Kamsack Times 2022-10-20

Group of seven purchases Family Pharmacy

Of the seven new owners of the Family Pharmacy in Kamsack, two had established the business, one is the daughter of a long-time Kamsack pharmacist, one is the son of a resident and one has been managing the store for about four years.

Neighbourly Pharmacy, a company headquartered in Ontario, sold the Family Pharmacy in Kamsack to the group of seven, effective last week.

The business was established by Aaron and Hillary Walter in 2012. Both pharmacists, the couple owned and operated it until 2016 when it was sold to Rubicon Pharmacies, which operated

it until this summer when it had to divest the store due to a competition bureau directive.

The new owners include the Walters who had purchased the Medi Centre Pharmacy in Prince Albert in 2019 and currently operate it. The couple lives in Prince Albert with their three children.

Tracey Verabioff, daughter of long-time Kamsack pharmacist Bill Verabioff and who has been working at the pharmacy, off and on, since the Walters owned it, is another owner. She continues to work at the store.

Sean Bennett, son of Gail Fedorak of Kamsack, lives

in Golden, B.C. with his wife Heather Tollenaar, also a pharmacist. Bennett and Tollenaar are two of the new owners of the outlet.

The sixth and seventh owners are Daniel Karpan and Megan Alberts, who live in Yorkton with their son.

Karpan started doing relief work at the Family Pharmacy in 2018 and has been the manager of the pharmacy since 2019. He is to continue working as the manager.

Karpan and Verabioff will be joined by Aaron Walter when needed. Also employed at the pharmacy are four other persons.

Education service agreement between Cote and GSSD signed

“It takes a lot of work to get here,” Chief George Cote of Cote First Nation, said during an education service agreement signing ceremony held at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute on Oct. 11.

Much has happened since the last agreement was signed 40 years ago, especially the truth and reconciliation calls to action, Cote said, referring to the partnership with the Good Spirit School Division (GSSD) so that “western methods of education can be coupled with traditional teachings” which will help revive First Nation culture and language.

“We are at an understanding regarding what we can do together for a better understanding of each other and an end to racism in schools,” he said, mentioning Isabel Kulak, a Kamsack student, who had worn a ribbon dress which resulted in nation-wide attention.

Cote said school principals are assuring topnotch education with the

support of parents and grandparents and said the agreement will open doors to ensure First Nation culture and language within the GSSD curriculum.

“With the new agreement, children can look forward to and feel proud of who they are,” he said.

The ceremony, which was to have been held outside in front of the teepee that had been erected on the KCI grounds, was forced into the school’s gymnasium because of rain.

With Quintin Robertson, GSSD director

of education, as the emcee, the ceremony began with a prayer offered by Vincent Cadotte, a Cote councillor and “knowledge keeper,” and a performance of a drum group headed by Robert Severight, a Cote councillor.

A member of the Cote education portfolio, Severight welcomed everyone to the “historic” ceremony and reminded everyone that Treaty 4 that was signed in 1874 had much to do with education of the children and the children yet to be born. He said the drum group would perform a flag song and then a victory song because the agreement is a victory.

The unity shown by the drum group signifies the unity needed for this agreement, Robertson said after Severight’s group concluded.

Dignitaries introduced, in addition to Chief Cote, Vincent Cadotte and Robert Severight, were Chief Isabel O’Soup of the Yorkton Tribal Council, Jaime Johnson, chair of the GSSD board, and Cote First Nation councillors Delvina Whitehawk, Brian Shingoose, Joseph Cote and Pamela Whitehawk.

Cote First Nation and GSSD staff attending included: Faith Watson, executive director of

the Treaty Education Alliance; Valerie Cote, Education Coordinator for Cote First Nation; Mick Parmer, Superintendent of Schools for GSSD; Mark Lucas, KCI principal; Laura Reilkoff, KCI vice-principal; Karie Thomas, Victoria School principal; Jonas Cote, principal of Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex; Jesse Armstrong and Clorice Delorme, Indigenous Student Success Consultants; Andrew Quewezance, cultural advocate for GSSD; Cliff Crane, Cultural co- ordinator for YTC (Yorkton Tribal Council) and GSSD; Tiare Laporte, Indigenous student success lead for KCI and GSSD, and Lana Kulak, Indigenous community worker for GSSD.

Thanking Vincent Cadotte for his prayer and remarks and Robert Severight for the drum songs, Chief Isabel O’Soup said that “there were no drums when I

Among the seven new owners of the Family Pharmacy in Kamsack, from left, are: Daniel Karpan, Tracey Verabioff and Aaron Walter.

Signing the education service agreement between Cote First Nation and the Good Spirit School Division (GSSD) during a ceremony held at Kamsack Comprehensive Institute on Oct. 11, from left, were: Quintin Robertson (standing), director of education for GSSD; Delvina Whitehawk, councilor for Cote First Nation; Jaime Johnson, GSSD board chair, and Chief George Cote of Cote First Nation.

Continued from Front Page went to school.

“Now we are more aware,” O’Soup said. “It makes me proud.”

She commended the GSSD for its good efforts to educate both Indigenous and non-Indigenous children and offered “hats off” to the parents and teachers.

“Racism starts in the home,” O’Soup said, adding that she loved seeing the teepee on the school ground outside. “I was proud to see it and the

children feel proud because it helps give them enthusiasm to learn.”

As chief of the six nations in the YTC, O’Soup commended those responsible for working to make things better and asked them to “keep up the good work.”

“We’re just beginning to understand the significance to the treaties,” Robertson said. “Further work needs to be done.”

Robertson said that the essence of the document being signed is

about accountability of the GSSD and Cote First Nation and the responsibility of service providers.

“We will show up and do the work if criticized or praised,” he said.

Robertson joined Chief Cote, Delvina Whitehawk and Jaime Johnson as they each signed the agreement document.

All attending were thanked and everyone joined in a round dance as the drum group performed. A light lunch concluded the ceremony.

Introduced during the education service signing agreement ceremony, from left, were: Lana Kulak of Kamsack, Indigenous Community worker for GSSD; Vincent Cadotte, Cote councilor and “knowledge keeper,” who offered the opening prayer; Stella Pelly of Cote First Nation, and Quintin Robertson, emcee.

Speaking at the education service agreement ceremony was Cote First Nation Chief George Cote.

Yorkton Tribal Council Chief Isabel O’Soup of The Key First Nation spoke at the education service agreement signing ceremony in Kamasck on Oct. 11.

Accompanied by the drum group, dignitaries were joined by Cote First Nation representatives and GSSD staff for a round dance following the signing ceremony at KCI on Oct. 11.

Cote First Nation Councillor Robert Severight, centre, led a drum group that performed at the education service agreement signing ceremony.

Saskatchewan RCMP weekly activity report

By RCMP Media Relations

From Sept. 26 to Oct.

2, a total of 8,201 reports were received within the Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. Calls included: 23 impaired drivers, zero homicides, 26 sexual assaults, five sexual crimes, 490 other assaults, 121 break-and-enters, 275 thefts, 621 mischiefs, 155 traffic collisions, six dangerous driving incidents, and one fatal collision.

Hospital damaged

On Sept. 5, Nipawin RCMP received a call of a disturbance at the Nipawin Hospital. Officers attended and investigation determined an individual had damaged seven windows. After further investigation, on Sept. 24, a 20-year-old female from Nipawin was charged with mischief over $5,000.

Cabin break-in Buffalo Narrows RCMP received a report of a suspicious vehicle at a cabin located off Highway 925 on Sept. 24. Investigation determined a cabin was broken into, a gun safe was damaged and three firearms were stolen.

Meadow Lake RCMP recovered the suspect vehicle and one of the firearms later that day. Buffalo Narrows RCMP Narrows RCMP at 306-235-6660.

Officer injured

On Sept. 26 at 1:20 p.m., Saskatoon RCMP received a report from an individual concerned about the well-being of a family member. An officer from the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment attended the home in Viscount to conduct a welfare check. At approximately 2:48 p.m., police received a 911 report of a female who had injured a police officer with a knife at the home. Initial efforts to apprehend the female were unsuccessful as she continued to resist arrest. Additional RCMP

resources and an ambulance were called to assist.

In the meantime, the responding police officer was able to disarm and apprehend the woman. She then became unresponsive. Upon arrival, EMS administered Naloxone to the woman. She was transported to a hospital in Saskatoon for further medical treatment and has since been released.

The RCMP officer did not require an ambulance and received medical treatment at a hospital for minor injuries. The knife was located on scene and seized for further investigation by police.

As a result of this investigation, a 28-year-old female, from Valleyview, Alta. was charged with: assaulting a police officer, assault with a weapon, and resisting arrest.

RCMP seize firearms Yorkton RCMP received a report of breakand-enter in progress on Sept. 25 at a residence on Myrtle Avenue in Yorkton.

Yorkton RCMP immediately responded and arrested four individuals at the residence. Three of the four arrested provided false information to police officers upon their arrest.

Investigation determined a group of individuals came to the residence and forced their way inside. Search warrants were executed at the residence later that day and officers located and seized an illegally-modified firearm, a semi-automatic firearm with a silencer, a highcapacity magazine and a small amount of white powder that will be identified through laboratory testing. The investigation continues with the assistance of Yorkton RCMP’s Municipal General Investigation Section.

Charges laid include: break-and-enter, possession of weapon contrary

NOTICE OF POLL

Rural Municipality of Cote No. 271 Municipal Elections 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that:

1. A poll has been granted for the election of Councillor for Division 4 for the Rural Municipality of Cote No. 271.

2. Voting will take place on Wednesday, the 9th day of November, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at:

DIVISION 4

Runnymede Hall Hamlet of Runnymede, SK

I will declare the results of the voting on the 10th day of November 2022 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. at the Rural Municipality of Cote No. 271 Municipal Office, 528 Third Ave. S. Kamsack, SK.

Dated at Kamsack this 18th day of October, 2022.

Sherry Guenther Returning Officer

to an order, possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose, obstructing a peace officer, and failure to comply.

Shots fired

At approximately 1:10 a.m. on Oct. 1, Beauval RCMP received a report that shots were fired at a residence in Beauval.

Officers immediately responded. Preliminary investigation determined a firearm was discharged from a vehicle at the residence. No injuries were reported to police.

At approximately 1:50 a.m., officers located one of the suspect vehicles and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle did not stop and collided with the police vehicle while driving away. At approximately 2:15 a.m., officers were driving on Highway 165 while investigating a separate incident when a firearm was discharged at them from the ditch area. No injuries were reported from the collision or the firearm discharge. Beauval RCMP and Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services searched a wooded area south of Beauval for the suspect. Police located and arrested an adult male within an hour. One suspect vehicle was later located by police in Beauval on Oct. 1. Charges laid include: assault with a weapon, pointing a firearm, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, using a firearm in the commission of an offence, weapons possession contrary to an order and failure to surrender authorization, possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized, recklessly discharging a firearm, and failure to comply with release order condition.

Fatal collision

On Oct. 2 at

approximately 4:30 a.m., Maidstone RCMP received the report of a vehicle collision on the eastbound land of Township Road 482, approximately three km west of Highway 21 north. Maidstone RCMP along with EMS and Maidstone Fire and Rescue responded. Both sides of the Township Road 482 were temporarily blocked from traffic to investigate the scene. A black SUV appeared to have sustained significant damage from rolling over multiple times. A 45-year-old was identified and declared deceased on scene by EMS. He was the only occupant of the vehicle. Next of kin have been notified and Victim Services has been engaged to provide support to his family. An RCMP Traffic Collision Reconstructionist and the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service also attended the scene to investigate further.

Drugs seized

Five kilograms of cocaine were seized in North Battleford as part of Project Cobra, a cross border investigation that resulted in the seizure of an estimated $55 million in illicit drugs, as well as firearms, luxury vehicles and property. Fifteen people were arrested and charged, including two individuals from North Battleford. You can read more about the investigation by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration here: https://alert-ab.ca/projectcobra-intercepts-55-million-worth-of-drugs-2/.

Battleford RCMP’s Gang Task Force assisted in the August 2022 seizure.

“Removing five

kilograms of cocaine from the streets undoubtedly makes our community safer. Illicit drugs put lives in danger and they also increase occurrences of property crime and gang activity. That’s why Battleford RCMP works diligently – including in partnership with other police and public safety agencies – to keep drugs off our streets,” says Sgt. Adam Buckingham of Battleford RCMP’s General Investigation Section.

Report tips and information

If you have information about any of the above crimes, or other criminal activity, please report it to your nearest RCMP Detachment or police service, call 310-RCMP in non-emergencies, 911 in emergencies. Information can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.

com.

Report some complaints such as damage/ mischief to property under $5,000, theft of bicycle under $5,000, theft under $5,000, theft from vehicle under $5,000, lost or found property, and damage/mischief to vehicle under $5,000 online here: https://ocre-sielc.rcmpgrc.gc.ca/saskatchewan/ en.

October 24 Norquay Communiplex 1 pm-6 pm

Nov 1 Canora Rainbow Hall 1 pm-6 pm

Nov 3 Invermay Community Hall 1 pm-6 pm

Nov 7 Preeceville Ukranian Catholic Hall 1 pm-6pm

Nov 9 Kamsack OCC Hall 12 pm-4 pm

Nov 15 Norquay Communiplex 12 pm-4 pm

Nov 19 Canora Rainbow Hall 10 am–2 pm

Nov 22 Kamsack OCC Hall 12 pm-4 pm

Nov 23 Preeceville Ukranian Catholic Hall 12 pm-4pm

Nov 24 Invermay Community Hall 1 pm-4 pm No appointment required.

Influenza, Moderna, Pfizer, and Bivalent vaccines available as per ministry age guidelines.

THE CANORA COURIER THE KAMSACK TIMES THE PREECEVILLE PROGRESS

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Perspective

LOOKING BACK...

A Decade Ago

The Eaglestone Lodge fundraising committee was inviting persons to attend the fifth annual Octoberfest dinner and dance at the OCC Hall on Oct. 26.

The Good Spirit School Division ordered a review of the viability of the Fort Livingstone School in Pelly and the Calder School

John Szegi, a resident of the Kamsack and District Nursing Home, turned 100.

Among Kamsack Comprehensive Institute students to attend the Saskatchewan Student Leadership Conference in Lloydminster in September with Glenda Tulloch, their supervisor, were: Hannah Wosminity, Taylor Hudye, Kaytlyn Placatka, Bree Bland, Kali Wyllychuk, Serena Wyllychuk, Cassidy Aker, Mikayla Woloshyn, Mackenzie Binkley and Lexi Tomochko.

Residents of the RM of Cote began to pick up signs containing their civic addresses from the RM office. The signs were being sold for $18.50 each.

Two City of Yorkton employees were in Pelly on Sept. 21 to demonstrate their new Dura Patch road maintenance equipment.

Dana Jacquet began her second year as head coach of the Kamsack Gymnastics Club which had between 50 and 60 students registered the previous year.

The six KCI Spartans who had distinguished themselves at the district cross-country competition in Melville on Oct. 3 were: Kali Wyllychuk, who qualified to advance to provincials; Sadie McGriskin, who won gold in all 12 competitions in which she had competed in since Grade 4; Taryn Broda, Kaytlyn Placatka and Zac McGriskin, who had qualified to advance, and Hannah Pennell, who had placed third in districts.

Agricultural knowledge is important for ever yone in Saskatchewan

Regular readers may recognize that I hold limited faith in a day, week, or month being designated to mark a particular thing having much impact these days.

Perhaps having a National Brussel Sprouts Week bumps sales a bit for a few days, but people soon realize the mini cabbages aren’t that good unless drenched in gooey cheese, and go back to buying their usual mealtime fare.

So, when the province annually designates October as Agriculture Month I’m unsure if it has a great impact.

That said, on this one I am also conflicted.

Having grown up on the farm, and have written about it for the past 30-plus years, I recognize its critical importance, and the fading awareness from more and more people about what the industry does.

If there was any question about the declining

knowledge, it was brought into focus by Sara Shymko, the director of Agriculture in the Classroom, when she spoke at the recent Yorkton Mill Heritage Society supper fundraiser.

Shymko related how in her role with Agriculture in the Classroom she was handing out seeds students could take home and plant, when one young student came up and asked for seeds for cheese. At that moment she said she fully understood the need for her organization.

That seems ridiculous in a province where everywhere you travel you see farmland, and so much of the business of communities big and small traces

back to the ag sector, but increasingly urban dwellers do not spend time on farms learning about the sector first hand.

That is scary from the farm perspective because urban residents hold sway in provincial legislatures and the federal Parliament, and may well enact legislation which negatively impacts farming based on a lack of understanding about the agriculture industry.

So, when in a release Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit stated, “Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry cannot thrive without the dedicated individuals that make up the value-chain. They

have a passion for producing the healthy, affordable food that we share with our families every day. I encourage everyone to show support by celebrating this innovative, resilient and sustainable industry,” there is more to it than rhetoric.

We need to have an appreciation for those who produce our food.

So maybe an annual nudge in that direction by designating a month is part of growing that appreciation.

But, ultimately it is finding a way to reconnect more people with where their food comes from.

That is where having school tours at events such as the upcoming Grain Millers Harvest Showdown in Yorkton, or Agribition in Regina come into play as important, as are the efforts of Agriculture in the Classroom.

Education is always a key to better understanding and that includes agriculture.

Planting daffodils in fall can provide a bounty of colour next spring

Have you done some spring planting? Besides tulips, have you ever given daffodils a try? A very kind friend (and a wonderful gardener) shared some daffodil bulbs a few autumns ago. We planted them and looked forward to spring when we would see those cheery blooms bobbing in the garden! And they did not disappoint. If you’ve been getting fall garden catalogues, consider the bright and beautiful daffodil.

Amazingly, daffodils belong to the amaryllis family. You might hear daffodils being called by the name “narcissus,” but there is no difference. Narcissus is the botanical name; daffodil is the common name. So now that introductions are out of the way, let’s chat about daffodils, the flower of friendship.

Daffodils hail from the Mediterranean, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. The ancient Greeks and Romans loved daffodils and planted them in abundance. As time went by, the daffodils were eventually overlooked until the early 1600s. At that time, a group of Englishmen rediscovered this lovely flower, and daffodils were once again included in gardens, and spread to new gardens in new lands.

Daffodils are beautiful to look at, one of the heralds of spring! Daffodils range in size from diminutive

DEBBIE HAYWARD

The Garden Grapevine

miniatures to large, showy blooms. All varieties have a round trumpet in the centre of the flower, surrounded by six rounded petals. While we usually think of daffodils as yellow, there are many other variants in colour: white, peach, and pink. Some are mixed, with a pink trumpet and white petals. Beautiful!

Daffodils grow from bulbs and will spread over time. You might have to divide clumps of daffodils every five to seven years, but that is a happy task, because it gives you more of these beautiful flowers! If you are adding daffodils to your garden this year, here are a few tips that I read about. Plant your daffodil bulbs at a depth of three times the height of the bulb. That means large bulbs might be as deep as eight inches. I read that the

planting depth is very important, because the soil over the bulbs helps to keep the bulbs upright, giving us better, stronger flowers. Daffodils like a sunny, welldrained location. Do not give them high nitrogen fertilizer. They like a lot of water while they are growing. After they are finished blooming, be patient and leave the leaves alone until they begin to turn yellow, then cut them back. Remember, the leaves are necessary to help put energy back into the bulb for next year.

Some daffodil factoids: in the west, the daffodil or narcissus is the flower of vanity, because of the vain young man Narcissus who was gazing at himself so attentively in a pool of water that he fell in and drowned. In Greek mythology, his body turned into the narcissus flower. The flower is a symbol of Chinese New Year. And it is the national flower of Wales, so if you have any Welsh blood in you, wear a daffodil on Mar. 1, St. David’s Day! Best known to us, the daffodil is the symbol of hope for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Amazing what one little flower can say. Plant daffodils this fall and enjoy a burst of beauty next spring!

I’m sure we all get the same satisfaction from fall yard cleanup. It’s good to get the garden ready for winter sleep. Have a good week in your autumn garden.

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Horticulture

Fourteen photographers submitted a total of 121 pictures for the Kamsack and District Horticultural Society’s contest to find photos for the Society’s 2023 calendar.

The theme of this year’s contest was “flora, fauna and fungi of the local area,” said Alva Beauchamp, who worked on the Society’s calendar committee with Karen Pfeifer, Eleanor Lenderbeck and Cindy Koreluik.

The photographs were judged on Oct. 3 by Marilyn Lachambre, Beauchamp said.

Tanya Riabko placed first and won $75 for a photo of spruce trees in silhouette at sunset, which will be the October photo, and she won the $50 second-place prize for a photograph of wild mushrooms, which will be the picture for July.

Jim Beauchamp placed third and received $25 for a photograph of yellow and green fields under an ominous cloudy sky. His photo will be featured in June.

Honourable mention went to Audrey Binns for a photo of a sleeping fawn that will decorate the month of May, and to Eleanor Lenderbeck for a photo of a clump of blooming crocuses that will be featured in March.

These five photos plus another seven will be

featured in the calendar for each of the 12 months of the year, while many of the others will be included in a collage of pictures, Beauchamp said, explaining that the plan is to assure that at least one photo from each of the 14 photographers’ submissions will be used in the calendar.

“There were many nice photos,” Marilyn Lachambre said when asked how she selected the three winners and two honourable mentions.

“I chose the first-place photo because the trees are so beautiful in silhouette with the vivid layers of the sunset colours,” Lachambre said. “I enjoyed the topography, the composition and the beautiful photography.

“I liked the way the light of the background framed the mushrooms in the second-place picture,” she said.

“The three coloured fields under the stormy clouds, is very interesting,” she said of the third-placed picture.

Beauchamp said that Binns, who lives in the area during the summers, was on a riding mower when she had come upon the sleeping fawn.

“She almost ran over it,” she said, adding that the baby deer did not move while she took the time to take the picture.

The society plans to print about 60 copies of

These photographs were judged as the winning pictures in the Kamsack and District Horticultural Society’s contest to find photographs for the Society’s 2023 calendar. Placing first, top left, is a photograph of spruce trees in silhouette, submitted by Tanya Riabko, while in second place, top right, is a picture of wild mushrooms, also submitted by Riabko. At bottom left, is the third-place winner, a prairie scene under threatening clouds, submitted by Jim Beauchamp. The photo of the crocuses by Eleanor Lenderbeck and the sleeping fawn, submitted by Audrey Binns, received honourable mention.

the 2023 calendar, which should be available by midNovember. The calendar

will include the phases of the moon and Canadian holidays.

Copies of the calendar may be purchased at a couple downtown businesses

Regenerative Agriculture: Importance of crop rotations in maximizing crop diversity

By Austin Baron AAg, Agri-Environmental Specialist, Swift Current

Many producers practicing regenerative agriculture have adopted the term resilience into their working definition. Merriam-Webster defines resilience as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.” Based on this definition, resiliency is a common goal for the agriculture industry.

In the previous article, the preservation of soil moisture, reduction of erosion and temperature moderation was discussed through the integration of minimum tillage practices. This article will discuss the second principle of regenerative agriculture: using a strong crop rotation to contribute to increased resiliency. For example, the use of residual soil moisture and nutrients by crops seeded the following year is one benefit of a diverse crop rotation. While an integral part of the regenerative agriculture movement, use of a diverse crop rotation has become a good practice that can be recommended for any operation regardless of whether they

are reaching for regeneration or just good farming.

Many producers in Saskatchewan have already been diversifying cropping rotations by adding pulses to their cereal and oilseed rotations. Regenerative agriculture, with a focus on crop diversity, allows for more years between crops, which in turn benefits disease management as it allows more time for soil-borne pathogens to decrease and ensure a healthier crop the next time it is part of the rotation. Perennial forage crops and annual forage crops are becoming more common in rotations across the prairies as one method to address the many production-related changes producers are facing.

Research in western Canada has linked higher soil compaction to more plant stress when compared to noncompacted soil. Compaction can also increase the risk and severity of root rots, including Aphanomyces.

Therefore, when designing crop rotations, it is important to include a variety of root systems which will help to prevent soil compaction.

When integrating

perennial and annual forages into rotations, it’s important to consider factors such as available moisture, desired outcomes, field restrictions and future crops. A study at the Western Beef Development Centre observed that soil water content was notably reduced in fields of terminated alfalfa grass mixtures when compared to terminated fields of grass monocultures. The same study noted that, despite the reduction in soil moisture, alfalfa grass mixtures delivered a nitrogen benefit to the following barley crop, leading to increased yield and potential market value.

Varying between crops with differing root depths can also improve soil water use. A study in Swift Current found that growing deeper-rooted crops, such as canola and wheat, following shallow-rooted crops, such as pulses, resulted in increased overall soil water use efficiency and soil water storage. Being that water is a primary limiting factor in Saskatchewan agriculture, efficient use of the moisture resources available aids in building resiliency into the

industry.

Our next article will discuss maintaining living roots and keeping the soil

covered and maintaining living roots year-round.

To speak with an extension specialist near you

or from any member of the Kamsack horticulture society.

regarding regenerative agriculture, please contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

Kamsack woman celebrates 100th birthday

Ann Kondratoff of the Kamsack and District Nursing Home celebrated her 100 th birthday on Oct. 7.

A long-term resident of the Home, Kondratoff was congratulated by her son Allan and his wife Brenda, who had arrived with balloons, decorations, cards and cupcakes to help make her day more special, said Karen Rubletz, the Home’s recreation co-ordinator.

“Residents and staff wish to extend their congratulations to Ann on this milestone achievement in her life,” Rubletz said. “We wish her health and happiness.”

A larger celebration with other family members is in the making, she said. “Ann has a great sense of humour and loves to joke around.”

Kondratoff, a former Pelly resident, has been at the Nursing Home since 2017.

Editor’s Note If you would like to write a letter to the editor, feel free to do so. What is required is the author’s name and signature attached, as well as a phone number where they may be contacted. Mail your letter to: Box 746, Canora, Sask. S0A 0L0, Fax (306) 563-6144 or email to canoracourier@sasktel.net or simply drop it off at the office.

Former Pelly resident, Ann Kondratoff of the Kamsack and District Nursing Home, celebrated her 100th birthday at a reception on Oct. 7.

Kamsack student athlete added to Academic All-Canadian List and named Canada West Women’s Hockey Player of the Week

A Kamsack student attending the University of Regina, was recently recognized for her academic as well as her athletic abilities.

Hannah Pennell, daughter of Kim and Colleen of Kamsack, was named the Canada West Women’s Hockey Player of the Week on Oct. 4 and on Sept. 26 she was told that she was named to the 2021-22 Academic All-Canadian List.

Pennell was named Player of the Week after having collected four points in the U of R Cougars’ three-point season-opening weekend against MacEwan University in Edmonton.

“Pennell had her first career Canada West goal and an assist on Sept. 30, then again collected a goal and a helper on Oct. 1,” said information on the Canada West website. “Both of her goals and one of her assists came with the U of R on the power play.”

“It was great to see Hannah create some offence for us this weekend,” said Sarah Hodges, Cougars’ head coach. “It was great to see her break through and we think there’s lots of good things to come from her this year.”

Two games into the season, Pennell’s four points

already stands as a career high for the third-year defender, the information said. She collected three assists in both of her first two years with the U of R. Pennell and the Cougars came out firing in the season opener, appearing set on proving wrong the CW coaches who voted Regina last in the pre-season polls, it said.

The defenceman first assisted on the team’s second goal before unleashing a shot from the point to put Regina up three in the third period over the visiting MacEwan Griffins.

“The third-year Kamsack product continued her strong play Oct. 1, getting her team on the board late in the game. She wound up for a missile from the point, firing it past the Griffins’

goaltender.

“Her goal cued a comeback for the Cougars, who tied it up before ultimately losing in overtime.”

Pennell and the Cougars were off for a week before travelling to Manitoba on Oct. 14 for a 7 p.m. game, which can be watched on Canada West TV.

This is Hannah’s fourth year in education at the U of R, her mother, Colleen, said last week. After playing her second year of peewee hockey with Kamsack Minor Hockey, Pennell played for the Melville Prairie Fire team for two years, collecting 17 points in 53 Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA HL (SFMAAAHL) regular season games. She then attended the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna, B.C., from where she graduated Grade 12 before enrolling at the U of R.

“She was proud of herself,” Colleen said of her daughter upon hearing the news that she had been selected the Canada West Hockey Player of the Week. “It’s a big deal. Canada West includes teams from all across Western Canada.

“She’s a hard worker,” Colleen said, adding that her daughter has said that

she wants to continue playing hockey for as long as she can.

“Good show,” Harold Riemer, Dean of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the U of R, said in a letter to Pennell dated Sept. 26 as he congratulated her for being named to the Academic All-Canadian List for having achieved an overall GPA (Grade Point Average) of 84.81 per cent in the faculty of education while competing as a member of the U of R hockey team.

“We are proud of you and appreciate your demonstrated dedication, hard work and perseverance. Well done,” Riemer said.

After explaining that it has been wonderful entering the new academic and competitive season where activities have “that pre-pandemic feel,” Riemer said that the hustle and bustle of the campus, the full athletic schedule and the unfettered opportunity to watch student athletes compete has been wonderful.

“Most universities celebrate individual (as well as group) skill, ability and accomplishments,” he said. “ The University of Regina is no exception; academic excellence and achievement are central to our mission.

Varsity sport is, at its core, concerned with the pursuit of excellence, both on and off the field of play.”

He said that varsity athletes who achieved academic All-Canadian status are those who were full timestudents and who achieved an overall GPA of at least 80 per cent over the course of the academic year.

“This, along with a monetary award for those who have returned to their team are tangible ways the University recognizes those students who have achieved excellence in their academic work, while also contributing to the fabric of the institution by competing as a member of a varsity sport program,” Riemer said.

Canada West is one of four conferences within U SPORTS, the others being Ontario University Athletics (OUA), Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ)

and Atlantic University Sport (AUS). Schools representing each conference compete annually for national supremacy, the website says. Schools, team officials and individual student-athletes must abide by posted Canada West and U SPORTS policies, including bylaws, regulations and eligibility requirements.

Canada West (CW) is the leading university athletic conference in the country and is home to champion student-athletes that excel in the classroom and their communities, it says. “Canada West and our 17 members from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba collectively carry on a legacy of competitive excellence, as our champions proudly go on to represent the conference at U SPORTS national championships.”

Royal Sask Museum and U of R asking for public’s help in owl research

The Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM) and the University of Regina are continuing their research on great horned owls in the province, which includes a unique and very successful citizen science component.

“We have had more than 500 responses and reports of owls in 298 townships across the province,” said Dr. Ryan

Fisher, Royal Saskatchewan Museum Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, in a release. “These reports come from as far north as Prince Albert, to as far south as the US border, and sites along the Alberta and Manitoba borders. Many of these owl reports are in farmyards and in cities.”

Based on public reports

so far, Fisher said they are looking to fill in gaps in western Saskatchewan - between the Great Sand Hills and North Battleford - and areas northeast and south of Regina.

One component of the research focused on owls in southwestern Saskatchewan.

“In this area, we caught and attached transmitters to 10 owls,” Dr. Fisher said. “These transmitters are essentially like having the owls carry around cell phones so that we can track their movements 24 hours a day - seven

days a week.”

Contrary to what they thought, the owls are spending a lot of time on the ground, but also making use of human-structures like power poles and old buildings for their nightly hunting activities. They also found these owls ranging as far as three kilometres from their nest to hunt.

Great horned owls are one of the most common owls in Saskatchewan. Historically, these birds were limited to treed valleys and small aspen forests in the agricultural

region of the province.

“Our research is focused on understanding where owls have recently expanded their range in the agricultural region of the province and what features of the landscape have allowed them to be so successful,” Dr. Fisher said.

The citizen science element is having people share and contribute to data monitoring and collection.

Basically, if you see a great horned owl, they want to know.

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that

A poll has been

for the

of:

Div. 6 Councillor: Rural Municipality of St. Philips No. 301 (1 to be elected)

2. Advance Poll will take place November 5, 2022 at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Rural Municipality of St. Pelly, SK

3. Voting will take place on Wednesday, the 9th day of November, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Pelly Happy Hearts 109 Main Street, Pelly, SK.

4. I will declare the result of the election on the 10th day of November, 2022, at the hour of 9:00 a.m at the Rural Municipality of St. Philips No. 301 Municipal

Dated at Pelly this 13th day of October, 2022.

NOTICE OF ADVANCE POLL Rural Municipality of Cote No. 271 Municipal Elections 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that:

1. An advance poll has been granted for the election of Councillor for Division 4 for the Rural Municipality of Cote No. 271.

2. Voting will take place on Friday, the 4th day of November, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at:

DIVISION 4

Rural Municipality of Cote No. 271 Municipal Office (back entrance), 528 Third Ave. S. Kamsack, SK

Dated at Kamsack this 18th day of October, 2022.

Sherry Guenther Returning Officer

The University of Regina has developed a form that Saskatchewan residents can use to report their great horned owl sightings.

This research will be continuing for another year and the team welcomes people to keep participating in the owl study.

“The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is not only our provincial museum - it is a centre for excellence when it comes to research,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. “This is just one part of the innovative research taking place behind the scenes at the museum, alongside incredible exhibits and education programming. There is always something new to discover at the museum!”

Owls are extremely

In order to aid researchers, Saskatchewan residents are being asked to report on great honed owl activity across the province.

--Image courtesy Tory HartleyCox /University of Regina

sensitive to disturbance, so take great care when looking for them and try to keep as much distance as possible between you and the owl, continued the release.

There are guidelines available online to reduce your impact on birds.

The project will run through 2023.

To learn more about the Royal Saskatchewan Museum’s programming and world class research, visit https://royalsaskmuseum. ca/, Facebook (@royalsaskmuseum), Twitter (@royalsaskmuseum), Instagram (@royalsaskmuseum), and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/royalsaskmuseum.

Hannah Pennell on ice.

--Arthur Images

Hannah Pennell --Arthur Images

Entrepreneurs opened businesses last year

Entrepreneurs in and around Kamsack took the chance over the last year to start new businesses to serve the community.

New busineses included a vape shop, hairdresser, ATV and sled mechanic, restaurant, hairdresser, and plumber, while an ice cream shop and restaurant changed hands.

Kamsack Vape Shop

The Kamsack Vape Shop

opened for business at the rear of the building that hosts Kamsack Cannabis on the town’s main street on Oct. 20.

Store Manager Trish Mureseanu said the business was well-received.

“People would come in just to ask if we also carried nicotine vaping liquids (called ‘juice’), e-devices and/or replacement parts, and if not, did we know

where those products could be found,” said Mureseanu. “It seemed logical that our next business venture would be to have a retail business offering those products and accessories.”

Vaping is the term used to describe the use of an electric device to heat up liquid product into a vapour, which the user then inhales.

“The popularity of vaping has been increasing for

some time. Many people believe that vaping is less harmful than smoking,” explained Mureseanu. “The e-devices used in vaping are popular because of the wide range of sizes, styles, as well as functions.”

She emphasizes that, as with any product, consumers should be educated regarding any associated health risks to them when it comes to using vaping

products.

In addition to the Kamsack location, the same team has also opened a new vape shop in Canora.

“The response so far has been very positive. We frequently hear how happy customers are to find out that they won’t have to drive long distances just to purchase their vaping products anymore.”

Mureseanu outlined

that anyone entering the Kamsack Vape Shop must be 18 years of age or older. Customers will be required to provide valid, government issued photo identification.

Duck Mountain ATV & Sled Repair

Stepping into his new life in Kamsack, Jordan Galbiati said he was ready to turn his passion into a career.

Kamsack Vape Shop Team Leader Ashton Labranche (left) and Store Manager Trish Mureseanu are ready to welcome customers over the age of 18 to the interior of the store which was designed with a rustic and welcoming atmosphere.

Continued on

April MacDonald, left, is now the sole owner of the Duck Mountain Motel in Kamsack. With the support of her partner, Jordan Galbiati, the local entrepreneur is looking forward to elevating and diversifying the business with a series of ambitious short-term and long-term developments.

SMALL

How consumers can help small businesses

Small businesses continue to be the backbone of the North American business community. According to the career resource Zippia, there are 33.2 million small businesses in the United States. Those organizations employ around 62 million people. The financial wellness company Fortunly says that small

businesses account for nearly half of all private sector jobs in Canada.

In fact, small employer businesses made up 98.1 percent of all businesses in Canada in 2021.

Despite the prevalence of small businesses and the abundance of people willing to become entrepreneurs, 20 percent of these firms fail within

the first year, and only 55 percent survive five years or more, says Zippia. The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly harsh on small businesses. However, many of them survived through digitization that they plan to continue to utilize even when the pandemic is long gone.

Maintaining a small business through

economic highs and lows and other issues often comes down to customer involvement. Consumers are the driving forces behind the success of small businesses. Here are some effective ways for consumers to help small businesses grow.

• Shop local. The “Shop Local” movement has been around for a while but remains as relevant as ever. Shopping local means becoming repeat patrons at the independent businesses that comprise Main Street as opposed to the chain stores that dominate strip malls.

• Share on social. Social media can be a great way to spread the word about businesses you like and point out particular examples why you shop there. Utilizing social media platforms to highlight the positive attributes of a business can help that business grow.

• Call direct for takeout orders. Those ubiquitous third-party food delivery services may be convenient, but businesses

have to share the profit from your purchase with the delivery service, cutting into their bottom lines. Pick up your order or rely on the restaurants’ own delivery teams.

• Engage with the business online. Complicated algorithms and other factors determine how a business’ website or social media page gets seen by the public. You can help things along by liking pages, visiting the website frequently and sharing any posts.

• Speak about a business in person. When out and about, whether you’re dining with friends or

chatting with a stranger, try to push and recommend businesses you support. If someone compliments your lawn, shoes or haircut, mention the businesses that did the work or sold you the products.

• Suggest opportunities for exposure. If you know about a school or organization looking for vendors, make the suggestion to a small business you use frequently. They may get new customers from participating in the event.

Small businesses are driving forces in the economy. Consumers can do their part to keep them thriving and profitable.

SMALL

How shopping locally can help you and your community

Today’s consumers have more shopping options at their disposal than they did in years past. Though the Internet may put the world at one’s fingertips, more and more shoppers are discovering that buying locally makes for a superior shopping experience.

The benefits associated with shopping locally are many, and the following are just a few reasons why shoppers may want to look no further than their own communities when planning their next shopping excursions.

Keeps money in the local economy

Locally-owned businesses often put a larger share of their revenue back into their communities. Small business owners may be more inclined to employ local residents, giving more people in the community solid employment. Business owners may reach out and support other neighborhood efforts, such as fundraising initiatives for charities and schools. By shopping at local stores, you have a hand

in supporting these efforts as well.

Save money

When factoring in travel time and the cost of fuel, shopping locally makes more sense than driving to a faraway mall. In addition, repeat customers who establish a rapport with a local business owner may find that such owners are more inclined to price match or work with loyal customers to find lower prices through suppliers.

Diversify your home and lifestyle

Shoppers who prefer more unique styles may find local businesses cater to their needs better than large chain stores. Larger retailers offer the same products to customers regardless of where those customers live, so a person in Saskatoon may be decorating his or her home with the same furnishings as a person in Manitoba. But local shops tend to produce more unique items that are not available nationwide.

Promote entrepreneurship Small businesses are

an essential element to the country’s economic growth. By shopping locally, consumers are showing their support for this important segment of the national economy.

Help establish local pride

Independent shops contribute to the fabric of a community and what makes it special and unique. Tourists and other visitors will be much more inclined to remember a local shop rather than a big chain in a particular neighborhood. When travelers want to get a feel for a community, they seek out small, local stores that are much more likely to stock a high percentage of locally-sourced goods.

Attract other businesses

Private and public sector businesses tend to gravitate around anchor stores. Should a local store be successful, banks, restaurants, salons, and other businesses may move in as well. Shopping locally benefits consumers in various ways many of which contribute to a healthy local economy.

Proudly Serving Norquay and the Surrounding Area Stop in and see Reagan,

Cally and Heather to review

insurance needs or complete

Motor Licensing transactions.

In honour of Small Business Week, October 16-22, the Town of Kamsack would like to recognize all the small business owners for their commitment to keeping our growing community vibrant.

We encourage residents of Kamsack to support your locally owned businesses and invest in your community’s economic security.

By preserving our local businesses we can capture the economic advantage.

How small business owners can create an exit plan

Millions of people across the globe dream of owning their own business. Such dreams come true every day, and small business owners often cite freedom and autonomy as two of the most rewarding parts of owning a business.

Small business owners nearing retirement can look back with pride on the business they built. And as retirement draws closer, a successful exit plan can ensure the business keeps going in the years to come. No two businesses are the same, so an exit plan that works for one firm won’t necessarily work for another. But these are some general strategies that can help small business owners nearing retirement age ensure a successful transition when the time comes for them to call it a career.

• Work with a consultant. Consultants have experience in a variety of situations, including the

development and implementation of exit plans.

Business owners who need help finding a consultant can speak to fellow small business owners in the community or ask their financial advisor for a recommendation.

• Decide on your longterm role. Some business owners want to remain involved after retirement, while others want to divest themselves entirely.

Business owners must give ample consideration to what they want their long-term role to be. If

they want to remain somewhat involved, then developing a new organizational structure, including who will have final say on important decisions, will be necessary.

• Pick and share a target date for the transition. A deadline for the transition to new leadership will ensure everyone at the company treats it seriously. Target dates can change, but the establishment of the date can motivate business owners to make the changes necessary to

Continued on Page 18

Improve cyber security at home or work

The Internet plays an integral role in many people’s daily lives.

While spending time online has become second nature, it’s important that users remember to prioritize security when spending time online.

Both Google and McAfee estimate that there are roughly 2,000 cyberattacks every day around the world. This costs the global economy around $460 billion per year. Many people and businesses think they may be doing enough to safeguard against attacks, but they may not be as safe as they could be.

Sophisticated hackers can steal data and extort money from vulnerable organizations and individuals. The following are some ways individuals and organizations can safeguard their networks from cyber criminals.

Employ anti-virus software

Rely on anti-virus

software to safeguard against computer viruses and spyware. Keep such software up-to-date as well. Remember to download and install updates as they become available.

If you think you’ll forget to do so, activate the software’s auto-update feature.

Exercise caution with email

Do not open emails from unknown senders. Also, be suspicious of unexpected emails that contain attachments, whether you know the sender or not. Employees clicking on email attachments they believe are from trusted sources is the No. 1 threat for organizations, says Proofpoint’s Gary Steele, a secure email specialist.

Go beyond the firewall

Security breaches are inevitable, warn technology experts, so attention needs to be shifted from just securing main firewalls to developing a lot of smaller roadblocks around

data that can’t afford to be lost. This involves signing each bit of digital information with a unique code that can stonewall potential hackers. Smaller breaches are easier to manage in businesses because hackers will not take down an entire company. Consult an IT security firm for this type of protection.

Use off-site protection

Regularly back up your computer data and consider keeping some of it offsite. This makes it easier to retrieve and restore data in the event of a breach.

Keep passwords protected

Never share passwords with others and change passwords frequently. When selecting passwords, choose hard-toguess ones that have at least eight characters. Use a mix of letters, cases, numbers and symbols to make passwords harder to crack.

Continued on Page 18

OF

Be Part of Something Bigger.

How to make the most of shopping holidays

Shortly after the Thanksgiving leftovers are put away, individuals’ thoughts shift to shopping. This is likely why the biggest shopping weekend of the holidays tends to fall directly after Tom Turkey has bid adieu.

Black Friday, Plaid Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday all come on the heels of the Thanksgiving holiday. These popular shopping holidays present opportunities for shoppers to score great prices on items on their shopping lists. Shoppers can take some additional steps to ensure they get the best prices possible .

Use a price tracking tool

Maybe the price of that gadget seems too good to be true, but could it go any lower? Utilize pricetracking tools to chart when prices go up and down so you know the best time to buy. With a resource like CamelCamelCamel, you can track the price of every item on Amazon and even set price

alerts when it reaches your desired price. For other retailers, Honey and SlickDeals can help shoppers get the best prices possible. Honey applies coupon codes and can alert users to price drops.

Cherry pick deals

Different stores will offer different sales. Use your shopping list to match up with newspaper circulars (or online sales notices) and mark off on the list which store to visit for each item. Cherry pick deals accordingly. FLIPP is an app that enables you to compare prices in newspaper fliers so you know who is offering the best prices.

Know your prices

It’s important to know the ordinary sticker price of common items and their price histories before assuming something is a great deal on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday. Unfortunately, some stores inflate prices around the holidays so their “doorbuster” deals seem like a deep slash. However, a $20 item marked down to $15

may not be such a bargain when you realize the original selling price was $15. Being a savvy shopper means knowing the value of items before shopping.

Stick to a list and budget

Keep track of what you’re spending with a running tally if you’re not using cash. This will help to keep spending in check. Also, do not buy items just for the sake of getting them at good prices. This can bust your budget quickly. Make a list and try not to deviate from it.

Don’t be afraid to speak up

Ask the employees of the store if there are any coupons or promotions that you may be missing. Small businesses may have more wiggle room to work with you because they’re not beholden to corporate pricing strategies. It never hurts to ask, even if the answer is “no.”

Use smart strategies to get the best prices on gifts at the start of the holiday shopping season and in the weeks leading up to the big day.

Entrepreneurs opened businesses last year

Continued from Page 7

Last fall saw the launch of his brand new business – Duck Mountain ATV and Sled Repair. The business is located on the property of the Duck Mountain Motel and aims to service the repair and maintenance needs of tourists and locals alike.

Galbiati explained that he grew up working on small engines and getting under the hood of all different types of vehicles from a young age. Early on, he developed a genuine passion for mechanical work and seemed to have an innate “ability to fix things.”

Although he worked as a concrete finisher by trade for many years, friends and family would often bring projects to him that had been through other mechanical shops and written off as ‘unfixable.’ With dogged determination and what some have described as a sixth sense, Galbiati would repeatedly apply himself –and ultimately succeed – in restoring vehicles that were at risk of being given up on forever.

Galbiati explained that

a further aspect of his business is to extend his skills in researching items that are typically challenging to find.

“Another one of my unique skills is in searching for parts – anywhere in the world. The sky is the limit. Whether it’s for vehicles, recreation, vintage cars, or household appliances…I’m fairly confident I can find it.”

Border Mountain House

There is a tantalizing new smell wafting through the winter air when a line of Yoder smokers fires up at Madge Lake’s newest restaurant – Border Mountain House.

The initiative is the latest vision of locals, Jared and Nicky Ruf of Madge Lake.

Located just west of the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border in Duck Mountain Provincial Park, the restaurant officially opened on Dec. 29, 2021. As part of a unique agreement with Sask Parks, the “temporary restaurant” will be open during the winter months for those visiting the park to use the ski trails, sled hills, skating

rink, or ice fishing. The restaurant is located in what was previously known as the recreation hall and sits on a hill with a view overlooking the Duck Mountain Provincial Park snow maze.

“At the end of October of 2021, Sask Parks called us and asked us to come up

with a food service proposal for people visiting and enjoying the park during the winter months,” explained Jared. “It was an incredibly tight turnaround, and we haven’t slept much, but we managed to get a liquor licence and health inspection arranged. It was wild.”

Coming from 15 years in the business of feeding people, the Ruf Family owns a company called “In Good Taste,” which is headquartered in Togo. In addition to offering catering and event rental services, the company processes various foods for fundraising purposes and

also ships products to various locations in Canada’s food service industry. A number of employees from the catering business have stepped up to help open Border Mountain House.

Corner Kuts

A new hair salon opened

Page

The friendly staff who are part of the grand opening of Border Mountain House at Madge Lake include, from left: Jared Ruf and Nicky Ruf, (owners), Deloris Cockerill, Virginia Antony, Becky Martin, Regan Nichol, Joe Vivian, and Sasha Garcia.

Continued

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

Entrepreneurs opened businesses last year

Continued from Page 15 for business in downtown Kamsack.

“Corner Kuts” – owned and operated by Alexis (Lexi) Koroluk, offers Kamsack and area residents a wide variety of services that showcase the talents of the local, Red Seal certified stylist.

A graduate of the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute in 2017, Koroluk said she took one year off to work and take some time to think about what future career might suit her. As someone who was always artistic, participating in high school drama, art, and acting, Koroluk decided to direct her creativity toward full-time study at The Style Academy in Regina. During her time at the academy, Koroluk became proficient in the areas of hair styling, make-up artistry, classic eyelash extensions, and barber skills.

After graduating in June of 2019, Koroluk trained as an apprentice for two years before writing her journeyman exam and successfully achieving a Red Seal

certification in November of 2021.

Koroluk is the granddaughter of Lillian and Ken Koroluk who own Buck’s Dollar Store, located on Main Street in downtown Kamsack. The popular, family-run business has been a fixture in the community for the past 30 years.

With top-to-bottom renovation, the space was transformed into a fresh and elegant salon with Lexi’s chosen theme of a chic black and white colour palette with a pop of sparkle. Although it’s not as big as some salons, the space feels cozy and comfortable – easily fitting everything Koroluk needs to provide a wide variety of beauty and self-care services.

Kamsack Plumbing and Heating

After working 14 years in the plumbing trade, with nine of those years as a Red Seal certified journeyperson, Chris Leis of Kamsack has made the decision to branch out on his own to provide a wide variety of heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services to

Kamsack and area residents.

The new business, Kamsack Plumbing and Heating, is currently operating as a home business with goals of a future shop and hiring expansion in just a few years.

Leis, who was born and raised in Kamsack, has now settled in the community with his wife and two young boys. He began his career on an apprenticeship with Hancock Plumbing in Yorkton where he would spend the next 14 years honing his craft on a diverse list of commercial and residential service calls.

“It was a great company to work for,” said Leis. “It was definitely bittersweet to leave that team, but the commute to Yorkton every day just became too much after many years.”

Leis explained that it was his wife who suggested he consider opening up his own business closer to home after seeing the toll of a total of three hours on the road each day.

“I realized the commute meant a lot of time wastedtime away from my family,”

explained Leis. “I have two young boys who are both involved in a number of clubs and sports, and I also coach local ball and minor hockey, as well as sit on the board for both.”

Fully certified with all of his gas tickets, Leis said his services will include repair service, emergency calls, installations, heating, cooling,

boiler and gas, new builds, renovations, small commercial work, and replacement work.

Dixie Cups

The Dixie Cups icecream shop and café in downtown Kamsack has officially changed hands as of March 1. The new owners say they intend to keep the Dixie Cups name and most

of the current employees will remain on staff.

The turnkey business was purchased by Yorkton couple, Priya Sinha and Guarav Thakur from previous owner, Matt Kutsak, of Fort Qu’Appelle. Kutsak is also the owner of Matt’s Furniture and a number of residential properties in

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Journ e yman s tyli s t L e xi Koroluk i s curr e ntly acc e pting n e w cli e nt s for services including haircuts for men, women, and children, beard trimming, hair colour, scalp massag e , conditioning treatments, up-do styling, perms, shampoo-blowouts, and eyelash extensions

Entrepreneurs opened businesses last year

Continued from Page 16

Stepping into the Kamsack business community, Sinha and Thakur both have master’s

degrees in business administration. As a majority stakeholder, Sinha received support from the Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK)

organization with partial funding from their Western Diversification program. She plans to manage the business

Continued on Page 18

Priya Sinha (left) and Guarav Thakur (right) recently celebrated their purchase of Kam s ack’s Dixie Cup s along with the s on of the previou s owner, Travi s Kutsak (centre) who handed over the keys to the business, on behalf of his father, Matt Kutsak, on March 1.

Continued from Page 17 – leaving all of the favourites on the menu, including burgers, pizza, and

26 flavours of ice-cream. In time, Sinha hopes to add a few special items to the list that showcase her

businesses last

Indian heritage cooking skills.

“I have always loved to cook,” said Sinha. “This

has been a dream of mine – to create a place where people can get together for a coffee and a chat,

enjoy good food and good company. Now that restrictions have lifted, we are very excited to restore

the tables and chairs and invite people to come down to enjoy the return of the dine-in option.”

How small business owners can create an exit plan

Continued from Page 10 ensure a smooth transition. A target date gives those who will be assuming leadership roles time to reorganize staff so the

business continues without missing a beat once the change at the top goes into effect. Target dates also give staff ample time to learn and prepare for

new roles they may move into once the new leadership takes over.

• Welcome feedback. Soliciting feedback from those who will be

affected by the exit plan increases the chances of a more successful transition once the target date arrives. This also gives owners a chance to gauge potential successors’ interest in taking the reins. Some potential successors may prefer to stay in their current roles, and

owners should not assume that everyone aspires to be head honcho.

• Make the plan known. Once the exit plan has been established and all affected parties have accepted it, business owners can make it known to the rest of the company. This helps everyone prepare

for the transition, which should make things go more smoothly for owners’ successors.

Exit plans can help small business owners step away with the confidence that the fruits of their labors will continue to be harvested for years to come.

Improve cyber security at home or work

Continued from Page 11

Use the highest level of security

For applications that connect to the Internet such as browsers, social media, email clients, etc., use the highest level of security setting that will still offer the functionality you need.

Be aware of mobile threats, too Many firms enable employees to use their own mobile devices to access company information.

IT professionals cannot monitor security settings on mobile devices, and it’s best to restrict access to very secure data when

accessed remotely.

Cyber security has become a concern for large and small businesses, as well as individuals who rely heavily on the Internet. But there are some simple and effective ways to protect networks and personal devices from cyber criminals.

Improving productivity at the office

Productivity is paramount to a company’s success.

A productive staff tends to meet or even exceed its goals, strengthening a company along the way. As a result, business owners often find themselves looking for ways to increase productivity, which could be lagging for a number of reasons.

Though lack of morale is often assumed to be the reason behind a lack of productivity among staff, such an assumption is not always accurate. Poor productivity might be a byproduct of the office environment, which could be suffering. The following are a handful of steps business owners concerned about staff productivity can take to address those concerns and get their organizations back on the right track.

Upgrade hardware

Thanks to the prevalence of technology, men and women have grown accustomed to getting what they need and want a lot faster than the days of yore. For example, the social networking tool Twitter has revolutionized the way many people get their news. Top stories are now broken on Twitter, which has the ability to instantly share newsworthy items that once were relegated to nightly news broadcasts or morning newspapers.

Many people have grown accustomed to that immediacy, so a lack of immediacy can be frustrating. Business owners should keep that in mind when examining their hardware. Older computers, for example, are considerably slower than newer models, and older machinery can compromise productivity and frustrate employees.

Upgrading employee hardware can help business owners improve efficiency and productivity and make for a happier, less frustrated workforce.

Look into lighting

Lighting can have a significant impact on employee productivity. Adequate lighting helps employees stay alert throughout the workday, while poor lighting can cause fatigue as the day progresses.

If the office is dimly lit, upgrade lighting fixtures, even installing more fixtures in areas that are especially dark.

Help employees hone their skills

Employees who feel as though they have reached a plateau and opportunities to advance their careers have all but dried up are less likely to be productive than those who feel they can continue to move up within a company.

In such instances, employee morale needs to be addressed, even if there are no immediate promotions to be had. Business owners may improve that morale by helping employees hone their skills, be it paying for coursework that allows them to improve existing skills or sending them to seminars where they can learn more about their field. Such efforts are relatively inexpensive investments for employers, but they show employees that their companies are willing to invest in them. Such gestures can improve morale and productivity.

Set targets and follow up on them

A sleepy office environment or low employee morale are not always behind lower productivity. In some

instances, employees simply need to have goals set for them in order to improve their productivity.

Goals should be realistic but not too simple to achieve, as poorly set goals can give employees the wrong impression. When tasked with meeting easy targets, some employees may think their employer does not have much confidence in their abilities, while others may embrace easy goals and use them as an excuse to be unproductive. So while goals should be realistic, they also should inspire employees to do their best.

Once targets have been established, don’t forget to follow up and ensure progress is being made. Setting targets but failing to follow up on employee progress can produce an environment in which employees feel as though their efforts are not valued.

Encourage employee input

Determining why productivity is sagging is not always so easy. But many times employees themselves are a business’ best resource with regard to identifying why things have taken a turn for the worse.

Business owners can create an environment in which employees know their input is valued. If necessary, instruct department managers to conduct monthly meetings with staff to address issues such as work flow, teamwork and responsibility.

During these meetings, which can be valuable during periods of low or even exceptional productivity, managers can solicit suggestions from employees about improving productivity and efficiency.

Help

remember

Have an ancestor that fought in a war? We’re looking for write-ups and photos of local veterans for our Remembrance Day feature, coming out on Thursday, November 10.

We’d need the submissions by Monday, October 31 Email to: dtasa@canoracourier.com, Subject line: Remembrance Day Drop it off at our office at: 1st Ave. E, Canora, SK Mail to: Box 746, Canora, SK, S0A 0L0

OBITUARIES

DEALS

OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES

Horkoff, Adeline ElizabethSeptember 3, 1953 - October7, 2022, after a short battle with cancer, Adeline passed away at the age of 69 years, at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon with her family by her side. Adeline was born the 4th of 12 children, to Karl and Mary Stein (nee Petryk) at the Preeceville Hospital. After completing her elementary schooling in a school just outside of Hazel Dell, she continued her education at the Sturgis High School where she graduated from grade twelve. After this, she went on to Saskatoon to complete a course at the Kelsey Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Food Services Management Technology. After graduation, Adeline worked at several jobs cooking in restaurants in Saskatoon. Her final job in the city was at Smitty’s Restaurant in the MidTown Mall. She met Danny Horkoff at a wedding in Kamsack, where she moved shortly after. Adeline and Danny were married on July 30th 1977. She moved to the farm where in 1980 they were blessed with their first daughter, Lindsay. In 1982 Kurtis was born and in 1984 Shaina arrived. After raising her children for a few years, she got a job in Eaglestone Lodge and cooked there for eight years. Adeline quit her job and went back to work on the farm to help her husband. She enjoyed gardening and looking after her fishpond. Adeline enjoyed cooking and treating friends and family to her tasty meals. One would never leave the house without having a cup of coffee or a snack. She enjoyed sewing, working at different crafts and took much pride in looking after the yard. It had to be perfect. She loved visiting her family in Hazel Dell and neighbours and friends in the district. Lindsay and Shaina meant the world to her and she visited them as often as possible. Adeline and Danny traveled to several beautiful places; Dominican Republic, Florida, Cuba, Hawaii and on a cruise ship to Mexico. She also traveled to Europe with her sister, brother-in-law and niece. The most memorable trip was to Lindsay’s wedding in the Dominican Republic. Adeline never forgot any family birthdays and Christmas was her favourite holiday of the year. She made sure to give her birthday wishes by phoning or sending a card. She leaves to cherish her memory; her husband Danny, daughters; Lindsay (Trevor) Westlake, Shaina Horkoff (Philip Magee), mother Mary Stein, brothers; Jim Stein, Richard (Sonia) Stein, Mike Stein, sisters; Dolly Trohak, Margaret (Gus) Mansuy, Patricia Way, Elsie (George) Bihun, Brenda Stein, Nancy (Wade) Fisher, Wendy Stein, Cindy Stein and many nieces and nephews. Adeline is predeceased by her son Kurtis in infancy, father Karl Stein and brother-in-laws Jim Trohak and Timothy Way and by father-in-law George Horkoff and mother-in-law Mildred Horkoff. Funeral Service was held October 15 from the OCC Hall, Kamsack, with Nadia Reiben officiating. Interment followed at the Riverview Cemetery. Those who so desire may make memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society as gifts of remembrance. To leave a note of condolence for the family, please visit Wolkowski.ca

PRAYER CORNER

OSTAFICHUK, Carol - It is with deep sadness and love that we mourn the passing of Carol Ostafichuk on October 08, 2022, at the age of 85 years. Carol was born to Laddie and Delma (Hallick) Jondle on September 17, 1937, the fifth of nine children, into an active and loving household. She attended Liverpool School which was conveniently located right across the road from their home. Thereafter, she completed the remainder of her education at Sturgis Composite High School before moving to Saskatoon for Nurse’s Assistant training at Kelsey Institute. Carol returned to the area once she secured employment at the Canora Hospital; she had many interesting stories about living in the nurses’ residence there. Carol met Andrew Ostafichuk during that time, and after a lengthy courtship, they married on July 20, 1963, and moved to the Ostafichuk family farm which became their lifelong home. Carol gave up nursing to raise their three daughters, but after that hiatus, she decided to enter the workforce once again. When the Norquay Health Centre opened their new, long term care facility, Carol was hired as a special care aid where she worked until her retirement. Though Carol’s farm was no longer the busy place it once was, and she lived alone on the yard once Andrew passed, she truly loved it there and was determined to stay in her home as long as she could. However, once her illness progressed, she moved to Yorkton Crossing where she resided for three years before being accepted to Canora Gateway Lodge. We are very grateful for the wonderful care and attention she received at both homes. Carol always adored her pets. Her love of animals began at a young age, with her horse, Babe and Border Collie, Rusty who ran the trails beside her horse and sometimes caught a ride along with her. There were many others over the years, but Chester and her dog Buddy were the most dear to her, and she developed a bond with them, as they were her companions and comfort when she lived on the farm alone. Buddy had his own special spot on the sofa beside her while she watched her favorite TV shows or played solitaire. Carol was also an avid reader, and though she didn’t have much opportunity between working full time and preparing meals for the farm employees, she would always find a few minutes for a good book and a cup of coffee.Carol loved gardening, and always grew bountiful vegetable crops. We always questioned why she would plant so much but knew she took more pleasure in sharing her harvest with others, than keeping any for herself. She was proud of her apple trees and loved berry picking, too. Carol was an amazing cook who had a knack for making delicious meals with simple ingredients. She made the best brownies and always had a cake at the ready, just in case. Weekend mornings meant waffles and her homemade syrup, something her granddaughters missed when Carol moved to Yorkton. Carol loved music, and though she didn’t have any formal piano lessons, she could play by ear. Even in her later years, she enjoyed sitting at the piano to play some of the old hymns she learned when she was young. Music was simply part of her and became a source of both comfort and joy in her golden years. Before anything else, Carol was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her kind, caring, quiet nature and her selflessness, made her special, as did her wit and infectious laughter. We are grateful she was with us until her eighty-fifth year; her life was a blessing. Carol is predeceased by her husband, Andrew; her parents, Laddie and Delma; her siblings: Douglas Jondle, Ladimer Jondle, Lynwood Jondle, Barbara Lenecyk (George), Margorie Britton (Wilfred) and their son Lyle, Yvonne Thompson, and Sharon Jondle. Carol is survived by her daughters, Arlene Prestie (Clifford), Ellen Ostafichuk, and Denise Sanders; two granddaughters, Sydney Sanders and Emily Prestie; and a sister, Marylou Martsinkiw (Reg); as well as many nieces and nephews. A Public Visitation was held between 3:00-5:00 p.m., Friday, October 14, 2022, from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK. A Private Service and Committal followed at Stoney Creek Cemetery, between Stenen and Hyas, SK, with Shawna Leson as certified celebrant. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Canora Gateway Lodge Auxiliary, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Carol Ostafichuk. Family and friends are invited to sign an online guestbook at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON’S FUNERAL HOME, Canora, SK.

CARD OF THANKS

CARD OF THANKS

Thank You

The Kamsack & District Nursing Home would like to thank Martin Cash of Kamsack, Sk. for the gracious donation of pictures to the facility, and Ashley Cornish of Inglis, Mb. and Lorraine Young of Langenburg, Sk. for the abundant donations of pumpkins.

OBITUARIES

RAUCKMAN, Natalie Born July 21, 1930 - October 3, 2022 aged 92 years. Natalie was born July 21, 1930 in Norquay, SK., she passed away on October 3, 2022 at age of 92 at the Kamsack District Nursing Home. She was the youngest of nice children born to Nick and Pearl Cherewryk (Nee Andrusiak). Mom grew up on the family farm south of Norquay. She finished high school in Yorkton at Sacred Heart and went on to teachers college or normal school they called it back then. She started teaching in the country school system, ending at Doyle school which is when and where she met Dad, she married Donald Rauckman in 1954. They went on to farm and raise five sons before she went back teaching in 1969. Mom liked her garden, loved her flowers so the yard and house were always full of them. She really enjoyed family gatherings when they would start singing and telling jokes in Ukrainian. After mom and dad moved to Kamsack she spent her retirement years visiting and enjoying life and taking care of us grown up kids and her grandkids. She leaves to mourn her passing her sons Keith (Lori), Tim, Howard (Nikki), Wayne, Russell, grandchildren Kelsey, Michelle, Natalie, Mandee, Bobbie, Mathew, Brandon, Scott, Jason, Jon and Pat. sister-inlaw Pat (Ray) Galye, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, brothers and sister-in-laws Steve and Mary Cherewryk, Andrew and Ida Cherewryk, sisters and brothers-in-law Olga and Bill Sweystun, Mary and Mike Stychyshyn, Anne (Sister Onysima), Angela and Lawrence (Bud) McMullen, Julia and Joe LeVerne, Matilda and Sam Kyba daughter-in-law Annette, brother and sister in laws Glen and Florence Rauckman and Wes and Aylmer Rauckman. Funeral Service was held October 8, 2022 from the chapel of Wolkowski Funeral Service, Kamsack with Father Joakim Rac officiating. Interment followed at Riverview Cemetery. Donations in memory of Natalie may be to Kamsack Nursing Home Auxiliary. To leave a note of condolence for the family please visit wolkowski.ca

FARM SERVICES

FOR SALE - MISC

PROPERTY FOR SALE BY TENDER In Ogema, SK Lot 7, Block 16A, Plan FM3411. 303 Taylor Street Ogema, SK Tender close October 28, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

Highest, or any tender, will not necessarily be accepted

For More Information Please Contact Town of Ogema 204 Main Street Ogema, Sask Phone: (306) 459-9000 Email: admin@ogema.ca

COMING EVENTS

AUCTIONS

FARM AUCTION for D&H Irwin. 3

Quarters Land including Home Quarter. Equipment - Case IH Tractor & Combine, Bobcat, Trail-

& more! Bidding closes October 30. Grasswoodauctions.com

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.

HEALTH SERVICES

Throwback Thursday

(EDITOR’S NOTE: These items were originally printed in the July 14, 1988 issue of the Kamsack Times.)

Members of the Arran High School graduating class of 1988 were, from left: Constance Burtnack, Christine Kalanchey, James Nicklefork, Johanne Ferder and Cheryl Krochak.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

LAND FOR SALE

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Saskatchewan born and raised, I know land, farming and farmland and can help

every step of the way.

Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com

FOR RENT

Members of the Kamsa ck Doukhobor choir who performed during the Heritage Day celebration at the National Doukhobor Heritage Village in Veregin, from left, were: (back row) P.M. Kazakoff, John Cazakoff, Jim Barisoff, Alex Zubenkoff, Sam Kazakoff and Paul Kazakoff, and (front) Dora Horkoff, Mary Zubenkoff, Ann Zarchikoff, Polly Strukoff, Betsy Popoff, Doris Gnyp and Mary Vereschagin.

It was books, books and more boxes of books at the Crowstand Centre in Kamsack where the Kamsack history book committee members were distributing copies of Spinning Stories: A Woven History . Among those to peruse copies of the history book were Vernice Walker and Russell Murdock.

The main speakers at an official signing ceremony in Kamsack for the agreement constituting the Assiniboine Plains Rural Development Corporation, from left, were: (top) Paul Chermcora of Hyas, chairman; Neil Hardy, minister of rural development, and (bottom) Rod Johnson of Norquay, secretary, and Rod Gardner of Kamsack, Pelly Constituency MLA.

Among the elements of the Doukhobors’ past recreated during Heritage Day at the National Doukhobor Heritage Village in Veregin was the pulling of a plough by 12 women, dressed in traditional clothing and from neighbouring Doukhobor societies.

Bug out: The war effort is on in full force

By Kaare Askildt

We have a maple tree in our yard, but we do not tap it to make maple syrup from the sap. However, we are inundated by bugs called Maple Bugs or Boxelder

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

EQUIPMENT

bugs. They dwell and multiply in small crevices in the bark of the maple tree, but the cold winter will kill them all. They are harmless but a nuisance as they attempt to survive by crawling into our house by any way possible.

Camp job;

Send

Bryden

Fax: 306-769-8844

brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca

andtransport.ca

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AG Equipment Techs, Heavy Equipment Techs - Journeyman, Apprentices, and CVIP/Truck Techs. View Open Roles www.rockymtn.com/careers. Relocation and

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We first noticed the bugs inside our house, when I accidentally stepped on one, and the bug must have emitted a call for help, because I saw four bugs scurrying across the floor with a small gurney, picked up the squished bug and hauled it away. That must have caused some of the outside bugs to have a meeting in their war room with all their top brass, who then decided to declare war on us. They came at us in hoards.

But alas, it was a losing battle for the bugs, as they had nothing to fight off our vacuum cleaner with, other than sending in wave after wave of reinforcements. The bug generals took up battle positions in our kitchen, dining room and living room, but after a drastic loss of bug warriors, they declared a détente. They needed to reorganize the war effort. Our dog Lady joined the fight and gobbled up a lot of them, only to convulse while disposing of the dead bugs outside.

I guess we could call for help from Arnold Schwarzenegger the (ex) terminator, but that might

be too much muscle. Instead, we went on the Internet and found a recipe for a homemade spray solution to get rid of the nuisance bugs. Marion has been playing the role of Arnold and has had great result with our homemade stuff. She disintegrated a couple of outside maple bug colonies. One of our neighbours saw Marion spraying.

“Maple bug spray eh?” asked the neighbour. “Is it good for the maple bugs?”

“No, not really,” answered Marion, “it kills them!”

Ole and Sven were at Moe’s Bottoms Up Bar and Grille. They were enjoying the barbecue chicken leg/ thigh combo, with shots of Akevitt chased with Moe’s special lager.

“A young chap at work just put up a sign on the office message board,” said Ole. “It read: WANTED –Large amounts of rats, mice and maple bugs.”

“Wow!” said Sven, “what’s that all about?”

“I asked that question too,” said Ole, “and he told me that he’s moving out, and according to his rental agreement he has to leave the house in the same condition it was when he moved in.”

Knut walked in and joined them for blueberry pie dessert with a dollop of ice cream and St. Halvard liqueur and coffee.

“At our family gathering last weekend,” said Knut, “an old uncle of mine with a strange sense of humour told the following story. A fly feels a bug on its back. ‘Hey bug on my back, are you a mite?’ asked the fly. ‘I mite be,’ giggled the mite.

‘That’s the worst pun I’ve ever heard,’ groaned the fly. ‘What do you expect?’ asked the mite, ‘I came up with it on the fly!’”

Moe joined them for another round of St. Halvard and coffee.

“Did you know?” asked Ole, “that all web developers hate finding bugs in their work!”

“Yes,” said Sven, “except spiders!”

“I was out driving with my wife last Sunday,” said Moe. “We were cruising along the lake drive when a bug went splat against the windshield. My wife looked at me and said that she bet he doesn’t have the guts to do that again!”

They enjoyed the St. Halvard and coffee, and Ole looked at them with a smile on his lips.

“What’s with the smirk?” asked Knut.

“I heard a report last night about a bad outbreak of the stomach flu in Saskatoon. It seems nine out of 10 people suffered from diarrhea. So, I got thinking about the 10th person who apparently enjoyed it!”

Polly Karnitsky of Kamsack entertained the Heritage Day audience at Veregin by singing a number of humorous songs she had written.

Flu shots and COVID vaccines, Thanksgiving volunteers and a plea for better wages

Kathy Wishnevetsky, the special care aide manager at Eaglestone Lodge, and her staff are now looking after 28 full-care residents, says the Lodge’s October newsletter.

Wishnevetsky is currently contacting families to ask if the residents they support can receive a flu shot and/or the new COVID-19 vaccine that targets the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants, the newsletter said. Staffing continues to be a challenge. Two new employees have been hired but two are leaving for other jobs.

Eaglestone’s board of directors will interview four candidates for the executive director position, it said. Three interviews are scheduled for Oct. 17 and the final interview will take place close to this date.

“We hope to introduce the new executive in charge of business affairs in November.”

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Kamsack branch, are gearing up for an Oct. 19 party at Eaglestone Lodge, it said. Legion members, some of them in costumes, will treat the residents with cake, ice cream and Halloween goodies.

The temporary disruption of services at the Kamsack Hospital continues. Effective Sept. 19, emergency services are provided from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. X-ray services are provided by appointment only.

SARCAN has made it easy for anyone wishing to donate money received for their redeemable bottles and cans to the Lodge, it said.

JOB OPPORTUNITY JANITOR

Kamsack Housing Authority is accepting applications for the position of janitor. This contracted position is permanent part-time with flexible hours. Duties include: general cleaning, washing windows, dusting, vacuuming, etc.

This position reports directly to the Kamsack Housing Board and Manager. Interested applicants may direct any questions to Holly Hudye, Kamsack Housing Authority Manager at 306-594-7990 or 306-542-2383.

Applications must be made in writing and addressed to: Kamsack Housing Authority Box 1297, Kamsack, Sask., SOA 150

Attention: Holly Hudye

Application deadline is Nov. 4th, 2022

“Just tell the SARCAN attendant you are donating and give them the Lodge’s email address: eaglestone@ sasktel.net.

“The proceeds will be e-transferred to Eaglestone Lodge, giving you another reason to feel good about recycling.”

Kamsack’s Royal Canadian Legion is hosting a weekly garage sale for Eaglestone Lodge in which one may drop by any Saturday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to see what’s for sale.

“You can stay for a game of bingo.”

As Eaglestone approaches its capacity of 30 full-care residents, it’s time to remind the community that more volunteers are required to serve on the board of directors, the newsletter says. “Executive and other positions will be open at the 2023 annual general meeting, so please consider getting involved.”

For the Thanksgiving dinner, “Tricia baked the cabbage rolls and then stayed to help serve the

dinner. Annette and Rose also showed up to help serve and clean up,” it said. “The residents all loved the dinner of roast turkey, cabbage rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing and honeyed carrots and pumpkin tarts.

“These three women, Eaglestone Lodge employees, were not on the clock. This was all volunteered help,” it said. “We can all be thankful for small acts of kindness.”

“Eaglestone Lodge - A Place That Cares” print advertisements have recently been placed in The Kamsack Times, The Canora Courier, The Preeceville Progress, Yorkton This Week, The Marketplace and the October edition of the Senior Living magazine.

Linda Ruf of Rhein won the $2,500 cash prize of the 50/50 raffle on Oct. 10. Staff member Tammy Cruz sold the most tickets and will receive a gift basket of Watkins products and a frozen turkey donated by the board of directors. Proceeds from the cash raffle will go toward

improvements at the lodge.

On Oct. 1, Saskatchewan’s minimum wage increased from $11.81 to $13.00 per hour, Doug Elsasser, Lodge board secretary, said in the newsletter. The minimum wage will go up another dollar per hour next Oct. 1 and land at $15/hour in 2024.

“The workforce at Eaglestone Lodge is not well paid. Under the most recent contract negotiated with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which expired at the end of August, starting wages were below $14/hour,” Elsasser said.

“Employee benefits, such as Eaglestone’s contributions to the Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, the Workers’ Compensation Board, the Saskatchewan Pension Plan, vacation leave, sick pay and the Dental Plan, add another 30 per cent to the monthly payroll. While these benefits provide some security, many employees, especially commuters, are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

“During the last federal

election campaign, much was said about national standards for long-term care homes. The federal Liberals said that workers in long-term care facilities are underpaid and vowed to do something about it. We are still waiting. The provincial government continues to help low-income seniors with its Personal Care Home Benefit, but this benefit, a ‘top up’ payment if other pension income is below $2,000/ month, has been stagnant for many years.

“An obvious solution would be to raise fees paid by Eaglestone residents and pass the money along to our employees,” Elsasser said. “A fee increase of 10 per cent took effect in June 2021, so another large rent increase at this time is unlikely.

“Whomever is selected as Eagelstone’s new executive director will be challenged to increase revenue and pay higher wages to our deserving workers,” he said. “Let’s all get behind this person and make higher wages a goal that everyone can strive for.”

Volunteers key cogs in health care: SHA

SASKTODAY.ca

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) volunteer services team is looking for volunteers to assist staff, patients, clients, families and visitors in its acute care facilities, long-term care homes and community programs.

Support care in your community by volunteering

to help host recreational and pet support programs, assist patients navigating through acute care settings, or support local Meals on Wheels programs, the SHA urges.

“Prior to the pandemic, the SHA had a strong volunteer base,” said Bernie Doepker, SHA’s director of Volunteer Services. “As

with every sector, we are in the rebuilding phase for our volunteer team. We are asking people to consider volunteering with one of our programs across the SHA as we work together to improve health and well-being, every day, for everyone.”

The SHA is recruiting volunteers provincially and

has a range of different positions available. Volunteer shifts typically range from two to four hours, and most programs require volunteers to come in a minimum of two times per month. Interested volunteers are encouraged to match available volunteer positions to their skills, interests, experiences, and availability.

AUCTIONEERS

Main St., Norquay

Todd Bobyk

Chainsaw art evolves into life-altering career

Kenton Hull of Preeceville has a unique talent of creating chainsaw animals and creatures that has evolved over the past eight years to include life-like sasquatches, elk figures and large bear carvings.

The most creative and challenging of all his art projects was a lost angel wood carving that will be placed at Keesekoose First Nation band office in memory of all the lives lost in unmarked graves of residential schools. “It was a very physical and mental project for me with a lot of care to details and mentally knowing what it would stand for. I was very honoured to be able to create a beautiful piece of art that will be showcased for years to come,” said Hull.

Hull’s passion for art began at an early age with sketching drawings onto paper.

“I picked up the art of

using a chainsaw to carve and create animals out of wood eight years ago,” said Hull.

“My first attempt was a bear that looked OK but definitely showed me that I needed to make some adjustments,” he said.

Hull uses spruce logs that are cut into 20-inch diameter size. He uses spruce trees that have already fallen, which

helps to recycle the trees. He uses a design pattern for the first cut and then switches to free-hand carving, shaping and etching to make his creation come to life. It takes Hull approximately eight hours from start to finish for a project.

Over time he has upgraded tools and different types of wood to create bigger custom requests.

Hull uses special small

The most creative and challenging of all Kenton Hull’s creations with his chainsaw was a lost angel wood carving that will be placed at Keesekoose First Nation band office in memory of all the lives lost in unmarked graves of residential schools.

tips on the chainsaw to create all the features except the eyes for the animals which he orders online. Each project is painted or stained and oiled to help preserve the finished piece.

“I find the time I spend creating projects very relaxing and the way the projects turn out makes me feel very proud of a job well done,” he said. “Now with my big shop I can spend more time in the winter months creating my art.”

Throughout his eight years he has created bears, owls and picnic tables. He has also done custom projects for community individuals.

Flu shot clinics now open

Saskatchewan residents

residents six months

of age and older are eligible to get a free influenza vaccine every year.

Residents will also have the

convenience of receiving their flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same appointment again this year.

“According to Health Canada, flu vaccines are proven to be safe and can be given at the same time as other vaccines,” Saskatchewan Health Authority COVID-19 Immunization Co-Chief Dr. Tania Diener said. “No additional safety risks or adverse events following immunization have been

identified by simultaneous administration of these vaccines.”

Flu shots will be administered at public health clinics, local pharmacies and some physician and nurse practitioner offices.

Children aged six months to five years can only be immunized at a SHA public flu clinic, public health office, or by a physician or nurse practitioner. Only select physicians’ offices offer influenza and/

“I have expanded into many more projects, taking on larger items that require more time and definitely a steady hand. The more I create projects, each

with different difficulties, I build more confidence in my work. It has been a learning process but I love creating and sharing my art with everyone,” he said.

or COVID-19 vaccines.

“I’ll be getting my flu shot this week to protect myself and my loved ones and I encourage all Saskatchewan people to do the same,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in a release. “Reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses prevents unnecessary pressures on our health care system.”

All residents 65 years of age and older are eligible to receive the Fluzone HighDose influenza vaccine this

year for the first time.

For the most up-to-date information on dropin clinic times and locations and to make a booking, visit www.4flu. ca. Individual or group bookings can also be made by telephone at 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829).

For further information on influenza symptoms and when to seek care, call HealthLine 811 or visit www.4flu.ca.

Kenton Hull, left, and his wife Allyson Hull posed for a photograph in front of his chainsaw art creations.

Kenton Hull of Preeceville has a natural talent for creating unique chainsaw figures which has evolved into a wide variety of designs.

Kenton Hull of Preeceville showcased his chain saw art at the Sturgis Sports Day. Many were amazed that stopped by to watch him create a piece of art.