Kamsack Times 2022-12-08

Town council deals with business community’s concerns

Addressing concerns of representatives of Kamsack’s business community, a snow policy and the end of $100 adjoining lots were among items to concern town council at its regular meetings in November.

After meeting with 15 members of the community’s business community during its regular meeting of Nov. 14, council agreed to meet with their representatives on Nov. 29.

The group had told council that increased enforcement is needed on main street and council approved its

administration to present a business case to the Ministry of Corrections and Policing, which is the first step of the approval process for a Community Safety Officer (CSO) program in Kamsack.

As explained in a press release in the Saskatchewan Government website, under the CSO program, any Saskatchewan community can apply to hire Community Safety Officers which will allow communities to address low-risk to harm, highpriority policing needs.

“CSOs will help meet

needs including traffic and liquor enforcement, bylaw enforcement, and serve as a crime prevention community liaison,” the release said. “Introducing CSOs will free up the RCMP and municipal police to focus on higher impact needs in participating communities.

“The CSO program will be a feasible way for rural municipalities to address some priority policing needs they have identified, especially those in the high-growth areas of the province.”

It was said that CSO appointments can provide

for the enforcement of several Acts, including those dealing with traffic safety, alcohol and gaming regulations, environmental management and protection, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, cannabis control, highways and transportation, mental health service, trespass to properties and tobacco. They may attend property offences and search and rescue operations.

At the meeting with representatives of the business community on Nov. 29, the possibility of establishing a Citizens on Patrol group was also

discussed.

A community led, police supported crime prevention and crime reduction program, Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) has been in existence for decades, said information from the program. All COPP volunteers patrol in pairs with their personal vehicles or on foot and are in direct contact with the RCMP detachment members who are on duty. They are on the lookout for any suspicious or criminal activity, to record the activity and, where appropriate, to report it to the RCMP.

“The COPP is another

set of eyes and ears for their community and their detachment, which assist in preventing and reducing crime,” it said.

After updating the Town’s snow policy, council, saying that snow being placed on town property had been an ongoing issue within the community, decided to leave the snow and ice removal bylaw as it is, which basically states that no snow is to be dumped on town property. Council was told that two snow fields are being created in the community, one at the end of Stewart

Rowan Babchishin of Canora found a cute character in a Christmas-decorated sleigh at the Kamsack Craft and Multicultural event Nov. 27, and had a hard time keeping his hands off the toyʼs carrot-like nose. See more photos on Page

Bring in your vehicle for a peace of mind all point winter inspection and be prepared for old man winter!

Agribition wraps Saturday with strong sales numbers reported

BY JOHN CAIRNS SaskToday

REGINA - The Canadian Western Agribition wrapped up Saturday after a successful return to normalcy following a pandemic restriction-filled past two years.

The crowds were back at the REAL District venue, with Agribition welcoming people interested in the livestock industry and agriculture from across Canada, as well as an estimated 1,200 international guests from 63 countries.

At the wrap-up news conference Saturday morning, Canadian Western Agribition President Kim Hextall provided some numbers on what transpired during the week with cattle sales.

Total sales as of Saturday morning stood at $1.67 million which is above their sales in 2020 and 2021. That number was set to go up with another auction that day. The average price per live animal sold was at $15,000.

At the Speckle Park sale on Wednesday, a cow was sold to Australia for $48,000 and a heifer calf has sold for $30,000.

At the Solid Gold Limousin sale on Wednesday, sales topped at $40,000 for a heifer calf and $32,500 for a cow, with both

TOWN

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE Street and the other just off the road to the golf course. Those snow fields are to be used by contractors or residents, wishing to deposit snow.

Effective Jan. 1, council decided that the cost to purchase an adjoining lot will change from $100 to the current tax base. Currently the tax base is $1,000, although that amount may change at the next budget.

going to Texas. Other highlights included a Charolais cow selling for a high of $49,000 and a calf for $41,000. Herefords topped their sale for $25,000, and an Angus bred heifer sold for $37,000 on Friday.

“Those are really fantastic numbers,” said Hextall, who said it “just goes to show that people are really interested in the genetics they’re coming here and buying.”

CWA CEO Shaun Kindopp was delighted with how the week went in terms of people coming back. Final attendance figures weren’t immediately available, but it will be up from last year’s pandemic attendance.

“Prior to 9 a.m. yesterday we reached full 2021 attendance, which is beyond exciting. We’re very proud. You never know what happens after a pandemic,” said Kindopp. He also noted three of four nights had sold out for the rodeo.

“Agribition’s back and we truly feel it,” said Kindopp. “With the livestock numbers being back, the international being back, the guests being back, Agribition truly is back and we’re super excited.”

The numbers were achieved in spite of the return of the “famous” Agribition weather. There were cold temperatures

A 2005 Sterling Acterra S/A dump truck was purchased for $37,850 plus taxes.

Council ratified an agreement negotiated with the RM of Cote for maintenance of the gravel roads leading to the landfill and to the water treatment plant.

It was agreed to offer two scholarships of $500 each for students at Parkland College, based on the same criteria as had been used last year.

A decision regarding

and snow during the week but it didn’t stop people from coming, including the many school groups and kids that came through to see the multitude of animals.

There was an announcement made Saturday morning about next year’s show. Kindopp said in 2023, Agribition will be hosting the Canadian Animal AgTech Awards.

“It’s something we’re very excited about, because animal AgTech is on the rise all across the world,” said Kindopp. “It’s super cool… I never thought when I was talking with my inlaws that you would be able to be able to not have a fence and keep your cattle contained, but that’s the way technology has progressed. We are proud, so we want to be able to give them a home and we think that that home is no better than being at Agribition.”

There were a few highlights on the schedule for the final day, including the annual Agribition Beef Supreme at the Chevrolet GMC Arena.

It was another sellout crowd for the final night of the Maple Leaf Finals Pro Rodeo at the Brandt Centre, followed by the second night of the Party on the Dirt Cabaret, which was also sold out.

the purchase of camera surveillance equipment was tabled until further information could be obtained.

Approval was granted for Miranda Reilkoffleis and Scott Reilkoff to purchase Lots 15, Block 09, Plan Z5755 and consolidate them with Lot 14, Block 09, Plan Z5755.

Council accepted information provided by S/ Sgt. Doug Macdougall, district commander of the Southwest district of the RCMP.

It was agreed that council will begin the process of working with Prairie Wild Consulting in 2023.

Founded in 1995,

Prairie Wild Consulting Co. is a comprehensive community and regional planning, development and community-based research firm based out of Saskatoon, said information from its website. “Simply put – we strive to help prepare communities for the future.

“We have two key aspects to the work we do as an interdisciplinary team. First, we conduct applied research and develop participatory engagement tools to help communities in shaping their vision, objectives, policies and actions. Secondly, we develop technical tools and processes to help communities, regions and

community-based clients strive to achieve their vision.

“Prairie Wild is known for delivering uniquely tailored planning solutions to governments and civil society,” it said. “Grounded in the values of integrity, leadership, innovation and excellence, Prairie Wild and members of our company have received international, national and local recognition for our innovative community planning and engagement philosophy and approach.”

After reading a letter from Parkland College and Cumberland College regarding a proposed merger, council said it supports the merger and agreed to send an approval support

letter.

The Kamsack branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation was denied a discounted rate for use of the OCC Hall on Jan. 28.

In lieu of a Christmas basket, council agreed that Town staff be given Dec. 23 as a paid day off work and that $50 gift cards be purchased for members of the Kamsack Volunteer Fire Department.

Council approved payment of $4,879, which represented the Town’s five per cent share of the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation’s operating loss for 2021 and then decided to invite representatives of the Living Skies Housing Authority to a council meeting in the new year.

the story on Kamsack Pickleball players in last week’s issue of the Times, both Brenda and Warren Andrews, who are next door neighbours of the reporter who wrote the story and took the photos, were misidentified as Brenda and Warren Summers.

There were plenty of opportunities to see cattle at Agribition in Regina. – John Cairns

The alpacas were particularly popular with young people.

– John Cairns

Judge denies publication ban in Quewezance bail hearing

BY RYAN KIEDROWSKI

SaskToday

YORKTON – An application for a publication ban on a future hearing for two Saulteaux sisters convicted of murder has been rejected.

Justice Donald Layh released his 29-page decision on Nov. 29 at Court of King’s Bench, noting the importance of the case, saying in his introduction that the proceedings of Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance “…will surely be writ large in the annals of Saskatchewan’s prominent court cases.”

The sisters are seeking an interim release from custody with their hearing beginning on Jan. 17, 2023, pending the Justice Minister’s review of the application that claims the sisters were wrongfully convicted for the second-degree murder of Anthony Joseph Dolff on Feb. 25, 1993.

The Quewezance sisters and a cousin were at 70-year-old Dolff’s farm that day as invited guests. As a result of a dispute that occurred, “…Dolff met a violent death,” as Layh explained in his decision. Police took the Quewezance sisters into custody after discovering the murder, and a

number of statements were taken.

“Current legal counsel for the Quewezance sisters now challenges how those statements were taken from young Indigenous women held in Kamsack cells, particularly in light of intervening case law proscribing the limits of voluntariness of an accused’s statement,” Layh noted in his decision.

Ultimately, a jury entered a guilty verdict to second degree murder for each sister, rejecting a conviction of manslaughter. Both Quewezance sisters should have been eligible for parole after 10 years, but that did not occur.

Last December, an application for a ministerial review of the conviction was made by the Quewezance sisters and their lawyer, James Lockyer. Justice Minister David Lametti responded to the application, noting “…it has been determined there may be a reasonable basis to conclude that a miscarriage of justice likely occurred in this matter.”

Initially, the release application for the Quewezance sisters was slated to begin Nov. 24. However, a request to obtain copies of materials

on the court file was made by APTN, and the Crown sought a publication ban as a result. The Nov. 24 court date turned into a hearing into whether or not a publication ban should be placed on further proceedings, with lawyers representing APTN and CBC in attendance - obviously opposing the ban.

The Crown’s main argument was that of trial fairness, that an untainted jury would possibly not be available without a publication ban should a new trial be ordered.

Layh noted in his decision that even if a new trial is ordered, it may not occur for up to four years, which he referred to as “…a distance that will dim most people’s memory.”

Layh balanced the question of risk in justifying a publication ban on further court proceedings, calling such risk “…scant and speculative.” He added that the entirety of the Quewezance sisters’ criminal proceedings have “…lain open for public inspection and reporting for nearly three decades.” With a multitude of media reports into the sisters’ case, the judge likened a publication ban

at this point to “…closing the barn door after the horse escaped.”

Layh also spoke to the public interest in wrongful conviction cases - a point Lockyer raised during the Nov. 24 hearing into a possible publication ban.

“Indeed, few criminal proceedings will engage the public interest more than someone alleging

they have been wrongfully convicted. The public is entitled to know the workings of the criminal justice system, including allegations of its frailties and fallibilities,” Layh stated, summarizing that he sees “…mainly deleterious effects if a publication ban were ordered…”

Lockyer was pleased with the outcome, saying “Justice Layh’s decision

-Ryan Kiedrowski

is an important step in the right direction for the sisters.”

When asked for comment, Public Prosecutions said they are “reviewing the decision and have nothing further to provide at this time.”

The bail hearing for the Quewezance sisters is slated for Jan. 17 and 18, 2023.

Police make second arrest in relation to murder of Cote teen

BY RYAN KIEDROWSKI SaskToday

KAMSACK – A second man has been arrested in relation to the Nov. 24 murder of a

16-year-old Cote male on the Keeseekoose First Nation.

Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes, along with consultation from

Crown Prosecution, continued to investigate the murder after arresting Edgar Kakakaway Jr., 19, on Nov. 23. He is facing charges of second

degree murder, assault causing bodily harm, and failure to comply with a condition.

On Nov. 29, police arrested Edgar

Lyle Kakakaway Sr., 41, of Kamsack without incident. The elder Kakakaway is charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.

Both men have made first appearances on their respective charges, and were scheduled to appear again on Dec. 6.

2022 winter weights are in effect in Saskatchewan

Winter weight season was to begin in all regions of Saskatchewan on Dec. 2.

Winter weights allow shippers to increase the weight of their loads on secondary highways to primary weight. This supports our exportbased economy by maximizing the efficiency of each truckload

and reducing costs for shippers.

Typically, winter weights begin on Nov. 16 each year and run through March 14.

Winter weights were delayed this year because a warmer-than-usual autumn meant it took additional time for the ground to freeze beneath secondary roads.

“Most of the food, fuel and fertilizer Saskatchewan produces is shipped around the globe,” Minister of Highways Jeremy Cockrill said in a release. “Winter weights benefit our shippers by permitting heavier loads without damaging the pavement. I’d like to thank truckers and shippers for

their patience while we waited for the ground to freeze.”

Winter temperatures freeze secondary roads, allowing them to support more weight without damaging the highways. Shippers and truckers benefit because they can ship more product on each truck, which can reduce their costs.

Municipal roads are the responsibility of each rural municipality, which set their own weight limits.

Commercial truckers and shippers are encouraged to check the status regularly at www.saskatchewan.ca/ truckingweights.

To find the latest road restriction orders online,

visit www.saskatchewan.ca, follow on Twitter @SkGovHwyHotline and look for #skweights or call the Hotline at 511.

For technical and regulatory information, commercial carriers may contact the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Inquiry Line weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-866-933-5290.

Attention hunters: get your animals tested for chronic wasting disease

As hunting season begins to wind down, please remember to drop off your animal heads for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing.

Testing is easy and free of charge. It is available for deer, elk, moose and caribou from any zone in the province, but the priority is for heads collected along the boreal fringe and

the eastern border. This includes wildlife management zones 2W, 9, 10, 35, 37, 50 and 55, which are specifically targeted due to a risk of the disease spreading in these areas.

CWD is a fatal and infectious central nervous system disease in cervid species that has no known cure. Last year, 644 submitted heads tested positive

- two moose, 16 elk, 167 white-tailed deer and 459 mule deer. The Government of Saskatchewan is providing funding towards research and development of a vaccine for chronic wasting disease (CWD) over the next five years in partnership with the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Conservation Association.

“Hunting has a long

and proud tradition in our province and we want to ensure our world-class resources are available for future generations,” Environment Minister Dana Skoropad said in a release. “That’s why it’s so important for hunters to submit samples for testing, especially in the targeted wildlife management zones. The results of

these tests help the ministry monitor the spread of CWD, as well as develop plans to manage it.”

Heads will be accepted for testing until Jan. 21, 2023. For more information, a complete list of drop-off sites and how to submit a sample for testing, visit: saskatchewan. ca/cwd.

Although no human

case of CWD has been documented, it is recommended to avoid eating or distributing the meat from animals that are known to be CWD positive. If an animal tests positive, the meat should be disposed of in an approved landfill and meat may be double-bagged and disposed of with household garbage in limited quantities.

Nerissa (left) and Odelia Quewezance spoke with reporters before a day in court to decide if a publication ban will be placed during their subsequent bail hearing.

Santa Claus, the star of Kamsack’s Santa Claus parade, was accompanied by Gerald Ignatiuk of Preeceville and Sandra MacDougall of Wadena. Ignatiuk and Wes Wirtz of Wadena operated the South Tundra Reindeer farm near Wadena and were often asked to accompany Santa on various pre-Christmas visits.

Greg Ashauer and his wife Tasha , who had been working at Meadow Lake and moved into Swan River, became the owners of Todd Plymouth Chrysler at Kamsack and Swan River, having acquired the business from Warren Todosichuk of Kamsack. The couple planned to continue doing business under the name of Redline Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Ltd.

Country music entertainer, JJ Voss was to return to the area in a Stars for Saskatchewan concert at the Kamsack Playhouse.

A red-tailed hawk was safely recovering in an animal clinic in Regina, thanks to Deb Mandzuk of Veregin who had discovered it injured in the snow north of Kamsack. She picked it up, fed it chicken bits in water and then took it to the animal clinic. *****

Brandon Whitehawk was the Kamsack senior flyers’ top scorer with nine goals and nine assists in six games played in the Fishing Lake Hockey League. *****

Nearly 30 students of the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute’s junior drama club had begun rehearsals for their next production entitled Seussical , a musical drama that pulled several Dr. Seuss characters into a cohesive story. The play was to be staged at the Kamsack Playhouse in February.

Among the persons who assisted in the kitchen at the Pelly Fellowship Chapel’s tea and bake sale were Vivian Anfinson and Margaret Wasalenko of Pelly and Mary Dyck of Norquay.

Agricultural education is more important than ever for all of us

In terms of education, I count myself among those who are a fan of the efforts of Agriculture in the Classroom.

While I am of an age where most kids had a close tie to farming, or at least a farm they would at least visit at times, today that is far from the case.

Now I don’t think it’s particularly necessary to know how to raise a chicken and collect eggs, those would be skills you simply won’t ever use – in Yorkton the city even rejected a request to allow for regulated backyard laying hens based on concerns from the Protective Services Commission.

And therein is why you might at least want to know where eggs come from and how farmers make sure we have safe eggs to eat, because if ‘protective services’ had issues with hens within their purview of protecting the community, there would seemed to have been a lack of understanding about the birds.

A rogue hen wandering down a residential street is hardly a public threat, and if the concern was attracting foxes and coyotes, then cats might be banned as well,

The Ag Scene

CALVIN DANIELS

and restaurant garbage better policed.

So understanding where our food comes from is important.

A larger question is, should youth learn how to grow food?

My grandparents would likely do the proverbial roll over in their graves to think people wouldn’t know how to grow a garden.

They had green thumbs that extended up to their elbows, and in Tisdale back then, the majority of homes would have had a garden.

Today we make much of our food security, but often prefer a yard covered in concrete and gazebos so as to not need to sweat in the garden growing carrots.

It’s understandable from the sense we trust the system to have food on the shelves whenever we go.

The COVID-19 pandemic and now whatever is

conspiring to make lettuce and other food items so expensive are showing us that shortages can occur in our world, and lettuce grown hundreds of miles away may not always be affordable.

Maybe our front yards should be a potato patch, and city boulevards should grow corn for community food banks, but that seems like an unlikely scenario anytime soon.

So does teaching kids how to garden matter?

Probably not, since the opportunities to use the skill are limited, and an Internet search is great for finding ‘how-to’ videos.

That said, maybe youth do learn something intrinsic about food by getting their hands dirty in growing their future lunch.

What is more intriguing from Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan is its launch of a new

educational resource to help prepare students for life outside of the classroom.

“The Food Security Budget Game helps students explore the obstacles preventing food security and learn the skills of budgeting and cost-effective food choices. Based on the latest data from Statistics Canada, 5.8 million Canadians, including 1.4 million children, lived in food insecure households in 2021,” noted a release.

“The Food Security Budget Game helps high school students develop important life skills,” says Sara Shymko, Executive Director of AITC-SK. “Students learn that many families are only a paycheck or unexpected expense away from food insecurity. It is imperative that students understand the barriers and challenges of food security, and why budgeting is so important to financial stability.”

These are skills that are critical – understanding that while soft drinks might be cheaper than milk, it’s not a good choice, and how to be careful in purchases. For most, money is always more limited than we might like.

The lasting popularity of the poinsettia during the holiday season

We sing about decking the halls with boughs of holly, but I wonder if any other plant is associated with Christmas more than the poinsettia. The poinsettia has a very interesting history: native to Mexico. The plants were gifted w ith the botanical name “euphorbia pulcherrima” which means “very beautiful.”

Back in the 1820s, President John Quincy Adams appointed a United States ambassador to go into Mexico, which was involved in a civil war at that time. The new ambassador’s name was Joel Roberts Poinsett. While we don’t know what effect he had on the civil war, we do know that Joel was very interested in botany and wandered through the countryside looking for new varieties of plants. In 1828, he spotted a beautiful plant with red “leaves” and like any gardener would, he took cuttings of the new plant and carefully took them home to South Carolina to grow in his greenhouse.

Even though he had a distinguished political career, he is best known for a certain plant—guess which one?

As the new plant became more popular, William Prescott, a historian and horticulturalist, was asked to give “euphobia pulcherrima” a new name. He named the plant “poinsettia” in honor of the man who introduced the botanical beauty to the United States. And now you know!

The Garden Grapevine

DEBBIE HAYWARD

In nature, poinsettias are flowering shrubs that can grow up to 10 feet tall. But here, we know them as the beautiful potted plant that is in season around Christmas time. They are so popular that over 100 varieties are now available, with annual sales topping $200 million in the US. They’re the best-selling potted plant in the United States, and most are sold in the six or seven weeks around Christmas. It seems that red is still the most popular colour, but there are pinks, creamy yellows and whites, speckled, and exciting new varieties, too.

If you will have a poinsettia gracing your home this holiday season, keep it looking its best by placing it in indirect light, and be sure that the plant is kept away from warm air

(like from a register) or cold air (opening doors and windows). An ideal daytime temperature would be about 20 degrees. If the room is very warm, the plant won’t last as long. Wondering about watering? Check the soil daily, but water it only when it is dry. Allow the water to drain out from the plant.

And if you’re planning to try and keep the plant past Christmas, fertilize it once a month, but don’t fertilize it when it is in bloom. Remember, the showy red “petals” are actually modified leaves—the flowers are the little things in the centre of the colorful bracts.

Guess what? Dec. 12 is National Poinsettia Day; a day to celebrate the ruby beauty.

So whether you are getting a poinsettia for a gift for a lucky someone or treating yourself to a festive touch in your home, now you know the story behind the wonderful legacy left to us by an avid gardener.

Till next time, enjoy your holiday preparations, and be sure to take time for a walk to enjoy the frosty finery in your yard or neighbourhood! The garden takes on a whole new appearance when we see bare branches and trunks or whispering stems of our perennials.

It’s beautiful in a unique way. Have a lovely week.

Exploring the advantages of getting older

With all the aches and pains and other maladies affecting me, I decided to come up with a positive attitude by exploring and identifying all the advantages of getting older, and dwell on that rather than going forward with a negative attitude. Somebody once told me that the best part of old age is that it doesn’t last very long. I aim to prove him wrong. In my opinion the best part of old age is that I can load up my granddaughter with sweets and sugar and send her home for her parents to deal with. It is called getting even with my son for all his antics growing up. Unfortunately, my daughter-in-law is caught in my “vengeance,” but she’ll get over it.

I discussed my “advanced” age with my doctor, who suggested that it would be beneficial for me to take a couple of naps during the day but avoid doing so while driving. Which reminded me of the old story about the grandfather who died peacefully in his sleep while all the passengers on his bus were screaming.

Ole and Sven were at Moe’s Bottoms Up Bar and Grille enjoying their poached cod fish for lunch, accompanied by poached potatoes and carrots. Served with shots of Akevitt and chased by Moe’s special lager.

“Hey Sven,” said Ole, “we’re both over 70 years old. Do you know that at our age kidnappers are not very interested in us?”

“Yeah! I know,” said Sven, “and if we become part of a

Observations

KAARE ASKILDT

group of hostages during a bank heist, we would likely be the first to be released.”

“There are some advantages of being a senior,” said Ole, “as you’re not expected to run into a burning building to save a cat!”

Knut joined them for peach pie and St. Halvard liqueur and coffee.

“I overheard what you were saying,” said Knut, “and I want to express my personal advantage of being old. My family no longer looks at me as a hypochondriac.”

“That’s good,” said Sven. “That brings a couple of things to my mind. There is nothing left for me to learn the hard way, and I’ll never wear out things that I buy now.”

The lunch trade had eased off, so Moe joined them for another round of St. Halvard and coffee.

“I’m right up there in age with you guys,” said Moe, “and

I have found that I have mellowed somewhat in my senior years.”

“How so?” asked Sven.

“Well, for one thing,” said Moe, “I no longer look at the posted speed limits as a challenge.”

“I bet you also sing along with the elevator music,” said Ole, “and like me you probably have quit pulling in your stomach no matter who walks into the room!”

“I think that my supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size,” said Knut, “because your secrets are safe with me, as I cannot remember them either.”

“I don’t pay attention to the weather forecast anymore,” said Ole, “because my joints are far more accurate than what the weatherman predicts on TV.”

“I just love the ‘find your car’ function on the key fob,” said Sven. “I push on it and my car will give a short beep and flash the headlights a couple of times to tell me where it is.”

“If my body was a car, I would trade it in for a newer model,” said Knut, “because every time I cough or sneeze my radiator leaks and my exhaust backfires.”

A senior woman told her friend, “I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape. My doctor suggested that I join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But by the time I got my leotards on, the class was already over.”

Sask. groups concerned Bill C-21 amendment could affect legal gun owners

A number of Saskatchewanbased groups are concerned about a recent amendment to a federal firearms bill they say could criminalize legal firearms owners in the province.

The federal Liberals recently proposed an amendment to Bill C-21 that includes an evergreen definition of a prohibited assaultstyle firearm in gun-control legislation being studied by the House of Commons public safety committee, said a report by the Canadian Press. The definition is intended to ensure gun manufacturers can’t tweak designs of prohibited firearms in a bid to get around the ban and reintroduce them to the Canadian market.

In a Nov. 22 public safety

committee meeting, Conservative MP Glen Motz said he was concerned that the new definition would effectively prohibit hundreds of thousands of firearms.

The provincial governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba have expressed concern about the amendment.

“The rifles and shotguns that law-abiding Saskatchewan farmers, hunters, and sport shooters use will soon be confiscated by the Trudeau - NDP government,” said Christine Tell, Saskatchewan’s public safety minister, in a Nov. 24 press release.

“These men and women will be criminalized overnight. Saskatchewan will not stand idly

by while the federal government yet again attacks law-abiding citizens instead of focusing on crime.”

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, which does not support Bill C-21, slammed the change, saying Saskatchewan legal firearm owners are facing immense ideological pressure from the federal government.

“We were told that this wouldn’t affect hunters, ranchers, or sport shooters, but rather that the federal government was taking the weapons off the street.” said SARM President, Ray Orb in a release. “This is a purely ideological idea as Canada already has very strict controls

on military-style assault weapons. The most disturbing part is the recent amendments to the bill that ban almost all semiautomatic centrefire rifles and shotguns utilized by hunters, ranchers, and sport shooters in Saskatchewan.”

SARM said the changes mean the federal government will penalize and criminalize around 75,000 legal firearms owners in Saskatchewan. They estimated that Saskatchewan has approximately 115,000 licensed firearms owners in the province.

The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation said they were surprised by the amendment.

“The Federal Government have reneged on their promises

to hunters, sports shooters, and farmers/ranchers, as evidenced by the prohibition of hundreds of regularly used firearms included in Bill C-21”, said Gil White, SWF’s Recreational Firearms Community Chair.

In an interview with the Canadian Press, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the federal government only wants to reinforce a regulatory ban on assault-style firearms such as the AR-15 by enshrining a definition in legislation, and it is prepared to work with MPs to get it right.

“The government has no intention – no intention whatsoever –to go after long guns and hunting rifles,” he said.

Expect to see impaired driving checkstops this holiday season

SASKTODAY

Saskatchewan drivers will notice an abundance of impaired driving checkstops across the province throughout the holiday season.

“Checkstops are an important enforcement tool and a highly visual reminder to drivers about the importance of planning a safe ride home,” Minister Responsible for SGI Don Morgan said. “Impaired driving is a persistent

and deadly problem in Saskatchewan, and it requires creative solutions and ongoing enforcement. SGI is providing additional funding to police agencies to conduct more than 40 checkstops this December in order to keep our roads safe.”

Checkstops can occur any day of the week, on a municipal street, in a city, in a town or on a highway. Police also use less conspicuous tactics

to catch impaired drivers, and the public is encouraged to call 9-1-1 to report any motorists they believe are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bottom line is this: if you drive impaired anywhere in Saskatchewan, there is a strong chance you’ll be caught, arrested and charged.

Roadside alcohol screening

Under federal legislation, specifically Bill

C-46, which took effect in 2018 - police can legally demand a roadside breath test for alcohol from anyone they legally stop. A trained officer will make a formal demand that someone provide a breath sample into an approved screening device. There is no requirement for reasonable suspicion for the officer to make a demand.

People who refuse a test can be charged with a Criminal Code offence,

with penalties that are the same or greater than those for impaired driving convictions. If you’re not driving impaired, the breath test just takes a matter of seconds, and drivers who pass are on their way quickly.

“We appreciate the co-operation of drivers who may be pulled over for our checkstops,” Officer in Charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Traffic Services Division Supt. Grant St. Germaine

said. “Please be assured that a demand for a breath sample is not an accusation; it’s simply standard procedure to help ensure that people are driving sober. We use all the tools we have at our disposal to try to keep our roads saferoadside breath tests being one of them.”

Drivers are reminded to only drive if they are sober, and to find a safe ride home when they’re impaired.

New missing and murdered indigenous women community response fund

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls+ (MMIWG+) Community Response Fund, committing $400,000 for 2022-23.

The funding provides support for projects that promote and enhance prevention, and build

safety for Indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit+ people, their families and communities.

“This new funding program will support valuable community-led Indigenous projects to address the issues raised in The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and

Girls,” Don McMorris, Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, said in a release. “We are proud to work collaboratively with Indigenous women, who know first-hand how these projects can help enhance prevention and build safety. I thank them for their valuable contributions on this important

work.”

Funding will support at least 10 community projects, each receiving up to $40,000.

First Nation and Métis communities, organizations in Saskatchewan and organizations partnering with Indigenous entities are eligible and encouraged to apply for funding starting today.

The fund criteria and supporting documents were developed with input from four Indigenous women: Lori Whiteman, Marlene Bear, Myrna LaPlante and Autumn Larose-Smith, who have been instrumental in launching the fund.

For full eligibility requirements and application instructions

for the MMIWG+ Community Response Fund, visit https:// www.saskatchewan. ca/residents/first-nations-citizens/saskatchewan-first-nations-metisand-northern-initiatives/ mmiwg-communityresponse-fund

The intake deadline for the 2022-23 applications is December 16, 2022.

Christmas crafts amuse youngsters at Kamsack

event

KCI football team earns money from Craft and Multicultural event

Following

Kiera

Karen Tourangeau sold Epicure products and homemade Christmas wreaths at the Kamsack Craft and Multicultural event on Nov. 27.

Tiare LaPorte of Pelly performed a number of traditional Indigenous songs during the Craft and Multicultural event at Kamsack on Nov. 27.

the Craft and Multicultural event at Kamsack on Nov. 27, Shelley Filipchuk, an organizer, presented a cheque of $400 to the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute Spartans football team to thank members “for all their heavy lifting in setting up and tearing down” for the event Friday and Sunday. With Filipchuk, from left, were: Mike Woollard (coach), Will Zarchikoff, Ty Thomas, Tyler Filipchuk and Brant Bloudoff.

World must follow Canada, says pilot who delivered refugees

BY JON PEREZ SASKTODAY SASKATOON —

Captain Enrique Piñeyro has been flying humanitarian missions for almost eight months as part of the non-profit group Solidaire’s commitment to helping refugees fleeing war, famine, poverty and various forms of persecution.

On Nov. 23, Piñeyro flew another batch of Ukrainians displaced by the war in Ukraine and other refugees from Warsaw, Poland to Saskatoon. The flight was the fourth to arrive in Saskatchewan and the first in the city, as three previously landed in Regina.

Piñeyro founded Solidaire, which is allied with Open Arms and other organizations that help refugees; he is the owner of the Boeing 787 that had 200 Ukrainians on board that endured the almost 16-hour transatlantic flight to flee their wartorn country and start a new life in Canada.

He said that despite the hour-long delay, the weather was nice, making their trip smooth and without any hitches. They landed at the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport at around 4 p.m. The refugees started trickling in after getting past immigration at 5 p.m.

“It was a very standard flight. We departed an hour late [in Warsaw]. We’re almost 20 flights with refugees from everywhere, from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and North Africa. I know that [Canada] people are from Afghanistan,” said the Argentinian pilot.

He added that the issue of people fleeing their countries to escape war, like the one in Ukraine, and other forms of persecution had become a global humanitarian crisis and more efforts must be made to help them.

“We hope we can contribute more because it is a dire situation. There’s a brutal famine [in Afghanistan], and people are pouring through the border of Pakistan,” added Piñeyro, who has also flown Ukrainian refugees to other locations in Italy.

“Every flight is different. You fly people out of North Africa and they’ve been crossing the Libyan desert. They’ve been in prison, tortured, or put to work as enslaved people. I heard that from the people on board; it is just not something I’m saying. They’re running away from feminine genital mutilation.”

Celebratory mood Piñeyro said there were celebrations inside the plane once it took off from the Warsaw Chopin Airport and informed everyone that they were on their way to the nonstop flight to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

“It’s a party. They dance and they pray. That was the scene inside the plane. The flight was 48 hours after the fall of Mariupol. Women, kids and older people lost a father, a husband, or a son. That was very sad,” he added.

“It was joyful. We’ve heard [an Afghan teenager] saying: ‘I’m going to be free and I will ride a bike.’ Sometimes we take small things that some people cannot do and is taken for granted in other parts of

the world, like listening to music.”

Mixed emotions could be seen on the faces of the Ukrainians that arrived in Saskatoon, with some who cannot help but cry after leaving their war-ravaged country and now getting the chance to start over again on Canadian soil.

The flight to Saskatoon also included some refugees from Africa and Afghanistan, who are also trying to rebuild their lives in Saskatoon, like the displaced Ukrainians.

“These flights, I would not say relaxed, but they are toned down. It happens that it becomes the new normal. There’s a war, so people pour out of Ukraine and that thing that’s bad, it now looks normal, but it isn’t,” said Piñeyro.

He said that the Dreamliner 787 aircraft he owns once flew directly from Seoul in South Korea to Buenos Aires in Argentina in 20 hours and 19 minutes. He will again be the captain of another scheduled flight before March.

“We saw two sunsets and one sunrise in the same flight and we still have tons of fuel left with that long-range aircraft,” Piñeyro said with a smile.

Welcoming arms

He is thankful for the hospitality given by Canadians to all refugees, with the federal, provincial and local government of Saskatoon pitching in to welcome them with open arms and help them get settled in.

“Canadian hospitality is legendary. A musical was even made about it. My wife is staging that in Argentina. That’s just a

side note. It impressed me how well they [refugees] are received in Canada. It was moving because I’m used to other things,” said Piñeyro.

“You bring [refugees] that have been waiting for hours and here, the whole airport is decorated with Ukrainian flags. Then they will get their social security, phones and bank accounts. Everything, including childcare.”

Piñeyro added that other countries, especially those accommodating refugees, should follow what Canada is doing.

“We need to be a little more like Canada in receiving people [refugees] because it has become a real problem. Many people are displaced nowadays and we will fly them but most of the time, we don’t know where to go. I think, in a sense, Canada is setting an example for the world.”

Kamsack curlers eager to keep the sport sustainable

After a year of no curling because of COVID-19, a less than great year returning to the ice last year, and waiting for the rink to be ready this

season, members of the Kamsack Curling Club are eager to keep the club going, albeit for only a half season this winter.

“We need at least eight

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rinks to keep the club viable,” Ed Guenther, club president, said last week, adding that before the pandemic, the club included 16 rinks, as well as the seniors’ group which, although affiliated with the club, does “its own thing.”

With only eight rinks of four curlers each last year, as well as about 16 to 18 senior curlers, the club was at a low point because it was the first return to the ice after the pandemic closure and the group was late in starting, Guenther explained.

“We’re waiting for the rink to be ready now,” he said. “We expect the ice to be ready before Christmas, which means

we’ll be able to curl after New Year’s, but it will be for only a half season.”

Whereas in the past, a curler was charged $150 for a season of curling, this season, the fee will be only $75, he said. The season will conclude in March with a wind-up bonspiel.

The curling club will have access to the rink on Thursday evenings, while the seniors plan to curl on Monday and Thursday afternoons, beginning at 1 p.m.

“We make up different teams for each day of curling,” said Lloyd Thomas, who has been involved in seniors’ curling for about 22 years.

“We had between 16 and 20 curlers last year,”

he said, adding that he won’t know much more until after the group gets onto the ice, hopefully in January.

Thomas said that the seniors normally hold a stick bonspiel in February and then a main bonspiel in March.

On the seniors’ executive committee, for which Thomas serves as drawmaster, are: Joyce McLean, president; Marge Wonitowy, treasurer, and Jean Rose, secretary.

Speaking with Stephen Dutcheshen, the recreation director, Guenther said the club learned that the Town was facing increased costs of the rink renovations due to lost boards and needing

extra dividers between sheets of ice, so it was agreed to donate $9,700 to the Town to help pay for those added costs. A cheque was presented in November to the Town.

“We want to keep curling alive,” said Guenther, who in November was elected president of the organization for a second consecutive year.

Monica Morgan, the club’s secretary, is looking after registration, which will continue until curling starts, he said. Persons wishing to register may contact her at 306 542-8450.

Curlers wishing to join the seniors’ group, which has yet to set a fee for this season, ma y contact Thomas at 306 542-3526.

MLA Terry Dennis, right, the provincial governmentʼs Ukrainian Relations Secretary, talks with Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. - Jon Perez / SASKTODAY.ca

A Ukrainian mother and her son are were smiles after arriving in Saskatoon. Jon Perez / SASKTODAY.ca

RADCHUK, John- The family of the late John Radchuk announce his passing at the Norquay Health Centre on November 25, 2022, at the age of 87 years. John was born to Mike and Mary (nee Tatarchuk) Radchuk on July 2, 1935, in the Swan Plain District, SK. John attended Poelcapelle school. After the school burned down, John went to Bellabrook school until grade 8. After quitting school, he worked with his dad and brother, Pete, mixed farming. Also, during that time, he worked for Beaver Construction and sawmills up north. He rode his horse all the way to Jackfish River to work on the sawmills. He enjoyed spending a lot of time working with his horses. When John was young, he like to play guitar and sing at house parties. His favorite songs to sing were by Johnny Cash. When his father’s health declined, John and Pete took over the family farm. One weekend, John met Cecilia Perrick at a dance in Swan Plain Hall. They were united in marriage on June 8, 1963. After they married, they started their own family farm southeast of Swan Plain. They operated a mixed farm together and eventually were blessed with four children: Richard, Randy, Phyllis and Ronald. John cut firewood for extra income and witched for water when asked to do so. When John was able, he loved hunting for moose, deer, and bear. According to John, he had a few close encounters with bears when he didn’t have a gun, that’s when a rock came in handy. In the mid 90’s, John’s mobility started to decline, so his two sons, Randy and Ronald, took over the farm. John was happy to move to the garden with Cecile and pull weeds. John like to play cards, word search books, do jigsaw puzzles with Cecile, and watch the hunting channel. After Cecile’s passing in April 2021, John became a resident at the Norquay Health Centre. He remained there until his passing on November 25, 2022. He will be sadly missed by all. John is predeceased by his parents, Mike and Mary Radchuk; wife, Cecilia; granddaughter, Julie Radchuk; brothers, Pete Radchuk, Bill Radchuk, and Ben Radchuk; his sisters, Annie Kwiatkowski, Stella Mazur, and Nellie Broza; brothers-in-law, Phillip Kwiatkowski and Ed Mazur; nephews, Gordon Mazur and Ken Boitson; and great-nephew, Ryan Boitson. He is survived by his children: Richard of Winnipeg, Randy of Swan Plain, Phyllis of Swan Plain, and Ronald (Leanne) of Swan Plain; grandsons, Matthew and Ryan Radchuk; sister, Vera (Ed) Forkheim of St. Andrews, MB; and brother-in-law, Joe Broza of Winnipeg; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A Private Celebration of Life Service was held (livestreamed for family and friends) at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 1, 2022, from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with Velda Dahlin officiating. Interment followed in the Canora Cemetery, Canora, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Norquay Health Centre Auxiliary, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of John Radchuk. Family and Friends are invited to sign an online guestbook at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements are entrusted to LESON’S FUNERAL HOME, Canora.

YACYSHEN, Mildred - With great sadness, the family of the late Mildred Yacyshen announce her passing peacefully at home, surrounded by her children, in Norquay, SK, on November 24, 2022, at the age of 93 years. Mildred was born in Moose Jaw, SK, on September 16, 1929. She was the eldest of seven siblings, Deloris, Gordon, Gladys, Joan, Clifford, and her pre-deceased infant sister, Laverne. She attended school in Buffalo Hump and Norquay School Division. Mildred married Bill Yacyshen in 1948 and celebrated their marriage for 54 years, until his passing in 2002. Up until that time, they lived on the homestead farm, four miles south of Norquay, SK. They had 7 children, Barbara, Edward (who went to the Lord shortly after his birth), Gabriel, Sharon, Veronica, Joy and Kimberly, with extended family of 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Mildred and Bill’s faith was dedicated, and they provided the family with Catholic religion and practice. Mildred always had a wonderful vegetable garden that nourished the family and shared with friends. She always maintained a picturesque flower garden in the front yard as well. Learning to sew using a treadle sewing machine, offered a way to clothe her children in beautiful things. She took educational classes in arts and woodwork, worked at the Norquay Bakery, and had a group of friends she quilted with. Mildred donated time with the Ladies Church group, where she helped with fundraisers, bake sales, and church events. Socializing with the ladies was something she cherished. In 2002, she moved into Norquay, where she found a lovely community and wonderful mix of neighbors. She appreciated Norquay’s hospitality and friendly town services, grocery, pharmacy, and well as fresh egg delivery to her doorstep. Neighborly snow removal and lawn care were also added to her list. Friendly Home Care services also supported her there. Her shining light will be missed dearly, as she passes from our family and community link of love and friendship. Everlasting memory. A Vigil of Prayer was held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 28, 2022, and the Funeral Liturgy celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 29, 2022, both from the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, Norquay, SK, with Very Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac as Celebrant. Rite of Committal followed in the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, southwest of Norquay, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, as tokens of remembrance in memory of Mildred Yacyshen. Family and friends unable to attend are invited to sign an online guestbook at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON’S FUNERAL HOME, Canora.

SAPACH, Gene- It is with heavy hearts that the Sapach family announces the sudden passing of their son, brother, and father, Gene Brian Sapach on October 20, 2022, in Grande Prairie, AB. Gene was born to parents Eugene and Adella (nee Balysky) Sapach on July 8, 1971, in Lanigan, SK. He spent the first few years of his life growing up in the Lanigan and Guernsey areas before the family relocated back to the farm in the Arabella district of Saskatchewan. Gene loved growing up on the farm, as anyone who has heard his stories could tell. Whether it was running equipment, going to auction sales with his dad, or misadventures with his brother, and sometimes father, it was a youth that truly fit who Gene was. Gene attended Norquay School until 1987, when the family relocated off the farm to Hinchcliff, SK. After the move, Gene attended high school in Sturgis, SK, until his graduation in 1990. Gene’s farming roots did not leave him throughout his teen years as he worked for local farmers until after his graduation. As with many young people, Gene had his sights set on something bigger, which found him and his brother, Daniel, relocating to Moose Jaw, SK, in the fall of 1990. These years in Gene’s life saw many milestones and proud moments from attending SIAST and having various careers in the Moose Jaw and Regina areas, to his first marriage and the birth of his son, Matthew. It was in 2001 that Gene decided to pursue a career in the oil field, which would set the ultimate direction for the remainder of his life.With this new career path, Gene relocated to Hinton, AB. During these years, Gene worked on both drilling and service rigs, but found his true passion with the service rigs. His exceptional work ethic, continuous drive, quick learning, and ability to “figure it out” paired with the personable Gene that everyone knew and loved saw him move through the ranks, becoming an Operations Manager for Concord Well Servicing in May 2006. It was in these years that saw Gene relocate from Hinton to Beaverlodge and eventually settling in Grande Prairie, AB. During his time in Grande Prairie, Gene continued his works in Operations and Account Management through positions with Essential Well Service, Treeline Well Service, and finally Hurley Well Servicing. The community that Gene established through work was like a second family to him. He had the ability to create a special connection with those around him. From being “one of the good ones” to a friend and mentor, he created a lasting impression on many people in his life, by which he will be dearly remembered. His infectious laugh, bright smile, ability to make anyone feel welcome and being a salt of the earth person who would provide you with comfort and give you the shirt off his back in a time of need, words cannot begin to describe how much he will be missed.Gene was married for a second time in 2012, which led to the single proudest moment of his life in Grande Prairie, the birth of his daughter Abigail in 2013. She was the center of his world, owned all his heart and meant everything to Gene. As a brother and son, Gene was a riend, a caretaker, a source of guidance, and someone who just knew the right time to make you laugh; there is nothing that will fill the hole that is left by his passing. His memory will forever be held close by all he knew and loved. Beyond friends and family, Gene centered his life around his faith. Being a devout Ukrainian Catholic and Knights of Columbus, he relied on faith and fellowship as pillars in his life, which helped fortify the truly amazing person that he was. Gene is predeceased by his grandparents, Walter and Anne (nee Kowch) Sapach and Steve and Mary (nee Krutz) Balysky; and his father, Eugene Sapach. He is survived by his son, Matthew Sapach and daughter, Abigail Sapach; mother, Adella Sapach; sister, Amanda (John) Zbitniff; and brothers, Daniel (Tracey) Sapach and Nathan (Michelle) Sapach; along with nieces and nephews, Jordan, Victoria, Emily and Morgan;and his great niece and nephews, extended family, and many friends. A Private Memorial Mass was celebrated on Saturday, December 3, 2022, from Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Canora, SK, with Very Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac as Celebrant. Rite of Committal followed in the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Gene Sapach. Family and friends are invited to sign an online guestbook at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements have been entrusted to LESON’SFUNERAL HOME,Canora, SK.

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SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Saturday Dec 10 Invermay 5p.m. Sunday Dec. 11 Kamsack 9 a.m. Canora 11 a.m. Norquay 1:15 p.m. St. Stephens and St. Philip’s Church Schedule: Sun Dec. 11 Kamsack 11a.m. St. Philip’s 1p.m.

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.

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Participants in a 4-H First Nation workshop at the Yorkton Friendship Centre, from left, were: (back row) Allan Delorme of Cowessess First Nation; George Tourangeau, a 4-H staff person, and Bernice Keshane of Keeseekoose First Nation, and (front) Lorne Cote and Norrine Cote, both of Cote First Nation.

Performing in a dance from the Broadway musical A Chorus Line during a dance recital in Kamsack, from left, were: Gloria Glute, Milena Rogal, Hilda Warnock and Susan Bear.

Among the Kamsack air cadets to receive awards at the squadron ʼs annual inspection and awards banquet, from left, were: Jason Prokopetz, best first-year cadet; Kevin Vidomski, best second-year cadet; Beth Dix, most improved second-year cadet; Trevor Chernoff, junior marksmanship, and Neal Stone, most proficient senior cadet.

Richard Herbst, an Australian exchange student living with Anita and Richard Klochko of Kamsack, had opportunity to meet the Boston Bruins hockey team members while at Edmonton and was given a stick used by Bruin Peter Douris.

Todd Bobyk

Art Gray, left, the Saskatchewan commander of the Royal Canadian Legion, presented the provincial championship bowling trophy to Chester Olson, Gladys Olson, Diana Belovanoff, Barbara Ostopowich and Will Ostopowich.

Ed Barton, left, a member of the Kamsack branch of the Royal Canadian Legion for about 45 years, was one of nine persons to be honoured during the branch ʼ s awards night. He was presented with the Legion ʼs Meritorious Service Medal by Art Gray, the Saskatchewan commander of the Legion.

As an employee of the Town of Kamsack working at the water treatment plant, Stephen Koreluk, had the task of monitoring the fluoride which was routinely added to the townʼs water supply.

The Fort Pelly-Livingstone Home Care district was able to purchase its 12th lifeline unit, thanks to donations from the Maloneck Country Club and the Blue Sky Riding Club. Presenting the cheques to Diane Dedio, centre, were Bev Paluck, left, on behalf of the Blue Sky Riding Club, and Jennie Schow, on behalf of the Maloneck Country Club.

Survey shows Madge Lake loon population similar to previous years, but chick survival needs to be higher

The total number of common loons at Madge Lake in 2022 was similar to previous years with a high count of 82 adults on Aug. 6, according to the 2022 Loon Survey final report issued Nov. 25 by Doug Welykholowa of Madge Lake.

The chair of the YFBTA (Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association) Loon Initiatives Committee, Welykholowa said that indications are that because the average number of surviving chicks is not as high as it should be, the loon population on the lake may not be sustainable at the current levels.

This year the ice went off the lake on May 16, with the loons starting to arrive about a week before, as the ice receded from the shorelines, allowing the birds access to the water, Welykholowa said in the final report.

“Our first spotting of loon chicks was on June 19, about the same time as last year,” he said in the report. “Circumstances beyond our control resulted in us not doing a count until June 26, when we spotted our first chicks.

“Of the six chicks we saw initially, four were less than a week old, and two were approximately two weeks old. This would put the first hatchings at about the middle of June.

“We found 13 chicks/ juveniles on the lake, of which 10 survived into

mid-September. Six of those were only discovered as juveniles in early to mid-August. We are fairly confident that they were hatched on the lake, as they were closely accompanied by adults in known nesting territories.

“It is quite possible that the chicks avoided our previous counts by hiding in the reeds which are quite extensive in those territories. This has become more prevalent over the years as boating traffic has increased on the lake.

“We had a very wet spring and early summer, with the water levels rising over a foot from 2021,” the report says. “This resulted in most of the previously occupied nesting sites having to be relocated to higher ground. As a result, we were only able to directly observe two nests. The one on a beaver lodge near St. Michael’s Camp was moved higher on the lodge, while the one in the old boat lagoon had to be moved about 10 feet deeper into the reeds and positioned on the shore. Previously, that nest was built at the edge of the reeds on an old Grebe nest.

“This pair lost their first set of eggs, then laid another two. Unfortunately, the second set were also lost. This was likely due to predators which had easy access to the shore.

“One unusual surprise this year was the arrival of a pair of loons that were

still in their winter/nonbreeding plumage, into a new territory in Big Bay/Pelly Bay. This pair remained throughout the summer, and while the larger bird (likely the male) did eventually moult into its breeding colours by August, the other bird remained in its winter plumage the entire summer.

“While there is normal variation of up to a week when chicks hatch, we noticed at least one pair, new to the lake, in a new territory, had what was likely a chick from a second laying,” it said. “On July 24, when most of the chicks on the lake were around five weeks old, this chick was only about three weeks old. This is common and usually happens every year.”

As in previous years, the lake played host to a large number of unpaired young adults (three to five year olds), it said. These loons were often spotted in different locations on the lake with each count, and group size varied from 10 to 32 birds, depending on the day. It is quite common for these young adults to gather in larger groups in the middle of the lake during the evening, learning to socialize, while dispersing during the day to feed in other locations, including the many nearby kettle lakes surrounding Madge.

Normally one can get into the middle of the group with a boat without the birds getting disturbed.

“While the loon population on the lake appears to have remained stable over the last 13 years of data collection, we are beginning to see some disturbing trends in the data,” the survey says. Total numbers of adults has varied between 72 and 86. The totals are not absolute, given the difficulties in obtaining an accurate count.

There are a large number of loon pairs residing on the larger kettle lakes within the park boundary, as well as those just across the border in Manitoba. Many of these likely fly into Madge periodically to feed, and thus can get caught up in the survey counts.

The one steady factor is the number of occupied nesting territories, which average 25.3 per year, it said. The variables are the unpaired adults and any fly-ins. The disturbing trend, with variations from year to year is the number of surviving juveniles produced on the lake. Long-term studies by Birds Canada and organizations in the Northern States show that in order to maintain a viable loon population, the average number of surviving chicks (reaching six weeks maturity) has to be above .47 chicks per breeding pair. Over the last 13 years Madge Lake has averaged only .41 chicks surviving to six weeks per breeding pair. This indicates that the loon population on the lake may not be

sustainable at the current levels in the future. This is a trend right across North America. In the eastern provinces and Northeastern US, acid rain, pollution and resulting increases in methyl mercury are the main causes. Climate change is a contributing factor.

Here at Madge, pollution and heavy metals are not thought to be as significant, but this is an area that has not been properly studied, it said. Predators, such as eagles, are also not believed to be a significant problem, however other predators could be a problem.

“However, one trend that we have observed is a significant increase in powerboat traffic each year since we have kept records,” it says. “Our observations indicate that the breeding pairs are taking extra measures to hide their young and keep them out of the high traffic areas in most cases. More research is required to produce definitive answers, but this is well beyond our local capabilities.

“Whatever the answer is, the loons are an excellent indicator of the health of our environment. What affects them, will have broad-reaching consequences in the future, and that should concern us all.”

Welykholowa said that Nature Saskatchewan had its fall meet at Madge Lake on Sept. 24, and he and Bob Wynes made a presentation on the loons at Madge Lake and Trumpeter Swans in the park. They arranged to take a number of participants out on the lake where they were able to observe a number of the remaining juvenile loons.

He thanked those who accompanied Wynes and himself on the surveys, including Nancy Welykholowa, Shevon Wilson, Rob Wilson and Laurie Murray. He also thanked Duck Mountain Provincial Park and its staff for the support they provide every year, the YFBTA and the Kamsack Times and Nature Saskatchewan who continually publish this annual report.

Duck Mountain Super League begins 2022-23 season

The new season of Duck Mountain Super League began with eight teams from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, said a release from Glen Becenko of Kamsack. The teams play round robin games on Tuesdays in Swan River, Canora, Norquay, Benito and Kamsack.

The first two draws

took place in Swan River. On Nov. 15, Pioneer Hybrid, skipped by Bob Kolodziejski, defeated WF Schneider and Son, skipped by Rick Kinaschuk, 6 to 5. Brent Scales, skip of Swan Hills Properties, was victorious over Challoner Farms, skipped by Ken Newall, 9 to 3, and Swan Valley Chiropractic,

skipped by Neal Watkins, defeated NCC Farms, skipped by Fred Perepiolkin, 6 to 5.

In Week 2, on Nov. 22, there were some crushing defeats. Swan Valley Chiropractic defeated Pattison Ag, skipped by Kade Trofimenkoff, 7 to 1. Swan Hills Properties slammed Pioneer Hybrid, 6-0, and WF Schneider

and Sons defeated Challoner Farms, 7-2.

There was a tight battle between NCC Farms and Hub International, skipped by Don Bowes, with NCC taking the win, 6 to 5.

The Nov. 29 games were scheduled for Canora, while the Dec. 6 games were to be played in Norquay.

This photograph of a loon with five-week old chicks was taken at Madge Lake on July 24 by Doug Welykholowa of Madge Lake.

This photo of a loon with three-week old chick was taken at Madge Lake on July 12 by Doug Welykholowa, chair of the YFBTA Loon Initiatives Committee.

Doug Welykholowa, who issued the 2022 Loon Survey final report recently, took this photo of a loon in winter plumage feeding on a crayfish at Madge Lake.