetlights came on, making forts, riding bikes, or playing ball games that needed nothing more than imagination. I still see our neighbours’ kids outside playing, but there was a time that we did not have to watch them like a hawk to make sure they stayed safe.

Families sat around the supper table every night without the distractions of screens or conshared quality, whether it was listening to the radio, attending a local dance, or watching the only channel on TV, there was a togetherness that united people.

We still sit around the supper table as it is a rule at our house. We wait until everyone is home and talk about our day. The phone does ring during supper and like in the old days this was when farmer Joe knew that my parents were in the house. That rule is still the same, as people know my husband is home at that time.

In the good old days, as a family, we would retire to the living room and watch TV. Today this value still holds true in our home, although we do like to play board games in the winter, while my husband watches TV, but it is still a time to be together.

The good old days remind us of a time when people connected face to face. They value honesty and hard work and found joy in the little things. Maybe we can not turn back time, but we can take lessons from those days to bring simplicity, community, and gratitude into our lives today.

If we only take one simple thing from the past that brought us joy, it will make memories that can be shared with your children. It is these memories that hold on to the good old days and that is something to cherish.

“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

Seeing more of the road we travel

I am a big fan of road modes of transport are the option to get where you want to go, but my preferred method of travel is to get out on the road and see what there is to see. I appreciate the change of landscape and scenery. I look and seeing various landmarks. But most of all, I am intrigued by the stories and historical background come up when travelling various highways and biways. Keeping focus on the destination is important, but if I can learn something while getting where we’re going, it is an even better travel day.

Growing up I was fascinated by the large signs at roadside pullouts and points of interest that exevent or person who impacted the area. I am grateful my parents felt it important to take the time to stop and explore. Because of those stops I was gaining knowledge of explorers,

railroads, natural wonders and cultural landmarks.

Of course today we have QR codes to scan to learn more but it was special to stand beside that big board and read what it had to say. Those experiences left their mark. To this day, in any museum or exhibit I visit, I will be the one reading all of the information plaques and trying my best not to inadvertently skip over anything. I value those experiences greatly, as well as visiting similar sights in the destinations we have chosen to travel to.

But of course this all takes time, and that is a variable we seem to struggle with. We grapple with knowing how to best manage and use time well. Therein lies the crux of it though, because when you are travelling or planning for the coming days, what one person might determine is good use of time, somebody else sees as squandering. I often witness people urging others to hurry up because there’s more to do and they need to get going. I understand. But I wonder if people realize what they’re missing along the way. Maybe that’s true in our daily life as well. When I turned the page on my day planner intoprised at everything that has already been booked in.theless I was a bit shocked to see what the month looked like before it really things on track and ensure

plans keep moving forward, but they can also become burdensome if we feel we lack time to be spontaneous or take an unscheduled interruption and do something else. A detour, if you will.

There is so much we

down major thoroughfares, and so much we will miss if we don’t give ourselves time to take it in. We need to toss plans aside (occasionally) and simply go where the road takes us—just to see what’s there. Take in that game. Go to that movie.

listen to a family member, a friend, or simply the sounds of nature. Often, those quieter moments are when the best conversations and learning can occur.

what’s out there because we haven’t taken the time to look. In our desire to get where we are going as quickly as possible, or get done what we feel we need to do, we may very well overlook a lot. Of course it could be said that if you don’t know what you’re missing, you don’t know what you’ve missed and life carries on. True. But how much richer would life be if we simply took the time to make that stop, or go to that event, and take it all in.

When I prepare for a road trip I like to plan, no question. But there also needs to be opportunity to slow down, to take an unscheduled route or be open

moments have helped meent provinces, our nation, other countries, history, culture, people groups, natural landmarks, and on it goes. Interesting things can happen when we drive alternate roads or attend different events. We will see new things and meet new people. We might hear unusual sounds and listen to longer see things in quite the same way. We are told that learning something new every day is a powerful tool for fostering mental well-being, improving cognition, and nurturing creativity. New areas and new people increase those learning opportunities exponentially. Now is the time to decide that as autumn moves in, so too will our willingness to try brand new ideas, explore new activities and discover something about ourselves and those around us. There’s no better time to get our shoes dirty, walk somewhere unanticipated or shake hands with new people. Whether we are going around the corner or around the world there are opportunities at every turn to discover something unexpected. It certainly makes the travel more interesting and the destination even more rewarding. No matter where the road takes us today, let’s be sure we are learning something new along the way. That’s my outlook.

Nelson Mandela

Shelley Luedtke

Saskatchewan’s special event

Saskatchewan’s harvest season, its traditions, memories and the farmers

who make it happen

By Norm Park SaskToday Reporter

It’s magic time in Saskatchewan.

Time for harvest and, thanks to crop development science, this can usually happen a little earlier than it did three or four decades ago.

I really can’t tell you exactly why I get excited about the annual “bringing in the sheaves” thing. I don’t come from a farming background, but growing up in Saskatchewan has always meant you are no more than one half-degree separated from those who are. It’s a fact of life in this province.

We can discuss coal, oil, uranium and other wonders of the earth on another day. Right now, let us embrace these fields of wheat, barley, oats, canola, lentils, flax and corn and … well, you know. It’s the stuff our agricultural friends can bring off the fields in grand quantities to hopefully sell on a solid scale within

a growing global market after transporting it to elevators and ports.

Saskatchewan has always been beholden to, and maybe always will have to rely on, agricultural production to make ourselves whole. We can fill gaps when the weather and land refuse to co-operate, but for the most part, when the crops go down, so do we, to some extent.

Growing up in Saskatchewan with a retail background, we learned early how reliant and reliable the farming community was for our own self-interest.

Good crop years meant good sales and pork chops or roast beef on the table. Poor crop year? Well, it’s time for canned baked beans on toast with a side of sliced tomato.

We lived on a corner lot in the town, so our only next-door neighbour was a farmer, Walter Magnusson. We celebrated with him and his son Ron, who was about the same age as my older

sister, when crops came in strong, well graded and included a good price point. One year he hit the jackpot with flax and the next-door home got a major renovation and a brand new Ford Edsel appeared in their natural dirt driveway. (Well, sometimes errors are made with celebratory selections, i.e. the Edsel).

The renovations were made but well noted was the fact there was no fence put up between our properties. I was still able to chase my errant baseball into their driveway or backyard with ease and no debates. Our fence did not extend past our share of the back lane and the north side that bordered a fairly busy avenue. And that’s how it pretty well went right around town. If a fence was built, it was low and navigable.

Let’s go back to the harvest basics.

In small-town Saskatchewan, it isn’t just about the field crops — it is also garden production.

Our family were bad gardeners, but we didn’t have to worry, other neighbours and friends took care of that. With both parents being in retail sectors six days of the week, there was very little in the form of gardening, although our mother did take a big stab at it for a couple of years when she became the owner of a lot on the other side of town. We planted potatoes and peas and carrots … all the traditional stuff. My sister and I hated weeding among the mosquitoes and other bugs and growths, especially when we discovered that this piece of town land was not prone to fruitfulness. Oh well, we tried.

In the meantime, friendly gifts of home-jarred dill pickles from the Yurach and Pidkowich families just down the street filled our gardening

gap. Mrs. Rudneski’s raspberry with rhubarb pies were a wonderful treat. In fact, I sometimes joked to my friend Vern, her son, that the only reason he was my friend was due to his mother’s baking prowess and not much the cause of his personality or character. His mom added to a positive family picture with her attitude and kitchen expertise.

I have ridden on a few tractors and horses, but reluctantly admit that I never hiked up onto a combine until I was in my 50s and then it was onto an antique model that moaned and groaned around the field while I interviewed the farmer who was happy to be bringing in a wonderful crop of oats as a donation to a local community cause, if I remember correctly. That’s another thing farmers do, you know. I wouldn’t even know how to approach a current combine. How do you seek permission to climb aboard? Do you need a secret password to appease A.I. functionaries? How would you climb aboard if your left knee isn’t as reliable as it used to be? It seems to be a long way up there. Are hydraulics involved? A PhD in agriculture?

Oh well, I marvel at the machinery and, for sure, the quality of the crop as I drive by on any RM road or the highway, and take in the beauty of my province in full bloom.

I see the lights on the machinery as the harvest wends its way into the night, or grab a gaze as the team takes a breath and does a little rehydrating in a full-blown sun-filled day. I will continue to smile at local harvests until I’m done, and never apologize for being from this grand province that more than fulfils its duty to feed the world while providing these special magical moments for those of us who live here.

It doesn’t matter what size or how new or old the equipment is. We know the land itself has produced wonders over the years as well as heartbreak. It’s all part of the unfolding scenario we call life in Saskatchewan. So to those farmers, our agricultural specialists who are “bringing in those sheaves” using whatever means … thank you. It can’t be easy, but it’s definitely appreciated, locally and globally. A vital job done well needs to be celebrated.

LeBlanc Farms is ready for the 2025 harvest. Photo courtesy of Jason LeBlanc

Harvesting the old fashioned way

By Stephanie Zoer

For the past 10 years, the Wilson Old Tyme Harvest has been showing how harvest was done with antique equipment. Some of this equipment they still use to do their own harvesting.

On August 30, the Wilson family opened up their farm for another Wilson Old Tyme Harvest, welcoming 150 people who were interested in how this process took place in the olden days.

This farm has been in the family since 1911. Henry and Erma Zilm are the great grandparents of Kevin Wilson, who now owns the farm. They came from Iowa with two small children and Erma nine months pregnant with their third child. They arrived by train and made the farm their home.

In 1943 Kevin’s grandfather took over the farm and later in 1966 it was Kevin’s father and mother, Ken, and Anne Wilson, who took the farm, followed by Kevin in 2023. During these years of farming, it has housed many cattle and grain crops to feed their own cattle.

Kevin said they have always enjoyed the old equipment and

went to many shows, events and museums that proved that this equipment was still useable and that people enjoyed seeing how it worked back in the day.

Ten years ago, they held their first Old Tyme Harvest.

“The show was small, but it was still enjoyable,” said Kevin. At the time they did not have very many pieces, but over the years their collection of antiques grew considerably.

This year’s event began in May, with the purchase of an

old wooden grain bin from the 1930’s. The building needed a great deal of work and was converted into an old pioneer house. They decorated the interior with household antiques to make it appear to be an old homestead.

Their collection of British American oil cans and grease cans has also grown in their museum, adding all kinds of sizes from quarts to one-gallon containers and up.

Throughout the month of August, all the equipment is

put in its place outside, with several threshing machines, tractors, combines and old wagons. Most of these pieces go into the parade that was held around 11 a.m.

A tribute was made to Kevin’s grandparents. They had a line of photos to show the past, giving honour to those before them.

“We have lots of help from family, such as my better half Marilee Simmons, my mom and dad Ken and Anne Wilson, my son Colton Wilson,” said Kevin.

“But we also have lots of friends that come out and help and we are truly thankful for them all.”

Raise the Rafters had a luncheon of beef on a bun, but that was not the only treat that was available. Anne Wilson showed people how bread was made in the good old days from field to table. They even made up some goodie bags for people to take home and try on their own. The bread was made from the harvest field that day. This went very well.

Kevin said that many of the people who attended had never been there before. The farthest person came from Germany who so happened to be in the area and wanted to come out.

As the event began to wind down, a potluck supper was held and later a social. “It was a very hot day,” said Kevin. “It was good to be able to sit and relax.”

Kevin would love to see more school kids coming out. He feels that it would be a great experience for them to learn where it all began. Some of the people who came out did not know that this was the equipment that did all the harvesting years ago.

The old equipment on the Wilson farm shows guests how harvest was done in the earlier years.

Photo by Kevin Wilson

Scott Stanley displays collection of old farm equipment

By Paul Kimball

Scott Stanley is a farmer southeast of Carievale. Where farming is a passion, so is his collection of antique farming equipment.

On September 6th, he put his collection on display for all to see. He has somewhere in the area of 200 antique tractors, combines, swathers, balers and a few other older pieces. His collection is a ‘working collection’, in that virtually everything still runs.

This was the fifth year of the Stanley Antique Farm Threshing Day. The purpose of the day was not simply to ‘show off’ his collection and to work the field

with it…it also provided an opportunity for friends and neighbours to gather together. Over 100 attended.

Stanley’s interest in older farm machinery goes way back.

In his earlier years, he began restoring stationary engines –engines that remain in a fixed place. One day, a tractor engine was brought in to him for rebuilding…and Stanley ended up restoring the entire tractor. His love for old farm equipment restoration has continued to this day. He has bought further farm equipment to restore and others have looked to him to provide a home for their older equipment, often giving their pieces to him.

His collection has continued to grow.

Five years ago, Stanley was attending an antique farm equipment day held by Ken Wilson and his son, Kevin, in Wawota. The Wilson’s had been displaying their collection for about five years at that point and Stanley began thinking he should do the same on his farm. He talked up his idea with his family and friends and they all pitched in to make it happen.

It’s been happening ever since. The Saturday after Labour Day, his family and friends arrive to admire the collection… and several of them help to run it. The day usually features a pa-

rade and a time of working the field (about three or four acres). The older machinery might not be quite as efficient as today’s modern machinery, but it’s much more enjoyable to watch.

The day begins at 10 a.m. and wraps up around 4 p.m. It includes a swathing and combining demonstration in the morning followed by a BBQ lunch made available by the Carievale Hall Auxiliary. The afternoon is filled with more combining, the making of sheaves and bales, a threshing demonstration, some baling with a stationary baler and concludes with the sawing of wood with an antique wood cutter. The cutter has no engine

of its own. It is connected to a tractor engine with a belt, drawing its power from that. Also on hand for the day were Ron and Juanita Henderson from Redvers, showing their collection of 250 different types of barbed wire. That may seem like a lot…but it barely scratches the surface of the 1800 types of barbed wire that are known. This was their first appearance at the Stanley Farm. Stanley has given thought to making the 2026 crop his last. We’ll see! He would, though, like to be able to devote more time to his favourite passion – the restoration of old farm equipment and growing his collection.

Bob Chuba doing a little swathing. Photo by Paul Kimball

Kent Reischke keeping a close eye on his baler. Photo by Paul Kimball

John Fuller sawing wood with power provided by Terry MacFarlane and his tractor. Photo by Paul Kimball

When cattle wear collars: Virtual fencing supports targeted land management in central Sask.

Recently, 23 replacement heifers and a bull got some e-collar bling as part of an ongoing Ducks Unlimited CanadaCanadian Forage and Grassland Association (DUC-CFGA) demonstration project in central Saskatchewan. These

collars are part of Gallagher’s virtual fence product and represent the first use of the eShepherd technology in our province.

Virtual fencing uses GPS-enabled collars to guide livestock without physical

barriers; when an animal crosses a pre-set digital boundary, its collar emits an auditory alert followed by a mild electrical shock. There are lots of potential applications for this exciting new technology and it offers nearly unmatched possibilities when it comes to targeted grazing.

“We often think in terms of inclusion fence, but the exclusion possibilities are also really promising,” explains program lead, Jodie Horvath. “With virtual fencing, ranchers can delineate sensitive areas within paddocks, like riparian areas or erodible slopes. When used to confine cattle to specific trouble spots, it can help with weed management and brush control. It can also help extend the grazing season through corn or bale grazing.”

Virtual fencing offers increased flexibility for land management and conservation by allowing ranchers to manage animal movement and grazing patterns, all done remotely via computer or smart device.

CFGA and DUC have partnered to do the hard learning around the feasibility of adopting this technology at scale, working out the kinks and managing any initial difficulties encountered. One early challenge was a compatibility issue

between the SIM card provider, cellular provider and an intermediary. Thanks to troubleshooting on the part of Gallagher and a re-jigging of the suite of providers, this first hurdle was quickly overcome, and cattle and collars are now up and running.

The screen grab image here shows the eShepherd interface as it tracks the movement of one animal over a 24-hour period. Note the green sound icon along the orange boundary of the current virtual paddock, showing that this animal encountered the virtual fence on occasion, received the auditory alert and corrected course before a shock was administered. These cattle are learning the ropes quickly!

For more information and to sign up for future program and funding updates, please visit https://ag.ducks.ca/ program/extension/.

Clothing giveaway at Oxbow church

By Paul Kimball

Souris Valley Christian Assembly is a church that meets in Oxbow. The people who make up the church are very interested in serving their community and helping out in practical ways. For the past several

months, the church has been receiving donations of clothing from various sources. All the clothing is inspected to ensure that it is suitable for wear.

During the week leading up to September 6th, volunteers laid all the clothing out for display. When the 6th arrived, the

doors of the church were opened at 10 a.m. and the public was invited to come in and help themselves, to ‘shop ‘til they dropped’, free of charge, until 3 p.m.

Approximately 120 people availed themselves of the opportunity.

This was the second time the church has held a free clothing day.

Shawna Taylor, who attends the church, organized this event and carried it out with the help of about 15 other volunteers. Along with setting up for the day, volunteers also served

to those who ‘shopped for free’. Others, primarily children, manned signs that advertised the clothing giveaway.

One lady, much to her delight, found a heavy comforter among the clothing. She was

thrilled, saying, “Thank you so much…I don’t have a blanket.”

Marilyn Logue, one

of the volunteers, said, “We’re hoping to be able to do this on a regular basis. We felt the day

was a success, accomplishing the purpose of serving and giving back to the community.”

Tables were filled with clothing that people could help themselves to. Photo courtesy of Marilyn Logue

The ‘Taylor girls’ - Kim, Shawna and April, serving up cookies, coffee and juice. Photo courtesy of Marilyn Logue

Lilly, Ava, Sophia and Rhea providing direction to the clothing giveaway. Photo courtesy of Marilyn Logue

Upcoming events at the Carlyle Legion

Submitted by the Carlyle Branch of the Legion

We hope everyone has had a wonderful and relaxing summer. September has started, the kids are back at school and fall activities are beginning. We, with the Carlyle Branch of the Legion, have a few activities to which we want to invite the community.fast. The Legion is serving breakfast at the Legion 13 from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. The menu consists of pancakes, French toast, ham, scrambled eggs, fruit available with pricing at $10 and $5 for preschoolers.

One activity that we are really excited about occurs

day of National Legion Week which runs from that Sunday until Saturday September 27. On the 21st at 2 p.m., we will be dedicating three memorial benches that we are having installed. Two of the benches will be installed facing the cenotaph, which is across the street from the rink. The third one will be installed by the library. This is an important event for the Legiones are important memorials. After the ceremony we for a free hot dog lunch. Donations will be gratefully -

details in upcoming news releases.

Our third big activity is serving lunch at the up-raiser for our annual Dickens Village Festival and occurs from Monday, October 6th till Thursday,

October 9th. The Legion is honoured to have been of that event. If you have attended in the past, you will remember that the Legion always serves a number of home-made soups, delicious sandwiches and lunch and is always a big hit among those searching for bargains at the Dickens thrift sale.

This autumn season is shaping up to be a busy one for the legion. We pray for a safe and productive harvest for all farmers and gardeners. If you get the events.

Legion members waiting between batches of pancakes at Pancake breakfast. Left to right John Voutour, Jack Wilson, Doug Waldner, Mike Makelki and Gerald Clark.

Heroes of the highway

National Trucking Week September 7 to 13, 2025

More women are becoming truck drivers

By Stephanie Zoer

Over the years more women can be seen behind the wheel of a semi-truck, but this form of work for women began in female driver in Canada, but in the United States, Luella Bate, a pioneer who drove to receive her commercial licence in New York in 1920. Lillie Drennan became the in 1929.

In the southeast corner of Saskatchewan there are several female drivers who do short hauls and long hauls, and Darlene Macpherson of Arcola is one of those women who drives a semi-truck. She has been a truck driver for over 20 years.

Macpherson was born and raised near Wawota and was a farm girl. She went to school in Wawota and graduated there. At that time, she decided to go to hair dressing school, but decided this was not for her. She decided to take administrative studies at Wascana Applied Arts and this.

Macpherson spent several years working Her truck driver friend wanted Macpherson to go on the long hauls with him, and this is when the spark to become a truck driver came to life.

in line she needed her learners for class one. She then passed her airbrakes British Columbia.

“It is a combination of driving and classroom work,” said Macpherson. “When you write for a learner, you have to pass all classes from class one to seven.” This all takes around 121 hours or a span of three to four weeks. Her drivers test made her back around the side of a building. It is a little

this, but having a co-driver at least got me out of problems,” she said.

She has driven all over Western Canada and most of the United States. Through this she is able to see the countryside, which is something she loves. “I have

Prairies, and I saw Shaquille O’Neal’s truck which is huge,” said Macpherson.

She has done several trips to Los Angeles (LA), and this is a place that a truck should not be left unattended. “Once we parked in a parking lot and were told by other truckers to park at MacDonald’s as they had armed security guards,” she said.

Over the years there have been many

the bomb squad had gone somewhere.

Another time was when hauling her load was overweight in South Dakota. “I make me buy a permit,” said Macpherson. thinking, don’t cry, don’t cry.”

Logbooks are an important aspect of It is required when doing long hauls that every couple of hours a rest is taken for 15 minutes. Macpherson said it used to be done on paper but now it is done electronically. “They prefer the ones attached to the truck but will accept one on your phone,” she said. “The ones hooked into the truck will shut the truck down when you run out of hours.”

Another interesting point that Macpherson said was during the Super early. When the Super Bowl is on all the trucking shuts down and there is no parking to be found for a semi during that time.

With 20 years under her belt, Macpherson drives for a local company and is able to go home most nights. She said that most guys are very respectful. “It can be a lonely job as you spend hours by yourself, and sitting for hours can be hard too,” said Macpherson.

Macpherson said trucking is a reliable job. “Not much shuts down a trucker and in the winter, roads usually close before a trucker stops,” Macpherson said. All these things are the life of a trucker.

Darlene Macpherson received her class 1A licence in October 2004 with her first long haul trip to Texas as a truck driver. Photo courtesy of Darlene Macpherson

Heroes of the highway

Being a truck driver is a way of life for Guy Russell

By Stephanie Zoer

Guy Russell, left, has been a truck driver for 40 years and this is a different kind of life for his girlfriend Cheryl Lake. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Lake

Kids’ rodeo gallops into Carnduff at Ag Grounds

By Paul Kimball

It’s not unusual for Carn-

Mom…and one of the Dash 4 Cash organizers, Brittany Martin, helping her daughter, Aria, capture the flag in the flag race. Photo by Paul Kimball

Blaire King (on Socks), Isabelle Stone (on Doully) and Ryleigh Warkentin (on Guy) watching the races at the Ag Grounds. Photo by Paul Kimball

Miller Cowan, on his ‘kid-sized horse’, getting a little help from his mom, Brook. Photo by Paul Kimball

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