May 28, 2020

• Complete Automotive and Tire Service Centre • Journeyman Factory Trained Technicians • Easy Vehicle Repair & Accessory Financing Available FREE courtesy cars available Open 7:30-5:30 Monday - Friday

checkeredflagautomotive.ca

Receive 15% off your next service if you mention this ad!

109 Centennial Dr. No Martensville

Call: 306.975.2140

Message us on FB

Business as USUAL Located at BACK of building

MARTENSVILLE PHARMACY Monday-Friday 9-6 Saturday 10-3 Closed Sundays & Holidays

17 Centennial Drive North

Your City; Your Newspaper

306-931-2868

May 28, 2020

Locally Owned and Operated Celebrating Twelve Years of Community

VOLUME NO. 14 - ISSUE 21

www.martensvillemessenger.ca

ONLINE ORDERS ACCEPTED Re-roofs New Construction Residential Commercial

scottroofingsask.com

306-384-(ROOF)7663 | 306-222-4093 scottlandru61@gmail.com

• • • •

Because We Care

Family-Owned Service Funeral Arrangements Cremations/ Memorials Affordable Choices

Because We Care 591 Centennial Drive North Martensville (8 minutes north of Saskatoon)

www.saskfunerals.ca

Phone: 306) 242-7888 (24 hours per day) Fax: (306) 242-7889 - Email: cherishedmemories@sasktel.net

• Newly Expanded LifeStory Room & Reception Room • Cremations, Funerals & Receptions • Lowest price, Highest Quality • Family-Owned

306.242.7888 (24 hours per day) saskfunerals.ca 591 Centennial Drive North - Martensville

ONLINE BOOKING NOW AVAILABLE

@ jpmassagetherapy.com

5A - 7 Centennial Drive North Martensville

Phone: 306 382-0893

Roadwork Creates Multiple Detours in Community

Roadwork being done within Martensville this month has created multiple detours for motorists.

Learn more on page 5 or visit www.martensville.ca.

Page 2 -MAY 28, 2020 - martensville messenger

Re-Open Saskatchewan: June 8 Target Date For Phase 3

Work is underway on the next phase of the plan to re-open the provincial economy.

The target date to begin Phase 3 of Re-Open Saskatchewan is June 8, 2020.

Phase 2 of the plan began May 19. In Phase 3, restaurants and licensed establishments will be able to open at 50 per cent capacity. Gyms and fitness facilities will also be able to open for business, as will childcare facilities and places of worship – subject to guidelines that are being developed. Personal service businesses that did not open in Phase 2 are also allowed to begin providing services.

This includes: Estheticians; Tattoo artists; Make-up applicators; Electrologists; Manicurists; Pedicurists; Sun tanning parlours; Facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services are provided; and other personal service facilities.

As restrictions on businesses and services are gradually lifted in the province, additional information continues to be added to the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan based on direction from public health officials and input from businesses and service providers.

Changes to the plan this week focus on Phase 3 and include information on restaurants and licensed establishments, gyms and fitness facilities and places of worship.

The size of indoor public and private gatherings will increase to 15 people in Phase 3, while the size of outdoor gatherings will increase to 30.

Guidelines are currently being developed for restaurants and licensed establishments, and gyms and fitness facilities. They will be included in the updated plan, which will be available at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open.

Guidelines for the safe re-opening of places of worship will be developed in consultation with faith leaders. Further information will be added to these guidelines and others will be developed as the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan continues to be updated to allow business operators and service providers to prepare to re-open.

All businesses that are eligible to re-open must follow the guidelines in the ReOpen Saskatchewan plan and the current public health order. However, businesses are not required to open at this time and can determine when they are ready to open and operate in a safe manner.

SARCAN is also preparing to resume its recycling operations in the near future.

Beginning June 8, commercial and bulk customers will be able to bring in their recycling by appointment only. SARCAN will open to the general public on June 15.

The following recommendations should remain in place through all five phases: - Protective measures for vulnerable populations.

- Individuals should continue working from home if they can do so effectively.

- Physical distancing must be maintained, wherever possible.

- People must stay at home when they are sick.

- Vulnerable individuals, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, should continue to exercise caution and minimize high-risk exposures, such as public outings.

- Personal hygiene will continue to be a key prevention measure.

- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection should take place in workplaces, public spaces and recreational facilities.

- Although the public health order regarding the size of gatherings does not apply to businesses and workplaces, they are expected to follow the recommended public health measures, including: o physical distancing for staff and clients; o regular cleaning and disinfection; o frequent handwashing and sanitizing; o use of PPE where available and appropriate; and o keeping staff who demonstrate or report COVID-19 symptoms out of the workplace.

- Special care and personal care homes must ensure that each staff member works in only one facility

Find the most up-to-date version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan at www. saskatchewan.ca/re-open.

20055G

martensville messenger - MAY 28, 2020 - Page 3

Civic Services During the COVID-19 PandemicWhat you Should Know!

At this time, all City facilities are closed to the public, including reception areas. City Staff are available to work with the public via phone or email. Questions or inquiries can be directed to City Hall via phone (306-931-2166) or inquiry@martensville.ca during this time.

Residents and Customers are requested to carry out transactions electronically such as online banking, preauthorized payments or TIPPS. Cheques may also be dropped off in the drop slot at City Hall.

After Hour Water and Sewer Emergencies - should still be directed through the Emergency line at City Hall, (306) 931-2166, ext.1.

Protective Services - There are no changes in duty or status to Protective Services such as the RCMP, Martensville Fire Department, and Ambulance Service.

Water and Sewer - These services remain unimpacted and unchanged, including water quality testing. Meter reading will continue to take place under the Read/Estimate schedule; however, staff will not be doing reads of meters located inside of homes or occupied buildings. In these cases, estimates will be taken or reads can be provided into City Hall. In respect to water and sewer emergencies, city staff will not be able to enter resident homes at this time and private contractors should be considered. The City of Martensville will no longer charging interest on water and sewer accounts indefinitely to assist residents impacted by COVID -19 impacts.

Garbage and Recycling - Services remain in place and on schedule with no anticipated service delays at this time. Organics collection has also commenced.

Road Maintenance - will continue as required and is not expected to change at this time.

Playgrounds and Sports Fields - Playgrounds are closed and will remain closed until further notice. These facilities will have signage and be taped or quartered off with tape or barricades.

We ask that the public please remain out of these areas.

Sports Fields are also closed until at least June 30th. We want to limit areas where multiple people can contact the same surfaces as well as discourage potential congregating or contact.

Trails and passive park spaces remain open for use, but we continue to urge residents to incorporate safe practices.

Contactless Payment Options - Utilities and Taxes The City of Martensville offers a number of ‘contactless’ payment methods including: • T.I.P.P.S The Tax Installment Payment Plan Service - offers equalized monthly property tax payments.

• Utilities Pre-authorized Payment Plan -authorize automatic withdrawal from your account from your financial institution to pay for your utility bill.

• Online & Phone - Please contact your bank for assistance in setting up online and phone payments.

• City Hall Drop-Box- Cheques can be dropped off at City Hall in the mail slot at the front of the building at your convenience.

See all ways to provide payments or to inquire about any of these services please visit Martensville.ca

Still Plenty to Do!- Martensville Mood Boost

There are still lots of fun activities to take part in around the community. The Martensville Mood Boost theme for May 25th-29th is Word week, and we have a special word search in the Park activity taking place! Find more details on the City of Martensville Facebook Page, and our Mood Boost Group page to see what’s coming up!

Organics/Green Bin Program and Pick-ups

The City of Martensville offers a Green Bin program through Loraas Organics. This service is by subscription only. If you are interested in enrolling, please contact City Hall to sign up for this service.

Pick up of the Green Bins has commenced with regular scheduled bi-weekly collection alternating between North/South Martensville and running from May until the end of October Pick-up take place on Tuesdays. The pick-up schedule can be viewed at Martensville.ca For information or to sign up for this program contact the Utility Clerk at City Hall

June Council Meeting Dates

Please Note: The upcoming Council Schedule may be subject to change based around any potential new developments around the COVID-19 Pandemic. Anyone interested in attending is strongly encouraged to contact the City Clerk prior to planning to attend.

Utility and Property Tax Updates - The City has implemented a number of measures to assist property owners and businesses during the pandemic, currently in place: • Interest charges on utility bills will be suspended until November 1, 2020.

• Water service will not be discontinued due to non-payment or overdue account status.

• The deadline for property tax payments will be extended from July 31 to October 30, 2020.

• All interest charges on property tax owing will be suspended until November 1, 2020.

• Business license renewal notices will be delayed until normal operations resume – all expired business licenses will remain valid until further notice.

Regular Council Meeting- June 2nd Committee of the Whole- June 9th Regular Council Meeting- June 16th

Stay Informed! - The City of Martensville has created a dedicated webpage to provide information, updates and additional resources around the COVID-19 pandemic. This page is accessible through the homepage at Martensville.ca.

The Regular Council Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers.

Martensville City Hall - 37 Centennial Dr. S. All meetings commence at 5PM.

Please continue to follow us, media sources and information from the Province of Saskatchewan for the most current information around updates or new measures for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

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.

2020 Tax Notice Error- Penalties The Notices for the 2020 Tax Notices were recently delivered to property owners, however there is an error in respect to the ‘Penalties on unpaid current taxes’.

The 2020 Tax Notice should read, Penalties on unpaid current taxes will Commence November 1st at 1% per month.

We apologize for confusion around this error. If there are questions about this, assessment, taxation or ways to pay your taxes, please contact City Hall or visit us on Martensville.ca.

The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca

ble, ble, le, e,ilable, e, ds. are, ds. eds. also . also es also so

Service PLUS Flat Glass Services!!

“Bringing the Tools to You!!”

Page 4 - MAY 28, 2020 - martensville messenger

Email JAGplus@sasktel.net

•Automotive Repair Specialists or call 361-4527Monday to Friday 7:30-5:30 801 Centennial Dr. North •Advanced technology & diagnostics facility Visit www.JAGplus.ca today!!

306-244-4950

Martensville, SK

Submitted by Dean Johnston

Martensville SK 306-244-4950

KEEPING YOU SAFE & ON THE ROAD

Air Travel in the COVID-19 Era

In mid-March, when all the coronavirus chaos really hit the fan publicly, we were in the midst of a 10day hike down the Atlantic coast of Portugal. In a matter of days our plans changed from Algarve – Andalucia – Morocco – Las Vegas to “this town seems nice enough”.

Then, at the end of April, we found ourselves embarking on a long, convoluted chain of flights back to Saskatoon, a fascinating and immensely different travel experience than when we had left Guatemala less than two months earlier.

Airports - Lisbon’s airport looked like an apocalyptic movie scene – only a couple of restaurants were open for takeout only, the hundreds of self-check-in kiosks stood silent and empty, and at every checkpoint we were outnumbered by security staff. The entire schedule of departures for the day took up half a single screen. In waiting areas every second seat was taped up and offlimits. Bored airport staff wandered around on the hunt for projects and a woman was disinfecting seats with the intensity of someone with 30 seconds left to defuse a bomb.

Obviously, duty-free shops were still open, though, since clearly we’re not ready to contemplate a world without premium alcohol and terrific bargains on cigarettes.

Frankfurt was similarly quiet with highly restrictive safety measures in place, except after you moved from the EU area to international departures, where things were mostly business as usual, showing a very different level of concern for people about to LEAVE Germany.

Toronto was also quieter than we’d ever seen and all the expected health and safety measures were in evidence.

Airplanes - On Lufthansa to Germany we were among the roughly 50% of passengers wearing masks

although, surprisingly, that half did not include the flight attendants. Only 60% of the seats had been sold, with all middle seats being left empty. Food and beverage service was limited but at least there was plenty of room in the overhead bins. Also, as expected, no virus is important enough to keep everyone from jumping up to pack the aisle the moment the plane stops moving.

Unlike on Lufthansa, masks were mandatory on our Air Canada flights to Toronto and Saskatoon. While the 60% policy was also in place, there were not nearly that many seats sold for the 8-hour journey across the Atlantic. This meant Laynni and I each had a 3-seat row to ourselves and there was never anyone close enough to glance critically at my onboard entertainment choices.

Security - Boarding in Lisbon we had to confirm onward travel out of Germany but there were no medical screening processes. Leaving the plane in Frankfurt a smiling young man asked if we had a connecting flight, to which we answered “yep”, to which he happily waved us on, despite the fact we still had to leave the secure area to check-in with Air Canada. Even though non-EU citizens were only allowed into Germany under very specific circumstances (none of which applied to us) we could have easily just walked out and faded into the German countryside. Luckily for them, even the prospect of unlimited pumpernickel wasn’t tempting enough for us to hit the road as homeless fugitives with a total of 6 German words between us.

In Toronto we immediately reached a checkpoint with forms to fill out – did we have symptoms, where would we be isolating, did we have anyone to bring us stuff? Apparently satisfied with our answers, we were

ABOVE: The Toronto Pearson Airport looks more like a ghost town amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted by Dean Johnston)

Building

Business & Professional

601 Centennial Dr. S. 601 Centennial Dr. Martensville, SK S. Martensville, Phone: 306-934-6610 601 Centennial Dr.SK S. Phone: 306-934-6610 Fax: 306-934-6602 Martensville, SK 601 Centennial Dr. S. 306-934-6602 601 Centennial Dr. S. E-Mail: Phone: 306-934-6610 Martensville, SKFax:mbhs@sasktel.net Custom Window Packages available, Martensville, SK E-Mail: mbhs@sasktel.net Phone: 306-934-6610 Fax: 306-934-6602 Labour Included!

Phone: 306-934-6610 Custom Window Packages available, Fax: 306-934-6602 Fax: 306-934-6602 Labour E-Mail: mbhs@sasktel.net Come see us forIncluded! your hardware, Custom Window Packages available.E-Mail: mbhs@sasktel.net Store Hours:

601 Centennial Dr. S. Martensville, SK 601 Centennial Dr. S. Phone: 306-934-6610 Martensville, SK Fax: 306-934-6602 601Phone: Centennial Dr. S. 306-934-6610 E-Mail: mbhs@sasktel.net Martensville, SK Fax: 306-934-6602 Phone: E-Mail: 306-934-6610 mbhs@sasktel.net Store Hours: Fax: 306-934-6602 Mondaymbhs@sasktel.net - Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm E-Mail:

Custom Window available, building, andPackages paint supply needs.

Martensville Community Recreation Project AGM The Martensville Community Recreation Project (MCRP) is hosting a virtual AGM on June 16 via Zoom at 8:00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Positions up for re-election include Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Directors. Members are eligible to vote. Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in assisting the MCRP and who has completed at least 3 hours of volunteer time at an MCRP event in the past 12 months. To attend the AGM, or for discussion items you wish to see on our agenda, please email info@mcrp.ca.

Directory

ENSVILLE RT Nmbhs@sasktel.net SVILLE E T MA E-Mail: R BLDG AEN Monday am - 6:00 pm Store 8:00 Hours: M N S E T ISaturday S L--LFriday V BLDG T R I& LLEV R A E A 9:00 am - 5:00 pm pmFree Local Delivery!

Monday Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 Store Hours: MM BLDG BLDG & Closed Sundays Saturday 9:00 am pmpm Free Local Delivery!

Monday - Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 - 6:00 HOME SUPPLY Dental & &SUPPLY Closed Sundays Free Local Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Delivery!

HOME Free Local Delivery!

HOME SUPPLY Closed Sundays Phone 306-934-6610 HOME SUPPLY FREE Local Delivery Hardware Free Local Delivery!

FREE Local Delivery FREE Local Delivery Hardware Phone 934-6610 Hardware Free Local Delivery!

Free Local Delivery!

934-6610934-6610 Phone 601 Phone CENTENNIAL DRIVE SOUTH Included!

Custom Window Packages available, ComeLabour see usIncluded! for your hardware, Labour Labour Included! Garage, building, and&paint needs.

Deck Fencesupply packages also

directed to drop our forms in a beat-up cardboard box near the exit. Notably, we were NOT asked how we planned to spend the next 20 hours in Toronto before our flight to Saskatoon. Which felt relevant.

Then in Saskatoon we simply walked out without seeing a single official – no additional questions, forms, security or screening. Yes, we arrived on a domestic flight, but Toronto had (and has) exponentially more COVID-19 cases than all of Saskatchewan, plus we were surely not the only people on that flight who were connecting from abroad. A dangerous missed opportunity, in my opinion. We did receive several emails from both federal and provincial governments regarding self-isolation (but not until we’d been home almost a week) and a police visit on day 11. Not quite as timely as you’d hope but at least they’re making an effort.

Clearly, the travel landscape will continue to change, react and evolve at warp-speed over the next couple of years but, for now, if you end up having to fly somewhere, expect very few people, mandatory mask usage, even less appealing meals and, hopefully, ever-changing security measures.

Dean Johnston is the author of three travel books, including Roam: The 9 Greatest Trips on Earth. He is currently at home eagerly keeping tabs on future travel possibilities.

You can get fully caught up at routinelynomadic.com.

Store Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm see us hardware, Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Come seefor us your for your hardware, building Come see us forCome your hardware, available Deck &supply Fence packages Closed Sundays and paint needs. also building, and paint supply Garage, needs.

Store Hours: building, and paint supply needs.

Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm available Garage, Deck & Fence packages also Garage, Fence packages Garage, Deck packages also also Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00Deck pm &&Fence available (2006) LTD. available available Closed Sundays

Store Saturday 9:00Hours: am - 5:00 pm Monday -Closed Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Sundays Saturday am - 5:00 pm Store 9:00 Hours: Closed Monday - Friday 8:00Sundays am - 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Closed Sundays

CALL 306-668-1093

or email advertising@martensvillemessenger.ca

Government

(2006) LTD.

(2006) LTD.

(2006) LTD.

FREE Local Local Delivery Hardware Free Delivery!

Phone 934-6610

601 CENTENNIAL DRIVE SOUTH COMPLETE LINE OF HARDWARE BUILDING PRODUCTS & PAINT Ph:CENTENNIAL (306) 934-6610 601 DRIVE SOUTH COMPLETE LINE OF HARDWARE 601 CENTENNIAL DRIVE SOUTH COMPLETE LINE OF HARDWARE FREE ESTIMATES Fax: (306) 934-6602 BUILDING PRODUCTS & PAINT 601 CENTENNIAL DRIVE SOUTH Ph: (306) 934-6610 BUILDING PRODUCTS & PAINT 601 CENTENNIAL DRIVE SOUTH Ph: (306) (306) 934-6610 FREE ESTIMATES Fax: 934-6602 FREE ESTIMATES Fax: (306) 934-6602 601 CENTENNIAL DRIVE SOUTH COMPLETE LINE OF HARDWARE PRODUCTS & PAINT 601 CENTENNIAL DRIVEBUILDING SOUTH Ph: (306) 934-6610 FREE ESTIMATES Fax: (306) 934-6602

Computer Services

Pre-order your DECK and FENCE Supplies Martensville Computers Inc. Pre-order your DECK and FENCE Supplies

Pre-order your DECK and FENCE Supplies Hours Pre-order your DECK and FENCE Supplies Monday to Friday 12-6pm

Virus Removal - System Clean-up $79

Ken Marchand

604 2nd St. N

306-249-2220

Nancy Heppner MLA Martensville-Warman

mail@nancyheppner.com www.nancyheppner.com 306-975-0284

May Sees Completion of Numerous Roadway Construction Projects

There are numerous areas within Martensville that are seeing roadwork being completed this month, which is creating areas of traffic restrictions while this is being done.

Earlier this month, Prairie Paving Inc (PPI) was doing work on Centennial Drive South to finish paving work that was not completed last year. During that time, there were temporary road closures and detours. Phase one of the paving took place on May 19th along the roadway near Chaparral Blvd, while Phase two was on the portion of Centennial Drive South by 6th Street South on May 20th.

Additional roadwork on Centennial Drive South began this week on the area between 1st Street South and 6th Street South. The project will be broken into two sections, with the first closure taking place early in the week from 1st Street South to 4th Street South and the second part will create closures towards the end of the week from 4th Street South to 6th Street South, including the intersection coming in from Highway 12. During this work, there will be no access to 4th Street South from the highway, and all traffic will be required to enter the City at Main Street and Centennial Drive. The project is set to be completed in phases in order to minimize the disruption to motorists and businesses within the area.

Road construction on MacCormack Road began May 25th, with access to MacCormack Road from Main Street being restricted while this was being done. “We understand this work may be an inconvenience for the residents in MacCormack Ranch and apologize for any disruptions this may cause. We are working closely with the contractor to ensure this work has as little negative impact as possible,” the City of Martensville stated in a notice to the public.

A road closure on 3rd Street North also took place starting the week of May 25th, and the work is expected to take approximately one week to complete. The construction includes the roadway from 1st Avenue North to 5th Avenue North and will consist of milling the existing asphalt, levelling and overlaying a new asphalt driving surface.

Additionally, some concrete work adjacent to the roadway will also be completed during this time.

A section of the roadway on 8th Avenue North also began construction this week, which will consist of milling the existing asphalt, levelling and overlaying a new asphalt driving surface. Residents within the area may need to detour; however, there will be access open to residents within Tudor Heights and Sandy Rise.

During construction, the City asks residents to be mindful and to follow all barricades, road closures, and detours that are in place. “Above all, we want to ensure the safety of all residents and workers,” the notice stated.

They also noted that construction areas and detours will be changing frequently.

For updated information on roadway construction taking place within Martensville, the duration and closures that are in place, visit www.martensville.ca. All construction is reliant on favorable weather conditions and is subject to change.

RIGHT: Roadwork being completed along Centennial Drive South will see the closure of the access point from Highway 12 onto Martensville’s 4th Street South later this week. During this time, motorists will be required to access the community at the intersection of Main Street and Centennial Drive. (City of Martensville) BELOW: Roadwork on the access to MacCormack Road from Main Street is taking place this week, with a temporary road closure in place. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

martensville messenger - MAY 28, 2020 - Page 5

Health Cards Renew in 2020

Renewal stickers for health cards are being mailed to all eligible Saskatchewan residents who currently have provincial health coverage.

As provincial health cards expire at the end of this calendar year, renewal packages will be sent to more than 685,000 households in the province from late May to the end of June. The stickers will validate health cards for a three-year period to December 31, 2023.

For households where some or all family members have moved in the last three years, and your address has not been updated with eHealth Saskatchewan, residents should visit www.eHealthSask.ca/renew for more information. Other contact information is also available online.

If for any reason a renewal package hasn’t arrived by the end of July, please contact eHealth Saskatchewan.

The most common reason for people not to receive their renewal stickers is because they have moved and not updated their address.

The Saskatchewan Health Services Card is one of the most valuable cards in your possession, as it indicates you are entitled to health coverage under the provincial health insurance plan.

Appropriate steps have been taken to maintain safety precautions for the production and distribution of the renewal sticker mailout.

The World Health Organization and Public Health Agency of Canada have confirmed it is safe to handle mail.

For more information on health benefits, please visit www.saskatchewan.ca.

ABOVE: 2020 is a renewal year for Saskatchewan Health Cards.

Page 6 - MAY 28, 2020 - martensville messenger

Provincial Politics with

Murray Mandryk

Things May Not Be as Bad as They Seem

If it doesn’t seem as if the news is getting better on the COVID-19 front, it’s likely at least partly due to how stressful days take their toll on our perspectives.

Right now, it does seem as if there was no bad luck in 2020, there would be no luck at all, but what we can’t lose sight of is the reality that bad things happen all of the time. We need to consider that because it isn’t especially productive to allow them to play on our already existing anxieties.

Take the Victoria Day weekend crash of the Snowbirds jet in Kamloops as it was wrapping up “Operation Inspiration” - the nationwide fly-by from the Moose Jaw-aerial team that was supposed to be a gesture of thanks to lift our spirits during this pandemic.

The sad accident claimed the life of Capt.

Jennifer Casey - a Snowbirds team member and former journalist turned information officer for the elite flying unit.

Casey was a Halifax resident and now joins a sadly growing list of Nova Scotians who tragically lost their lives in the past couple months as this pandemic has taken hold.

Prior to her death there was the mass killing of RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson and 22 others. And the helicopter crash off the coast of Greece killed Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough of Halifax and three others.

These are sad events, but not all tragedies across the country or halfway around the world need be attributed to COVID-19. It’s human nature to want to see patterns where they don’t exist. And it’s even more human to fear what we don’t understand.

“What we know about stress related to COVID-19 is that it revolves around a lot of the unknowns - and there remain many unknowns, many questions,” Gordon Asmundson, a University of Regina clinical psychologist and professor, told the Regina Leader-Post's Heather Polischuk. “It’s not like it’s a threat that we can see.”

One other big problem goes beyond the reality that seems even easier these days to identify and then dwell on the problems. There are a lot of decisions being made in a condensed timeframe, feeding the old adage: When things go wrong, they really go wrong.

Just as the virus seems well in hand - and as of the writing of this, there were 16 active cases in the entire southern half of the province - we saw a major outbreak in La Loche and the north that still accounts for 107 active cases. This disparity between the north and south only seems to be adding to the stress and frustrations.

Northerners are understandably upset by road blockades preventing needed travel to get groceries and other lives’ necessities and, out of an abundance of caution, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has shut down emergency services in 12 rural Saskatchewan hospitals.

This has rightly angered rural residents - most of whom haven’t seen a COVID-19 case in their vicinity in at least a month.

“I’m not impressed with it whatsoever. I’m quite shocked that they would do that,” Davidson Mayor Tyler Alexander told The Canadian Press’s Stephanie Taylor.

One can certainly understand why. In the middle of seeding and going into summer where bad road accidents tend to be more frequent, closing the nearest emergency service is a frightening prospect.

For a rural-based government that lobbied mightily for the creation of STARS emergency helicopter service in this province, there does seem to be a disconnection in the decision-making process.

There again, with a million decisions to make at least a few of them are bound to be questionable. Things aren’t great right now and won’t be for a while, but with dwindling active cases, they are getting better. We can’t let the stress get the best of us.

Teachers Ratify Provincial Collective Bargaining Agreement

In a vote held May 19 to 21, Saskatchewan teachers voted 85 percent in support of a new four-year Agreement.

For teachers, regaining lost purchasing power and alleviating challenges of class complexity were the two most important issues to address in this round of bargaining. Unfortunately, the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee was unwilling to include any provisions about class complexity in the Agreement.

“Acceptance of this Agreement does not signal that teachers’ concerns have been addressed,” states Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Patrick Maze. “However, teachers recognize the world has changed dramatically and settling the contract enables them to focus their energy on supporting their students by continuing to adapt their teaching strategies and provide quality emergency remote learning for the rest of this school year.”

In order to address class complexity, the STF is participating with sector partners in a new provincial class size and composition committee. The committee’s structure is modelled after the Education Sector Response Planning Team and the Federation is cautiously optimistic a collaborative sector approach to COVID-19 response can be replicated to address class complexity.

“We remain deeply committed to ensuring students have equitable access to the supports and resources they need,” said Maze. “We will continue to propose and advocate for solutions through the new committee. If government fails to implement meaningful change we will explore all avenues, including future rounds of bargaining, to ensure students’ needs are met.”

The Agreement will be effective from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2023. Teachers will receive zero percent in year one and two percent in each of the following years. Government has agreed to create new educational regulations that would compel school boards to provide the Federation with a list of all substitute teachers each school year.

20055PR0 20055PR1

Letter to the Editor 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.

martensville messenger - MAY 28, 2020 - Page 7

Page 8 - MAY 28, 2020 - martensville messenger

flowers gifts • homeDrive decor Bay #5 • 239 Centennial

WMBEXA 2017

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT

Bay #5 239 Centennial Drive Martensville, SK Ph: 306-651-7277 306-651-7277

home & floral boutiqueMartensville, www.sashomeandfloral.com SK Ph: 306-651-7277 "We deliver to Martensville, Warman, and surrounding area."

A Project For Kids While Out of School Grew to a Worldwide Online Community Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Many of us have felt additional stress in our lives due to the current COVID-19 situation that is going on in the world. There are many unknowns, a lot of financial concerns, and much sadness over not being able to spend time with our loved ones. With all of this going on, one Martensville resident decided to create something positive for people to escape to and share with one another. ‘The Official Quarantine Cookbook’ Facebook group saw immense popularity quickly, and throughout the past couple of months, has become a place where people from all around the world go to share recipes and connect together during this time.

Dawna Doell never imagined that the Facebook group she created mid-March would surge to over 32,000 members. Initially, the project began after the local schools were shut down and she wanted to find a project for her children. “I wanted them to learn some new skills, and one of those skills was cooking. It is great because it is part math, part chemistry, part science, part art – it has a bit of everything and you have to think outside of the box. In order to keep them engaged, I created a Facebook page where they could share recipes with friends and family.

That page got shared a few times, and within days, we had 1000 members. Honestly, I couldn’t reproduce this if I tried. I think it was all timing because a lot of people are at home and looking for a place to go online that wasn’t negative and they also have more time to cook. It worked out really well, and was the perfect recipe for something great,” Doell said.

Because of the popularity that the page saw, Doell decided to create a cookbook, choosing recipes from the thousands that have been shared. The cookbooks were available via pre-order until May 25 and will be shipped

out by the end of June or beginning of July. Doell noted that the cookbook will be comprised of approximately 350 recipes throughout 250 pages and will be part cookbook, part history book and part journal.

The cookbook will contain a variety of recipes, all of which were popular items within the Facebook group, with one being a two-hour bun recipe that was shared on the page early on. “I can confidently say that since that recipe was shared, there’s not a single day that has gone by where someone has not made them. The recipes in the book are ones that are tried and true, basic and delicious.”

Additionally, the book will feature a section for kids with simple instructions on how to cook basic items, as well as some fun recipes for things such as slime and sidewalk chalk.

Once completed, and after all of the expenses are paid, proceeds from the book will be split 50/50 and donated between Wounded Warriors of Canada and the Canadian Mental Health Association. For those that ordered a cookbook, they will own a piece of history, as this was a one-time opportunity. “This book will not be re-printed, and there is no ability to order one now that pre-orders are done. It was a limited edition opportunity due to the charity component of it,” explained Doell.

For Doell and a collection of volunteers from around the country, this cookbook was a huge undertaking, with Doell herself putting in approximately 1000 hours of work within the last 70 days to make this project a reality. “It is an immense amount of work, and there were a couple times when I thought about pulling the pin, but I knew I needed to see it through and I think once the orders are shipped and I have a moment to

Local Kinette Club Looks For New Ways to Raise Funds

The Martensville & District Kinette Club will be doing a bottle drive on Thursday May 28th from 5pm to 9pm to help raise funds for their organization.

This idea was created following the loss of numerous fundraising opportunities due to COVID-19 restrictions being put in place, and because the group is fairly new, they do not have a large reserve of funding.

“We have lost out on a lot of fundraising opportunities due to COVID-19, and our club needs your help so we can continue to serve the community’s greatest needs,” Jodi Martens, Martensville & District Kinette Club President, explained. “We put our heads together and came up with a creative

solution to help ease our financial concerns.”

The group is requesting that those that are interested in donating bottles and cans to their fundraiser leave items outside for them to pick up, so they can maintain physical distancing and keep everyone safe.

If you would like to contribute, you can contact the ‘Martensville and District Kinette Club’ on Facebook, or call Jodi at (306) 361-9575. Alternatively you can drop your bottles and cans at 101 Hiebert Crescent.

“The Martensville and District Kinettes would like to thank our communities for the support thus far in our first year,” added Martens.

think about things and let it all sink in, the magnitude of this project will actually hit me.” Recently, Doell was told that the University of Saskatchewan would be getting a copy of the cookbook to be stored within their COVID-19 archives.

Although you may not be able to order a copy of the cookbook, the Facebook page remains in place.

“It is a positive space for all and we want to keep it that way, so even though you can no longer order the book, the page is a place you can go for some great recipe ideas, a supportive community of people and a positive space for your mental health.”

ABOVE: The two-hour bun recipe that was shared on ‘The Official Quarantine Cookbook’ page has been made countless times by group members. (Larry Androsoff/Facebook)

Warmer Weather Brings Spike in Tick Sightings Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

Now that the weather has warmed up in Saskatchewan, there have been many sightings of ticks, as warmer weather is what these parasites prefer.

According to Dr. Emily Jenkins, a professor of veterinary microbiology with the University of Saskatchewan, the Dog Tick is the species that is found in Saskatchewan, which is most active in May and June.

These ticks are usually a redbrown color found in wooded, grassy areas. Most ticks in Saskatchewan do not carry Lyme disease, but those that do carry ABOVE: The black legged tick the disease, such as the black legged tick, usually show signs at the end of summer.

There are two variants of the black legged tick; one in the east and the western black legged tick. Jenkins notes that these black legged ticks that have been brought up in the spring by migratory birds, spend the summer here growing up to be adults, and show up in the fall when they quest for their adult host. The adults are quite small (about the size of a sesame seed) and the immature stages are even smaller (the size of a freckle or a pin head).

A new online program called eTick was established with the province’s Ministry of Health who partnered with the University of Saskatchewan. This program helps identify ticks and get information back to people by uploading pictures to the eTick website or phone app. Members of the public can take a photo of the tick that has either bitten them or their pet and then they can submit these photos using the online eTick platform. Once submitted, you will be notified within 24 business hours if it is a homegrown tick, or a Lyme Disease tick.

Homegrown ticks can still get infected locally even if a tick is not a carrier of Lyme disease, and they can still pose a health risk. It is recommended that you check yourself and pets daily for ticks, and remove any immediately.

Veterinarians recommend getting a prescription or over the counter tick medication to prevent ticks attaching to pets, as well as changing walk times. Ticks seem to come up when the weather is cold or cool and then stay where they can get attached so walking when the sun is up helps prevent them from showing up.

When entering areas that could contain ticks, it is important to take the proper precautionary measures, such as wearing light colored clothing, long sleeved shirts, pants, tucking pants into socks, using an insect repellent that contains DEET, staying on paths and avoid overgrown brush.

If bitten by a tick, proper removal methods are to use fine-tipped tweezers. More tick removal instructions can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/removal/index.html.