Moose Jaw Express December 9th, 2020

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Families for Change wrapping gifts for charity with annual campaign Larissa Kurz

In partnership with Heritage Insurance, Moose Jaw Families for Change is looking forward to lending a hand — both figuratively and literally — during its annual Christmas for a Cause gift wrapping campaign this month.

Volunteers will be picking up the tape and bows every Saturday in December beginning Dec. 5 to offer a gift-wrapping service in the Town n’ Country Mall, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The gift-wrapping station will be set up near Santa’s Wonderland, where people will be able to drop off their holiday gifts to be expertly wrapped while they wait or continue their shopping in the mall.

There will also be a second drop-and-go option at Heritage Insurance on Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well, where people can drop off their gifts and receive a text or phone call when they are wrapped and ready.

Volunteers will also be following all safety measures including practicing proper distancing, wearing masks and regular hand sanitation.

Not only is the gift-wrapping station convenient, said MJFFC community coordinator Katie Bookout, but there is also the added bonus of helping support a local charity project.

The service is offered by donation, just like in past years, with all

of the funds raised going directly to supporting this year’s charity of choice: the Moose Jaw International Medical Mission. “We came to the collective agreement that the folks involved in the Moose Jaw International Medical Mission are not only folks who are healthcare providers here in Moose Jaw, helping us stay safe and healthy, but they also provide healthcare services to communities overseas,� said Bookout. “And given the circumstances in our community and the world, we felt that they were definitely a worthy organization to receive our donation this year.�

Christmas for a Cause is a relatively new project, returning for the third year in a row, but Bookout is hoping that the community will once again step up and help raise some funds for another charitable cause. “Each year has been a little bit more successful, and we’re hoping that even though this year looks a little different, we’ll see some support so that we can support the International Medical Mission,� said Bookout.

Bookout encourages those looking for more information to visit the Christmas for a Cause Facebook event listing, and those interested in helping out but not wanting to venture outside to share the campaign’s details where they can.

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Hometown author, Festival of Words guest Angie Abdou releasing new memoir Larissa Kurz

After many years of writing novels filled with riveting fiction, Canadian author Angie Abdou is returning to memoir once again with the upcoming release of her new book, This One Wild Life.

The new novel will be Abdou’s second foray into the personal realm of memoir, following her 2018 work Home Ice: Reflections of a Reluctant Hockey Mom, which centres on the time she spent with her son following the minor hockey circuit.

Set to release in the spring, This One Wild Life tells the story of the summer that Abdou and her nine-year-old daughter pledged to hike “a peak a weak” in the picturesque mountains surrounding their home of Fernie, B.C., as a mother-daughter bonding quest.

For those who know Abdou’s previous memoir, This One Wild Life is both a partner to her mother-son story and also a continuation of the story with an entirely new perspective — as the lofty summer goal came about after Abdou realized her daughter had developed a serious shyness she hadn’t noticed while busy with her son’s hockey.

“It was a surprise to me, and I had the feeling I needed to spend more time with her and work on her confidence, and it

Author Angie Abdou, one of the featured guests for the upcoming Saskatchewan Festival of Words. (credit: Kevan Wilkie) turnout out she liked hiking, so I said, ‘let’s make a goal,” said Abdou. “So, the book follows the progress of that summer, which doesn’t go exactly as I expect, but there’s lots of adventure and excitement and contemplation.”

In addition to her own exploratory narrative in This One Wild Life, Abdou also dives into the topics of young girls and

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confidence, mother-daughter relationships and the effects of leaving behind the online world to spend more time outdoors.

Returning to memoir felt very natural, said Abdou, who was originally drawn to the genre while teaching a creative nonfiction course a few years ago.

It spurred the inspiration for Home Ice and had Abdou reading a lot of other author’s memoirs, which led to plenty of reasons to continue exploring with a second non-fiction book — the first being to write a mother-daughter companion novel for her mother-son novel, and the second being the feeling that she’s not quite done with the genre.

“That’s the personal reason, but I also feel like we’re in this really weird time right now [where] life is stranger than fiction,” said Abdou. “I’m not really even sure how to address the lessons we’ve learned over the last couple of years, I think that’s going to take some processing, and I just really appreciate, when I read memoir, the honesty and vulnerability.”

Making the change from fiction writing to memoir has been interesting for Abdou, she said, but not necessarily difficult.

“What I’m always trying to do, in fiction too, is talk really truthfully about what it’s like to be alive and work through things I’m currently finding challenging, so as a writer I made the shift very easily,” said Abdou. “I feel like this book is different from my other books, more quiet and contemplative, in a way, [and] that’s how it felt writing it. It felt restorative.”

The biggest challenge has been navigating responses and criticism, said Abdou, especially as both Home Ice and This One Wild Life offer a very personal glimpse into her life and her family.

But Abdou is hoping that readers will be able to emerge from her personal experience with the same lesson she herself learned, which shines through as the message in This One Wild Life.

“I think what I learned myself is to sometimes follow, as a parent, instead of lead and not feel like I need to control everything and impose meaning and structure on everything,” said Abdou. “Sometimes it's better to take a few deep breaths and sit back and watch, and then follow the child's lead, [and] see what emerges through your kid’s passions.”

She also feels the novel’s focus on reconnecting with nature and family is a message uniquely and unintentionally suited to the present, with the unforeseen circumstances of the pandemic touching so many lives.

“I didn’t, obviously, write this book for COVID because I hadn’t even heard of it when I was writing, but it's really a book about connecting with nature and hunkering down with your family, just really drawing a circle around what’s valuable and important and simple, and those messages are so relevant in 2020,” said Abdou.

This One Wild Life will be hitting shelves in April, and Abdou is really looking forward to the release — which will be followed very closely with an appearance at the Saskatchewan Festival of Words in July, as one of the event’s featured guest authors.

The Festival will be one of the earliest events after the new book’s release and the first in Saskatchewan, so Abdou — who hails from Moose Jaw and still has a soft spot for her hometown prairie city — is excited to be returning.

“This book means a lot to me. It’s the most I’ve ever enjoyed researching and writing a book [and] I did it from a really personal place and I feel like I grew as a human being while I was writing it,” said Abdou. “So it does mean a lot to me to be able to launch it at home in Moose Jaw.” Abdou is hoping to be attending an in-person Festival this year, after moonlighting as a session moderator during the virtual Festival this past summer, but she is nonetheless looking forward to the event regardless of venue.

“I’m always excited to come home and I think [the Festival of Words] has become as good as any festival in Canada, I think they do a wonderful job,” said Abdou.

“I’m very excited.”

More information about This One Wild Life and its spring release will be coming in the future, and Abdou encourages following her Facebook page or website to stay updated.

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Military vets to receive care kits from legion and stitchery group Moose Jaw Express staff

The Provincial Capital Commission (PCC) is working with the Royal Canadian Legion and the Regina Stitchery Guild for a second year to send Saskatchewan veterans Support on the Home Front Care Kits.

The PCC and its partners are offering some Christmas cheer and plenty of gratitude to veterans living in Saskatchewan while showing that good things do come in small packages, a news release explained. The brightly-coloured boxes will include a handcrafted item from a member of the Regina Stitchery Guild.

Provincial military liaison Greg Lawrence — the MLA for Moose Jaw-Wakamow — enclosed a letter of support to the veterans and their families.

“The kit comes from a tradition that was popular during the First and Second World Wars,” Lawrence said.

“Stitchery, knitting, goodies and letters were sent to the soldiers on the front lines while serving away from home, to raise their spirits. By providing care kits to veterans, we continue to recognize the sacrifice and service

of our Canadian Forces.”

Traditional care packages often included items such as medical supplies, canned goods and baking. The PCC is following that tradition by adding shortbread cookies, candies, chocolates and a deck of playing cards to this year’s care kits.

The Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Command (RCLSC), has added Legion facemasks and Lest We For-

get wrist bands to the kits.

“We welcomed this initiative with open arms last year and will gladly distribute the care packages again this year,” RCLSC executive director Chad Wagner said.

“The packages will go to veterans in the province from diverse backgrounds who may have served in Afghanistan, Korea or even the Second World War.” Also, this year the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Regina Branch has provided information about resources and contacts relating to mental health issues to the care packages.

“It is an honour to be asked, and we are thrilled to be able to show appreciation for the men and women who have done so much for each of us,” Shannon Patton, CMHA Regina Branch director of community engagement, said.

“We also want to help get the word out of the importance of caring for our mental health.”

For more information, visit sasklegion.ca, reginastitcheryguild.ca, cmharegina.com, or saskatchewan.ca.

Think tank study worriesByabout effects of large farm size on society Ron Walter - For Agri-Mart Express Does concentration of farm land EXPRESS ownership to fewer farms matter?

A study for the Canadian Centre for Public Policy and Alternatives indicates concentrated ownership by fewer families can cause social and environmental concerns.

Nor are larger farms as efficient as believed; yet efficiency is touted to defend the increase in large farms.

Since 1966, Canada has lost almost half its farmers for 193,000. Saskatchewan lost 51 per cent of farms, going in 50 years from 85,686 to 34,523 in 2016.

Large farmers are better financed to increase farm size, with farms of 10,000 acres or more making up 18 per cent of Saskatchewan farms in 2016.

In 1986, only three per cent of farms were 10,000 acres or larger.

The study disputes the notion that farms become more efficient and productive as they grow in size.

Dollars of revenue per dollar of input in Saskatchewan grain and oilseeds farms varies only one cent from $1.29

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for the smallest farms to $1.30 for the largest categories.

The 10,000 acre plus farms average $77.34 an acre net income compared with $53.31 an acre for farms under 499 acres.

More research is needed to indicate if per acre revenues are affected by taxpayer-funded support programs, land quality, or market scale economies, says the study.

“Large farms are using more inputs per acre — more fertilizer, chemicals, fuels, etc. So, in addition to the monetary costs of increased production per acre, there are environmental costs.

“Does the narrow calculation of possible efficiencies overlook a wide range of social and environmental costs resulting from farm-size expansion, increased input use, and increasingly inequitable control of land?

“A persistent decline in the number of farmers, farm size expansion, growing farm income inequality, and increased land concentration have other effects as well,” the study said.

“Rural economies, communities, businesses, and services are affected as there are fewer farm families to

patronize local shops and services. Farmers lose their capacity to democratically influence governments and legislation as their voting numbers continue to decrease.”

Large farm operations make it difficult for young farmers to start in farming.

Study concerns are that farmland concentration will alter society, change employment patterns, and, alongside increasing concentration elsewhere in the economy, undermine democratic governance, equality and social mobility.

“Agricultural land ownership is not merely a farm issue: changing patterns of access, ownership, and control affect the resilience of our food supply, the population distribution on the landscape, the job prospects for our children, and the economic and democratic health of our nation.”

Farming is the last industry in Canada still dominated by family operations.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Code of best practices for grain farmers to come by seeding time

By Ron Walter - For Agri-Mart Express

Canadian grain farmers will have a voluntary code of practices to follow by next spring.

A draft code has been prepared by the Canadian Round Table for Sustainable Crops and will be circulated to farmers and industry stakeholders for feedback during the winter.

The Responsible Grain Code will assure customers around the world that crops they buy and consume were grown in a sustainable manner, said Ted Menzies, head of the project.

“We don’t think this is going to create any onerous work for farmers,” said Menzies, a former MP in the Harper

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government. “Farmers are acting responsibly.”

A presentation of the matter at an international virtual conference zeroed in on soil quality, discussing how farming practices have increased the level of organic soil matter and reduced soil erosion.

A side benefit of these practices has been increased underground storage of carbon and reduced emission of greenhouse gases.

The code of practice will also focus on water.

Menzies said the code will fit with other programs on environmental issues, but won’t replace any other programs.

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“We’re going to listen and we’re going to learn from what farmers say, because if farmers don’t like this, and this isn’t going to work on your farm, and we’ve said this is voluntary, you’re not going to sign up. So we have to make it so this is functional,” says Menzies.

The code will be similar in style to one for livestock producers that was developed by the Canadian Roundtable on Sustainable Beef.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

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PAGE A4 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Phone: 306.694.1322 Fax: 888.241.5291 32 Manitoba St. West, Moose Jaw SK S6H 1P7 www.mjvexpress.com

Publisher: Robert Ritchie - rob@mjvexpress.com Editor: Joan Ritchie - editor@mjvexpress.com Sales: Wanda Hallborg - sales@mjvexpress.com Bob Calvert - sales@mjvexpress.com Gladys Baigent-Therens - Sales2@mjvexpress.com Steve Seida - Special Sales Thank you to all the contributing writers, without your time and support, the paper would not look the same.

Send your stories, events and pictures to; Joan Ritchie Ron Walter Joyce Walter

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Jason Antonio Larissa Kurz

Randy Palmer Dr. Steven Heidinger Wanda Smith

As I sipped my coffee the other morning and looked around, memories flooded my heart as I took in the treasures purchased abroad on our travels over the years.

Although the desire to travel was not sparked early on, it has become a passion of ours throughout our Joan Ritchie married life. We caught the bug EDITOR bad and couldn’t wait to get away to destinations annually, many being the same over the course of some years as we became familiar with surf and sand in beach holiday zones while our kids were young.

When our sons got older and began to travel on their own, they encouraged us to get out of our comfort zone and experience journeys that would give us a greater taste for world adventure. It took some coaxing and a stretch into the unknown but those have been the biggest blessings in our lives, along with the ability to do it together with our sons and their spouses.

Some of the first took us beyond familiar destinations like Hawaii and many places in Mexico to no less than 18 distinct countries spanning four continents. Some of the highlights include visiting Machu Pichu and seeing the floating islands on Lake Titicaca in Peru; experiencing Easter Island – the most isolated permanently inhabited island on the planet, home to the Moia; sipping wine in Malbec country in Argentina and dining on Argentinian beef; visiting Phi Phi Island only a year or two after the tsunami in Thailand that nearly wiped it out; driving the coast of the south island of New Zealand and strolling along the Yarra River in Melbourne Australia, and many others that have made an indelible imprint on my mind.

In recent years we have made some roots in Huatulco, Mexico, where we have chosen to spend much of our holiday time, often with our kids and their broods now.

This year with travel plans pending due to the pandemic and not knowing the future of international travel, the longing and desire to go is increasing but there is a certain thankfulness for the years we have had the opportunity to venture out into the world.

Travel will always be in our blood and although my treasures from abroad delight me as I take them in, my precious memories of the adventures we have experienced are always with me in my heart and mind and continue to bring me joy as I reminisce.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

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Public health launching rapid testing pilot program to increase testing capacities Larissa Kurz

The Saskatchewan Health Authority shared last week that it will be scaling up its plan to address the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the province, with part of that action to include the use of rapid testing products.

During a press conference on Nov. 26, SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said that the future strategy includes ramping testing capacity up to provide more than 4,000 tests per day by late December.

This will involve high-volume testing in both Regina and Saskatoon from the SHA, as well as using third-party testing to increase capacity further.

Hospitals in Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert will receive rapid point of care testing units, while long term and personal care homes will have access to rapid antigen tests as part of a pilot program.

Nine care homes received Panbio rapid antigen tests on No. 27, from Abbott Rapid Diagnostics, a German product that was very recently approved for use in Canada, to begin the first two-week deployment of the pilot.

Acute care facilities and mobile testing units are piloting Abbott ID NOW tests, which are a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

The rapid tests are less sensitive than the tests done in the lab, said the SHA, but will be used in closely monitored conditions to gauge the accuracy of results.

The rollout of rapid testing units will be used largely to screen asymptomatic patients, residents and staff, with results available as quickly as 15 minutes. Positive test results from the rapid tests will be labelled presumptive and forwarded on to the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory for confirmation and follow-up contact tracing, said the SHA. Introducing rapid tests is just one method the SHA is using to address current testing capacity reaching its limit, said Livingstone in the Thursday conference, with contact tracing staff and volunteers nearly overwhelmed with the volume of work hours currently needed.

The SHA is also planning to bring on nursing students from the University of Saskatchewan to handle callbacks for negative test results, as well as taking support from the provincial Public Service Commission and redeploying certified staff to handle rapid case notification and tracing.

But ultimately, the SHA is calling on residents to reduce their number of close contacts to help take the pressure off of contact tracers at this time.

"We certainly need to both decrease the number of positive cases and contacts if we’re going to get ahead of this virus," said Livingstone.

The SHA is also working with Quantum Genetix Canada as a third-party rapid test processor, for residents who need COVID-19 results to travel or businesses looking to implement rapid testing privately.

Quantum Genetix will administer rapid tests on a user-pay basis, with results provided within 24-48 hours. Positive results will be sent for further verification by the provincial lab, and all patient information collected will be shared with the SHA and reported in the province’s daily data.

Using a third party for private testing is expected to increase the SHA’s capacity to 350 tests per day by late December, and decrease the wait times for priority testing.

Public health officer warns that potential holiday precautions have to be “cautious” Larissa Kurz

Chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said that residents may have to brace themselves for a subdued holiday season, as COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations continue to trend upwards and cause concern.

“At this point, it is hard to say if any of the restrictions can be relaxed,” said Shahab. “But whatever plans for the holidays, we have to recognize that it's very different from last year and very different even from Thanksgiving.”

Speaking during a live press conference with Health Minister Paul Merriman and Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone on Dec. 2, Shahab said that Saskatchewan’s case numbers would have to decrease substantially to consider lifting the current public health orders over Christmas.

Per 100,000 population, Saskatchewan currently has the third-highest number of active cases and third highest number of new cases per day in Canada, said Shahab.

Transmission is currently occurring all over the province, with no discernable hotspots, and there has now been 59 deaths — 28 since the beginning of November.

A large portion of COVID-related hospitalizations are patients in the 40 and older age group, while the death rate is currently at 7 per cent for those over 18 years old and 2 per cent for the 60 to 79-year-old age group.

Close contacts per case have decreased slightly from last week, but Shahab said they need to decrease even further moving forward.

“It is critical we follow the guidelines, keep the numbers low overall, and protect the most vulnerable in terms of age but also those with underlying health risk factors,” said Shahab.

The current projection data from the SHA expects the province’s numbers to continue trending upwards, making it difficult for public health to say whether the current restrictions will be lifted over the holidays.

“Even if there is relaxation [for the holidays], it will have to be very cautious relaxation,” said Shahab.

Shahab said residents should continue to be cautious and follow the current public health orders in place. He also indicated that residents should be prepared to do so throughout December and possibly into January to properly avoid a “rebound” of high case numbers in the next few months.

“We don't want to bend the rules, we want to bend the curve and follow public health orders,” said Shahab. “The school break is another opportunity for us to slow things down, to stabilize our numbers, so that we can go back to school in January with less pressure, less cases per day.”

It takes about three weeks to see the effects of new restrictive measures on the data, said Shahab, and the current restrictions in place need to remain for a while longer before he can speak to their effectiveness.

“We need to consistently practice all the measures, so we can see next week if we really are trending in a downward direction,” said Shahab.

He also noted that it's likely that public health will continue to uphold at least some of its current orders until vaccination is on the horizon.

Merriman noted that several vaccines have applied for approval in the last week, and the SHA will be providing more information on the plan to roll out vaccines later next week.

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A5

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“Bringing light into our spaces:” Christmas service for bereaved shared online Larissa Kurz

Although it looks a little different this year, JonesParkview Funeral Services has shared the annual Mourning Star Christmas Ceremony for the Bereaved this past week as organizers felt it was an important tradition to continue offering to Moose Jaw. Instead of hosting an in-person event, the 23rd annual service was instead pre-recorded and shared as a video the evening of Dec. 3.

Each year, organizers welcome community members who have lost a loved one to attend the service to honour their memories and find comfort during the often difficult time of the holidays.

“We’re just wanting to help people find ways to navigate the season as they’re processing loss,” said JonesParkview representative Della Ferguson. “Christmas [can be difficult] because of traditions that may include people who are no longer physically here, and the ache is so huge. It really amplifies during such times.”

This year’s service features the candle lighting with Jones-Parkview general manager Dayna Chamberlain and funeral director Kelly Scott, as well as recorded messages for the bereaved and special appearances by two members of the community.

Lynne Kirk reads a poem written by a family member that speaks to the seasons and the need to honour emotion and healing, and author Joyce Aitken shares ways she has navigated loss during the holiday season in the past.

Ferguson said the service will be available online throughout the holiday season for people to watch whenever they choose.

“It’s not a live-streaming event, it's a recording so it will be there. People can tap on it throughout the season,” said Ferguson. “You can get to it on your own time, in your own safe space.”

The theme of this year’s service is “Encircled by Love,” which Ferguson said was not chosen specifically due to the pandemic but certainly fits the circumstances many people are in currently.

“The idea is that, especially this year more than ever because of our sense of isolation during COVID, we want

Provincial government reduces ambulance fees for seniors Larissa Kurz

The provincial government has announced that beginning Dec. 14, ambulance fees will be significantly reduced for seniors in Saskatchewan.

Transport costs will jump from $275 per trip down to $135, and there will no longer be a cost to transfer by ambulance between healthcare facilities in the province. This includes health centres, mental health and addiction cen(photo by Larissa Kurz) tres and special care homes.

Seniors will now be provided full coverage for these transfers under the Senior Citizens’ Ambulance Assistance Program (SCAAP), which is available for residents over the age of 65 who hold a valid Saskatchewan health card and are not insured by other government services like Health Canada, Workers Compensation or SGI. The changes to ambulance charges is a campaign promise made during Scott Moe’s election tour earlier this fall.

“Our government is living up to its promise to provide Saskatchewan’s seniors with quality, affordable healthcare,” said Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley, in a press release. “The investments we make now will help to address the future needs of our province’s growing senior population, while demonstrating our commitment to those who helped build our great province.”

The cost of the increased subsidy through SCAAP is estimated at $2.2 million for the remainder of the 2020-21 fiscal year and $6.6 million annually.

people to surround themselves with love,” said Ferguson.

“Whether they’re home alone and find ways to connect virtually, in their heart and mind with the love of their beloved who has passed, with the love of those still around us who we’re maybe not able to be with face to face, and with their own loving self-compassion for themselves.”

Jones-Parkview will also be hosting the annual candle lighting for bereaved parents using a video, which takes place worldwide on the second Sunday of December each year.

On Dec. 13, the funeral home will share another pre-recorded video at 7 p.m. to light candles and offer reflections, alongside words from guest speaker and author Melanie Delorme from Mossbank.

The theme of this event will be “Written in the Stars,” said Ferguson, which she hopes will build on the idea of bringing light to the community this season.

“The stars are universal and a constant, and at a time we need to really ground ourselves, it's good to reach out to something higher than ourselves to draw in light,” said Ferguson. “We are in the darkest time of year, and I am such a believer of bringing light into our spaces — candlelight ceremonies, the stars, adding light is such a good healing strategy for our hearts.”

Both the Mourning Star Christmas Service for the Bereaved and the Candle Lighting for Bereaved Parents are made available on the Jones-Parkview website as well as its Facebook page.

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PAGE A6 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

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Retired CFLer uses difficult childhood to give hope to others Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Retired CFLer JR LaRose believes his experience of overcoming obstacles throughout his life and finding redemption can provide hope to people — especially youths — who are struggling and need support.

“For me, there’s a lot of similarities in what my story is to what they’ve (students) gone through,” he said. “I tell people this all the time. I (say), ‘You don’t become a product of your environment, you become a product of your choices.’”

That’s important to understand since it’s easy for people to say they don’t have support and then adopt a victim mentality, LaRose continued. People can only move forward when they break that mentality and put the responsibility on themselves.

One way LaRose encourages people to break free is to seek help and not be afraid to ask for it. Men especially need to ask for support since it contributes to healthy masculinity.

“It’s being able to cry. And you’re not less of a man for being able to seek out help,” he added. “Because I really have a problem when people make excuses or have that victim mentality.”

The former CFL player spoke to a dozen community service agencies at the Heritage Inn about his experiences and how he has overcome them as part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week.

A rough upbringing LaRose, a member of the One Arrow reserve southwest of Prince Albert, grew up in Edmonton with a single mother who had attended the Duck Lake residential school, was into drugs, and had several abusive boyfriends. LaRose himself was physically and sexually abused as a boy and had anger issues.

His father was Nigerian, but was deported before LaRose

JR LaRose, a retired Canadian Football League player, speaks to community service providers at the Heritage Inn on Nov. 26 as part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. Photo by Jason G. Antonio was born. He never had any connection with his dad growing up.

Once he started playing football in school, though, that put him on the right path — a difficult path, but one that brought him direction. He played junior football with the Edmonton Huskies and then played professionally for nine years with the Edmonton Eskimos and the B.C. Lions.

LaRose broke his ankle twice — including on the first play of the first game of the season — and his forearm once during his CFL career. He was also part of the Lions’ 2011 Grey Cup-winning team that defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Vancouver.

LaRose has been a motivational speaker since 2008, making more than 400 presentations to businesses, community groups, service providers, and students, including youths of all socio-economic backgrounds. He is also an ambassador for Aboriginal people and works with that community regularly.

Find your passion LaRose explained he didn’t have a support system growing up, was sexually abused by a male babysitter, had no food in the fridge, saw his mother abuse drugs, and grew up on welfare. He knew then that those circumstances were not right, but he only escaped them when he started playing football in school.

“I tell people, ‘You need to find something you’re passionate about,’” he said. “Not everyone’s going to be a pro athlete, but a lot of people are athletic (and) a lot of people are gifted in arts. Whatever it may be, but it’s finding out that ‘why’ … it’s something you have to continue to strive for.”

LaRose’s “why” is his two sons. Since he fears being destitute, he wants to ensure his fridge is always full and wants to break the cycle of poverty. Since he grew up without a father, his mother had to be tough on him and his sister.

“My mom was a true hero to me,” he remarked.

He has told both of his sons about his past. His oldest is an introvert and didn’t say much, while his youngest couldn’t believe his dad had experienced such situations.

“It’s important that our kids know (about that abuse),” he added. “I don’t want them to ever be in a situation.

If they’re at a friend’s house and something happened, I would want them to know that that’s not OK and to speak up about it.”

Life’s difficulties couldn’t stop CFLer LaRose from succeeding Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Whether it was growing up in poverty or suffering injuries that nearly ended his pro football career, JR LaRose didn’t let any of life’s difficulties hold him back.

LaRose — who played for the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos and B.C. Lions over nine years — spoke about his experiences as part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week.

A past life LaRose witnessed his mother's abuse when he was 10 years old, including one time during a party at his home, he explained. A man threw his mother down the stairs, which angered him and prompted him to grab a kitchen knife. Family had to prevent him from attacking the man.

“No kid should ever have to experience that, but that is a lot of kids’ (realities),” he said.

He pointed out that one in three women will be assaulted in ther life, while more than 800,000 kids will witness their mother’s abuse. That is why he began telling his story in 2010 since he wanted to speak against violence.

“Everything I do, I do it to honour God, because I feel like God gave me a second chance at life … ,” he said. “If I can just inspire hope in other people and let them know there is light at the end of the tunnel, then that’s what it’s all about. That’s what my true calling is.”

LaRose explained that his mother and sister had rough lives. His sister — who was 10 years older and played a big part in his life — died two years ago, but not before cleaning up her life and helping other Aboriginal women leave a lifestyle of drugs.

A desire for a dad “As a young boy, all I wanted was someone to call dad,” he said, noting he joined every school sports team since he had no family. “I always dreamt that one day my dad would walk through the gym doors, but that was not the case.”

Joining the school football team allowed him to get out his anger. This was also the first time he had a positive male role model, as his coach built him up with supportive words.

Since LaRose grew up on welfare, he often wondered from where his next meal would come. At age 16, he sat in mall food courts and hoped people left their uneaten food so he could consume the leftovers.

He noted that he would not change anything about his past since his experiences have made him the man he is today.

Football comes calling LaRose played high school football so well that four U.S. colleges in Division 1 — one of the top football conferences — recruited him. However, his dream of playing down south crashed since he had poor grades.

He went to summer school to achieve the required credits, while he eventually played three years with the junior Edmonton Huskies. The Edmonton Eskimos eventually offered him a chance to try out.

“As a young boy, I remember sneaking into the Eskimo games. After the game, I would run onto the field and pretend I was one of the players, running around with one of those foam balls, thinking that that was going to be me one day,” LaRose said.

While some friends were excited for him, many weren’t, with some saying he wasn’t big enough or fast enough.

But one friend pointed out the Eskimos wouldn’t have called him if they didn’t believe in him.

LaRose began playing for the Green and Gold at age 21 but couldn’t handle the success. He was partying, doing drugs, and drinking, which led the team to cut him halfway through the 2005 season.

The Eskimos went on to win the Grey Cup that year.

A year later, LaRose rejoined the team and stayed clean.

Hit with injuries During the 2008 season, LaRose had his foot broken after an opponent hit him, causing the leg bone to explode.

The doctor later told LaRose he would never play football again. This led to the team cutting him for a second time.

LaRose rehabbed his injury and tried out for the Eskimos in 2010. Even though he had a great tryout, he was still cut. He then tried out for the B.C. Lions and made the

team.

The Lions played the Eskimos during the second-last game of that season when LaRose broke his ankle a second time. During the game’s opening kickoff, LaRose ran toward the ball barrier when a blocker hit him and pushed him away. Simultaneously, one of LaRose’s teammates fell into him, breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle.

LaRose thought his football career was over since he had broken the same leg twice. So, he and his wife discussed life after football. However, he still wanted to be a good role model.

“I thought this could be such a great teaching moment (for his sons). You see, every single one of us gets knocked down in life … ,” he continued. “I thought to myself, I could really use this as a moment to teach my son that, when faced with adversity, you have to try to come back and give it your best.”

A difficult but successful season He rehabbed his legged and, four months later, returned to the Lions. His return was short-lived, though, as he broke his forearm during a preseason game in 2011.

However, he was out for only five weeks.

It was during his first practice back that he learned his mother had died.

“I was absolutely crushed. My mom was someone I had so much respect for (since she survived a residential school),” he said.

LaRose and the Lions eventually won the 2011 Grey Cup in Vancouver. While celebrating in the locker room, he reflected on his life and how it would have been easy to quit and adopt a victim mentality.

“I knew at a young age (that) one day I was going to have kids and I wanted to break that (poverty) cycle. I didn’t want my kids to go through the same things I had gone through as a child … ,” he added. “I didn’t want to allow my situation to become my excuse. So for me, my ‘why’ (his reason for the future) is my kids … . It’s a power of choice.”

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Sunningdale students bring joy to seniors at Chateau St. Michael’s Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

With the pandemic isolating seniors more than usual, Sunningdale School is working with Chateau St. Michael’s nursing home to bring joy to care-home residents.

With residents locked down throughout the summer and physical distancing restrictions in place, activity co-ordinator Krista Bakken thought having the students support the seniors from a distance was the best option.

“I wanted the students to know that they’re lucky they can go be with family and go to sports after school and do their activities, whereas the residents (were) stuck here all summer,” she said.

Bakken reached out to Sunningdale School in October and asked teachers if they would participate in an initiative. Grade 4 teacher Jody Kearns was the first to sign up, followed by other teachers. Each grade will take a month and put together a project — such as letter-writing, Christmas cards, string art, and videos of students

Krista Bakken, activities co-ordinator with Chateau St. Michael’s (right), and Bernice Panko show the letters and art that students from Sunningdale School have sent to the nursing home’s seniors, as part of a new partnership. Photo courtesy Krista Bakken

reading stories — to send to the care home.

Bakken will use a tablet to show the videos to the seniors.

She will also meet with the more than 50 residents and read them a student’s letter. They will then tell Bakken what they want written in a letter to be sent back.

“I think this is a good interaction with students and seniors and just that the kids know, ‘Hey, there are seniors out there who could really use our respect and support,’” she added. “I was just excited about this project because I thought this would be perfect for the residents and students to get to know each other a little bit and show caring and kindness.”

Kearns’ class was the first to submit its project of student-written letters for November. The Grade 4 teacher joined the initiative since she is from Craik and regularly took her class to visit seniors to play games and read books to them, she explained. When she came to Moose Jaw, she took her class to Mulberry Estates to socialize with the seniors. However, that stopped once the pandemic hit.

“I knew Krista personally, so I knew she was doing activities,” Kearns continued.

Some of Kearns’ students picked seniors if they had the same name as the kids’ grandparents or the same middle name. The youths were already learning how to write letters in class, so Kearns thought it was great that they had a purpose when putting their skills to use.

“We said the goal was to make someone smile. Right now, it’s a hard time for the residents,” she said. “They’re the people that paved the way for us … . It’s just connecting (with people in the community), giving back, whether they know them or not.”

Kearns has attempted to teach students about the power of their words and making other people feel cared about.

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A group of Grade 4 students from Sunningdale School shows the volume of letters they wrote to seniors at Chateau St. Michael’s nursing home. From left are Kenzie, Scout, Cruz, Knox, and James. Photo courtesy Krista Bakken She pointed out part of the process while writing is word choice.

“And we have to learn how to do friendly letters, so I like writing to real people and give them a purpose instead of just writing fluffy letters,” she chuckled, adding students later wrote letters to military personnel.

The students enjoyed this project, while it also helped that they were engaged, Kearns said. Being engaged meant they valued the work and appreciated what they were doing. Some parents also told her that their kids talked excitedly about the project at home during recent parent-teacher conferences.

“So that’s a good thing,” she added, “that they’re actually telling their moms and dads about what they’re doing.”

Bakken added “This couldn't be better timing with Christmas around the corner. Residents are feeling lonely right now and can’t see their families. I am hoping that this puts a smile on the residents’ faces.”

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Funding helps Phoenix Academy students grow indoor garden Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Students at Phoenix Academy will engage in a tasty project this winter as they learn how to grow an indoor garden, all thanks to funding from a kid-focused organization.

The school announced recently that it had received $3,000 from Whole Kids Foundation to purchase a tower garden.

The North American company supports schools and inspires families to improve children’s nutrition and wellness. It also helps increase access to and consumption of fresh, nutritious, whole foods and encourages community actions that support healthier kids.

“We’re very excited. Growing fresh food inside the school in the dead of winter in Saskatchewan, who wouldn’t be excited about that?” chuckled teacher Nicole Cornea. “I grow gardens in the summer myself and everything tastes better from the garden.

“I think many of our kids don’t have that opportunity, so I think this will be really good for them to learn some skills that way. I think it’s a great educational opportunity and it will really enhance our nutrition program.”

Students at Phoenix Academy will use starter seeds to help grow vegetables on a tower garden, thanks to funding from Whole Kids Foundation. Photo courtesy Phoenix Academy School staff applied for the funding last year after coming across the foundation online. One requirement was that someone in the community had to provide guidance on how to grow a garden. Af-

ter some searching, businesses Windmill Greenhouses and Juice Plus stepped forward to support the school.

The foundation approved the school’s application in February and was supposed to provide the money in March. However, the pandemic came along and shut down all schools. The organization then promised to provide funding this fall.

Phoenix Academy operates in a building across from the old Union Hospital site, so it has no outdoor garden space, said Cornea. The school’s nutrition worker will help students manage the garden, which will function in a tower growing system.

Youths will water the plants — some will start as seeds and others will come pregrown — using nutrient-infused liquid.

Gardening lights will help the plants grow, while students will be responsible for pruning and learning how gardens grow. After four to six weeks, students will pick the produce for the school’s daily lunch program.

“I’ve seen them (plants) growing. We went and (the owner of Windmill Greenhouses) had one in her house and had three or four inside this greenhouse, and

I just could not believe how big tomato plants and strawberries (were),” said Cornea. “It’s quite amazing.”

The school is linking this project with the science curriculum, which means science teachers could connect assignments with this project. Aside from youths studying from home, all 75 students will be able to care for the garden.

Sean Chase, the director of education for Holy Trinity Roman Catholic School Division, visited the school recently and indicated that students and staff are excited about this project. Phoenix Academy is always looking for ways to engage students there, he noted, especially since many youths have had challenges in their academic journey.

“One of the engagement strategies they’ve used in recent used is a pretty decent takeup in their robotics club, so this would be another example of an opportunity to have … a better fit with certain people’s interests,” added Chase. “So we’re quite thankful for the grant that was allocated there and … I know teachers are (looking forward) to engaging kids in a unique way.”

BIZWORLD

By Ron Walter For Moose Jaw Express

Oil as global fuel will have important role for long time

Claims that the end of petroleum use is near are heard regularly. Most assertions stem from enthusiastic environmentalists.

Unfortunately for them and for the global climate, oil and gas energy sources are going to be around for a long time even if corporations or governments meet the growing promises of net zero emissions in 10 or 20 years.

The global petroleum industry is too large, too important to many economies to quickly roll over and die.

According to statista.com the global petroleum industry comprises 3.8 per cent of global output or about $3.2 trillion in U.S. dollars.

Renewable energy — solar, wind, water power — are the only viable options for replacing petroleum energy sources. But these sources produce just under four per cent of world energy.

According to Statista, global renewable energy output in 2019 was $928 billion U.S. Although renewable energy output in 2020 is estimated at $1.5 billion, there needs to be growth at that rate for years to catch up to oil.

Can that rate of growth be sustainable that long without hiccups such as shortages of critical supplies? Likely not.

The politics of petroleum will continue to maintain the industry as critical simply to keep national treasuries in cash from industry tax and royalty revenues.

Petroleum exports are the number one earner of export currency in almost 30 countries.

In the Americas, petroleum is the top export for Canada, United States, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru.

Petroleum exports are number one in Russia, Norway, Finland, Kazakhstan, Alba-

nia, Greece, Poland, and Estonia.

That doesn’t include the Middle Eastern nations like Saudi Arabia.

In Africa, top export is petroleum in Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Namibia.

Surprisingly, petroleum exports are number one in India.

Using virtually all petroleum for fuel, the global vehicle industry in 2019 built $1.8 trillion U.S. worth of product.

Vehicles are the number one export in Mexico, Sweden, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Morocco and Japan.

Electric vehicle production is growing 40 per cent a year, but will take many years to catch up to internal combustion engine vehicles. And there is the logistical issue of building the network of recharging stations needed for wider EV use.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A9

Moose Jaw seniors centres closeLarissa voluntarily due to COVID-19 spike Kurz Following the implementation of new restrictions on Nov. 27, both the Moose Jaw & District Senior Citizens Association and the Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre have voluntarily closed their doors until further notice.

“Anytime we have to close our doors is difficult for us, [and] the part that is most difficult is that the people that come here and use our facility, this is the place they go for their community, to keep on top of things, and now that venue for them is closed,” said Cosmo representative Clara Singleton.

Timothy Eaton Gardens closed to be public beginning Nov. 27 and the Cosmo Centre followed suit on Nov. 30.

Both organizations said that while the decision was tough, it was necessary to properly protect the health and safety of their members, staff and volunteers.

For the Seniors’ Association board of directors, president Vicki Wadsworth said the discussion of a voluntary closure was actually on the table before the provincial government released its newest set of restrictions.

The public health order reduced the number of people allowed in a public venue even further, which posed limitations on physical activities and the Timothy Eaton Cafe, which Wadsworth said really solidified the decision.

“We were growing really concerned about the increasing number of cases [and] we just thought we didn't really feel it was safe any longer to have people in the centre,” said Wadsworth. “There were a lot of restrictions on our activities, and it didn’t make much sense for us to be open and not able to serve people.”

For the Cosmo, the feeling was much the same — restrictions on activities and the rising concerns over high

positive case numbers led the centre to choose to close its doors as well, although it was done with a heavy heart.

“We’re trying to keep a positive outlook on things, and we’re hoping that this will resolve itself,” said Singleton.

“This is not good, but it could be worse and we’re doing okay — not great, but we’re still above water.”

Singleton expressed concern for the senior population in the city, as she fears many will be left with little to no social interaction without the centres open.

“For most of our seniors, this [isolation] is really difficult on them, physically, mentally, even spiritually,” said Singleton. “And it's a really difficult thing, to overcome the depression.”

“For everyone who did work here or is a member here, or even uses our facility, I just want to say thank you so very much for your support,” -Cosmo representative Clara Singleton There are also financial concerns for both the Seniors Association and the Cosmo Centre, who already spent several months on lockdown in the spring and saw a significant impact in revenue as a result.

During a presentation to city council during the Nov. 26 budget discussion, the Cosmo shared that average revenue for the organization usually totals between $40,000 and $50,000 annually but this year, they had only been able to collect $20,000 due to the pandemic.

Timothy Eaton Gardens will remain closed until at least Dec. 17, when the board will re-evaluate the situation, and the Cosmo is expecting to remain closed until the end of December.

However, both organizations still have plans to offer what they can from a distance, while their buildings remain shuttered.

The Seniors’ Association still has tickets available for a take-out turkey dinner on Dec. 13, and it is also running a Christmas Card Drive. Residents can donate signed or unsigned holiday cards that will be delivered to seniors in care homes around the city throughout the month.

“We’ve had a lot of cards already donated from the community and it's been really nice to see everybody so excited,” said Wadsworth. “It's a pretty simple thing, but I think it's going to really matter to the people who are getting the cards.”

The Cosmo Centre is planning to once again sell meat pies and Christmas pudding on a take-out basis, as well as weekly take-out lunches in the future.

“For everyone who did work here or is a member here, or even uses our facility, I just want to say thank you so very much for your support,” said Singleton. “The people that have supported us with our events we’ve been able to have, it's been absolutely wonderful and we couldn’t have survived without them.”

For more information on these organizations or their current at-a-distance programming, contact the Seniors Association office at 1 (306) 694-4233 and the Cosmo Centre office at 1 (306) 692-6072.

Sask government partners with Tao Tel-Aide to provide help line for Fransaskois residents Moose Jaw Express Staff

The Saskatchewan government has partnered with a Quebec-based help phone line to offer a wide range of services to the Fransaskoise community.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced it had confirmed a $95,000 partnership over three years with Ottawa-Gatineau-based TAO TelAide to provide a help-line service covering health, mental health and community support The French community in Saskatchewan will now services. have an official help line to call, covering a host of The line -- which can be mental health and community support concerns. reached at 1 (800) 567-9699 -comes into service in the province at a time when Saskatchewan’s French-speaking residents are experiencing situations of psychological distress or simply need an empathetic ear. The service is completely free and available seven days a week and any time of the day or night.

“This partnership with TAO Tel-Aide is excellent news for Saskatchewan and timely in the context of COVID-19,” says Jenna Webb, executive director of Online Strategy and Creative Services at the Saskatchewan Health Authority. “This new service for Fransaskois residents will definitely allow for an improved active offer of services in French, increase access to information and local services, ease psychological distress and reduce isolation in our French-speaking communities while improving their well-being.”

TAO Tel-Aide’s 55 volunteers are trained to offer a caring and empathetic ear and to provide guidance and support within a solution-focused approach. Besides making an important contribution to preventive mental health, the TAO Tel-Aide helpline provides other benefits, including: • Reducing the demand for crisis services; • Referring callers to local mental health services; • Referring callers to French-language community support services; • Reducing the language barrier at the level of access to community services; • Reducing the stigmatization of persons living with a mental health dynamic.

The non-profit organization has operated in Quebec for 46 years and is strongly rooted in the Francophone community in the province. The service is completely confidential and responded to 11,192 calls at its three call centres in 2019-20.

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Health authority purchasing 100 additional Sask.-made ventilators Larissa Kurz

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has purchased approximately 100 additional ventilators that have been made within the province through a partnership between the University of Saskatchewan and a local engineering company.

One Health Medical Technologies, a sub-

sidiary of Saskatoon-based RMD Engineering Inc., designed the new ventilators in-house, before collaborating with the USask Colleges of Medicine and Engineering to create a prototype certified for use.

“This initiative exemplifies the spirit of

collaboration and entrepreneurship we’re so proud of in our province,” said Health Minister Paul Merriman, in a press release. “Our government fully supports this work, and we are pleased that residents in Saskatchewan and across the country will have access to this equipment, if they need it.”

The devices have received certification from Health Canada for use and have been entirely produced in Saskatchewan.

They are classed as emergency use units.

The SHA has received approval to purchase and deliver the ventilators to patients across the province, to increase the health authority’s response capacity to COVID-19.

“Knowing we had the skillset, capability and capacity in-house, we chose to do

something rather than nothing and created an emergency use ventilator using reliable technology and readily available materials,” said RMD Engineering president Jim Boire, in a press release. “When we communicated our intent, we received a high level of trust from the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the leadership of the University of Saskatchewan Colleges of Engineering and Medicine, which led to a world-class collaboration.”

There are currently approximately 650 ventilators available in the health system, which the SHA feels is enough to meet the current need for patients. The new ventilators from RMD will increase the province’s total units to 750. The first 20 units are expected to be ready for delivery by Dec. 7.

REFLECTIVE MOMENTS

Arrows on floor show customers where to go

The EUV-SK1 emergency use ventilators developed by RMD Engineering Inc, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the University of Saskatchewan. (supplied)

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

Joyce Walter For Moose Jaw Express ronjoy@sasktel.net

Annual Meeting

In-person Christmas shopping is a challenge and certainly different from what had always been taken for granted until that darn COVID decided to change

our lives.

I’m sure some persons in the retail trade have often bitten their tongues so as not to tell unfriendly customers where to go.

Now all customers are gently guided and told where to go — by arrows placed on the floor in the aisles so shoppers are able to social distance and hopefully avoid contact with other store visitors.

It is these arrows that provide part of the shopping challenge. First of all, some folks are obviously arrow-challenged, wandering whichever way they desire to get to specific products on the shelves. Maybe this inability to follow arrow direction is simply an extension of how arrows in the parking lot are ignored. I can hear the thinking of those drivers: “Those arrows are not telling me which way to drive.

Those other fools are going the wrong way.”

Ditto for indoor arrows and resulting thoughts from some: “I want a case of Coke and I don’t care what the arrow says.

I’m going this way and those other fools had better get out of my path.”

And so the challenges have been issued and the fun begins. It is interesting to note that some shoppers religiously follow directions and are embarrassed when they realize they took a wrong turn at the Kraft Dinner display. They look around to see if they have been observed and make a hurried U-turn and head back the way they came — almost as though they expect the Arrow Police to issue a ticket right there in front of strangers.

A friend tells me she has perfected the arrow shopping experience. On her shopping

list she only writes down items she’s sure to forget. The rest is left to chance and good memory that will be triggered when she sees those items on the shelf. She says she moves with the arrows, up and down, back and forth, and takes her time looking closely at every shelf so she goes home with what she needs, and maybe a bit more, usually items on sale or that can be stored.

I had to follow that advice recently, not by design, but because the carefully written grocery list was safely at home on the table, right where I left it after trying to write it according to what I remembered of the location of each item. I only missed one item that day — eggnog — because the shipment hadn’t arrived yet.

I was a bit sheepish when I returned home, to admit my faux pas to Housemate but he congratulated me for my successful venture back into the grocery shopping business.

More than the arrows on the floor though, was the frustrating amount of time wasted while trying to open those plastic bags for the vegetables. In the olden days earlier this year it was a matter of licking one’s fingers and then rubbing those wet fingers along the arrow indicated as the spot to be opened. Voila, the bag opened. Not so now because it is almost impossible to lick one’s fingers while wearing a mask.

It must be time to invest in those special vegetable sacks that can be reused and recycled. I wonder in which aisle they are located, and whether I should go north or south, east or west to discover their location.

A GPS on the grocery cart might be another worthy invention. “Turn left at the Stove Top Stuffing then right at the ice cream treats. Stop in two metres and keep your distance. No, no, don’t back up.”

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A11

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Sask Health Authority preparing for COVID-19 surge, cases expected to increase dramatically in coming weeks Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

With a major increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations expected in the coming weeks, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is officially enacting the first phase of the government’s hospitalization surge plan.

That will involve service slowdowns and redeployment of up to 600 full-time hospital staff across the province to support pandemic response - a ‘dimmer switch’ approach that will turn services down and up as needed, but nowhere near the level of slowdown seen with medical services in the spring.

The move comes as the number of cases in the province jumped by 530 per cent through the month of November, with 31 percent of ICU capacity in Saskatchewan hospitals currently being used for COVID cases. That number is expected to jump to 85 per cent of current capacity by mid-December.

The surge decision comes out of the cur-

rent case projections from the SHA. The confirmed daily case forecast is expected to hit 562 per day by Dec. 17, compared to the average of 269 seen over the past seven days. Hospitalized cases are expected to reach 250, 64 of those in ICU. That’s compared to 128 in hospital and 24 in intensive care as of Dec. 3 The main plans of the surge include: • Creating capacity for 64 COVID patients requiring ICU care by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected demand.

This means creating capacity to meet demand that is equivalent to 28 per cent more ICU beds than currently exist right now in Saskatoon and Regina combined.

• Creating capacity for 250 COVID patients requiring inpatient hospitalization by mid-December to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand. This is approximately equivalent to the capacity of the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current and the Prince Albert Victoria

Hospital combined.

• Creating capacity for contact tracing of approximately 560 average cases per day to try to keep pace with projected growth in demand, including keeping pace with more than 6,000 hours of work per day created for contact tracers if cases reach this level by mid-December as projected.

“Surges of this scale and on this timeline necessitate service slow downs to enable redeployment of staff, otherwise more people will die from COVID-19 because we can’t get them the help they need and we can’t get out in front of the virus,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “We acknowledge that this will result in some Saskatchewan residents experiencing localized service slow downs in pockets across the province, that is why we are committed to making these efforts as time-limited and targeted as possible.”

Partial service slowdowns will be seen in primary health care, elective surgeries,

endoscopies, women and children’s programming, diagnostsics, therapies, ambulatory care, food and nutrition, rehab services and home care services.

All other major services will remain unaffected, offering what the SHA terms “a targeted approach to minimize patient impact and maximize staff for re-deployment, while avoiding a heavy shutdown like seen in the spring.”

These service changes will enable the SHA to redeploy up to 600 staff to strengthen testing, contact tracing and to identify the health care workers necessary to expand hospital and ICU capacity to help keep COVID and non-COVID patients alive and ensure the SHA can provide the care they need.

Be sure to visit the government of Saskatchewan website for the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

TRADING THOUGHTS

By Ron Walter For Moose Jaw Express

Ridiculous bureaucratic rules by province, city council exposed The law can sometimes be an ass but bureaucratic rules can be even more dumb-ass.

We witnessed a couple of idiotic cases of bureaucracy run amok this past while.

One of them was the provincial focus on reducing social assistance payments to people who benefitted from the federal emergency stimulus payby Ron Walter ments of $2,000 a month.

The province reduced welfare payments because the federal emergency payments — intended to stimulate the economy — are considered extra income and social assistance recipients’ ability to receive extra income is extremely limited.

Here was a perfect example of how to stimulate the economy by giving poor people some cash. Within weeks they were informed the province would cut back welfare payments.

The social assistance recipients applied for the funds in good faith, unaware they didn’t qualify.

The treatment was cruel. The province actually saved

money on the backs of poor people and the policy to stimulate the economy was undermined.

A less heartless bureaucracy and government would have made an exception based on the rare pandemic situation.

—— A second bureaucratic idiocy was displayed at the first meeting of the new Moose Jaw City Council.

During that meeting Jan Radwanski spoke to council about the new school location. He was granted only five minutes to talk, instead of the customary 10 minutes.

When his time was up Radwanski politely asked for another minute to wrap up. Councillor Dawn Luhning wondered why he wasn’t given the usual 10 minutes.

Moose Jaw’s long-serving city clerk-solicitor pointed out the bylaw regulations allowed only five minutes time if the subject had come to council previously but he noted council has the authority to extend any speaker’s time.

Council did just that but in the time it took Radwanski would have finished his comments.

Somehow the five minute rule was slipped by a previous council in an attempt to shorten council meetings. Silly rules like this really have little impact on meeting length but sure discourage involvement by voters.

The new council would do well to strike this five minute

rule from the books.

—— During that same meeting Luhning expressed concern that council members don’t know what city administration is doing to attract economic development.

Obviously her concern arose after administration blindsided council with a proposal to develop a residential subdivision in Wakamow Valley. Councillors were surprised to hear the city manager had been working with the developer in secret for 18 months without informing his boss(es).

Had the last city council not agreed to the manager’s power grab when it voted to eliminate the economic development committee, council should have known about this proposal long ago.

In any event, the city manager’s secretive actions broke trust with the voters — another unintended but damaging consequence.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

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Hunger in Moose Jaw. (photo by Larissa Kurz)

Hunger in Moose Jaw continuing lunch program over holiday break

Larissa Kurz Hunger in Moose Jaw announced that it will be continuing its lunch bag program for Moose Jaw students throughout the upcoming Christmas break.

It is the first time the food security organization has done so, and the new holiday program will operate the same as the summer lunch bag program from earlier in the year.

Registered children will receive a week’s worth of lunch supplies to use while schools are out during the winter break, provided by Hunger in Moose Jaw at no cost.

Pickup for the lunch bags will be available on Dec. 21 at Hunger in Moose Jaw’s location at 269 Stadacona Street, from noon to 5 p.m.

Limited staff over the holidays means there are no alternative pickup times, said Hunger in Moose Jaw executive director Sharla Sept.

If there is enough interest, Sept also said that a second week of the program could be considered.

To take part in the program, children must be registered with Hunger in Moose Jaw by Dec. 15. Those who are already receiving the lunch program from their schools will receive a form from their school, while those who don’t or who would like to join the program can get one from Hunger in Moose Jaw directly.

For more information or to register for the Christmas break lunch program, contact Hunger in Moose Jaw by phone at 1 (306) 692-1916, email at hunger.moosejaw@sasktel.net or by private message on Facebook.

Friends of the Forces donate toys Robb Nesbitt, left, vice-chairman, and Roy LaBuick, right, chairman, represented Friends of the Forces Fellowship in making donations to the Salvation Army’s Toy Days at Canadian Tire. Members of the Fellowship donated a variety of toys

for all ages to be distributed to children at Christmas by the Salvation Army. The Toy Days is an annual project at Canadian Tire and Fellowship members have been involved for a number of years.

From The Kitchen

B i te-s i ze d m o rs e l s b efo re dinner or as full meal

By Joyce Walter For Moose Jaw Express

There’s no hard and fast rule that dictates when appetizers should be served.

They are commonly served prior to the main courses, as guests mix and mingle or wait for the entree to be served. Or the entire meal could be made up of a variety of appetizers.

This week’s recipes offer ideas for some appetizing appetizers.

•••

Hot Crab Dip

20122bm1

8 oz. cream cheese, very soft 1 lb. fresh or imitation crab meat 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 tsp. onion juice 1 tsp. mustard 1 tsp. icing sugar 2 tbsps. worcestershire sauce Mix top seven ingredients together. Add the worcestershire sauce and mix well.

Bake at 300 degrees F until mixture bubbles. Place in a small crockpot to keep mixture hot. Serve with crackers or bread sticks.

•••

Chicken Drummies

3 lbs. frozen chicken wings, thawed 1 cup honey 2 tbsps. curry powder 1 tsp. ginger 1 tsp. pepper Arrange wings in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.

In a mixing bowl combine remaining ingredients until well blended. Spoon half of mixture over the wings then bake an additional 10 minutes.

Turn wings and spoon remaining honey mixture over wings. Bake another 10 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Serves 8.

•••

Pretzel Bites

1-16 oz. pkg. large pretzels 1 pkg. dry ranch salad dressing mix 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1 1/2 tsps. garlic powder 1 1/2 tsps. dried dill weed Break pretzels into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl combine remaining ingredients and pour over pretzels.

Toss to coat. Pour onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 200 degrees F for one hour. Stir every 15 minutes. Makes enough for about 16 guests.

•••

Sugared Pecans

1 egg white 2 cups chopped pecans 1/4 cup sugar 1 tbsp. cinnamon Combine egg white and pecans until coated and sticky.

In a separate bowl combine sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over pecans, stirring until they are evenly coated.

Spread on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Break apart and store in an air-tight container.

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A13

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Symbols of Christmas

There are symbols of Christmas all around us, but what do they mean or stand for?

Use the letters in the word “Christmas” to fill in the blanks in the words below: 1. __ andle__ = light, joy, peace 2. c __ rol __ = music, cheer, friendliness

7. mis __ l __ to __ = love, fun, decoration 8. re __ nd __ er = Christmas eve, Santa, sleigh

6. w __ ea __ hs = neverending circle of life, growth,

12. t __ ee __ = evergreen, end of winter, pine scent

3. S __ nta Cl __ us = gifts, generosity, magic 4. sto __ k __ ngs = tradition, wonder, surprises 5. b __ ll __ = church, Santa’s sleigh, merriment

- Bob Hope

ACROSS 1. Region 5. Aquatic mammal 10. Greenish blue 14. Essence 15. Annoy 16. Puncture 17. Fascinated 19. Border 20. South southeast 21. Go in 22. Step 23. Joyfully 25. An evil spirit 27. One or more 28. One who quakes 31. Staring intently 34. Bobbins 35. Estimated time of arrival 36. Brood 37. Fend off 38. Very dry, as wine 39. Actress Lupino 40. A red fluorescent dye 41. Foundation 42. Planetoid 44. Grayish brown 45. Injures

9. __ in __ el = excitement, shining, Christmas tree 10. ang __ l __ = joy, messages, peace 11. __ ard __ = friends, greetings, photos

46. Andiron 50. Assists 52. Most dogs have them 54. Historic period 55. Mend (archaic) 56. A type of leave of absence 58. Arab chieftain 59. Arm of the sea 60. Provisions 61. Delicate 62. Cubic meter 63. Visual organs

18. French for “Queen” 22. Male turkeys 24. Demolish 26. Satan’s territory 28. Lukewarm 29. Decorative case 30. Rodents 31. Dogfish 32. Deities 33. Indifferent 34. Immune 37. Space 38. Curse 40. Makes a mistake 41. Explode 43. Diner 44. Enlarge 46. Roughage 47. Putrefy 48. Give a speech 49. Storms 50. Cain’s brother 51. Chancel 53. Adept 56. Female sib 57. Frozen water

DOWN 1. Discrimination against the elderly 2. Dentist’s direction 3. A chemical compound 4. Consumed food 5. For all to see 6. Cantankerous 7. French for “Head” 8. Not deciduous 9. Scarlet 10. Angel 11. Swiss-style singers Daily Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, December 2, 2 12. Aquatic plant 13. Require

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Sudoku #5 - Challenging 3 1 7 5 2 4 6 9 4 8 2 6 7 9 5 3 5 6 9 8 3 1 2 4 6 3 5 7 4 8 9 1 2 4 1 9 5 6 7 8 7 9 8 2 1 3 4 6 8 5 3 4 9 7 1 2 1 7 4 3 6 2 8 5 6 1 8 5 3 7 9

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PAGE A16 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Moose Jaw’s Partners against Violence Committee brings together a number of local service agencies, as well as local RCMP and Moose Jaw Police to work towards building a safer community for all.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women Submitted by: Jenn Angus, Executive Director, Moose Jaw Transition House Chair of the Partners Against Violence Committee

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov. 25 and ends on International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10. Within these dates, Dec. 6th marks the National Day of Remembrance And Action on Violence Against Women. Dec. 6, 2020 is the 31st anniversary of the Montreal Massacre that claimed the lives of 14 young women.

This is a time to both reflect on Gender Based Violence -

And take action to end it.

Gender Based Violence is brutality that targets individuals or groups on the basis of their gender. Gender based violence, particularly against women and girls, is the most pervasive form of human rights violation. It includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, threats, coercion, and economic or educational deprivation. There are serious physical, mental, economic, and social repercussions.

It has been 31 years since the tragic mass shooting at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. On Dec. 6, 1989, an armed man entered the school. He separated the men from the women and then he told the men to leave. “Do you know why you are there?” he asked the women. They did not. “I am fighting feminism,” he said. Then he began to shoot. 14 women lost their live that day, 14 promising young women had their futures cut violently short.

As we come together to commemorate this national tragedy, we also reflect on the troubling fact that for women, girls and LGBTQ2 individuals across our country violence continues to be a daily reality. 30 years after the Montreal Massacre on average: • a woman is killed every other day;

• once a week a woman is murdered by her partner;

• and 1 in 3 women will experience some form of sexual violence over the course of their lives.

Gender-based violence is neither exclusively a women’s issue, nor a men’s issue, but it is a society wide issue.

This National Day of Remembrance calls on each of us to share the actions we are taking in our own communities and in our own lives to question, call out, and speak up against acts of gender-based violence.

Police enforcing pandemic rules, dealing with rising crime stats Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

The City of Moose Jaw has issued three tickets this year to residents who disobeyed pandemic restrictions by refusing to quarantine or hosting too many people, with a fourth ticket possibly forthcoming.

Each ticket comes with a heavy financial burden, at $1,400 each, explained Const.

Devon Oleniuk. The Moose Jaw Police Service is working with public health officials on an incident from earlier this year.

More information about that is likely ex-

pected soon.

Oleniuk’s brief report was part of the Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting held Dec. 1. During the meeting, police Chief Rick Bourassa provided statistical information about the number of crimes in September and October.

More crimes against people Police responded to 45 calls about crimes against people this October, compared to 39 calls last October. Year-to-date (YTD),

police have responded to 473 calls, compared to 421 calls. This is an increase of 12.4 per cent.

“It’s consistent with what we anticipated with the stressors of the pandemic. We began seeing responses to more serious types of situations involving crimes against the person,” said Bourassa.

The largest increases were in the categories of assault with a weapon/cause bodily harm and threats. Year-to-date, there have been 46 calls about assaults with a weapon/cause bodily harm, compared to 27 calls YTD last year. This represents a 70.4 per cent increase.

Meanwhile, there were 87 threats YTD, compared to 71 calls last year. This represents an increase of 22.5 per cent.

Spousal abuse Perhaps the most disturbing is that the number of domestic disputes this year is up compared to 2019. YTD, there have been 138 calls about domestic abuse, compared to 94 during the same time last year. This is an increase of 46.8 per cent. “(This is) entirely what we expected as we move through the pandemic and the stressors become more and more and more,” the police chief continued. “We’re responding as best we can. It’s difficult to be preventative in these situations. Many of them are happening inside people’s homes and they’re being reported to us afterward.”

However, the MJPS’s Police and Crisis Team (PACT) is doing plenty of work to address those mental health issues.

Bourassa noted the other interesting item was the one homicide in October. Police caught the man alleged to have committed the murder; his preliminary hearing is in

March.

“This really does provide some evidence to the (need for an) increase in the (police) budget recently because it’s not just COVID, but it’s a shift in the culture and moving, unfortunately, more toward serious crimes against the person,” said Commissioner Marylee Booth. “That (crime stats document) reinforces the argument that we need more members on the force.”

Booth also thought the police service was facing an additional burden with monitoring and enforcing pandemic restrictions.

More business break-ins Crimes against business premises have also increased year-to-date, with 49 break-and-enters this year compared to 28 last year YTD, for an increase of 75 per cent, said Coun. Heather Eby, herself a business owner.

“That’s just a sad reflection of where we’re at. As if the businesses don’t have enough stresses on them right now and have to worry about that as well,” she added.

The MJPS has seen increases in those incidents during the past couple of months, responded Bourassa. Some businesses are actual storage unit centres, while others have storage units on their property.

Overall crimes against property year-todate are down compared to 2019. From January to October this year, there have been 1,040 incidents, compared to 1,106 incidents during the same time last year.

This represents a decrease of six per cent.

Also of note are arsons, with 11 incidents YTD compared to four last year YTD. This is an increase of 175 per cent.

The next Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting is Jan. 12.

Hand-picked or is it rather hand-pecked...

A local photographer recently captured Katya and Petra hand-feeding Nuthatches in Wakamow Valley.

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A17

“Something further than clothing:”

local clothing brand inspiring mental health positivity Larissa Kurz

Local entrepreneur Taylor Drake is opening up the conversation about mental health with his entirely individual clothing line The Onwards Club, meant to unite and inspire the community to talk about mental health.

Drake launched the brand just over six months ago, fulfilling a long-time personal dream of creating a clothing line and embarking on a whole new project to speak up about mental health.

“Two things that I had passions about and that I cared deeply for was mental health and clothing,” said Drake. “And they came together and clicked, and it just took off from there.”

As someone who has experienced personal struggles with mental health, Drake wanted his brand to inspire positivity for others still on their own journey.

“For myself, I held back who I was for so long due to mental health and I felt lost and kind of hopeless. And as soon as I embraced it, things changed [and] I still struggled, but it does help to get it out there,” said Drake. “Even if it feels the opposite, it really changes your perspective on things [and] you might not know until you have that conversation.”

As a clothing brand, the Onwards Club currently stocks several different t-shirts, crewneck sweaters and hoodie designs for sale online at theonwardsclubco.com — but there’s more to it than just selling

clothing.

Each piece of merchandise is custom-designed and printed by Drake in his home in Moose Jaw, and ten per cent of every item sold is donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association. There is also an option on the brand’s website to donate directly, without the purchase of any items.

The newest addition to the club is the “Express Yourself” hoodie, which dropped on Friday and is a release that Drake is very excited to share personally.

“That was something I always held back on, I never expressed myself. I was an introvert, afraid to say how I felt and put myself out there, so this is probably one of my favourites,” said Drake.

The Onwards Club isn’t just about being a business, said Drake — it's also about creating a positive community of people and encouraging openness on the topic of mental health.

One of Drake’s goals in creating his clothing brand is to help prompt more genuine conversations about mental health, as well as to give back to initiatives that work with both children and adults.

“I’ve always liked companies who give back, where their main focus isn’t necessarily just profiting but getting out there and doing something [good],” said Drake.

But the biggest goal of The Onwards Club, said Drake, is to let those living with mental health obstacles know that

Election promises, continued pandemic response highlights of Sask. Throne Speech

Taylor Drake created The Onwards Club to prompt more openness about mental health — and to fulfill a lifelong dream of designing his own clothing merch. (credit: Les Chelle Photography / supplied) they aren’t alone, while also offering an outlet to express their own experiences in a visual space.

“There’s still a stigma and it's a big thing.

People seem to think that it's not there anymore, but it really is,” said Drake.

“With our logos and stuff, you’ll notice there’s not a lot mentioned about mental health, if even at all, because I hope that people will ask what it is and that will start a conversation, bring up something further than clothing.”

Even the name of the brand is meant to be an important message — it embodies the ideas of continuing to move forward and feeling like a part of something instead of feeling alone.

The response to The Onwards Club has been more than good, said Drake, and he’s feeling great about the future of the brand

— which has been shipping orders both locally and out of province since launch.

“It's actually been quite overwhelming, but it's a good overwhelming. It's a good feeling,” said Drake. “I put a lot of passion and hard work into [The Onwards Club] so I hope people see and respect that.”

The long-term goal is to expand the brand to include more types of clothing and maybe even other kinds of merch, said Drake, and to keep putting The Onwards Club’s message out there to boost mental health positivity.

Drake is even working on launching a new donation option for customers, where they can specify what mental health charity or branch they would like their Onwards Club donation to be sent.

“If people have a certain cause with mental health, it would be great to help them with that,” said Drake, of the feature he hopes will be available soon. “And I think it would be honestly great for people to know where the donation is going.”

For now, Drake will continue creating good vibes with his brand for as long as people seem to want them, and offering advice to anyone struggling with their own mental health.

“Whoever you are, whoever you may be feeling lost, just know that you’re not alone and there’s always someone struggling as well, who’s out there with you,” said Drake. “There are so many people that you would never think who are struggling day-to-day with the same things as you, so reach out, have that conversation, it’s so important.”

To keep up with The Onwards Club for future launches and news, follow the brand on Facebook or Instagram.

Larissa Kurz

Premier Scott Moe and the re-elected Saskatchewan Party said the upcoming legislative session will focus on fulfilling campaign promises and continuing to address the coronavirus pandemic, during the Speech from the Throne at the end of November.

Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Russ Mirasty delivered the Speech from the Throne at the first sitting of the Legislative Assembly, addressing newly-appointed Speaker Randy Weekes, MLA for Biggar-Sask Valley.

MLAs returned to session with a number of new safety protocols in place. Members must wear masks and follow a capacity limit of 50 per cent, with the 48 Saskatchewan Party MLAs rotating through the assembly. Desks are also now spaced out, with $12,000 of Plexiglas shields installed between them for added measures.

Mirasty began the speech by thanking the province, both government and citizens, for their efforts in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

“My government’s top priority during this session and in the coming weeks will continue to be working to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Mirasty during the Speech, hinting that more public health measures could be a possibility.

The speech promised that the government plans to balance the budget by 2024, fulfil election campaign commitments, and work towards a “strong recovery.”

He then shared that the first two bills proposed will be to create the Home Renovation Tax Credit, where homeowners may claim a 10.5 per cent tax credit on up to $20,000 in eligible renovation expenses, and to reduce the small business tax rate to zero per cent, retroactive to Oct. 1.

Both were campaign promises during the

recent election.

The Sask. Party is also planning to begin work immediately on other campaign promises including cutting SaskPower bills by 10 per cent beginning Dec. 1, reducing ambulance charges for seniors and bringing back the Community Rink Affordability grant.

Other campaign promises were also listed as priorities for the new government during this session, or in the 2021-22 budget this spring.

The speech also committed to fulfilling promises related to the ongoing pandemic as a top priority, including hiring 300 new continuing care aides for long term care.

More new legislation is also on the table during this session. The government intends to put forth amendments to The Residential Tenancies Act, allowing people who have been sexually assaulted in their rental space to break their lease.

It will also introduce The Protection From Human Trafficking Act, which will allow victims to obtain expedited protection order and for the enforcement of those orders. The new legislation would also provide civil remedies like the seizure of property and bank accounts, and the suspension of driver’s licenses.

The Sask. Party also indicated it plans to continue pushing back against the federal carbon tax while implementing its own climate change plan.

The government also plans to open three more international trade offices, in Japan, India and Singapore, to join the office in China.

The first sitting of the legislative assembly is expected to last two weeks, with members to return for a longer sitting in the spring for the presentation of the 2021-22 budget.

21012uu1

PAGE A18 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Some good news, for once: COVID-19 is survivable in most cases A different look at the worldwide pandemic, and a reminder that catching the disease isn’t a death sentence Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy to get bogged down in the bad news and negative outlook with regards to the disease.

It’s always case numbers on the rise, death tolls going up every day and news coming out regularly about issues that remain even when patients are recovered.

In Canada as of this week, 3.1 per cent of people with confirmed infections who catch COVID-19 will die from it, according to the most recent numbers from Johns Hopkins University, and that’s high enough to be a concern.

But it’s still just over three per cent.

That means 97 per cent of people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will survive -a marked improvement from the eight per cent mortality rate Canada saw in midJune. In fact, in the last month alone, the mortality rate has fallen a full percentage point, from 4.3 per cent to 3.1 per cent.

That’s something to remember in all of this. This isn’t a death sentence. And for most people, it’s a weekend of sniffles and a bit of a cough.

According to the World Health Organization, the vast majority of COVID-19 cases experience mild symptoms or moderate illness. Between 10 per cent and 15 per cent evolve into severe disease requiring hospitalization and about five per cent become critically ill and require ICU intervention.

That translates to 85 per cent of COVID

A COVID-19 vaccine could be rolled out as soon as next week. Getty Images cases being mild enough to ride out in quarantine without too much concern.

And those are good odds, indeed.

Caution is still important, of course, because all the positive numbers fall dramatically the older one is and with the number of co-morbidities, especially anything involving the respiratory system.

But if you are told by your doctor that, yes, you have COVID-19, it’s not a reason to panic.

If you’re healthy, you will most likely end up with flu-like symptoms and recover in a matter of days, two weeks tops. That’s a simple matter of fact, born out by numbers seen since the beginning of the pandemic.

And if things do take a turn for the worse?

Know that it isn’t February 2020, when this was of far, far greater concern. Back then, we didn’t know how to treat it, what

would work to save people, outside of the most invasive of techniques like intubation and ventilators. Modern medicine is modern medicine, though. With an emphasis on modern. In 2020, mere weeks of studying a new disease like the novel coronavirus can lead to breakthroughs at a record pace. Which, as it turns out, is exactly what happened with COVID-19.

By the time the summer months hit, treatment and therapies were being found on a regular basis. Some, like hydroxychloroquine, were less than effective as initially hoped. But that didn’t stop doctors and researchers from continuing their work.

Soon, monoclonal antibody drug cocktails like remedisvir and bamlanivimab were approved for use in Canada, with both showing extreme promise in improving patient outcomes. And the powerful anti-inflammatory steroid dexamethasone was found to have major positive effects in cases requiring ventilation, reducing deaths by one third.

And most recently, small studies have found that Vitamin D may play a role in warding off the disease and helping recovery of mild cases.

The effects have been impressive -- when U.S. President Donald Trump was hit with COVID-19, doctors were able to put together a regimen that had him back on the campaign trail inside of a week. That

The COVID-19 mortality rates have fallen dramatically since this summer. Ourworldindata.org

Treat yourself this holiday season, by supporting businesses here at home.

The powerful steroid dexamethasone has proven to have life-saving effects in the worst cases of COVID-19.

LETTER

EDITOR

TO THE

Re: Lest We Forget Dear Editor

Visit TogetherWeStandSK.ca for more information on how you can help.

Brought to You by Your Chamber of Commerce

I want to thank you and everyone responsible for the ‘Lest We Forget’ publication.

It is so thorough in describing these brave men that one cannot read it without feeling personally connected to those whose story is shared.

I was surprised and thrilled to find my uncle Sidney Haresign featured within its pages. He really was the typical Canadian

despite his age and weight, both of which increased his risk when dealing with the disease.

There’s also the recent news that COVID-19 might have been in the public long before we even knew it existed, possibly in early December in North America, meaning many people might have already gone through a course of the disease and have antibodies.

And, of course, there’s the best news of all. A variety of pharmaceutical companies have pulled off the modern day miracle of creating an effective vaccine inside of a year, something that wasn’t initially expected until next summer, at the earliest. Once production ramps up and distribution hits the needed levels, we could find ourselves almost back to normal by this time next year, if not sooner.

Does any of this mean we should take off our masks, start going to bars and bingo halls en masse and pack sports arenas like it was 2019? Absolutely not.

This still spreads like wildfire and kills three per cent of everyone who catches it, and that’s too many people to take a risk on - 33,000 people in Saskatchewan alone in the unlikely scenario all 1.1 million of us are hit with the virus, basically the entire population of Moose Jaw. But most people will survive COVID-19 if they catch it and that’s not something to ignore.

It’s some good news for once, a reminder that maybe we’re going to be okay when all is said and done, in spite of the fear and concern seen earlier in the pandemic.And that’s just right in a time when anything positive is so desperately needed.

Sources: • ourworldindata.org/mortality-risk-covid https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/ coronav i r u se/r isk- com m s-upd at e s/ u p d a t e -3 6 - l o n g - t e r m - s y m p t o m s . p d f ? s f v r s n = 5 d 3 7 8 9 a 6 _ 2 # :~: t e x t = % E 2% 8 0 % A 2% 2 0 Mo s t % 2 0 p e o ple%20with%20COVID,have%20lasting%20health%20effects • globalnews.ca/news/7070467/dexamethasone-study-coronavirus-survival/ • mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ coronavirus/expert-answers/coronavirus-and-vitamin-d/faq-20493088 • cbc.ca/news/politics/vaccine-distribution-plan-1.5826494 • livescience.com/covid-19-united-statesdecember-2019.html

Send your letters to the editor to:

letters@mjvexpress.com or 888-241-5291

All columns, letters to the editor and editorials are solely the personal opinions of the writers themselves and not necessarily the opinions of The Moose Jaw Express.

who signed up and gave it all. Although I had his war records there was not a lot of detailed information contained there.

Richard Dowson did a wonderful job researching and writing Sidney’s story. I have passed on my gratitude to him as well.

Moose Jaw Express has certainly contributed to ensuring that we do not forget.

Thank you again and keep up the great work.

Ron Hardy

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A19

Winter in Wakamow:

Six outdoor activities to try in the valley this season Larissa Kurz

With a chill in the air and frost on the windows, the time to lean into winter activities is finally here — and Wakamow Valley has plenty of options for residents to get outside and enjoy the season.

General manager Todd Johnson sat down with the Moose Jaw Express to share all of the fun winter activities that the city’s jewel of nature has to offer, most of which are free and easy to access.

He also shared a few important pieces of advice for those planning on exploring what the valley has to offer this winter.

All of the bathrooms in the valley are currently closed, so Johnson encouraged visitors to plan accordingly when they head out.

He also urged visitors to remember to be safe while spending time in the park.

Make sure to dress appropriately for the temperature and activities on your schedule, and be cautious about things like wind chill and frostbite. Bring along a warm drink when planning a walk or hike, and make sure to stay hydrated on longer expeditions — dehydration happens in the cold too.

Johnson also reminded visitors to be cautious about the ice on Plaxton’s Lake and the river in the valley, as ice safety is very important to keep in mind all winter.

“We’re not recommending people to walk on the river or ski on the river, or anything like that, until we’ve had a good freezing,” said Johnson. “So be careful of that, and watch for neighbours or kids out on the ice and try to shoo them off, with this melting weather.”

The recommended ice thickness safe for individuals walking or skating is at least 4

Wakamow Valley is more than just a summertime spot, with plenty of opportunity to get outside and enjoy the winter weather too. (photo by Larissa Kurz) inches thick, shared the Wakamow Valley Authority, which requires some more prolonged cold weather than Moose Jaw has seen just yet.

With all of that in mind, Johnson encouraged residents to get out to the valley this winter and enjoy the perks of nature in a respectful way.

“There’s plenty of room down here so just spread out throughout the park, there’s plenty of beautiful areas to see,” said Johnson. “We want everyone to come down and just reconnect with nature, and really explore the valley.”

Here are six activities the Wakamow Valley Authority suggests trying this winter: Walking in a winter wonderland: For the first time, the Wakamow Valley Authority will be keeping the paved walking paths cleared of snow this year, for residents to enjoy a calming walk through the valley to escape the hustle of the city.

Meet and greet the valley’s inhabitants: If a wintertime walk sounds like fun, make it doubly so by stopping by the Moose Jaw Nature Society’s birdfeeder along the trails, where a magical moment with a friendly songbird is just waiting to happen. The Nature Society recommends bringing along some pine nuts — a favourite of most species of birds who winter here — to entice a feathered friend to land in your hand for that perfect “nature is amazing” photo for Instagram. The bird feeder is located in the middle of the park and is fairly easy to reach.

Step it up a notch with snowshoes: Not the type to stick to the paths? That’s fine, because Wakamow Valley also has 500 open acres and snowshoes available for those looking for a more adventurous trek through the valley. Visitors can stop at the WVA office to loan out a pair, with donations encouraged but not required. Chil-

drens and adult sizes are available.

Cross-country skiing is the new biking: The winter equivalent of bicycling seems to be cross-country skiing this year, said Johnson, and with a dedicated set of skiing trails, Wakamow Valley has plenty of space perfect to try out the sport once a little more snow falls. Residents will have to provide their own equipment, which has been very popular and flying off shelves recently. Try local sporting goods stores like Sportchek or Boh’s Cycle & Sporting Goods to find some.

Ice skating is better outdoors: The outdoor skating oval in Kiwanis River Park has become a winter staple in the city, playing the role of Moose Jaw’s own Rockefeller Centre. Hitting the ice is free and open to the public, although residents will have to provide their own skates. The ice is not currently in, as the WVA is waiting for some chillier weather to properly set the ice surface, but will be as soon as temperatures drop low enough.

Disc golf all year ‘round: The WVA will be leaving the extremely popular disc golf course in Paashkwow Park East up throughout the winter this year, which creates a perfect opportunity for a fun game paired with a great wintery outing.

An additional nine more holes will be installed in the next few weeks. Golfers can either bring along their own frisbee or disc golf putters to play with or stop by the WVA office to loan out a set.

The Wakamow Valley Authority office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be contacted at 1 (306) 692-2717 for more information.

Feel Your Best This Holiday Season

316 Main St N 306-693-7779

PAGE A20 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

City Hall Council Notes NOT HAPPY - MAKE A COMPLAINT

If you have a viable complaint against the City of Moose Jaw, please make your voices known to the Ombudsman’s office in Saskatchewan.

Ombudsman Saskatchewan promotes and protects fairness and integrity in the design and delivery of government services. They take complaints about provincial government ministries, agencies, Crown corporations and many health entities. They also take complaints about municipal entities.

Ombudsman Saskatchewan offices are located at 150 – 2401 Saskatchewan Drive Regina

Sask. S4P 4H8. Back in July the Ombudsman was Mary McFadyen; she can be reached by phone at the Regina office at (306)787-6211, Fax 306.787-9090 or e-mail ombreg@ombudsman.sk.ca. Let them know how you feel and get them to investigate.

Council hears from community groups during 2021 budget talks Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Whether it’s the police or seniors, murals or burrowing owls, city council will soon decide which community groups deserve to be included in the 2021 municipal budget.

Council kicked off its 2021 budget deliberations on Nov. 26 by hearing from 15 groups — making presentations either in-person or online — about the funding they require next year. Afterward, council unanimously approved a motion to send the requests to the upcoming budget discussions, which occur on Dec. 3, 10 and 17.

The following groups are asking for funding for 2021, with 2020 funding added for comparison: • Moose Jaw Police Service: Operating funding of $10.6 million and capital funding of $450,000 / $10.1 million and $67,500; • Moose Jaw Public Library: $1.2 million / $1.04 million; • STARS Air Ambulance: $3,500 / $0; • Moose Jaw and District Seniors: $50,000 / $35,000; • Cosmo Senior Citizens Association: $40,000 / $15,000; • Tourism Moose Jaw: $94,555 / $90,775; • Canada Day committee: $2,580 / $2,534; • Festival of Words: $8,024 / $7,867; • Murals of Moose Jaw: $13,380 / $13,300; • Cultural Centre: $163,410 / $156,979; • Art museum: $$139,835 / $134,296; • Saskatchewan Burrowing Owls: $6,537 / $6,428;

• Moose Jaw Airport Authority: $30,000 plus bridge financing guarantee / $30,000 and hangar leases and farmland lease revenue; • Moose Jaw Human Society: $232,962 / $229,029; • Wakamow Valley Authority: $329,612 / $329,616; • Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards: $10,000 / $10,000.

Presentations Moose Jaw Police Service The Moose Jaw Police Service presented its budget to the Board of Police Commissioners on Oct. 20, laying out its funding needs and goals for 2021, including two new officers.

“Moose Jaw has the lowest rate of police officers in Saskatchewan,” police Chief Rick Bourassa told council, pointing out the community has 171 officers per 100,000 people, which is the lowest among cities in Saskatchewan.

The police board has increased the organization’s strength over the years, with those additions ensuring MJPS has the resources to meet the community’s needs, he continued. When the two new officers appear by July, this will increase the service’s official rate to 174 officers per 100,000 people.

Using crime statistics from 2018, Bourassa noted the crime rate was 10,076 incidents, a trend that has “been ticking up” since 2013. Furthermore, the violent crime severity index — major incidents

such as homicides, assaults, and robberies — was 121, which has increased since 2013.

“We have seen a shift in the types of crime we’re investigating and dealing with,” he said, noting violence is now more acceptable to handle problems. “The rest of the country is seeing similar things.”

The police service has also seen an increase in drug use, thefts and domestic abuse during the pandemic, along with more calls related to mental health.

The MJPS is focused on building a community that is welcoming and harmonious, Bourassa continued. It is working especially closely with marginalized people since they are more likely to be victimized.

“Overall, we’re a very busy, a very lean, a very collaborative police service that is working hard in our community, province and country to earn the respect and trust that people expect and deserve,” he added.

Moose Jaw Public Library The library had a great start to 2020, hosting activities such as Family Literacy Day, I Read Canadian Day, and the annual Seedy Saturday event, which attracted more than 160 people interested in heirloom seeds, biodiversity and gardening, said head librarian Gwen Fisher.

“It was a fun and educative event. The library does try to find new and innovative learning ways for the community,” she remarked.

The library closed in March and reduced its workforce. However, it created a virtual help desk that eventually answered 2,800 questions, provided support for digital resources and reference and archival research, and issued 2,000 temporary library cards.

From March onward, it created 45 virtual programs for 390 adults, 40 programs for 128 youths and 24 programs for 273 kids.

It also distributed 1,000 literacy and craft kits to day camp programs at Yara Centre and Hunger in Moose Jaw Physical library items are still popular, but it was handy this year to have digital resources, said Fisher. The library redirected money from print to digital since it couldn’t lend anything.

Overall, it was still a record-breaking year for lending materials, as more than 57,054 movies, TV shows, albums, books and audiobooks were issued. Furthermore, the library saw a 60-per-cent increase in usage, which Fisher noted was “truly remarkable.”

The organization will focus on three areas in 2021: making the library space more welcoming by improving the customer service desk and children’s library, developing technology-related learning opportunities, and improving organizational effectiveness.

“It was truly a wild year,” Fisher added.

Seniors’ groups ask council for more funding after hard-hit year Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

The pandemic had a negative financial effect on both seniors’ organizations in Moose Jaw this year, leading both groups to ask city council for more municipal funding in 2021.

The Moose Jaw and District Seniors Association (MJDSA) and the Cosmo Senior Citizens Centre (CSCC) were two of 15 community groups to make presentations on Nov. 26 during council’s first budget meeting for next year. The MJDSA asked for $50,000, compared to $35,000 it received this year, while CSCC asked for $40,000, compared to $15,000 it received this year.

Moose Jaw and District Seniors Association The MJDSA changed its operating structure this year so that the board was less involved with micromanaging staff, explained acting general manager Tracy Duncan. Furthermore, the general manager has taken on new responsibilities, including overseeing the organization and managing staff while liaising with the board.

Statistics Canada says the seniors’ population in Saskatchewan is expected to be 21.9 per cent by 2036, or about 275,000 people, Duncan reported. Saskatchewan will see the fastest growth in Canada of this demographic in the next 20 years.

The seniors’ association plans to implement new programs and initiatives in 2021, but it’s difficult to predict what hall rentals and gatherings will be like, she said.

Duncan hoped the spike in COVID-19 cases didn’t affect the organization too badly since it wanted to proceed with its

goals, including keeping seniors active socially, mentally and physically.

“We’ve been working diligently for these new changes,” Duncan added. “The only challenge impeding our future goals is the pandemic.”

Cosmo Senior Citizens Centre Two big projects the centre has upcoming include fixing its roof for $25,000 and replacing its heating system and air conditioner for $15,000.

“It’s hard to predict the forthcoming year … ,” said treasurer Bob Cobbe. “This year has been a very hard year, but our activities that we have put on helped the physical, mental well-being of seniors in Moose Jaw and area.”

The hall normally generates $40,000 to $50,000 a year from activities, but this year the centre raised roughly $20,000.

Since it couldn’t have sit-down meals, the centre hosted a summer take-out barbecue that saw 78 people order, while 200 people took part in the fall take-out supper This year, it held floor hockey, kids dance lessons, floor shuffleboard, and started the “very important feature” of pickleball, Cobbe said. So far, the centre has raised more than $1,400 from pickleball games. It initially offered the game two days a week but increased that to eight times a week.

“It’s really helped us a lot because it has brought in 50 to 60 new memberships for Cosmo,” he added.

“Kudos to your club to open that (pickleball league) up for people,” said Coun.

Heather Eby. “Fifty to 60 new members

because of pickleball is awesome.”

Maintaining good mental health during the pandemic is important, said Mayor Fraser Tolmie. He commended both seniors’ groups for keeping involved older residents, a group that council wants to honour and include.

STARS Air Ambulance Request for 2021: $3,500 Received in 2020: No funding provided STARS Air Ambulance carried out 38 missions in Moose Jaw in 2018 and 35 missions in 2019, explained development officer Tammy Beauregard. The organization also trained 81 medical professionals in Moose Jaw using its trauma training simulator.

In Saskatchewan, it costs $21 million to run the two bases, said Beauregard. The provincial government contributes $10.5 million and donations from the public cover the other half.

“We do need the support of our communities to help sustain our operation for years to come … ,” she added. “It is this support that fuels our innovation, from the medical equipment and procedures to the aviation tools … to the training aid human-patient simulators that we train on and that we also bring to rural Saskatchewan.”

Moose Jaw Cultural Centre Request for 2021: $163,410 Received in 2020: $156,979 The cultural centre sold 17,000 tickets for events in 2019 and expected to exceed that in 2020 based on the lineup of performers, said general manager Derik Cronan.

However, pandemic restrictions limit how many people can attend events in the

Mae Wilson Theatre, forcing the centre to make changes to be fiscally responsible.

“2021 will be a new balancing act. We are operating under the assumption that events rescheduled will be able to go ahead, but we’re not sure what operations will look like in coming months,” he said.

The cultural centre was one of the first live music venues to reopen in Saskatchewan and Canada. In July, it hosted a hybrid performance by musician Allan Doyle that saw 75 people watch live and hundreds watch on YouTube.

“In the future, the largest issue we are facing is the uncertainty surrounding live performances, future funding and grant availability, and overall expenses associated with live performances in a public venue at this time,” Cronan said.

The organization needs to replace its 15-year-old theatre curtains with fire retardant material since they don’t meet the current fire code regulations. This will cost $41,230.

Meanwhile, the centre wants to spend $33,800 to purchase new items such as couches, blinds, tables, chairs and theatre equipment.

“I attended the Allan Doyle concert and it was a wonderful night,” said Coun. Crystal Froese. “It was the last concert I sat in when it was a full house of people. He launched his concert series from Moose Jaw. He chose the Mae Wilson Theatre to launch his whole tour, which speaks to his professionalism and the quality of the venue.”

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A21

City Hall Council Notes

Burrowing owl steals the show again during 2021 budget talks Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Peanut the burrowing owl once again stole the show during this year’s city council budget discussions, as council members excitedly snapped photos and were eager to pet the endangered bird.

The burrowing owl perched on the arm of handler Lori Johnson, owl co-ordinator for the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre, for most of the latter’s presentation Nov. 26 during a special budget meeting for all third-party groups that receive municipal funding.

Moose Jaw Exhibition Company Limited Request for 2021: $6,537 Received this year: $6,428 The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Centre interacts with many groups from September to April, including pre-schools, classrooms, daycares, seniors’ homes, nature groups, photography groups, libraries and summer camps, Johnson said. In a typical year, the centre visits with 50 to 60 groups and roughly 5,000 people.

“Our in-house program hosts visitors from around the province, Canada, the United States, and even from around the world,” she continued. “Our regular season (May to September) sees us host another 5,000 visitors to the City of Moose Jaw.” After visiting the centre, those visitors then spend more money in the community, Johnson added. Some visitors have said they come to Moose Jaw specifically for the birds.

The economic effect that the exhibition company has is enormous since it brings in big events such as provincial barrel racing, said Coun. Crystal Froese. The exhibition grounds can host these big events since it has such a large property.

“As a kid growing up,” she added, “I spent many hours

at the exhibition grounds because we used to raise horses out there … and we used to see burrowing owls frequently. This was well before Superstore was built there.”

Murals of Moose Jaw Request for 2021: $13,380 Received in 2020: $13,300 Community artist Grant McLaughlin focused mainly this year on repairing the “Opening Day Parade” mural attached to the Crushed Can. He had to replace it completely since it was 30 years old and beyond normal upkeep.

Other projects on which the murals committee focused this year were cleaning and painting “Sisters of Sion” near Vanier Collegiate, making extensive repairs to the Crescent Park mural and repainting “March to the Pipes Forever” on the Co-op grocery store.

In 2021, the committee wants to repair or repaint the Sunday School mural, “Old Time Threshing Bee” mural, the “Winter Carnival” mural, the Stockgrowers mural, and the Crescent Park mural.

Coun. Heather Eby, who sits on the committee as a city representative, explained the group chair quit recently while the remaining two members are new and excited to be involved. She pointed out the murals — 48 around the city — have existed since 1990.

“2020 was difficult, but we were still able to have repairs and restorations done this summer by our in-house artist, Grant McLaughlin,” she continued. “He’s invaluable to this committee. He knows murals inside out and backwards.”

The committee is running out of locations to place new murals in downtown Moose Jaw, Eby added. The group is looking at potentially restoring ghost murals, but some

are located in places that make them unsafe to access.

However, the group will pursue those murals if they can find a safe method to reinvigorate them.

Tourism Moose Jaw/Canada Day committee Request for 2021: $94,555 / $2,580 Received this year: $90,775 / $2,534 Tourism Moose Jaw (TMJ) had high hopes and many plans for 2020, but the pandemic wiped out most of that, said executive director Jacki L’Heureux-Mason. While the organization faced many challenges, with some creative planning and grant funding, it stayed solvent during a crushing year for the tourism industry.

TMJ completed its second of three overhauls on the trolley, a machine that didn’t break down for the first time in 10 years, she continued. The vehicle gave tours into October, which provided TMJ with much-needed revenue and “saved our hide.” However, the tourism centre still saw a 78-per-cent decrease in visitors — to roughly 7,500 people from about 32,000 people — and a 71-per-cent decrease in sales, to $136,147.13 from roughly $350,000.

In 2020 Tourism Moose Jaw budgeted $15,000 to repair the trolley but actually spent $31,021.10. The organization expects to spend $7,000 next year for more repairs.

TMJ sees several tourism-related challenges in the future, including an ageing trolley and the need for one or two new major attractions to ensure visitors keep coming back, added L’Heureux-Mason. The organization did have some victories in 2020, including working with community groups to create a downtown patio, upgrading Mac the Moose, and launching a new True Crime trolley tour.

Online Festival of Words showcased city well this year, council hears Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express The pandemic could have forced the Saskatchewan Festival of Words to shut down entirely this year, especially one month before the festival’s launch, but the organization quickly pivoted online and had great success.

The 24th annual festival held 21 free online events over seven days that attracted more than 3,500 viewers worldwide, including the United States, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and India, explained Amanda Farnel, interim executive director. Furthermore, there were more than 66,000 online views for its other activities.

“Although there were many challenges this year, we saw our virtual event as an opportunity to showcase the festival and the City of Moose Jaw on a national scale,” Farnel told city council on Nov. 26 during its 2021 budget deliberation meeting for all third-party groups.

FoW is asking for $8,024 next year; it received $7,867 this year.

The Festival of Words (FoW) has more than 130 volunteers who work over 1,200 hours throughout the year. In a normal summer, at least 80 volunteers work to stage the annual four-day event. Nine board members also commit more than 1,000 volunteer hours.

July 2021 marks the FoW’s 25th anniversary and the board is preparing another exciting lineup of Canadian authors and performers, Farnel said. While organizers hope to host a “normal” festival next year, they are also developing contingency plans for an online and/or physically distanced event.

FoW operates on a balanced budget every year, with its budget fluctuating between $250,000 and $300,000 depending upon grants, she added. This year the organization operated on $175,000.

“Every time I hear about the festival, it makes me ex-

cited, and I want to go home and write … ,” said Coun.

Heather Eby. “Every organization has worked hard to make their organization and events work in a crazy year and crazy world. The Festival of Words was no different.

It’s exciting to see the numbers from the virtual festival.”

Wakamow Valley Authority Request for 2021: Statutory levy of $329,612 and capital funding of $30,770 Received this year: Statutory levy of $329,612 and capital funding of $30,770 Wakamow Valley saw a major increase in the use of its trail system this year due to the pandemic, which allowed residents to support their physical and mental well-being, connect to nature, decompress, and find peace, explained executive director Todd Johnson.

More people using the park also means more garbage, more sanitizing of bathrooms, additional park upkeep and extra costs to keep staff safe, he continued. Due to the pandemic, Wakamow Valley Authority (WVA) hired two fewer seasonal staff, put off making capital purchases, and applied for — but did not receive — a summer student grant.

Compared to 2019, WVA received $73,000 less in campground revenue and $38,000 less in rentals, for an overall decrease of $116,025. However, the federal government provided $60,000.

“Our biggest challenge with less revenue is to provide a safe place for the citizens of Moose Jaw even though we’re incurring higher expenses,” Johnson said.

One positive this year was the Mosaic Community Gardens produced 3,825 kilograms (8,500 pounds) of vegetables that went to Hunger in Moose Jaw, the food bank, Riverside Mission and the multicultural centre. These

NOTICE OF ABANDONMENT OF POLL

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO MOVE A BUILDING

Whereas a poll is not required pursuant to The Local Government Election Act for the office of: Councillor Village Of Avonlea I hereby give public notice that no voting for the said office will take place and the following persons are elected by acclamation: Myrna Muc Michael Miller Dated at Avonlea, this 26th day of November, 2020 Jaimie Paranuik, Administrator

An application has been received for permission to move a dwelling 10.36 metres in width and 12.19 metres in depth (34.0 feet x 40.0 feet) from out of town to Lot 15, Block 22, OLD96, civically known as 544 Athabasca Street East, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Any person may inspect the plans and photographs of the building at the Planning and Development Services Department, Third Floor, City Hall, 228 Main Street North, during regular office hours, Monday - Friday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Any objection must be filed with the Office of the City Clerk at City Hall on or before Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 5:00 pm.

Dated at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, on the 26th day of November 2020.

Virginia Shepley Building Official

gardens have produced more than 34,000 pounds of vegetables during the past six years.

An 18-hole disc golf course is becoming popular, while another nine holes will be added next year. Johnson noted that riding fat bikes through the park in the snow is also becoming popular, based on the social media pictures he has seen.

Moose Jaw Humane Society Request for 2021: $232,962 per contractual agreement, which runs until 2036 Received this year: $229,029 The humane society had to change how it handled adoptions this year since it saw an increase in residents wanting to take home a pet, explained executive director Dana Haukaas. It was also blessed since it did not see a decrease in fundraising dollars.

This year the organization received triple the number of bottle donations that it then took to SARCAN for recycling, she continued. Last year it earned $13,897 from cans and bottles — worth 10 cents each — while this year, it brought in $50,770.

“I think that’s great,” said Coun. Dawn Luhning, “because so many, over the last year, didn’t even know the humane society accepted bottles and cans. And I just hope that continues for the humane society because that’s huge for you guys.”

NOTICE THE TAX ENFORCEMENT ACT TREVOR ITCUSH TAKE NOTICE that the Village of Marquis intends to be registered as the owner under the above Act of the land described as LOT 22-BLK/PAR 1-PLAN P3838 EXT 0, Title No. 141883230; LOT 23-BLK/PAR 1-PLAN P3838 EXT 0, Title No. 141883241.

The municipality claims title to the land by virtue of an interest based on the tax lien registered against the existing title to the land in the Land Titles Registry as Interest Number 186233317, 186233283 and you are required to TAKE NOTICE that unless you contest the claim of the municipality or redeem the land pursuant to the provisions of the above Act within six months from the service of this notice on you and, subject to the further provisions of The Tax Enforcement Act, a certificate of title will be issued to the applicant and you will thereafter be forever estopped and debarred from setting up any claim to, or in respect of, the land.

The amount required to redeem the land may be ascertained on application to the Clerk, Treasurer or Administrator of the municipality. For any questions about the tax enforcement process please contact TaxService at 1-877-734-3113.

Dated this 26th day of November, 2020.

Gwen Johnston, Treasurer Village of Marquis

PAGE A22 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

City Hall Council Notes

Tax arrears were $500K more this third quarter than Q3 2019 Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Total property tax arrears in Moose Jaw for the third quarter of this year were $500,000 more compared to the same time last year, although city administration says this area is still in “very good shape.�

For the period July to September, the amount of total arrears that property owners owed to the City of Moose Jaw was $1,815,840, including $1.1 million in property tax liens and $695,916 in arrears that were part of a city hall repayment plan.

In comparison, as of Sept. 30, 2019, there were $1,315,369 in total outstanding arrears, including $1.17 million in property tax liens and $144,169 in arrears that were part of a repayment plan.

As of Sept. 30, 2018, there was $1.2 million in outstanding arrears that property owners owed. This included $1.1 million in property tax liens and $110,701 worth of arrears being repaid through a plan.

City administration presented a report about the amount of outstanding property taxes during the most recent city council meeting. The information was part of an overall document that looked at third-quarter data for this year. “Overall, our arrears and collections are slightly behind 2019 levels, but because of the pandemic, we’re still in very good shape,� said finance director Brian Acker.

The amount of overall property taxes that city hall received — or could have received — in the third quarter

A graph shows property tax receivables for the third quarter for the years 2015 to 2020. Photo courtesy City of Moose Jaw A graph shows outstanding property tax arrears as of the third quarter for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Photo courtesy City of Moose Jaw was $9.2 million, including $7.4 million in current taxes and $1.8 million in arrears.

The amount of property taxes that city hall could or did receive in past years ending Sept. 30, including total, current, and arrears, was: • 2019: $8.2 million / $6.4 million / $1.3 million • 2018: $8.1 million / $6.9 million / $1.2 million • 2017: $7.6 million / $6.8 million / $854,822 • 2016: $6.7 million / $6.01 million / $753,878 • 2015: $6.1 million / $5.5 million / $651,632

Borrowing The third-quarter report also listed the amount of money that the City of Moose Jaw owes on the loans it borrowed to finance projects.

As of Sept. 30, the principal amount still left included: • $13.8 million on the multiplex long-term loan; • $3.8 million on the sanitary sewer long-term loan; • $27 million on the waterworks capital long-term loan; • $10.8 million on the Buffalo Pound Water Corporation long-term loan at 26-per-cent interest.

A report on the fourth quarter of 2020 will likely be presented early in the new year.

Budget not truly ‘status quo’ due to extra costs, councillor argues Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

City administration has pitched the proposed 2021 budget as a status quo document with “no new enhancements,� but some city councillors say increased expenses and the proposed tax hike refute that claim.

The 2021 budget proposes an increase in general taxation of 4.05 per cent — which would generate an extra $1.19 million for municipal coffers — and an increase to utilities by a combined 11 per cent. Meanwhile, an increase in the infrastructure levy of $35 per year would raise the overall levy to $65. This helps fund the cast iron water main replacement project.

Overall, the additional taxes that property owners could pay next year is $172.08.

Budget presentation Finance director Brian Acker reviewed the budget document’s projected revenues and expenses, pointing out operating budget revenues are expected to increase by 3.81 per cent, to $51.3 million from $49.4 million, while expenses are likely to increase by 6.23 per cent, to $52.5 million from $49.4 million. “The unfortunate reality of any budget is it costs more each year to provide the same programs and services. So you can’t maintain things at zero per cent,� he said.

Notable areas with increases include: • General government: an increase of $700,000, or 8.11 per cent, for increased

collective agreement salaries, inflation, council remuneration, property assessment contract, information technology software, additional human resources staffing, pandemic cleaning • Moose Jaw Police Service: an increase of $676,032, or 5.87 per cent; • Moose Jaw Public Library: an increase of $173,000, which reinstates funding to pre-pandemic levels; • Yara Centre: an increase of $139,326, or 19.52 per cent, partially due to extra cleaning costs; • Mosaic Place: an increase in subsidy of $587,852, or 111.69 per cent, bringing the total subsidy to $1.1 million; • Parks and recreation: an increase of $847,537, or 13.75 per cent, due to pandemic-related costs, operating the outdoor pool next year, and increased spray park costs.

Not included in the budget — but coming in a separate report — is a request from parks and recreation for an extra one-percent increase in municipal taxation for $295,000. This would support recreation and facility capital funding. City administration removed this from the 2020 budget to reach the zero-per-cent mill rate increase.

Acker added that the total spending being proposed in the 2021 budget is $119.4 million.

Council discussion “I’m struggling with some of the language in the report, things that (say), ‘The budget presented does not include any new initiatives’ (and) ‘this is a status quo budget,’â€? said Coun. Dawn Luhning. “Then you flip over the page and (it says), ‘The overall expenditure increase is just over $3 million ‌ which equates to an increase of 6.23 per cent. “I am wondering how that is a status quo budget?â€?

Luhning understood that the budget proposed increasing municipal taxes by 4.05 per cent. However, she didn’t understand how city hall saw that as appropriate during a pandemic.

Moose Jaw is still in a pandemic and many residents are struggling financially, while some businesses have not reopened fully, she continued. The proposed tax increase was not “palatable� for her.

Any talk by city administration of returning to normal in 2021 is also unrealistic since there is no proof, Luhning remarked. Analysts have said “normal� likely wouldn’t return until next fall and vaccines won’t arrive for another eight to 10 months. “I think the City of Moose Jaw and this council needs to be very, very cautious with increasing expenditures,� she said, pointing out that while revenues are ex-

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pected to be up, that is only because of one-time federal funding of $2.1 million.

Without that, the municipality would be in a deficit position next year. â€œâ€Ś we can’t expect the citizens to be happy that we’re levying a really huge tax increase on them,â€? Luhning added. “It’s not the right thing to do at this time.â€?

Tax increase too high Coun. Heather Eby was also troubled with the proposed tax hike. While everyone understands the effect the pandemic has had on the city, she noted that council and city administration need to realize that most working people have also been affected somehow. “I have a number in my mind that I hope we get to and it’s not 4.05 per cent,� she added.

Coun. Jamey Logan also struggled with the proposed tax increases, saying he wanted to trim and cut costs where possible. He would be willing next year to reopen the budget if necessary to reinstate spending initiatives. “But until then, we have to be diligent and we have to look after the citizens who, as Coun. Eby indicated, are not at work and perhaps did not have the best of times through this time,� he added.

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A23

City Hall Council Notes

Tax hike needed even after year of economic progress, city manager says Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

The City of Moose Jaw had a “tremendous year” for economic development, but a tax hike in 2021 is still required to ensure municipal services are provided, the city manager says.

The creation of an internal economic development team in 2018 prepared the municipality to thrive during recent difficult conditions, including the loss of a major land sale in the agri-food industrial park this year, city manager Jim Puffalt said during the Dec. 2 budget meeting.

“We were able to quickly pivot (and) ensure that we had established a sales price and put the Moose Jaw Agri-Food Industrial Park up for sale … ,” he continued, pointing out the municipality should develop an industrial park since there is money to be made there. Once the money is generated, it goes back into the industrial park.

The main anchor tenant will be SaskPower and its Great Plains power station. City hall lobbied the provincial and federal governments in 2020 to ensure the plant would be constructed in Moose Jaw. Puf-

falt noted the industrial park fits into the provincial government’s future growth plans, while city hall aligned the municipality’s economic development strategy with that plan.

With the Crown corporation finalizing construction and servicing plans, city hall began site-related work this year, including servicing 90 acres north of the power station. It also established a sale price of $200,000 per acre of fully-serviced land.

“We’ve also had preliminary discussions with SaskEnergy … . They need a second access into the City of Moose Jaw. So there may be a way to get that done,” said Puffalt. “Again, exciting times as we work toward the Great Plains power station opening up.”

Another economic success was ensuring Canadian Tire committed to building a major retail development on Thatcher Drive. It had suggested it would pull out after the pandemic hit the retail sector hard, he continued. The company agreed to an agreement extension, and on Nov. 9, removed conditions that allow city hall to

proceed with servicing the site in 2021.

As part of the agreement, the municipality will also extend underground services to 21.4 acres north of the site. This area will provide the next location for potential future growth.

After four years of discussions with Donald’s Fine Foods — the owner of Thunder Creek Pork Plant — the company purchased municipal property and also purchased and retrofitted the former XL Beef meat processing plant, said Puffalt. City hall expects to hear from the company in 2021 as it moves forward with its plan.

Another success was working with the Ministry of Education to support the $50-million school development on Westheath land without any loss of costs, development levies or future revenues, he continued. The municipality will be left with about 30 serviced residential lots to sell, with the only cost being the individual lot service connections.

Construction is expected to start next year.

Although these measures, cost savings

and revenues generated occurred in 2020, next year will require a municipal tax increase of 2.87 per cent to address city services, said Puffalt. City hall also plans to use one-time funding of $2.18 million from the federal government, which is not expected to be given in 2022.

Even with this federal funding and not using additional tax money from this year, the municipality is still $3 million “behind the 8-ball” before the 2021 budget begins, he continued. That’s why city administration is concerned about future budgets since there are many impacts ahead. “… we can’t just worry about this year.

We have the next 100 years of the city to be concerned about it. If we don’t do something now, we put ourselves in jeopardy,” he added.

Besides the 2.87-per-cent property tax increase, city administration is also suggesting an increase of 1.18 per cent to support the Moose Jaw Police Service, for a total municipal tax increase of 4.05 per cent. A utility tax hike of 11 per cent is also being proposed.

Municipal taxation the largest revenue stream for city, report says Jason G. Antonio Moose Jaw Express

The amount of tax revenue city hall has collected since 2009 has increased by almost 90 per cent, making municipal taxation the single-largest revenue source in the budget.

The City of Moose Jaw took in just over $15 million in municipal taxation in 2009, data from city hall shows, and since then, the amount of revenue collected has increased 89 per cent, with $28.3 million expected to be collected next year.

This means municipal taxation now accounts for 55 per cent of general operating budget revenues.

The information is part of the proposed 2021 budget that city administration presented to city council during the first budget deliberation meeting.

City administration is proposing to spend $119.38 million next year on municipal services and projects. The general operating budget requires $52.5 million for municipal services, the general capital budget needs $18.3 million for projects, the equipment reserve budget requires $3 million for purchases, the utility op-

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erating budget needs $28.09 million for services, and the utility capital budget requires $17.3 million for projects.

The expected revenue in 2021 for the general operating budget is $51.3 million, which is an increase from $49.4 million this year. The projected expenses for next year are $52.5 million, which is an increase from $49.4 million this year.

About 58 per cent of operating budget expenses are salaries. This means of the $52.5 million in operating budget expenses next year, $30,479,770.82 will go toward paying municipal employees.

“The unfortunate reality of any budget is it costs more each year to provide the same programs and services,” finance director Brian Acker said during the meeting. “So you can’t maintain things at zero per cent (tax increases).”

In 2018 city council adopted a motion to split future tax increases between residential and commercial properties to lessen the tax gap between the two areas, the budget document explained. This will result in a gradual shift in taxation levels

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from commercial properties to residential properties.

The commercial-to-residential tax gap was at 2.25 three years ago, while that decreased to 2.15 this year. Depending upon the final mill rate increase levied this year, the tax gap could decrease next year.

The document noted that city administration would ask city council to continue with this tax-sharing approach in 2021.

Transportation The City of Moose Jaw provides a subsidy to the regular transit and para-transit services every year. The budget is proposing to provide a combined subsidy of $1.6 million, with regular transit to receive $1.28 million and para-transit to receive $357,514.

In 2019, the budget subsidy was $1.2 million.

Regular transit is expected to see total revenue and expenses of $1.56 million next year, while para-transit is projected to see revenue and expenses of $558,539.

However, Acker pointed out both services could see a revenue decrease, with regular

transit expected to lose $29,000 in revenue and para-transit projected to lose $24,975.

Meanwhile, regular transit expenses are projected to increase by $65,009 and para-transit expenses by $46,796.

Consumer price index During his presentation, Acker showed a graph with two lines: one featuring the consumer price index (CPI) and another featuring municipal tax increases from 1992 to today. He pointed out that CPI has increased by 2.03 per cent and municipal taxes have increased by 2.06 per cent since that time.

However, from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, there were no tax increases within the City of Moose Jaw, with the graph showing the two lines diverging.

“Every year (that) you have a zero-percent tax increase, it’s equivalent to a reduction of two-or-so per cent in your budget,” he added. “From 2005 to 2020, we’ve been playing catch up on that.”

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PAGE A24 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

City Hall Council Notes

City proposes combined tax increase of 15 per cent in ’21 Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

City hall is proposing to increase taxes by a combined 15 per cent in 2021, which would likely add almost $200 to property tax bills.

That proposed 15 per cent can be broken down into general taxation and utilities.

According to the City of Moose Jaw’s 2021 preliminary operating budget document, city administration wants to increase general taxation by 4.05 per cent, which includes: • 2.87 per cent for municipal property taxes; this would add $42.30 a year or $3.53 per month to tax bills; • 1.18 per cent in revenue from property taxation for the Moose Jaw Police Service; this would add $17.39 per year or $1.45 per month to tax bills; • An increase to the infrastructure levy of

$35 per year, or $2.92 per month, which would raise the overall levy to $65. This helps fund the cast iron water main replacement project. The goal is to increase this levy to $100 per year.

In total, this would add an extra $94.80 per year, or $7.90 per month, to property tax bills and generate an extra $1.19 million in municipal taxation for municipal coffers.

The budget document indicates that the average household would pay $1,583.13 annually, or $131.93 per month, in municipal property taxes, “one of the lowest rates in Saskatchewan.”

“All the services that residents of the city expect and enjoy, such as fire, police, snow removal, pools, arenas, concerts, soccer pitches, ball diamonds, pathways, parks,

recreation and economic development (the list is extensive), at less than what many people pay for cable/cell phones/ internet per month,” the document said, adding in bold letters, “Truly the best deal in the city.”

As for utilities, the City of Moose Jaw is proposing to increase the waterworks utility rate by six per cent to fund capital renewal. This would add $46.32 per year or $3.86 per month. Furthermore, city hall wants to increase sanitary sewer utility rates by five per cent to fund capital renewal. This would add $30.96 per year or $2.58 per month.

These two utilities would add $77.28 per year or $6.44 per month to the average utility bill.

Overall, the additional taxes that property

owners could pay next year is $172.08.

“Unfortunately, a zero-(per-cent) mill rate increase is not possible in 2021 without dramatically (affecting) future budget years and potential for large mill rate increases,” city manager Jim Puffalt wrote in the budget document.

“The community has already experienced a loss of non-essential services earlier in 2020, and a vast majority of citizens do not want a city without arenas, pools, libraries, museums, sports fields, fieldhouses and transit. Unfortunately, that is what would be necessary to achieve a zero-mill rate increase … .”

City council will continue to discuss the 2021 budget on Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, starting at 5:30 p.m.

City faces yearly struggle Jason with residents who appeal property values G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express City hall faces a regular struggle with property assessments because some residents appeal their assessed value every year even when a provincial body rules in favour of the municipality.

Year-to-date, the City of Moose Jaw is up roughly $320,000 in tax revenue compared to the budget for the year. These additional tax dollars were a result of successful property assessment appeals that city hall made to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board (SMB), according to city administration.

However, during that time, the municipality lost $344,903 in tax revenue after property owners successfully appealed their assessments. This has resulted in an overall loss of tax revenue of $24,903.

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City council established a reserve worth $337,500 earlier this year to cover these losses, which means the reserve has absorbed most of those losses year-to-date.

According to the proposed 2021 budget, from 2014 to 2020, the City of Moose Jaw lost more than $117.9 million in assessment appeal claims, translating into a loss of tax revenue of $1.57 million.

The value of the lost assessment appeal claims and loss in tax revenue for the past six years was: • 2014: $19.5 million / $279,430 • 2015: $7.9 million / $101,714 • 2016: $5.7 million / $93,188 • 2017: $16.2 million / $204,103 • 2018: $11.4 million / $151,190 • 2019: $31.1 million / $403,458

• 2020: $25.7 million / $340,645 “There are still a number of local board of revision decisions outstanding that, once rendered, we are estimating will result in around $300,000 in additional appeal losses for 2020,” finance director Brian Acker said in an email. “Therefore, at the end of 2020, we expect actual tax revenues to be very close to budgeted tax revenues for the year.”

Acker talked about property assessment appeals during the most recent city council meeting, as part of a broader discussion about the third-quarter financial report.

“It is a revolving door,” he said in response to a query from Mayor Fraser Tolmie about the cycle with appeal losses.

While the municipality was successful with its appeals and earned $320,000, most of the appeals are for one year only, which means the property owners continue to appeal “over and over and over again,” Acker continued. The local appeals board continues to rule in favour of the property owners, which means city hall receives less revenue. It’s then a slow process to receive a ruling from the provincial appeals board. “… the money we gained from the Saskatchewan Municipal Board appeals will be lost again by new appeals (from property owners),” he added, so the cycle will continue to repeat even when the SMB rules in favour of the municipality.

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All columns, letters to the editor and editorials are solely the personal opinions of the writers themselves and not necessarily the opinions of The Moose Jaw Express.

Re: Pardoning Louis Riel Questionable I’ve just finished re-reading about Louis Riel as published in the November 11th, 2020 issue of the Moose Jaw Express.

If we are to believe that [what was written] we have to believe that all of our teachers, school boards, forced by government leaders basically lied to us: re: Louis Riel’s involvement in both the Red River Rebellion and the North West Rebellion a.k.a. Riel Rebellion. I find this very hard to believe.

All of my teachers were friendly and well-informed; they taught us the facts and now you say they weren’t facts at all; no, they were low down liars and taught us, on purpose mind you, falsehoods and lies. Do you really expect us to believe that? Do you believe that?

People were killed in those armed rebellions! According to The Canadian Encyclopedia by Hurtig Vol.2, p. 1270, a total of 110 were killed, 72 Metis and Indians plus 38 troopers. These were for the most part young men who never had the chance to have their own children and enjoy life in general and all because of a man who was at times mad as a “March hare” started a rebellion/war.

Besides the unnecessary deaths and many wounded, The North-West Rebellion cost the taxpayers $5 million in 1885 dollars. I hate to think of what that would be today!

Riel quite early on suffered a nervous breakdown and was put in a hospital at Longue Pointe (Montreal) as “Louis R. David,” and was shortly transferred to an insane asylum at

Beaport, Que. As “Louis La Rochelle.” He also did at least tow more stays in US asylums.

He became obsessed with the idea that God had sent him on a religious mission – to establish a new American church with Bishop Bourget of Montreal as Pope of the New World and he thought of himself as a divine prophet.

Some of his prose and poetry was signed “Louis David Riel, Prophet, Infallible Pontiff, Priest King.” It’s obvious that Riel suffered greatly from mental afflictions. Back then, few people including MDs understood the complexities of the human mind. Today Riel would be probably diagnosed as a schizophrenic or suffering with bi-polar disease or both.

He convinced himself that God was directing him and seeing himself as a great prophet he seized the parish church at Batoche, armed his men, formed a provisional government and demanded the surrender of Fort Carlton; about two months later it was all over. Riel was captured but his friend and very able field commander escaped to the USA but not before saying to his old boss, “What are we going to do? We are defeated. But you must have known when we took up arms that we would be beaten. So, they will destroy us.” – Gabriel Dumont.

He made three well-versed and experienced lawyers for his defence and they advised him to take the path of insanity plea but he flatly refused. Riel, of course, was found guilty of treason by the jury but they recommended mercy and that he be spared the death penalty. Today with all the evidence of his sanity, I think he would have been spared but

things were seen differently in those days.

Riel’s first big mistake was ordering the “hit” on the surveyor Thomas Scott. Riel had him executed by firing squad.

His body was disposed of without documentation or proper records and without proper burial. This shows that all involved knew they had done wrong. For this crime alone, Riel deserved punishment.

Does he deserve a pardon? NO HE DOESN’T! There is no government on earth, then or now, that will allow anyone to take up arms against it without retribution.

Back in the 1600s a discerning person noticed that for bad and evil things and times to flourish, all that is necessary is for good people not to take a stand for what is good and right. It’s just plain wrong for a murderer and treasonist rebel to be pardoned just to allow some members of society to feel happy. And that is why I chose to comment on the piece in The Express, and I hope other good men do too.

Just as a matter of interest to you, there is now a neo-Nazi revisionist movement in Germany to pardon Hitler because all the good things he did for their economy etc before the war. They even have proposed remaining the autobahn the Hitlerbahn! Wow! Who’s next on the revisionists list?

Saddam Hussein? Perhaps Osama Bin Laden?

Remember two wrongs never made a right!

Stewart Godfrey

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A25

City Hall Council Notes

Get even more local news online at:

Fewer water main breaks Jason likely due to new cast iron pipes, city says G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express New cast iron water pipes could be leading to fewer water main breaks this year, as only one-third of the number of breaks have occurred compared to last year.

From July to September, the City of Moose Jaw responded to 12 water main breaks, compared to 37 during the same time last year, data from city hall shows.

Year-to-date, city crews have repaired 31 water main breaks than 94 during the same time in 2019.

Overall, there were 12 water main breaks during the first quarter of this year and seven during the second quarter. Conversely, there were 34 water main breaks during Q1 last year and 23 breaks during the second quarter.

City administration presented the data to city council during the most recent regular meeting as part of a comprehensive report on third-quarter activities at city hall.

Significant decrease Coun. Dawn Luhning called attention to the decrease in water main breaks, pointing to a significant drop year-over-year.

“It is absolutely (down), 100 per cent,”

said city manager Jim Puffalt. “They’re about 50 per cent of where we are normally this time of year. We’re seeing a … few more breaks over the past two weeks.

Again, frost is starting to move on that.”

The public works and utilities department cannot specifically point to why there are fewer water main breaks this year.

Still, the replacement of older pipes was helping, said department director Darren Stephanson.

While some breaks have moved into new areas of the distribution system, the department saw a decrease in breaks until about three weeks ago.

“We have not hit some of our previous levels yet, but we are seeing more frequency,” Stephanson added. “It would be subjective to guess why. We do see some drier soils around the pipes, and we think frost is now starting to make enough movement that breaks are starting to occur.”

More department support City hall created a second work crew for the public works and utilities department

at the beginning of 2020 to address the backlog of repairs. However, after the pandemic hit, city administration redeployed those employees to fill potholes.

That second work crew recently transitioned back in the department, which means the two crews can address the list of infrastructure repairs in the triple-digits, Stephanson said.

“It’s a bit of a blessing that the water main breaks have been quiet this year,” he added. “That allows us to keep an even keel.

Hopefully, we can make progress on the backlogs.”

Solid waste and sanitation The City of Moose Jaw collected 13,813.06 kilograms of refuse during this year’s third quarter. This includes 8,929.35 kilograms from commercial, 2,278.53 kgs from private locations and 2,605.18 kgs from residential.

In comparison, the municipality collected 10,534.73 kgs of garbage during the same time last year.

Also, during Q3 of this year, the city collected 304,460 kgs of recyclable materi-

20122ge0

al, of which 296,083 kgs was allowable.

In comparison, the municipality collected 367,186 kgs of recyclable items in Q3 2019, of which 367,186 kgs was allowable.

Transit The City of Moose Jaw did not collect bus fares in July or August, or from Sept. 1 to 7, due to the pandemic. Regular fares were reinstated on Sept. 8.

The number of passengers who used cash or tickets during this year’s third quarter was 5,419 people. In comparison, 17,231 riders used cash or tickets in Q3 2019.

Meanwhile, the number of passengers who used monthly passes in Q3 this year was 3,166, compared to 41,001 during the same time last year.

Overall, there have been 8,585 total bus users year-to-date, compared to 58,232 users in 2019.

Also, the number of passengers who took special needs transit was 1,968 during this year’s third quarter, compared to 8,229 users during the same time last year.

PAGE A26 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

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Schedule released for upcoming Moose Jaw Miller Express season Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

those games are, and for the Miller Express, it works out pretty well that way.

“When you try and cram 50-some games into 60-some days, you have to take the good with the bad and it all balances out,” said Express general manager Cory Olafson. “Our key dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for the best crowds and that seems to balance out this year… I think the highlight of this year’s schedule is we’re hosting the Canada Day game against Regina, it’s all part of a three-game weekend and we’re hosting Reece Helland and the Moose Jaw Mill- Regina two of those days, so that’ll be er Express will open the new season on a pretty cool date to have. “The WCBL will have a different look this season, as May 28 against Medicine Hat. the Yorkton Cardinals and Melville MilThe Moose Jaw Miller Express now know lionaires will have their leave-of-absence when they’ll take the field for the first planned for last season moved over to the time in the 2021 Western Canadian Base- 2021 campaign.

As a result, the Miller Express will take ball League season.

The only question is just what it will look the field in the Eastern Conference alonglike when they host the Medicine Hat side the Regina Red Sox, Weyburn BeaMavericks at Ross Wells Park on May 28. vers, Swift Current 57’s and Medicine Hat The league is currently planning a 56- Mavericks, who will move over from the game season running from May 27 Western Conference for the coming camthrough Aug. 6, and as one might imag- paign. ine with such a compact schedule through Rather than the three- and four-game sea little over two months, there will be a ries seen last season, the majority of the lot of baseball played with very little time Express campaign will be single- and off - one day off a week is pretty much two-game sets, with a handful of homethe norm, and 10-game stretches aren’t and-homes thrown in for good measure.

The Express will have a six-game homeunusual.

But that’s just how it is when it comes to stand from June 10 through June 16, and a summer league designed to give players they’ll play 12 of 14 away from Ross Wells as much baseball as possible during their Park from July 11 through July 27. That off-season. The important thing is when might seem like a long trip, but it’s not

the worst - the Edmonton Prospects will play their entire season in barnstorming fashion on the road as their new stadium is built.

The league will also welcome an expansion franchise in the Sylvan Lake Gulls, who will host the Express July 22-23, but won’t make a trip to Moose Jaw this season.

The regular season will come to an end on Aug. 5 as the Express host Regina; the best-of-three conference semifinals run Aug. 8-10, the conference finals run Aug. 11-13 and the league championship series, also best-of-three, begins Aug. 15.

While there are still a lot of questions with how things will look because of the pandemic, the Express are in good shape

personnel-wise.

“Right now, we have almost a full roster,” Olafson said. “A lot of the guys we had coming in last year will be hold-overs, and because the American colleges, the seniors were allowed to come back and play a fifth year because of COVID, so it’s created a logjam in the collegiate system down there.

“So we had a lot of kids who had committed here last year that are still good to play this year and our roster looks very good right now. It’s just a matter of having games to utilize that roster with now.”

Visit the Western Canadian Baseball League website to see the full Miller Express schedule.

Teams have plenty of room to maneuver with the eight-player limit on the ice for Moose Jaw Minor Hockey.

Moving along: Minor Hockey back in action as COVID-19 pause continues in province Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

The logistical nightmare has been solved.

Moose Jaw Minor Hockey is back in action, with teams across all divisions having been back on the ice for a few days now. That’s a marked improvement compared to this past weekend, when everything was shut down due to an order from Saskatchewan Health Authority closing down sports throughout the province.

There was a caveat, though, and the local organizing body was quick to take advantage of the opening.

Now, after plenty of work scheduling and working around the wide range of precautions in place, teams are back at practice, even if things look a lot different.

“We just want to keep the kids on the ice,” said Minor Hockey president Chris Flanagan.

“Mental health is playing a huge role with everyone right now and we felt it was important to get these kids on the ice. We would have liked to have get them on the ice more, but we’re utilizing the time we have right now. We have great coaches and volunteers in our organization and we know they’re going to make the most of that time.”

The set-up sees each of the Tier teams receive an hour of ice time and each house league team receive an hour-and-a-half of time. Teams are only allowed to have eight players on the ice at once, and the MJMHA has left it up to the coaches to decide how to break their ice time into workable slots. As an example, for most teams and depending on roster size, that means eight players skating for 45 minutes before switching off with the next eight or so players for the remainder of the ice time.

Coaches and players alike must also wear masks when on the ice and maintain social distancing as much as possible, in addition to a limited number of fans allowed in the building. On Saturday afternoon at Mosaic Place, that translated into a ton of ice space for an Under-7 Timbits crew and their coaches, with parents looking on from wellspaced groups.

That plan will be followed until the Dec. 17 deadline for the current shutdown, with further decisions being made after that.

Complicating scheduling after the initial three-week pause on Nov. 27 was the City of Moose Jaw taking an abundance of caution and shutting down PlaMor Palace and the two ice sheets there. That led to the MJMHA relying more on the Red Knight Arena at 15 Wing, with the military base more than happy to accommodate them.

“It was tough, but the city came through with the Kinsmen and working with Mosaic was great as well.” Flanagan said. “It took us a day or two, we wanted to get the schedule out earlier, but with the PlaMor closing we ended up needing to use more ice out at 15 Wing and they’re always great with us out there so that’s really appreciated.”

The key now will be to keep things going for the next two weeks and going from there.

“Each coach is utilizing their time as they see fit, and every team has been assigned ice up until Dec. 17,” Flanagan said. “What it looks like after Dec. 17, time will tell.”

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A27

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Warriors Lang, Rysavy named to Czech Republic national junior team camp roster Duo among 37 skaters, five goaltender vying for spot on team for 2021 World Junior Championship Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

A pair of Moose Jaw Warriors will have a shot at cracking the Czech Republic roster for the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Forwards Martin Lang and Martin Rysavy were among 37 skaters and five goaltenders named to the event, which will decide who will represent their country at the tournament in Edmonton beginning Boxing Day. Lang, 19, joined the Warriors at the trade deadline last season in the deal that sent defenceman Libor Zabranksy to the Kamloops Blazers. He would go on to score eight goals and 24 points in 26 games with the Tribe, capping the campaign with 15 goals and 43 points in 57 games.

Lang has since been loaned by the Warriors to a handful of Czech league U20 and professional teams, putting up four goals and 10 points in 10 games - including two goals and seven points in two games with HC Plzen in

the Czech U20 loop.

Rysavy, 17, was selected sixth overall by the Warriors in the 2020 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. He played a game for HC Vitkovice in the U20 league this season before suiting up his hometown HC Prerov in the Czech Second Division, scoring twice and recording five points in his first six games.

The 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship will run from Dec. 25 through Jan. 5 in a bubble in Edmonton, with no fans and strict precautions to protect players and officials from COVID-19.

Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Daemon Hunt and general manager Alan Millar are currently in the middle of a two-week quarantine with the Canadian National Junior Team selection camp in Red Deer.

Moose Jaw Warriors forward Martin Lang in action last season against the Prince Albert Raiders. (Lucas Chudleigh/Apollo Multimedia/WHL.ca)

Moose Jaw Warriors Teddy Bear and Toy Toss a success in spite of changes Hundreds of bears donated to Salvation Army over two days of donations at Mosaic Place and Murray GM Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

There were plenty of questions surrounding the Moose Jaw Warriors annual Teddy Bear and Toy Toss heading into the two-day event early last week.

Not the least of which was just how well it would all work without a game being played to facilitate the actual ‘toss’ portion of the annual mass donation.

But in the end, the answers proved nothing but positive and the Salvation Army will once again be able to help a few more youngsters in the city have a toy or two under the tree.

Fans and supporters of the team donated hundreds of stuffed animals and toys during the event, which featured a drop off point at Mosaic Place on Nov. 30 and at sponsor Murray GM on Dec. 1.

The Warriors pick-up truck was filled to the brim, needing a large panel truck to help handle the overflow.

“I think it went really well,” said Warriors director of hockey administration James Gallo. “In the situation we’re in right now, it’s unfortunate we aren’t able to host a Teddy Bear Toss game like we have in the past, but the community did an amazing job.” Normally, the way the Toss would work would see fans bring a new and unwrapped stuffed animal or toque and mittens to an early December game, and when the Warriors score their first goal, the toys are thrown over the glass and onto the ice.

Warriors captain Owen Hardy did the honours last sea-

Derek Duzan drops off a truck cab-load of toys at the Moose Jaw Warriors Teddy Bear and Toy Toss at Murray GM as product specialist Sheldon Lautamus looks on. son against the Prince Albert Raiders. Gallo pointed out that with the WHL season on hold, this year’s modified event was put together on short notice and wouldn’t have come together as smoothly without the support of Murray GM and the Salvation Army.

“Charles (Vanden Broek) and the guys over there did a great job supporting this idea and helping us out over two days,” Gallo said. “This is going to put some smiles on

children’s faces and that’s the biggest thing. There’s a lot of challenges right now for everybody and Moose Jaw and area did an absolutely spectacular job coming in and helping out the Teddy Bear and Toy Toss this year under these circumstances.

“As an organization, we’re extremely proud of the way that the community came out. As everyone knows, the smile on a child’s face this year is pretty special and to be able to help out is pretty key.”

Making the toy haul even more impressive was how even in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the community was still more than happy to do their part to make Christmas brighter for many, many families.

“It’s one of those things where there’s a lot going on and we’ve been through a lot the last seven, eight, nine months,” Gallo said. “At this time of year to see this kind of support is really amazing. This community has always done a great job supporting the Teddy Bear Toss and other initiatives to give back to the community.

“Even in challenging times, they still came out, and that’s what makes Moose Jaw special and the surrounding area special… Putting a toy or a teddy bear in the back of a truck is something that can end up putting a smile on a lot of people’s faces and it’s awesome to see and we thank everyone who was involved and who offered their support.”

PAGE A28 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

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CurlSask announces cancellation of provincial Scotties, Tankard Provincial men’s and women’s curling championships early in new year sidelined due to ongoing pandemic Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

The news curling fans in Saskatchewan have been dreading since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic has come.

Curl Sask announced last week that the 2021 Viterra Scotties provincial women’s championship and SaskTel Tankard men’s provincial championship had been officially cancelled due to the ongoing outbreak in the province.

The events were slated to take place at Affinity Place in Estevan over back-to-back weeks from Jan. 29 through

Feb. 7, with the Scotties being played first and the Tankard running the following week.

“Under current public health orders this championship was no longer feasible nor financially responsible to attempt to host,” said CurlSask executive director Ashley Howard in a press release. “Estevan has served as a firstclass host community for a number of events including the 2018 SaskTel Tankard and 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup of Curling. Given the success of past Cham-

pionships hosted by the community of Estevan, our team will not hesitate to return to Estevan when it is safe and responsible to do so.”

Estevan will be given first right of refusal for 2021-2022 curling season, meaning they could host both events in a similar format next year.

Further updates to competition scheduling are forthcoming as the pandemic situation continues to evolve.

Millar offers praise for Hockey Canada officials, Red Deer community during quarantine Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

When the news came out that two players at the National Junior Team selection camp had tested positive for COVID-19 and a two-week quarantine would need to be put in place, it could have evolved into a very tough situation.

Just what do you do when you have more than 60 players, coaches and staff who have to lock themselves in their Red Deer hotel rooms for 14 days straight, with no opportunity for recreation or anything resembling hockey activities?

Hockey Canada found the answer.

And through a concerted effort from Team Canada staff not in quarantine and the Red Deer community in general, they’re all on the verge of coming out the other side.

Moose Jaw Warriors general manager and member of the World Junior team management group Alan Millar is one of those who have found themselves caught in the quagmire. And while the situation was less than idea, he and his fellow NJT staff have found ways to keep the players and themselves from catching quarantine’s most feared side effect -- cabin fever.

“You know what, things are going pretty well,” Millar said from Red Deer Friday afternoon. “For me personally, I’m very busy with this team, the Warriors, league stuff, scheduling, return-to-play protocols, lots of phone calls and lots of Zoom calls. So for me, I’ve been keeping busy “And for our group, they’ve really been outstanding,” he added. “The players and the staff have all really jumped into this situation and not let them get down, they’ve been engaged in committees and have done a lot of social

END FEB 14

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Moose Jaw Warriors general manager Alan Millar has nothing but praise for Team Canada officials and the support of the Red Deer community during their two week lockdown. things and had a lot of meetings; there’s been entertainers, comedians, motivational speakers, lots going on.”

That’s all on top of the work Red Deer itself has done to help out -- the fitness community rallied to bring 69 exercise bikes to the quarantine hotel, and through the magic of Zoom, players have been able to hold workouts with the team’s strength and conditioning staff throughout the two week pause. That, on top of fitness instructors offering spin and yoga classes on a daily basis.

Non-quarantined Hockey Canada staff have also helped out with meal delivery, laundry and other day-to-day issues in order to help time pass that much easier.

“So I think everyone has chipped in to make these 14 days the best they could and we’re turning the corner on these last few days,” Millar said. “I think everyone should be proud of how they’ve handled this and in particular our players.”

That includes Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Daemon Hunt, who has ridden out the quarantine just like the other 40-plus players taking part in the camp.

Hunt and the rest of the crew might find themselves doing things a little differently when things open up on Tuesday. There are still aspects for a return to the ice that have to be ironed out with Alberta health officials -- the province is currently the hotspot in Canada for the disease with nearly 2,000 cases reported on Saturday alone -- but the hope is the team will be able to quickly move into the Edmonton bubble for the world junior tournament.

“We hope to get that information clarified very soon,” Millar said. “As a group, myself and the coaches, we have three contingency plans and what it might look like and once we get the go-ahead we’ll decide what we’re doing.

“We’re going to do everything we can following all the protocols and doing what we can to get back on the ice and be as safe as we can.”

For some of Millar’s personal thoughts on the whole National Junior team bubble, be sure to check out the Hockey Canada website and read his entry in their Bubble Blog, as well as plenty of other info on how things are going in quarantine and at the camp.

The World Junior Hockey Championship is set to kick off on Christmas Day, with Canada slated to face Germany in their opener on Boxing Day.

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A29

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King, Moose Jaw Warriors roll to 5-2 victory over Kamloops in Memorial eCup Korczak scores twice as Warriors move on to second round of special Playstation 4 event Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

Cory King is just as good at NHL 21 as he claims to be.

King, the Moose Jaw Warriors 18-yearold defenceman, rolled to a 5-2 victory over Kyrell Sopotyk of the Kamloops Blazers in the first round of the Canadian Hockey League Memorial eCup on Saturday afternoon.

The 64-team tournament features all 60 CHL teams and four special guests battling through a single-elimination event through to the best-of-three championship final. All games are played on the Playstation 4 version of the wildly popular NHL 21 video game from EA Sports.

All games are broadcast on the Twitch video game broadcasting channel.

King controlled the contest essentially from start to finish, taking a 1-0 lead out of the first period and leading 2-1 through

two. The score wasn’t indicative of the flow of the game, though, as King was able to dominate nearly all aspects, outshooting Sopotyk 22-10 and having more than two minutes more on the attack.

That was certainly helped by the penalty situation, as the Warriors finished 2-for5 on the man advantage compared to the Blazers going 0-for-3.

In his post-game interview, King pointed to a common and simple strategy as one of his keys to success.

“The hard work paid off and the backdoor goals were working best, as per usual,” he said.

Ryder Korczak scored twice and added an assist in the game and was the planned go-to player for King throughout the contest.

“Oh yeah, as soon as you get the puck on

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The Warriors celebrate one of their five goals against the Kamloops Blazers.

Korzy’s stick it’s pretty much game over there,” King said with a laugh.

Calder Anderson added a goal and an assist while Eric Alarie and Brad Ginnell also scored for the Warriors. Cade Hayes picked up a pair of helpers.

Connor Zary and Reese Belton scored for Kamloops.

King felt he had a bit of a leg up on Sopotyk via some pre-game scouting, thanks to a former teammate and member of the Regina Pats, traditionally the Warriors’ arch-rivals.

“I talked to some buddies and got a scouting report from Carson Denomie, he might have given me the upper hand there,” King said, adding that current

Warriors teammates and players from around the league were also happy to pass on tips and tricks.

Denomie, who played for Moose Jaw during parts of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, lost his first-round match Carter Murchison of the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies earlier in the week.

King will now advance to the second round and will face Jaylen Luypen of the Edmonton Oil Kings after Luypen defeated Majid Kaddoura of the Prince George Cougars in their first round match-up later Saturday.

Be sure to follow the Memorial eCup on Twitter for the latest results from the event!

PAGE A30 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

7:20 p.m. WDIV EDACC NFL Football Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills.

SportS HigHligHtS d

BASKETBALL

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FOOTBALL

Monday

Friday

Thursday

6:00 p.m. TSN NBA Preseason Basketball Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks.

9:00 p.m. TSN NBA Preseason Basketball Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers.

7:00 p.m. EDACC NFL Football New England Patriots at Los Angeles Rams.

7:20 p.m. TSN NFL Football New England Patriots at Los Angeles Rams.

Tuesday 6:30 p.m. TSN NBA Preseason Basketball Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers.

9:00 p.m. TSN NBA Preseason Basketball Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings.

THURSDAY EVENING 3 CBKFT 5 CFRE 6 CKCK 7 WEATH 8 WDIV 9 CBKT 11 WWJ 12 WXYZ 13 CTYS 19 TSN 20 NET 25 EDACC 26 W 29 ENCAV2 33 CMT 35 TLC 38 DISC 41 COM 42 TCM 47 AMC 48 FSR 55 CRV1 56 CRV2 57 CRV3 58 HBO

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Sunday 7:15 p.m. TSN NFL Football Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills.

4:00 p.m. CBKT FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup: Moguls. (Same-day Tape)

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10:30

Prière de ne pas envoyer Bonsoir bonsoir! (N) La remplaçante (N) Le téléjournal (N) MacGyver (N) Manhunt: Deadly Games Security Security Global News at 10 (N) Shark Tank (N) Magnum P.I. (N) Blue Bloods (N) Big Bang etalk (N) (6:00) Evenings With Kim MacDonald Evenings With Kim MacDonald Weakest Link Dateline NBC (N) News J. Fallon Coronation Coronation “The Christmas Contract” (2018) Hilarie Burton.

The National (N) MacGyver (N) Magnum P.I. (N) Blue Bloods (N) Two Men Late-Colbert Shark Tank (N) (:01) 20/20 (N) News J. Kimmel “The Christmas Aunt” (2020) Keshia Knight Pulliam. Mom Mom Nordic L Nightclub NBA Preseason Basketball SportsCent. NBA Preseason Basketball: Clippers at Lakers World’s Strongest Man NHL Classics Sportsnet Central (N) Pokerstars Caribbean Primetime Cash Cab Big Bang etalk (N) “Every Christmas Has a Story” (2016) Lori Loughlin.

“Heart of the Holidays” “Christmas Town” (2019) Candace Cameron Bure. ››› “Love Actually” (6:20) ››› “Gremlins” (:10) ››› “Gremlins 2: The New Batch” (1990) Black Sails “XV.” King King Raymond Raymond King of Hill King of Hill Frasier Frasier 90 Day Fiancé “I Think You’re My Future Wife” 90 Day The Family Chantel (N) 90 Day Lone Star Law Gold Rush: Parker’s Trail Aussie Gold Hunters (N) Highway Thru Hell Big Bang Big Bang Goldbergs Fresh-Boat Seinfeld “The Raincoats” Goldbergs Sheldon “Marsha Hunt’s Sweet Adversity” (2014) “Going Attractions: The Definitive” Singin ››› “The Polar Express” (2004) Michael Jeter ›› “Snow Day” (2000) Chris Elliott, Mark Webber.

Drag Racing Drone Racing Drone Racing (6:45) “Killing Patient Zero” (2019) (:25) “Think Like a Dog” (2020) “Let Them All Talk” (6:45) ››› “Green Book” (2018) Viggo Mortensen. ››› “Lady Bird” (2017) Downton Doctor (:40) ›› “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” (2019) ››› “Moonraker” “Beyond the Blk” (7:50) “Any One of Us” (2019) (:20) The Flight Attendant Flight

SATURDAY EVENING 3 CBKFT 5 CFRE 6 CKCK 7 WEATH 8 WDIV 9 CBKT 11 WWJ 12 WXYZ 13 CTYS 19 TSN 20 NET 25 EDACC 26 W 29 ENCAV2 33 CMT 35 TLC 38 DISC 41 COM 42 TCM 47 AMC 48 FSR 55 CRV1 56 CRV2 57 CRV3 58 HBO

6:30 p.m. WXYZ College Football Teams TBA.

f

District 31 Infoman (N) Les poilus 1res fois Le téléjournal (N) NCIS: New Orleans Neighbor Schooled Evil “2 Fathers” Global News at 10 (N) Station 19 (N) Grey’s Anatomy (N) Sheldon B Positive Big Bang Big Bang (6:00) Evenings With Kim MacDonald Evenings With Kim MacDonald One Night Only: The Best of Broadway (N) Time Person of the Year News J. Fallon Coronation Family Feud Dragons’ Den Dragons’ Den (N) The National (N) Sheldon B Positive (:01) Mom Mom Star Trek: Discovery (N) Two Men Late-Colbert Station 19 (N) Grey’s Anatomy (N) A Million Little Things (N) News J. Kimmel Hudson & Rex (:01) Mom Mom A Million Little Things (N) Paramedics: Paramedics: Pregame (:20) NFL Football New England Patriots at Los Angeles Rams. (N) SC With Jay Strongest Strongest World’s Strongest Man Sportsnet Central (N) Pokerstars Caribbean NFL Football New England Patriots at Los Angeles Rams. (N) Corner Gas “Christmas Tree” “Christmas Scavenger Hunt” (2019) Kim Shaw.

Saved-Bell Saved-Bell (:05) ››› “Stuart Little 2” (2002) (:25) ›› “Jingle All the Way” (1996) “Jingle All the Way 2” King King Raymond Raymond King of Hill King of Hill Frasier Frasier Hoarding: Buried Alive Hoarding: Buried Alive Hoarding: Buried Alive Hoarding: Buried Alive Bad Chad Customs (N) Street Outlaws: Fastest in America Teams Iowa and Utah face off. (N) Big Bang Big Bang Goldbergs Fresh-Boat Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld ›› “Never Say Goodbye” (1946) Errol Flynn. ›› “Larceny, Inc.” (1942) Edward G. Robinson. ››› “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (:15) “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” NASCAR Gander RV Greatest Races: NASCAR From April 8, 1995.

Craftopia Craftopia 12 Dates of Christmas (N) 12 Dates of Christmas (N) The Flight Attendant (N) Paul Walker (:25) “Impractical Jokers: The Movie” ›› “The Hunt” (2020) Ike Barinholtz.

12 Dates (5:45) “Live and Let Die” (7:50) ›› “The Man With the Golden Gun” (1974) “Spy-Loved Me” (6:55) Alabama Snake (:25) McMillion$ Enthusiasm His Dark Materials

FRIDAY EVENING 3 CBKFT 5 CFRE 6 CKCK 7 WEATH 8 WDIV 9 CBKT 11 WWJ 12 WXYZ 13 CTYS 19 TSN 20 NET 25 EDACC 26 W 29 ENCAV2 33 CMT 35 TLC 38 DISC 41 COM 42 TCM 47 AMC 48 FSR 55 CRV1 56 CRV2 57 CRV3 58 HBO

Saturday

7:15 p.m. TSN NFL Football Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns.

7:00

7:30

MOVIES

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Et si on se levait (N) Les Misérables (N) Sur scène (N) Téléjour.

Humanité The New Border Sec. Holiday Commercials 48 Hours News SNL ›››› “The Sound of Music” (1965, Musical) Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker.

(6:00) Evenings on The Weather Network Evenings on The Weather Network Ellen’s Game of Games The Wall Saturday Night Live (N) News SNL “A Heartland Christmas” (2010) Michelle Morgan.

“Rock N’ Roll Christmas” (2019) Beverley Mitchell.

To Be Announced Frosty Frosty 48 Hours Two Men Two Men (6:30) College Football Teams TBA. (N) News ThisMinute Hudson & Rex “A Christmas Exchange” (2020) Laura Vandervoort. Fail Army Fail Army 2020 MLS Cup Teams TBA. (N) SportsCentre (N) NHL Rewind Sportsnet Central (N) NHL Classics Game 2.

Corner Gas Pop Life “A Twist of Christmas” (2018) Vanessa Lachey.

“A Rose for Christmas” “Christmas She Wrote” (2020) Danica McKellar.

“Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas” (2020) Nancy Drew (:45) ››› “Erin Brockovich” (2000) Julia Roberts, Albert Finney. ›› “Mirror Mirror” The Office The Office The Office The Office The Office The Office The Office The Office I Love a Mama’s Boy I Love a Mama’s Boy I Love a Mama’s Boy I Love a Mama’s Boy North Woods Law North Woods Law North Woods Law North Woods Law Big Bang Big Bang Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends ››› “A Matter of Life and Death” (1946, Fantasy) ››› “Enchantment” (1948, Romance) David Niven.

“Planes, Trains” ››› “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987) ›› “Jack Frost” (1998) NASCAR Gander RV NASCAR Drag Racing (6:45) “Puppy Swap: Love Unleashed” (:20) ›› “SCOOB!” (2020, Children’s) ›› “Valley Girl” (2020) (:05) ››› “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” ›› “Ma” (2019) Octavia Spencer.

Hidden (6:35) ››› “Jojo Rabbit” (2019) ›› “Isn’t It Romantic” (2019) “For Your Eyes Only” 12 Dates of Christmas His Dark Materials “Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”

SUNDAY EVENING 3 CBKFT 5 CFRE 6 CKCK 7 WEATH 8 WDIV 9 CBKT 11 WWJ 12 WXYZ 13 CTYS 19 TSN 20 NET 25 EDACC 26 W 29 ENCAV2 33 CMT 35 TLC 38 DISC 41 COM 42 TCM 47 AMC 48 FSR 55 CRV1 56 CRV2 57 CRV3 58 HBO

7:00

7:30

7:00

7:30

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SPECIALS

10:00

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MOVIES

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SPORTS

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10:00

10:30

District 31 La facture “Chasse-Galerie: la légende” (2016, Suspense) Le téléjournal (N) NCIS NEXT “FILE 7” (N) FBI Global News at 10 (N) Big Sky (N) The Voice The winner is revealed. (N) Big Bang etalk (N) (6:00) Evenings With Kim MacDonald Evenings With Kim MacDonald The Voice (N) The Voice The winner is revealed. (N) News J. Fallon ››› “Scrooged” (1988) Bill Murray, Karen Allen.

The National (N) CBC News Interrupt Play On-Music NCIS FBI Two Men Late-Colbert The Bachelorette (N) (:01) Big Sky (N) News J. Kimmel The Bachelorette (N) (:01) Mom Mom Brainfood NBA Preseason Basketball: Celtics at 76ers NBA Preseason Basketball: Warriors at Kings Bundesliga Soccer Sportsnet Central (N) Bundesliga Soccer Primetime Cash Cab Big Bang etalk (N) In the Dark “My Christmas Dream” “Christmas by Starlight” “Christmas at the Plaza” (2019) Elizabeth Henstridge. “Christmas in Evergreen” “The Best Man Holiday” (7:55) ››› “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” (1998) The Spanish Princess King King Raymond Raymond King of Hill King of Hill Frasier Frasier My Big Fat Fabulous Life My Big Fat Fabulous Life Welcome to Plathville (N) Invasion of Cmas Lights Gold Rush: Pay Dirt (N) Gold Rush (N) Gold Rush: The Dirt (N) Homestead Rescue Big Bang Big Bang Goldbergs Fresh-Boat Friends Friends Friends Friends Movie ››› “Scrooged” (1988) Bill Murray, Karen Allen. ›› “Fred Claus” (2007, Comedy) Vince Vaughn.

Motorcycle Race Motorcycle Race “Kid Be King” (:15) ›› “Valley Girl” (2020) Jessica Rothe.

“Let Them All Talk” Restless (:20) “Rule of 3” (2019) Erin Karpluk “Think Like a Dog” (2020) Megan Fox Holmes Octopussy (:40) ››› “Never Say Never Again” (1983) Sean Connery. ›› “A View to a Kill” Show, Hero (:25) “40 Years a Prisoner” (2020, Documentary) Enthusiasm Game of Thrones

WEDNESDAY EVENING 3 CBKFT 5 CFRE 6 CKCK 7 WEATH 8 WDIV 9 CBKT 11 WWJ 12 WXYZ 13 CTYS 19 TSN 20 NET 25 EDACC 26 W 29 ENCAV2 33 CMT 35 TLC 38 DISC 41 COM 42 TCM 47 AMC 48 FSR 55 CRV1 56 CRV2 57 CRV3 58 HBO

SPORTS

9:00

District 31 Discussions “Ésimésac” (2012, Comédie) Marie Brassard.

Le téléjournal (N) Private Eyes The Wall Bull “The Ex Factor” (N) Global News at 10 (N) Big Bang Bob Heart All Rise (N) Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang etalk (N) (6:00) Evenings With Kim MacDonald Evenings With Kim MacDonald The Voice The final artists perform. (N) (:01) Nurses (N) News J. Fallon Coronation Family Feud ››› “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” The National (N) Neighbor Bob Heart All Rise (N) Bull “The Ex Factor” (N) Two Men Late-Colbert The Bachelorette “The Men Tell All” (N) The Good Doctor News J. Kimmel TBA TBA To Be Announced Brainfood (:15) NFL Football Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns. (N) SC With Jay (6:30) Grand Slam of Curling Sportsnet Central (N) Pokerstars Caribbean Primetime Cash Cab Big Bang etalk (N) Transplant The Voice “Five Star Christmas” “A Cheerful Christmas” (2019) Erica Deutschman.

“A Timeless Christmas” Hector (:45) ››› “V for Vendetta” (2006, Action) Natalie Portman.

The Spanish Princess King King Raymond Raymond King of Hill King of Hill Frasier Frasier HEA Strikes The Family Chantel The Family Chantel (N) I Love a Mama’s Boy Bering Sea Gold (N) Alaskan Bush People (N) Highway Thru Hell (N) Homestead Rescue Seinfeld Corner Gas Goldbergs Fresh-Boat Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang ›› “Hold That Baby!” (1949) “Hold That Hypnotist” (:45) › “Hold That Line” (1952) ›› “Yours, Mine & Ours” (2005) Dennis Quaid. ››› “The Polar Express” (2004) Michael Jeter NASCAR Gander RV NASCAR Gander RV (6:20) “In Fabric” (2018, Horror) (:20) ››› “Ready or Not” (2019) “Everybody’s Everything” (:15) › “Dolittle” (2020) Robert Downey Jr. ›› “Impractical Jokers: The Movie” Ailo’s Jo “Johnny English” (:10) ›› “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” (2019) “Never Say Never Again” Baby God Stylish With Jenna Lyons Stylish With Curb Your Enthusiasm His Dark Materials (N)

TUESDAY EVENING 3 CBKFT 5 CFRE 6 CKCK 7 WEATH 8 WDIV 9 CBKT 11 WWJ 12 WXYZ 13 CTYS 19 TSN 20 NET 25 EDACC 26 W 29 ENCAV2 33 CMT 35 TLC 38 DISC 41 COM 42 TCM 47 AMC 48 FSR 55 CRV1 56 CRV2 57 CRV3 58 HBO

8:30

Découverte Bébéatrice Le show du Refuge 2020 (N) Rire Téléjour.

Infoman Bull “Fool Me Twice” (:01) NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS: New Orleans (N) News Block Supermarket Sweep (N) Who Wants to Be The Rookie “Safety” Goldbergs Goldbergs (6:00) Evenings on The Weather Network Evenings on The Weather Network Football (:20) NFL Football Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills. (N) News Christmas The Great British Baking Show British Baking The National (N) Rudolph, the Reindeer (:01) NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS: New Orleans (N) Joel Osteen The World’s Supermarket Sweep (N) Who Wants to Be Card Sharks “213” (N) News ThisMinute Simpsons Bless Burgers Family Guy Card Sharks “213” (N) Paramedics: Bridging (:15) NFL Football Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills. (N) SC With Jay Curling Gotta See It World’s Strongest Man Sportsnet Central (N) Bundesliga Soccer Football (:20) NFL Football Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills. (N) Corner Gas “Christmas in Rome” (2019) Lacey Chabert.

“A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love” (6:25) “Happy Feet” (:15) ›› “Happy Feet Two” (2011) Robin Williams ›› “Fred Claus” (2007) Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond The Unicorn The Unicorn The Unicorn The Unicorn 90 Day Fiancé Tarik waits for Hazel to arrive. (N) I Love a Mama’s Boy “I Need a Man” 100 Days Wild (N) Alaska: The Last Frontier “Tsunami Evacuation” (N) Lone Star Law (N) (6:00) ››› “Elf” (2003) Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends ››› “The Trip to Bountiful” (1985) John Heard ››› “Make Way for Tomorrow” (1937, Drama) “Nat’l-Christmas” (:15) ››› “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) Scrooged Drag Racing NASCAR Gander RV NASCAR Gander RV (6:25) “Pete’s Christmas” 12 Dates of Christmas 12 Dates of Christmas Shameless (N) (6:25) › “The Goldfinch” (2019) Oakes Fegley. › “The Hustle” (2019) Anne Hathaway. Portrait Circus (:45) ›› “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” (2019) Kyle Chandler. ››› “Octopussy” “Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” His Dark Materials Barry (:35) Barry

MONDAY EVENING 3 CBKFT 5 CFRE 6 CKCK 7 WEATH 8 WDIV 9 CBKT 11 WWJ 12 WXYZ 13 CTYS 19 TSN 20 NET 25 EDACC 26 W 29 ENCAV2 33 CMT 35 TLC 38 DISC 41 COM 42 TCM 47 AMC 48 FSR 55 CRV1 56 CRV2 57 CRV3 58 HBO

MOVIES

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District 31 L’épicerie Les enfants de la télé “Spéciale 10 ans” Le téléjournal (N) NCIS: Los Angeles SEAL Team “Shockwave” S.W.A.T. (N) Global News at 10 (N) The Masked Singer (N) The Masked Singer For Life (N) The Amazing Race (6:30) Evenings With Kim MacDonald Captured! Evenings With Kim MacDonald The Voice (N) Saturday Night Live News J. Fallon Coronation Family Feud “A Christmas Movie Christmas” (2019, Romance) The National (N) The Amazing Race SEAL Team “Shockwave” S.W.A.T. (N) Two Men Late-Colbert The Great Christmas Light Fight (N) For Life (N) News J. Kimmel Chicago Med Chicago Fire Chicago P.D. Brainfood The Bubble The Bubble SportsCentre (N) SportsCentre (N) (6:30) World Cup of Hockey From Sept. 29, 2016.

Sportsnet Central (N) World Cup of Hockey Primetime Cash Cab Big Bang etalk (N) L.A.’s Finest Goldbergs Flour Power “Our Christmas” “Two Turtle Doves” (2019, Romance) Michael Rady. “The Christmas House” (6:40) ›› “The F Word” (2013) (:20) ››› “Last Night” (1998) The Spanish Princess King King Raymond Raymond King of Hill King of Hill Frasier Frasier My 600-Lb. Life My 600-Lb. Life My 600-Lb. Life: Where Are They Now? Curse-Bermuda Triangle Egypt’s Unexplained Files Moonshiners (N) Mysteries of the Deep Big Bang Big Bang Goldbergs Fresh-Boat Friends Friends Friends Friends ›››› “Vertigo” (1958, Suspense) James Stewart. (:15) ››› “Marnie” (1964, Suspense) Tippi Hedren. ››› “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (:15) “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Drone Racing Drone Racing Motorcycle Race Motorcycle Race (6:50) ›› “Black Christmas” (2019) (:25) “Monsters at Large” (2018) “Godzilla: King” (:10) “The Unseen” (2016, Action) Aden Young. ››› “Boy Erased” (2018) Lucas Hedges. ›› “Alita: Battle Angel” (:15) ›› “Escape Room” (2019) Taylor Russell.

“The Living Daylights” Elvis Presley (:10) “It’s a Hard Truth, Ain’t It” (2018) Enthusiasm “The Art of Political”

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A31

FREE PERSONAL CLASSIFIEDS AT:

AUTOS

For Sale 2013 Chey Trax AWD, excellent condition, low kms $9,500.00 call 306-631-7698 AUTO PARTS

4 sale: 4 cooper discoverer AT3 XLT LT 275/65R20 tires as new $1000 or BO 306-313-0326 Briercrest.

Back issues of AUOTOMOBILE and ROAD AND TRACK, 2005 - 2009. Free. Call 306-692 -5465.

MOTORBIKES & SNOWMOBILES For sale: One 2006 snowbear trailer 4 by 8 ft. New take off sides. Wired with lights. Ph 972-9172 TOOLS & EQUIPMENT For sale: Kawasaki 3200 watt generator w/ invertor, used approx 3 hours, on wheels w/ custom cover, asking $650.00.

Ph 693-2028 For sale: 7-1/2 ft shulte front mount snow blowers 540RPM with fit any tractor. Phone 306693-4321 or 306-690-7227 For sale: 1 new digial clamp meter. Ph 972-9172 For sale 71/4 Black and Decker circular saw and Workmate. $25 and $20. 16” Skilsaw Tile saw call Al 631 0833 Large selection of pipe clamps, $15 pr. 5 palm sanders, flat circular and contour, $10 to $25 ea. Call 6310833.

FOR RENT

MOVE-IN READY large furnished basement suite; ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED; (no extra cost for wifi internet/max tv & netflix :) Includes off-street parking. Available December,2020 #MooseJaw #PetsAllowed Call or text 306-630-9264 Adults only 2 bedroom 780 sq ft apartment recently painted and up graded. Oak cupboards, new bathroom fixture, carpets in bedrooms. Has stove, fridge & microwave $750 per month plus $750damage deposit.

Must have references. No pets, smoking or parties. Utilities included except power. Close to

bus stop. South hill location.

Contact306-693-3727.

Rosewood Co-op housing has 2-2 bedroom suites available for couples 50 years and older,#140 High St E. Moose Jaw. Call 306-692-2200 or 6920179 or email rosewoodhousing @sasktel.net. Check our facebook page.

For rent: Clean 3 bedroom mobile home. 2 full bathrooms 1200 sq ft. NE moose jaw. Efficient wood burning stove with window door. 1 storage shed.

Fenced in yard. Damage deposit required. No pets, no smoking. 306-692-6844 REAL ESTATE House for sale: med size house, large lot, large deck. Playhouse and swing set. Need to sell, owner ill. 630-9036 or 6302417 COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY For sale: Camera’s one DXG518 Digital camera with book & CD tape. One Olympus with book.

One Stepone polaroid land camera. Phone 306-972-9172 iPhone 6+ protective cases - $3 for all 3 306-681-8749 MUSIC & INSTRUMENTS

Assorted VHS movies with wooden stand $35. Call 6925091 5 seashells from the island of Bermuda waters $5. Call 306693-4497 How to learn the alphabet/ or teach it wooden 5x7 inches. $5.

Call 306-693-4497 2 coca cola curtain/towels 26x21”. Bill is marked at 5 cents. Make an offer. Call 306693-4497 Ladies size 8 felt pac winter boots. Very nice condition $15.

Call 6310833 For Sale Juditta Built-In-Space wheel chair model B-30 paid $4500 in good condition $850.00 call 306-692-6263

Conair portable hair dryer (not used) $20 Call 692-5091

For sale: New winter parka.

Boys size 14 to 16 large $30.

Call 692-5091

New Chrome bathroom stand $18. Call 692-5091

For sale: Knitted doll - $15. Call 692-5091

2 pieces of metal décor - make offer. Call 692-5091 Coca cola glass marked collectible $10.00. Call 306-6934497 For sale: 1 - Dirt devil ultra vision vacuum cleaner. 306-9729172 For sale: new corded Remington shaver micro flex with pop up trimmers. Got new in Sept 2019 used twice. Ph 972-9172 For sale: 2 electric clock’s westslot. 1 Mastecrafters. Ph 9729172 For sale: Black & decker toaster. 1 med roaster. Ph 972-9172 For sale: A maple wooden table (70”) with 6 chairs and 2 pc hutch. 630-2417

3 books - How to play guitar $10. - Call 692-5091 0 MISCELLANEOUS Christmas stocking $4. Call 692-5091

For sale: Antique carousel puzzle. 550 pieces. $10. Call 6925091 For sale: Hardcover “A day in the life of Canada” book $20.

Call 692-5091

3 piece heart ceramic set $12.

Call 692-5091

Westbend 30 cup coffee percolator $20. Call 692-5091 New Sectional and Loveseat in immaculate condition. Both gray in color. Sectional has a chaise which can be used for storage of toys, blankets, also the sectional opens up for a double bed. Comes from a pet and smoke free home, very clean. 306-335-7822

Reader’s digest book - excellent condition $15. Call 692-5091

Assorted clive cussler books $2 each - soft cover; $5 each hardcover. Call 692-5091 Eaton’s toronto 1916 box. 6934497.

WORKFORCE CONNECTOR To Book Your Help Wanted Ad

Call 306.694.1322 mjexpress@ sasktel.net

or email

Made in USA. $4. Call 306693-4497

New green and white lap or shoulder knitted blanket 46”x15” $20. Call 692-5091 HOUSEHOLD ITEMS Five large cooking items. 3 fripans one is cast iron, 1 meyer steel soup pot with lid. 1 steamer pot with lid. $10.00 for all.

Call 693-4497.

One large blue pyrex bowl.

Dusty rose twin comforter in excellent condition. $20. Call 692-5091 CHILDREN’S ITEMS

Cute and clean stuffed animal $10. Call 692-5091

Girls “Dadust ice queen figure skates” size 8 $30 Call 6925091 CLOTHING For sale: Helly-Hansen ski-doo suit for extreme conditions work wear, approx size #42 XL/TG. Asking $300.00. Ph 306-6932028 WANTED Wanted: Gently used good quality tread mill and recumbent bike. Call Pauline. 306631-3816 Looking for a Stanley bench plane used. 306-690-9153 Wanted to buy: Hardy boys books. Call Eldo at 306-6929276 afternoons or evenings Looking for any size of batteries for automotive/ garden tractor that are no longer good 306681-8749 Tractors. I pay cash for tractors up to 50 HP running or not, and 3 point hitch equipment. Call or text 1-306-641-4447 I am looking for a lever or pump 22 rifle, and a smaller 22 bolt action rifle in either 22LR or Magnum. Call or text 1-306641-4447 Free pickup of your unwanted snowblowers, tillers, generators, ice augers, chainsaws, or any other yard and garden equipment, in Moose Jaw and area. Call or text 1-306-6414447 I am looking for a John Deere LA tractor or parts, in any condition, Call or text 306-641-4447 Wanted a Stihl Chainsaw running or not. Call or text with model number to 306-6414447

Wanted, I am licensed gun buyer paying cash for unwanted guns and ammunition, Moose Jaw, Regina, and surrounding area. Call or text 306-6414447 Wanted, looking to furnish a 2 bedroom suite, need 2 double beds, with or without mattress, 2 nightstands and lamps. Some type of couch and chair, maybe a reclining chair, end and coffee table, end table lamps. Smaller kitchen table and chairs. Give me a call with what you have, if you can get it to the curb I will haul it away for you call 306692-2393.

Wanted: Looking to furnish a two bedroom suite, need two double beds, with or without mattress, two night stands and lamps. Some type of couch and chair, maybe a reclining chair, end and coffee table, end table lamps. Smaller kitchen table and chairs. Give me a call with what you have. If you can get it to the curb I will haul it away for you. Please give me a call at 306-692-2393 SERVICES Will do general painting & contracting. Interior & exterior. Free estimations. 30 years experience. Phone 306-972-9172 Will fix & sell Lewis Cattle Oilers.

Ph 972-9172 Junk to the dump in and around Moose Jaw- $40/load and up 306-681-8749 Will pick up, move, haul and deliver TVs in and around Moose Jaw - $30 and up 306-6818749 Will pick up move haul and deliver appliances anywhere in and around Moose Jaw $40 and up 306-681-8749 HELP WANTED Help wanted: Business/ Christian Evangelizing partner. Male, female or family: To eventually own and operate a second hand/ flea market business out of a downtown store and evangelize a salvation healing and deliverance ministry. If you are dedicated, Holy Spirit filled, Born-again Christian, give me a call. Please; only serious enquiries. 306-684-1084 Wanted: By weekly house cleaner. What do you charge?

Do you supply the cleaning products? Or do we? Do you have references? Phone 306692-1331.

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Juditta Built-In-Space wheel chair model B-30.

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MOOSE JAW, SASKATCHEWAN

PAGE A32 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Special needs residents hold Christmas parade for families Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

In this unusual year, there have been parades to celebrate birthdays, graduations, and seniors, and since the pandemic is not over yet, there has now been a parade to celebrate Christmas.

A dozen special needs participants with the This Is MƎ day program — similar to Moose Jaw Families for Change’s cafÊ program, but on a smaller scale — had been excited to host their families for a Christmas tea at the office of the Moose Jaw Association for Community Living (MJACL) on Ross Street West.

There was enough room to host people, with one family to have cookies and tea with their loved one every 15 minutes and enough time in between for a thorough cleaning.

But when the provincial government announced new restrictions recently, the in-person gathering went out the window. So, staff decided to hold a Christmas parade on Dec. 4. They and the participants piled into vans — one driven by Santa Claus, no less — and drove to homes of families and supporters.

The 12 residents — from ages 20 to 69 — jumped out of the vehicles and sang a Christmas carol, with one participant then handing a plate of cookies and gift bag. They then jumped back inside and headed to their next destination; the group visited five locations this Friday and planned to visit five more on Dec. 11.

The first stop was at the home of Jerry Hicks, the former CEO of Diversified Services. “It’s really important (to have the tea still),â€? said Mr. Hicks. “They always enjoyed the Christmas tea at Diversified Services, when families were brought in ‌ so they won’t miss it this year (with this event).â€?

Client Denise Kutcher was selected to deliver the cookies and gift bags to the families. She indicated that she was nervous but also excited to do it. “I know my family will be watching this on tonight’s (Global TV) news ‌ so I’m hoping this is their Christmas gift to them from me,â€? she said.

Kutcher added emotionally that it would be difficult not to see her family at Christmas, while it’s been depressing to have seen them only a few times in the past six

by Wanda Smith

Peace Carriers

Denise Kutcher (left) hands over a plate of cookies and a gift bag to Jerry Hicks and his wife Dawn Akins-Hicks. Jerry is the former CEO of Diversified Services in Moose Jaw. Photo by Jason G. Antonio months. However, she has enjoyed the day program and had plenty of fun.

It was “really, really important� for the clients to still celebrate since many of them haven’t seen their families in months, said group administrator Sharon Cole. Furthermore, many won’t even know they’ve missed Christmas until after it’s passed. “It (the parade) can’t be anything but exciting for them,� she added, “even if all we do is drive around and sing Christmas carols.�

Program history In June, Cole — a private service care home operator — and other health-care workers came together to form This Is MƎ since they wanted to support each other and their clients. The staff applied to the Ministry of Health for funding and were successful.

Cole hosted the participants at her home throughout the summer, but they began gathering inside once fall arrived. This became impractical due to restrictions, while it didn’t give Cole much of a break either.

Staff then looked for an alternative location and eventually found the MJACL office. “It’s an absolutely great spot,� Cole said, since the participants can cook, exercise, sew, take art classes, host Zoom meetings with pen pals, and learn to dance. They have also participated in therapeutic riding on mini horses and bowling.

The clients need a routine since they are “creatures of habitâ€? and don’t understand the pandemic or its restrictions, which has stressed them out, said Cole. Without the group, she doesn’t think many would have survived emotionally or psychologically. “For me, (the program’s founding is) the most positive thing to come out of COVID-19 ‌ ,â€? Cole added. “I am very grateful this program came to be. I think they have done really well.â€?

The day program’s participants sing a Christmas carol for staff with the Ministry of Social Services, at the Town ‘n’ Country Mall. Photo by Jason G. Antonio

TRINITY UNITED CHURCH 277 Iroquois St W Moose Jaw, SK Next Service: Dec. 13, 10:30am Rev. Doug Shepherd

NEW LOCATION

Lorem ipsum

St. Barnabas

60 Athabasca Street East 306-692-0533 Minister: Rev. Jim Tenford Music Director: Karen Purdy The day program’s participants sing a Christmas carSunday, May 14th, 2017 ol for staff with the Ministry of Social Services, at the Worship Service 10:30am Town ‘n’&Country Mall.

Photo by Jason G. Antonio Sunday School

St. Andrew’s United Church

Traditional Anglican Church 1102-3rd Avenue N.W. Moose Jaw

(Corner of Hall Street & 3 Avenue N.W.) rd

60 Athabasca Street East 306-692-0533 Minister: Rev. Jim Tenford

Sunday Service 10:30 am Coffee & fellowship after the service

As of November 22nd and including December, 2020

For more information call: 306-691-2715 or visit our website

Due to the recent Covid 19 cases, St. Andrew’s will not be holding Sanctuary Services.

Rev. Jim Tenford will be continuing Sunday Services on YouTube and Facebook

All Are Welcome!

www.saintbarnabasmoosejaw.ca

On the Front Porch

Music Director: Karen Purdy • Choir Director: Jenna Nash

E-mail: st.andrews.mj@sasktel.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/StAndrewsUnitedChurchMooseJaw Website: http://standrewsmoosejaw.ca

Last week, God dropped a rhema word (an inspired word, a living word) into my spirit while I was sitting at the stoplights in town. It came as quick as a lightning bolt.

As soon as I heard it, I knew it carried substance. Immediately, I had Lil Sweet Pea write it down. “If you carry fear, you are partnering with fear in the region and building a stronghold of fear. You are part of the problem not the solution.� What an incredible word from the Lord. If I am carrying fear in my heart, I am not carrying peace.

And if I am carrying fear, I am actually causing the fear to become stronger over the atmosphere of the city and/ or region. Dear ones, it is very important to note that each of us have a part to play in what kind of atmosphere our communities experience. We are either part of the problem or the solution.

If we choose to keep filling our hearts and minds with the promises of God, we will be carriers of peace; changing the atmosphere completely! Just as a mailman carries mail, we are carriers. He may be bringing good news (a beautiful Christmas card from a friend or loved one) or he may be carrying bad news (a big bill or even junk mail). We can determine to choose what kind of mail we will read. We choose what kind of thoughts we think.

And those thoughts will determine what we carry; either the goodness and glory of God or the evil and darkness of the evil one.

Lil Sweet Pea recently memorized Psalm 91 (highly recommended). In that passage, we are told that if we go into the secret place with the Lord, “...we are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me...� It goes on to say “...He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy. ...When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?� (Portions of Psalm 91 in the Passion Translation). These are excellent promises to meditate on! The more we meditate on the truth of God’s Word, the more it will renew our thinking and bring positive results.

This week’s theme for advent is peace. I have Good news!

The peace of God does not come when everything is all perfect in your world. In fact, resting in the peace of God can come during the most trying of situations. If we live in a state of peace, every facet of our lives will benefit.

If we are peace carriers, the world around us will feel its effect.

How do we effectively and practically live this out? Simply... find a promise in the Word of God that pertains to your situation. Write it out. Read it. Speak it. Memorize it. Then each time a dark thought comes, use the Word of God as a weapon against that thought. Saying it out loud is best. Here’s an example: When a fear-filled thought comes you say, “Fear, leave in Jesus’ name because My God says according to Isaiah 54:13, “All my children are taught of the Lord and great is their peace and undisturbed composure.� As you grow in this, use the Word of God to build a stronghold of peace in your life and in our region. Let’s be carriers of peace this Christmas season.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

Birthdays, Anniversaries, & More!

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- As low as $50 a week.

Call 306-694-1322 or Stop by our office at 32 Manitoba St. W. Today to book your space!

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A33

EGAN With heavy hearts the family of Phillip John Wallace Egan announce his sudden passing on Friday, November 27th, 2020, four days shy of his 69th birthday.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Hilda Egan; fatherin-law, Mervyn Ferguson; and brother-in-law, Greg Rayner.

Phil leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 48 years, Wendy; son, Jeremy and his children, Rykr and Berlin; daughter, Bree and son, Jerrod (Korey) and their children, Molly and Gage; sister, Sue (Bill) and family; mother-in-law, Doreen; and Wendy’s 5 siblings and their families.

Phil lived on the farm near Semans, SK until the age of 15 and always believed that at some point in his life he would own a farm of his own. He went to STI in Moose Jaw and took welding, and became a journeyman welder. He joined the Boilermakers Local 555 in 1973 or thereabouts and worked in many different communities throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and BC until his retirement in 2007.

Finally, with retirement in the offing, we bought “the farm� just west of Moose Jaw, SK and he set up his herd of cattle, starting off with a mixture of red and black cows. Before long, he started breeding purebred Gelbveigh cows, which he swore was the “best breed ever�! In 2017, we decided to sell and move back into Moose Jaw, however, that didn’t mean he was going to do the coffee row thing! He kept a small herd of cows at a neighbouring farm and was out there helping every chance he got which, most weeks, was every day!

He had good friends in Mark, Jack, Ken and Joe and I sincerely thank you all for that!

Phil was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish, and was lucky enough this year to go hunting with Wayne for Elk, with Jerrod for mule deer and then with Jeremy and Rykr for whitetail. He showed our kids that honesty and a strong work ethic reaped results and his most cherished memories was time spent with them. He was so proud of our four grandchildren, who never failed to amuse and entertain him with their witty conversations.

Phil enjoyed the trips we took to the Caribbean with Sue and Bill, as well as the ones we took to Los Cabos with Sandy and Darren. Most of all, he enjoyed weekends at the park from May to September, and loved nothing better than a good BBQ and beers around the fire at night with his best bud. He could talk up a storm and had a different story every weekend. He especially loved family gatherings and big turkey dinners with all the trimmings and having a drink with his friends. One of his favourite sayings was “I love beer and beer loves me� and I’m sure if he was here, he would raise his glass high and toast you all. He also leaves behind his little fur buddy Grendall, who was beside him faithfully every night in the recliner watching TV. A Private Family Graveside Gathering will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations in Phil’s name may be made to The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, 9 Lancaster Road, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1M8.

Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Andrew Pratt Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome. com

HANOSKI , DONALD Donald Hanoski passed away in Moose Jaw, SK on Thursday, November 26, 2020 at the age of 84.

Donald was born on May 28, 1936 and grew up in Spring Valley, Saskatchewan.

Throughout his life, he lived and worked in various cities in Saskatchewan, spending most of his life in Regina.

He worked as a 4th class steam engineer until changes in technology necessitated a career change. He found employment as a Commissionaire and worked as one for many years. Donald was a very quiet, patient and peaceful man with an inquisitive mind. He enjoyed travelling, bike riding, model trains and collecting hockey cards. He also enjoyed spending time in parks, museums, and at the library reading. In recent years, Donald moved to Moose Jaw to Chez Nous and then later to Moose Jaw Extendicare. A sincere thank you to all the staff at Chez Nous, Moose Jaw Extendicare, Dr. F.H. Wigmore Hospital and Pasqua Hospital who provided kind and compassionate care to Donald during the last few years of his life. Donald is predeceased by his parents Wes and Catherine Hanoski, sisters Dolores Rach and Joan Lia, niece Denise Rach and nephew Randy Lia. Donald is survived by nephews Darryl Rach of Grande Prairie, AB and Michael Lia of Kenosha, WI, niece Desiree Veitenheimer of Regina, SK and their families.

A Private Graveside Service will be held at Sunset Cemetery in Moose Jaw, with Joan Rink officiating.

For those so wishing, memorial donations may be directed to Parkinson Canada.

In living memory of Donald, a memorial planting will be made by Jones-Parkview Funeral Services.

Please sign the memorial register at website: www. wjjonesandson.com or www.parkviewfuneralchapel.ca (Obituaries). Kelly Scott, Funeral Director.

In Loving Memory of a Dear Dad, Granddad & Great-Granddad who passed away December 9th, 2019

Carl Kraus

It’s hard to believe you’re no longer here You were a Dad so precious and dear Words cannot express the sadness it brings How very dearly you are missed You were a wonderful Dad in more ways than one You were truly one in a million No one could ever take your place You were loved more than words can say‌

Please include the Moose Jaw Health Foundation in your estate plan to help your community for generations to come.

Please contact us for more information.

Moose Jaw Health Foundation 55 Diefenbaker Drive Moose Jaw, SK S6J 0C2 Phone (306) 694-0373

Tradename for W. J. Jones & Son Ltd & Parkview Funeral Chapel

Jones Funeral Home 106 Athabasca St E 306.693.4644

Parkview Funeral Chapel 474 Hochelaga St W 306.694.5500

It's hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember. We miss you every day.

Love your family.

Ken, Brian (Shawna), Dennis (Laura), Dakota (Tom), Brittany (Spencer), Mercedes, Quinton (Kelsey), Emma (Lukas), Amanda (Sebastian), Jason, Athena, Autumn, and Hunter.

 � � � �� ��­ € ‚� ƒ€�­ ‚ „ … †­ ­ €� „ ‚� � ­€ „ € ­€ …   „ …� ‡ �

SERENITY GARDEN THANK YOU Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw Inc is extremely grateful to Keon Garden Centre’s Kelly and Marcy Duffey for their commitment to the development of the Heartland Hospice Serenity Garden. Kelly was our Project Manager, coordinating with EZ Yardworx; J Craig Bobcatting; Seaborg Hauling and Excavating; Caron Concrete Inc; Cindercrete Products and Keon Garden Centre themselves. These companies do generously DONATED ALL PRODUCTS AND LABOUR. Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for supporting the development of dedicated hospice care for Moose Jaw and area.

We would like to take this moment to appreciate these community supporters - it is with your business generosity that we are able to put the Heart into Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw Inc. Ad paid for by Moose Jaw Express

Lovingly remembered and dearly missed by‌.

Keith & Lorraine, Wayne, Wendy & families

www.mjhf.org

Beatrice Irene Ambrose July 1939 - Dec 2019

WORKFORCE CONNECTOR To Book Your Help Wanted Ad Call 306.694.1322

or email mjexpress@sasktel.net

Worldwide Candle Lighting for Bereaved Parents and Families Going Sunday, December 13th, 2020 at 7:00pm ABOVE and Online Ceremony on wjjonesandson.com Home Page BEYOND and on Jones-Parkview Facebook Page.

“That their Lights May Always Shine�

expectations is what sets us apart

PAGE A34 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020

COVID-19 restrictions & Upcoming Events in Moose Jaw The following is a running list of groups, businesses, and organizations that have implemented COVID-19 precautions due to concerns about COVID-19. Moose Jaw Express staff will be updating this list as needed.

If you would like your notice or event added to this list, contact us at editor@mjvexpress.com.

For information about the status of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, or for more information on symptoms and preventative measures, visit saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

Current Public Health Orders:

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is currently recommending: - residents maintain a minimum of three meters distance when in public; - adhere to hand-washing protocols sanitation measures in public spaces;

and

- self-monitor for the development of COVID-19 symptoms and contact HealthLine 811 if any appear; - maintain a close household bubble to help reduce the spread of the virus and aid with contact tracing procedures.

Face masks are now mandatory in all indoor spaces across the province, including fitness facilities and workplace areas not accessible to the public, as of Nov. 27.

Public health has also placed a restriction on the number of individuals allowed to gather in private residences at this time, with a cap of five people.

Families of more than five may not have any visitors from outside the household.

Public venues are limited to a max of 30 people and all sports activities are cancelled for all age groups. Large retails stores, including malls, must limit their capacity to 50 per cent and enhance the expectation of mask use and other mitigation measures.

Visitors are also currently not allowed at SHAoperated facilities in the province, with the exception of compassionate care reasons, and masks are required in all areas of SHA facilities.

Changes in Businesses & Organizations:

Please be sure to check with individual businesses, organizations and public spaces about specific COVID-19 precautions that they may have in place.

Riverside Mission is now accepting food donations and other item donations for the Christmas season, since resuming the lunch program last week.

The Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre is closed until further notice, and the Takeout Roast Beef Supper on Dec. 6 has been cancelled.

Timothy Eaton Gardens is closed for the time being and all activities run by the Moose Jaw & District Seniors Association are cancelled until further notice.

Leisure Time Bingo in Moose Jaw is closed until Dec. 17.

The provincial Scotties women’s and Tankard men’s curling championships are cancelled.

Upcoming Events:

Grief Support groups from Jones-Parkview Funeral Services are moving to Zoom for the time being. For the link to attend any of these groups, contact Della Ferguson at dferguson@ sasktel.net.

The Moose Jaw Public Library: is still offering virtual programming to the public. Children’s programs also returned in November, registration required. Teen events are hosted on Discord and adult events on Zoom, and the links to join events can be found on the library’s website. Upcoming events include: - Digital Dungeons & Dragons on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.; - Teen Virtual eBook Club on Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.

Moose Jaw Legion: The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 Moose Jaw lounge hours are now listed as Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. Face masks are mandatory.

Upcoming activities at the Legion include: - Veteran’s morning coffee: Monday to Friday at 10 a.m.’

- curling , darts and shuffleboard currently suspended; - Meat draw fundraisers: Saturdays at 3 p.m.

Membership renewal for 2021 is due by Dec. 31.

A Christmas fundraiser for the Legion will be drawing on Dec. 18, for a range of penny parade prizes donated by local crafters and businesses.

Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased by visiting the Legion Lounge at 268 High St W or contacting the Legion at 1 (306) 692-5453.

The Moose Jaw & District Seniors Association: is collecting Christmas cards by donation to distribute to seniors in care homes across the city.

Cards can be signed or unsigned and dropped off at the office located at Timothy Eaton Gardens.

The previously organized takeout turkey dinner on Dec. 13 is still going ahead, with tickets still available to purchase at the office.

Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery: - Marsha Kennedy: Embodied Ecologies opened on Oct. 9 and remains until Jan. 10.

- Moose Jaw Art Guild: Visions 2020 exhibition will be available to view in the lobby from Nov. 27 until Jan. 10.

Moose Jaw Cultural Centre: - JJ Voss with special guest Joel Stewart at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre on Nov. 19 has been postponed until Jan. 29; - Jeffery Straker: A Very Prairie Christmas on Dec. 1-2 has been postponed until January; - JJ Shipler’s show on Dec. 5 has been cancelled.

- SELFIE, an exhibition by Sask Terra, is on display in the Mosaic Art Gallery until Jan. 16.

Ticket holders who had purchased tickets for the

events above will be contacted.

Riverside Mission: The annual Christmas meal at the shelter will be on Dec. 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will be provided as a take-out meal to go.

Knights of Columbus Father Gilpin Council #9760: The annual Keep Christ in Christmas Lighting contest is occurring this year, with judging taking place on Dec. 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Entry forms are available at mjknights. ca or by contacting Pat Meuse at 1 (306) 6928111. There is no charge to enter and prizes will be awarded for the top three entries.

Humane Society: The annual Santa photos for pets event has been adapted for COVID-19, with pet owners now able to send photos of their pets to be cropped into a photo with Santa for $5.

Email photos to outreach@mjhs.ca to take part.

Winter Markets from the Moose Jaw Homegrown Farmers Market have been cancelled.

The Christmas Tree Sale from the Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow began on Nov. 27 in the parking lot of the Moose Jaw Co-op Marketplace on 1st Avenue Northwest. Trees will be available until Dec. 15, or until supplies last.

Photos with Santa Claus will be returning to the Town n’ Country Mall from Nov. 28 until Dec. 24.

Hope Has Come: A Drive-Thru Nativity Experience at the Hillcrest Church will be displayed on Dec. 10-12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

CP Holiday Train at Home is hosting a live streamed concert for the annual campaign on Dec. 12, featuring Serena Ryder, the Trews, Jojo Mason, Logan Staats and Kelly Prescott.

The Moose Jaw Co-op is running it’s Good Buy to Hunger campaign leading up to the concert, selling pre-packaged food bags at the Co-Op Marketplace in support of the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank.

Christmas for a Cause from Moose Jaw Families for Change and Heritage Insurance began on Dec. 5, with volunteers offering gift wrapping by donation to support the Moose Jaw International Medical Mission. Services are available at the Town n’ Country Mall on Dec, 12 and Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Heritage Insurance is also hosting a drop-off option on Dec. 12 from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at their location on High Street.

A Candle Lighting for Bereaved Parents with Jones-Parkview Funeral Home will take place on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., with an online video online through the funeral homes website, wjjonesandson.com. The video will remain available to watch afterwards.

Hockey Harvest Lottery tickets are available to purchase until Dec. 20, from any WHL team website. The grand prize draw will take place on Dec. 21 at 1 p.m.

Hunger in Moose Jaw is offering a lunch program for students over the Christmas break, with registration required by Dec. 15. Pickup of the lunch bags will be on Dec. 21 between noon and 5 p.m.

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 • PAGE A35

of moose jaw

140 Main St N | 306-694-5766

South hill area, move right into this affordable condo with large foyer leading to open concept main floor. 3 bedrooms. Garden door to private deck overlooking back yard. Direct entry to single attached garage.

Good size kitchen with ample cabinets, built in d/w, fridge, stove included and bonus room off the kitchen.

2 bedrooms on main floor. Basement developed with family room, storage and laundry. Detached 20x24 garage.

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Katie Keeler REALTOR® 690-4333

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North west area! Over 1200sqft bungalow. Large south facing living room, dining area adjacent to kitchen. 3rd bedroom has been converted to main floor laundry.

Basement developed. Single detached garage.

Open concept kitchen, white cabinets, large peninsula, casual dining and living room. Garden doors off living room to patio. 2 bedrooms. Cozy family room in lower level with bathroom, den and laundry/utility room.

Garage.

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Front veranda glassed in, large foyer. Ample cabinets in kitchen, adjoining dining room with patio doors to deck. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Basement features den, storage and laundry.

Open main floor with architectural detail, a perfect blend of character and modern in this restoration.

Original hardwood floors, 2 bedrooms and den on main floor. Upper level with bedroom, family room and bath. Detached 2 car garage. Seeing is believing!

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Check more Moose Jaw Homes, Rentals and Real Estate at:

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3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. The sun room, formal dining room and developed family room in the basement, single car garage with an attached carport screened-in gazebo attached to the back deck. Updates new shingles, soffit and fascia,new back deck ,new carpet in family room in basement, new water heater.

Included: stove, washer, refrigerator, dryer, microwave, built in dishwasher, water heater, hood fan, central vac, garage door opener, blinds and window coverings

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$169,900

Large Living Rm with combined Dining Rm. Good sized eat kitchen with Laundry on the main floor. Full 4 piece bath on the main, mid eff furnace, newer 100 amp electrical service. Upper Level Loft, great for a good sized Master Bedroom. House is situated on a 100 x 120 foot lot plenty of size to build that dream garage. Roof was done in 2018 APV, some newer PVC windows throughout. If small town living is what your looking for then check out this home.

2+1 Bedroom Home with 2 and a Half Baths, Kitchen Area with separate Dining Rm. Spacious Foyer / Entry, Living Rm with Decorative Fireplace.

Upper 2 bedrooms, Master Bedroom and 3 piece Bath. Addition on Main Floor, back Family Rm Area with Gas Fireplace and Full 4 piece bath. Deck Leading off back patio doors and family room addition. House has Metal roofing, addition is Asphalt Shingles. Take the time and see for yourself.

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Net farm income well below three year high

Black Friday Winner

By Ron Walter - For Agri-Mart Express

AGRIMART

EXPRESS Net farm income in Canada recovered somewhat last year but still sits well below the 2017 highs.

Across the country, net farm income increased 13.8 per cent in 2019 to $5.18 billion, according to Statistics Canada data just released.

That net income is still 38 per cent less than then $8.4 billion earned in 2017.

Low commodity prices, bad harvests and some poorer crops caused the decline.

Saskatchewan farmers did not see net income increase as did the rest of Canada.

Income actually declined 2.4 per cent to $2.24 billion as poor harvest weather and increased costs bit into the bottom line.

This province ’s farm net income last year was 19 per cent less than in 2017 when net was $2.86 billion Alberta net farm income of $769 million last year was a turnaround from a $2.8 billion loss in 2018, and less than half the $1.9 billion of 2017.

Manitoba farm income of $419 million last year was just over half the $752 million from 2018 and less than half the $1.2 billion from 2017.

The winner of Moose Jaw Express/ MooseJawToday.com Black Friday draw was Linda Emerson. The winner had the opportunity to pick their gift certificate from any of the participating advertisers in our Black Friday feature and she chose Quarks.

Congratulations!

Moose Jaw's Affordable Printer

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

Rebate for SaskPower customers began Dec. 1, says provincial government Larissa Kurz

The Saskatchewan’s Party’s campaign commitment to give all SaskPower customers a 10 per cent rebate on their bills is now in effect as of Dec. 1.

The rebate is called the Economic Recovery Rebate and will run until the end of November 2021.

Premier Scott Moe announced the rebate during the 2020 election campaign, as a measure to offer relief to people and help drive the province’s recovery during COVID-19.

“The Saskatchewan Economic Recovery Rebate is a simple and effective way to help individuals, families and business through this pandemic,” said Minister Responsible for SaskPower Don Morgan, in a press release. “By implementing this rebate today, our government is keeping its commitments to the people of Sas-

katchewan.”

It applies to the electrical charges section of customers’ bills, including the basic monthly charge, energy charge and demand charge. The rebate does not apply to PST, GST, municipal surcharges, the federal carbon tax, connect fees or late payment charges. Customers can expect to see the full benefit of the rebate on their January bills.

All customers are eligible, including residential, commercial and businesses.

Swift Current Light and Power and Saskatoon Light and Power will be offering their customers the same rebate, while receiving credit to offset the cost.

The provincial government expects the program to cost $262 million for the year, funded through the General Revenue Fund.

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PAGE A36 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, December 9, 2020