MOOSE JAW’S HOMEGROWN NEWSPAPER
For more than 20 years, the Town of Mossbank’s Old Wives Lake Festival has entertained thousands of people with many fun activities that also build community and promote regional history.
This year’s festival takes place from Friday, July 18, to Sunday, July 20, with all activities happening around the community, which is located about 30 kilometres southwest of Moose Jaw.
A golf tournament at 6 p.m. kicks off the weekend on July 18, while on July 19, there is a pancake breakfast; the 11th annual Justinsane Barbie Car Club show ‘n’ shine; a petting zoo, street market, face painting, a magician and bouncy castles at the community hall; a magic show at the library; tours of the blacksmith shop and museum; live music and street dance from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., with DetourCountry hitting the stage at 9 p.m.; fireworks; and beer gardens.
On July 20, there is a pancake breakfast, an outdoor church service, tractor pulls and superheroes and Disney princesses.
Furthermore, there will be more than 20 vendors present on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and food trucks on July 19 and 20.
The festival started as a small event but grew into a larger multi-day celebration over the decades, explained co-organizer Gwen Kowalski. Parts of it occurred at Old Wives Lake — a bird sanctuary — in those
early years, but few people wanted to travel there because they were worried about missing activities in town.
Organizers have attempted to showcase the lake’s history and the stories surrounding it during the festival, while they are also encouraging festivalgoers to visit the water body, she continued. They also hope to restart tours to the lake in the future.
Kowalski discussed the legend of how the lake — the largest natural lake in southern Saskatchewan and the fourth-largest saline lake in North America — received its name.
An old Aboriginal story goes that Cree hunters were skinning and dismembering bison while a group of old women were
turning the meat into pemmican. A Blackfoot war party later attacked and was beaten off, but the Cree tribe still decided to flee.
The old women, though, decided to remain to give the younger members time to leave. They talked loudly throughout the night to not arouse the suspicions of the Blackfoot, and when a larger contingent of Blackfoot warriors returned and found just the old wives, they massacred them.
“Legend has it that the spirits of the dead women haunt a small island in the lake, known as the Isle of Bays, to this day. Some say that on windy spring nights, you can hear the old wives’ howls of laughter mocking the Blackfoot they deceived,” the Mysteries of Canada website says.
Holding this festival is important because residents and organizers want to uphold the legend due to its connection to Mossbank, while they also want to honour the community’s airbase from the Second World War, said Kowalski.
Meanwhile, Kowalski’s favourite parts of the festival include the car show, a quilting display, the vendor market and the tractor pulls.
“Sometimes there’s a lot of things to look at and sometimes not enough time to do it,” she chuckled.
Visit mossbank.ca or the festival’s Facebook page for more information.
2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School welcomes Cloete as new commandant
With an eye toward the future of military pilot training in Canada, LieutenantColonel (LCol) Craig Cloete officially assumed command of 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2 CFFTS) during a change of command ceremony held July 4 at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.
LCol Cloete succeeds LCol Philippe Turcotte, who served as Commandant of the “Big 2” during a critical period of transition and modernization. Both men were celebrated during the formal ceremony, which reaffirmed the school’s commitment to training the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pilots.
“The transfer of command of a unit is an incredibly important part of military life,” said Colonel Adam Carlson, Commander of 15 Wing Moose Jaw. “Commanders are chosen because of who they are: leaders who lead with courage, humility, and integrity. Both LCol Turcotte and LCol Cloete exemplify these traits.”
In his farewell remarks, Turcotte praised the professionalism of the 2 CFFTS team, noting their shared accomplishments.
“I am extremely proud of all we have accomplished in such a short period of time,” Turcotte said. “I was surrounded by a team of outstanding professionals, which enabled us to improve the quality of the training while creating a culture of professionalism, pride, and purpose.”
For Cloete, the appointment marks both a homecoming and a new chapter. He previously served six years at 2 CFFTS and is no stranger to the local
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
community.
“I was stationed here for six years already, so a fair chunk of time from 2013 until 2019,” he said in an interview following the ceremony. “(My family and I) know Moose Jaw very well; we know the community (and) we know our way around.”
Originally from South Africa, Cloete began his military aviation career in 1999 with the South African Air Force. He joined the RCAF in 2013 and has held several instructional and leadership roles at 2 CFFTS, along with strategic staff positions in Ottawa.
Reflecting on his return, Cloete said the transition felt like “a little bit of relief” after a busy lead-up to the ceremony.
“Now it’s just getting settled in
town and settled in a new job,” he said. “I’m really happy for LCol Turcotte and his family — they did some great stuff while they were here. So the bar has been set pretty high.”
He added that he’s most looking forward to returning to the instructional side of his career.
“It’s getting back into teaching,” Cloete said. “I’ve really missed that in the staff roles that I’ve been doing up to now. So teaching the students again and working with the team to continue our progression towards that transition to the next training project (is what I look forward to).”
That project is the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, a sweeping modernization effort led by 2 CFFTS and industry partner SkyAlyne that will replace the current NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program. The
$11.2-billion initiative will bring new aircraft, simulators, infrastructure, and updated teaching methodologies to better align with the learning styles of today’s aviators.
“I think that we have some exciting times ahead of us,” Cloete said. “We’ve got new aircraft arriving, and we’ve got a lot of infrastructure modernization and building going on at the base. It’s going to be great for the city; it’s going to be great for 15 Wing.”
Cloete expressed gratitude to his family for their support, recalling his daughter’s birth in Moose Jaw and the lasting memories built during his earlier deployment to the Friendly City.
In his address to staff and students at 2 CFFTS, Cloete emphasized teamwork, communication, and personal excellence.
“I will always be honest with you, and I will always expect the same,” he said. “Our mission is non-negotiable. We train and mentor and we develop world-class aviators … but we achieve that mission through our people.”
He closed with a promise: “I look forward to serving with you and achieving greatness here.”
New 2 CFFTS commander LCol Craig Cloete (front left) signs the official documents during the change of command ceremony at 15 Wing, alongside Col Adam Carlson (front centre) and outgoing commandant LCol Philippe Turcotte (front right) on July 4.
Photo by: Aaron Walker
LCol Philippe Turcotte (left) and his family are presented with commemorative “Big 2” clothing during the change of command ceremony held in Hangar 3 at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. Photo by: Aaron Walker Grand
We will have face painting/tattoos, obstacle bouncy castle, lawn games, bake sale, raffle basket and 50/50, and Clean Break entertainment will be playing at 2pm - Come join us!
Business Women of Moose Jaw announces executive team for 2025-26
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
Four community leaders are returning as the executive officers of the Business Women of Moose Jaw (BWMJ) to provide stability for the fledgling organization as it continues to grow.
The organization recently announced that Crystal Froese, Kelly Carty, Tara Johanna Manninen and Donna MacQuarrie-Bye will remain on the executive team for the 202526 year. The foursome will stay in the same positions they’ve held since January, with Froese as president, Carty as vice-president, Manninen as secretary and MacQuarrie-Bye as treasurer.
“I’m really excited. We’ve got a great executive,” Froese said, while highlighting the strengths of each woman. “It’s quite the dynamic group of women leading. And we’re just looking to add more members to our team so we can do more creative things.”
The president said she wanted to continue leading the group for continuity purposes, considering the organization restarted in January — the PRISM awards also returned this year — and has been slowly gaining momentum since then. She noted that the other three women submitted their names for similar reasons.
Continuing, Froese said continuity of leadership is important because the BWMJ suffered during the pandemic and lost many members. So, it is “reigniting everything back up again,” while the executive is full of ideas and excited to pursue them.
One idea is teaming up with the Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan on a project this fall, after the
provincial organization approached the BWMJ about doing something, Froese said. The Moose Jaw group is exploring what that initiative could look like, while it is excited that a womenfocused business that’s been around for decades wants to work together.
“They’ve got provincial-wide membership and they’ve got lots of really great programming for women, so we’re pretty excited to see what that’s going to look like,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, the BWMJ executive is creating a list of speakers who can present during the monthly meetings, including members and their activities as non-profits or entrepreneurs, said Froese. Other speakers could include women from across Saskatchewan who work in the military and health care.
The group is seeing more interest from women at 15 Wing, which the BWMJ president thought was excellent, while she was also pleased that more agricultural-based women were starting to attend.
Networking with others, forming connections and relationships, attending meetings — and eating good food — and learning from speakers are some facets of the Business Women of Moose Jaw that Froese said she appreciates.
The executive president added that these hour-long monthly meetings allow businesswomen to take time for themselves and engage in some “selfcare,” while learning something new during the meetings.
Visit the Business Women of Moose Jaw’s Facebook page for more information about the group.
Editor’s Note
JOAN RITCHIEMoose Jaw Express EDITOR
Isn’t it ironic that the ‘things of old’ that amused kids back when have now gone by the wayside?
I am referring to the fact that as kids, and not that many decades ago, it was a well-known probability that almost every kid had a pen pal somewhere in the country and possibly beyond. I did.
I was inspired to expound on my experience as a kid after reading Joyce Walter’s column on having a pen pal in this edition.
Even kids in my day did get a
chance to go to camp or somewhere and meet other kids that they shared experiences with and then shared their contact information to try and get to know them better. In fact, it was encouraged. Whether it was just as a learning experience or to make a new possible lifelong friend…it did happen.
Nowadays with Canada Post being so defunct, it is almost unrealistic to expect a letter that you are writing to someone somewhere will even get there within a year…and that actually happened to me recently when I received a letter from Ontario that was sent last August/September that just came in the mail a little over a week ago. Of course, this wasn’t from a pen pal, but nevertheless a little late. There would be no other reason other than it didn’t make it when it should have ar-
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position
rived after it was posted with Canada Post; lost in yonkers I guess.
I’m thinking that maybe we should revert back to the Pony Express that seemed to make it through rain or shine, but wondering how many individuals have the skill to ride horseback nowadays?
As well, the prices Canada Post now charges hardly substantiates paying the postage to keep in contact with someone you may or not have a relationship with that may or may not get there within days, weeks or even months. Seems like email is much more efficient but nowadays there are so many scam or phishing emails, it could possibly be a sketchy way to communicate as well. I am not a subscriber to facebook and have never been; I don’t have random time to peruse all other
of this publication.
avenues of communication and watch random videos, and even on an iPhone or text, I may not recognize the phone number and never answer a number I don’t know. It seems it may not be the best idea to answer unless you know for sure who the person is.
So therefore the dilemma…maybe it’s best to meet people the good oldfashioned way, in person, face-to-face, eyeball to eyeball, no matter what age. When you are a kid, you usually have a parent-in-tow to spy out the land too and make a reasonable judgement as to whether the prospective pen pal may be of good character or not to get to know. Check them out and find out if you really are interested in pursuing more of a relationship. Time will tell.
Festival of Trees goes country-glam with ‘Disco in Denim’ theme
It’s time to shine up those belt buckles and dust off your best dancing boots — Moose Jaw’s biggest night of giving back is bringing a little twang to the disco floor this fall.
The Moose Jaw Health Foundation (MJHF) officially announced the theme of its 2025 Festival of Trees gala in a media event at JGL Livestock on July 10 — “Disco in Denim: A Night of Glamour and Groove.” The theme promises a toetappin’ night of country charm and generosity on Saturday, Oct. 25, with proceeds supporting a vital upgrade to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine at Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.
“This upgrade is especially critical for seniors, children, and anyone experiencing pain or anxiety,” said Dr. Nicolette Sinclair, a radiologist at Moose Jaw’s hospital and one of this year’s event MCs alongside Dr. Greg Kraushaar.
“It means more patient scans per day with shorter wait times. In addition, the upgrade will add to our ability to perform enhanced imaging, particularly MRIs of the heart. This upgrade will make us almost completely comparable to the standard capabilities of urban centres.”
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
ly moved to Moose Jaw from her previous home in Prince Albert. “Every dollar raised stays right here in Moose Jaw ... Thanks to Kim Waldo and her incredible team of volunteers, this year’s festival is infused with the vibrating spirit of disco and dance ... (that will) make it a night to remember.”
Festival of Trees 2025 will bring together the best of country charm and disco glam — from a gourmet Texas-style barbecue buffet featuring locally sourced JGL beef, to a rhinestone-studded live auction and musical entertainment by award-winning country singer Drew Gregory.
munity members — to get involved,” Sinclair said. “Whether you donate an auction item, become a sponsor, or simply purchase a ticket, your support will make a real and lasting impact.”
Tickets are $125 plus taxes and applicable fees and go on sale mid-August at SaskTix.com. The gala will be held once again at the Temple Gardens Centre at 110 First Avenue Northwest.
For more information, visit MJHF. org.
The Foundation’s goal is to increase MRI capacity by 25 per cent. With over 7,600 scans performed at the hospital last year, a faster and more advanced system would mean less waiting and more timely care for families in Moose Jaw and the surrounding communities.
“The Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital ... is the beating heart of Moose Jaw,” added Sinclair, who has been practicing medicine for nine years and recent-
“Let’s rally behind the noble cause of enhancing rural Saskatchewan’s only MRI,” said MJHF chair Ryan Hrechka. “By securing your ticket, purchasing a table for your business, or donating an auction item, you will profoundly impact the lives of patients who need it most.”
Hrechka also tipped his hat to JGL Livestock for hosting the kickoff and for donating the beef that’ll be served hot off the pit during gala night.
“So today, I invite you — local businesses, medical colleagues, and com-
Dr. Nicolette Sinclair, radiologist at Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, speaks at JGL Livestock on July 10, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming MRI upgrade and calling on the community to support the 2025 Festival of Trees gala.
Moose Jaw Health Foundation CEO Kelly McElree (left) and Dr. Nicolette Sinclair (right) join organizers and supporters in announcing this year’s Festival of Trees theme — Disco in Denim — during a media event at JGL Livestock’s pavilion on July 10. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Photo by: Aaron Walker
268 Mulberry Lane
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, S6J 1N1 (306) 693-4550
www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
Hearing dates set for matter involving former MJPS officer, Taylor Mickleborough
Jason
G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
The Saskatchewan Police Commission has set dates to hear a situation involving former Moose Jaw Police Service officer, Supt. Taylor Mickleborough, who was fired last fall.
The hearing of the matter between Mickleborough and the chief of police for the MJPS is set for Wednesday, July 23 to Friday, July 25, Wednesday, Aug. 27 to Friday, Aug. 29 and Monday, Oct. 20 to Friday, Oct. 24.
The commission has not yet determined the location, nor released any other details.
The MooseJawToday.com learned last October that former police chief Rick Bourassa had suspended Mickleborough around August or September 2024, before outright firing the 24-year member in about September.
Mickleborough is known to have begun his policing career in 2000. He had worked in traffic enforcement, criminal investigations and the serious crimes unit and won several awards during his nearly three decades in uniform.
The police service confirmed to the MooseJawToday.com in early October that Mickleborough was no longer a member of the force but declined to offer any extra details about the firing, nor what sections of the Saskatchewan Police Act he may have violated.
During a meeting of the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners in early October, Bourassa — who resigned in January 2025 because of
health issues — confirmed that he fired Mickleborough using Section 60 of The Police Act as his guide. He pointed out that that section gives criteria to chiefs on how and when they can dismiss members.
Also, the former chief said Section 61 of the act gives dismissed members the ability to appeal to the Saskatchewan Police Commission, which would then hold a public hearing on the matter.
Bourassa said at the time that he wanted to respect the legal process and noted that saying anything else or litigating or trying those matters outside of those hearings “would be wildly inappropriate.”
In early February, Jay Watson, the hearing officer for the Saskatchewan Police Commission, Adam Touet, the defence lawyer for Mickleborough, and Mitch Holash, the legal counsel for the acting police chief (Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners), met by phone to discuss the situation.
They later met by phone in late February to exchange information so they could start determining how long the hearing might take. They also held other phone meetings in the following weeks, but those were held in private.
According to the City of Moose Jaw’s 2024 public accounts, Mickleborough was one of the highest-paid police officers in the city last year, earning $151,192.76.
Andrew Pratt Terri Lamb
In pictures: Canadian Forces Snowbirds return home, perform at municipal airport
With near-perfect skies and a patriotic roar overhead, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds made a triumphant return to their hometown with a special public performance at the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport on July 12.
Hundreds of spectators filled the designated airfield parking spaces, which sold out quickly, with many more lining nearby grid roads and fields to catch a glimpse of Moose Jaw’s own aerobatic team.
“We’re excited to host this at our own airport,” said Roger Blager, president of the Moose Jaw Flying Club who hosted the show in partnership with the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Authority, earlier. “It’s not every day you get to see the Snowbirds perform this close to home.”
The show took place to a backdrop of clear, sunny skies — a welcome change from recent cloudy conditions and lingering wildfire smoke that saw the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ game in Re-
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express, Photos by: Aaron Walker
gina postponed the night before.
Proceeds from the sold-out event will support a proposed crosswind runway project at the municipal airport, aimed at improving flight safety and expanding training opportunities.
“Last year, our local flight school had to cancel over 200 flights because of crosswinds. A new crosswind runway would help keep training, visiting aircraft, and other airport activities running smoothly,” he explained.
To learn more about the Moose Jaw Flying Club, visit “Moose Jaw Flying Club — COPA 215” on Facebook.
The Moose Jaw Municipal Airport is located approximately 15 minutes northeast of downtown, accessible via the North Service Road and Highway 301.
Low rainfall hurts crop growth
Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express
Limited rainfall across the province is hindering crop development.
Aside from scattered showers around this region Lafleche received the most rain in the area at two-thirds of an inch.
The result is inconsistent growth, according to the weekly crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.
Only three per cent of cereal crops were headed by July 7, putting them well behind the usual stage of growth.
With less rain soil moisture conditions have declined. Fifty-five per cent of crop land is rated with adequate moisture while 45 per cent is short or very short.
The southwest is worse off with only 11 per cent adequate and 89 per
cent short or very short.
Pasture moisture levels dropped with only 13 per cent adequate and 77 per cent short or very short.
In the southwest seven per cent of pastures are adequate with 93 per cent short or very short.
Eleven per cent of hay quality in the province is good, 48 per cent adequate, 30 per cent fair and 11 per cent poor.
One quarter of the hay crop is off with just over one-fifth baled
‘Yee Ha’ workshop gives young riders a leg up at Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds
From lead-line “littles” to teenage ropers, this year’s “Yee Ha” event at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds offered something for every young rider looking to build their skills and have a little fun doing it.
Now in its second year, “Youth Equestrian Event: Horsing Around” (YEE HA) ran from July 10 to 13 at the Golden Mile Arena. With 36 registered participants and several more in the under-five lead line class, organizers say that the event is gaining traction and carving out a place on the summer rodeo calendar.
“It’s the second year that we’re doing this, and we’re hoping to make it an annual event,” said Kim Moats, a Yee Ha committee member. “It’s exclusively for youth from ages six to 18, and this year we’ve brought in six different clinicians of really high calibre. We try to make it a fun-filled event for them,
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(where they can) learn different equine disciplines, have a good time, and expand their knowledge of horses.”
The four-day event featured handson instruction from a roster of wellknown clinicians, including Ross Smith, Tori Meggison, Samantha Harland, Garry Giofu, Bree Gust, Diane Bolen, and Sherry and Barry Quam. New additions this year included jumping and working equitation — disciplines that are growing in popularity across Canada.
“We expanded the amount of clinicians we have and just tried (adding) different disciplines,” said Marci Perrin, show secretary for Yee Ha. “We try to give them something new each year to try ... it’s multi-discipline, from English right through to cowboy — there’s something for everyone.”
Each day included a blend of technical coaching, group mentoring, and good old-fashioned fun — including jumps, roping clinics, and a “behind the chutes” session where kids could safely learn about rodeo stock handling.
“You see stuff happening. From the
start of the clinic to the end, there’s always some kind of engagement,” said Moats. “The kids like it. They seem to be giving rave reviews to our clinicians.”
Yee Ha was reintroduced in 2024, after a long hiatus that followed the winding down of the former Saskatchewan Youth Equestrian Tournament series. With support from the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company, a new committee helped bring the event back to life.
“We want to make this event not only fun for (these young equestrians), but very affordable for their families,” Perrin said. “We’re always looking for sponsorship dollars and help to pull this off.”
Next year’s Yee Ha clinic series is already being planned, with tentative dates set for July 9 to 12, 2026. For further updates, follow “YEE HA” on Facebook or contact the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company at 306-692-2723.
A young rider takes part in a clinic session inside the Golden Mile Arena during the Yee Ha youth equestrian event in Moose Jaw on July 11. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Clinician Sherry Quam teaches a barrel racing class in the north arena grounds on day two of the Yee Ha event in Moose Jaw.
Photo by: Aaron Walker
Clinician Samantha Harland, from Regina, leads a training session inside the Golden Mile Arena on July 11 as part of the Yee Ha youth equestrian event. Photo by: Aaron Walker
A young rider takes part in a clinic session inside the Golden Mile Arena during the Yee Ha youth equestrian event in Moose Jaw on July 11. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Clinician Sherry Quam teaches a barrel racing class in the north arena grounds on day two of the Yee Ha event in Moose Jaw. Photo by: Aaron Walker
From aircraft galleries to Red River carts, the WDM brings history to life this July
Moose Jaw’s branch of the Western Development Museum (WDM) has announced its lineup of programs for the month of July.
Upcoming events
• Summer camps: The WDM’s summer camps offer kids aged seven to 10 a hands-on journey through Saskatchewan’s past, with fun activities to spark curiosity and build new skills. While the Transportation Camp that runs from July 8 to 10 has already started, there’s still time to register for the Heritage Camp running from August 12 to 14. Campers will try their hand at typing on an oldfashioned typewriter, make homemade ice cream, and play with classic wooden toys. The cost is $130 for non-members and $110 for members.
• Lii Buflo: A Métis Way of Life: Now on display at the WDM in Moose Jaw, Lii Buflo is a powerful travelling exhibit that explores the deep cultural connection between the Métis people and the bison. Presented in English, French and Michif, the exhibition also highlights ongoing conservation efforts led by Elk Island National Park. Lii Buflo runs until September 30 and is included with regular admission. Please note the exhibit will be temporarily closed from July 24 to 28.
• Elegance and Engines: On July 17, explore “Elegance & Engines” at the WDM and uncover the stories behind some of the museum’s classiest cars. Test your knowledge with vintage price guesses and learn how major car brands have changed over time.
• Red River Cart exhibit: The museum will celebrate the opening of a new Red River cart exhibit on July 19 with a special ceremony at 2 p.m. Built by volunteers from New Southern Plains Métis Local No. 160, the full-size replica cart highlights Métis heritage and community collaboration. Interpretive signage was created in partnership with the Gabriel Dumont Institute, and the display will become a permanent part of the museum. Admission is by donation from 1 to 5 p.m.
• Cinema Summer: On July 20, the WDM Moose Jaw presents “Cinema Summer,” a pop-up event in the 100 Years Gallery exploring Saskatchewan’s film history. Visitors can view historical film artifacts and learn about the province’s unique contributions to
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In the estate of Garry Owen Froehlich, late of Marquis, Saskatchewan, deceased.
A yellow training aircraft on display at the WDM Moose Jaw offers a nod to Saskatchewan’s aviation history—one of many themes explored through summer events and activities happening throughout
Canada’s movie industry.
• Brickspo: Brickspo returns to the WDM on July 26 and 27, featuring original LEGO creations by members of the Saskatchewan LEGO Users Group and builders from across Western Canada. The event follows regular museum hours with the show running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days and regular museum admission rates apply.
Seek and find
The museum regularly holds seek and find events to encourage interactive learning. The program includes an activity sheet, and visitors search the galleries for clues on interpretive signs or display cases. Check the museum’s website for updates.
• Where the Wildflowers Grow seek and find: Guests are invited to look for images of Saskatchewan wildflowers, learn a few facts about them, and write down the name of each flower image hidden throughout the museum galleries. The seek and find runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at your own pace throughout July.
• RCAF seek and find: This month’s second seek and find invites visitors to explore the Aircraft Gallery and identify the names of RCAF vehicles used during the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan for a chance to win a plush Piper Cub toy. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout July.
Courses and workshops
All claims against the above estate, duly veri ed by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before August 18, 2025.
Armstrong Hittinger Moskal, Solicitors for the Executors, Box 1680, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, S9V 1K6.
The museum offers seasonal educational courses that teach skills ranging from blacksmithing to steam-traction engine operation, with certificates typically awarded upon completion.
• Upcoming courses: Contact Alexis Jones at 306-693-5989 or AJones@wdm.ca for more information.
K+S Short Line 101
To showcase the raw power of steam energy,
the WDM showcases its fully operational K+S Potash Canada Short Line 101 steam train each summer and guests can catch a ride on a working piece of Saskatchewan’s history. Operating since 1978, this is Saskatchewan’s only operational steam locomotive.
• Upcoming train schedule: The Short Line 101 is back in service! Contact the museum before heading out for an updated schedule, as the train’s operation is dependent on weather, maintenance, and volunteer availability.
Reminiscence Kits
The museum’s Reminiscence Kits are meant to bring generations together and ignite new friendships through the sharing of memories. These kits, containing everyday artifacts from the 1950s to the 1970s, can be rented by care homes and other organizations for two weeks at a cost of $75, with an additional $25 fee for a one-week extension. Visit WDM.ca/Reminiscence to book your kit.
Teacher resources
Teachers can access a variety of resources, including information packages and field trip arrangements at the WDM. Visit WDM.ca/Moose-Jaw/Learn/For-Teachers for more information.
History album
The museum’s history album tells Saskatchewan’s story through the experiences of families, small towns, and community organizations across the province. To view the album, visit SaskHistory.ca.
Birthday parties
The museum may just be the perfect venue for your child’s upcoming birthday party. For a fee of only $200, children aged five to eight can experience a two-hour transportation-themed party, and up to seven friends are included in the price. You can book by calling the museum at 306-693-5989.
Volunteering
The WDM is always looking for volunteers to help make programming, summer events, and numerous specialized roles at the museum possible. During regular volunteer intakes, volunteer co-ordinator Alexis Jones will give a facility tour, review safety protocols, and match opportunities to volunteers’ skills and interests.
• Next volunteer orientations: Contact Alexis Jones at 306-693-5989 for more information.
The WDM is the largest human history museum in Saskatchewan and features a collection of over 75,000 artifacts across four locations. The Moose Jaw branch specializes in the history of transportation.
The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the summer, excluding statutory holidays. For more information, visit WDM.ca/Moose-Jaw or reach out to the museum’s program and volunteer coordinator, Alexis Jones, at 306-693-5989 or by email at AJones@wdm.ca.
The Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw is located at 50 Diefenbaker Drive.
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
July. Photo by: Aaron Walker
AVE NE
Local author brings pre-contact Indigenous history of ‘The Bend’ to life in new novel
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
A summer of magic, mystery, and bravery has come to an end, as the Sand Hills People witness the rise of one remarkable man and the decline of another in Ron Farnel’s first book, “Before the Yellow Fields: Mysteries and Memories at the Turn,” an historical fiction novel that delves into Indigenous life in Southern Saskatchewan before European contact.
The novel, released May 29, transports readers to the rugged terrain of the Moose Jaw River, a site of historical significance for Indigenous communities. Farnel, a retired farmer now living in Moose Jaw who grew up surrounded by Indigenous artifacts, said the area’s history has always fascinated him.
“I was raised on a farm that had teepee rings, and we occasionally would find stone hammers, or, once in a while, an arrowhead. So I’ve always had this interest …,” Farnel explained. “After I retired, I thought, maybe I’ll write a story about the Moose Jaw area … known as ‘The Turn.’ It was a well-known place during Indigenous times.”
“The Turn” is a well-known bend in the Moose Jaw River that has been a site of historical importance for Indigenous bands, Métis buffalo hunters, and even the Hudson’s Bay Company. Farnel’s novel blends historical facts with fiction, bringing the area to life during a time when the land was central to trade and spiritual practices.
Although Farnel has no Indigenous ancestry, he emphasized that his book is a work of fiction rather
than a cultural or historical manual. He hopes to provide readers with a close representation of pre-settlement life in the area, focusing on the human side of the story.
“I wanted to portray these characters as ordinary, not as saints or sinners, but as real people,” he said. “I wanted to show their human side — just like us, they had their strengths and flaws.”
The book’s central character, Walks Alone, grapples with tensions between himself and another character, Yellow Snake, as they navigate life on the Prairies.
Ron Farnel’s debut novel, “Before the Yellow Fields: Mysteries and Memories at the Turn,” explores pre-contact Indigenous life in Southern Saskatchewan and is available now for purchase on Amazon. ca. Photo by: Amazon.ca
“In this novel, I have aimed to blend historical context with narrative intrigue, reflecting the human complexities that still resonate today,” he explained. “I have written this manuscript in a simple, straightforward style, as if the readers are listening to a storyteller, reminiscent of the
Indigenous peoples themselves.”
Farnel included elements of Indigenous spirituality, such as animal guides and apparitions, to reflect their worldview. He noted that his portrayal is based on his own research and understanding of pre-contact times. While he hoped to consult with Indigenous Elders, he wasn’t sure how to begin the process and didn’t expect the story to become a full book.
The story spans a wide swath of southern Saskatchewan, with events taking place from the Sandhills to the U.S. border. Farnel said he wanted to portray the vastness of the region and how Indigenous people relied on oral stories to navigate their world.
Farnel, a lifelong writer, began working on his novel after retiring. What started as a short story quickly grew into a full novel, and with his debut now published, he’s already working on a sequel.
“I hope people enjoy the mystery and the magic in the book, but I also hope they get a sense of the history and the significance of the land and its people,” he said. “I devoted considerable effort to crafting a surprising conclusion … I invite you to explore this intricate world, filled with mystery and magic, where individuals confront spiritual challenges, encounter animals, and battle demonic forces, all while grappling with the human frailties that persist in our modern lives.”
“Before the Yellow Fields: Mysteries and Memories at the Turn” is now available for purchase on Amazon.ca.
MON: $20 o 60/80 Min Pedicures
TUES: $100 Mani/Pedi Combo
WED: 25% o Waxing Treatments
THURS: 20% o Relaxation Massage/Body Treatments
Weekly Nature Moose Jaw walks uncover Wakamow’s wild side
A new guided walking series is inviting nature lovers to slow down, look around, and discover the wildlife and history hidden in their own backyard this summer.
Hosted by Nature Moose Jaw in partnership with the Wakamow Valley Authority, the weekly “Discovery Walks” offer a relaxed way to explore the valley’s rich ecology and cultural landscape — all while enjoying some fresh air and community connection.
“We’re trying to do it once a week, and we’re doing (the walks) in different areas in Wakamow,” explained Rich Pickering, president of Nature Moose Jaw and tour guide for the walks.
Each walk is completely free to attend and lasts approximately one hour.
Pickering tailors each walk to accommodate whatever nature has on display at the time — from blooming wildflowers, rare plants including a few recently spotted Lady’s Slippers (Cypripedioideae), nesting birds, or deer, fox, and other wildlife.
“(On the walks), we’ll talk about some of the cultural and natural history of the areas that we’re walking through,”
he said.
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
Walks are currently scheduled twice per week: Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and again Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., with each route repeated to offer more flexibility for attendees. The group meets at different starting points each week, depending on the area being explored, with walk details posted on the “Moose Jaw Nature Society” Facebook page. The reason for a different page name, Pickering noted, is because it remains to be updated to reflect Nature Moose Jaw’s current name.
All walks are designed to be as accessible as possible given the terrain.
“If it’s going to be a tougher walk, then I’ll advertise it as such,” Pickering said. “I’m trying to get them so they’re all relatively easy to go on.”
Discovery Walks also tie in with the Wakamow Valley Authority’s “Adopt-aPatch” program — a volunteer stewardship initiative encouraging individuals and groups to care for a particular zone in the valley. Nature Moose Jaw has adopted the area surrounding the public bird feeder, keeping it clean and filled
A cluster of Lady’s Slippers (Cypripedioideae) in bloom, photographed by Rich Pickering during one of this year’s Discovery Walks in Wakamow Valley. The rare native orchid was among several notable plant sightings recorded on the weekly tours this summer. Photo by: Rich Pickering
with seed throughout the year.
Pickering said part of the walk experience includes helping participants learn how to use iNaturalist, a digital platform that allows users to document species sightings and contribute to a growing database.
“It’s a way of getting people familiar with what’s in the valley,” he said. “For instance, we’ve got over 200 spe-
cies of birds that have been recorded in the valley, and we’ve got a list of over 200 plant species.” He noted that, of the recorded plant species, many more are likely to be included in the database — and that the exact number is “probably double” the current record.
The growing database submitted through the iNaturalist app plays a key role in local conservation and land management efforts. The data helps track the spread of invasive species such as leafy spurge, map native biodiversity, and document rare or previously unrecorded finds that could influence future planning in the valley.
Pickering encouraged residents to come out, ask questions, and learn about what makes the Wakamow ecosystem so unique.
“Come learn about what’s in your backyard,” he said.
For current updates, walk locations and starting points, or to get involved, visit the “Moose Jaw Nature Society” Facebook page. To reach Rich Pickering directly, call 306-690-6267 or email R.Pickering@sasktel.net.
Mom’s recipe wins the day in sweet showdown at Atria Mulberry
There was only one thing sweeter than the smell of cinnamon and baked apples drifting through the event room at Atria Mulberry Estates on the afternoon of July 10 — and that was the spirited showdown between two friendly rivals, each serving up their best take on a classic apple pie.
In one corner, Executive Chef Andi represented the professional kitchen staff at the retirement residence; in the other, longtime resident Dee Wilby — or “Chef Dee” for the day — honoured her mother’s time-tested recipe in front of a packed house of neighbours and friends.
“This is my mom’s recipe for apple pie,” Wilby said. “She taught me an awful lot, and she made an awful lot of apple pies because we had a lot of apples growing around. She had a recipe for pastry that you could just use it and use it and use it and it would never get tough.”
The event, hosted by Atria Mulber-
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
ry Estates, welcomed a panel of guest judges, including Rob Clark, CEO of the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce; Acting Chief Rick Johns with the Moose Jaw Police Service; Fern Paulhus with Moose Jaw Search and Rescue; Anna Penner with Mulberry Estates; and myself, representing the
Moose Jaw Express.
We weren’t the only ones tasked with the important duty of declaring a winner — a panel of resident judges also sampled a slice of each pie, and more than a dozen residents also took part in the effort.
Chef Andi took a creative approach to her entry, admitting she didn’t grow up with a traditional pie recipe in the family.
“My mom was not a pie maker,” she explained. “So my mom made a lot of crumble … I loved crumble growing up. When I got older, I learned how to make pie. I was like, well, pie is good, but I love crumble, and so I combined them. Mine is a caramel apple crumble pie — kind of the best of both worlds.”
From a judge’s perspective, both pies brought something special to the table.
Chef Dee’s pie featured expertly baked pastry — golden, flaky, and
Estates
tender, with the kind of texture only achieved by a well-rested dough and a practiced hand. While the slice was a little rustic on the plate, the flavour was unbeatable. The apples were cooked to a perfect consistency, with a deep cinnamon richness that evoked all the comforts of home.
Chef Andi’s creation, meanwhile, offered a standout presentation. The pie held together beautifully, with a goldencrisp topping and smooth filling that brought the apple crisp influence to life. Though the filling had less pronounced spice and was served partially frozen, it made for a refreshing contrast on a hot July day.
When the final votes were tallied, Chef Dee earned a decisive win: 23 votes to Chef Andi’s eight.
For my part, the vote went to Chef Dee — proving, perhaps, that there really is no substitute for mom’s home cooking.
Chef Dee, left, and Chef Andi, right, hold up their certificates for first and second place following the apple pie bake-off held July 10 at Atria Mulberry Estates. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Mosses and Mushrooms
The mushrooms that seem to magically appear almost overnight in our lawns are the fruiting bodies of a fungus. Fungi cannot manufacture their own food and must obtain it from an external source. In most cases, the clusters of mushrooms in our lawns are present because they are part of the natural process of decomposition of stumps or roots left from a tree removal or even from construction debris. Sometimes mushrooms appear to be marching across the lawn as they follow the path of a root underground. Do not worry about a few mushrooms in your landscape as they will not damage the lawn. If you find them unsightly, they can be picked or raked. They will generally disappear as the weather becomes dry.
There is another kind of mushroom that appears in lawn areas – and this one is worthy of some treatment. Fairy rings appear as circles of dark green or brown circles in the lawn. In wet weather, small tan mushrooms often appear in the ring. If you dig into the fairy ring you will find a white, fibrous net-like growth, the mycelium, throughout the soil. As the growth spreads, the ring grows along the outer edge. The mycelium can become so dense that water will not penetrate and the grass above it dies.
Fairy rings can be present on any kind of lawn but are found more often on dry, under fertilized lawns. Control begins with good lawn maintenance. The spike and soak method is the only real method of control for fairy ring. Use a garden fork to make holes through-out the ring. The holes should be about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart. The area must then be soaked every day or two for at least a month, especially if the ring has dry grass in the center. A teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water can be sprayed on the area before soaking. The soap will act as a wetting agent and helps the water soak into the affected area. If the ring is small, it is possible to remove the entire
ring along with at least 18 inches of soil on each side of the ring. The soil must be removed to a depth of at least 2 inches below the mycelium. Fairy rings will die out when they approach sidewalks, flower beds, or other cultivated areas. Two rings meeting will also cause the death of both rings.
Mosses appear when grass is weakened by unfavorable growing conditions. Mosses prefer damp, heavily shaded areas and are often found on the north side of buildings. In addition, heavily compacted soil and low fertility encourage growth. Moss is not harmful to lawns but rather occupies the bare spots in lawns as grass thins. If moss is not deeply rooted, it can be raked out. There are chemical controls available but unless the conditions which encourage moss growth are changed, the moss will return. Several cultural practices will discourage moss growth. It is a
good idea to plant shade tolerant grasses or shade-loving plants or shrubs. Fertilize the lawn regularly. Avoid soil compaction by staying off wet lawns. If your lawn is compacted it can be aerated. Avoid overwatering. Reduce thatch by vigorous raking. Where shade is the result of trees and shrubs, pruning and thinning will allow more light into the area and better air circulation. As conditions which favour grass growth are improved, the grass will compete better with the moss.
It is important to remember that both mosses and mushrooms will grow when conditions are right for them to thrive…..sometimes as gardeners it is wise to bow to the forces greater than we and to focus on other more important tasks!
Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at www.orchidhort.com; by email at growyourfuture@gmail.com on facebook @orchidhort and on instagram at #orchidhort.
Tune into GROW Live on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ orchidhort or check out the Youtube channel GROW… https://www.youtube.com/channel/
By Patricia Hanbidge For Moose Jaw Express
In photos: Sidewalk Days ’25 draws thousands to downtown Moose Jaw
Thousands of tourists, residents, shoppers, and families filled Main Street North last week as the annual Kinsmen Sidewalk Days Festival returned to downtown Moose Jaw from July 3 to 5.
Festivalgoers lined nine blocks in the city’s downtown core, taking in live music from two main stages, browsing rows of sold-out vendor booths, and enjoying warm summer weather — with hot, sunny conditions Thursday and Friday giving way to cloudy, hazy skies on Saturday.
This year’s event featured 249 vendors, with everything from food trucks and crafts to clothing, souvenirs, and home and garden goods. Younger guests enjoyed bouncy castles, games, and a roaming magician at the Children’s Village, while the Moose Jaw Co-op Chill Tent offered families a shaded place to cool off. Déjà Vu Café’s popular inflatable “Duel Zone” was a hit again this year, offering gladiator-style games for older kids and teens. A few Marvel heroes including Spider-Man, Iron Man,
Two individuals check out a miniature enclosed scooter at the SaskPromo.com and Moose Jaw Express pavilion on July 5. The electric vehicles are available for purchase through SaskPromo.com. Photo by: Aaron Walker
and Wolverine were on hand for photos at Joe’s Place Youth Centre, adding to the excitement.
Organizers expected a strong turnout again this year, building on the estimated 22,000 visitors in 2024 — a number fuelled in part by more Canadians choosing to stay local for summer vacations.
The festival wrapped up Saturday evening around 5 p.m. and remained busy up to closing.
THIS WEEKS FLYERS
For more information about Sidewalk Days ’25, visit TourismMooseJaw. com/Sidewalk-Days.
with SaskPromo.com and Moose Jaw Express at the corner of High Street and Main Street North on July 5.
Moose Jaw Co-op
South Hill Fine Foods
No Frills
Cabela’s
Home Hardware
Giant Tiger
Gray Matters
*Full Circulation means every home & paper should have this yer. If you are missing call us @306-694-1322. *Selected Areas means only selected areas were chosen by the business or agency (please call the business).
THANKS FOR READING
day
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
Festivalgoers fill Main Street North during Sidewalk Days in downtown Moose Jaw, which stretched across nine blocks and featured more than 240 vendors.
Photo by: Aaron Walker
A wide view of Main Street looking south on Saturday, July 5, during the final day of the Kinsmen Sidewalk Days Festival. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Sidewalk Days stretched as far north as Ross Street, pictured here on July 5 under hazy skies during the final
of the festival. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Crowds browse vendor booths during Sidewalk Days, part of a festival that drew thousands to the city’s downtown core from July 3 to 5. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Two youths pose for a photo with Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Iron Man at Joe’s Place Youth Centre — one of many family-friendly attractions at this year’s event.
Photo by: Aaron Walker
Banu (left), Aras, and Pragati (front, centre) Krishnamoorthy, alongside Wanda Hallborg (right), attend Sidewalk Days
Photo by: Aaron Walker
City’s art group hires new mural repairer to replace retiring Grant McLaughlin
City hall’s public art committee has accepted the retirement notice of long-time mural repair artist Grant McLaughlin and has appointed Tonia Vermette to replace him.
During their recent meeting, committee members accepted McLaughlin’s retirement from his annual mural maintenance duties and appointed Vermette as the new artist responsible for inspecting, maintaining and preserving city-controlled murals.
Furthermore, Vermette will work under McLaughlin during this year’s mural repairs, while she will assume full responsibility in 2026.
The committee discussed Vermette’s resumé and reviewed her art portfolio during the meeting, while they also reviewed the resumé and portfolio of another artist who had applied for the mural maintenance role.
“The way I see it, Tonia’s resumé and portfolio are very, very thorough. And if someone is going to be this thorough in trying to get the job, she’ll be thorough with the work,” said chairwoman Yvette Moore. “That’s the way I feel.”
Derek Blais, director of community services, agreed, saying McLaughlin has worked with her before — on a project in Yorkton — and would be comfortable with her taking over.
Meanwhile, Blais said he spoke to McLaughlin recently and the latter confirmed that he is “at that age where a lot of things that he used to be able to do, he just can’t do anymore. So (we’re) very grateful for the work he’s done for us … .”
Continuing, Blais said McLaughlin is willing to work with a new person to share tips and
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.
-- Steve Jobs --
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
tricks on how best to maintain and repair the community’s 46 city-controlled murals.
Meanwhile, the community services director said he created a chart that lists every mural in the city’s inventory and its location, the year it was installed, the original artist(s), the owner, the dimensions, the material on which it’s painted, its condition and its maintenance history.
Blais said he and McLaughlin had not yet conducted a full inspection of every mural, something they do annually. However, that is something the latter plans to do with Vermette in July and August, while they will complete any necessary maintenance in September.
“Overall, I think a lot of the murals are in great shape, (while) there are a few identified as fair,” Blais said, noting the “Air Force Blue” mural at 112 First Avenue Northeast needs touching up since it’s fading and has graffiti.
Besides that mural, other ones in fair condition that McLaughlin could address this year include “The Lady and the Cow” at 602 Main Street North, “Driving Through the Years” at 80 Caribou Street West, “The Jewels and the Royals” at 145 Ross Street East and “Tribute to Victoria School” at 175 First Avenue Northeast.
Blais said that he spoke to McLaughlin about repairing “The Lady and the Cow” mu-
PUBLIC NOTICE
Proposed Storm Water Utility Bylaw
The City of Moose Jaw hereby gives notice, pursuant to the City’s Procedure Bylaw No. 5716, that City Council will consider third reading of Bylaw No. 5733, Storm Water Utility Bylaw at its regular meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall.
Written submissions and requests to address Council must be received by the City Clerk’s O ce, 228 Main St N, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3J8 or emailed to cclerk@moosejaw.ca by 10:00 a.m. on July 28, 2025. For inquiries regarding the proposed Bylaw and report, contact the Financial Services Department at 306-694-4474.
Dated at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan the 16th day of July 2025.
Tracy Wittke, City Clerk
ral, with the artist suggesting that the artwork be replicated on panels so they can be moved if necessary. Moreover, that would negate the need for having ladders near the power lines.
In the past, SaskPower has turned off the power in those lines so McLaughlin could fix the mural, with the Crown corporation cutting the power when it didn’t affect businesses, Blais added.
The committee then agreed to allocate up to $7,5000 for this year’s mural maintenance and restoration projects, while it ordered city administration to provide an updated mural maintenance report once this year’s repair program is completed.
The next public art committee meeting is in September.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO AMEND ZONING BYLAW NO. 5346
The Moose Jaw City Council intends to consider a bylaw pursuant to The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend the City of Moose Jaw’s Zoning Bylaw No. 5346.
The proposed amendment would allow Secondary Suites is the C2 District as a permitted use.
Additional information may be found at www.moosejaw.ca under “City News.”
Public feedback and questions on the proposed Bylaw may be directed to Planning and Development, 228 Main Street North, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3J8, by phone at 306-694-4443, or by email at planning@moosejaw.ca. All written submissions mus be received by 10:00 am on Monday, July 28, 2025. The proposed Bylaw and any related submissions will be considered at the regular meeting of City Council in Council Chambers, City Hall, at 4:30 pm on Monday, July 28, 2025.
DATED at the City of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan this 8th day of July, 2025.
Tracy Wittke City Clerk
From The Kitchen
By Joyce Walter - For Moose Jaw Express
Egg still perfect food but more expensive than 1990
A cookbook, recently gifted to me, has a large section showing a number of ways to cook eggs. The authors suggest an egg is the perfect food, containing only 80 calories, is 12 per cent protein and is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Because this book was published in 1990, the assumption is made that eggs are inexpensive to purchase — welcome to 2025 — when eggs are not inexpensive but are still essential to many recipes.
Tip: store eggs in refrigerator. “An egg loses as much freshness in one hour sitting on the counter as it would in a day if kept cool.”
Tip: “Buy medium-sized eggs as much as possible. They are less expensive and don’t make a bit of difference to the recipe.”
This week’s recipes applaud the egg.
•
EGG-STUFFED TOMATOES
4 firm tomatoes
4 eggs
salt and pepper to taste
4 tsps. grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. chopped basil
1/2 large garlic clove, finely sliced
Slice tops off tomatoes and scoop out pulp without damaging the outer skin.
Break 1 egg into each tomato and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cheese.
In a small bowl mix the olive oil, basil and garlic. Brush tomato skins with the oil mixture.
Place tomatoes in a microwave safe flatbottomed dish and cook in microwave at high for 1 1/2 minutes. Check the egg for doneness. If necessary cook for another 30 seconds.
Mix tomato pulp with chilled iceberg lettuce to serve as a salad with the stuffed tomatoes. •
SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH TOMATOES
6 eggs
2 tsps. chili sauce
1 tsp. tomato paste
1 tbsp. butter
1/4 cup red tomato, diced
1/4 cup green tomato, diced salt and pepper to taste
In a large bowl, beat the eggs with chili sauce and tomato paste.
Melt butter in a skillet and add eggs and cook over medium heat. Stir often to remove all trace of white and to keep the mixture from browning.
Halfway through cooking, add tomatoes and salt and pepper. Blend well. Serve hot with a side salad and toast and jam. Serves 4.
SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH SPINACH
1 tsp. oil
8 bacon slices, cut into bite-size pieces
6 eggs
1 tsp. butter
1 cup spinach, stemmed and finely shredded
1 tsp. green onios, chopped salt and pepper to taste
In a skillet, heat oil and fry bacon. In a large bowl, beat eggs. To get a creamy consistency, beat until yolks and whites are fully blended.
When bacon is almost crisp, remove excess fat. Melt butter and add to eggs. Pour into skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently.
Halfway through cooking process, drop shredded spinach and onions into egg mixture and season with salt and pepper. Makes 4 servngs.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
Safety, insurance main reasons city hall evicted tenant from historic building
Although city hall has no immediate plans for the historic Morrison Blackwood Hardware building, it nevertheless evicted the former owner who lived there for safety and insurance reasons, the city manager says.
The municipality has been the registered owner of the building at 134 Manitoba Street West and an adjacent multi-tenant retail building at 114 Manitoba Street West since Dec. 3, 2021, after acquiring them during a tax dispute with former owner, Vernon Anderson, of D-S Automotive Ltd.
Meanwhile, a King’s Bench judge granted the city a writ of possession on Feb. 28, 2025, which allowed it to evict Anderson from the premises — an eviction that occurred in mid-June.
Anderson is appealing the King’s Bench decision to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, while the city has also
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
asked the latter to quash his appeal. Three appeals judges are expected in September to hear the city’s argument to strike Anderson’s request.
During an interview with MooseJawToday.com, city manager Maryse Carmichael said city hall is finalizing all the legal processes now with the building, since it would grow more difficult to close this file the longer the organization waits to address it.
Continuing, the city manager said it would likely take a few months before the municipality completed all the necessary legal activities. Once that occurs, city hall will decide what to do with the buildings as it does with other sites it takes possession of after tax disputes.
It’s taken a long time to address the former Blackwood building situation, as city hall has had several discussions
with Anderson about his presence there and with the province about acquiring help to evict the man, said Carmichael.
“That’s just the normal process for any landlords, I think, that if they need to have the property vacated, that’s a process that can be used through the province,” she continued.
Carmichael was unwilling to say whether city hall gave Anderson several months’ notice before evicting him, and instead, pointed back to the decision that a King’s Bench judge made in February, granting a writ of possession to the municipality. She noted that the city waited almost five months before it “made (the eviction) happen.”
There were “many reasons” why the city didn’t let Anderson stay until it knew what it was going to do with the building or until the legal processes had concluded, she continued. The
main reason is that the property is the city’s responsibility, and similar to other owners, it has obligations to address safety and insurance issues.
“So, we needed to ensure we had full control of the building,” Carmichael added.
Meanwhile, the city manager said city council will likely decide what to do with the building, although she wasn’t sure — nor had she thought about — whether council would discuss the situation in public or behind closed doors.
However, similar to most structures that the municipality obtains through tax enforcement, the most likely scenario is that city hall will sell the building, as it did with a structure on Caribou Street West that will soon become a microbrewery, Carmichael added.
29th annual Eyebrow Fair tradition continues
Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express, Photos by Ron Walter
The little girl riding in the arena during the break in the horse show started circling with her chubby pony.
Around and around she and the horse went in circles
Someone standing outside the arena asked “Are you dizzy?’’
She nodded yes.
Another bystander held up three fingers and asked, “How many fingers do you see?’’
She ignored the question, stopped circling, walked the horse a few feet and began circling around and around again.
This was just one of the family fun moments at the 29th annual Eyebrow Fair.
The fair is an old time country event with a large number of horse show classes, parade, slo-pitch ball tournament, bouncy castles, a large household arts competition,
burger concession and home made pie booth.
The day leaves no one hungry starting with a pancake breakfast of two pancakes, two eggs, two slices of ham and bacon and a beverage — all for only $5.
The pancake breakfast price is kept low as a service to the community.
The day wound up with a chicken dinner, dance and fireworks.
All this was organized and attended by a community of 130 people and surrounding districts.
The fair was started by Wanda White and volunteers to give young riders an opportunity to practise showing horses in a less challenging environment than big cities.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
By Joyce Walter - for Moose Jaw Express
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
Thoughts turn to Robert: the pen pal who ghosted me Reflective Moments
I wonder what Robert is doing this summer. I wonder if Robert is still alive. I wonder if he remembers me.
Robert was the name of the pen pal with whom I corresponded, via letters, many years ago, thanks to an advertisement in the Free PressWeekly or the Western Producer.
If I recall correctly, the weekly newspaper had a youth page and it carried requests for pen pals — from youths around Saskatchewan and destinations beyond my imagination.
The request from Robert caught my youthful attention, perhaps because he promised to write to everyone who responded to his request. I believe he lived on a farm somewhere on the Prairies because he said he wanted to talk about dogs and horses.
Dogs I could do and I had a friend with horses so figured I could muddle
my way through a letter or two.
Because I was only 11 or 12, I had to have permission from the parents to engage in a pen pal-ish relationship. Mom encouraged me to dazzle Robert with my penmanship and grasp of other grammatical parts of a handwritten letter. Dad said okay, “as long as he doesn’t show up on the doorstep.”
And so I wrote a letter to Robert, in care of the newspaper whose staff would forward the letter to its final destination.
Then I waited for a return letter. I hurried to the post office on a daily basis until there it was, a letter addressed to me, in handwriting that could have used some improvement I ran to the oil shed to share my letter with Dad. We learned that Robert lived on a farm, had dogs and horses, was a grade ahead of me in school, played the piano and liked hockey al-
though he didn’t play. He was an only child and had received 25 (I think) responses to his ad. Dad grunted and went about his business.
Mom was more supportive and encouraged me to write my return letter, telling him about myself.
This pen pal business with Robert lasted about a year and then he stopped writing. No explanation, no good bye, just ghosted, I was, in today’s vernacular.
So, I wonder about him as I read the Western Producer. There is no youth club any longer and the Personal ads are nearly non-existent, the digital social media platforms having taken over from the printed word.
The only personal ad reads: “a senior gentleman seeks lasting relationship.” This man says he loves farm life and shares it with many pets. Horse
owner would be ideal but not necessary. Hmmmm!! Could this be an older Robert? He has pets and hopes someone who has horses will apply. Those similarities root out my natural snoop meter. Should I apply, just to see if there is a connection to my pen pal Robert?
Nope, I don’t have horses, and depending on the pets in his menagerie, my allergies might flare up.
I want to know but I echo my dad in “hoping the guy at the other end doesn’t show up on my doorstep.”
Housemate might have an opinion about my interest in this ad and I suspect it would be to tell me to write a letter to one of my cousins if I’m so darned committed to having a pen pal.
I wonder if that seniors’ paper has a pen pal section?
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net
Friendly City Optimist Club presents ‘25 ‘Friend of Youth’ scholarships
Aaron Walker (with submission by Lynann Pethick) - Moose Jaw Express
The Friendly City Optimist Club has recognized two outstanding Grade 12 students from Moose Jaw with its annual “Friend of Youth” scholarships.
“Congratulations to all Moose Jaw graduates,” said Lynann Pethick, a committee member with the Friendly City Optimist Club.
To learn more, visit “Friendly City Optimist Club of Moose Jaw” on Facebook.
On June 24, Ireland Guillaume and Arlyn Dagsaan Dequina were each presented with a $1,000 scholarship, which is awarded to students who have shown exceptional commitment to their community. The scholarship decision is made by a committee, and this year, both Ireland and Arlyn were chosen for their dedication and achievements.
to the
for MJ Express
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Left to right: Darlene Thompson, chairperson of the Friendly City Optimist Club; scholarship recipients Ireland Guillaume and Arlyn Dagsaan Dequina; and committee members Lynann Pethick and Gayle Jones. Photo by: Friendly City Optimist Club/Submitted
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Re: Parking problems in Moose Jaw attending major events
To the Editor:
A recent discussion was about the angst from the parking problems experienced by visitors to a major event in Moose jaw. A concern was that other major events might bypass this city because of that sour issue.
• Please do not write letters of personal attack or are condescending.
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There is a solution. Think of the wheel chair paddles one sees hanging from mirrors. Have a local firm make something similar highlighting the event and dates the paddle is good for. How to distribute? Those wanting to attract major events and the city fathers should be able to sort that out.
Lorne Jackson
‘A home to call their own’: Square One housing program now supporting 22 people
Since officially ramping up operations in April, Square One Community Inc.’s supportive housing program has already helped 22 individuals transition out of chronic homelessness and into homes of their own.
With full staffing now in place, the program — headquartered at William Milne Place — is showing results that board chair Della Ferguson describes as both profound and life-changing.
“We’ve already housed 22 people since April 1,” Ferguson said. “That’s when we (received) our full staff increment, and so William Milne is filled. We are now filling other scattered supportive housing sites, but they still get the same support, and the difference is profound.”
William Milne Place has a capacity of 15 units. To meet additional need, Square One has expanded into what are known as “scattered sites” — independent housing units in the community arranged through partnerships with local landlords. Residents placed in these sites still receive the same wraparound
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supports as those living at William Milne.
“We have built relationships with different landlords in our community and they welcome that, because they know these tenants are going to be supported in their journey …,” said Ferguson. “So it’s a win-win in that sense, right?”
CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES
THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JULY 14
Empire School is no longer in operation, but an adjacent ball diamond could live on as a site for fastball use — if the city can reach an agreement with the province.
During its recent executive committee meeting, city council authorized city administration to start negotiations with Prairie South School Division and the Province of Saskatchewan for the potential subdivision and acquisition of the ball diamond, roughly 1.14 acres in size.
If successful, the Moose Jaw and District Minor Girls’ Fastball Association and City of Moose Jaw would continue using the venue for recreational purposes.
Also, administration will identify the maximum costs of the site, which
The program works with individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and provides both housing and ongoing therapeutic support from trained staff.
“The work that’s being done daily in these therapeutic relationships that our staff are building with the people we serve is just outstanding,” she said. “We’re such believers in the value of this, and we really do believe that this is going to make a difference. It already has (made a difference) in people’s lives, but (it will also make a difference) in the life of our community.”
The goal is to give individuals not just a roof over their heads, but a chance to feel safe, supported, and connected to others — something Ferguson said can be life-altering.
“You know, these are people who were unhoused and experiencing chronic homelessness. Twenty-two now have a home to call their own,” she said, alluding to the film published by Square One and the John Howard Society, “A Home to Call My Own,”
that premiered on Nov. 17, 2024.
“That sense of safety that they feel when their door is unlocked and they’re shown their own place for the first time — there’s just a neat sense of relief,” she added.
Square One continues to seek funding to expand the program’s staffing and reach, including its planned participation in the third annual “Friendraiser” networking event on Aug. 14 in Regina. For now, Ferguson said the team is simply grateful to witness steady progress being made.
“(This experience) is beyond our imagination,” she said. “I can’t imagine the difference this makes for them. We are passionate, and we really believe in (doing our part to help them embrace) this difference.”
William Milne Place is located at 132 Fairford Street West. For more information, visit SquareOneHousingMooseJaw.com or contact CommunitySquareOne@gmail.com.
City hall considers buying ball diamond beside Empire School
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
will form the basis for the land acquisition negotiations, with the municipality’s land development fund (miscellaneous reserve account) to be the source of funding.
City manager Maryse Carmichael told MooseJawToday.com that this is a new situation for the city, where four schools are closing and one joint-use school is opening. Therefore, city hall is looking to be proactive in potentially acquiring this ball diamond for future use.
Carmichael commended Derek Blais, director of community services, for being proactive in preserving the venue and ensuring recreation groups and sports teams can still access the ball diamond.
Meanwhile, Carmichael did not
know how much the city might pay for the venue, but pointed out that the province has special provisions for municipalities that want to acquire school buildings or land. She didn’t know the details of those special provisions but noted that city hall is investigating what they might entail while discussing the situation with the province.
Continuing, the city manager said it’s up to the province and school divisions — Holy Trinity Catholic School Division is the other organization closing schools on South Hill — to decide what they will do with those buildings.
Prairie South has closed Empire and Westmount schools, while Holy Trinity has closed Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s. The new joint-use school in southwest Moose Jaw will be called Co-
teau Hills Elementary School and Our Lady of Hope Elementary School.
“I don’t know if it makes sense even for the city to acquire potentially some of those buildings,” Carmichael said. “I think in the last few years, we’re more in the business of consolidating our own footprint.”
The city has sold a handful of buildings during the past several years, such as the former sports vault on Fairford Street West, which is positive since the public can use those structures for other purposes, she continued.
“But, certainly, we’re open to the discussion (of potentially acquiring the former school buildings) if council wants us to have the discussion,” Carmichael added.
This private room at William Milne Place is now home to one of 22 individuals on the road to recovery through Square One’s supportive housing initiative. Photo by: Square One Community Inc.
Gentleman’s Club prepares to host fifth annual Grace Street Show & Shine
Chrome will be gleaming and engines revving once again on Saturday, Aug. 9, as the Grace Street Gentleman’s Club rolls out the red carpet for the fifth annual Grace Street Show & Shine in Moose Jaw.
The grassroots neighbourhood event has now grown into a full-scale celebration of automotive culture, drawing well over 130 vehicles last year, with hopes of pushing 200 entries this August. The show is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Grace Street, running from Eleventh Avenue to Thirteenth Avenue.
Gates open ahead of the show at 8 a.m., and awards will be handed out at 3 p.m. There is no cost to attend the show as a spectator, but all vehicle entries will be charged $20 at the gate.
What began as a casual backyard chat among car-loving neighbours has become one of the city’s most popular local showcases for classic vehicles.
“The neighbors across the street and a couple down this way all have (classic) cars. We were sitting there having an afternoon cocktail, and conversation came up about car shows. We just figured, ‘Hey, I wonder if the city would let us do one here?’” said co-founder Bill Hrechka. “So we went down, applied, and the city gave us a permit.”
What started with just 37 cars — including Hrechka’s own ’58 Chevrolet Impala and ’67 Chevrolet Nova — and “all of maybe two weeks to put it together” has steadily grown year after year. The second show drew about 70 vehicles, followed by 139 entries in 2024. Hrechka said momentum is still
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
growing.
The registration fee helps cover the cost of insurance and other expenses, including on-site vendors and portable washrooms. It’s not just about showing off polished fenders and souped-up engines, of course — it’s also about giving back. Proceeds from the show will once again support the Moose Jaw Humane Society with a cash donation, and non-perishable food donations will be forwarded to the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank ahead of major fall donation campaigns.
The continued support for the local animal shelter is also a way to honour late co-founder Robert (Bob) Reid, who died in 2024.
“We gave (a donation to the Moose Jaw Humane Society) on behalf of Bob last year, as that was his favourite char-
ity,” Hrechka said, adding that the 2024 donation from the show held in commemoration of the co-founder amounted to around $5,000.
The club, made up of around 14 members — mostly neighbours and
close friends — continues to keep the event accommodating. Starting early, the Moose Jaw Elks will host a separate pancake breakfast on-site with hot dogs and hamburgers available later in the day, and additional vendor options include ice cream and snow cones. Portable washrooms have been added this year, and volunteers will be on standby to help co-ordinate parking and vehicle setup.
“We’re not trying to make money,” said Hrechka. “We’re just trying to make it go.”
Spectators and participants are asked to bring a non-perishable donation for the food bank, and although admission is free for spectators, an optional donation at the gate will help support the humane society.
Ahead of the show on Friday, Aug. 8, classic car owners are invited to attend a sunset cruise, starting at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall at 7 p.m.
For updates and further information, visit “Grace Street Gentleman’s Club” on Facebook.
‘Dark
winter of exclusion’: new book looks at Ottawa’s anti-Chinese policy in 1920s
The federal government imposed the Chinese Exclusion Act on July 1, 1923, which negatively affected over 56,000 people nationwide, including Moose Jaw-based men like Sang (Charlie) Chow, Yow Yuk Yee and Wong Poy Jing.
Ottawa imposed the legislation to control the Chinese community and make it difficult for them to remain in Canada. This draconian law — a “humiliation,” as people called it — repressed and isolated people for almost a quarter century before the federal government lifted the Act in 1947.
Ottawa gave Chinese people one year to register — it was mandatory — and the first from Moose Jaw was Yee, 29, who worked as a cook at the Maple Leaf Restaurant on River Street West, according to his Chinese Immigration (C.I.44) information sheet.
Born in Hoi Ning, Canton, China, he arrived in Victoria, B.C. on Feb. 9, 1913, leaving behind a wife and infant son. He was forced to pay the $500 head tax to enter Canada, which Ottawa had
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imposed to restrict Chinese immigration.
Yee registered at the RCMP detachment in Regina on Oct. 11, 1923, with his certificate showing he was five-foot-six and had a burn mark above his right eye.
The oldest Chinese person from Moose Jaw to register was Jing, who was 67, lived at 160 River Street West and was a cook. He arrived in Canada on June 10, 1896, with one son in tow; he left behind a wife and four children.
He registered in Moose Jaw on May 27, 1924.
Chow, 48, arrived in Victoria on May 17, 1899, and later moved to Moose Jaw. He was married to a Romanian wife, Mary, while he worked at a restaurant at 128 River Street West and ran a small general store; he lived at 841 Coteau Street West.
Chow registered on March 14, 1924, while he waited until June 14, 1924 — 16 days before
the deadline — to register his five children, including son Peter, 11. The adults received C.I.44 certificates, while Ottawa issued C.I.45 immigration cards to Canadian-born kids — the paper identities did not grant them legal status in Canada.
It was through Peter that Charlie became the great-grandfather of Darin and David Chow, who sit as judges in Moose Jaw.
Chow, Yee and Jing were just some interesting people whom author Catherine Clement discovered while researching the topic and who are included in her new book “The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act.”
Clement will be at the library’s performing arts theatre on Thursday, July 24, discussing the book from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m.; attendance is free.
A poorly understood story
“It’s the least well-known story … (in) Canadian history, even amongst the community it most affected,” Clement stated during an interview.
Chinese people were the most heavily documented and surveilled immigrant group ever in Canada, based on information from Library and Archives Canada (LAC), she said.
Furthermore, this was the first time in Canadian history that the government used mass photography to identify people, coming just 11 years after Ottawa first used photos — mugshots — for prisoners at the Kingston Penitentiary.
“… for immigration officers, the photographs became a way to distinguish people” because most Chinese men looked alike, said Clement.
The “silver lining” with the photographs is that they bring to life the certificates and registration forms and let viewers see the subjects and whether they are wearing cultural clothing or Western clothing, she continued.
Meanwhile, the “irony” of the situation is that while the Chinese community hated the certificates and destroyed most of them afterward, the remaining documents created an immense “paper trail” that helped Clement tell this story.
She noted that knowledge about
this topic was lost in a single generation after the Act was repealed because Chinese people wanted to forget it, move on and integrate into society after receiving their citizenship. Therefore, they never told their children or grandchildren about their experiences.
Hard numbers
Of the more than 56,000 Chinese people who registered in Canada, roughly 1,300 were adult females, the researcher found. Most were men who had spent 30 to 50 years living here but couldn’t bring their wives and kids because of the 1885 head tax.
In Moose Jaw, 431 people registered, with only 14 of them female. Forty children under age 18 were also registered, and while most were born in Canada, they received an immigration card under the Act.
Of those 431 people, roughly 250 men worked as waiters or cooks, while 72 worked as laundry cleaners.
The search begins
Clement went searching for the certificates but didn’t find any with Library and Archives Canada — although it did have the Chinese Immigration Service registration forms. LAC initially refused to provide the forms because of privacy concerns, but eventually released everything — over 56,000 JPEGs — after Clement found “influential people” to help.
Meanwhile, Clement travelled the
Continued on next page
Author Catherine Clement. Photo submitted
The cover of the book, “The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act.” Photo courtesy Catherine Clement
The registration form for Charlie Chow, who is the greatgrandfather of Moose Jaw judges David and Darin Chow. Photo courtesy Catherine Clement
‘Dark winter of exclusion’: new book looks at Ottawa’s anti-Chinese policy in 1920s, continued
country meeting families and photographing the certificates in their possession. When she asked them what their fathers or grandfathers had said about living during the exclusion years, almost 95 per cent of them knew nothing.
Unimaginable stories
Archival newspapers were critical in helping Clement fill in the gaps. She searched through Chinese and English publications looking “for a bread crumb” or a glimpse of what happened during the 24 years, while she also dug through court records and coroner’s reports.
“And, it turned out, in many cases, to be worse than I could have ever imagined,” the author remarked. “The silence buried so many things … . It was purposely done to not talk about it.”
Clement discovered many stories of “great despair,” including many men who committed suicide or were put in insane asylums. There were even men who had lived in Canada for decades and worked menial jobs, but just gave up on life.
Yet, there were also stories of re-
silience, especially about people living on the Prairies. Clement noted that she found stories that were “funny and quirky,” such as one woman who killed
a skunk and fed it to her family since they had so little food.
“People did what they had to to survive,” she added.
‘Dark winter of exclusion’
Meanwhile, the registrations were nerve-wracking experiences for many people, Clement said. People disliked the mandatory registration not only because they faced an “interrogation” from the RCMP, but also because they had to register their Canadian-born children.
Clement said she felt frustrated learning about this topic, but became more forgiving as those affected told her why they remained silent for decades. She also realized that she wanted to honour these people for their “walk through the dark winter of exclusion.”
The author also pointed out that history is important and builds on the past, whether people like it or not. Moreover, this story illustrates how ethnic groups can contribute to society when given the chance to thrive.
Clement added that once Chinese people gained citizenship and entered professions that were once closed to them, they became “a model minority.”
Visit plumleafpress.com for information about Catherine Clement and “The Paper Trail.”
The Chinese Immigration (C.I.36) certificate for Sang (Charlie) Chow, also known as Fong Gar Chow. Photo courtesy Catherine Clement
New baby owls at interpretive centre to act as symbols of hope and conservation
The burrowing owl is one of the most endangered birds in Canada’s prairie grasslands, but the birth of three owlets means a new generation can act as symbols of hope and conservation.
The Moose Jaw Exhibition Company announced recently that the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC) had hatched a trio of birds — Blue, Pinkie and Baby — and would use them to inspire and educate the public about the species.
“It’s exciting. We’re always happy when we see some new babies,” bird handler Lori Johnson said during an interview.
It is important to have new babies to perpetuate the species, while centre staff will hand-raise them to act as ambassadors to create discussions about the challenges they face in the wild, the negative factors that affect them and what can be done to preserve them for generations to come, she continued.
Johnson will take these birds to public events where kids and adults can meet them, have an up-close look at an endangered species and learn about their place on the prairie grasslands.
“So it helps foster that connection,” she remarked.
Raising baby owls is similar to hav-
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ing a newborn baby human at home, as staff must feed the animals every three to four hours until they’re roughly a month old, Johnson said.
Once they’re more mature, they can go longer between feedings, while centre staff can start introducing them to more humans and providing them with new experiences.
“Usually … we’ll take the youngest from the nest, so they could be anywhere between five and seven days old when we take them,” she continued. “So about now, they’re probably hitting that onemonth mark.”
“Imprinting” is the process of raising the animal and having it see the human handlers as the parents, Johnson explained. These birds will act differently from wild-born animals since they will think they’re “tiny little humans” because of how they were raised.
“It’s an ongoing process. When they’re this young, you’re basically their caregivers,” she continued. “And as they start to age, we start teaching them some different things and exposing them to different things, just like their wild parents would do.
“We’re going to be their companions and caregivers for the rest of their lives.”
Thoughts on shopping around
It pays to shop around for groceries and other items.
Recently we started shopping regularly at two grocery stores, since one was where we buy groceries for a house bound family member.
Shopping at two places gave us a better idea of price differences and a shot at specials in both places.
Then a discount store came to Moose Jaw and a few visits there found even better prices.
The fruit juice I bought for almost $5 was priced $4 at the discount store — a 20 per cent difference
Several trips later it was $4.50 and the price at our regular store was $4.69. Apparently competition brought that
The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre recently hatched three new baby owls — Blue, Pinkie and Baby — and plans to use them as ambassadors to promote their species and the challenges the endangered animals face. Photo courtesy Facebook
These birds will act as symbols of hope and conservation because of their
OPINION EDITORIAL:
TRADING THOUGHTS
By Ron WalterFor Moose Jaw Express
price down.
About a year ago that $4.69 was $3.69.
The discount store offered whole pineapples for $6.99, the same size as elsewhere — another $2 saving.
The discount store offered bread at 94 cents a loaf. That loaf was much larger than our regular store’s and didn’t go bad sitting out as soon as the others. It must be filled with preservatives.
That is a 165 per cent saving. Bread at the others is around $2.65 a loaf.
By my calculations potential savings over a year will amount to $500 –not huge in today’s buying power but every penny kept in our pockets helps in these trying times.
species’ endangered status, so increasing their numbers is always beneficial, Johnson said. Even though Blue, Pinkie and Baby will live in captivity forever, they are still important for their species’ survival and vital in educating people in how they can support the animals.
“We’re always hopeful that these owls will continue to make a difference in the Canadian wildlife and how we as people view them,” she continued. “And, we can start taking more steps to ensure that these guys always have a safe home in the wild.”
Johnson said centre staff chose the names Blue, Pinkie and Baby because of the coloured bands on the birds’ legs and the fact that one animal is smaller than the others. However, those names might change, especially once staff officially know the sexes of the owls.
The centre will retire the owls from their roles as public ambassadors once they start showing signs of fatigue in meeting people, display physical limitations or show other behavioural issues, Johnson added.
Visit www.skburrowingowl.ca for more information about the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre.
One aspect of food shopping is called shrinkflation — smaller amounts in the same sized package with the same or higher price
We buy Kraft Dinner occasionally. Over a year or two the price has shot up from about a dollar a box to $2.98 -$2.99.
Durum wheat prices haven’t increased by almost 200 per cent but profits from Kraft Dinner must have.
You see, the box now is less than half full of product. The first time we bought a half empty box we thought the production line failed.
It happened again and we knew shrinkflation was the culprit.
We used to get enough from one box
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
for one meal and another from leftovers. Now we’re lucky to have any leftovers. The bathroom deodorant I have been buying has also started shrinkflation. The see-through bottle is less than half full, where it once was about 80 per cent full.
I noticed an article recently about a store that labelled products doing shrinkflation. That should be a law. Shopping around helps. As a retired person I have the time. A family where both parents work has little time to shop around. Yet they could really benefit from the practice.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
Vipers clinch U11 fastball gold in thrilling 4-3 finish over Davidson
The Moose Jaw Minor Girls Fastball U11 Vipers capped off a strong 2025 season with gold, edging the Davidson Red Sox 4-3 in a tightly contested final on June 30 at Optimist Park.
It was a hard-fought battle from start to finish, with both teams bringing intensity and heart to the diamond in the final match of the season. In the end, Moose Jaw’s pitching depth and team-wide effort gave them the edge they needed to clinch the league title.
“I just thought that the girls came together at the right time, whether it was in the tournament or the playoffs,” said head coach Brad Molde. “They all played as a team and yeah, the outcome was what we wanted.”
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
The championship game against Davidson, a team known for its strength in hitting, put early pressure on the Viper’s defence. Moose Jaw’s pitching tandem of Sophia Ferland and Allison St. Dennis rose to the occasion, delivering clutch performances that contained Davidson’s hitters when it mattered most.
“Davidson’s really good and (they can consistently) hit the ball,” Molde said. “But our pitching — both our pitchers — were the difference in the game, I thought.”
Molde credited the win not just to the Vipers’ defence, but to the balanced
contributions across the lineup.
“Every girl contributed in some way, whether it was getting on base or getting a timely hit,” he said. “It was just a lot of fun.”
With the season now wrapped up, Molde reflected on a year marked by steady progress and noticeable growth across the roster.
“The girls got better every time they were on the field, which is what the coaches want to see at this age,” he said. “(They all came to play, had) good attitudes, and yeah, they were a treat to coach.”
For many of the players, capturing gold was a standout moment in their growing fastball journey. For Molde, it reaffirmed the rewards of coaching and served as a reminder of why he continues to be involved in the sport.
“Softball is such a great sport. I encourage every young female to give it a whirl,” he said. “(The sport has) treated me very well.”
The U11 Vipers compete under the Moose Jaw Minor Girls Fastball banner, a program dedicated to growing the game and developing young talent across the city. For more information, visit MJMinorGirlsFastball.com.
SNAPSHOT: Fifth annual ruck brings total to $34K for mental health
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
SNAPSHOT: Della Ferguson of Journey to Hope Moose Jaw, second from left, receives a cheque for $5,134.52 — the total raised from this year’s fifth annual Ruck It Up for Mental Health event. With this year’s contribution, Ruck It Up has now brought in over $34,000 for local mental health initiatives since it began. Organizers thanked participants and donors for their continued support and encouraged the community to get outside, hit the trails, and keep rucking. “We couldn’t have done it without you!” To learn more, email RuckItUpMJ@gmail.com or follow “Ruck It Up” on Facebook. Photo by: Ruck It Up
Allison St. Dennis winds up during the U11 Vipers’ gold medal game at Optimist Park on June 30. St. Dennis and fellow pitcher Sophia Ferland combined for a standout performance on the mound in the 4–3 win over Davidson. Photo by: Aaron Walker
The U11 Vipers celebrate with a team photo after capturing the 2025 league championship with a 4–3 win over Davidson. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Moose Jaw Warriors Alumni Golf Tournament once again receives tremendous support from
It’s one of the highlights of the off-season for the Moose Jaw Warriors every summer, and an event that sits close to the heart of many former players from the Western Hockey League club.
A field of 140 golfers took part in the 2025 edition of the Velocity Ford Warriors Alumni Golf Tournament on Friday at the Hillcrest Golf Club, with current players, coaches and supporters joined by dozens of former players in support of the team’s education fund.
And has become a regular occurrence for the event, it was once again a huge success, with an expected $100,000 plus to be added to the fund’s coffers once things are all said and done.
One of the reasons for the event’s continued success is the support of the team’s alumni, with players from years past regularly making the trek back to the Friendly City -- and that makes it easy for fans and supporters of the club to rub shoulders with current and former NHL talent.
Former Edmonton Oilers captain Kelly Buchberger was one of those who took part in the event this year, saying in an interview on www.mjwarriors.ca that having a chance to reconnect with former billets while also meeting the current and recently graduated players is always a highlight.
“We all follow them as alumni, we’re very proud of them and we’re al-
ways proud to be part of the Warriors,” Buchberger said.
Former Warriors standout and current broadcast colour commentator Derek Kletzel had much the same assessment, especially when it comes to the camaraderie of the event.
“I think there’s a whole lot of things with this tournament,” he said. “You blend the eras, you got the current guys,
you got the alumni that come back, you get to meet the sponsors, the guys that come out and really help keep this team together here in Moose Jaw. So seeing everybody and meeting everybody, we often sit up top and we don’t get to meet with a bunch of the other guys, so for me it was just terrific being able to do that today.”
Of course, the charitable compo-
nent is a major factor in that support. Each year, close to two dozen former Warriors make use of the scholarship program, which sees players receive a year of post-secondary education for every year they play in the WHL. Former Warriors have gone on to become doctors, dentists, engineers and commercial pilots thanks to the program, which naturally comes with a cost. As an example, 16 players used their scholarships in 2019-20, costing just over $98,500.
That’s one of the reasons former NHL players like Buchberger, Theoren Fleury, Reed Low, Kyle Brodziak and many, many others make the tournament a regular stop every summer.
“We know education is key for everybody and especially the players that don’t play pro after,” Buchberger said. “They can go get a great education, play hockey and go to school and you never know what happens after they’re done school. Maybe they want to play hockey, keep playing semi-pro or they go into their life of working and trying to make a good living.“
You can check out the complete video segment, including interviews with former Warriors Scott Thomas, Carter Smith and Warriors overager Ethan Semeniuk, by clicking right here, and for more off-season news from the team, visit them on social media or www.mjwarriors.ca.
Moose Jaw Mustangs to face Prince Albert Predators in PGLL championship series
Mustangs defeat Swift Current Wolverines to book spot in best-of-three final Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
The Moose Jaw Mustangs will be facing the Prince Albert Predators for the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League junior championship this coming weekend.
The Mustangs advanced to the title series on Saturday, July 5 with an 11-6 win over the Swift Current Wolverines and will host the opening game of the PGLL Final on Saturday, July 19 at the Kinsmen Arena.
Moose Jaw went into the semifinal game as the favourite after posting a 9-30 record and finishing in second place in the regular season standings, while the Wolverines were 5-7-0 and earned their playoff spot by a single point over the Regina Chaos.
Things were close in the early go-
ing of the contest, as Moose Jaw took a 4-3 lead out of the opening 20 minutes, but that all changed in the second period.
The Mustangs would score four unanswered goals for an 8-3 lead and then added two more early in the third for a 10-3 advantage before the Wolverines mounted a bit of a comeback.
Ryder Gilroy led Moose Jaw’s offence with four goals and six points, while Lukas Salikin added two goals and five points. Braxton Mac Angus scored twice, while Jacob Gyman, Cooper Bruce and Riley Bender all had single markers. Kysen Mac Angus and Chase McKee had three assists each, Boone Bender added two helpers.
the Predators put together an absolutely dominant season, finishing with an 11-01 record and outscoring their opposition 212-86.
That included a pair of wins over the Mustangs, with a 21-14 victory on June 7 in Prince Albert and 19-3 win on June 15 in Moose Jaw.
Isaac Froese and Ryder Turko each had a pair of goals for Swift Current, Grady Henderson and Riley Schafer scored one apiece. Shane Cornelson and Paul Piche had two assists each.
The championship series will be a tough nut to crack for the Mustangs, as
Game 1 of the PGLL Junior final is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Kinsmen Arena, with the series reverting to Prince Albert for Game 2 on Saturday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at the P.A. Kinsmen Arena. If the series is tied after Game 2, an mini-game will be played immediately after to determine the PGLL Junior champions.
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Share your team’s news, pictures and results with us! email: editor@mjvexpress.com
Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame announces 2025 inductees
Eight honourees selected for enshrinement this coming September, making for one of largest single-year classes in history
For a decade and a half, Lorraine Arguin helped guide and prepare Saskatchewan’s wheelchair curling teams as they prepared to compete in the Canadian championships.
That meant much time on the road traveling to Saskatoon and Regina, in addition to countless practice sessions as teams prepared to take on the best in the country in their quest for greatness.
And the results speak for themselves: five Canadian championships, including back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 on home soil in Moose Jaw.
For her years of dedication and the success that followed, it was recently announced that Arguin would be one of eight individuals who will be enshrined in the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame this September.
It’s the largest single-year class since the first induction took place in 2015, with each individual nominated and then vetted by the selection committee before being officially chosen.
Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
Wheelchair curling coach Lorraine Arguin -- one of the architects of Saskatchewan’s incredible national championship that has been running over the past decade -- will be one of eight people inducted into the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame this September. Randy Palmer
Joining Arguin in the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 are:
Norm Balderston -- Builder -- Curling
Ron Friesen -- Athlete -- Diving
Verna Kergan -- Builder -- Speed Skating
Jim Large -- Builder -- Hockey, Cycling
Len Nielsen -- Athlete -- Hockey
Jim Runzer -- Athlete -- Wrestling
Miller Express sweep Medicine Hat, lose close one to Regina in weekend WCBL action
Moose Jaw takes 19-5 and 6-4 victory over Mavericks in Medicine Hat, drop 9-7 decision to Red Sox
Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
The Moose Jaw Miller Express had good showing in Medicine Hat but couldn’t keep the good times rolling in Regina to close out their most recent run of Western Canadian Baseball League action.
The Express took a 19-8 and 6-4 wins on Thursday and Friday over the Mavericks in Medicine Hat before dropping a 9-7 decision to the Regina Red Sox on Sunday in Regina.
MIller Express file
As a result, Moose Jaw is now 16-21 on the season and remain in fourth place in the East Division, 5 ½ games back of the Regina Red Sox and 7 ½ games up on the Weyburn Beavers.
Cliff Wiens -- Builder -- Judo
Each inductee will have a special citation describing their careers installed on the Wall of Fame, located on the second floor mezzanine at Temple Gardens Centre. Those will be officially unveiled during a press conference on Thursday,
Aug. 21.
The 2025 Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, Sept. 26 at Temple Gardens Centre.
For more information, contact the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame at info@mjdshf.com.
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Peacock’s Class of ’75 donates surplus reunion funds to ‘Stronger Together’ campaign
A weekend of memories and reconnection for the A. E. Peacock Collegiate Class of 1975 has now turned into a meaningful act of giving — one that will leave a lasting impression on Square One Community Inc.’s “Stronger Together” campaign.
Following their 50-year high school reunion held June 13 to 14, the organizing committee for the Class of ’75 found themselves with a small but significant surplus. With the group in agreement, they decided to donate the remaining $300 toward Square One’s Stronger Together initiative — a local fundraising campaign aimed at helping vulnerable members of the community.
A gold leaf honouring the Class of ’75 has been added to the Stronger Together tree sculpture, now on display at Circle Medical Centre. The leaf is engraved with the words “Peacock Class of 1975 Reunion,” and joins dozens of others in a growing visual tribute to community generosity.
The sculpture — crafted by local metal artists Bill and Laurette Keen —
Humane
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
has become both a fundraising tool and a symbolic landmark in the city. When the original tree design reached capacity earlier this year, Keen built a ladder sculpture beside it to continue displaying donor leaves.
“In fact, the trees are filled, so now he built ladders,” Ferguson said. “We’re putting leaves on the ladders by those trees now.”
As a former Peacock teacher himself, Bill Keen was part of the reunion’s planning efforts and even contributed a separate sculpture to help the class raise event funds. When the reunion wrapped and all costs were covered, the remaining dollars were earmarked for a cause close to his heart.
“He said he made a sculpture donation to the reunion committee to help raise funds to cover their costs, and they did very well,” Ferguson noted. “They wanted to donate the surplus money, and they chose the ‘Stronger Together’ project, and they were all really happy with that idea.”
The Stronger Together campaign
Mitchell (left), a member of the Peacock Collegiate Class of 1975 reunion committee, presents a $300 donation cheque to local artist — and his former high school teacher — Bill Keen in support of the “Stronger Together” campaign.
is a community-led initiative created to raise funds and awareness for housing insecurity, mental health, and addiction recovery in Moose Jaw. Operated in partnership with Square One Community Inc., the campaign supports the John Howard Society’s “My Place” program, which helps individuals on their path to
meaningful independence. Donations are recognized through bronze ($100), silver ($200), and gold ($300) sponsorship tiers, with each donor’s name engraved on a metal leaf displayed on a public art installation crafted by the Keens.
Ferguson said the Peacock donation is a perfect example of community roots continuing to grow.
“The whole theme of ‘Stronger Together’ is the fact that when we work together, we become a stronger unit,” she explained. “This class is full of local people, and those who have moved beyond Moose Jaw are still rooted in those community connections. They really believe in the fact that we are stronger together.”
Circle Medical Centre is located at Unit 2B, 1251 Main Street North and can be reached at 306-693-3737.
To support the Stronger Together campaign, Square One Community Inc. can be reached at CommunitySquareOne@gmail.com. To learn more, visit SquareOneHousingMooseJaw.com.
society, Pet Valu, Miller Express team up for ‘Bark in the Park’ fundraiser
Baseball fans are invited to bring a furry friend along for a special evening at Ross Wells Park this week — all in support of local animals in need.
The Moose Jaw Humane Society (MJHS) is teaming up with the Moose Jaw Miller Express and Pet Valu for a community fundraiser on Tuesday, July 15 at 7:05 p.m., during the team’s home game against the Weyburn Beavers at Ross Wells Park. The event, titled “Bark in the Park,” will raise funds and collect pet supplies for the local animal shelter.
“The night is in support of the Moose Jaw Humane Society, so there’s going to be volunteers there from Pet Valu as well as from the humane society,” explained Kelsey Leschasin, fundraising co-ordinator at the MJHS.
“We’ll be taking donations for the humane society — so whether that be dog food, cat food, monetary donations, all different things that we need at the
shelter, we’ll take them,” she said.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Pet Valu, MJHS, and the Miller Express, the event also welcomes leashed, well-behaved dogs to attend the game alongside their humans.
“You can bring your dog that night to the ball game as well,” Leschasin said, adding one simple caveat: “As long as they’re leashed and friendly.”
“Typically, Pet Valu has partnered with the Miller Express and donated (funds) for the humane society. But we haven’t actually all partnered together to do this, so we’re just hoping to have a bit of a bigger event,” Leschasin said. “(We hope to continually make) people aware of the need for donations to the Moose Jaw Humane Society.”
Donations of all kinds will be accepted on site, including cash, credit, and debit.
The shelter is hoping to collect
some much-needed items from its donation wish list, including canned dog and cat food, treats, collars, leashes, toys, non-clumping or wood-pellet cat litter, towels, and blankets. Cleaning supplies such as laundry detergent, dish soap, and nitrile gloves are also welcome, along with Pet Valu gift cards or other store gift cards such as those from Walmart or Canadian Tire. A full list of in-demand items is available online at MJHS.ca.
Volunteers will be set up near the main entrance throughout the evening. While no formal in-game programming is planned, there may be some extra four-legged guests in the mix.
“We’re hoping to have a couple adoptable pets there — but it’s obviously weather permitting,” she said.
“We look forward to having you come out and support the Miller Express, support the shelter, have a fun night, and hopefully get to pet some cute puppies … (while) raising some money for the humane society.”
The Moose Jaw Humane Society is located at 1755 Stadacona Street West and can be reached at 306-692-1517. For more information, visit MJHS.ca or “Moose Jaw Humane Society” on Facebook.
Ross Wells Park is located at the intersection of Caribou Street East and Ross Crescent.
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
Wayne
Photo by: Square One Community Inc.
Health-care focused Filipino group nominated for national award
For the first time in Moose Jaw’s history, a Filipino interest group has been nominated for a national award that recognizes the contributions that individuals and groups make to their communities.
Members of the Filipino community created the Filipino Health Care Workers in Moose Jaw (FHCWMJ) group in December 2023, and after only 18 months, its efforts have been recognized at the national level.
The third annual Global Bayanihan Gawad Parangal Canada Awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, July 19, in Saskatoon, and the Moose Jaw group has been nominated for a health-care award.
“The recipient of this award manifests extraordinary sacrifices and contributions to the profession, something that best exemplifies the essence of the Bayanihan spirit,” the awards ceremony website says.
In Tagalog, “bayanihan” means community spirit or unity through cooperation, while Gawad means award and Parangal means honours.
The FHCWMJ is a subgroup of the main organization that represents the Filipino community in Moose Jaw, but is a professional body for health-care workers, explained co-founder Aldrin Vasquez. Most members are immigrants from the Philippines while some were born in Canada, and some live in Regina while the rest live here.
Some Filipinos who work at Province Place started an online group in December 2018 to stay connected and organize activities, said Vasquez.
They later invited others employed at health-care venues around the commu-
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
nity to join to foster new relationships, promote the culture in their workplaces, support new immigrants’ integration and provide further education and training.
On Dec. 19, 2023, the organization renamed itself as the Filipino Health Care Workers in Moose Jaw and now has more than 120 members.
Its mission is to promote the Philippine culture in the health care community, promote the values of compassion, altruism, resilience and empathy, and volunteer in the health-care industry and community.
Bayanihan Gawad Parangal Canada announced earlier this year that it was accepting nominations, so members of the group submitted an application — their first time doing so — and then promptly forgot about it, said Vasquez, 39. They only learned that they were in the running when the national organization contacted them in April.
It was “a shocker” and “really, re-
ally unexpected” to be nominated, especially since the Filipino Health Care Workers in Moose Jaw is a “knowbie group” that is not yet two years old, he continued. Yet, it was also flattering that the national organization wanted to highlight the group’s teamwork.
Teamwork is “a staple value” in the Filipino community and is something
that parents and grandparents passed down through the generations, said Vasquez, who has lived here with his family since 2016.
It would be an honour if the group won the award, but it would also reflect the support that the City of Moose Jaw provides the organization, even if most residents are not members, Vasquez said. The award would make the members feel more appreciated, while their other co-workers and managers would likely commend them as well.
“We do our best to be better in our field and to serve our patients better and provide quality health care in our workplaces,” said Vasquez. “We strive to do better.”
Vasquez will be one of six members attending the ceremony, while they will go up dressed in their cultural garb. Because he could not find any Filipino clothing in Moose Jaw a, he had to purchase it elsewhere.
Visit www.fhcwmj.ca for more information.
Members of the Filipino Health Care Workers in Moose Jaw gather before the start of the Hometown Fair parade. Photo courtesy Filipino Health Care Workers in Moose Jaw website
The Riverhurst Bean Festival has “an old-fashioned fair atmosphere” that honours pulse crops, agriculture and the family farm while celebrating family events, recreational activities and leisure opportunities.
The seventh annual event — “More than just ‘beans,’” as the tagline says — occurs on Saturday, July 26, about 124 kilometres northwest of Moose Jaw in the Village of Riverhurst.
The day-long festival includes breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m., an irrigation
field and plot tour with speakers from 9 a.m. to noon, activities in the Riverhurst Ag Arena from 9 to 11 a.m., and concessions from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Furthermore, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., there is a trade show, marketplace/ farmers’ market and children’s activities. Then, at 1 and 4 p.m., there is an interactive demonstration of a hula hoopster, while there is a music box dancer at 3 p.m.
Moreover, there is Ol’ McDales’
Friendly Farm Petting Zoo from noon to 4 p.m., the Saskatchewan Reptile Adventure Wrangler at 2 p.m., library story time at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., tours of the F.T. Hill Museum from noon to 5 p.m., a car show from noon to 3:30 p.m., a cruise in Palliser Park at 3:30 p.m. and a garden raffle draw at 5:30 p.m.
Also, there is live music in the beer gardens, with Bradford’s Corner performing from noon to 1:30 p.m., Jolie Blue from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Townline Troubadours from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and the Tilted Kilts from 6 p.m. to close.
Admission to everything is free.
All the funds raised help the community, while the support of vendors, non-profits and other organizations ensures that the festival can continue to spread knowledge within the pulse industry, strengthen relationships among buyers and producers, and encourage appreciation for pulses and how healthy and sustainable they are, the festival says.
Terry Brennan, who founded the event in 2018, explained that she used to do custom bean farming, which was the rationale for starting the festival. She was also a village councillor, so the opportunity to “show off Riverhurst” while helping local organizations was too good to pass up.
“It was just to get the word out there about the pulse crop. And Riverhurst is a great area and (it was important) to bring people to the area … for tourism,” she continued.
Brennan noted that showcasing pulse crops and agriculture is important because of her farming history and
because of the sponsors supporting the event. Moreover, many people — between 500 and 700 attend — who don’t have agricultural backgrounds are interested in taking tours and learning more about the beans and how they’re produced.
Continuing, she said that, compared to crops like wheat or canola, beans are grown differently and are sown like people do in their gardens. Furthermore, specialized equipment is required to harvest the pulses in a “gentle process,” as a conventional combine would damage the product.
Brennan pointed out that the bean seeds — like chickpea, pinto, lentil, black, mung, kidney, lima and navy — come from Manitoba, while the equipment comes from Idaho and Alberta. In comparison to a typical combine, the machines used to harvest pulses have — among other differences — thin wheels and lack augers.
Meanwhile, the festival founder said her favourite parts of the event include the music and the kids’ activities.
“It’s an old-fashioned fair atmosphere … It’s like an old-time fair. It’s small and intimate and a good time,” Brennan said. “As wonderful as big exhibitions are, you can’t let kids roam the grounds on their own. This is smalltown everything.”
Added Brennan, “A small town can put on great things.”
For more information, visit the festival’s Facebook page or the village’s website.
Harvesting a crop of pinto beans. Photo courtesy Terry Brennan
Children participate in activities during a festival. Photo courtesy Terry Brennan
Harvesting pulse crops. Photo courtesy Terry Brennan
Impact of tariffs on U.S. car prices differs BIZWORLD
By Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express
As this piece is being written, Canadians still have no idea how Trump tariffs will affect the price of new cars.
Currently Canadian-made cars are still under the revised NAFTA trade agreement — now called the CanadaUnited States-Mexico agreement.
This is the agreement Trump signed in his first term but now calls it the worst ever deal for the U.S.A.
When a trade deal is reached one still can’t be certain as Trump changes his mind as often as a baby’s diaper.
The United States has some indication of how tariffs will impact the price of new cars.
The Visual Capitalist has determined the price difference from tariffs in the U.S.A. on certain car prices.
Tariff-related price differences on the models and brands vary from a mere three per cent increase to 22 per cent.
Leading the pack at 22 per cent are Buick and Hyundai.
The American Buick models have such a high increase as much of the cars are built in China and South Korea. That shows how intertwined the global automotive industry has become.
Buick is the oldest active model in the United States and one of the oldest car brands in the world.
If the tariff impact hurts enough, Buick will have to consider options: reducing production and scaling back the number of models and/or building more of the cars in the U.S.A.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
That $45,100 Buick in a Minot, North Dakota lot will cost $53,669 — enough to push the brand into a big slump.
Trump’s goal is to steal the industry back to high-priced America to create jobs.
Hyundai at 22 per cent and Kia at 21 per cent both have U.S. production but much of their products are made outside the U.S.A.
Hyundai just opened an electric vehicle plant in the state of Georgia that can produce 500,000 EVs a year.
Luxury car BMW’s price will be 19 per cent higher as will Mazda.
Subaru will see a 16 per cent impact with 15 per cent for Chevrolet and Nissan.
Fourteen per cent impact hits Germany’s Volkswagen and Japan’s Toyota.
Among American makers Ford sees 13 per cent and 12 per cent for GM.
Honda price increase is eight per cent with six per cent for Jeep.
Least impacted is Tesla at three per cent as virtually all of the car is made in the U.S.A.
Oddly Tesla owner Elon Musk was a close friend and huge financial supporter of Trump until they broke up over the size of the national deficit and debt.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net
Rev. Dr. John Kreutzwieser is a retired pastor from Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Moose Jaw, SK. He graduated with a doctorate degree in 2006 from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Florida.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
Deference
I remember attending church conventions 40 years ago and being in awe of the senior members of the clergy who continued to attend the meetings even though retired. They sometimes slept at the back of the hall in the mid-afternoon sessions but if they rose to speak most listened to their words with deference. Now that I am of that vintage, I might still nod off during afternoon sessions but deference to things I might say has evaporated. As is typical of most of the social settings in Canada, deference to the experience of age has all but disappeared. I believe this is a tragedy.
Deference means respect and esteem due a superior or an elder. Deference has been used in the English language since 1660. It was borrowed from the
Deference is related to the verb defer, with the meaning to submit to another’s wishes, opinion, or governance. Both words are derived from the Medieval Latin word deferre, meaning to convey, show respect, or submit to a decision. Defer can also mean to delay or postpone something. The judge had a willingness to defer the decision until next month. This meaning comes from the Latin differre, to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be distinct. The defer related to deference is usually used with ‘to’ in situations having to do with allowing someone else to decide or choose something. I’ll defer to the dictionary for the meaning of that word. The court deferred to precedent in the case.
In Asian cultures, traditional values promote deference to authority figures in various contexts. Social structures have filial obedience to parents. Respect for all elders is a key principle in cultural interactions. In the workplace, seniority-based promotion systems are common. Political deference is a strong value with loyalty to the state and its leaders.
In countries with monarchies there is an inherent system of deference based on the monarch’s position. Military officers, civic officials, and religious leaders are also to be treated with deference, where respect and certain protocols of address are expected.
Deference can also be seen in other cultures where hierarchical structures are prominent, and social norms emphasize respect for elders, those in positions of power, or those with perceived expertise. Many indigenous cultures may have strong traditions of deference to elders and their wisdom.
While deference remains significant in certain cultures and contexts, it is notable to acknowledge that the culture of deference is declining in Canada, especially in the areas of healthcare, education, political
arenas, and some aspects of family life. This shift reflects a greater emphasis on individual autonomy and mistrusting authority.
Honour, homage, reverence, and deference denote respect and esteem shown to another.
Honour applies to the recognition of one’s right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition. She replied in the letter that her nomination for the position was an honour.
Homage implies accompanying praise. In his address he paid homage to JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Reverence suggests profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe. She had great reverence for my mother.
Deference denotes a yielding or submitting to another’s judgment or preference out of respect.
Canada may seem lacking in deference, but on November 11 gatherings silence is still observed in deference to all those who pay and paid the ultimate price in the on-going battle for freedom. Maybe reflecting on deference can help chart a way that respectful attitudes will not disappear in Canadian culture.
Columnist John Kreutzwieser loves to research words and writes this weekly Word Wisdom column for Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. He has an interest in the usage, origin, and relevance of words for society today. Greek and Latin form the basis of many words, with ancient Hebrew shedding light on word usage. John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to wordwisdom2021@gmail.com . Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.
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Jack Paice Started Paice Construction in 1964
In 1973, Terry Paice took over the family business. Bob Nelson began working for Paice when he was only 15 years old and so began a mentorship that continues to this day. When Bob was 27, he started his own construction business and was subcontracted by Paice.
When Terry was ready to retire, Bob bought the business from him and continued the tradition of excellence started by Jack Paice and the knowledge passed on throughout the years. Continued loyalty to the Paice family name was foremost in Bob's work ethic and continues to be part of his long term success.
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Daily Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, July 9, 2025
Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.
Sudoku #5 - Challenging
2 4 9 3 5 8 2 6 3 9 5 6 8 4 1 5 8 1 9 6 5 2 7 9 2 4
Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.
If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.
Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck. © 2025 KrazyDad.com
AIRPORT, AMPLE, BLOAT, CATCH, COIN, CONGESTION, DEFLECT DEPLOY, DUTIFUL, ERASE, EXPLORATION, FOREST, FRESH, GENERATION, GOTTEN, GRANT, HARDSHIP, HEED, HIRE, HUMID, HURTLE, LESS, LIGHT, MERGE, MESSY, PEOPLE, PLANK, PLAYER, RHYME, ROUND, SEAT, SHELL, STREET, TECHNICALLY, TRAFFIC
ACROSS
1. Thai currency
5. Breathe noisily while asleep
10. Expectorate
14. Environs
15. Committee
16. Designed for flight
17. Fiendish
19. Worry
20. Gangster’s gun
21. Spouses
22. Thigh armor
23. Make better
25. Extra
27. Downwind
28. A developed plant variety 31. Not at any time
34. Cables
35. Large flightless bird
36. Ukeleles
37. Rip up 38. No charge 39. Lair 40. Long stories 41. Mix
42. Lacking teeth
44. Twosome
45. Washer cycle
46. Precise
50. Manila hemp
52. Banquet
54. Color
55. A rounded projection
56. Distasteful
58. Fee
59. S S S
60. Against
61. Follow orders
62. What place?
63. Hitching place DOWN
1. Insignia
2. Pertaining to Arius 3. Moor 4. Bar bill
Unite 6. Innocent 7. One single time 8. Restores confidence in
Addition
Serengeti trek
Persist 12. Angers
13. Carry
18. Proprietor
22. Makes lace
24. Anagram of “Sale”
26. Implored
28. Sorceress
29. Ends a prayer
30. Lamented
31. Naked
32. Managed with difficulty
33. Time-honored
34. Plaice, halibut or haddock
37. Resorts
38. Ice sheet
40. European volcano
41. Cigarette remains
43. With grace
44. Neglect
46. Type of beer
47. Rhinoceros
48. Parental sisters
49. In accordance with law
50. Countertenor
51. Doofus
53. Being
56. Morning moisture
57. Faucet
205 WANTED
Looking To Rent - Garage/warehouse/ or unused semi-trailer unit. Prefer downtown area. Will consider other options. Can be reached at 306-684-1084.
Looking for unwanted media records, video games, VHS tapes, CD’s, and stereo equipment. Will pick up, 306-527-7786 or 306631-8399.
Looking for a good reliable vehicle to commute with please call 306-527-7786 private only.
WANTED - Cap for 2013 Chevy 4 door truck. 73” long, back width is 70”, front is 72”. Prefer white. Please call 306-313-7788.
210 SERVICES
Moving jobs done reasonably: appliances, furniture, dump runs. Call to do it all. $45.00 a load. 306-630-2268
Need work done? Contact Bill at 306-630-2268 . Interior/exterior, renovations, formwork, framing, finishing, tiling, painting and all construction, roofing/siding- no job too big or small. Reasonable rates, 30 years experience. Cleaner with 20 years experience available for spring cleaning and
CLASSIFIED ADS
move out cleans. Please call Rebecca at 306-990-0387.
Junk to the dump in and around Moose Jaw, $60 and up. Will pick up, move, haul, and deliver any appliances, tvs, furniture, or anything large in and around Moose Jaw, $45 and up. 45-gallon plastic barrels, great for rainwater, $20 each. 1000 Litre plastic totes - $60. 306-681-8749
Professional Painter - Interior painting $80 per room. Phone Shaun 306-313-7969
220 HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED - P/T or Casual secretary/typist/internet research assistant for Christian Bible topics. Must be compatible with salvation, healing, deliverance, and ministry outreach. Call 306-6841084
160 MISCELLANEOUS
Small Safe - Sentrysafe, 17”x14”x7” combination and keys. Best offer. 306-690-8018. Daisy Air Gun - Complete with shoots and canister. Call Ray @ 306-690-8018
188 HEALTH & BEAUTY SUPPLIES
FOR SALE - Belmont Barber Chair. Good condition. Asking $500, please call 306-631-7698.
125 TRAILERS
2024 Rainbow Cargo Trailer, 6’x12’ dual axel 3500. Bought new April 24, 5 year warranty. Barn doors, spare tire, used for quad, $8900. Located in Moose Jaw, 306250-5271.
140 FOR RENT
FOR RENT - 4 room suite for rent, kitchen, living room, washroom, bathroom, and one bedroom. NW location.
Includes heat and water, seperate entrance and electrical metre. Washer and dryer included. Call Duane @ 306-692-0727.
FOR RENT-1 bedroom suite, NW location , kitchen,livingroom, bedroom,bathroom, includes heat and water, taking applications $775/month, 306-692-0727
145 REAL ESTATE
Senior Living Condo for Rent
- Points West Retirement Centre, 917 Bradley Street, Moose Jaw, SK. Friendly, warm, home like atmosphere, open floor plan with large living room, full selfcontained kitchen, 2 bedrooms with walk-in closet, balcony, corner unit with beautiful view in 3 directions, ensuite washer and dryer, individual thermostat for heating or cooling, garage avail-
able, large and bright dining and common area floor plan, entertainment and bistro facilities, monthly or individual meals available, shuttle service available. For more information or viewing call: Dan 306 631-1669, Judi 306 631-0742
105 AUTOS
2015 NISSAN XTERRA 79000
KM PRO-4X PREMIUM MODEL 4X4 SUV. Stored in shop the last 3 years with short runs. Never been off road. Original tires. Original ownwer. Mint condition. Financing available OAC. 306631-1669. w/photo
Refreshing Moments A Weekly Devotional
by Alex Allan
Printed with Permission
Pastor Alex Allan is a Moose Jaw retired credentialed minister in the Church of God in Western Canada and has served as a hospital chaplain and is an experienced pastoral counsellor. He has an extensive background in communications, having worked in radio, television and print media.
Developing Relationships
One of the challenges we face is learning to get along with others who hold a wide range of different views and values.
There are people who label others with differing opinions as hateful. What a narrow view on life, and one that brings about division and conflict.
Many people struggle with knowing how to cope with such people, but there’s good news. The Bible provides us with a clear answer and sound direction.
In Romans 12: 17 – 18 we read: Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can
see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
When I’m confronted by a person who wants to challenge my biblical perspective, and they strongly suggest I am wrong, I don’t let them ruffle my feathers. I suggest that sometimes we are never going to agree and so we must learn to respect one another’s positions so we can continue with our relationship.
Over the years I have had relationships with people from all walks of life, but with Holy Spirit’s help I have never compromised my faith. The great lesson I have learned from standing firm is that people respect me, even if they don’t agree with me. It’s called reciprocal respect.
SNAPSHOT: A full-circle tradition ends an era at Quilter’s Haven
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
SNAPSHOT: Marj Nicolle, 95, steps into Quilter’s Haven as the first customer on June 28 — just as she did nearly 20 years ago when the store first opened its doors. A longtime friend and quilting mentor to the shop, Nicolle was both the first customer on its opening day and again on its final day under the ownership of Arlyce Thompson and Heather Carruthers, marking a full-circle moment to close out an era. The quilting shop, located at 422 Main Street North, now continues under the ownership of Karen Andersen. Photo by: Quilters Haven
With the help of Holy Spirit, we can learn to live in peace with everyone.
With God’s help we can learn to remain in relationships with people of differing views.
People on social media often only connect with those who agree with them. These people miss out on the opportunity for personal growth in their world view and limit the growth of their circle of relationships.
1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth
wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Let us learn from the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. He came in love to reach struggling people in this world and give them hope. Let us learn to live in community with others; even though we may have different views, let us learn to show reciprocal respect.
The excerpt above was extracted from a devotional book that was written to encourage individuals in their daily walk with Christ to provide practical guidance and encouragement. If you are interested in purchasing the book, please email RefreshingMoments@ outlook.com
Moose Jaw’s Order of the Eastern Star chapter donates to humane society
Aaron Walker (with submission by Lynann Pethick) - Moose Jaw Express
On July 2, Worthy Matron Cheryle Svab and Worthy Patron Stuart Doherty of Mizpah Chapter No. 1, Order of the Eastern Star, presented a cheque for around $200 to the Moose Jaw Humane Society.
The funds were raised through a “House March” coin collection during the group’s meetings in March, April, and May earlier this spring.
Left to right: Worthy Patron Stuart Doherty; Dana Haukaas, executive director of the Moose Jaw Humane Society; and Worthy Matron Cheryle Svab. Photo by: Order of the Eastern Star/ Submitted
Obituaries / Memorials
ISAAC ADER (ADAIR) DENG CHOUL
April 29th, 2004 – June 27th, 2025
Isaac Ader Deng Choul, known to many as Adair, was born in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya on April 29th, 2004. He spent his early years there before moving with his family to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 2018. Adair was the second of seven children: Adoor, Chol, Nyankiir, Adau, Akoy, and Akur.
Adair was a quiet soul, not one to speak loudly or draw attention to himself, but his presence carried weight. He had a way of showing love without needing to say much. He helped wherever he saw the need, whether it was walking his younger siblings to school, taking them to the park, or simply stepping in when something needed to be done, he did it with calm and without complaint.
Adair graduated with honours from Vanier Collegiate in 2022, a reflection of the focus and intelligence he had shown since his early school days in Kenya. He had recently been working at Superstore and was preparing to move to Alberta for a job opportunity.
Adair loved his family deeply. For those of us who spent time working away from home, he became the one we turned to when we needed someone to check in, to take care of things, or to simply be there when we couldn’t be. He was reliable, thoughtful, and mature beyond his years. He also enjoyed the little things. He loved playing FIFA, followed basketball, and had developed a growing passion for Formula 1. He attended Central Lutheran Church until it closed, and later became part of Victory Church, carrying his faith quietly but sincerely.
Adair is survived by his father, Abraham Deng Chol and his mother, Achol Awan Paluat. On his mother’s side, he will be remembered by Uncle Mayak and Deng Awan Paluat. On his father’s side, by Uncle John of Calgary, AB, Aunt Rebecca Chuol (Moses Riak), and cousins Riak, Akuol, Ayen, and Paul - all of Moose Jaw. He is also remembered by many aunts, uncles, and relatives in South Sudan, Kenya, the United States, and Canada.
Adair gave us a sense of steadiness that is hard to explain. Even at his young age, he carried so much for our family. What hurts the most is knowing we truly thought we had more time. More time to see him grow, more time to say thank you, and more time to simply be with him. We remember him not just for what he did, but for who he was. A caring son, a devoted brother, and a strong, steady presence in our lives. We miss him deeply, and we will carry his memory with us always.
The family would like to thank the Moose Jaw Police and Firefighters for their professional and kind service at this sad time, and the broader Moose Jaw and Regina communities for their overwhelming support and prayers as we navigated through these tough times.
The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, July 12th, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home, with interment taking place in Rosedale Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Cara Ashworth, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
ANGELINE STEELE
The family of Angeline Steele is heartbroken to announce her passing on July 4, 2025, at the age 93. She was born to Mary and Thomas Martin on March 24, 1932.
Angeline was predeceased by her parents, husband Glenn, brothers Peter, Leon, Joe and Roman, and granddaughter Peyton. She is survived by her son Francis (Brenda) their children Kenneth, Laura (grandchildren Logan and London), Nicholas, and Samantha (Aaron) (grandchildren Hunter, Paige, Bentley, Reid and Sierra); daughter Colleen (Mark) their children Angie (grandchildren Drake (Katelyn), Cierra (Kaleb), Brooklyn (Brendan) and Cash), and Chris (Edlin) (grandchildren Daniela, Mariela, Justin (Jenn), Katie (Jamie) their children Kaitlyn, Lincoln and Jonas and Jaci (Mike) and their children Sheldon and Teagan; son Garnet (Donna) their children Graham (Lisa) (grandchildren Hailey, Cassandra, Grady and Landon), and Derrick (grandchildren Kaynin and Monroe); and sister Ameila (Eric) and their family. Angeline worked at XYZ for many years as well as Providence Hospital until it closed. Once She retired, she spent her time at Extendicare as a volunteer. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.ca (Obituaries). Blake Seebach - Funeral Director
Lightning strikes South Hill streetlight with ground-shaking boom
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
A powerful lightning strike lit up the skies over South Hill on the afternoon of July 6, hitting a streetlight pole near the corner of Coteau Street West and Fifth Avenue Southwest — sending a booming thunderclap that could be heard for several kilometres.
The bolt struck a pole located in a construction zone in the 400-block of Coteau Street West, scorching the top and leaving a visible burn trailing down the curved arm of the streetlight. By July 9, the damaged portion had already been removed in preparation for replacement.
The thunder was loud enough to shake the ground, according to startled residents across Moose Jaw, with reports of the blast being heard as far away as Buffalo Pound Provincial Park and Caronport. Some locals even claimed the lightning hit more than once with another bolt striking an open field, though multiple strikes remain unconfirmed.
No one appears to have been injured as a result of the strike and no further damage has been reported.
The top of a streetlight pole near Coteau Street West and Fifth Avenue Southwest shows visible burn marks after a lightning strike on July 6. The damaged section has since been removed for replacement. Photo by: Laurie RT/Facebook
UPCOMING EVENTS IN MOOSE JAW
If you would like your notice or event added to this list, contact us at: joan@moosejawexpress.com
Living Sky Art Collective Book Sale will be held on July 18 & 19 from 10-4 in the Town N Country mall. Against the Grain 2nd Annual Dance Camp to take place July 19 and 20. Classes run from 11am-4pm. Cost: Single day $30/both days $50. Includes tap. Ballet, hip-hop, jazz, salsa and much more. Call Against the Grain Studio for more information.
Town N’ Country Mall events
Super Circus under big top in the mall parking lot from July 31-Aug 3
Community Second Chance Sale (garage sale) on Friday August 8 from 1pm to 7pm and Saturday August 9 from 10am to 3pm. 10x10 space only $10. Don’t have enough to have your own sale here’s your chance to sell with others. For more information email craftsalegail@ gmail.com or gail@ptccyvr.com
Saskatchewan 55+ Provincial Games will be held in Swift Current between August 26-28. Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling Club has returned to their GREENS in Crescent Park. This spring regular hours will be Tues &Thur @10:00am and 6:30pm M-Tu-W-Th. Everyone welcome. This is a sport for all abilities, for both recreation and competition, for youth and seniors. Text 306-630-8160 for info about other opportunities to participate.
Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling has stated. Drop in bowls will be Tues &Thurs@10am; also, M-T-W-Th @7.
In Moose Jaw Parkinsons Support Group meet at 1:30 p.m. on the last Monday of the following months: April and May. Call or text 306 756 2819.
The Prairie Hearts Quilters Guild is held every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 7 pm at St Andrews Church until May. Learning, comradery, fun challenges, quilting and Community Projects.
New Youth Pipe Band in Moose Jaw “The White Heather” for youth aged 8 to 12. Further information may be obtained by contacting Michelle Carline at mcarline@hotmail.com
The Moose Jaw Stamp Club will not be meeting this summer and will resume meetings in September.
Moose Jaw Town N Country Square Dance Assoc. Winter 2024 Program on Monday nights from 7-9pm at St. Mary’s School, 720 – 5th Ave. SW. Dance in a square with family and friends. For information contact Valerie Wright at 306.691.0579. Beginners, singles or doubles welcome!
Nature Moose Jaw will hold their meetings on a oncea-month status to take place on the third Friday of each month Church of Our Lady Bingo takes place at the Church of Our Lady Community Centre, 566 Vaughan Street on Tuesday evenings. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Bingo begins at 7:00 p.m.
Are you struggling with addictions? Do you know someone who is? Or do you want to learn more about overcoming addiction to help others? Pastor Cory Havanka and his wife Brenda will be offering an in-person, small-group, course that will explore how to overcome addiction that is based on Biblical foundations. For questions - Call or text Cory at 306-684-1464 or email firmfoundationministries.inc@gmail.com. Firm Foundation Ministries provides other services as well: -Bible study - Monday evenings at 630 p.m/Prayer meetings - Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m/Pastoral counselling. Check Facebook or Instagram for updates on services, events, bible study notes and words from the Lord. Nar-Anon Meetings every Monday 7—8pm (Moose Jaw Nar-Anon Family Group) is a twelve-step program for relatives and friends affected by someone else’s drug use and is in-person at Moose Jaw Alliance Church, 14 Neslia Place. Come in Main Doors – Meeting Rm 103. Your anonymity and what you say at meetings will be carefully guarded.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Weight Loss Support Group Meets at the Cosmo Senior Citizen’s Centre, 235 – 3rd Ave. N.E. The group meets every Wednesday morning. Weigh ins are 8-8:45 am. Meeting to follow. . scale weighs up to 350 pounds. Join for friendship and support on your weight loss journey. For more information go to www.tops.org
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) offers meetings every
Wednesday evening too in the Alliance Church located at the corner of 9th Ave NE and Thatcher Dr. Use the West side entrance and you’ll find us down the hall in room 107. Weigh ins are 6:30-7 followed by a half hour meeting. Scale weighs up to 500lbs. Join us as we support each other on our weight loss journeys. Visit www. tops.org for more information.
Moose Jaw Public Library (MJPL), 461 Langdon Cres. Phone 306.692.2787. Visit their website at https:// www.moosejawlibrary.ca or visit ASK@MOOSEJAWLIBRARY.CA
Some library programs require registration by calling 306-692-8210 or emailing nsetter@moosejawlibrary.ca
Movie club
• The Seed of the Sacred Fig: A bold political drama by Mohammad Rasoulof that explores a fractured Iranian family amid rising authoritarianism, generational conflict, and state violence. Show date: Monday, July 21.
The library’s Documentary Night showcases documentary films that rarely hit theatres and takes place on the last Thursday of each month starting at 6 p.m. in the library’s theatre.
• Sisters in Law: Sisters in Law is a powerful 2005 documentary that follows a judge and prosecutor in Cameroon as they fight for justice in cases of gender violence within a deeply patriarchal legal system. Show date: Thursday, July 31.
A few movie matinees will be shown for audiences of all ages in the library’s theatre starting at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free, and everyone’s welcome.
• Bridget Jones’s Diary: Saturday, July 26 (rated 14A). Maker nights
Maker nights provide an evening dedicated to learning and creating with others. Register by calling 306-6928210. The program runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room for ages 13 and up.
• Maker Saturdays: Guests will create snap circuits and little bits on Saturday, July 19. Advance registration is required.
Children’s programming
LEGO Weekends: Open for ages 4+ during regular business hours Saturdays and Sundays. Self-guided activity in the Children’s Department, children can have fun building wild LEGO creations that they’re invited to put on display.
The Baby Storytime, Preschool Storytime, and Daycare Storytime events have concluded for the summer and will return in the fall.
Be sure to check out TumbleBooks for Kids featuring an online collection of animated, talking picture books to teach children the joys of reading in the Digital Library. Standalone events
• Storytime in the Park: Running all summer long in Crescent Park in front of the library’s main entrance. Free for 2+ drop-in program/no registration required.
• Come and Go Baby Play: In Children’s Program from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays from July 10 to Aug. 28. Free event/drop-in program/come and go as you please.
• Bluey Reads PJ Party: Wear your coolest pajamas at “Bluey Reads,” designed for ages 2+ Registration required.
• Mr. Eric: Sask. Summer of Fun Tour: Join Eric (Mr. Eric) Paetkau for an interactive performance including music, dance, and story sharing as he makes a stop in Moose Jaw from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 19. No registration required.
• Galaxy in a Jar: Guests will join Miss A for “a galactic storytime” and make their own galaxy jar to take home from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 26. Registration is required.
• Smash Bros Tournament: “Library Smash’em: Smash Bros Tournament” from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, ages 13+ and winners will receive a trophy and 3D printer voucher. Register early as limited walk-in spots are available.
• Master Storyteller Naomi Steinberg: Steinberg will introduce guests to her book “The Goosefeather Kamishibai” through the Japanese art of Kamishibai from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29.
• Cross-stitch; A cross-stitch event scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30. Registration required.
Around the World
You’re invited to explore the world with the MJPL this summer, with events running from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Children’s Program Room.
• Europe: Tuesday, July 15.
• Asia: Tuesday, July 22.
• Africa: Tuesday, July 29.
Science Centre Around the World
Explore the world with the Go! Science Outreach team from the Saskatchewan Science Centre as they bring hands-on fun and out-of-this-world science to the public library this summer. The program has three hour-long intakes from 1 to 4 p.m. in the South Meeting Room on Friday, July 25.
Youth programming
The library’s Teen Anime+ Club meets every fourth Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 to watch anime, read manga, draw, chat, and eat Asian snacks. Ages 12 to 19 welcome in the library’s theatre — cosplay welcome.
• Next Anime+ meeting: “My Love Story with YamadaKun at Lv999” on Wednesday, July 23.
The Teen Arts & Crafts program takes place once a month for youth ages 12 to 19 and runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room.
Silhouette art: Wednesday, July 16.
The Teen Gamers program provides an evening of video, card, and board games for youths ages 12 to 19. The program is held once a month in the Herb Taylor Room with snacks provided from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and no registration is required.
Regular events
The Moose Jaw Chess Club provides bi-weekly chess games every second Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the South Meeting Room.
• Magic: The Gathering is held on Saturdays at 2 p.m. in the Reading Room. No registration is required, with all experience levels welcome. Saturday, July 26. Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is typically played from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Archives Room and players ages 12 to 16 across all experience levels are invited.
• Digital D&D: Will take place Fridays on the youth Discord channel for ages 16 to 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. Email Youth@MJLibrary.ca to inquire.
• D&D: The Dragonstorm: Group A will meet on Tuesdays until July 29, starting at 6:30 p.m., and Group B will meet on Thursdays until July 31, starting at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Daggerheart: Intra Umbra TTRPG
You’re invited to try the library’s new fantasy tabletop roleplaying game, “Daggerheart.” Games are intended for ages 16 and up and take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room. All supplies are provided but you can also bring your own.
• Daggerheart: Thursday, July 17, 24, and 31.
The Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 59 Moose Jaw is making it’s move to their new location – 693 Fairford Street W. Please call to see when opening day is. Contact: 306-692-5453. Facebook @ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION-Branch 59 Moose Jaw Instagram: @Royalcanadianlegion59
BINGO – Monday @ 6pm
CRIBBAGE –Tuesday @ 1:30 pm - Please sign-in by 1pm
MEAT DRAW & CHASE THE ACE - Saturday @ 3pmEveryone welcome Moose Jaw and District Seniors: For more information Call: 306-694-4223 or Email: Email: mjsenior@ shaw.ca . The centre is now open Mon-Thurs 8am –8pm. For more information Call: 306-694-4223 or Email: mjsenior@shaw.ca
The centre is now open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8am – 8pm.
Fitness Level & Indoor Walking Track open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday’s 8am4pm
Wood working area – Monday to Friday 8 am – 4 pm
Timothy Eaton Cafe open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cinnamon Buns are on Thursday’s. Tuesday is pie day. Kitchen is open Monday to Friday. Everyone is welcomed.
Billiards open daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. as well as Monday & Thursday evenings from 4:30 – 8 p.m.
Pickle Ball – Monday Thursday mornings @ 9 a.m.
- Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons @ 1 p.m.
- Monday & Thursday evenings @ 7 p.m.
- Wednesday pickleball @ Cancelled for summer
Fitness- Chair/Low Impact Fitness Tuesdays 11:30 & Thursdays @ 1:00 p.m.
Cribbage – Wednesdays @ 1 p.m.
Whist – Cancelled
Hand & Foot Card Game for Beginners – Thursday @9:30 am.
Mah Jong – Wednesday @1 p.m. Beginners is Monday @1pm
500 Cards – Cancelled
Full Body work out – Cancelled
Scrabble – Cancelled
Spades – Cancelled
Line Dancing – Tuesdays @ 10 a.m.
Intro to Line Dancing – Wednesday’s @ 11am Art & Crafts – Monday, Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 1 p.m.
Floor Shuffleboard – Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 1 p.m.
Paper Tole – Tuesdays @ 1 p.m.
Circle Dancing – ON HOLD
Nickle Bingo – Fridays @ 1 p.m.
Quilting – Every Friday 9am to
Curling – Wednesday and Fridays @ONHOLD for
– Monday afternoons 1:30pm -3:30pm and NEW
evenings 6:30pm-8:30pm
3rd
Citizens’ Centre Weekly Activi-
N.E.
306.692.6072 or email cosmo@sasktel.net Check them out on Facebook. Monday: Indoor Walking - 8:15am and 11:30am/Pickleball 9am/Shuffleboard 1pm/Pickleball 3:45 Tuesday: 9:30am-Jam Session/1pm-Pickleball/7pmFriendship Bridge/7pm-Beginners Only Pickleball/ Indoor Walking - 8:15am and 11:30am Wednesday: 8:30am-TOPS/8:30am-Pickleball/1pmFloor Shuffleboard/ Indoor Walking - 11:30am/Art Drop In - 1:00pm/Pickleball 3:45pm and Beginner Pickleball 7:00pm Thursday: 10am-Line Dance/1pm-Pickleball/ Indoor Walking - 8:15am and 12:00pm/ Hand/Foot Canasta - 1:30pm/Beginner Pickleball - 3:15pm and Advanced Pickleball - 6:30pm Friday: 9:00am-Beginner Pickleball/1pm-Regular Pickleball/ Indoor Walking - 8:15am and 11:30am Saturday: Advanced Pickleball - 9:30am and Pickleball - 1:00pm July 17th Cosmo Barbeque Fundraiser from 5-6pm. Hamburgers, hotdogs, beans, salad, coffee & tea. Cost $15
Moose Jaw ANAVETS: Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit #252 – 279 High St. W, Moose Jaw. 306.692.4412 or anaf252@sasktel.net
Monday/Tuesday – Open 12 to 7 pm
Wednesday – 12 – 6 pm 10 card Crib and Smear
Thursday – 12 – 7 pm Regular Crib and Smear Friday – 1 - 10 pm Pool and Darts (7 pm)
Saturday – 1 – 7pm Meat Draw at 4:30 pm, 50/50 and gift cards. Everyone welcome.
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES #3395
EVERY THURSDAY: Ladies Auxiliary “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 5:30 pm, draws start at 6:00 pm –Meat Draw, 50/50, “Chase the Ace”
EVERY SUNDAY: Aerie “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 2:30 pm – Meat Draw, 50/50, Mystery Draw, “Chase the Ace”
MONDAY THRU SATURDAY – DROP IN POOL – 1:00 pm to 1:30 start time. Singles and Doubles. Partners draw from those attending to play.
FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAY – Aerie meeting – 11:30 am
FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY – Ladies Auxiliary meeting - 7:00 pm Western Development Museum; 50 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw. For more information, visit the museum’s website at WDM.ca/Moose-Jaw. Call 306-693-5989 or email ajones@wdm.ca
306-694-4747
324 Main Street N. Moose Jaw, SK
Derek McRitchie REALTOR® (306) 631-1161
E.G. (Bub) Hill REALTOR® (306) 631-9966
Tanya Minchin REALTOR® (306) 630-6231
Cassie Nichol REALTOR® (306) 631-0691
Justin Hammer REALTOR® (306)684-4266
fully developed basement, ull bathroom on each level, OPEN CONCEPT layout spacious kitchen, large island 2 pantries Upstairs, 3 bedrooms, 4-piece bathroom, stacked laundry, FULLY FINISHED,fami- ly room, 4TH bedroom, front and back decks, FULLY FENCED
The countdown continues: Europa Super Circus prepares Moose Jaw debut
Moose Jaw is getting a second sneak peek at the Europa Super Circus before the Big Top rises later this month.
From Thursday, July 31 to Sunday, Aug. 3, the high-energy European circus will transform the Town ‘N’ Country Mall’s parking lot into a whirlwind of lights, laughter, and high-flying stunts. It’s the troupe’s first-ever Canadian appearance — and they’re pulling out all the stops.
Showtimes run at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 31; 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1; 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2; and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3. All performances are held under a fully covered Big Top tent and will go ahead rain or shine.
Ticket prices start at $25 for children and $35 for adults, with VIP, ringside, and preferred seating available online at SuperCircus.com. Admission is free for kids under three and in-person sales are available until they’re sold out.
While the headliners may already be familiar to readers — including tightwire veteran Geoffrey Berhault and aerialist Desiré Cardinali Chaves — there’s plenty of additional talent joining the international ensemble, including several fresh faces not yet reported in earlier coverage.
Among them is Duo Cirque, featuring aerial artists Kirsten Rowe and Misael Vazquez, whose soaring acrobatic routines on straps and pole tell a romantic story of connection — all while suspended metres above the ring.
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
The Europa Super Circus is bringing its high-energy spectacle to the Town ‘N’ Country Mall from July 31 to Aug. 3. Photo by: Europa Super Circus (supercircus.com)
Canadian talent is also well-represented in the lineup, with aerialist and contortionist Ess Hödlmoser set to take the stage. Known for previous performances with Cirque du Soleil and the Moulin Rouge, Hödlmoser brings a balletic athleticism to every spin, twist, and drop — and may even look familiar to sharp-eyed viewers of The Boys or Station Eleven, where they’ve also appeared as a stunt performer.
For those seeking high-octane thrills, 19-year-old motocross rider Kaden Davidson is revving up for his Moose Jaw debut. Hailing from a small
town with big dreams, Davidson has spent over a decade perfecting his freestyle jumps and backflips — and said
there’s nothing quite like the roar of the crowd under the circus lights.
Organizers encourage guests to arrive early, especially those requiring accessible seating. Onsite staff will be available to assist as needed.
Meanwhile, the Town ’N’ Country Mall is adding extra fun with a circus ticket giveaway. Five lucky winners will receive free family passes to the show. Residents can enter by liking the mall’s Facebook giveaway post at “Town N Country Mall,” or by bringing a mall receipt to the administration office for bonus entries. The contest closes July 20, with winners drawn July 21.
So whether it’s your first time under the tent or you’re coming back for more, this circus is ready to roll out the red carpet — and maybe even a few fire hoops — for kids of all ages.
The Town ‘N’ Country Mall is located at 1235 Main Street North. For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit SuperCircus.com.
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Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, 740 High St. W.