Thursday, January 14, 2021
VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 29
MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
Backyard rink connects neighbours GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. There’s nothing like a backyard rink to bring families and neighbours together. That’s been the case almost every night this winter at a community rink in Lakeside, where kids along with families and pets come together for a game of hockey on a first-name basis. The 67 ft. by 29 ft. patch of ice is a perennial project led by neighbours Roger Deeks, Arne Jacobson and Jordy Gerling, mainly for the benefit of youngsters in the area. They each spoke about the rink while their own kids played shinny under the lights one night last week. “It’s awesome, it’s handy, it’s here. We look after it and especially now, where you’re supposed to stay inside, it keeps the kids and the adults sane,” said Roger. “It’s something we do in our pastime. This will be our fourth year; this is the third year we had it on public property.” The original rink spread over Jordy’s and Arne’s backyards until they fenced their properties and relocated it to green space behind their homes as a rink for everyone. Jordy says in these last two COVID years, having a
Ethan Gerling keeps his eyes on the puck last Wednesday night under the lights at his neighbourhood ODR. Taylor Weaver/Meridian Source
community rink has been really good. “It gives kids something to do as opposed to sitting in front of the TV or playing video games— shoo ‘em outside,” he said. The temperature has also been ideal for outdoor hockey and skating on the rink this winter. “The weather, it’s been unbelievable this year. We get lots of use out of it; it’s good,” beamed Roger while leaning on a shovel. “We’re lucky to have this.
It’s great. You know, good neighbours, good fun.” He calls Jordy the chief electrician and ice engineer with Arne being the ice technician who usually starts the rink-making process off. “He was home for a couple of days there and he got it up to snuff and made it all perfectly level and I was the beverage engineer,” quipped Roger. “This is the first time with no plastic and it’s the best ice we ever had.” Arne shared some tricks of
the trade after helping Roger and Jordy clear the ice. “We all just bring our hoses out and usually we rely on the snow, level it all out and keep flooding. And it’s timing too, coming out every day and making sure some progress is made,” he said. “We use cold water from the start until we’ve got it level enough, then we’ve got a little contraption that we drive around and floods it with a hot flood.” Jordy says they got lucky this season with the right
amount of snow at the right time. “Arne just shovelled a whole bunch of snow. Roger had a snowblower. We blew all the snow in from as far as we could reach into this area and smoothed it out,” explained Jordy. “We got some old boards, we put them up. We did what we had to do to build a rink.” It isn’t perfect, with the ice being four inches thick in one part and 14 inches in another, but it works. “If anybody from the City of Lloyd is listening right now, we could use a little break on our water bills,” joked Jordy. He, Roger and Arne also worked together one Sunday to string up a set of lights that turn on at 6 p.m. for evening shinny. “We’re really lucky to all be here and enjoy each others’ company and play the game that Canada loves,” said Arne. He says with COVID it’s been great to come out here with the kids and watch them, calling it a privilege with indoor hockey shut down. Roger’s nine-year-old son, Mason, was decked out in full hockey gear and gave the rink his endorsement.
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Rink builds friendships
Taylor Weaver/Meridian Source FROM PAGE 3
“It’s good because then we don’t have to go to the multiplex. Basically, when someone’s out there, we all want to go,” he said, with a group of his pals tuned to the media Q and A. Jordy’s son, Ethan, who normally plays with the Blazers was
tending net for the night, but made it clear he’s not aspiring to be a goalie on any team. “I want to play out,” he said, cutting his interview short to stop some more pucks. Arne says their neighbour rink friendship makes Roger and Jordy and himself feel like kids who hung
out together too, even though they all grew up in different towns. “They seem like old high school friends,” he said. “I grew up at Turtle Lake and this is what I like to do. It’s nice to actually have some neighbours to make some teams and play the game.”
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Craftex Builders awarded library contract with a contractor,” said Aalbers.
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Mayor Gerald Aalbers. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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On Monday, Lloydminster city council awarded the Lloydminster Public Library Relocation Construction contract to Craftex Builders (a division of Leeville Construction Ltd.), of Lloydminster, Alta. in the amount of $999,000, plus GST. The contract also includes a contingency allowance of up to 5 per cent or $50,000, plus GST, to be allocated from the 2020 Capital Project No. 2076000. During the April 20, 2020, regular meeting of council, through Motion No. 113-2020, council approved administration to negotiate entering into a lease agreement with the Lloyd Mall (Triovest Realty) to provide space for the Lloydminster Public Library’s relocation to
Unit 160. The lease agreement between Triovest Realty Ltd. and the City of Lloydminster, signed and dated Sept. 9, 2020, provided a possession date of Jan. 2. With this lease agreement negotiation approved, a construction contractor was required for the project. The City of Lloydminster is currently paying two leases for the local library–one at its current location as well as at its new location in the Lloydmall. Mayor Gerald Aalbers is counting down the days until this isn’t the case and there’s only one library lease on the books. “We’re paying on two leases, and this is the challenge you have when you move into a space like that; until the space is vacated, until you are lined up
There was a lot of discussion prior to the new year, but there will be a lot of emphasis put on ensuring our local contractors are there bidding.
“We are dealing with it as quick as possible and that lease will be signed as soon as possible, with construction to start as soon as possible, and as we heard, it will move forward and we will be getting progress reports.” Aalbers also noted
he and council were pleased to see the construction contract go to a local company. “There was a lot of discussion prior to the new year, but there will be a lot of emphases put on ensuring our local contractors are there bidding, and I’m sure they’ll have a very short pencil to be competitive in the marketplace,” he said. “It was discussed that one of the challenges we face are the dollars and cents. In many cases, it is a low bid (that wins the contract), and in this case, it was a low bid that went to a local cont r act or . The second lowest bid was from a local contractor, which speaks well of our local contractors and the
work they do. “It’s always great seeing local employees and we’re going to hope-
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fully see that continue (with) other projects as they continue to roll forward.”
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Lloyd area canola hit by clubroot
GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. Canola producers in
the Lloydminster area may face more yield losses this year from
the rapid spread of clubroot. New outbreaks of the
soil-borne disease have been found in many rural municipalities near Lloydminster. “That’s one of the hottest spots for clubroot,” said Alireza Akhavan, provincial specialist in plant disease with the Minist r y of Agr icu lt u r e in Regina. Areas with clubroot symptoms are indicated on the latest 2020 clubroot distribution map, released by the Government of Saskatchewan and SaskCanola on Jan. 11. The map shows RMs near Lloydminster such as 472, 501 and 502 bordering Alberta with multiple fields where clubroot symptoms are present. RM 561 is among the most infected areas in the province. The clubroot pathogen causes swellings or galls to form on the roots, which can ultimately cause premature death of the plant. The deformity restricts the plant’s ability to obtain water and nutrients from the soil. Visible clubroot symptoms have been confirmed in 75 commercial canola fields since 2017, an increase of 24 fields since the last u pd at e one y ear ago. The number of f ield s wit h t he clu broot pathogen detected where there were no visible symptoms also increased by 18 in 2020, for a total of 29 fields. These results are compiled annually via ministry surveys and reports/samples submitted to the ministry and SaskCanola by producers and agrologist. “Tracking, early
detection and management of clubroot will allow producers to prevent substantial yield loss,” said Agriculture Minister David Marit with the launch of the map. “Education and awareness of clubroot continue to be a priority to help growers and industry members prevent the further spread of the disease within Saskatchewan.” Clubroot is declared a pest under Saskatchewan’s Pest Control Act and under Alberta’s Agricultural Pest Act. Akhavan says there is no single reason why the Lloydminster area is a hotspot for clubroot, but he suggests proximity to Alberta is a contributing factor. “It is a huge source of infection in Alberta,” said Akhavan. “We are in a very good position to manage the disease while the neighbouring province of Alberta already has 3,000-plus infected fields.”
He says if a Lloydminster area producer works with canola in Alberta, they can bring clubroot back into the Lloydminster area unless they properly sanitize the equipment. Clubroot spores can be transmitted any way soil can be moved, including wind, equipment, animals and soil erosion, and infect other fields. “If the disease is not managed, then it can cause significant yield loss up to 50 per cent,” said Akhavan. He notes there are no registered chemicals that can be used, so the only way to economically control the disease is crop rotation. “At least a two-year break from the canola crop is needed,” said Akhavan. He says some farmers in the Lloydminster area grow canola back to back years and that can beef up the population of pathogens in the soil. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
City changes budget “asks”
Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Coun. Aaron Buckingham s p e a k s d u r i n g M o n d a y ’s meeting of council. MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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On Monday, Lloydminster city council approved authorization to enter into three-year financial agreements with the Vic Juba Community Theatre Board as well as Startup Lloydminster, previously known as the Lloydminster and Region Incubator Board. The Vic Juba Commu-
CLUBROOT FROM PAGE 4
“Rotating crops also results in the pathogen declining and after a couple of years, they can come back to canola,” said Akhavan. His ministry recommends the use of clubroot-resistant canola varieties in a minimum three-year rotation as a control strategy. An extended crop rotation helps minimize yield losses while protecting the effectiveness of clubroot-resistant canola varieties. More than 966 fields
nity Theatre was previously funded by the City through the annual third-party funding request process. Being a City-owned building, administration proposed to be more proactive with the Theatre and recognized the need to continue supporting this facility at some level. With changing the third party ask process, it is important the City has a formal multi-year agreement in place to streamline the budgeting process moving forward. Council has authorized the City to enter a three-year agreement with Vic Juba Community Theatre Agreement at a cost of $181,500 for 2021 and a 2 per cent increase for 2022
were examined during the 2020 clubroot monitoring program and landowners of all fields with visible clubroot symptoms or fields with the presence of the pathogen have been contacted. The locations of these fields have also been shared with the appropriate RM office if they had enacted a clubroot-specific bylaw. All clubroot-infested fields will be monitored by an appointed pest control officer.
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and 2023. The City has allocated $181,500 for Vic Juba in the approved 2021 budget. Additionally, $185,130.00 will be budgeted for 2022 and $188,832.60 for 2023. “The theatre brings value to our community, and I think that’s the gem we want to insure,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers. “For the longest time there wasn’t a lot of money spent becuase it was a great facility; it’s still a great facility, but we know items become dated. Sound, lighting, the technology has changed since that facility was built, and some of it has been updated, but some of it hasn’t, so I think we’ll need to address that as council with administration on how we deal with that going forward.” Startup Lloydmin-
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ster also used to receive financial support from the City through their third-party funding request process, and has entered a three-year agreement with the City at a cost of $80,000 for 2021 and a 2 per cent increase for 2022 and 2023. “As we go forward, the city is really moving towards long-term financial planning as a city, and the organizations that we support, we’re going to have to try to move them to that long-term financial planning as well,” said Coun. Aaron Buckingham. “So it makes sense that we be going into, not just with the Vic Juba or Startup, but with the library and the SPCA and all of the other organizations that we support as a city.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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OTS resets heavy oil show again
File Photo GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. Uncertainty over COVID-19 restrictions is behind a decision by organizers of the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show to move the event ahead for the second time to 2022. The board of directors of the Lloydminster Oilfield Technical Society says the current restrictions on public events rule out hosting the show in 2021 as hoped, when they rescheduled the 2020 show for similar reasons. The change means the show will be held Sept. 14-15, 2022 on its regular two-year rotation. “We had been really hopeful that we would be able to host the rescheduled show in 2021 and gather
our industry experts together,” said show chairman John Stanyer in an OTS news announcement on Jan. 8. “With so much uncertainty around what restrictions will still be in place and with an abundance of concern for the wellbeing of our exhibitors and our community we are not able to proceed with the rescheduled show in 2021. We really look forward to catching up with you in 2022.” The last show took place in 2018 at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds. The LHOS is the world premiere showcase of leading-edge technology and innovation in Heavy Oil development and production that attracts exhibitors and attendees from around the world.
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Website seeds farm transition plans MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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Farm transition planning just got a little easier this week. Farm Management Canada, with the support of Farm Credit Canada, MNP and the Government of Canada, launched a brand new web portal for all stages of farm transition planning on Jan. 12. The event marked the inaugural Farm Transition Appreciation Day, which invites farmers to celebrate farm transition planning and take action. The new bilingual website farmtransitionguide.ca connects farm owners and farm owner hopefuls to the tools, experts, and resources they need to develop and implement their farm transition plans. Over the next 10
years, 75 per cent of farms will change hands, yet only 8 per cent of farmers have a written transition plan. This uncertainty about the future of the farm is putting tremendous stress on farmers and future farmers and jeopardizes the future of farming in Canada. “By pledging to take steps towards transition planning, farmers are not only building upon their own legacy, but ensuring the continuity of Canada’s agricultural excellence through effective management planning,� said Heather Watson, executive director of Farm Management Canada. She says they know transition planning is part of effective business planning. In addition, each farm has unique circum-
File Photo stances and each situation requires its own plan using the tools, resources, and expertise to best support their needs. The farm transition website is designed to help farmers navigate their transition journey, starting with a needs assessment, all the way through to creating and implementing the plan, and connecting with advisors along the way to support the journey. The resources and tools include family and non-family transition options as well as inspiring stories from future farmers.
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Lloyd fish club snagged by COVID
GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. The Lloydminster Fish and Game Association will take a financial hit without their gun and outdoor sportsman show and banquet fundraisers this month, but COVID forced their hand.
“With the COVID regulations, the most people you could have at a banquet is 30 people and the same goes for the gun show; it’s not economically feasible,” said association president Dwayne Davison. The show attracts hundreds of people each
year during the second last week of January followed by the banquet, with attendance averaging about 450 people. “Those were our two feature fundraisers of the year, so obviously fundraising is going to be down substantially.” “We’re looking at doing a few other things just to keep our shingle out there. We don’t have anything firm in place yet.” Paid membership renewals are strong, however, with the association coming off a banner year in 2020 for enrolment with a record 1,657 members. That’s an increase of about 160 from the previous year. Fundraising was on the agenda of the association’s annual general meeting, held by Zoom on Jan. 5, but nothing has been confirmed yet with COVID putting everything on a tentative status.
“We do plan for our events, even with the COVID regulations— just in case things change, we can proceed,” said Davison. “There’s a deadline point where you have to make a decision on it. Ultimately, that’s what we did with the gun show and the banquet.” Davison says they are planning to hold a fish fry in April, noting COVID regulations on public gatherings puts that at risk too. “We have an outdoor activity day for the youth every year in June. It was cancelled last year, but we are planning for it again— but that will depend on the COVID regs at the time,” he said. Meanwhile, members can continue to use the association’s indoor and outdoor rifle and pistol ranges in small numbers to keep interest and membership up. “Looking at both
File Photo
Dwayne Davison centre, president of the Lloydminster Fish and Game Association, says they will feel the financial pinch of not having the Gun and Outdoor Sportsman Show this year along with their fundraising banquet.
provinces, the fish and game clubs that have rifle and pistol ranges associated with them have stayed fairly stable and some have increased such as ours too,” said Davison. He says ones without ranges have tended to drop in membership a little bit. The Lloydminster association heads into the new year with the election of some new directors on two-year terms during the AGM.
They are supported by an eight-person executive headed by Davison in his final year. “I’m president for another year and we’ll see what happens after that,” said Davison. He also commented about timing their AGM during the gold medal game of the IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton. “We still proceeded and tried not to talk about it,” he joked, noting 17 people took part.
ASK THE EXPERTS
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Diversity forum covers blanket exercise
File Photo GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. This weekend’s Connecting Us All: Virtual Diversity and Inclusion Forum promises to be educational and entertaining, while breaking down stereotypes about immigrants and minorities. That’s the word from Edmonton-based Kemoh Mansaray, who is coordinating the event for the second year in a row for the Lloydminster Local Immigration Partnership on Jan. 16-17.
“The purpose of the forum is to bring everyone together to learn more about each other and to understand each other, then we can cohabit, but with no stereotyping,” said Mansaray. He says the population is getting diverse but there are challenges minorities are facing. The forum aims to provide answers on how to make Lloydminster more attractive to newcomers and immigrants and how do we retain them.
Speakers will talk about their challenges, skills and experiences as newcomers, while also learning about Indigenous people using the blanket exercise. “When immigrants come, if they don’t get this basic information, as they become settled into the Canadian system; we all get the same stereotypes about something,” said Mansaray. “Going into a blanket exercise, people will be educated about these Indigenous people.” The blanket exercise
will be led by Lakeland College HVAC/Heating Plant Operator and Onion Lake r esid ent Kevin John. John will also speak about his own personal experiences as an Indigenous person. Lakeland College School of Business Chair Ben Acquaye is the keynote speaker with Lloydfest organizer Susan Cambridge listed as a panellist. “This year, I am just using people who have gone through certain experiences—what were their challenges and how they have overcome
that,” said Mansaray. The audience will also hear from co-organizer Tigra-Lee Campbell from the Lloydminster Vermilion for Equity Church “to just have a collaboration” as Mansaray put it. The Native Friendship Centre is a part of it too. Those who register online will get a link to Zoom and possibly YouTube Live and will be entertained by Indigenous drummers and dancers in real-time. Other multi-cultural groups will perform live as well as
some recorded performances because of COVID restrictions on gatherings. Mansaray notes the event is also free. “I got funding from the City of Lloydminster to actually do this through the Saskatchewan Lotteries,” he said. “They’ve been supporting me last year and this year.” Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers is unable to attend, but he has prepared a recorded message along with Vermilion Mayor Caroline McAuley, one of the invited speakers.
PAGE 10 Thursday, January 14, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE
Viewpoint Through the reader’s lens
5921-50 Avenue, Lloydminster, SK S9V 2A4 Phone: 306-825-5111 Toll Free: 1-800-327-3899 Fax: 306-825-5147 meridiansource.ca Mail: Box 2454, Lloydminster, SK S9V 1W5 Hours: 8AM to 5PM Monday to Friday THE MERIDIAN SOURCE is published once a week, on Thursday. All material printed in the Meridian Source is copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. The Meridian Source reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertising or editorial material at its discretion. Columns and letters are the expressed view of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Meridian Source.
Editor Taylor Weaver taylor@meridiansource.ca
Staff Writer Geoff Lee geoff@meridiansource.ca Sports Editor Jamie Harkins sports@meridiansource.ca
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John Van Cleemput Submitted to the Meridian Source
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Thank you, John, for submitting more great area wildlife photos! If you would like to see your photos in the Meridian Source, please email them to taylor@meridiansource.ca
CITY FINANCES FROM PAGE 5
“Having those longrange funding goals helps them know what’s coming. This is something we fight for as a council with both provincials governemtns to say ‘Look, we really want long-term sustainable planning, so we need to know what the provincial governments are going to be doing for us going forward, so this is just good practise for the City, so we can budget, so they can budget, and so things don’t get missed.
“This is important because we don’t want to go back later and go ‘holy we’re in a half million dollars in deficit,’ and to try to fix problems that were there.” In regards to the City financially supporting Startup Lloydminster through the annual budget, Buckingham and council agreed the decision was an easy one. “Startup is providing a service and economic development to our city that we couldn’t provide at that rate, even if we had an internal staff per-
son doing that job,” he said. “All of this makes perfect fiscal sense. “Our job is to make sound fiscal policy, and sound policy overall as a City, and one of those things is Startup,” he added. “There’s going to have to be some people that are going to want to step up and do things in our community going forward (such as starting one’s own business, or help running a current business), and as a city, we need to do everything we can to support those.”
On Jan. 1 at 11:14 p.m. Liam James Zinger was born to Laryssa St. Amant and Branden Zinger at Lloydminster Hospital, officially making him Lloydminster’s first baby of 2021. Liam weighed 3,230 grams (7 lbs. 2 oz.). His parents are from Lloydminster, Saskatchewan and everyone is doing well.
Public Health measure in effect until Jan. 29 MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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Based on current COVID-19 transmission rates, the public health order issued effective Dec. 17, 2020 will remain in effect until Jan. 29.
At that time they will be reviewed by the provincial Chief Medical Health Officer. This includes: - Private, indoor gatherings remain limited to immediate household members only.
- People may meet and greet outdoors with up to 10 people only, provided physical distancing between households can be maintained. - The public health orders for licensed establishments; sports, fitness and dance; places of worship; and
mandatory masking remain in place. - Al l non-e sse ntial interprovincial travel is discouraged. For complete information on the current public health measures or to see the Public Health Order, visit http:// www.saskatchewan.ca/ covid19-measures.
Leeway from Lloyd: The year of outdoor rinks STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE
It’s easy to make a case that backyard rinks are as iconically Canadian as maple syrup, Muskoka chairs and Tim Hortons coffee. They may be even more iconic during this COVID winter as a means to enjoy Canada’s game, while practicing social distancing along with puck skills. I am sure if you could fly over Lloydminster, the number of outdoor and backyard rinks this year would be in the dozens, especially with milder than normal temperatures for outdoor enjoyment. Back in the day, everyone played on outdoor rinks due to the lack of organized sports, indoor arenas and the low cost of making a rink. Just about every
schoolyard in Ontario where I grew up in the 50s and 60s had a rink. Winter also seemed colder and longer back then before global warming came into play. Outdoor rinks are where hockey legends right across Canada developed the stick handling and skating skills that carried them to the pros. During the IIHF World Junior Championship, Canadian Tire ran ads about the three winners of an outdoor rink contest for families and communities across the country to stay active during the pandemic. There may be nothing more Canadian this COVID winter than an outdoor rink. Maybe our juniors need to go back to these roots if they want to win the gold medal again. That’s where kids pretend to be idols like
MacKinnon or McDavid today—guys with skill and a will to win. Our team didn’t have the latter. The Russians are trying to put the fun back in hockey too with their coach referencing the need for his players to recall what it was like playing as kids during the IIHF event. Most outdoor rinks though are built by people who just want to have fun. The nice thing about an outdoor rink is that it keeps families together and saves money by not having to drive back and forth to an arena or pay registration fees. For little kids, a small backyard rink seems big and it’s manageable for mom or pop to maintain. The only downside is the water bill—but it’s money in the bank for the city to pour more water on their outdoor rinks!
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Rotary job partnership keeps on rolling GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. COVID-19 hasn’t put much of a dent in the number of active employees with developmental disabilities hired through the Rotary Employment Partnership program. Currently, there are 15 such employees working in Lloydminster and 11 job seekers, according to a program update on Zoom, hosted by the Rotary Club of Lloydminster on Monday. “We have a few who are on temporary layoff with the option to be able to come back,” said Jenna Pellerin, director of family engagement for Inclusion Lloydminster. She says it’s been a similar experience for Inclusion Alberta during the pandemic. “To our surprise, the
entire province has not seen a huge decrease in employment. A few individuals were laid off and every month that goes by, more individuals are going back to work,” said Pellerin. “There are some restrictions for each employee if they were laid off. Our statistics show most of our employees are still working.” Rotary Employment Partnership works closely with the business community to develop jobs for people with developmental disabilities. Tara Ferguson, with the Rotary Employment Partnership program, says a big plus is Pellerin wants to work with employers to understand what they are looking for with the position. “Once they are hired,
she works with employers to provide a successful ‘onboarding’ experience for the employee and supports for the company,” she said. Ferguson is the branch manager at the downtown Servus Credit Union and Becky Schille, executive director of The Olive Tree, says their respective Rotary program employees, named Jillian and Jessica, have worked out great. “Jillian comes in once a week. She’s just a bubbly personality. We all look forward to when she does come in and the energy that she brings to the office,” said Ferguson. Over the years, the program has created 85 jobs in Lloydminster and 600 in Alberta with good results. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
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COVID hasn’t slowed special-needs hiring
FROM PAGE 14
Schille says she was happy to hear about the Rotary Employment Partnership and for the opportunity to add Jessica to their team at the thrift store back in 2017. “You can’t talk about Jessica without smiling. She brings laughter, a sense of fun, and a much-needed softness to our team,” said Schille. “She always shows up for work on time. She has a positive attitude, she’s dedicated to our
work and she’s proud to be a part of the work that we do.” Schille says she is thankful that Inclusion Lloydminster helped to educate her staff and volunteers as well as train Jessica. They also helped to design a job that fit Jessica’s strengths and passions. “If you are thinking of inclusion employment, I would say go for it and please don’t think of it in terms of doing the right thing,” said Schille.
“We are blessed to have an employee that is reliable, passionate about doing a good job and a lot of fun.” The statistics by Inclusion Alberta show workers with disabilities have lower turnover rates, 40 per cent lower safety incidents rates and generate consumer goodwill at companies that hire them. Rotarian Robin Acton, who introduced Ferguson, noted the partnership program was started by Glenn Fagnan 20 years ago.
RCMP arrest dangerous driver
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n Jan. 9, at approximately 12:20 a.m., Lloyd RCMP members attempted a traffic stop with a vehicle on 43 Street near 48 Avenue for a traffic infraction. The driver did not stop for police, and continued driving around various spots in Lloydminster in a dangerous manner. Police arrested and charged Sean Ruda, 39, of Lloydminster, with:
- Impaired operation of a motor vehicle - Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle - Flight from peace officer - Resist peace officer - Assault on a Police Officer with a weapon - Fail to comply with undertaking condition
21013jj0
Today it’s a program promoted by the Lloydminster and Border City Rotary clubs with funding from Inclusion
Lloydminster, Inclusion Alberta and the Alberta government. Rotary member Wendy Plandowski also
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gave a shout out to Avril Coleman for her role as the director of family engagement for Inclusion Lloydminster.
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New baby advice? Who me?
PRAIRIE WOOL HELEN ROW TOEWS
The new year is always a good time to
talk about new beginnings and fresh starts. With that in mind, I’ve written a little story on the birth of a child, since there’s noth-
ing that leaves us with brighter expectations. This past summer, one of the teachers at my school had a baby. It was a privilege to work
with her beforehand. Brought back a lot of memories too. Particularly when she was full term and jokingly asked if I had advice on how to get, “the ball rolling.” I did. After my first child had been born two weeks overdue and 10 pounds, I decided it wouldn’t happen again. The second time round I researched home remedies to induce labour. Enter – castor oil. Everything I read about it sounded safe, natural and effective and I’d reached my due date, so there were no worries there. My friend, Arthetta, henceforth referred to as accomplice, bartender and secret shopper, made the purchase for me, since I felt selfconscious buying laxatives at the local pharmacy, lest they probe for details. We met later that day at her house. This was long before the Internet, and pertinent infor-
mation such as the possible and highly disagreeable outcome of such a deed, or the correct dosage for this foolish endeavour, was not readily available. Arthetta glugged the entire, oily bottle into a glass, topped it off with orange juice, stirred briskly and handed it over with a winning smile. I stared into the slimy depths. Doubts began to slither forward in my mind like the globules of fat that swirled unpleasantly in the tumbler before me. The oil had risen immediately to the top, and lay there like grease floating in the dishwater of life. I held my breath, put the rim to my lips, tilted my head and poured it back. Yuck! “You actually did it,” Arthetta muttered, shaking her head in amazement. Then she peered at me hopefully, waiting for something to happen.
It didn’t. “Okay,” my accomplice said, “I don’t think it’s working, but here’s the deal, I have another bottle of the stuff in my cupboard. It’s been there a while but – maybe we should have that too.” She looked at me expectantly. “Whadya mean ‘we’,” I said, with lips still slick from the last allotment. She darted to the kitchen. Presently, I heard the tinkle of her spoon as my bartender prepared a second cocktail. It was halfway down before I realized it was RANCID! “Argh!” I shouted, rushing into the bathroom to lean over the sink. Sweat had broken out on my forehead. I felt distinctly ill. “Maybe you should call a prenatal nurse to ask how much is usually administered,” I said, clutching my rumbling stomach. “Not that I can change it now.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
Thursday, January 14, 2021
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Nominations open for Alberta’s highest honour MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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Albertans are encouraged to nominate remarkable citiPRAIRIE WOOL FROM PAGE 16
Quickly my pal dialled, asked the question and then sat down abruptly, her face draining of colour. “I see,” she finished, “thanks.” Hanging up, Arthetta turned to me with a stricken look upon her face. “The nurse said to take one, maybe two tablespoons, but no more.” “WHAT!” I hollered from her beautifully appointed potty, where I was to spend the next five hours. “I just swilled back two bottles
zens, leaders and innovators for membership in the Alberta Order of Excellence. Up to 10 individuals of the junk! And the last one was ROTTEN!” We can laugh about it now. Actually, we laughed about it then, but I’m really not the right person to give advice in this particular area. However, my beautiful, healthy baby girl was born that night and my heart was filled with happiness and hope for her future. And so, as we move into 2021 I truly wish the same for us all. May we know happiness, love and hope for a bright new year.
will be inducted into the Order this year in recognition of remarkable contributions to their community, the province and beyond. Nominations are accepted year-round, but must be received by Feb. 15 to be considered for investiture this year. Nominations not selected in 2021 will be considered for up to three years.
Nominees must be Canadians citizens currently residing in Alberta and, if selected, must be able to attend the investiture ceremony. People cannot nominate themselves, their spouse or a member of their immediate family. Information about the Order, including nomination guidelines, nomination
File Photo forms and biographies of previous inductees, is available on t he Al be r ta O r d e r o f
Excellence website. Information is also available by calling 780-449-0517.
Council approves master software subscription MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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Lloydminster city council approved a sole source award for a Master Software Subscription and Services agreement for assessment software over a five-year
term, to Munisight Ltd., during Monday’s regular meeting of council. Prior to 2019, the City outsourced property assessment services to KCL Consulting Ltd., which used CAMAlot software to manage
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the assessments for the City. The pricing is a fee per parcel, billed annually, and the estimated total fees over five years is approximately $95,000. Parcel count will be conducted dur-
ing the last business week of December. This expense is approved in the 2021 operating budget and will be included in the annual operating budget for subsequent years.
PAGE 18 Thursday, January 14, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE
Sports
Longtime minor ball coach honoured by Baseball Sask JAMIE HARKINS
WRITER
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Thousands of hours spent on the ball diamond in an effort to
help kids learn and excel at the game of baseball is reward enough for Charlie Schille.
Yet, Schille’s peers and Baseball Saskatchewan felt differently. The longtime Lloydminster Minor Baseball Association (LMBA) coach and executive has been honoured with the 2020 Joe McDonald Special Award of Merit in appreciation for his tireless work both inseason and off to promote the sport among the Border City and area’s young players. “I’m not an awards guy,” said Schille. “The award should go to the whole program. I’m just one of the cogs on a big sprocket. But, some fellas out there figured I needed to be recognized provincially and it’s kind of hum-
bling that I am.” Schille initially got into the game helping coach his son Owen’s mosquito team 12 years ago. He continued off and on, while Owen climbed the ranks to midget AAA ball, before taking on an executive role with the LMBA assisting in the placement of coaches for the different clubs. “I’ve always had a passion for the game of baseball,” he said. “I watched it when I was a kid. I played it when I was a kid. I personally feel it’s one of the best games out there for
kids to have fun in and develop with.” A move down to the lower levels, noted Schille, coupled with a bevy of indoor training during the winter months occupied his time once Owen graduated from minor ball. He said the role of consultant over the last few y e ar s to me mbe r s o f the executive including Dave Pero and Jason Tremblay has kept him busy, but there is an urge to get back into coaching the younger kids at some time as long as travel is kept to a minimum.
“You get these kids when they’re six, seven or eight years old and some of them don’t know how to catch a ball even,” said Schille, adding Kevin Kusch and David Keck mentored him as a young coach. “So, you work with them and you help develop them to the best of their abilities. The next thing you know, in three or four years, these kids who you helped develop are winning provincial championships at high levels. It’s quite gratifying to have a hand in that.”
Supplied Photo Charlie Schille, left, poses with MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Roland Glen “Rollie” Fingers. Schille recently captured the Baseball Saskatchewan 2020 Joe McDonald Special Award of Merit.
Thursday, January 14, 2021
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Bodyweight exercises and walking under the stars SPORTS EDITOR JAMIE HARKINS
Last week, we spent some time talking about New Year’s predictions. Well, dear readers, let’s now discuss New Year’s resolutions and, no, we don’t need to get all political about it. Instead, for all of us hoping to develop a more active and productive lifestyle in 2021, let’s just accept the facts that some areas of sport and entertainment are closed for the good of everyone, safe ways of getting fit are still available and there is no sound rationale for promoting or attending freedom rallies. Today, we’ll put our focus on what can be accomplished at home, without the need to spend money or travel anywhere during this second wave, just for fun. We can try to fig-
File Photo ure out why some people think it is wise to still hold anti-lockdown marches following the U.S. Capitol being stormed by a horde of right-wing wackos tomorrow. Personally, as far as exercise and ideology is concerned, I prefer to do what’s right. Or, I guess, in terms of the latter it would be left.
Any who, outside pressure and deadlines definitely help move the dial, but they don’t keep me on track long-term. Time, or lack there of, plays a big role in my and I’m sure your day-to-day. We need something that gets results, but isn’t too time consuming. That’s except of course for long walks
under the stars, which I have to recommend to everyone able to do so. Find a spot away from a light while walking along the path at Bud Miller Park around nine o’clock at night and look up. It’s pretty nice. Back in March and April, 2020, Connor
McDavid and Gary Roberts released four Twitter videos detailing a series of different bodyweight workouts that can be done at home without the need of any equipment. Well, except for one, when McDavid carries his dog for extra weight
21013bs5
while doing lunges. But, I’m sure your siblings or cats would gladly step in if you’re lacking. All four workouts can be completed in about 15 to 20 minutes crossing out the no-time-toexercise excuse. They’re easy enough for non-athletes like me to complete and do build up a sweat. Plus, for days when you might not feel like going outside for one reason or another, they’re a good add-in to get the body moving in some way. Getting in a bit more exercise seems to be my annual New Year’s resolution. I think those McDavid and Roberts videos have helped me stay on track so far this time. Do a search for them if you think they can help you too. And, finally, thanks for wearing a mask.
PAGE 20 Thursday, January 14, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111 admin@meridansource.ca
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BLOCK: Dale Russell Block, 60, of Lloydminster, Alberta, graduated to his forever home courageously and peacefully on November 23 in Calgary, Alberta, surrounded by family. Dale was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to John and Gloria Block on April 30, 1960. He went to school in Winnipegosis, graduated from Carman Collegiate High School and took his post secondary education at Winnipeg Bible School (Providence University College & Theological Seminary). He worked in numerous different jobs including as a youth pastor and child protection worker, and most recently as Manager of Children’s Services. Dale loved camping, hiking, mountain biking, traveling, reading, and spurring others on in deep conversation, but his most favorite times were those spent being with his family. Dale is survived by his wife of 33 years Amanda Block of Lloydminster, three sons Jason Block of Calgary, Andrew (Kenda) Block of Strathmore, and Jonathan (Elaina) Block of Lloydminster, his mother Gloria Block of Calgary, Brothers Gerald (Grace) Block of Saskatoon, Elden (Cindy) Block of Sherwood Park, Dwight (Heidi) Block of Calgary and numerous nieces and nephews and their children. He is
predeceased by his father John Block of Calgary. He was also predeceased by his 6 unborn children Samara, Isaac, Maria, Daniel, Gideon and Hope. Viewing was conducted in Calgary on November 28 followed by burial at Rocky View Garden of Peace in an intimate setting with family and a few close friends. Choice Memorials of Calgary administered the arrangements. A memorial service was held in Lloydminster on December 12. Video of the service, including the eulogy, can be found on the McCaw Funeral Home website. Our utmost thanks to the ALS Society of Alberta, the Neurological department of the Calgary South Health Campus and Alberta Health Services Calgary Home Care, along with a host of other team members who carried us through the last 3.5 years. The family would like to thank all those who sent notes, flowers, food, and support of many kinds. Thank you to Ken Fisher, Brad Berkan, Chris Ernst, Mark Harewood as well as Val Braun, Trevor Peacock and Dale Block Jr for your involvement in the memorial. A special thank you to Joel and Brett McCaw for your friendship and for administering the memorial service. Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Society of Alberta (www.alsab.ca) Dale’s philosophy of life was to Love, Learn and Leave a legacy. Indeed he did. Amanda Block Jason, Andrew, Kenda, Jonathan and Elaina
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