January 26, 2023 Digital Issue

That’s a Wrap on a Successful Week of Celebrating Hockey in Martensville

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

It seems like an understatement to say that the week-long GFL Hockey Day in Saskatchewan festivities held in Martensville from January 16-22 was an astounding success. Throughout the week there were a wide variety of events held, with something for everyone to enjoy whether it be taking in a game of hockey, enjoying a fire pit outside, attending the banquet and cabaret, watching fireworks, indulging in a delicious rink burger and more.

The event was hosted by the Martensville Minor Hockey Association (MMHA), and was organized by the GFL Hockey Day in Saskatchewan 2023 Organizing & Planning Volunteer Committee which consisted of Kris Miazga, Christine Semchyshen, Jill Rowland, Rhea Mathies, Joel Wagner, Clint Dieno, Joe Garchinski, Lorrie Sorowski and Dawn Wotherspoon.

“The week was great! There was a lot of excitement through the week for the games and events. I was able to attend the three elementary schools and it was a blast seeing the excitement from the kids. Games were well attended and the banquet/cabaret was a lot of fun,” Trevor Hanley, MMHA President, stated.

Numerous headliner games took place during the event and there was a 3-on-3 Outdoor Hockey Shinny Tournament, as well as an ‘Old Timers’ game, which saw some players that have been inducted into the Canadian National 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame in Ottawa. Fans had a chance to get autographs signed from the Saskatoon Blades on Thursday. Through the week, players of all ages and tiers came out to play games in front of the fans and on Friday night, a banquet and cabaret was held at the Martensville Athletic Pavilion (MAP) with guest speaker Darren Dutchyshen. Saturday was a funfilled day with activities at the MAP, an outdoor beer garden and a Family FunSpiel at the Martensville Curling Rink and Saturday night showcased an incredible fireworks display. On Sunday, families could take part in a pancake breakfast and a Family Skate with the Saskatoon Blades and Saskatchewan Rush mascots..

According to Hanley, there were over 200 people in attendance for the headliner games, approximately 200 in attendance for the banquet and local schools had classes in attendance to enjoy the old-timer game on Friday afternoon. With the weather cooperating, there was also a large turn-out for the outdoor 3-on-3 tournament.

Money raised through this event will go towards the new recreation facility planned for Martensville and although it is still too early to tell how much was raised, the progressive 50/50 that took place throughout the week saw a total of $22,360, with the winner Marci Woytiuk taking home half the pot.

“Hockey Day/Week is really about celebrating the rink and the role it plays in supporting and bringing the community together. If you were around the MAP or arena this past week or weekend, you would have seen that first-hand. From attendees to those volunteering there was a lot of fun had and it was great to see so many people working towards a common goal,” Hanley said.

This event created lasting memories for the people that attended, and that would not have been possible without the contributions of volunteers that spent countless hours ensuring it was a success, businesses that stepped up to sponsor the celebration, the teams that came out to put on a great show, and everyone that took the time to come out and support our local hockey teams.

“The school assemblies for me were a lot of fun and the excitement from the kids was great. The headliner games on Saturday, combined with the 3-on-3 tournament and beer gardens made the rink the place to be. There were so many people and we had some great feedback from those participating in that. The old-timers game was an unexpected addition to the week’s events, but showcased a love for the game and how inclusive this event really is. The players in the game said it was an amazing experience playing in front of the kids who came out and the kids made it so much more fun with the cheering. It was a lot of work, but it’s for a cause/project that will give so much back to our community for years to come,” Hanley added.

“A huge thank you to GFL Environmental, our title sponsor and to all of the local businesses and individuals who stepped up to sponsor other parts of the week, to our organizing committee who delivered a great event and to those who came out to support Hockey Day in Saskatchewan!”

Editor/Office Manager: Shanine Sealey ssealey@martensvillemessenger.ca

Editor/Ad Design: Jocelyn Ottenbreit jottenbreit@martensvillemessenger.ca

To Contact Us About Advertising: advertising@martensvillemessenger.ca

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ABOVE: The outdoor rink at the Martensville Sports Centre was a hub of activity during the week-long Hockey Day in Saskatchewan event. ABOVE: Classes from the local schools came out to cheer on the players during the ‘Old-Timer’ game on Friday, January 20th.

ABOVE: Family Skate on Sunday was a fun-filled afternoon for all that attended.

ABOVE: Over 200 people were in attendance for the SJHL Headliner Game between the Humboldt Broncos and the Battleford North Stars on Saturday night.

ABOVE: The GFL Hockey Day in Saskatchewan 2023 Organizing & Planning Volunteer Committee consisted of (from L to R) Kris Miazga, Christine Semchyshen, Jill Rowland, Rhea Mathies, Joel Wagner and Clint Dieno. Missing from photo are Joe Garchinski, Lorrie Sorowski and Dawn Wotherspoon. (HDIS Facebook)

ABOVE: The outdoor beer gardens and firepits at the rink were a popular addition for people to enjoy the beautiful weather.

RIGHT: The Saskatoon Blades came out on Thursday night to sign autographs for fans. (HDIS Facebook)

ABOVE: The MAP offered family fun as well as an opportunity to watch headliner games on the big screen on Saturday.

A display was featured at the Martensville Sports Centre reminding those attending what this event was helping to create for the community, as funds raised will go towards a new recreation facility.

Snow Removal this Winter – What You Need to Know

The Snow removal program aims to reduce hazards in the community, ensure roadways for emergency vehicles, and provide access to goods and services in the community.

Our crews strive to deliver excellent service, however sometimes weather can be unpredictable, and snow and ice control activities may vary. Every reasonable effort will be made to promptly remove snow and ice and create safe driving and walking conditions. There are ways you can help to ensure to keep streets clear and safe

- Do not shovel, blow, or push snow from private property onto the street – this causes snow ridges on your driveway when our plow cleans our street.

- Do not plow or pile snow on streets or hydrants – this can block access to manholes, water valves, and access to water in case of emergencies.

- Clear your driveways in advance of the city’s snow clearing operations - this helps our operators clear your street more efficiently as well as more clearly see driveways to avoid ridging.

- Do not park your vehicle in an area where it could obstruct snow removal procedures - this hinders our operations and could result in a snow ridge blocking your vehicle in place.

- Do not leave large piles of snow at the corners of driveways – this snow can be caught by a raised snow-gate blade and topple over into your driveway or the street.

-Prevent snow from piling up on the front of your driveway by moving it near your tree/lawn areas behind your walkway.

Watch for posted areas for Snow Removal - In case of snow and snow removal, crews need to have roads cleared of all vehicles on posted streets. If you are going out of the City over the holidays, please have your vehicles off City streets. Vehicles left on the street per the traffic bylaw are ticketed and towed (to a non-posted area).

Stay Clear of Sanding Trucks - Crews apply a mixture of salt and sand on our streets and intersections to ensure safer driving conditions. If you are near or behind the sanding truck you are reminded to stay back 15m to allow the truck to disperse materials and to prevent materials from potentially hitting your vehicle.

Information on general program procedures and the City’s Priority Map is available online at Martensville.ca.

SPORTS

Skate Martensville Hosting Annual FunFest Event

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Skate Martensville will be hosting FunFest on Sunday, January 29th from 10am-3pm. This regional event is held each year to showcase the younger skaters that are participating in the CanSkate program. Each year, skating clubs from around the region take turns hosting the event, which was last hosted by the Warman/Osler Skating Club in 2020; however, has since been postponed due to the pandemic.

“Skate Martensville is excited to pick up the tradition and be the host of FunFest 2023. This is a skating event where CanSkaters get the opportunity to showcase their skills in a fun and interactive environment,” Coach Nicole Gryba stated.

There will be approximately 50 skaters between the ages of 4-13 participating from ten clubs around the province. Each skater will participate in three events based on their skating level and will receive an evaluation of their performances based on Skate Canada standards at the end of the day. At the end of the event, all participants are rewarded with a copy of their evaluations and an award.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle, a Candy Guess game, food, flowers and podium photos included in the fun-filled afternoon. Everyone is welcome to attend and the event is free-of-charge.

FunFest is a separate event from Skate Martensville’s annual

Skating Carnival, which is an ice-show held in March at the end of the season. More information about this season’s Skating Carnival will be announced in February.

“Skate Martensville has been a part of the community since 1985 and is a non-profit skating club sanctioned by Skate Canada. Together with our coaching staff, our club offers a safe and stimulating environment for the whole family to learn skating. We have programming available for all ages and abilities,” Gryba explained.

CanSkate is the most popular program offered, which provides young skaters the opportunity to learn basic fundamentals of skating that pertain to all ice sports including hockey, ringette, speed skating and figure skating. From there, skaters progress into the STARSkate program where they develop their figure skating skills in the areas of ice dancing, skating skills, free skate, synchronized skating and interpretive skating.

“We also have an Adult program that encourages our 18+ skaters to come onto the ice and learn new skating skills or refresh old ones. And new to our club this year, we have added two synchronized skating teams who will be competing at the Living Skies SynchroSkate Invitational competition in March,” added Gryba.

For more information about Skate Martensville, visit www. skatemartensville.ca.

In Case of a Water Line Freeze Up

In the past, there have been areas in the community prone to water line freeze-ups.

If you experience a waterline freeze‐up or any other interruption in service, please call (306) 931‐2166 to report your issue. If this happens outside of regular business hours, please follow the prompts to be transferred to the emergency after‐hours contact.

Thank you for your co‐operation!

A Reminder about Snowmobiles and our Parks

Snowmobiles are prohibited from being driven through our parks as well as drainage systems and streets. Riding snowmobiles through the parks can cause damage to trees or plantings, be disruptive to those utilizing the parks and there may be hazards such as stones or equipment that put riders at risk.

Snowmobilers are asked to abide by local bylaws including:

• Entering and exiting the City utilizing the most direct street route between their residence and city limits.

• Not operating a snowmobile in excess of 20km/hr within limits

• Operating only between 7AM and 10PM

• Not operating a snowmobile in any park, public or municipal reserve

• Not operating a snowmobile on Centennial Drive other than to cross or obtain fuel.

For the complete traffic bylaw please visit martensville.ca. The City of Martensville wishes a safe winter season for all residents.

February Council Meeting Dates

Please Note: Council Meetings may be attended in-person but guests must wear a mask and should practice social distancing within Council Chambers. Those still wishing to attend but would wish to do so virtually should contact the City Clerk or visit the online agenda for the link to attend.

Committee of the Whole- February 14th Regular Council Meeting – February 21st

The Regular Council Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers in Martensville City Hall at 37 Centennial Dr. S. All meetings commence at 5 PM.

Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda. To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details. The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca.

Hosted by:

Medicine Hat College Takes You From Classroom to Career

Written by Medicine Hat College

Saskatchewan highways and high schools are a familiar sight for Landon Heilman. As the student recruitment coordinator for Medicine Hat College (MHC) he’s travelled extensively throughout the province over the years, meeting with students and high school counsellors and sharing all that MHC has to offer.

As a comprehensive community college in sunny Southeast Alberta, MHC is focused on unique student pathways and programs that help learners reach their educational goals. From certificates, diplomas and degrees to university studies and apprenticeship training in the areas of health care, community services, business, education, science, arts, trades and technology, there really is something for everyone.

• Consider a rewarding career as a health care aide, improving the lives of those in hospital or living in a care facility or pursue degree options in nursing or paramedicine and benefit from access to state-of-the-art simulation training.

• Gain hands-on training through a wide variety of apprenticeship programs including automotive service and welding, or build sought after skills as an information or engineering technologist.

• Expand your business acumen and specialize in accounting, administration, marketing, management or financial services, or explore exciting new specialty programs in Sport & Event Marketing and Management, Sustainable Innovation, or Service Dog and Canine Management Studies.

• Become a teacher in our collaborative Bachelor of Education program, discover your creative side with an applied degree in art and design, or start your education with a variety of university studies programs in arts and sciences that build a solid foundation for degree completion elsewhere.

Small class sizes across our programs create more opportunities to engage and build relationships; while work integrated learning provides real world

experiences. Flexible delivery options help students balance school and life. Dedicated faculty and staff know you by name.

From application to graduation, MHC strives to be a leader in student support by offering exceptional services and a personalized approach that builds confidence and trust. Academic advising and coaching, writing support, personal counselling, accessibility services, tutoring, and career services are all available to MHC students, while a brand new fitness centre and Indigenous gathering space provide opportunities for health, wellness and cultural growth.

Speaking from experience as a former student in MHC’s School of Business, Heilman is passionate about supporting future students on their own path to postsecondary.

“The best part about being a student recruiter at MHC is the opportunity to have a meaningful impact in people’s lives. Being a source of encouragement for someone to take the first step in achieving their educational goals, and then getting to see them walk across the stage during graduation, is my favorite part about my job.”

With all the amenities of a larger centre plus the feel of a small town, there’s lots to love about “The Hat.” Enjoy the natural beauty of the region with the city’s extensive trail system, parks and golf courses, and easy access to Cypress Hills Provincial Park and the Canadian Badlands. Medicine Hat also boasts a vibrant arts and entertainment scene featuring exceptional musical talent, sporting events and festivals, and unique local coffee shops, pubs, and retail stores.

Join us for Open House on Saturday, March 4 and discover MHC! Visit mhc.ab.ca for details or call 1-866-282-8394 to book a tour or appointment.

Offering Students the Best of Both Worlds

Submitted by St. Thomas More College

St. Thomas More College (STM) provides students with an intimate scholarly setting situated within the larger University of Saskatchewan (USask) campus. Offering a combination of smaller class sizes, award-winning faculty, social activities, additional scholarship and bursary opportunities and an in-house chef for food offerings – students enjoy an environment that is the best of both worlds.

STM, in partnership with USask’s College of Arts and Science, provides students with over 235 additional credit classes in the humanities and social sciences that they can select from – many unique to the campus. Any USask student may take STM courses, with credit counting toward their USask degrees. STM offers courses in the following 19 subject areas: Anthropology, Archaeology, Classical, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Catholic Studies, Economics, English, French, Hebrew, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Latin, Literature, Philosophy, Political Studies, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish and Ukrainian. STM also now offers five certificate programs distinct to campus. To see a full listing of classes taught and programs coordinated by STM, please visit stmcollege.ca.

Two extensive additions and renewal to the College include additional classroom space incorporating the latest technology; dedicated student study and lounge space; faculty research space; newly renovated library, and a large natural light Atrium for studying and gathering with friends. STM is also recognized for its Community Service-learning, successful drama and glee club; youth groups, a student governing body within the College and access to student advising and College ministry support.

Register through PAWS. For more information contact STM Academic Advisors at 306-966-8900.

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St. Thomas More College (STM)

Planning

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Learn Where You Live With USask Nursing

Written by the University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) top nursing student for 2022 may have never entered the nursing program if it wasn’t for the chance to learn close to home.

Smaller centres face special challenges in recruiting and retaining health-care professionals. The College of Nursing Learn Where You Live model has proven successful in establishing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in rural and northern communities.

ABOVE: University of Saskatchewan

Nursing Graduate Taylor Fulawka (BSN’22) at Spring Convocation. Photo submitted by University of Saskatchewan.

Taylor Fulawka is from Yorkton, and along with 14 classmates, together they pursued a nursing education in Yorkton. The supportive environment where it was possible to live at home rent free and concentrate on studying was a major contributing factor to not just graduating, but excelling. Taylor was awarded the W. S Lindsay Gold Medal in Nursing and the University Prize in Nursing; the top academic nursing awards at USask.

Taylor says finances were a significant concern and the cost of relocating to a major centre was simply not possible. The College of Nursing’s Learn Where You Live model removes these barriers for approximately 450 nursing students in communities throughout Saskatchewan each year, as these students reside outside of Saskatoon, where the main USask campus is located.

Taylor says many people in Yorkton would not complete the nursing program if they had to leave the community.

Passing the National Council Licensure Examination in fall 2022, Taylor is now working as a registered nurse at Yorkton Regional Health Centre. Taylor’s story highlights why USask’s College of Nursing has taken steps to ensure nursing education is offered throughout the province.

Since the first nursing students entered the BSN program at distributed sites in La Ronge and Ile-a-la-Crosse in 2012, 65 students have completed their program in northern Saskatchewan. Since the program began in Yorkton in 2014, 63 students have completed their BSN.

When nursing students complete their degree in rural and northern communities, most graduates stay and practice there. Saskatchewan’s rural and northern communities need nurses, who are familiar with the culture, the people, and the rural and remote way of life.

The need for registered nurses has never been greater. Over the next three years, USask is taking responsive steps to expand access to nursing education in the northern and rural regions of Saskatchewan.

By adding additional seats to nursing sites beyond Saskatoon, communities will be able to take advantage of USask’s distributed nursing education infrastructure and strengths in rural, remote, and Indigenous nursing education.

Taylor has seen health centres in smaller communities around Yorkton close, in part due to staffing shortages. Taylor believes nurses educated in Yorkton and similar centres will be more willing to work in rural settings because they are already from a smaller community.

Taylor felt called to the profession of nursing when Taylor’s grandmother, who used to share stories about practicing as a young nursing aid, was in the hospital, and Taylor saw first-hand how care was provided with kindness and support.

Our province and the world needs nurses like Taylor, who are smart, talented, and want to be there for others in a time of need.

USask’s College of Nursing is making this possible for students, no matter where they live in Saskatchewan.

For more information about USask nursing programs, please visit nursing.usask.ca.

Moe-Trudeau Squabbling Reaches New Low

Even by the diminished standards of federalprovincial relations we’ve come to expect in the past few years, this was bad. Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Scott Moe are to blame. That probably isn’t a popular sentiment.

People prefer to blame one side or the otherlargely based on their own political preferences and in this latest bit of drama in which Moe made it publicly known he was outraged over not getting an invite from Trudeau’s office to join him on a tour of Saskatoon’s Vital Metals Inc. last week, it was clearly the Prime Minister who instigated this latest round in what is a very bad relationship.

It was Trudeau’s event; his visit to Saskatoon. As such, it was up to him to issue the invites. Moreover, some of us are old-fashion enough to think that that the senior level of government bears the most responsibility for setting the tone and rising about the petty fray.

After all, a big part of the job is to rise above it all and get along with premiers in all parts of country you are elected to represent. Moreover, immediately extending an invite to Moe to attend would have been the smarter political move when you think about it.

Besides avoiding all the drama, it would have sent a message that Moe was on board with at least part of the green agenda. It’s something that Moe surely couldn’t deny because he is onboard.

No one has been talking more about rare earth minerals and mining lithium needed for batteries than Moe, who in December, went to Washington to promote that very thing.

Asked by reporters why Moe wasn’t extended an invitation, Trudeau offered the condescending and largely dishonest answer that he doubts the “Government of Saskatchewan sees the opportunities that companies, and indeed workers, see in cleaner jobs.”

One might criticize Moe and his Saskatchewan government for not doing enough about the high per capita rate of greenhouse gas emitted by this province, but it’s ludicrous to criticize Moe for not supporting any jobs in this province considered long-term and sustainable.

Really, it was a rather telling comment revealing to whom Trudeau was speaking - to the political audience that is his own base. This stupidity and ensuing criticism was what likely forced the Prime Minister’s Office the next day to issue an apology for neglecting to send an invitation to Moe to the event, but lest one thinks the problem here simply begins and ends with Trudeau, consider Moe’s approach in which seemed very much about relishing another fight with Trudeau.

No, Moe was not hurt that he didn’t get an invitation to spend time with Trudeau. But that might have been his only forthright admission in this whole silly affair that started when Moe, himself, issued tweets, Facebook posts, formal statements feigning his disappointment over not being invite before anyone even knew he wasn’t invited.

If he was truly disappointed in all this and was sincere about wanting to improve this relationship, Moe could have simply privately written or phoned the Prime Minister’s office expressing that this wasn’t helpful, but it was far more politically advantageous for Moe to make a huge public fuss about this; especially given that, this time, he was largely in the right.

Since becoming Saskatchewan Party leader and Premier five years ago in which he warned Trudeau to “just watch me” take Ottawa on the carbon tax, it has been nothing but fighting with Ottawa.

Sometimes, the fighting has been more legitimate - what one would expect in federal-provincial relations, but it’s been fighting usually instigated — and often for no good reason other than partisan purposes.

Fighting over something both sides agree on is surely fighting for no good reason. This is a low.

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

Saskatchewan World Leader in Rare Earth Element Development

Saskatchewan’s future as a North American mining and critical earth processing hub is bright. In our 2030 Growth Plan, we stated that our province would create the first North American rare earth elements (REE) processing facility. REEs are a key component used to manufacture permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and electronics.

To make this goal a reality, our government announced it would invest $31 million in the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) REE processing facility. The first phase of the project, a monazite processing unit, was unveiled in September 2022 and is operation-ready for 2023. The second phase includes a separation unit. We invested an additional $20 million in 2022 to add a third phase to the facility, a metal smelting unit. This unit will produce rare earth metals, a key ingredient used to manufacture permanent magnets. Both the separation unit and metal smelting unit will be operational in 2024 and will be producing rare earth elements products for sale in international markets, including individual rare earth oxides and didymium metals.

SRC’s facility will be the first of its kind in North America and is already beginning to establish a vertically integrated REE supply chain in Saskatchewan, forming an industry model for future commercial REE resource expansion in the province. This facility also positions Saskatchewan as a key player in the clean technology industry. With the ability to process REEs in Saskatchewan, we can reduce our reliance on foreign markets as we transition to clean energy right here at home.

This industry expansion is already taking place as Vital Metals constructs its own separate rare earth extraction facility in Saskatoon. Vital Metals will take REE ore that is mined at its Nechalacho mine in the Northwest Territories, process it at their facility here in Saskatoon.

Our province is a great place for investments from both the government and private sector investors in the mining industry. Saskatchewan was selected as the best jurisdiction for mining investment attractiveness in Canada and second globally, according to the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies. The survey ranks jurisdictions on factors such as stability, regulations, tax regimes, infrastructure and geological attractiveness. Along with this investment attractiveness for mining companies, Saskatchewan boasts world-class research facilities and strong supplier networks.

The province can support developments like the SRC and Vital Metals facilities with a strong and growing workforce. Annual labour force figures show Saskatchewan had 576,000 people working in 2022, an increase of 18,600 from 2021. This is the second-largest percentage increase since records began in 1976. The province is well on its way to creating 100,000 new jobs by the end of 2030, another Growth Plan goal.

In support of this emerging industry, Premier Moe is working to promote Saskatchewan’s important role in producing REEs and connecting with critical trading partners. In December last year, he met with key stakeholders in Washington, D.C. to promote Saskatchewan as an essential mineral trading partner. We continue to work to identify opportunities to strengthen the critical mineral sector and explore ways to address global energy concerns.

With significant projects like these well underway, growth in the mining and technology industries will continue in the coming years, making Saskatchewan a leader in the REE field.

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team Asks The Public To Report Sightings of Wanted Male

The Saskatchewan RCMP Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST) is asking for the public’s assistance with locating 40-year-old Alvin Thomas.

Thomas has been charged by Saskatoon Police Service for breaching his court-ordered release conditions following a second-degree murder charge laid by Saskatchewan RCMP in June 2022. That charge is currently before the courts.

WEST is actively working to locate and arrest him and is asking the public to report information on his whereabouts.

Alvin Thomas is described as approximately 5’10”, with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos of the word ‘Crook’ in large lettering on his forearm, a band around his wrist, a cursive word with hearts and stars around it on the back of his hand, and initials at the base of his thumb.

He is known to visit Saskatoon and Cumberland House, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

If you see Alvin Thomas, do not approach him. Report sightings or information on his whereabouts to your local police service. You can reach your local RCMP detachment by dialling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

Letter to the Editor

(Submitted

The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the editor for publication. Letters must be signed and a phone number and/or email address included so the writer’s identity can be verified. ALL letters are the opinion of the writer and NOT the Martensville Messenger. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity or compliance with the current standards of public taste. Submit your letter to news@martensvillemessenger.ca or mail to Box 333 - Martensville, SK S0K 2T0.

ABOVE: Alvin Thomas

ABOVE: RCMP shared photos of Alvin Thomas’ tattoos with the press release shared to media outlets.

by RCMP)

MISCELLANEOUS

Local Schools Celebrate Hockey Day in Saskatchewan

ABOVE: Marauders: Grady Stoddart-Reis & Josh Olson along with U18AAA Warman Wildcats Zane Normand, Deegan Wapass and Jack Janzen stopped in at Valley Manor School to get everyone excited for Hockey Day in Saskatcheawn. (HDIS Facebook)

LEFT: Lake Vista School took part in the Hockey Day in Saskatchewan festivities with a visit from U18AA Martensville Marauders Nolan Blythe, Nathan Barnett, and Jake Bergman. (HDIS Facebook)

ABOVE: Carsyn Dyck, Corben Schnurr, Maddix Mathies, Liam Bursaw, Kazden Mathies, and Greyson Sorowski visited Venture Heights School where they helped build excitement among the students for Hockey Day in Saskatchewan. (HDIS Facebook)

Martensville Free Pantry Seeks Donations

The Martensville Free Pantry is a staple to numerous local families that rely on the program for food hampers and free food options located in the hallway of the Civic Centre. Items on the shelves in the hallway are available to anyone that needs it and the MFP also provides food hampers with an assortment of nonperishable food items, meats, dairy and fresh food.

To receive a food hamper, identification for each family member is required, as well as proof of residency within the service area of the MFP.

Currently, the MFP is looking for items that they are running low on, which are used weekly within the food hampers. Items include: soda crackers, rice, canned fruit, juice boxes, and nut-free school lunch snacks such as fruit cups, apple sauce and granola bars.

If you are able to donate, contact the MFP via Facebook Messenger, or call/text (306) 280-1255.

Come out and enjoy a night of Bingo on Thursday, January 26th at 7:00pm Join us at 106 4th Avenue North!