Moose Jaw Express, July 23rd, 2025

MOOSE JAW’S HOMEGROWN NEWSPAPER

Rock supergroup Toque revealed as Homestand ‘25 headliner Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

The wait is over: River Street Promotions has officially announced that Canadian rock supergroup Toque will headline this year’s Homestand charity concert.

The band — known for high-energy performances and nostalgic covers of Canadian rock hits — will take the stage at Ross Wells Ballpark on Saturday, Sept. 6, capping off what’s already being billed as the most diverse Homestand lineup to date.

“This all-Canadian rock supergroup is bringing the hits to Ross Wells Ballpark,” River Street Promotions shared, adding, “We’re beyond excited to reveal that Toque is headlining Homestand ‘25!”

Toque is composed of seasoned Canadian musicians who’ve shared the stage with acts like Slash, Shania Twain, and Theory of a Deadman. The group includes drummer Brent Fitz, who made a special appearance July 14 at John’s Music to sign autographs, take photos with fans, and give away two free tickets to the show.

Homestand ‘25 marks the fifth anniversary of the annual community-driven music festival, which raises funds for local youth mental health initiatives. The event is organized by River Street Promotions, a volunteer-run non-profit that supports wellness through entertainment.

Earlier this spring, organizers revealed the first wave of this year’s performers, which includes children’s music legend Fred Penner, Saskatoon’s returning favourites The Steadies, frontier rock trio Elliott Brood, and classic rock icons Streetheart.

“With the classic sound of Streetheart, the rousing country of Elliott Brood, and the thrill of Fred Penner, we feel that we are creating an event that literally has something for everyone,” said Laurie Kosior-Pappenfoot, a spokesperson for River Street

Promotions, during the April lineup reveal.

Adding Toque to the roster rounds out the bill with a jolt of pure rock energy, giving the 2025 concert a multigenerational appeal for music fans of all stripes.

Tickets are on sale now at the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts & Culture, located at 217 Main Street North. Admission is free for children under 12 with an adult ticket, and sponsorship inquiries can be sent to Info@RiverStreetPromotions.com.

Since its launch in 2021, Homestand has raised more than $500,000 for the RSP Mental Health Wellness Fund and upgrades to Ross Wells Park. All proceeds support youth across the Prairie South and Holy Trinity Catholic school divisions.

To learn more, visit RiverStreetPromotions.com or “River Street Promotions” on Facebook.

Members of Canadian rock supergroup Toque, who will headline Homestand ’25 on Sept. 6 at Ross Wells Ballpark. Photo by:

Still the one: Shania Twain’s visit leaves lasting impact on Moose Jaw

For one night in July, Moose Jaw was centre stage on a superstar’s cross-country tour — and the city is still stomping its boots and saying, “Let’s go, girls.”

Shania Twain’s sold-out concert on July 7 at the Temple Gardens Centre brought a wave of excitement to the city, drawing more than 4,200 fans and proving that big-name acts can indeed shine in smaller markets. Beyond the lights and music, the country icon also gave back in a big way — donating $25,000 through the Shania Twain Foundation to help address food insecurity in Moose Jaw.

The donation was made in partnership with Second Harvest and is expected to help rescue and redistribute the equivalent of 75,000 meals through six local organizations, including the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank.

“We are really, really glad that Shania Twain is paying attention to the hunger issue in our country,” said Jason Moore, executive director of the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank. “And so we just feel super blessed that she would donate $25,000 to any organization at all that’s battling food insecurity.”

Moore said Second Harvest has been instrumental in supplying reclaimed food to the local food bank, donating more than 75,000 pounds in the past year through local grocers such as Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, and Shoppers Drug Mart.

As demand for food support continues to climb, Moore said the donation comes at a critical time. Visits to the food bank are increasing faster than incoming donations, with growing numbers of working middle-class families and newcomers now relying on its services.

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came out. I’ll do shows all day long if we have … fans like that who come to watch.”

Twain’s team brought a full-scale production to the venue, including her video bridge and full stage components.

“One thing that we learned with their crew is they didn’t want to cut any corners,Corey Nyhagen, assistant general manager of the Temple Gardens Centre observed. “It was really fun to work with them and be able to put all that together.”

Twain also introduced staff to her dog, Sapphire. “She just said she loves what she does every time she gets up on that stage. You could really feel that.”

To honour her visit, Twain was presented with a custom beaded medallion, handcrafted by a local Indigenous artist as a meaningful symbol of gratitude — blending traditional craftsmanship with Moose Jaw’s appreciation for her generosity and giving a nod to Twain’s Indigenous status through the Temagami First Nation.

For the Temple Gardens Centre, it was a night to remember, with packed seats, thunderous applause, and a seamless show.

Corey Nyhagen, assistant general manager of the Temple Gardens Centre said the concert drew a multigenerational crowd that reflected Twain’s broad appeal — from lifelong fans to first-time concertgoers. “There were grandmothers and grandchildren there listening,” Nyhagen said. “I love when you have artists like that … they spread right across time and different generations.”

Even outside the venue, the energy was unmistakable. Despite a slight delay to doors opening — a first for the venue — upwards of 2,500 people lined up around the building without prompting, forming an orderly queue fueled by nothing but anticipation. “There was no complaining, no frustration — just excitement,” Nyhagen recalled. “I want to give a huge kudos to everyone who

Before the show, Nyhagen had a brief opportunity to meet Twain backstage — a quick but memorable exchange. “We had maybe three or four minutes with her, just enough to say thank you,” he said. “She was just the salt of the earth — happy to be here, excited to perform, and so down-to-earth.”

The successful high-profile concert has already sparked new interest from other promoters.

“Without giving away any big secrets, there have been conversations (with promoters) since Shania … the first thing they said was, ‘What a hell of a show — let’s talk.’”

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Shania Twain performs for a sold-out crowd at the Temple Gardens Centre in Moose Jaw on July 7, during a stop on her cross-Canada tour. Photo by: Temple Gardens Centre

More than 4,200 fans filled the Temple Gardens Centre in Moose Jaw for Shania Twain’s July 7 concert, marking one of the venue’s largest and most high-profile shows to date.

Photo by: Temple Gardens Centre

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Three new constables take oath at Moose Jaw Police Service ceremony

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) officially welcomed three new recruits into its ranks during a swearing-in ceremony held at the police station on July 11.

Griffin Barrett, Brooke Paul, and Kyle Murphy each took the oath of office before the Honourable David Chow, Judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan, surrounded by family, friends, and police personnel.

The recruits now prepare to begin their 21-week training at the Saskatchewan Police College later this month, with graduation expected in December.

Acting Chief Rick Johns addressed the gathering, emphasizing the significance of the moment and the responsibilities ahead of them.

“Being sworn in is a proud milestone for these recruits,” said Acting Chief Johns. “Guided by integrity, community, and vision, they now take their next step — preparing to serve Moose Jaw with professionalism and dedication.”

Griffin Barrett, 26, was born and raised in Moose Jaw and previously played professional football in the CFL and overseas after graduating from Simon Fraser University. For Barrett, returning home as a police officer marks a full-circle moment.

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“Having had the opportunity to go live in Vancouver and live out my dream playing football and to be able to come back to the place and the people that gave me the confidence and support to go do that, it’s a full circle moment to become a police officer in Moose Jaw,” said Barrett. “I now get the chance to not only give back to the community that supported me but also protect them and this city.”

Also hailing from Moose Jaw, Brooke Paul, 29, brings with her seven years of experience working in corrections and a policing diploma in criminal justice.

“It feels very surreal. It’s a very exciting starting this new chapter,” Paul said. “I’m excited to come back to my hometown and be able to serve and protect the community that I grew up in.”

Paul said becoming a police officer has been her goal since high school.

Kyle Murphy, 28, originally from Halifax, N.S., also has deep ties to Moose Jaw. He moved to the city during high school and graduated from Vanier Collegiate. Prior to joining the MJPS, he served in the Canadian Armed Forces aboard HMCS Corner Brook as a marine technician.

“I’m incredibly happy to be sworn

into the MJPS, in the city where I grew up and where my family lives, and I feel very grateful for the opportunity,” Murphy said.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from MJPS representative Jay-D Haughton and Acting Chief Johns, who spoke candidly about the path ahead.

“You’re accepting a very important appointment today — an appointment as a police officer,” said Acting Chief Johns. “You’ll become peacemakers in our community … mediating and helping people through tough times, and that’s a vital role in our community.”

The new officers were set to begin training on Monday, July 21.

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Left to right: Mayor James Murdock, MLA Megan Patterson, Acting Chief Rick Johns, Griffin Barrett, Brooke Paul, Kyle Murphy, and Judge David Chow. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Three new members were welcomed into the Moose Jaw Police Service on July 11,as Griffin Barrett (left), Brooke Paul (middle), and Kyle Murphy (right) were sworn in as constables.

Editor’s Note

JOAN RITCHIEMoose Jaw Express EDITOR

“Just for the record, the weather today is calm and sunny, but the air is full of bullshit.”

Chuck Palahniuk

I just wonder how many times someone has tried to bs their way through a conversation just to see if they can pull the wool over your eyes. I bet everyone has done it a time or two…not sure in what motive but nevertheless sort of a deception in the hopes of some credibility in an underhanded untruth.

We can smell them a mile away…a smooth-walking fast-talker with stories ripping off their tongue so rapidly that you know their brain can’t even keep up with the nonsensical fantasy fiction they are verbalizing as truth. But we rarely call them out because they bring a sense of amusement that is sometimes hard to resist.

In an article, How to smell the difference between BS and a lie online at https://www.membrain.com/blog/ how-to-smell-the-difference-betweenbs-and-a-lie, author George Bronten says, “Lying is when you know the truth and deliberately say something untrue in order to mislead someone. Bullshit is when you don’t necessarily know the answer, so you make something up that is plausible.”

He says that like most people, we think that bs is harmless…things like telling children that they put a special compound in swimming pools to reveal the presence of urine, and somehow this helps prevent such unwanted behaviors.

Bronten says we should recognize the signs of bs. “The first is a widespread feeling of obligation to have an opinion about “everything”—but of course, it’s impossible to have a wellinformed opinion about everything…. The second important factor is that people often generate nonsense when they expect it to be relatively easy to pass it.

“The reasons people fall for

Festival crowds and vendor feedback

This year’s Sidewalk Days Festival was expected to be the largest ever, and while the newly formed committee said no hard numbers are available to confirm it, steady crowds, sold-out vendor spots and strong feedback from vendors all point to yes.

Everley Reid, a member of this year’s Sidewalk Days committee and sales and creative co-ordinator at Tourism Moose Jaw said, “I would say we had at least as many (attendees) as previous years, if not more ...” In 2024, 22,000 unique visitors were estimated to have attended the festival.

This year’s downtown festival ran from July 3 to 5 and featured 249 vendors spread across nine blocks of Main Street North. Sweltering temperatures hitting 36 degrees Celsius marked Thursday and cooled to 25 degrees on Friday, but festivalgoers still came out in large numbers. Cloudy skies and haze on Saturday offered some relief, helping to

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

unwanted bullshit has more to do with their untrained critical thinking skills and the important questions they fail to ask, than it has to do with any wizard-like skills of persuasion that bullshit artists might possess. Many psychological studies show that people do not operate as irrationalists, but rather as flawed rationalists.”

He concludes by stating that “ideas should be treated as ideas, not as facts, unless we obtain compelling evidence.”

Another author online, John Petrocelli says in an article The LifeChanging Science of Detecting Bullshit found at https://nextbigideaclub.com/ magazine/life-changing-sciencedetecting-bullshit-bookbite/29360/?srs ltid=AfmBOoqS9KkbdZ7LLOYbaO8j o7MTXYyBIpsYIw1qk5xOLlzrv9UV C2gv that we think we need to have an opinion on everything, but as we all know, it’s impossible to have a wellinformed opinion about everything.

point

maintain a steady stream of visitors until closing at 5 p.m.

Fuelled by a broader “shop local” tourism trend, the event marked a strong follow-through on predictions made earlier this summer. In June, Tourism Moose Jaw had reported increased visitor numbers and a shift in travel habits, with more Canadians staying close to

And at https://www.quora.com/ If-someone-says-Your-bullshit-isshowing-how-should-one-respond-toit, Ruchita Bhandari says here are some good ways to ignore the bullshit of a few people around you:

Keep asking them more irrelevant questions until and unless they feel annoyed.

· Say a big “mmmmmmmmmm” and sit quiet.

Give a big smile and don’t utter a single word.

· Act as if you feel hungry or you have to make a call and run to save yourself.

· Find some good memes,you laugh, they laugh and cut off their bullshit. Plug in the earphones, it not only cuts off their bullshit but it makes them feel insulted.

· Keep on yawning or act as if you’re least interested to listen to them and Tada…!! ,they themselves find a way to buzz off.

“As such, people use bullshit to help them get what they want, gain an advantage, make a positive impression, promote their status, impress others with their knowledge, skills, or competence in something, or help connect with others.”

to record Sidewalk Days success

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

home and avoiding international trips — especially to the United States.

Several vendors told organizers that 2025 was their best Sidewalk Days event in terms of sales, providing further evidence to support the largest-ever festival claim.

“One vendor said that it was her third year at Sidewalk Days, and she had made more sales than she ever has before,” said Reid. “Devo’s Dogs said that they had done like two or three times (the amount of sales) they had done (in previous years).”

This year’s Battle of the Bands, sponsored by Water Vision Pools & Spas, featured several strong performances and concluded with fan-voted winners Out of Frequency taking the top prize with For Now placing second. Phoenix and the Silver Voodoo placed third. The winning band received a $1,500 cash prize, a 45-minute performance set, and full bragging rights.

Behind the scenes, this year’s festival was also a major milestone for another reason: it was the first event organized by a mostly new volunteer committee. Only Reid and a few returning board members including Rick McKeown and Matt Brewer had previous experience helping organize the festival.

The committee included executive director Donna Fritzke — who took over the role on Jan. 1 — alongside Daniela Quiroz, Catherine Guillaume-Eberle, and support from Tourism Moose Jaw board members Rick McKeown and Matt Brewer. Shannon Simpson and the “Helping Hands” crew from the Downtown Moose Jaw Association also played a major role, helping with setup, teardown, stage transitions and more.

“It really is thanks to the help of people who volunteered their time that we had such an awesome festival,” Reid said.

Festivalgoers pack Main Street during Sidewalk Days 2025, as steady crowds across all three days point to one of the busiest editions in the event’s history. Photo by: Aaron Walker

LEAP program builds stronger landlord-tenant ties through legal education

Landlords across Saskatchewan will soon have a new tool to help navigate the province’s rental laws, thanks to a first-of-its-kind legal education program officially announced in Moose Jaw on July 17.

Held in the mezzanine at Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa, the announcement marked the provincial debut of Landlord LEAP (Legal Education Assistance Program), an initiative spearheaded by Rental Housing Saskatchewan (RHSK). The program is designed to improve legal understanding, reduce disputes, and promote professionalism in the rental housing sector.

“Housing is really top of mind for everybody right now, because there is definitely a need for more housing, and rental housing specifically, right across the province,” said Landon Field, CEO of RHSK.

LEAP seeks to help both tenants and landlords by creating “a new program where people can understand the baseline of what is expected when it comes to screening tenants, … developing lease agreements, what types of things you can and can’t include, and then how the eviction process works and (how to prevent evictions) …,” he explained.

The course includes around nine modules and covers the full scope of a rental relationship — from screening tenants and signing leases, to eviction prevention and proper legal procedure when ending a tenancy. Field said it’s a practical tool not just for large property managers, but also for “anyone who owns a rental property, whether that’s one basement suite … or you’re a pro-

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

“We wanted to come to Moose Jaw to launch this program because we’re looking to expand our reach,” he said. “We really wanted to bring people together to hear different ideas, bounce those ideas off of each other, and really demonstrate our reach as a provincial organization.”

The certification is optional, and the course is open to both RHSK members and non-members. Pricing is set at $99 for members and $199 for non-members, with in-person workshops also planned for the future. Field said a number of larger housing providers have already expressed interest in using LEAP training as an onboarding requirement for new staff.

fessional property manager looking to refresh your skills.”

What makes the program unique is its Saskatchewan-specific design. While other provinces offer similar resources, LEAP was developed using the province’s own Residential Tenancies Act and existing legal framework — with support from the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Field noted that when landlords are better informed, everyone benefits.

“A well-educated and professional rental housing provider leads to safe and stable tenancies for renters as well,” he said. “When renters and landlords … understand their rights and responsibilities, we’ll hopefully see fewer disputes

that need to be tried at the Office of Residential Tenancies.”

Field said the decision to debut the program in Moose Jaw was intentional, highlighting the city’s role in the wider provincial network.

The program has been in development for over a year and is expected to officially go live this fall, with September 1 targeted as a tentative launch date. RHSK began taking waitlist registrations during the Moose Jaw announcement.

For more information or to join the waitlist, visit RentalHousingSK.ca or call 1-306-653-7149.

Landon Field, CEO of Rental Housing Saskatchewan, attends the official launch of the new Landlord LEAP program at the Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa mezzanine in Moose Jaw on July 17. Photo by: Aaron Walker

A new thread of hope: Quilter’s Haven reopens under new ownership

After nearly closing its doors for good, a long-standing fabric store and creative hub for quilters, sewists, and crafters in downtown Moose Jaw has been given a second life — and it’s thanks to a local woman whose dream arrived at just the right time.

Quilter’s Haven Sewing Centre officially reopened July 2 under the ownership of Karen Andersen, who took possession of the business after the retirement of longtime co-owners Arlyce Thompson and Heather Carruthers.

The store has been a quilting staple for more than two decades, offering supplies, classes, and a welcoming space to gather and create. Now, with Andersen at the helm, that legacy will continue — with a few new additions.

“When I walked in, it felt like I was coming home,” said Andersen, who has always had a love for colourful textiles and dreamed of one day owning her own shop. “Fabric has always been my passion.”

For Andersen, it felt like the universe had heard her loud and clear. Just two days after quietly wishing for a new sense of direction, a social media post appeared — and with it, the chance to pursue a long-held dream.

Her heart also sank when the real-

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ity of the post set in, a sentiment shared by many in the quilting community — Quilter’s Haven is for sale and may close for good.

Within the hour, and inspired by a renewed sense of purpose, she made up her mind. “I texted him again and said, ‘I’m buying the quilt store.’ He said, ‘Okay.’ Mountains were moved, we got the money, and here we are.”

No stranger to running a business, Andersen previously co-owned Joe’s Locksmith with her husband. With their son now given the keys to the family business, she’s starting a new venture.

Though she describes herself as more of a visual quilter than a traditional one — “I don’t think I’ve ever followed a pattern,” she admitted — Andersen has years of experience making clothing, costumes, and one-of-a-kind quilts. She often draws inspiration from images found online, selecting colour schemes, mapping designs, and building each piece from the ground up.

“It’s the feel of the fabric, the colours, and the creativity,” she said. “I just love everything about it.”

In addition to continuing the store’s long-standing services, Andersen is expanding its cultural offerings. A proud Métis woman, she has added a section

Karen Andersen stands inside “Kokum’s Corner,” a new feature at Quilter’s Haven dedicated to Métis culture and heritage. The shawl she’s wearing — a door prize she won at a community forum in May — now holds special meaning as she builds out the space. Kokum’s Corner will continue to grow, offering Indigenous-inspired textiles, patterns, and educational resources. Photo by: Aaron Walker

of Indigenous-themed supplies under the banner “Kokum’s Corner,” named in honour of her grandmother and the generations of Métis women who came before her.

Stocked with ribbon skirts, educational materials, and Indigenous-print fabrics, the corner is just the beginning of what Andersen hopes will become a permanent and growing feature in the shop.

“It’s a way of honouring where I come from,” she said. “If it weren’t for everything my kokum went through, I wouldn’t be here.”

The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, Andersen said. Customers regularly stop by to express their excitement, and many have asked when classes will resume.

Those classes will return in time, she confirmed, though a schedule has yet to be finalized. They will be held in the same space at the back of the shop as before once things are fully up and running.

Former owners Thompson and Carruthers have both offered to return to teach sessions, and Andersen also plans to lead her own workshops in Indigenous beadwork and cultural crafts down the road.

A grand opening is planned for July 25 and 26, set to coincide with the store’s in-house “Christmas in July” promotion, although Andersen said she plans to keep the event fairly modest.

Quilter’s Haven Sewing Centre is located at 422 Main Street North. For more information, visit “Quilters Haven 2025” on Facebook or call 306-6938523.

Canadian drone maker faces stiff competition BIZWORLD

By Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Years ago a member of our investment club suggested we investigate drone stocks since it seemed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were the coming big thing.

We did check out the drone stocks. We found only emerging companies losing tonnes of money.

This Bizworld column had another look at publicly traded drone stocks in the U.S. and Canada.

Those in the U.S.A. were either priced in the stratosphere and/or losing money, or were a small part of a large defence company. No sense flying there.

Canada has one publicly traded drone maker – Volatus Aerospace emerging in the highly competitive in-

ternational market. Drones are not that hard to build.

Marketing is a matter of connecting with users of drones and drone services.

Volatus is in the process of merging with another Canadian drone maker and service provider.

Toronto-based Volatus is merging with Saskatoon-based Dragonfly. Dragonfly just built a new plant in Saskatoon.

The merger will see two money losing companies in the development of drones and drone services combine efforts.

Dragonfly is much like Volatus with manufacture of drones in Saskatoon and a range of services from de-

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

fence, security, agriculture to mapping, surveillance and cargo delivery.

The company lost $13.3 million in 2024 with revenues of $20.2 million and lost $9.3 million in 2022.

The company aims for $27 million revenue this year and $50 million by 203.0

Volatus raised $10 million equity recently to build for growing sales.

Volatus makes a range of drones from small cargo to larger units.

Serving Canada, U.S.A. and U.K., Volatus targets utilities/energy, mining, defence/security, construction and infrastructure markets.

Priced at 72 cents, not too far from the year high of 97 cents, Volatus jumped at news of the merger.

The drone company faces an uncertain future in this competitive global marker.

If Canada adopts a suggested plan to utilize a fleet of drones with the six new F-35 fighter jets being delivered from the U.S., the future for Volatus could become brighter.

Canada’s plans for northern surveillance and security could also help growth.

But that’s one big If.

CAUTION: Remember when investing, consult your adviser and do your homework before buying any security. Bizworld does not recommend investments.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

History group to build monument honouring Canadians killed on D-Day

A history-focused organization wants to build a monument to honour the nearly 400 Canadians who died 81 years ago on D-Day and is seeking public support for the project.

The Juno Beach Centre Association (JBCA) has announced that Canadians have “a historic opportunity” to shape the future of remembrance in Canada and Normandy, France. The association is pursuing a $12.5-million capital campaign that would create a D-Day monument and enhance investment in the Juno Beach Centre’s “bold new vision.”

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our soldiers,” the association said.

“The victory now makes it possible that a monument dedicated to all Canadians who lost their lives on D-Day be established on that former battlefield.”

In early October 2022, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Canadian and French governments and local authorities secured an agreement to protect the Juno Beach Centre from a proposed condo project. This agreement followed a lengthy legal battle that cost the centre $800,000 over multiple years.

Canadians also wrote over 83,000

Beach that features the names of 381 Canadian soldiers and airmen killed on June 6, 1944, during the Allied invasion of Normandy during the Second World War, the association said.

While Canada has commemorated D-Day in many ways, there is no single monument on Juno Beach listing all the names of those men who died there, a void the association wants to fill with this new initiative.

“Three years ago, thousands of Canadians stepped up to help us preserve the Juno Beach Centre and the sanctity of Juno Beach from a condo development,” said Alex Fitzgerald-Black, executive director of the association.

“Now, at a time when Canadian patriotism is at a peak, we call upon Canadians to support the creation of a monument to permanently honour the nearly 400 Canadians who fell in the spearhead that eventually defeated Nazi Germany and restored freedom to millions.”

The association noted that the monument will be the centrepiece of a renewed commitment to stewardship of heritage lands, as the centre evolves into a living memorial that reflects Canada’s past and its duty to future generations, the organization said.

The capital campaign supports three pillars: preserving and stewarding sacred ground, leading in sustainability and

The highlight of the monument project is that Canso Investment Counsel Ltd. and Lysander Funds Ltd. are matching dollar for dollar the next $1 million raised.

“In 2022, Canadians, outraged at the condominium development (proposal) on Juno Beach, helped us win an important victory by speaking out against the enormous insult to the memory of

letters to politicians in Ottawa and France demanding protection for the site. These letters and the resulting media blitz prompted the Government of Canada to act, eliminating the threat to the Juno Beach Centre and the Canadian memorial presence in Normandy.

The future Canadian D-Day monument would be the first of its kind, as it would be a permanent tribute on Juno

visitor experience, and inspiring through education and remembrance.

The JCBA launched its matching funding campaign recently during its “Honour the Past — Protect the Future” event in Toronto. This event featured Marc Milner as the keynote historian and Second World War veterans Maj. Jim Parks and Pvt. William Seifried.

The event also celebrated a $100,000 launch gift from the Arthur J.E. Child Foundation, the first major contribution toward the matched funds campaign.

Chris LaBossiere, the JBCA president, said the $1 million matching donation is “a transformational investment” in the centre’s future, while the campaign has begun to gain momentum with the $100,000 gift.

“These generous commitments remind us that remembrance is a shared responsibility,” he added. “With the match in place, there has never been a more impactful time to support Canada’s museum on the D-Day landing beaches.” Visit www.junobeach.org for more information.

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An artist’s rendition of what the proposed monument on Juno Beach will look like. Photo courtesy Juno Beach Centre

From The Kitchen

By Joyce Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Cakes make convenient after-dinner sweet treat

A generous slice of home made cake accompanied by a scoop of ice cream is a dessert to ease the hunger pains of guests and family members of all ages.

This week’s recipes offer two ideas featuring cakes.

• • •

YESTERDAY’S CAKE

4 cups leftover cake, cubed

2 egg yolks

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 cups milk

2 tbsps. melted butter

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Meringue:

2 egg whites

2 cups brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x12 inch baking dish.

Place cake cubes in the baking dish and set aside.

Combine egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl and beat until frothy. Add flour and baking

powder and mix. Then pour in milk and melted butter. Stir well and add vanilla extract.

Pour batter over cake cubes and bake for 30 minutes in the pre-heated oven. Remove from oven.

To make meringue, beat egg whites and brown sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread the meringue mixture on the cake.

Broil until meringue turns golden. Cool before serving.

•

BEET AND CARROT CAKE

3/4 cup oil

1 1/4 cups sugar

3 egg yolks

3 egg whites

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 tbsps. hot water

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 cups raw carrots, finely grated

1 cup raw beets, finely grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 inch round cake pan.

In a bowl combine oil, sugar, egg yolks, vanilla and water.

In a second bowl sift dry ingredients and fold them into first mixture.

Add carrots and beets and stir well.

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently add to batter.

Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake about 50-60 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool. If desired, ice with a vanilla icing and decorate with sprinkles. Makes about 10 servings.

•

BROWN SUGAR ICING

1/4 cup milk

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 cup icing sugar

Boil milk, brown sugar and butter for five minutes. Remove from heat and cool.

Add icing sugar all at once and beat until it shines. Frost a favourite cake and garnish with fresh fruit slices.

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Mortlach’s Pitstop Diner to host second annual Veterans Appreciation weekend

A special weekend event in Mortlach will bring together veterans and community members to honour service, share stories, and show appreciation — all with a side of hometown hospitality.

The Pitstop Family Diner, located at 111 Rose Street in the heart of the village, will host its second annual “Veterans Appreciation” weekend on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

The event is free to attend and welcomes veterans from all branches, including the Royal Canadian Legion, Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS), Cadets, and other affiliated groups.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity for veteran units to engage with each other and the public at large, and to further establish their footprint in their communities,” wrote Terry Bittles, owner of the Pitstop Diner.

Display booths will be available free of charge for groups to set up fundraising tables, share information about what they do, or establish recruitment stations. Veterans and their organizations will be running draws, 50/50s, and raffles throughout the weekend, with food

and bar service also on site.

“All veterans are welcome to attend and conduct recruiting efforts as well as fundraising,” Bittles added.

In addition to the military-themed displays, visi-

tors can explore the on-site Bohemian Marketplace — an eclectic space that features local and guest artwork, including the renowned wood carvings of Darren Jones and metal sculptures by “Iron Mike” Boudoin. Largerthan-life carvings of cultural icons Don Cherry and The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie will be on display.

“The weather forecast is looking awesome, so we should have a great weekend of fun and engagement,” said Bittles.

Last year’s inaugural event drew strong support from both veterans and visitors, and organizers are hopeful for an even bigger turnout this time around. The idea, Bittles said, is to create a relaxed and welcoming space where people can connect, reflect, and show appreciation for those who have served.

The Pitstop Family Diner is known locally not just for its hearty meals but also for its community spirit — with events such as this aimed at putting Mortlach on the map as a hub for rural hospitality and support for veterans.

For more information, or to book a booth, contact Terry Bittles directly at 1-639-538-3326.

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Terry Bittles (right) and his wife (left) stand inside the entertainment space at the Pitstop Family Diner in Mortlach, where they hope to build a welcoming hub for artists, tourists and veterans alike. Photo by: Aaron Walker

48-5TH AVE NE

• mjcollision@sasktel.net

Dutch couple wrote book about sheltering Canadians during WWII

Two Moose Jaw-area women who travelled to the Netherlands recently to honour their veteran fathers also visited a home whose former owners sheltered the men during the Second World War.

Lana Hebert, from Moose Jaw, and Joanne Haig, from Rouleau, visited the Western European country with the group “In Our Fathers’ Footsteps” to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Dutch liberation and the end of the war.

Before the tour began, Haig and Hebert visited the community of Hilversum. There, they found the home of Joanna and Gerry Aalders, who housed their fathers during the war. They took a picture of themselves outside the building, as the current owners were absent; the Aalders sold the home in 1956 and moved to New Zealand.

The Aalders returned to Canada in 1974 to find the 11 Canadian soldiers who stayed with them. They found nine of the men while they wrote a book about that experience, called “… and we found NINE!”

This is the story of that search. Thanks go to Haig for providing the information.

The search begins

The Aalders immigrated to New Zealand in 1956 to start a new life. In 1972, Gerry contacted the Canadian High Commission for help to find the Canadians who stayed with them.

A write-up in The Sentinel newspaper in January 1973 featured a picture of the 11 boys at the couple’s dinner table in 1945, celebrating the 21st birthday of Joseph A. Braconnier, Haig’s father. The article generated many letters, with one coming from the family of soldier Bud Warnell.

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The family knew that Gerry and Joanna wanted to travel to Canada, so they gave them information about the country. The Aalders then left Auckland on May 26, 1974, to start their adventure. They flew back to Amsterdam, then to London, England, and Halifax, N.S., arriving on July 5, 1974. A reporter with the Canadian Press interviewed them, while their story was published in many national newspapers.

The couple started looking for their 11 boys using materials they had researched and that the Warnell family provided. The Aalders eventually met with two of the soldiers, one from Montreal, and the other — Braconnier — from Regina.

On Aug. 8, the couple gave a live interview with radio station CKEN in Kentville, N.S. They also gave another interview in Regina with the French CBC, while they spoke on CFAC in Calgary on Oct. 28.

In Ottawa on Sept. 27, the Aalders attended a reception at the National Defence headquarters, where they were well received.

The couple continued to receive more publicity as they headed west, including with the Regina Leader-Post on Oct. 16, a newspaper in Claresholm, Alta., on Oct. 24, the Victoria Colonist newspaper on Nov. 5 and the Vancouver Sun on Nov. 8.

In Vancouver, Gerry and Joanna spoke about how the soldiers, while staying with them, pretended to lose a key in their attic. The men had the couple travel to Amsterdam for the day while they filled the attic with onions, carrots, potatoes and wood luxuries — during a time of strict food rationing.

The Aalders returned to New Zea-

The cover of the book that Dutch couple Joanna and Gerry Aalders wrote five decades ago after re-connecting with nine of 11 Canadian soldiers who stayed with them during the Second World War. Photo courtesy Joanne Haig

land but came back to Canada in 1979 to visit “their boys” again. They stayed for six months and travelled from coast to coast, visiting the soldiers and their families, relatives and friends, and continued looking for more of the men.

Gerry and Joanna met most of the

in person included Harry Savage, Frank Drew, Braconnier, Kenneth Budget (Hebert’s father), Cliff Sather, Larry Britton, Irving Redmond, Lawson Moser and Johnny Tougas. They also stayed in touch with Larney Barkley, who died before they could meet in person.

Joseph and Bea Braconnier visited Gerry and Joanna in New Zealand at one point, while Joanna made one last trip to Canada in 1989 after Gerry died.

After Bea’s death, Joe wanted to return to New Zealand to see Joanna. Hebert, her husband Randy, her younger brother Paul and his wife Sonya took Joe to Auckland to see Joanna in November 1997.

“We left dad to visit Joanna while we visited the North Island of New Zealand,” Hebert recalled. “Joanna and dad joined us on the South Island, travelling around in a small motor home. It was a wonderful reunion between Joanna and Joseph.”

It was the last time they saw each other, as Braconnier died on Nov. 9, 1998.

Herbert added that she was unsure whether Bud Warnell was one of the soldiers who fought with her father in Hol-

By

Controlling Algae in Ponds

Water in a landscape makes the ordinary – extraordinary! Somehow water finishes off the lovely ambiance we have in our outdoor living spaces. It attracts birds, butterflies and all sorts of other critters as well. However, this time of year the crystal clear ponds are often more like a rendition of pea soup! Read on to learn more about controlling algae in your ponds.

Algae are very primitive plants that do not have the regular plant parts like leaves, stems or roots. They reproduce by spores, cell division and fragmentation and just like land plants they need light, water, nutrients, carbon dioxide and oxygen in order to live. Knowing this is key to controlling algae as it is usually light and nutrients that will limit the growth.

The simplest method to control algae is to limit light and nutrients. Having plants cover a good part of the

surface of the pond will aid in reducing algae growth. Limiting the amount of nutrients in the water will also help. Avoid using fertilizer around the pond as it is a great source of nutrients for the algae. It is important to have a balance between the size of the pond, the plant material and the number of fish. Do not overfeed fish as this is one of the fastest ways to increase algae growth. Rain, pollen and falling foliage will also create a surplus of nutrients that is ideal for increasing algae growth.

There are a number of forms of algae you may experience. Suspended or planktonic algae are very common and can quickly turn your clear pond into pea soup. Algae feed on the nutrients in the water and reproduce rapidly. When the nutrient level decreases, so will the algae population and the water will clear. When large amounts of algae die, it depletes the oxygen supply in the water which can also potentially kill fish or other animal life in the pond. It is also this anaerobic (without oxygen) water which can be rather foul smelling.

Bacteria play an important role in keeping your pond in balance. They actually feed on nutrients that are in the water caused by decomposing leaves and leftover fish food. They will also help to decrease the sediment often found in the bottom of the pond and will also help to eliminate odours.

As in most aspects of life – just a

little balance is the answer. Ensure that floating plants like duckweed or hyacinths cover 50 to 70% of the pond surface. Submerged plants or oxygenators will help keep the water smelling fresh. These plants will also help remove dissolved nutrients giving the algae less available food. If you have fish in your pond and you feed those fish, it is sometimes as simple as limiting the amount of food you feed as this is a great additive for algae.

I have a large pond which has a waterfall and a pool skimmer to help ensure any debris is removed from the water prior to rotting thus reducing the amount of “food” for algae. However, when there is a lot of vegetative mate-

rial, the pond quickly takes on a green hue. Unfortunately, the only place in my landscape where I could dig in a large pond is beneath a very beautiful and very old but self-pruning willow tree. Needless to say in spring, when the willow flowers, the pollen and catkins are instant algae food, thus requiring extra care when my tree is shedding!

As always there are a number of chemical solutions on the market that state your pond will become pristine if you purchase and use their product, but keep in mind that any of these “quick fixes” are not long-term solutions. Ensure you read the labels carefully and follow the manufacturer directions.

Once you have an algae bloom, it takes a couple of weeks to get that ecosystem back in balance. Patience is required in order to achieve a good natural balance.

Happy summer!

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/ UCzkiUpkvyv2e2HCQlFl0JyQ? www.orchidhort.com

Patricia Hanbidge For Moose Jaw Express

Volunteers ‘Purge the Leafy Spurge’ in Wakamow to fight invasive weeds

A group of local nature enthusiasts is taking aim at a stubborn invasive plant species with a tongue-in-cheek slogan and a serious goal: restoring native ecosystems one patch at a time.

The campaign, dubbed “Purge the Leafy Spurge,” is the latest grassroots effort by the Moose Jaw Nature Society to remove leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), a persistent and highly invasive weed that has taken hold in Wakamow Valley. The group meets weekly on Thursdays, beginning at 5:30 p.m., starting near the entrance to Maryland Park and working east toward the Burger Cabin. Everyone is welcome to join in the effort.

“We just thought we’d start within Wakamow,” explained Kimberly Epp, founder of Wild About Moose Jaw. “We formed this ‘Adopt-a-Patch’ program with Wakamow (Valley Authority), and we’re going to try and finish up the area just past the bird feeder all the way to the end (of our adopted patch of ground), before we move on to the next area.”

Leafy spurge, which produces a deceptively attractive yellow flower, poses a significant threat to native plants and pollinators. Once established, it can be extremely difficult to remove.

“It’s not native to America, and it spreads (very readily),” said Epp. “And once it’s established, it’s really hard to eradicate, because it has a chemical re-

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

action that shoots its seeds, believe it or not, 15 feet away from the plant.”

She added that the plant’s deep, connected root system allows it to regenerate even after pulling, and the sticky, milky sap can cause skin irritation and harmful blisters in humans. Volunteers are advised to wear gloves and bring bug repellent. Supplies, including garbage bags and extra gloves, are provided on-site. While mosquitoes remain active, some members can provide extra patches and ticks are no longer much of a concern at this point in the season, Epp noted.

“It chokes out the native wildflowers. When you choke out the native wildflowers, you’re choking out the native pollinators as well,” she explained.

The invasive plant is the first of several the group plans to target in the coming weeks, with others such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) up for purging next.

Six volunteers came out for the last session, filling several large garbage bags with the purged pest. The work typically lasts about 60 to 90 minutes and wraps up with a social gathering as the group makes their way to the Burger Cabin.

“It’s a way to meet other people (who are interested in) nature,” Epp said. “While we’re doing this, if we see something, we’re going to stop, watch, and tell everybody, ‘Oh gee, look at that, there’s a doe with her fawn.’ … It’s hard work — even though the weeds come

Maryland Park just south of the Burger Cabin in Wakamow on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., or text Kimberly Epp at 306681-3198 for more information.

Epp said the group plans to continue for as long as they can before the fall. To learn more, visit “Moose Jaw Nature Society” on Facebook.

out easy, we want to make sure we have time to visit afterwards.”

Everyone is invited to join in the effort to control invasive plant species and do their part to give pollinator insects a fighting chance. Participants are welcome to show up at the entrance to

A volunteer holds up a freshly pulled leafy spurge plant during the latest “Purge the Leafy Spurge” effort in Wakamow Valley, part of a broader campaign to restore native vegetation and protect pollinators.

Nature Society

Volunteers with the Moose Jaw Nature Society pull invasive leafy spurge from the ground during a recent Thursday evening cleanup event in Wakamow Valley. Photo by: Moose Jaw Nature Society

Leafy spurge produces bright yellow flowers and a milky sap, but despite its appearance, the plant is highly invasive and toxic to many species, including humans.

Photo by: Moose Jaw Nature Society

Photo by: Moose Jaw

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.

Snowbirds, breakfasts & fireworks always draw crowds Reflective Moments

I can think of three events that are guaranteed to draw appreciative and supportive crowds.

The three that come to mind are pancake breakfasts, fireworks displays and performances by Moose Jaw’s own Canadian Forces Snowbirds, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.

On a recent Saturday, with clouds dissipating just in time, the nine Tutors took to the sky at the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport and for close to 30 minutes showcased a repertoire of breath-taking manoeuvres that had an appreciative audience applauding and oohing, awing and gasping.

It was a perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon and watching the Snowbirds was how close to 1,800 team supporters came together to take a drive in the country to the airport. And it was economically priced — $40 per vehicle and some of those vehicles were packed from front seat to back seat.

Such full vehicles brought to mind the days of the drive-in movie theatres

and $10/car charge for a certain number of guests. Occasionally the trunk had to be opened to ensure some hitch-hikers hadn’t popped in there when the driver was distracted!!

As one of the gate attendants at the Snowbirds’ show, it was interesting for me to watch the drivers’ expressions when asked how many people were in a vehicle. Some looked in the back seat as though surprised to find so many friends and family back there. Others giggled and teased the passengers when asked how many adults and children were along for the ride.

One man asked: “Do we have too many people in here?” We explained we were just trying to count the number of adults and children and he visibly relaxed. Was he wondering what to do with any excess numbers? Drop them off and pick them up on the way home?

The youngsters were eager to tell us they would see the Snowbirds later in the day. And they were especially excited to learn they could look at some other

aircraft up close and personal as long as they didn’t touch.

A browse through licence plates showed spectators from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Montana and North and South Dakota.

I had a pleasant conversation with a driver from Scobey, Montana. I told him that many years ago I was part of the accordion band that marched in that community’s parade and we later played at the county fair. He was interested in that information and suggested another visit to his community. Maybe someday. Meanwhile he and his occupants seemed pleased to be welcomed to Moose Jaw and Canada.

Many folks who attended the show acknowledged that they had never, ever been to the Municipal Airport before, some didn’t know how to find it and others marvelled at the number of hangars gracing the facility.

And here comes a pancake breakfast: many of the Snowbirds’ followers

Guidelines for Submitting Letters to the Editor:

Due to space allotment in Moose Jaw Express for free letters to the editor, we find it necessary to establish some guidelines in submissions that will be in effect.

• All letters to the editor submitted to the Moose Jaw Express newspaper should not exceed 900 words. In this case, we reserve the right to edit them accordingly.

• Please do not write letters of personal attack or are condescending.

• A full name and contact information will need to be included with each submission for verification.

expressed interest in returning to the airport on Aug.16 for the Moose Jaw Flying Club’s annual fly-in/drive-in pancake breakfast served from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In addtion to pancakes, eggs and sausages, there will aircraft displays, an opportunity for aircraft rides by donation and demonstrations by Skydive South Saskatchewan.

Now wouldn’t it be a hat trick for the airport folks if sometime in the future, a bout of fireworks might be added to events at the airport? Wishful thinking? Perhaps!

In the meantime, thanks to the Snowbirds for bringing their show home. Special thank you to the airport authority and Moose Jaw Flying Club for allowing so many visitors onto their grounds and sharing the sky for such a pleasant afternoon.

It was a bonus this year that those darn geese stayed away.

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

• Only the name will be included in publication with the letter as the contributor.

• We Reserve The Right to Edit.

Send your letters to the editor to: joan@moosejawexpress.com

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

RE: Evacuees from forest fires in Beaval area coming to Moose Jaw

Attention Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce Members and Businesses in Moose Jaw:

We want to inform you that Moose Jaw is beginning to receive evacuees from the forest fires in the Beauval area. As of now, 8 individuals have already arrived and are staying at local hotels. We are expecting at least 30 more evacuees,

including young families and teenagers. Please note that numbers may fluctuate as the situation evolves.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has asked whether the City could assist in helping evacuees feel more comfortable during their stay. Following a discussion with the Mayor, the City of Moose Jaw will be providing complimentary passes for pools, the Yara Centre fieldhouse, and public transit.

Additionally, the Saskatchewan

Health Authority has invited the City to participate in daily coordination calls beginning Monday at 9:30 a.m., to better understand and respond to the needs of evacuees. The City will take part in these calls and help coordinate local support efforts.

Your help could make a meaningful difference to families and individuals displaced by this crisis. Thank you for considering how you might support this important community effort.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is asking Chamber members or businesses that are able to assist in possibly providing support such as donations, in-kind goods, services or other resources to please reach out to:

Mary Kowal

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency

Phone: 306-221-7648

Email: emergencycrisissupport1@ gov.sk.ca

A bail hearing has been set for Meagan Windover, who is accused of attempted murder and several firearms-related offences.

Windover, 30, appeared in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on July 16, where Legal Aid lawyer Suzanne Lalonde asked Judge Hendrickson to set a bail hearing for Tuesday, July 22.

Lalonde asked that a bail verification report be created, with the document to look at — among other things — whether a radio frequency electronic monitoring bracelet was available and

PROVINCIAL COURT REPORT

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

suitable for Windover.

Judge Hendrickson agreed and ordered the creation of the report. At the request of the Crown, he also revoked her release on other matters and agreed to keep her in custody until her bail hearing.

According to previous information, members of the Moose Jaw Police Service were dispatched to the North Service Road on July 14 around 9:12 a.m. for a weapon-related call involving a firearm.

Initial information indicated that a

male youth suspect shot the victim and then fled in a vehicle.

Upon arrival, police located a male who had suffered a gunshot wound and was attended to by EMS, then transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

The two individuals knew each other.

Through the investigation, police identified the suspect to be a 17-yearold male. Additionally, police identified Windover as a second suspect.

Police discovered that the woman was at a residence within the Lakeview

Trailer Court and executed an arrest warrant.

Officers arrested Windover without incident with the assistance of the MJPS’s crisis negotiators, tactical response team (TRT) and community policing division.

Meanwhile, the 17-year-old male remains at large, while police continue to investigate the situation.

Anyone with further information should contact the Moose Jaw Police Service at 306-694-7600 or CRIME STOPPERS at 1-800-222-8477.

Lafleche man accused of gun trafficking receives bail

A Lafleche man who allegedly broke into the home of a deceased person to steal weapons and then trafficked them has been granted bail.

Cecil Charles Everson appeared by video in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on July 17, where a show-cause hearing was held to determine whether to release him. His alleged offences occurred between April 4 and 23 in Lafleche, south of Gravelbourg.

Crown prosecutor Stephen Wishart told Judge Brian Hendrickson that Everson, 45, was already on two court orders from other provinces that prohibited him from owning or possessing weapons or guns.

Furthermore, he has 57 previous convictions, including 26 failures to appear or comply with court orders and eight offences for break-ins and robberies, the Crown continued. Also, he had one charge of possessing weapons and four offences for assault.

Wishart noted that the Crown was opposed to Everson’s release because he needed to be detained to ensure he would appear in court; his detention would protect the public, including his co-accused, who were also witnesses; and releasing him would undermine the public’s confidence in the administration of justice.

Wishart added that these were “all compelling reasons” to keep the Lafleche man in custody.

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

Legal Aid lawyer Zak Anderson said that at the time of these alleged offences, the house was empty because the homeowner had died and his family was monitoring it.

Meanwhile, Anderson said that even though Everson had a previous criminal history, there were also several periods in his life when he was not convicted of anything and had remained sober from drugs or alcohol. Moreover, he had been a “productive, contributing member of society” because he had been working.

Continuing, Anderson said the accused should be released from custody because his release plan included living with a female friend on her acreage near Lafleche and helping her there. Furthermore, he was willing to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, while he still had his job and could work.

In response, Wishart said Everson may have had gaps in his criminal record, but he still committed offences afterward. The Crown prosecutor also pointed out that Saskatchewan was the accused’s fourth province where he had demonstrated his criminal behaviour.

After listening to both sides, Judge Hendrickson acknowledged that Everson had gaps in his criminal record, including between 2021 and 2025. He also acknowledged the man’s 57 convictions — “My goodness, that’s a huge accumulation” — and his many failures to com-

ply with court orders.

Reviewing the primary ground, or reason, for release, the judge said that while Everson’s background raised concerns, he also looked at the man’s release plan and where he would live. Therefore, the judge said the Crown had not proved that the accused’s detention was justified.

Looking at the secondary ground, Judge Hendrickson said this was the “most problematic,” since the safety of the witnesses was important. Furthermore, Everson’s criminal record was important since “what’s past is prologue” and there was a “substantial likelihood” that he might reoffend.

However, the judge said that Everson’s circumstances had changed be-

plan. Therefore, he said the Crown had not proven this reason.

Lastly, Judge Hendrickson said that the Crown’s case looked strong, while the “gravity of (Everson’s) offences” meant he could face jail if convicted. However, he was not convinced that releasing the man would undermine the public’s confidence in the justice system. Hendrickson agreed to release Everson on several conditions, such as reporting to a probation officer, living with his female friend on her acreage, maintaining a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet, having no contact with his coaccused or being near them and not possessing firearms or weapons.

The judge then adjourned Everson’s

Roll for adventure: Local gamers gather for an afternoon of tabletop games at the library

The dice were rolling, the imaginations were soaring, and a chorus of “critical hit!” could be heard from upstairs at the Moose Jaw Public Library on the late morning and afternoon of July 12, as the Moose Jaw Gamers Association hosted a one-day tabletop RPG event for fantasy fans, dice slingers and curious newcomers alike.

Held in two rented rooms on the upper floor, the event featured a variety of one-shot role-playing games — quickplay adventures designed to begin and end in a single session. It served both as a summer social and a teaser for the association’s major gaming expo set to return in February 2026.

“Today is just basically a tabletop RPG day, and it’s basically just to get everyone pumped up for our yearly event in February,” said Alishia Haliwyz, the group’s volunteer co-ordinator. “People came here (today) to play an RPG game, and they got information about our big event (in February).”

On offer were several curated campaigns, including the ‘80s-inspired Roark’s Rock — which saw players step into the shoes of forgotten toys navigating an unknown world — and Fiasco, a card-based narrative game full of dra-

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

matic twists. Also on the schedule: Dungeons & Dragons, Cyberpunk Red, and a Pokémon-themed RPG.

“The game I was running here was called Fiasco, and basically, you get relationship cards, needs, objectives, and you try to fill out the story — and a whole bunch of drama and twists ensue,” said Haliwyz. “And then in the other room there is Dungeons and Dragons and Cyberpunk Red (among other games).”

TENDER-TAX TITLE PROPERTY

The Village of Avonlea is o ering for sale by public tender the following Residential Property with house and buildings, located at Lot 6, Block 7, Plan AY1304 – ISC Parcel No. 110915951, 411 Third Avenue, Avonlea, Saskatchewan

Contact the Village of Avonlea for questions and to obtain a Bid Form and Conditions

Phone (306)868-2221

Box 209 Avonlea, Saskatchewan S0H 0C0

Email: avonlea@sasktel.net

Tender Deadline: September 5th, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

Tenders will be considered at the next meeting of Council.

While attendance was modest — as expected for a midsummer event — Haliwyz said the low-key format was ideal for connecting with players and showcasing the group’s library of games, many of which are pre-made one-shots or homebrew creations by local members.

“We don’t really get a huge turnout for our summer events. That’s why we do the game day instead of our regular threeday summer GAX,” she said. “People are going out camping, vacationing and spending time outside (at this time of year).”

Proceeds from entry fees help fund the group’s flagship

event — the Gamers Arts Expo (GAX) — a three-day winter convention that

raises money for local children’s charities with Hunger in Moose Jaw selected as this year’s beneficiary. The 2026 edition is set for Feb. 8 to 10 at the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture, and will feature everything from board games and retro video game consoles to RPGs and generous door prizes.

“(We invite you to) come out, support us, and support the cause,” Haliwyz said. “In September, we also have the Saskatchewan Retro Game Con at the old Sears building up at the Town ‘N Country Mall, and (Moose Jaw Gamers Association) will have a booth there.”

The Saskatchewan Retro Game Con will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall. Tickets are available now through a link on the association’s Facebook page.

For more information, visit MJGA. ca or “Moose Jaw Gamers” on Facebook.

Participants gather around a table during the Moose Jaw Gamers Association’s one-day tabletop RPG event, held July 12 at the Moose Jaw Public Library. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Photo by: Aaron Walker

Photo by: Aaron Walker

MOOSE JAW BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS NOTES

THE NEXT POLICE BOARD MEETING IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20

Incidents of aggravated assaults and arsons up over last year, data shows

Total crimes against people and property continue to decline year-over-year, police data shows, although cases of aggravated assault and arson are two notable areas that have increased since last year.

The Moose Jaw Police Service provided crime statistics up to June 30 during the Board of Police Commissioners’ July 16 meeting.

The data showed that there have been 267 total crimes against people year-to-date, compared to 295 incidents last year, a drop of 9.5 per cent. Meanwhile, there have been 611 total crimes against property year-to-date, compared to 936 incidents last year, a drop of 34.7 per cent.

One notable increase in people-related crimes is aggravated assaults, with police recording four incidents this year compared to zero last year. Meanwhile, in property-related crimes, there have been three incidents of arson, compared to zero last year.

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

Other increases in the crime data show there have been 13 cases of threats this year compared to nine last year, a jump of 44.4 per cent; 87 incidents of provincial liquor infractions this year compared to 73 last year, a jump of 19.2 per cent; and six drug busts of other CDSA-type drugs compared to four last year, a jump of 50 per cent.

Crimes against the person

The data for crimes against the person in June 2025 versus 2024 showed:

• Homicide: 0 / 0

• Attempted murder: 0 / 2

• Assaults (sexual, common, with a weapon, aggravated, against police): 159 / 189

• Robbery: 5 / 8

Crimes against property

The data for crimes against property in June 2025 versus 2024 showed:

• Break-ins (business, residence, other): 53 / 124

• Theft of motor vehicles: 22 / 35

• Theft over $5,000: 6 / 9

• Theft under $5,000: 251 / 381

• Arson: 3 / 0

• Mischief under $5,000: 124 / 135

Other incidents

Other incidents as of June 2025 versus 2024 showed:

• Impaired driving: 27 / 45

• Failing to comply with court orders: 325 / 444

• Threats under section 810: 13 / 9

• Domestic disputes: 13 / 31

• Provincial liquor infractions: 87 / 73

• Vehicle collisions over $1,000: 121 / 155

• Summary offence tickets: 711 / 1,079

• Drugs (cocaine, cannabis, meth, other): 12 / 15

Also, the police service received 10,416 calls for service by June 30, compared to 10,029 calls in 2024, an increase of 3.9 per cent.

Acting Police Chief Rick Johns told the board that almost all the numbers were trending downward in the two

main categories, which was positive, although he singled out aggravated assault and arson.

Continuing, Johns said with aggravated assault, there is no risk to the public since the people involved in those incidents knew each other. Furthermore, police have identified all the suspects and continue to investigate several of the situations.

With arson, the acting chief said one person caused two fires and one person caused one fire, while police solved all three incidents and laid charges.

Johns mentioned that service calls were growing, pointing out that while addressing criminal activity is some of the work the agency does, “there is a very large portion” that is non-criminal. This includes attending to the public’s needs, mediating issues between people and dealing with incidents before they reach a level of criminality.

The next police board meeting is Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Newest MJPS member a young and energetic Belgian Malinois

One of the newest members of the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) is Canadianborn and -raised, young and enthusiastic and will soon replace a veteran member of the force.

Draco, a 17-month-old Belgian Malinois, was introduced as the agency’s newest police service dog (PSD) during the Board of Police Commissioners’ July 16 meeting. The energetic pup works with Const. Curtis Amiot, who oversees the K-9 Unit.

Amiot explained that a member of the Regina Police Service’s K-9 team left that unit in January after serving in it for 17 years. Before he left, though, he acquired two dogs last June and was training one to detect drugs and another — Draco — for regular patrols.

The RPS member exposed the Belgian Malinois to some socialization and briefly trained it for everyday tasks, Amiot said. Meanwhile, he acquired the ani-

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mal on March 31 and put it through basic training, including comprehensive sessions to search for evidence and people, to apprehend people, and obedience and agility courses.

That training concluded on June 23, and Draco began working.

Typically, a first-time police dog handler must complete 640 hours of training, but Amiot wasn’t required to do that because he is already experienced. Also, the officer was able to acquire a validation certificate for Draco because of the training they completed in 10 weeks.

Another bonus is that Draco is a big dog and has been big since he was seven months old, so he is more mature than other canines his age, Amiot said.

“He’s (the) only dog of his litter, so I think that’s part of why he’s a little bit bigger than the average,” he remarked.

“(I have) high hopes for him. He looks very promising once he matures, like, at

that two-year age, he’ll be a really, really valuable and successful dog with us.”

Amiot noted that he sees many positive abilities in Draco that he didn’t see in his first dog, which will serve the animal well in the future. Also, his previous dog was born in Slovakia, while Draco was born and raised in Canada.

Being born here is positive, he said, because the MJPS avoided paying American prices or facing tariffs in acquiring a dog. Also, the agency didn’t have to drive to the United States to test out the animal.

Amiot said that Draco could pull a suspect over from a vehicle because all canines are trained to support high-risk vehicle stops. He noted that he will park his cruiser a short distance behind the suspect’s vehicle for safety and either he or another officer will use a bullhorn to command the person to exit.

Then, he will send out Draco — on a 100-foot line — to conduct a secondary

search of the vehicle for more people, he continued. Based on training, the animal will check the front and back seats, and if necessary, pull someone out through a window or door.

Meanwhile, Amiot said that Draco is expected to replace his other partner, PSD Argo, because that animal has bulging disks in its back. The officer had hoped to keep Argo working until the spring, but because of rehabilitation and therapy, the animal can continue working until the end of the year.

Continuing, he said having two canine partners gives him “the luxury” to pick one for certain situations and where it’s best suited; Argo is an experienced eight-year-old German Shepherd, while Draco is “young (and) enthusiastic.”

Amiot added that he could train Draco for drug work, which would make him the first drug-focused canine the MJPS has had in more than 10 years.

‘Living history, lasting legacy’: Fort Walsh in Cypress Hills celebrates 150 years

The year was 1875 and Ottawa had established the Supreme Court, Canadian Pacific Railway began construction of its line and future First World War general Arthur Currie was born.

That was also the year that the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) constructed Fort Walsh in Cypress Hills in southwest Saskatchewan, near the site of the 1873 Cypress Hills Massacre.

The fort was named after its builder, Inspector James Morrow Walsh, and its purpose was to stop the illegal whisky trade and protect the border from Americans, who moved through the area regularly to hunt and trade.

Fort Walsh served as an important place for the next decade, with traders, pioneers and Aboriginal people often visiting it. It also served as the headquarters for the NWMP from 1878 to 1882, but in 1883, Ottawa closed and dismantled it.

The federal government made the original outpost a national historic site of Canada in 1924, and in the 1940s, it reconstructed the entire fort and used it to breed horses for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Musical Ride program.

To celebrate the fort’s 150th anniversary, Parks Canada is holding an event — “Living history, lasting legacy,” is its theme — at the fort on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RCMP cadets from Depot Division in Regina will be in period costume performing dismounted cavalry drills, as a

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nod to the organization’s history and traditions. Similarly, Fort Walsh interpreters will be in historic uniforms, where they will perform traditional precision drills and skirmishes on foot and fire a seven-pound field gun.

There will also be interactive demonstrations of historic trades such as blacksmithing and horseshoeing, First Nation and Metis culture camps, wagon rides, an outdoor market and a kids’ activity area.

“We’re excited to have this event happening at the fort to commemorate

the 150th anniversary. We’re (also) excited to be working with the RCMP Academy at Depot Division with the cadets … participating in demonstrations,” said Shauna Schmidt, a spokeswoman for Parks Canada.

“It’s a big milestone in the history of Fort Walsh. National historic sites like Fort Walsh reflect the rich and varied heritage of Canada and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history,” she stated.

Continuing, Schmidt said there are many interesting historical facts about

the site, such as that the NWMP established the fort one year after Ottawa signed Treaty 4 in Fort Qu’Appelle. Further, Fort Walsh was the first NWMP outpost in Western Canada — the officers arrived in 1874 — and was the organization’s first headquarters before Ottawa transferred it to Regina in 1882.

Fort Walsh is a shared part of the history of Saskatchewan and Canada, while Parks Canada is a leader in protecting that cultural heritage, sharing stories of “these treasured places” and fostering the public’s awareness and understanding, the spokeswoman said.

Parks Canada is also privileged to work with indigenous people, partners, stakeholders and the public in every province and territory to bring forward these stories and share their rich histories across the country, Schmidt added.

Fort Walsh National Historic Site is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Saturday, Sept. 27. Visitors can take a guided tour, view several interactive displays in the visitors’ centre, explore the trails and spend time in the surrounding Cypress Hills. Also, as part of its Canada Strong Pass, the federal government is offering free admission to national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas from now until Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Visit Facebook for more information about the 150th anniversary celebration.

Ranch Ehrlo renovates Chez Nous building

A non-profit agency has taken out a $320,000 building permit to make improvements to the former Chez Nous seniors’ boarding facility.

The home has been closed for more than a year since the owner shut it. About 50 seniors were displaced by the closure.

The city building report calls the former St. Louis College an apartment.

The application for rezoning by Ranch Ehrlo plans to convert the building to 23 multi-room suites, 16 three

bedroom suites, five two bedroom suites and two treatment units.

Ranch Ehrlo works with young people and families at risk from substance abuse.

Heavy truck dealer Warner Industries took out a $2.75 million permit for a primary industry building in Grayson Business Park.

The lock-out bound Heritage Inn was issued a $110,000 permit for improvements.

A $145,000 permit for a storage

building was issued for the new school at Vermont Drive on South Hill.

The Prairie South School Divisions Education Centre on Ninth Avenue N.W. got a $155,000 permit for an office building.

Permits issued in June amounted to $4.17 million, a decline of $44,000 from the previous June

No permits were issued for new residences, compared to six worth $1.5 million for the first six months of 2025.

Value of building permits issued by

the city to June 30 at $25.99 million was up 50 per cent from 2024.

Housing construction continues to lag last year’s levels.

To June 30 this year three buildings with 22 units worth $4.36 million were started

By the end of last June 14 residential structures with 41 units worth $9.57 million had started — a 50 per cent decline.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

Re-enactors demonstrate the use of a seven-pound field gun at Fort Walsh in Cypress Hills. Photo courtesy Parks Canada

Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

James Barker Band bringing country party vibes to Moose Jaw this fall

With Shania Twain’s summer show still echoing in the city and the Festival of Trees ready to bring “Disco in Denim” this fall, Moose Jaw’s country music run is far from over — and fans might want to keep their dancing boots close by for what’s next.

Temple Gardens Centre has officially announced that the James Barker Band will be stopping in the Friendly City as part of their Bud Light Buckle Up Tour. The show is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, and will also feature special guests Ryan and Rory.

“It’s going to be another fun one. They’re a little bit different; they have some country flair as well, but they’re a big party band,” said Corey Nyhagen, assistant general manager at Temple Gardens Centre. “They’re a group of guys who just love to have a blast. They just played at Country Thunder … and they’re already talking about how excited they are to come to Moose Jaw.”

This concert will feature a pit-style

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general admission floor, giving fans the freedom to move with the music and soak in the high-energy atmosphere as they dance to hits including “You Didn’t Hear It From Me” and the new single, “Somebody I Know.”

“The floor isn’t a seated floor for this one; it’s a pit,” Nyhagen explained. “People love to country dance in (these pit areas at our country shows).”

While specific show-day surprises

are still in the works and only limited details can be confirmed at this time, Nyhagen hinted that there’s more to come in the weeks ahead.

“There’ll be more things that come down along the way, and more surprises that we’re working out,” he said.

The James Barker Band is a Canadian country group known for blending traditional country roots with a modern, upbeat sound. Originally formed in Ontario, the band shot to fame with their 2017 debut EP “Game On,” which produced multiple gold and platinum-certified singles, including the chart-topping hit “Chills.”

The James Barker Band announcement comes as Temple Gardens Centre continues to attract major acts to the local stage, including classic rock legends Nazareth. The rock band will perform at the venue on Thursday, Oct. 17, as part of their Canadian Farewell Tour, with special guest Lee Aaron joining for the night.

The show promises to be a highenergy tribute to Nazareth’s decadeslong career, featuring fan favourites like “Love Hurts” and “Hair of the Dog.” Tickets are already on sale at SaskTix. ca, and fans are encouraged to act quickly — Moose Jaw is one of only a handful of Canadian stops on the band’s final tour.

Fans interested in early access are encouraged to sign up for the venue’s Cyber Club newsletter at TempleGardensCentre.ca.

“That’s one thing I would suggest to anybody, for any of our shows — if you want to get ahead and beat general sales, go to the Temple Gardens Centre website and sign up for the newsletter,” Nyhagen said.

Ticket sales for the James Barker Band concert opened at 10 a.m. on July 18 and can be purchased through SaskTix.ca.

The Temple Gardens Centre is located at 110 First Avenue Northwest.

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JULY 28

City hall plans to spend over $120,000 at the Temple Gardens Centre (TGC) to build a new “grab and go” concession stand and install new exterior signage, including a digital marquee.

The sports and entertainment venue’s concourse food and beverage service has four fixed concessions, two portable draft beer stations and the Sask. Spirits bar, although the city has not renovated the concessions since the building opened in 2011, a July 14 city council report said.

Upgrading concession stand No. 3 will modernize the venue and meet current — and evolving — industry trends, the report continued. The marketplace or “grab and go” concession has become successful in arenas in Regina and Saskatoon.

This retrofit will cost $64,500, with the money coming from the annual capital contributions that build

ing manager Oak View Group (OVG) provides; the yearly contribution is $215,000.

Meanwhile, it’s been four years since the Temple Gardens Centre — formerly Mosaic Place and the Events Centre — had exterior signage, after the agreement with The Mosaic Company expired, the report said.

During that contract, the building had named signs on the north and east entrances, while the branding was important since most user groups entered through the north side and eventgoers entered through the east side, the document continued.

The lack of signage has been frustrating for some out-of-town guests, as they have told TGC staff that they were unfamiliar with the city and had difficulty finding the venue, the report noted. Moreover, they were unsure if they were at the right location since the

building did not have exterior signs.

The city secured a naming rights partner in March after signing a fiveyear agreement with Peepeekisis First Nation’s economic arm, Peepeekisis Developments Ltd. (PDL), said the report. As part of the agreement, the City of Moose Jaw agreed to provide $40,000 for signage.

Since March, the OVG has installed new signs on the entrance doors and within the arena bowl, while the exterior signs are not yet completed.

While city hall planned to spend $40,000 to install signs, it discovered that a digital marquee bumped up that cost by $16,378 to $56,378, which meant it needed an extra $17,000 — from OVG’s annual capital contribution — to complete the project, the report said.

During its July 14 regular meeting, council unanimously voted to approve the concession stand retrofit for $64,500 and the additional funding of $17,000 to complete the exterior building signage, totalling $81,500.

In total, the two projects will cost $120,878.

Council comments

Mayor James Murdock expressed concern about spending $17,000 more on signs than budgeted, while he wondered why administration wasn’t “holding firm” on the $40,000.

City manager Maryse Carmichael said that administration could have remained within that budget if it purchased static signs. However, TGC staff suggested that the city purchase an electronic sign to enhance events.

Meanwhile, city hall presented the digital marquee option to PDL, which was in favour and will “likely” proceed with it, she continued. One issue city hall must discuss with the company, though, is what will be on the e-sign besides the TGC logo.

Murdock replied that council should follow the agreement since it developed that $40,000 figure with PDL. If there is an overage, he thought

PDL should pay it.

Coun. Heather Eby liked the concession retrofit since it modernized the venue and addressed complaints people had about long lineups. Meanwhile, she inquired about the outdoor digital sign on the east side of the curling rink.

Shaunna Fritzler, TGC’s general manager, replied that the venue can’t use that e-sign anymore because the necessary software upgrade is no longer offered, so staff will remove it. However, the new digital marquee will have supportable software that will let OVG display “Temple Gardens Centre” regularly, along with other messages.

“Once we see where that takes us, there can be some advertising opportunities on there as well,” she added.

Coun. Jamey Logan said he was initially leery that the cost of the signs would be higher than the $40,000. However, he liked the proposed digital sign and thought it could announce messages such as where seating is.

Exterior signage details

Having exterior signs exposes attendees to the naming rights partner, which creates a “lasting connection” that enhances brand recognition and loyalty, the report said.

The north-side wall will have a large static sign, while the east-side wall will have a digital marquee, the document continued.

“… (the digital marquee) provides powerful visibility but also creates opportunities for dynamic engagement, revenue generation and enhanced experiences for visitors,” the report stated.

Furthermore, the east side entrance is one of the highest traffic areas — 85 per cent enter on that side — and reaches a wider audience during event days, large meetings and conventions, the document said.

Using a digital marquee will let OVG change content in real-time, showcase promotions, make announcements and make experiences more interactive for patrons, the report added.

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS

MONDAY, JULY 28

City hall netted nearly $160,000 in revenue from its advertising and sponsorship programs last year, with that money going to daily operations and programming and future capital projects and upgrades.

City administration provided an update about the advertising and sponsorship program during the July 14 executive committee meeting. Council adopted this policy in 2019 to establish a consistent approach to soliciting ads and sponsorship opportunities in city-owned buildings and venues.

The numbers showed that in 2019, the policy generated $74,373 in gross revenue, but after paying commission to EMJ Marketing, the city netted $65,444.

In 2024, the policy generated $168,641 in gross revenue and, excluding the commission fee, led to net revenue of $158,423.

So far this year, there have been $96,030 in gross revenues in ads and sponsorships sold, and, excluding the commission, the policy has netted $88,824.

City’s ad policy netted nearly $160K last year, report shows

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From 2019 to 2024, the policy generated $662,424 in revenue for city hall.

The City of Moose Jaw pursues ads and sponsorships in several ways, a council report said.

The city signed a five-year agreement with the WHL Warriors last year, where the team agreed to allocate 80 per cent of ad revenue — 50 per cent in the previous agreement — to the parks and recreation’s advertising program capital reserve fund. This agreement enables the team to incorporate community advertising opportunities into its sales efforts at the Temple Gardens Centre.

Meanwhile, the reserve fund is for future capital upgrades to recreation venues where ads are sold, the report said.

Furthermore, the city has a fiveyear agreement with EMJ Marketing to secure ads and sponsorship opportunities for city-operated recreation venues, parks and programs; the company receives a 20-per-cent commission on all sales.

The report noted that with the agreement ending on Aug. 31, the community services department will issue an expression of interest to find an advertising agency at the “best value.” The document pointed out that this is a nonexclusive licence agreement that allows the city to pursue advertising and sponsorship opportunities directly.

Meanwhile, community services has two active naming rights sponsorship agreements that general revenue annually.

One agreement is with Yara Belle Plaine Inc. for naming rights at the Yara Centre. This 10-year agreement expires on Dec. 31, 2032; the contract is worth $500,000, with the city receiving $50,000 annually.

A second agreement is with the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club for naming rights for the Kinsmen West Park. This 25-year agreement expires on Sept. 30, 2045; the contract is worth $100,000 and the city receives $10,000 annually until 2029.

Revenue that EMJ Marketing generates goes into operating and programming expenses at recreational venues, which helps reduce the annual subsidies the city provides, the report said.

Revenue that the Warriors produce goes to future indoor and outdoor recreation capital projects, with council’s approval.

Revenue from the naming rights agreement for Kinsmen West Park goes to the capital budget to offset the costs of the playground expansion, spray park and sport court that the city constructed in 2020-21, the report continued.

Also, revenue from the naming rights agreement at Yara Centre supports the venue’s annual operating budget, the document added.

If anyone is interested in advertising at a recreational venue, they can visit the City of Moose Jaw’s website to find a brochure with sponsorship packages, he noted. Or, people can contact the parks and recreation branch directly and ask about naming rights opportunities.

Crumbling streets and roads on the mind of city council

A cracked sidewalk on Redland Avenue, construction on Fairford Street West and cigarette receptacles near the library were some inquiries city council had for city administration during the July 14 regular meeting.

Coun. Chris Warren said city crews replaced a sidewalk near 1153 Redland Avenue in 2017, but last year, returned to that street to perform underground water and sewer work that forced them to dig up the street. He noted that an excavator lowered its equipment stabilizers onto the sidewalk and cracked it.

Warren then wondered what process city hall used to identify and determine the damage that city crews or contractors caused to the surrounding infrastructure while making underground repairs.

Furthermore, he wondered if either

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party was responsible for repairing the damages and whether the sidewalk near 1153 Redland Avenue and the adjacent road were in line for repairs.

Bevan Harlton, director of operations, said he received an email about that location and was able to find a record of the sewer work that occurred there almost 10 years ago.

Meanwhile, he noted that his department is tracking many locations — “a couple hundred of them” — that require sidewalk repairs that the city has not maintained in the past. These were part of a concrete replacement contract that the engineering branch handled over the years.

“Behind that, there are locations such as this address where an outrigger went down and cracked the sidewalk,” Harlton said.

“And while that’s well below the deficiency threshold — a deflection of 40 millimetres for replacement — it’s a location where city resources went to the location and cracked the sidewalk in the course of (the) repair,” he remarked.

Continuing, Harlton said he directed his operations team to address the sidewalk on Redland Avenue with a partial replacement next year. Moreover, he intends to pay for the repairs through the sewer and water utility since crews were working on that related infrastructure.

Harlton added that the damage to the sidewalk didn’t have to happen and his team is looking into the situation internally.

Fairford Street construction

Coun. Dawn Luhning inquired about whether city hall planned to pave

the 0 block of Fairford Street West now that contractors had completed the replacement of cast iron pipes, or whether the road would be left as is.

Harlton replied that his department plans to leave the road “to sit for a season” and then potentially mill it in either 2026 or 2027.

Luhning also inquired about city crews’ efforts to fill cracks and potholes with asphalt and whether they cleaned up the areas after they completed their work. She noted that some spots do not appear as if staff swept up afterward or look “as nicely as they could be,” while she thought this was something city hall could investigate.

Harlton replied that he would provide a written response for a future council meeting.

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JULY 28

City hall’s public art committee will acquire a metal baby bison sculpture after initially turning down the offer, after the artist decided to donate the artwork instead of seeking payment for it.

Metal artist Bill Keen spoke to the public art committee in May about a bison calf he created to accompany his adult-sized creation and his hope that the city would purchase the second artwork.

He told the committee that he wanted $4,500 for the sculpture, which included $3,600 for the materials and $900 to install it beside the adult bison sculpture — Billy Blaze Bison — at the Tourism Moose Jaw office.

However, the committee voted to consider purchasing the bison calf in the fall, if there was money left in its budget.

During its June meeting, though, the

Metal bison calf sculpture to join adult artwork at Tourism Moose Jaw site

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committee decided to acquire the metal sculpture after Keen said in an email that he would gift the entire cost of the bison calf materials and installation fees to the City of Moose Jaw. His desire, though, was for permission to install the sculpture adjacent to Billy Blaze Bison quickly.

He said that in return for donating the calf sculpture and installation costs to the city, the municipality consider giving him an income tax receipt for the artwork.

The public art committee then passed a detailed recommendation agreeing to the installation of Keen’s metal bison calf sculpture at the Tourism Moose Jaw site.

Furthermore, it asked city council to approve the artist’s request for a charitable donation receipt for the non-cash

donation of the fabricated and installed artwork, if he provided “satisfactory documentation” to substantiate the fair market value of the donation, as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires.

Moreover, if city hall lacks the internal capacity to determine the donated artwork’s fair market value, it would require Keen to obtain and submit an independent appraisal to verify the value if he requested a receipt that was more than the actual cost of the materials, excluding labour.

Alternatively, if Keen requested a receipt for the material costs only and provided an itemized proof of costs that he incurred, excluding labour, the city would issue a charitable receipt of the same amount without requiring the appraisal.

Meanwhile, the committee asked council to authorize city administration to facilitate the direct purchase and donation exchange, if required, to ensure compliance with CRA rules and to mitigate the risk of “valuation ambiguity,” with all transactions resulting in a net-zero budget effect.

The committee also wanted administration to amend the July 17, 2023, agreement with Keen that saw the purchase and installation of the adult metal bison sculpture to include the addition of the bison calf artwork. Once that occurred, the mayor and city clerk would sign the agreement for the city.

The public art committee sent the recommendation to city council, which approved it during its July 14 regular meeting.

Bylaw allows supportive housing project in former Chez Nous building, city says

A proposal to turn the former Chez Nous Care Home into an on-site supportive housing venue that offers programming to families and individuals is acceptable under the current bylaw, city hall says.

The Ranch Ehrlo Society submitted a development and building permit application on May 22, asking to change the use of the former Chez Nous building at 1101 Grafton Avenue, a July 14 city council report said.

The non-profit organization explained the work it wanted to perform in the building — located in the R3 highdensity residential district — by transforming the 50 single-room suites into 23 multi-room suites that consist of 16 three-bedroom suites, five two-bedroom suites and two treatment/support suites, the document continued.

Ranch Ehrlo plans to run programs that support 16 families, with 16 employees on site throughout the day, while it will provide 24/7 support to families, the report said.

“The applicant has confirmed that (it) will not be a medical treatment facility, but will employ two nurses to

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enhance supports for some family members who experience detoxification and withdrawal symptoms,” the document noted.

While the non-profit will offer supportive programming in those two areas, it will also offer initiatives focused on parenting support, nutrition, life skills coaching, employment support and cultural and spiritual services, the report continued. Also, Ranch Ehrlo’s goal is to support families working toward reunification and/or stabilization.

“They aim to enhance overall family functioning, ultimately helping families transition to independent living,” the document added.

Meanwhile, city administration reviewed the proposal and determined that it aligned with the Official Community Plan and the supportive housing definition in the zoning bylaw, the report said. Furthermore, the R3 district permits supportive housing, and as a permitted use, the city does not require extra public engagement activities, although it does encourage the applicant to fulfill those processes.

City hall provided a conditional development permit to Ranch Ehrlo, as long as the non-profit met the parking requirements of one space per three units, the report continued. Ranch Ehrlo indicated that it would continue to maintain existing shared parking with adjacent property owners.

The report pointed out that council altered the definition of supportive housing in 2019 after adopting an updated zoning bylaw. The amendments included “housekeeping updates” to improve clarity and consistency across the bylaw, including a revised definition of supportive housing.

However, since the city’s planning public notice policy had not yet come into effect — that came in 2021 — administration announced the changes in the Moose Jaw Express and on the city’s website, the document said. City hall only issued notices about the bylaw amendments to properties in districts that were most affected, such as those in floodway and heritage overlay districts.

The bylaw’s updated definition of “supportive housing” included that the

operator must still be a non-profit or public authority, that the housing must remain residential, and that the new language aligns with contemporary human services terminology while still conforming to the bylaw’s broader residential use framework, the report continued.

While this amendment included a wider definitional range of “persons having special needs” and support services, “this proposed project would have met the requirements under both the previous and current definitions,” the city said.

Furthermore, redefining “supportive housing” did not change the land-use category, zoning district or development process, while the use remained permitted in those zones, the report continued.

“The city’s continued administration of supportive housing under the current zoning framework remains lawful, appropriate and consistent with both provincial planning legislation and human rights obligations,” the document added.

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE

NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JULY 28

A proposed family addiction centre at the former Chez Nous Care Home is causing anxiety for people in the neighbourhood, as some believe there was no public consultation beforehand.

More than 50 people packed city council chambers on July 14 to hear resident Kirsten Downey express concerns about the supportive housing project that Ranch Ehrlo is pursuing at 1101 Grafton Avenue.

After her presentation, council had a lengthy — and sometimes heated — discussion. That conversation will be a separate story.

‘The process is broken’

Many residents and businesses believe the city’s zoning bylaw should classify supportive housing as a discretionary use approval instead of a permitted use, Downey said. These concerns were not about opposing this housing type but about how the project was presented.

“And right now, the process is broken,” she remarked.

Trinity Real Estate, a business from Vernon, British Columbia, purchased the former Chez Nous building for this project, while it has acquired four other properties here during the past year, Downey said.

“This is a for-profit business from outside the community buying up properties, driven by business interests and not local needs,” she stated, pointing out that while Trinity does not know the neighbourhoods, schools or community dynamics, it can still proceed “without public input or accountability.”

This is not the first time supportive housing has been an issue, as there were concerns with the Souls Harbour’s new Riverside Mission building, the Willow Lodge Emergency Shelter and Trinity House, Downey said.

In those situations, she noted that “the lack of engagement and foresight” created tension because council made those decisions without community input or consideration of how they would affect the area.

Past bylaw change

All these issues stem from “the same root cause,” which is a bylaw change in 2019 that “quietly broadened” the definition of supportive housing, Downey continued. The advertisement at that time mentioned changes to definitions, but did not say which ones or explain their effect.

There was no public response about that bylaw change, but based on the people filling council chambers, there “absolutely would have been a response” if people knew what was changing, she said.

Notably, administration said in a report that city hall would have approved Ranch Ehrlo’s project under

‘Process is broken’; Resident concerned with proposed addiction centre project

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

the old bylaw, even though the previous definition said supportive housing was “exclusively for residential use,” she continued.

Incomplete facts

Continuing, she said this is a situation where the facts are incomplete, information is scattered and inconsistent, and residents are relying on assumptions to fill the gaps. She noted that “that’s a recipe for confusion and division,” while it doesn’t serve residents, businesses or Ranch Ehrlo.

Furthermore, the information that area homeowners have doesn’t add up, since they initially heard the venue would be a family addiction treatment centre, then a supportive housing venue, then a family reunification centre, said Downey. Yet, the council report says there will be detoxification services.

Downey pointed out that Ranch Ehrlo’s website listed Moose Jaw as a base for its family addiction treatment program, but removed that reference recently. Moreover, the non-profit says it plans to create 23 multi-room suites but use only 16, which “doesn’t make sense.”

Furthermore, Ranch Ehrlo said in the flyer it distributed that the program would serve local families, but the provincial government’s website says the program will help families from across Canada, she continued. Therefore, these kinds of “inconsistencies create frustration, mistrust and a lack of transparency.”

Lack of consultation

Downey noted that some residents asked Ranch Ehrlo to hold a public information session, but that request has gone unanswered. She pointed out that supportive housing could increase traffic, parking and noise, and affect safety and public services.

Treating this project as a permitted use — which doesn’t require public consultation — removes the ability for council and the community to offer input about the project’s location and scale, she said.

Continuing, Downey said the school divisions had allegedly not been consulted, which is a problem since children will live in the building and add to area schools’ enrolment totals.

This means, she pointed out, that the two school divisions will be reacting instead of planning for extra supports, transportation, classroom complexity and capacity challenges.

Furthermore, available information shows that Moose Jaw’s emergency services branches have allegedly not been consulted, while everyday public services will face an “unnecessary strain” because there were no

prior conversations, Downey stated.

More scrutiny

This project is a permitted use in the R3 high-density residential district, but venues like daycares and medical offices are considered discretionary uses in the same district, she said. This means city hall issues public notices about the initiative, residents provide feedback and council reviews the application before approving it.

Downey pointed out that if those venues require a high level of review, then a building with the capacity to house 23 families, handle addiction issues, provide counselling services, offer detox support and provide early childhood education should face the same scrutiny.

Downey said she reviewed the zoning bylaws of 10 cities across Western Canada and found a “clear pattern,” where municipalities do not automatically permit projects of this scale and nature. Her research showed that every city required, at minimum, public consultations, a council review and discretionary approval.

Continuing, she said supportive housing done well benefits everyone, but when cities push it through “without consultation, clarity or community readiness,” it creates “fear, division and mistrust.”

More transparency

Meanwhile, “The Avenues” are not just houses on a map, but are a historic part of Moose Jaw where neighbours know each other and where families live for life, and “is the fabric of our community,” she said.

Downey wanted council to pause this project, review it, and ensure residents were part of the decision. She also wanted council to ensure this supportive housing initiative was done “thoughtfully, transparently and with the trust and input” of the community.

Downey reiterated that residents wanted the bylaw changed so this initiative would be a discretionary use instead of a permitted use, while they wanted proper consultation, which didn’t happen in 2019.

RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF REDBURN NO. 130

The RM of Redburn is holding a Public Hearing at 10:00 AM on August 19, 2025 at 111 Main Street, Rouleau, to discuss revisions on distance setbacks for ILOs and oil wells and other gas or CO2 wells and the management of manure from ILOs for bylaw 01-2025 that was given a rst reading March 18, 2025

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JULY 28

City council’s discussion about a proposed supportive housing project became heated at one point, as Coun. Patrick Boyle argued with city administration and other councillors about how best to address the issue.

Boyle said during the July 14 regular council meeting that he was frustrated that neither Ranch Ehrlo nor British Columbia-based Trinity Real Estate — which purchased 1101 Grafton Avenue, the former Chez Nous Care Home — were present to speak. He was also disgusted that a for-profit company would profit off people’s addictions.

Furthermore, he thought the zoning bylaw needed to be updated because there were inconsistencies in what was considered discretionary — daycares and medical offices — and what was considered permitted — supportive housing — in the R3 high-density residential district.

“… it’s the proponent’s job to engage the community to get buy-in,” he added. “We need to put the onus on them and not council to do the engagement.”

Making a request

During the discussion, Coun. Chris Warren introduced two motions: that administration formally request that Ranch Ehrlo conduct a public information session, and that administration conduct further research on supportive housing (in other municipalities) and include potential options and recommendations in the new draft zoning bylaw.

Coun. Dawn Luhning, the meeting chairwoman, had no issue with the first motion but pointed out that the project

Tensions rise during council’s discussion about Ranch Ehrlo project

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

fits the bylaw and wasn’t sure council could force a business to do anything, let alone provide more information to residents.

This topic is difficult, but council must be careful because if it denies the development application, Ranch Ehrlo and Trinity Real Estate could sue the City of Moose Jaw, she added. If they win, taxpayers will pay that bill.

Amending the motion

Boyle then attempted to amend the first motion so it asked Ranch Ehrlo to “voluntarily pause” its project until it completed a public information session.

Tamara Harrison, the assistant city solicitor, said the development permit “is in order” and the municipality must grant it. Meanwhile, she was concerned with Warren’s second motion since the wording could “encroach upon” and limit the city’s lawful authority to alter, delay or deny an application based on a permitted use.

“… at a minimum, I would suggest that administration be allowed to provide some insight into that to avoid legal repercussions,” Harrison added.

The tension rises

City manager Maryse Carmichael chimed in and said Boyle’s amendment was likely out of order since it “significantly” changed the intent of Warren’s initial motion.

“Explain that to me. I disagree completely with that,” snapped Boyle.

Carmichael replied that the first motion asked Ranch Ehrlo to provide a community information session, while the amendment asks it to pause the

project. Those are “two very different things.”

“… the two things are connected inherently,” growled Boyle.

Continuing, he said Ranch Ehrlo could complete the building renovations and then hold a public information session months or years later. However, “the crux of the issue” that council was debating and that a concerned resident discussed earlier was acquiring more information.

Administration told Boyle that contractors are currently renovating the building, so pausing the project could cause cost overruns and completion delays for Ranch Ehrlo.

Amendment is prohibited

Luhning replied that elected officials should care about whether the municipality could face a lawsuit for cancelling a project that’s legal and fits the zoning bylaw.

Luhning added that, as the meeting chairwoman, she thought the amendment changed the original motion’s intent. She admitted to not knowing how to handle it but would allow it to proceed even if it went against procedure.

Warren said he appreciated Boyle’s amendment, but agreed that it changed his motion’s intent and wouldn’t request that of the non-profit.

After learning from administration that city hall had already issued the development and building permits, Luhning ruled that the amendment was prohibited and the first motion would be left as is.

Boyle then introduced a separate

motion that asked administration to formally request that Ranch Ehrlo voluntarily pause its project until it completed a public information session.

Council then voted unanimously to support both of Warren’s motions.

Lack of information

Meanwhile, Carmichael said council should remember that there is a difference between the property owner — Trinity Real Estate — and Ranch Ehrlo, while she was unsure which organization was completing the renovations. Moreover, she was unsure whether Boyle wanted the building upgrades halted or the start of the programming paused.

Carmichael’s confusion speaks to the lack of information about this project, while Ranch Ehrlo likely has the power to pause the project because it’s paying for it, Boyle said. How the nonprofit worked out the pause request with a private entity was not his concern.

The assistant city clerk chimed in and said the last clause in Boyle’s motion — “until it completed a public information session” — was redundant since it duplicated Warren’s first motion. Therefore, that part was out of order; Boyle agreed to remove it.

Carmichael then asked council to take a brief recess so administration could provide legal advice in private; council agreed and the group went to the adjacent Scoop Lewry Room for about 12 minutes.

Upon returning, Boyle said, based on legal advice the assistant city solicitor provided, he would withdraw his motion.

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JULY 28

City council spent more than $3,100 during the first six months of 2025, with Coun. Carla Delaurier’s expenses comprising over 75 per cent of the money that the seven-member body expended.

City administration presented a report during the July 14 executive committee meeting that looked at the discretionary expenses of the mayor and councillors from Jan. 1 to June 30. These expenses include eligible items such as business-related travel, professional development and community engagement.

The appropriate documentation ac companied all the expenses, with city administration finding that everything complied with the policy guidelines, the report said.

or and Councillor Expense) Policy has enhanced financial oversight, standard ized expense management and rein forced the values of integrity and ac countability among elected officials,” the document stated.

The policy shows that ineligible expenses include alcohol, tobacco or other “contraband”; expenses incurred that promote for-profit organizations, third parties, other levels of government, political parties or candidates during election campaigns; theatre, sporting events, concerts, movies, or live music; or gifts for council members, city staff or employees of other municipal agencies, boards, commissions or specialpurpose bodies.

Other ineligible expenses include professional fees, professional memberships or insurance charges; training that

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

Conference in January, $42.40 to virtually attend the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s (SUMA) summit conference in February, $25 to attend the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency’s annual general meeting in March and $20 to attend a K+S Potash breakfast in May.

The mayor’s expenses totalled $673.35

Councillors’ expenses

Coun. Delaurier spent $55.12 to purchase business cards from Minuteman Press in January, $583 to attend the 2025 SUMA convention in January, $106 to attend SUMA’s municipal leaders’ roles and responsibilities workshop in January, $42.40 to attend SUMA’s

ongoing commitment to transparency and responsible use of public funds.”

The municipality’s remuneration bylaw has set discretionary expense ap propriations at $3,000 annually for each councillor and $10,000 for the mayor.

room, meals and parking in April.

The first-term councillor’s total expenses were $2,404.03.

Councillors Patrick Boyle and Heather Eby each spent $55.12 to purchase business cards from Minuteman Press in January.

Councillors Jamey Logan, Chris Warren and Dawn Luhning did not spend anything during the first six months of the year.

Therefore, the seven-member body spent a total of $3,187.27 during the first six months of 2025, the report shows.

During the meeting, administration said that for those councillors who did not submit expenses, the reasons could include the timing of their activities or

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE

NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JULY 28

Homeowners who live near Ross Wells Park and want to access their driveways, garages or backyards during Miller Express games will still be prohibited from doing so despite protests from some people.

Coun. Carla Delaurier inquired during the June 9 regular city council meeting about whether area residents could access their yards during those Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) games.

The City of Moose Jaw had announced that it planned to temporarily shutter four roads from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on game days, including Caribou Street East and Second Avenue East, Ross Street East and Ross Crescent, Hochelaga Street East and Third Avenue East and Caribou Street East and Willow Avenue.

The Miller Express’ home game dates this season included June 5, 6, 7, 8,11, 12, 15, 18 and 20, July 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24 and 27, and Aug. 1 and 2.

City councillor ‘kerfuffled’ with parking restrictions near ballpark

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

City administration provided a written response to Delaurier’s inquiry during the July 14 regular meeting, saying it enacted the road closures using a section in the traffic bylaw. This section, the report said, permitted the city engineer to implement temporary road closures or parking prohibitions for public safety and operational needs.

“The primary reason for the closure of these streets — including the restriction of resident-access — is the designation of the area as a foul ball fly zone,” the report said. “This designation is based on the trajectory and frequency of foul balls exiting the ballpark during games, which pose a significant risk to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

“The city has determined that allowing any vehicle access within this zone during game times would compromise public safety and expose both residents and the city to liability,” the document continued.

The report said that administration recognized the inconvenience these closures caused. However, it also noted that the ball team published its schedule “well in advance,” which gave residents time to plan accordingly.

Furthermore, the closure prohibition only affected properties with private crossings that faced Caribou Street East. These crossings are located within the city’s right-of-way, while the municipality temporarily restricts access to that right-of-way during closures for safety reasons.

Lastly, the city is not denying residents access to their properties “in perpetuity,” but instead, is restricting access only during the designated closure windows, the document said.

“As per traffic bylaw No. 5556, it is an offence to drive on a temporarily closed road or to move barricades or signage,” the report said, adding that violators could receive fines and enforcement action.

“I’m still a little kerfuffled (by this response) … ,” Delaurier said during the July meeting.

Continuing, she said some area residents who have mobility challenges and can’t access the front of their homes must go through their garages to enter their dwellings. So, they must plan around the games about how they can access their homes.

This decision means some residents will have to park on the street in front of their homes, which may make coming and going regularly difficult, Delaurier said. They will likely face the problem of a baseball fan taking their spot and then having to wait several hours until the game finishes before returning to their home.

Bevan Harlton, director of operations, thanked Delaurier for the feedback and said this was an issue his department would consider for future ball seasons.

Updated stormwater bylaw to exempt nearly 120 non-residential properties

City administration plans to exempt nearly 120 non-residential properties from the proposed stormwater utility bylaw, with the removal of those properties to reduce annual utility revenues by nearly $14,000.

Administration presented an updated bylaw during city council’s July 14 executive committee meeting, after council expressed concerns about the proposed policy during its June 23 regular meeting.

“By creating a stable and predictable funding mechanism, the intent was to ensure the city could proactively invest in necessary infrastructure improvements, maintenance and flood-mitigation measures,” a council report said.

One change administration made to the proposed stormwater utility bylaw was to completely remove section 8, which dealt with stormwater system connections. The report noted that ad-

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

ministration compared the current building bylaw with section 8 and determined that the latter was “largely redundant.”

So, to avoid confusion, city hall officials removed the entire section, along with the related definitions.

Meanwhile, administration said in the report that the 2025 tax roll contains 153 active codes or classifications for properties, including 114 codes for parks. So, it recommended exempting 50 recreational and cultural vacation lands, 16 parks and 48 sports or playing fields.

Administration also recommended exempting the two cemeteries, while it indicated that there are no designated codes for community gardens, but could manually identify the “small handful” that existed and exempt them.

However, administration said it did not recommend exempting agricultural lands within city boundaries since they

contribute stormwater to the municipal stormwater system.

“Agricultural operations often include impervious surfaces like greenhouses, barns and concrete pads, which can generate significant stormwater runoff,” the report said. “Even cultivated fields can contribute runoff, especially during heavy rains or when the soil is compacted or saturated.”

Sixteen classification codes in the tax roll focus on agricultural properties, while there are 272 total properties, the report continued.

Those total properties include arable land (66), field crop production (five), forage crop production (three), market gardens (one), non-arable land (23), native (one), hay land (one), wetlands (one), eroded knolls (one), other (one), feedlot (one), agricultural buildings (one), nursery (one), undeveloped land/water area (three), water areas (20)

and unclassified properties (133).

The report noted that some properties are considered mixed-use, where they may have a residential building and agricultural land that contribute to stormwater runoff.

City hall calculated that 13,701 properties will each pay a flat fee of $9.80 per month, which should generate $134,270 per month or $1,611,240 per year.

However, exempting the parks, cemeteries and community gardens will reduce the annual contribution by $13,642 annually, the document added.

Administration told council during the meeting that it believes the reduction in revenue is “manageable” and “light” compared to the $1.6 million that the utility will generate yearly.

Council then voted unanimously to send the proposed bylaw to the next regular council meeting for adoption.

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JULY 28

Some residents may be concerned about speeding along Athabasca Street East, but city hall says it will not install speed bumps since they would negatively affect daily service operations.

Coun. Carla Delaurier inquired during the June 9 regular meeting about whether city hall could install speed-reducing devices along that stretch of road because residents had contacted her with concerns about an increase in lead-footed motorists.

During the July 14 regular meeting, city administration said in a report that the City of Moose Jaw follows the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (MUTCDC) for guidance when assessing whether to introduce traffic-calming measures.

According to the MUTCDC, speed bumps are not recommended for collector or arterial roads, such

No speed bumps to slow lead-footed motorists on Athabasca Street East, city says

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

as Athabasca Street East, due to their effect on emergency response times, snow removal operations and potential for vehicle damage.

Furthermore, the MUTCDC says that “vertical deflection devices” such as speed bumps are typically used for low-speed, low-volume neighbourhood roads.

Conversely, the report said Athabasca Street East serves as an important east-west connector and carries higher-traffic volumes, as data from the Turning Movement Count at the intersection of Fifth Avenue Northeast and Athabasca Street East confirmed.

“The city has previously implemented a stop sign at the Langdon Crescent merge into Athabasca Street, which served as a pas-

Piece of River Street West now belongs to Hilton Hotel developer

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

A piece of River Street West now officially belongs to the River Street Development Corp., after city council approved a bylaw that affects a small slice of the road.

During its July 14 regular meeting, city council gave three unanimous readings to Bylaw No. 5739, street closure bylaw, which closed all of block/parcel S1, Plan 102065532, Extension 0. This will facilitate the subdivision, sale and consolidation of the street and return it to the original adjoining parcels; the land is not required for traffic.

Mayor James Murdock did not vote and excused himself from the room because he has financial connections to the corporation.

The sale is conditional upon the corporation purchasing four nearby lots. Furthermore, it must complete the subdivision and consolidation of the four lots to form a single parcel, while it must consolidate the remaining portion of a nearby property.

Also, the organization will be responsible for all related costs, such as for the street closure, subdivision, consolidation, land sale, title transfer and any required easement agreements.

The River Street Development Corp. plans to build a Hilton Hotel on that street. So, it purchased a chunk of the 0 block of River Street

West on the north side for $1.

This “bulb out,” as city administration described it, is 0.024 hectares (0.06 acres) in size and was originally intended as a turnaround for a previous hotel development that never materialized.

The municipality has no use for the parcel, which is not used as a road and serves no function. The corporation will acquire some of the land, while a portion of the road will remain as part of River Street, vested with the Crown, and the city will confirm the final boundaries through a legal survey.

Also, the city will preserve or protect any utilities through registered easements.

City hall issued a notice of intention to close and sell a portion of the street on its website and in the Moose Jaw Express, while it also sent the notice to nearby property owners on the street, a council report said. No one submitted any comments about the project.

This is the second land sale the city has made with the corporation. In March 2024, council approved administration’s application to subdivide the west 150 feet of the 0 block of River Street West from the corporation’s adjacent property for $290,000.

sive traffic-calming measure by requiring full stops and reducing vehicle speeds at that intersection,” the report added.

During the July meeting, Delaurier said administration’s response “does make perfect sense” since Athabasca Street East is a main road artery. Continuing, she said she appreciated how directors reviewed the situation, while she planned to inform the residents who contacted her about this about why the city will not install speed bumps.

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

Jobs that will survive Artificial Intelligence impact

The debate is ongoing about how many jobs will disappear as self-thinking computers using artificial intelligence are widely adopted.

According to one analysis by U.K.based REthinkX the only irreplaceable jobs left will be sex workers, sports coaches and politicians.

Global investment firm Goldman Sachs says 300 million jobs could be replaced by AI.

An investor friend of mine says Goldman Sachs stock picks are wrong most of the time. Let’s hope that trend follows their artificial intelligence (AI) analysis.

Just how bad are the AI job loss predictions?

RethinkX says billions of jobs could be lost by 2045. making work obsolete.

Some experts claim many jobs will be transformed and created by AI.

OPINION EDITORIAL:

TRADING THOUGHTS

By Ron WalterFor Moose Jaw Express

Even the next five years are scary. Consultant Mckinsey claims 70 per cent of businesses will be using AI by 2030.

One in four jobs has already been affected by AI according to Goldman Sachs. Most involve office workers.

Twenty-three per cent of jobs will be affected from AI by 2027, says Statista. Statista says 69 million jobs will be crated by AI with 83 million lost for a net loss of 14 million jobs.

The most vulnerable jobs are in offices and administration.

Twelve million more could soon be unemployed in the U.S.A. and Europe.

According to the U.S. Career Institute about 65 job classifications are less vulnerable to AI.

Leading the pack are nurse practitioners, choreographers, physician attendants, mental health counsellors, nurs-

ing instructors, teachers, coaches and scouts, athletic trainers, marriage therapists, health care social workers, mental health and substance abuse workers.

All 14 categories listed above are expected to have double digit job growth through to 2031.

Growth ranges from 45 per cent in jobs for nurse practitioners to 11 per cent for mental health and substance abuse counsellors.

If the world loses 300 million jobs, look for political upheaval and fights between those who want the efficiencies from AI to help support the jobless and those owners who want to keep all the profits from AI cost reductions.

One unpopular solution would be paying the unemployed to do volunteer work or for sports activities.

Industrial/social revolutions historically tend to hurt the less wealthy the

most.

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

AI does have a range of benefits that will make life better.

Health care will see tremendous improvements in AI-assisted diagnostics, customized patient therapy, cost cutting, and easier access to health care.

AI can advance development of drugs, provide better imaging tests and work with patients and health care workers in remote areas.

Education with AI can be tailored to the student and made more efficient.

The benefits are endless as long as we don’t enter a world like that described in the old Get Smart TV series.

That series depicted a world where one crazed individual was trying to control the entire globe.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

Lego builder gives sneak peak at Brickspo’s largest collaborative build yet

When the doors open for Brickspo 2025 on July 26 and 27 at the Western Development Museum (WDM) in Moose Jaw, visitors will be among the first to witness an ambitious LEGO shopping mall — assembled in full for the very first time.

“This (will be) the first time it’s ever actually been put together,” said Ray Jacobs, a member of Brickspo’s planning committee and board member with the Saskatchewan LEGO Users Group (SLUG). “We’ve all been working individually at home, building our stores, and then at Brickspo, hopefully all of our plans and everything comes together perfectly.”

Jacobs is one of several fan builders behind this year’s largest collaborative project: a sprawling 1980s-themed mall, complete with food courts, arcades, clothing shops, and even a mini-golf course — his personal contribution to the build.

“It’s scaled for the LEGO minifigs, and I’ve built all the elaborate contraptions that a mini-golf course would have,” he explained.

Each builder contributing to the mall was assigned a standardized section, including a portion of hallway with benches, planters, and LEGO shoppers

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

bustling between stores. The end result will be a fully modular, nostalgic throwback to the heyday of the shopping mall — a fitting centrepiece for this year’s 1980s theme.

Sask. jobs shift to more full-time spots

Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Employment in Saskatchewan shifted from fewer part-time to more full-time jobs in the Statistics Canada June Labour Force Survey.

The report showed 8,500 full-time jobs were added compared to June 2024 and 1,500 fewer part-times jobs were on the payrolls.

Full-time jobs had 651,600 people with 103,3200 part-time jobs.

The provincial unemployment rate was up though at 4.9 per cent from 4.2 per cent.

In the Moose Jaw Swift Current labour region, unemployment fell to 2.6 per cent from 4.5 per cent a year ago.

The region had 600 more people employed at 54,700.

Only 1,200 people were unemployed compared with 3,200 one year ago.

Moose Jaw Swift Current unemployment rate was tied with YorktonMelville at 2.6 per cent for lowest in the province.

Saskatoon-Biggar unemployment rate was 4.5 per cent with ReginaMoose Mountain at 5.2 per cent and Prince Albert Northern at five per cent.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

Brickspo stands apart for spotlighting original creations — or MOCs, short for “my own creations.” Builders do not use instruction manuals, glue or paint, and each piece is made entirely from official LEGO bricks, using nothing but their own imagination.

“That’s the main thing I want to stress,” Jacobs said. “It’s not stuff built with instructions. It’s not stuff that was designed by the LEGO company. It’s all original stuff, just things that people came up with on their own and that they were compelled to build.”

The weekend show will feature around 338 individual builds and is divided into several themes, including transportation, pop culture, castles, science fiction, art, and more. There’s even a new “Out of the Box” category for experimental designs that don’t fit traditional labels.

“If a person is really into space, there’ll be lots of space stuff for them to see. But if they’re more into architecture, like real-life town cityscapes, there’s stuff for them too. If they like trains, or pop culture references, or military builds — there’s something for everyone,” Jacobs said.

Feedback from Brickspo over the years has been overwhelmingly positive, he added.

“The feedback we always get is, ‘We didn’t think it would be this cool,’” he said. “That’s nice to hear because the show is put on by a club in Saskatchewan. It’s all Saskatchewan LEGO enthusiasts, although we do invite builders from Alberta and Manitoba as well … but none of us are LEGO employees; we’re all just enthusiastic hobbyists.”

Regular museum admission applies for entry. Admission is free for WDM members, and there is no additional charge to attend Brickspo. Food and drink are not permitted inside the galleries.

For more information, contact Alexis Jones, the museum’s programs co-ordinator, at 306-693-5989 or visit WDM.ca/Moose-Jaw. To learn more about SLUG, visit SaskLUG.org.

The Western Development Museum is located at 50 Diefenbaker Drive.

Ray Jacobs offers a sneak peek at his mini-golf creation, one of several interconnected builds that will form a collaborative 1980s-themed LEGO mall debuting at Brickspo 2025 in Moose Jaw. Photo by: Ray Jacobs

East Division rolls to 10-3 win over West Division in WCBL All Star Game

Saskatoon’s named MVP after hitting only home run in rain-shortened contest Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

It was a good day for the East Division at the Western Canadian Baseball League All Star Game festivities on Saturday night, even if it ended up being a little shorter than they would have liked.

The East came away with a 10-3 win at the event at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, with the contest rained out after six innings.

Ethan Menard of the Saskatoon Berries was named the game’s most valuable player after hitting the lone home run of the contest in the sixth inning.

The Home Run Derby took place earlier in the day, with Fort McMurray’s Matt Rhoades taking the title for the

Miller Express take two of three against Medicine Hat to close out week of WCBL action

Moose Jaw wins 11-2 and fall 12-1 at home on Wednesday and Thursday, drop 12-7 decision in Medicine Hat on Friday Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

The Moose Jaw Miller Express and Medicine Hat Mavericks took turns putting up big scores against one another in Western Canadian Baseball League action this past week.

The Miller Express took an 11-2 win over the Mavericks at Ross Wells Park on Wednesday before dropping a 12-1 decision at home on Thursday be-

fore taking a 12-7 win in Medicine Hat on Friday. Their game Sunday against the Regina Red Sox was rained out and was to be played Monday.

As a result, Moose Jaw is now 1824 on the season and remain in fourth place in the East Division, five games back of the Red Sox for third and seven up on the fifth-place Weyburn Beavers.

West after hitting 13 home runs in the first round and nine in the championship round.

Rhoades was able to edge Weyburn’s Ian Heck in the final after the Beavers veteran hit eight home runs. Heck had 11 in the first round, while Henriquez hit seven, Menard seven, Bye five and Gurney two.

After being played in Okotoks the past three seasons, the WCBL All Star Game will move to Saskatoon and will be hosted by the Berries in 2026

Be sure to check out the WCBL and Canadian Baseball Network websites for more from the game.

Prince Albert Predators defeat Moose Jaw Mustangs in Game 1 of PGLL championship final

Mustangs able to hang close with Predators through first two periods before Prince Albert pulls away for 13-7 victory Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

The Moose Jaw Mustangs were able to throw a bit of a scare into the Prince Albert Predators to open their Prairie Gold Lacrosse League Junior championship final series, but as they have all season, the Predators had an answer.

Prince Albert scored four goals in the first five minutes of the third period to blow open a close game and would go on to a 13-7 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-three series on Saturday night at the Kinsmen Arena in Moose Jaw.

As a result, the Predators can clinch the league title in Game 2 on Saturday, July 26 in Prince Albert.

Game 2 of the series takes place on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Kinsmen Arena

Mustangs logo

in Prince Albert, with a Moose Jaw win there seeing the teams playing a minigame immediately after to decide the PGLL Junior champion.

The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground. -- Gilbert K. Chesterton --

Members of the Moose Jaw Miller Express who took part in the Western Canadian Baseball League All Star Game on Saturday night in Okotoks

Miller Express file

Moose Jaw All Stars off to Canadian Little League Championship after winning provincial title

Moose Jaw sweeps North Regina, to play for a spot in Little League World Series beginning July 29 in Victoria, B.C.

Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

The Moose Jaw All Stars are heading back to the Canadian Little League Championship.

The All Stars completed a threegame sweep of North Regina Little League in the provincial championship series on Friday and as a result will represent the Prairies region when the national tournament begins in just over a week’s time in Victoria, B.C.

Moose Jaw won the opening game

of the series 10-0 on Wednesday before taking a 10-5 win in Game 2 and then finishing off the provincial championship with an 8-5 win on Friday night.

The All Stars will now take on the best in Canada at the Little League Regional tournament beginning July 29 in Victoria, with the winner there advancing to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn. beginning Aug, 13.

30 for 30: Moose Jaw Canucks continue undefeated run in SPBL 15U AAA division

Canucks string together four more wins over weekend with 14-2 and 10-7 sweep of East Central on Saturday, 10-0 and 5-4 win over North West on Sunday

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The Moose Jaw Canucks entered rarified air in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League 15U AAA division a long time ago, and they’ve just kept rising ever since.

The Canucks ran their record to a perfect 30-0 in the 14-team league with a pair of doubleheader sweeps at home this past weekend, as they took 14-2 and 10-7 victories over the East Central Dodgers on Saturday before downing the North West Sun Devils 10-0 and 5-4 on Sunday.

To no one’s surprise, Moose Jaw will finish in first place in the regular season standings, as they have two games remaining this week and hold a 7 ½ game lead over the 22-7 Sask Five Giants at the top of the league.

The Canucks are back in action on Wednesday when they host the Regina Athletics at 6 p.m. at Blackwell Diamond. They then cap their regular season on Thursday when the host the Regina Wolfpack at 6:15 p.m.

The Moose Jaw Canucks ran their record in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League U15 AAA division to 30-0 with four more wins over the weekend. Canucks Facebook

The Moose Jaw Little League All Stars won the Saskatchewan provincial championship on Friday and will now represent the Prairies at the Canadian Little League Championship in Victoria.

Golf Classic to help lower the cost of sport for Moose Jaw’s female athletes

A new charitable golf tournament is aiming to make sports more accessible in Moose Jaw — one swing at a time.

The “Fore the Athletes Golf Classic” will take place Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hillcrest Golf Club. Proceeds will support both the Thunder Creek Volleyball Club (TCVC) and the Moose Jaw Mustangs Lacrosse Club, with a focus on growing opportunities for young female athletes.

“This is our first time doing a golf tournament and our first time partnering with the Mustangs,” said Haylee Bevan, a coach with TCVC who also helps on the administrative side. “We’re kind of just getting our feet wet here. We hope to keep doing it every year, and then hopefully it can grow bigger and bigger, and maybe there’ll be an opportunity to involve other female sports as well.”

The tournament will follow a best ball format and is open to all skill levels. The $150 entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, a cart rental, meal, and the chance to win prizes. Hole sponsorships are also

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available for $250, offering local businesses a chance to support youth sports while gaining visibility on the course.

TCVC currently fields six club teams and a developmental program, supporting approximately 130 athletes.

Bevan said the goal is to keep player fees as low as possible.

“We’re a non-profit volleyball club in Moose Jaw. We only have female teams right now, so we do a lot of focus on female athletes in our community and surrounding areas,” she said. “We’ve always prided ourselves on having some of the lowest fees in all of Saskatchewan … We don’t want players to have to miss out on an opportunity because of the funds.”

Half of the proceeds will go toward reducing club fees for all TCVC families. The other half will help the Mustangs purchase field lacrosse equipment for female players and run winter training camps.

“Their main goal is to try to keep more local minor female athletes in the sport, maybe entice some new people to join, while keeping it affordable for families,” Bevan said.

The event coincides with Homestand, a popular fundraiser held later on the same day at Ross Wells Park, and

U15 AAA Canucks move to 28 - 0 as Mother Nature Comes Out In Relief

Robert Thomas

The Moose Jaw U15 AAA Canucks were in a world of two realities on Saturday.

Playing the first game of a double header in dry conditions the Canucks easily beat the East Central Dodgers 14 - 2.

But in the second game, played for the most part in the rain, the Canucks found themselves in unfamiliar territory as they trailed the Dodgers until the final inning.

The Canucks would win the second soggy game 10 - 7 in five innings as treacherous field con-

ditions had the game winner announced after five fill innings of play.

In the top of the fifth inning, and the game about to be called due to weather conditions, the Dodgers scored three runs to go ahead 7 - 6.

The Canucks responded in the bottom half of the fifth inning to score four runs for a 10 - 7 victory in the soaking rain game. https://www.mjindependent.com/ sports/2025/7/19/u15-aaa-canucks-move-to-28-0-as-mothernature-comes-out-zin-relief

Bevan hopes people will consider attending both.

“We kept the earlier start time thinking that maybe some people can get a round of golf in, help out one cause, and then head down to Homestand … and help another good cause, because both of those are a fundraising effort.”

Registration can be completed through the event’s Facebook page, “Fore the Athletes Golf Classic (Thunder Creek Volleyball Club and Mustang Lacrosse).” Bevan encouraged anyone interested in supporting local female athletes to sign up or share the word.

“We’re so grateful for our community support. We know that with so many different clubs and teams, businesses can be bombarded with requests, so every time someone sponsors us, we’re just so very thankful. Moose Jaw is the best — we’re just the best.”

For more information, visit “Thunder Creek Volleyball Club” on Facebook.

Moose Jaw Canucks pitcher Kaiden Gadd pitching in game two of the doubleheaderMJ Independent photo

U18 AA Canucks End Home Season On A Strong Note

Robert Thomas

It was a night of many pitchers, a trip around the bases and a hug from mom at home plate as the Moose Jaw U18 AA Canucks defeated the Regina Wolfpack 13 – 1 this past weekend.

It was seniors night as the Canucks celebrated the seven players who graduate at the end of the season.

Despite the fanfare and farewells the Canucks put on one of their best shows of the season.

The Canucks bats were hot and the hits found the holes in the Wolfpack’s defence. A complete opposite to last Sunday’s Canucks’ loss.

“They played well. They hit the ball hard and we got good pitching from everybody,” Canucks head coach Zach Klyne said.

The Canucks offence had strong hits. Hits that found the holes largely picking apart the Wolfpacks’ outfield.

The Canucks started the game out

strong.

They scored two runs in the first following the Wolfpack scoring their lone run.

The Canucks would go on to score four runs in the second inning, two runs in the third inning and finally five runs in the fourth inning.

The Canucks did not bat in the fifth inning as the game was over due to the mercy rule - from the fifth inning if any team is ahead by 10 runs they automatically win.

What was remarkable about the win was all but one of the seven graduating players took to the mound - holding the Wolfpack in a cage.

The eighth place Canucks next big stop is Estevan next weekend as they have qualified for Tier One in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League U18 AA.

It’s a tournament that Klyne is hopeful for given the team’s strong performances in tournaments the past two years.

https://www.mjindependent.com/ sports/2025/7/19/uinmf7f7zyp6yg75amgw24074wgge2

Moose Jaw Canucks starting pitcher Riley Cushway lines up a strike - MJ Independent photo

Moose Jaw Canucks’ base runner Kyren Ernest (background) gets ready to slide into third - MJ Independent photo

Moose Jaw Canucks’ base runner Van Sinclair is tagged out while heading for third base - MJ Independent photo

Moose Jaw Canucks Mason Rasmussen rounds third base on his way home - MJ Independent

Handcrafted Métis Red River cart unveiled at Western Development Museum

A full-size, traditionally built Red River cart now stands on permanent display at the Western Development Museum (WDM) in Moose Jaw — a proud reminder of the ingenuity, mobility and resilience of Métis people in the Prairies before the age of rail and paved highways.

The handcrafted cart, a collaborative project between the WDM and the New Southern Plains Métis Local No. 160, was officially unveiled on July 19 during a public ceremony that drew visitors, dignitaries and community members to the museum.

“This unveiling … is a reminder of the importance of preserving our heritage for future generations, by understanding and considering our past, and building a stronger future for Métis culture,” said Hayley-Hart Rushinko, manager of communications and stakeholder relations with the City of Moose Jaw and Métis on her grandmother’s side.

The wooden cart, built without nails or screws using mortise and tenon joinery, was constructed over a period of

two months by a small group of four local volunteers. Its wheels stand five feet tall and are wrapped in rawhide sourced from a Saskatchewan tannery.

“I have a lot of respect for the guys that built these 150 and 200 years ago,” said builder Rich Pickering, who worked on the cart in his own garage.

“It’s a lot of work doing it all by hand.

We have the advantage of having some modern tools, but using the chisels, the hammers, and the augers — yeah, it’s a lot of work.”

Pickering noted that one of the greatest challenges was sourcing rawhide and figuring out how long it would take to soak, lace, and dry — a process without any existing instruction manuals that ultimately took around four hours per wheel.

A second cart, this one made of metal but built to the same historical specifications, is slated to be installed soon at the Tourism Moose Jaw visitor

kiosk on Thatcher Drive East as part of a Sask Polytech student project.

Darrell Hawman, president of the New Southern Plains Métis Local No. 160, said the project has been years in the making and plays a vital role in educating the public about Métis history on the Plains.

“Well, in today’s market, we say, if you got it, a semi brought it. If you got it in 1850, a Red River cart brought it,” Hawman said. “They would hook one ox-drawn cart to the tail end of another cart, and they would go in streams — sometimes up to 1,200 carts, but mostly in smaller groups of around 30 or 40.”

The carts — each capable of carrying up to 2,000 pounds (around 907 kilograms) — were central to the fur trade and buffalo hunting economies, forming part of a vast trail system across what

is now Western Canada. Their size, durability and flexibility allowed them to serve as transport, shelter and even boats when necessary.

“They say if you look hard enough, you’ll find a trail under every major railroad or highway in Saskatchewan, and it’s true,” Hawman said. “And if you look hard enough, you’ll see the two grooves from the traveler, and then the Red River cart trails in the middle. So we followed First Nations (routes), then the Red River cart (trails), then the railroads.”

The unveiling ceremony highlighted the cart’s symbolic and functional legacy. Brian Martynook, WDM board member and Moose Jaw resident, emphasized the importance of collaborative heritage work.

“This exhibit is the result of meaningful collaboration that began in 2017,” he said, acknowledging the work of volunteers, staff, and Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers. “Each of their contributions has helped ensure that the stories shared here are authentic, meaningful, and told from a proud Métis perspective.”

Interpretive signage accompanying the cart was co-developed by the Métis Local and the Gabriel Dumont Institute to provide cultural context and preserve oral history in permanent form.

As one of Saskatchewan’s earliest modes of transport, the Red River cart is a fitting and foundational addition to the WDM’s transportation collection.

Visitors can view the cart as part of the WDM’s permanent gallery during regular museum hours.

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Dignitaries gather for a group photo marking the official addition of a full-size, traditionally built Red River cart to the WDM Moose Jaw’s permanent collection on July 19.

Photo by: Aaron Walker

Darrell Hawman, president of the New Southern Plains Métis Local No. 160, cuts the ribbon during the official unveiling of the Red River cart exhibit at the Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw on July 19. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Hayley-Hart Rushinko delivers remarks at the unveiling ceremony on July 19, with the Red River cart in the background. Darrell Hawman is seated in the front row.

Photo by: Aaron Walker

A traditionally built Red River cart now stands on permanent display at the WDM Moose Jaw, highlighting early Métis ingenuity and Prairie transportation history.

Photo by: Aaron Walker

A look at the hand tools used in the cart’s construction, including chisels, augers, and a handsaw — similar to those used by Métis builders more than 150 years ago.

Photo by: Aaron Walker

Summer programming continues at Buffalo Pound with Bison Day, crafts, adventure

With the cost of living on the rise and a growing push to shop local and explore destinations within the province, families looking for a staycation this summer need look no further than Buffalo Pound Provincial Park.

Sask Parks is hosting a full lineup of familyfriendly programming at the park throughout the second half of July and early August — buildings on its summer-long programming with the return of Bison Day on Thursday, July 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The evening begins with “Bison in the Grasslands” at 4 p.m., offering an inside look at how bison contribute to grassland conservation efforts and a new GPS tracking program now in use at the park. The event wraps up with a guided hike from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Nicolle Flats Nature Area, where participants will see the park’s resident bison herd up close and learn about their behaviour and impact on the local ecosystem.

It’s one of many activities lined up to help families engage with nature, enjoy the outdoors, and learn something new this summer — all while staying right here in Saskatchewan.

On Friday, July 25, the Playful Explorations program will run from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by Family Game Night: Jeopardy from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

both hosted at the Maple Vale Picnic Shelter. Saturday, July 26, offers double the fun with Craft Club: Campsite Fun at 10 a.m. and Solar Oven S’mores at 2 p.m., introducing kids to solar energy while satisfying their sweet tooth at the Elmview Day Use Area. Early risers on Sunday, July 27, can join Coffee Corner: Nature Art from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Visitor Reception Centre, followed by Digging for Dinos at Maple Vale Beach from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The week continues with Skulls, Scat and Tracks, where guests learn what animals eat and where they live on Monday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Elmview, and Cloud Explorers will dive into weather phenomena and what it takes to become a meteorologist on Thursday, July 31, at 2 p.m.

Heading into the August long weekend, the fun ramps up with Lakeside Explorers on Friday, Aug. 1, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Night Caching: Evening Espionage at 9 p.m. — both starting at Maple Vale. Saturday, Aug. 2, brings a spooky twist with A Very Haunted Saturday, featuring ghostly crafts at Elmview Beach from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and two guided Haunted Hike sessions at the Nicolle Homestead at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Wrapping up the weekend is Craft Club: Amazing Animals on Sunday, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m. and the return of the beloved Teddy Bear Picnic from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Elmview Day Use Area — with even more programming continuing throughout August.

All events are free with park entry and hosted by Sask Parks interpreters. Visitors are encouraged to bring water, wear comfortable walking shoes, and pack their curiosity.

Full details can be found online, including information specific to any provincial park, at SaskParks.com.

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park offers scenic summer views and a full lineup of family-friendly programming throughout July and August. Sask Parks is encouraging residents to choose local and make provincial parks their go-to travel destination this summer. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Reading sessions deliver raw emotion and creative insight at Festival of Words

Tucked away in quiet corners of the Moose Jaw Public Library, authors shared personal stories, provocative questions, and poetic monologues during this year’s Festival of Words reading sessions that offered festivalgoers a window into the minds that penned some of their favourite books.

The back-to-back readings took place July 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., each one lasting around 50 minutes and featuring an array of writers across genres. Sessions were held simultaneously across multiple rooms at the library and played a major role in the larger festival.

Attendees heard from more than two dozen authors, including poets, fiction writers, memoirists, and performance artists, many of whom used their time to reflect on the creative process — and the emotional cost that often comes with it.

“I’m eager to speak today, just because I’m so upset so often with what’s going on in the world,” said author RC Weslowski during his high-energy spoken word performance on July 18. “Each

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

day seems to give us more reasons to not care, to remain in our caves feeling feral, angry and abandoned … Well, here’s the thing … Let’s bathe in the wonder of the

THIS WEEKS FLYERS

blunder that created us, the cosmic giggle that leaves us laughing and asking, ‘What are we doing here? Who’s driving this bus?’”

Themes of emotional truth and artistic motivation also ran through a lively conversation between K.J. Aiello and Meredith Hambrock, who spoke candidly about the role of rage, class anxiety, and trauma in their work.

“I’m always mad about something,” Hambrock shared. “I think I need a complaint — a cultural complaint — to get started. My first novel is really a complaint about gentrification in cottage country … and I was just really mad and broke, obviously, and eating frozen yogurt (while I wrote it).”

Aiello, a Toronto-based writer whose work explores mental illness, identity, and the power of fantasy, offered practical advice for those tackling memoir. “If you want to write your story, write it for you, and then edit it for your readers,” she said. “You have to be okay going back there (and) looking at both sides ….”

honest. “Just finish the draft,” Aiello advised, particularly for newer writers. “Then get feedback.”

Ardra Shephard added to the conversation with reflections on life with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how people with disabilities are too often rendered invisible. “You’re either in the middle or completely ignored,” she said. “It’s like you’re no longer a human.”

Her recent memoir, Fallosophy: My Trip Through Life with MS (Douglas & McIntyre, March 2025), blends sharp humour, cultural critique, and personal essays to confront disability stigma and systemic barriers, including inaccessible health care and housing. Framed by her own diagnosis at 23, the book traces Shephard’s journey through grief, adaptation, and hard-won perspective — challenging the idea that disability is “a fate worse than death,” and arguing instead that even a difficult life can still be rich with joy, identity, and purpose.

The reading sessions were part of a broader schedule of more than 50 events, from workshops and panels to poetry showcases and literary trivia. With authors sharing raw experiences and creative insights, the sessions captured a crucial part of the festival — sparking connection through fearless storytelling. For more information, visit FestivalOfWords.com.

*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).

She and Hambrock also shared candid insights into the writing process. Hambrock described anger as a powerful creative spark, while both emphasized the importance of revising, accepting feedback, and remaining emotionally

Meredith Hambrock (left) and K.J. Aiello (right) share the podium during an afternoon reading session on July 18 at the Moose Jaw Public Library. The pair spoke candidly about writing through anger, trauma, and the challenges of revising emotionally charged material. Photo by: Aaron Walker

RC Weslowski delivers a high-energy spoken word performance at the Moose Jaw Public Library on July 18, blending poetic imagery with reflections on disconnection, absurdity, and the human condition. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Richard Van Camp delivers storytelling masterclass at Festival of Words

It’s not often that a literary workshop draws you so deeply into a speaker’s world — but that’s exactly what it was like sitting through Richard Van Camp’s three-hour session on the opening day of this year’s Saskatchewan Festival of Words.

Held at the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture (MJCAC) on July 17, the intimate workshop saw about 20 people gathered around tables with coffee in hand, ready to soak up what Van Camp called “30 years of lessons from the front lines of full-time writing.”

Before the workshop began, Van Camp made a point of welcoming everyone personally. When I walked into the room, he offered a warm handshake, helped me find a seat, and offered me a cup of coffee — a small act that set the tone for a generous, good-humoured, and often deeply personal session.

Forgoing slides and scripted delivery, Van Camp shared his message through rich, engaging stories.

During a break, he told me about a journalist friend who was once sent to photograph a man deemed criminally insane at a northern facility. The man had hacked away at his own hair in uneven chunks, unable to possess a mirror for fear of self-harm. When the journalist found him in an open-air court, sunflowers bloomed behind his twisted smile. He snapped the photo and fled, only to later burn it when the developed print “appeared to be pure evil.” “You’ll remember that one,” he said. And I will.

That’s Van Camp’s power: he teaches by embedding meaning into vivid, unforgettable narratives.

Throughout the workshop, he passed around examples of his work — from graphic novels like A Blanket of Butterflies and Roth to youth literature,

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

novels like Beast, and short story collections. One by one, he opened a window into how his characters are built, where his stories come from, and why he often sets them in fictional northern communities.

“Never be afraid to create fictional places,” he told us. Van Camp described Fort Simmer — his fictional community — as a kind of creative “get out of jail free” card. Loosely based on real places such as Fort Smith and Trout Lake, the fictional setting allows him to explore personal and community truths while giving readers the freedom to see themselves in the stories without feeling judged, uncomfortable, or defensive.

Another key takeaway: “All great literature is about a compelling character with a problem,” he said, echoing advice from an editor. The challenge, he noted, is in making that character compelling in

a new way — and then letting the story do its healing work.

Van Camp emphasized the importance of building multi-dimensional characters, urging writers to consider elements such as name, age, background, personal history, fears, desires, and family dynamics. These details, he noted,

help create characters that feel emotionally resonant and real.

“I’ve always said that writing is like combing (through) cold, tangled hair,” he said. “Our job every day is to show up with a brush. Sometimes you get the snag, and sometimes you get the sweep. Both are important, because when you’re not writing, those subconscious muscles are working on your story whether you realize it or not.”

Van Camp, of Dene ancestry, spoke to the need for more Indigenous stories with the same epic scope as Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings — rich, imaginative worlds rooted in Indigenous cultures and tradition. He encouraged writers to dream big and create narratives that reflect their heritage while captivating global audiences.

I walked away with a few notes scribbled down and a renewed respect for the craft of storytelling.

If the Festival of Words is a celebration of storytelling, then Van Camp’s workshop was a masterclass on why stories matter — especially the ones that come from home, from grief, from truth, and from the sacred.

To learn more, visit RichardVanCamp.com or FestivalOfWords.com.

Author Richard Van Camp holds up one of his graphic novels during his storytelling workshop at the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture on July 17, the opening day of the Saskatchewan Festival of Words. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Al Ahmad, Mahamoud Mohr, Emiley

Alina Romaniuk & Oleksanor Glemborski

Three Canadian authors share literary reflections during Festival of Words

Stepping into the Moose Jaw Public Library’s theatre during the Festival of Words felt like crossing into a different world — part university classroom, part antique bookstore, and part sacred literary space.

For an hour on July 19, three decorated Canadian writers brought that space to life, offering a window into the beauty, complexity, and power of storytelling.

The featured authors — novelist Guy Vanderhaeghe, poet Sylvia Legris, and physician-author Dr. Jarol Boan — took part in a Saskatchewan Book Awards reading session, one of the festival’s anticipated events. Each offered a distinct literary lens, touching on everything from Prairie birds to cross-border medicine to the evolution of Canada’s literary identity.

“This book is a departure for me,” said Vanderhaeghe, reading from his new nonfiction collection, Because Somebody Asked Me To: Observations on History, Literature, and the Passing Scene. It marked a notable shift in Vanderhaeghe’s four-decade writing career, which had focused exclusively on fiction

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five-year-old telling you about his amazing favorite cartoon.” Instead, he opted to read aloud the introduction.

He reflected on the changing role of

of English-speaking Canadian writers was preoccupied (with) defining themselves in opposition to the daunting cultural hegemony of the United States,” he

is now shuttled off to Amazon.ca and Goodreads, where inanity proliferates,” he added, quoting Cynthia Ozick. Boan read from The Medicine Chest: A Physician’s Journey Towards Reconciliation, which recounts her return to Saskatchewan after 20 years in the United States. “You need to go back to Saskatchewan. That’s your goal,” she recalled a spiritual advisor telling her 10 years prior.

She spoke about the profound impact of working in Indigenous communities, where cultural knowledge and lived experience deepened her clinical perspective. “(There are) several examples in my book of places where I was touched and changed by the cultural interaction that I had.”

Legris opened with an intricate nature poem, describing Prairie plants, birds, and insects in arresting detail. Her phrase “rapid peering,” she explained, was inspired by 20th-century ornithologist Joseph Grinnell, who used it to describe the restless, scanning head movements of birds like grackles and blackbirds as they forage. Legris uses the term as a metaphor for poetic observation — the constant shifting of perspective needed to fully take in the

Saturday’s session was part of a festival-wide lineup that included reading sessions, author panels, an earlier fish-and-chip literary trivia night, and the 50th anniversary celebration for Thistledown Press. The festival wrapped up Sunday with a catered breakfast and two themed panels at the Cosmo Centre, closing out another chapter in Moose Jaw’s annual celebration of the written

For more information, visit FestivalOfWords.com.

-- Christopher Morley --

From left: Guy Vanderhaeghe, Sylvia Legris, and Dr. Jarol Boan take part in a postpresentation question and answer period following their July 19 reading session at the Moose Jaw Public Library theatre, part of this year’s Festival of Words. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Dance for a cause: Zumba fundraiser to help stock food bank shelves with fresh, nutritious meals

With food costs continuing to rise and demand remaining steady, the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is turning to the power of music, movement, and community spirit to help fill its shelves.

“Zumba for a Cause: Move for Meals” will take place Saturday, Aug. 2, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Infinity Athletics, with all proceeds going to support the food bank’s Harvest Pantry program. The event is open to all ages and fitness levels, and aims to raise funds for fresh produce, meat, dairy, and culturally appropriate foods for local families in need.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for youth aged seven to 15, and free for children under six. Pre-registration is encouraged by emailing EndHunger@ MJFoodBank.org, though on-site signup will be available between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

Although registrations are accepted right up to the start of the program, food

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

bank staff are asking participants to confirm their attendance ahead of time to help in the planning process.

“It’s a fun, high-energy fundraiser,” said Jason Moore, executive director of the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank.

“All proceeds from the event will go toward helping us purchase fresh produce, meat, eggs, and dairy for our Harvest Pantry — along with culturally appropriate foods as well.”

The event was created by a local food bank volunteer in collaboration with marketing specialist and event planner Toni Aquino, who then co-ordinated with Infinity Athletics to host the class — a first for the food bank. Two Zumba instructors, Britney and Emie, have already volunteered their time to support the cause.

While traditional food drives often focus on canned goods and non-perishables, Moore said monetary donations often have a much greater impact.

“We have bulk buying power through our local grocers,” he explained. “We can often turn (a $15 donation) into $30 or $40 worth of food. It gives us the ability to fill the gaps in our inventory and buy the fresh items we don’t normally receive through donations.”

That flexibility also helps the food bank better serve a diverse population. “Culturally appropriate items are often scarce,” Moore added, “so it gives us

that ability to purchase those as well.”

This will be the food bank’s first partnership with Infinity Athletics — but Moore hopes it won’t be the last of its kind.

“If it becomes a successful event, then hopefully we can develop more partnerships in the community,” he said. “We’re always open to working with other gyms, businesses, or organizations who want to support the food bank.”

Anyone interested in hosting a similar fundraiser can contact the food bank by visiting MJFoodBank.org, emailing EndHunger@MJFoodBank.org, or calling 306-692-2911.

“Whether you dance, donate, or spread the word, your support really matters,” Aquino said.

Infinity Athletics is located at 34 Highland Road and can be reached at 306-313-8314.

COMPLETE CAR CARE & REPAIR

regular maintenance and preventative measures to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and reliably. This includes fluid checks, filter replacements, tire care, brake inspections, and other tasks that help prevent costly repairs and extend your vehicle's lifespan.

Atria Mulberry Estates reopens with fresh look and festive spirit

Atria Mulberry Estates welcomed the community back with open arms — and a fresh new look — during its grand reopening celebration on July 19, following more than a year of renovations.

The event, held exclusively indoors due to rain, drew more than 100 guests including residents, their families, and members of the public invited to tour the retirement residence and enjoy a day of live music, games, and local vendors.

“Today is our grand reopening. We just finished a whole refresh that took over a year to do,” said Tricia Oblander, marketing manager at Atria Mulberry Estates. “We got all new flooring, painting, furniture, décor, and a brand new elevator as well. So we’re all set, ready to go, and we just want to show it off.”

Although some outdoor activities had to be cancelled or moved inside

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

— including a planned inflatable castle — the residence still hosted a full slate of family-friendly programming. Face painting, children’s toys, raffle prizes, and a barbecue lunch kept the energy high throughout the day. Live music was provided later in the afternoon by Clean Break Entertainment, a Regina-based duo who frequently perform similar shows for residents.

The renovations, which began in 2024 and continued through this summer, included upgraded flooring, a new elevator, interior and exterior repainting, updated furniture in common areas,

and a redesigned activity room complete with a bar-style island counter and new cabinets.

“This summer, we’re 23 years old, so it was time for a little bit of a facelift,” Oblander said. “Last summer, we painted the exterior and worked on some of the other renos, and now it’s finally done.”

In addition to the entertainment and tours, several vendors set up tables to showcase their crafts and businesses — many of whom had a personal connection to the residence.

Resident Lana Hawman offered hand-quilted and knitted goods in an effort to downsize her collection. Among the items for sale was a keepsake sign from her former diner in Kerrobert, Sask.

Dee Wilby, another resident and recent apple pie bake-off champion, attended with her grandchildren — Ellena, Calynda, and Kaiden — who helped her sell homemade baked goods, create festive balloon animals, and provide temporary tattoos. Artist Charlene Douglas was also present, along with Mary Kay representative Yvonne Gabriel and Avon representative Shirley Tillie.

“A lot of residents have invited family, and then of course we have guests

coming from outside of the community as well that we’ve invited in,” Oblander said. “We just want everybody to come and see all the changes that we have, and just check out our environment. It’s a very happy, friendly environment, and it’s good for everybody to see that.”

Saturday’s event ran from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and organizers said they were pleased with the early turnout. Those who couldn’t attend are still welcome to tour the newly renovated residence by booking a visit.

“We are always inviting guests in, so people can come in whenever they want,” said Oblander. “Just give us a call.”

Atria Mulberry Estates is located at 220 Mulberry Lane. For more information or to book a tour, call 306-694-5020 or visit AtriaRetirement.ca.

Resident Dee Wilby (right) hands a freshly purchased baked good to a young patron (left) during her bake sale at the Atria Mulberry Estates grand reopening event. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Shirley Tillie showcases a selection of Avon products during Saturday’s reopening celebration at Atria Mulberry Estates.

Photo by: Aaron Walker

Yvonne Gabriel attends the reopening celebration to sell Mary Kay products, which she has represented for several years. She can be contacted at YvonneGabriel@Sasktel.net. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Resident Lana Hawman participates in the event by offering a variety of handmade crochet and knitting wares for sale.

Photo by: Aaron Walker

Ellena Wilby (left) and Calynda Wilby (right), granddaughters of Dee Wilby, assist with face painting and temporary tattoos as part of the family’s contribution to the reopening event. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Kaiden Wilby, grandson of Dee Wilby, helps create balloon animals and other fun items during the grand reopening at Atria Mulberry Estates on July 19. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Charlene Douglas captures the beauty of Spring Creek walks with oil on canvas

For Moose Jaw artist Charlene Douglas, creativity begins just a few steps outside her front door.

A longtime painter and musician, Douglas was among the local vendors showcasing their talents at the Atria Mulberry Estates grand re-opening celebration on July 19. While others offered crafts and baked goods, Douglas’s table stood out with a selection of vibrant oil paintings — each one deeply rooted in the natural world.

“I paint a real variety of flowers, scenery and wildlife, like birds and rabbits,” she said. “I walk through Spring Creek every day, and a lot of my paintings are from photos I’ve taken (on one of my walks).”

Her regular excursions have provided no shortage of inspiration — from

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

deer grazing in the shade only a few metres away to a den of foxes playing happily under the train trestle.

“If you look up in the sky, you see Snowbirds. It’s just a really great walk,” she said. “It’s a great way to start my day.”

Douglas has been painting for more than 30 years, always returning to oils as her preferred medium.

“I’ve tried other media, and I always come back to oil. It’s just a personal favourite,” she explained. “I like the way it flows. I can get my dynamic colour (with oil paintings); I see in Technicolor.”

Many of her pieces are done on large canvases — some even approaching the size of a door, including a painting of Jesus on permanent display at Church of Our Lady — in order to fully capture the spirit of a scene. Another such painting, titled It’ll Be My Walk, reflects the essence of her daily outings along Spring Creek and features her signature style of vivid, sweeping brushwork.

“There’s always something new in my head that needs to come out,” she said, playfully adding that “It’s like a healthy addiction.”

Douglas operates out of a home studio where she can work without interruption. When she’s not painting, she also entertains residents at Atria Mulberry Estates by playing the acoustic guitar and singing — a role she’s taken on with joy.

“I’ll be here (at Mulberry Estates) again next Friday, playing and singing,” she said. Her work has been displayed in various businesses around the city and continues to gain regional attention. This fall, Douglas will be featured in a group

exhibition at the Art Gallery of Regina, where she’s previously found success with her pieces.

Despite her growing reputation, Douglas remains grounded in the community and the natural beauty that surrounds it. She said the spontaneous discoveries along Spring Creek — like a spiderweb glinting in the morning sun in a piece she aptly named “Charlotte’s Web,” or a curious fawn stopping to

stare her way — are what keep her coming back to the canvas.

“You have to go out there and be in the moment,” she said. “It’s surprising. Like, who would expect to see a den of fox or deer right there? It’s just amazing.”

To view a selection of Douglas’s work or to get in touch, she said the best way is by searching for “Charlene Douglas Oil Paintings” on Facebook.

Local artist Charlene Douglas stands with a display of her oil paintings at the Atria Mulberry Estates grand reopening event on July 19. Photo by: Aaron Walker

One of Charlene Douglas’s oil paintings depicts a tranquil nighttime scene featuring a full moon rising over a field of wheat — a reflection of her passion for prairie landscapes and dramatic lighting. Photo by: Aaron Walker

A swan and her cygnets glide across the water in one of Charlene Douglas’s oil paintings, inspired by a moment she observed during a morning walk along Spring Creek — a frequent source of inspiration for her work. Photo by: Aaron Walker

A close-up of “Charlotte’s Web,” an oil painting by Charlene Douglas based on a thistle photo she took during a Spring Creek walk. Only after reviewing the image did she notice the spider’s web — a discovery that gave the piece both its name and a charming literary connection. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Heater & Fan

Alarm System with Remote Fob

Backup Camera

LCD Display & Media Center

(Radio, MP3/MP4, Bluetooth)

Headlight, Signals Lights, Horn

Adjustable Position Driver Seat with Seatbelt

Rear bench for storage or passenger

Opening Side, Rear & Roof Windows

Locking Doors

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Stylish Beige Interior with Leather Seat

OPINION/COMMENTARY

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

Speakerphones: Conversations We Should Not Be Hearing

A new public coarseness epidemic that’s happening everywhere—restaurants, doctor’s office waiting rooms, bathrooms, public transportation, grocery stores—is upon us, and I need to write about it.

People are walking around using their phones as walkie-talkies, holding them to their mouths as if they’re munching on a cookie. It’s as if the unwritten rule of being discreet and respectful of others has been thrown out the window.

When I’m out and about, I don’t need to hear your conversation; neither you nor your conversation is relevant to me. Whether I’m in line for coffee, waiting at the dentist, or grabbing a quick bite in the mall’s food court, your speakerphone call is an intrusion invading my personal space. Portable devices were never intended for public broadcasts. I can’t think of a single excusable reason to use your speakerphone in public, whether it’s to touch base with a friend, listen to music, play a game, or let your kids watch their favourite YouTube cartoon channel.

Besides adding unwanted noise to public spaces, it shows a troubling lev-

el of narcissism. Why are some people comfortable with strangers overhearing their conversations? Then there’s the audio-visual offenders, the person on FaceTime at the next table in a restaurant or scrolling through Instagram Reels while sitting across from you in the library. The worst offenders, those who conduct virtual meetings in coffee shops while those around them are trying to read or (gasp) have an actual conversation. Through my observations and interactions, it’s clear that manners and common courtesy are being tossed aside in favour of self-centred behaviour fuelled by a sense of entitlement, resulting in an increasing number of people feeling comfortable using their speakerphone in public spaces. Why do you want me, a stranger, to hear everything about your son’s recent doctor’s appointment while we’re both in the cereal aisle at Loblaw’s? Are you seeking attention and, like many on social media, who post their life struggles, challenges and “sad news,” empathy from strangers?

What gives?

Smartphones have made it easy to entertain ourselves even when there’s a hint of possible boredom on the horizon,

OPINION EDITORIAL

or to act as a distraction from everyday stresses, troubles in the world, which the media ensures you never forget exist, social pressures, and whatever problems you may be facing. Additionally, there’s fear of missing out (FOMO) and doomscrolling, which constantly keeps your anxiety in the yellow or red zone. Why would someone choose to use their speakerphone in public or watch a video without headphones? The answer is simple: they’re only thinking of themselves, oblivious to those around them. Essentially, many people view those around them as NPCs (non-playable characters) while imagining themselves as the main character. This inflated selfworth leads them to believe the world revolves around them, so why bother considering others’ presence or personal space?

Social media has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, influencing our behaviour and norms, generally in a grandiose manner. We’ve become accustomed to broadcasting our thoughts and actions, often unfiltered, into the world. It’s no wonder this ‘everything about me needs to be public’ ethos has seeped into our offline lives.

In fairness, each of us has a personal perception of minor annoyances. In the grand scheme of things, a person misusing their smartphone on a bus isn’t nearly as disrespectful as someone texting while driving, which can have dire consequences for them and the innocent people around them. Come to think of it, smartphones have created more pressing “public space” concerns, dealing with the husband on his speakerphone in the cereal aisle, asking his wife whether she wants Cheerios or Honeycomb will have to wait.

Nick Kossovan, a self-described connoisseur of human psychology, writes about what’s on his mind. You can follow Nick on X/ Twitter and Instagram@NKossovan

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

Politics and Special Interest Complainers

Politicians have to do stupid things to make Special Interest Groups happy.

Alberta provided an excellent example recently.

Alberta Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides announced he was, “… putting rules in place for schools that until now have had no provincewide standard for selecting age-appropriate books for their libraries.” (Canadian Press)

Sound serious? It isn’t! School Librarians have been doing this since –forever.

By Richard Dowson -

Here’s the Special Interest Group Complainer Zinger!

“Nicolaides said he doesn’t have the authority under the Education Act to dictate specific books be removed.” (Canadian Press)

Get the picture? The Alberta Minister of Education is “putting rules in place” but the Alberta Education Act means he can’t really enforce them.

Goofy!

Why do Politicians make rules they can’t enforce; hold a huge press conference to explain the rules; then

July 12, 2025

tell people they can’t enforce their rules?

Answer: Some Special Interest Group members have seen a video about how Texas is banning books in school libraries. Those Group members believe Alberta should be just like Texas. After all, both have oil and cows. They contact their MLA and complain about books in Alberta school libraries. Most have never been to the school library, but that doesn’t matter. If it works in Texas it works in Alberta. Politicians have to appease Group

members. They need Special Interest Group votes. They hold the news conference – make rules they can’t enforce and everyone lives happily ever after.

Summary

Don’t get your knickers in a knot when Politicians hold a high-profile Press Conference. Read the small print in the transcript. Do Not rely on the Video.

Politics? “It’s a dirty business, but someone has to do it.”

Daily Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, July 16, 2025

Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.

Sudoku #5 - Challenging

5 1 4 5 9 6 9 6 7 2 3 9 5 4 7 4 7 1 2 4 3 1 9 2 2 8 9 3 5 1

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

ANNOY, AVOID, BEGINNING, CARTON, CHOMP, CLEAN CORONA, DIRECTION, ERECT, EVAPORATIVE, FIXED, HABITAT, HOPEFUL, LARGE, LIFE, MUSIC, OBTAIN, OCCASION, OWNER, PROPER, PROPOSE, REALITY, RELAX, SITE, SMALL, SPEND, STEED, STUDENT SWEAR, TITLE, TRANSFER, TRUTH, VISIT, WORRY

ACROSS

1. Greek district

5. Bungling

10. Portent or omen

14. Jewish month

15. Scandinavian

16. Small island

17. Disavowal

19. Leaves

20. An uncle

21. Drill

22. Beginning 23. Not the night

25. Of a pelvic bone 27. Flowery verse 28. Banter 31. Mesa 34. Hazardous

Grassland

Duty

Film

38. Writing table

Mister 40. Flowing garments 41. Guest inviters

42. End user 44. Crow cry

Grain stubble

46. Injured

50. Up to

52. Bib

54. Chapter in history

55. Train track

56. Egg-shaped

58. River deposit

59. Glide over ice

60. Memorization method

61. Anagram of “Sale”

62. Aromatic compound

63. Cupid’s Greek counterpart DOWN

1. Took a chance

2. Swelling

3. Pirate’s pal 4. Be mistaken 5. Revenue 6. French for “Our”

7. A Great Lake

8. Skin disease

9. Right after nine 10. Indicate 11. Kind of triangle 12. Delight

13. Bird home

18. Put up with

22. Greasy

24. Kiddies

26. Prefer

28. Stream

29. Repose

30. Long-haired wild oxen

31. Pear type

32. Freshwater mussel

33. Subway entrance

34. Rope factories

37. Mother

38. Not up

40. Ringlet

41. A frequently visited place

43. Pilings

44. Barrel maker

46. Compose

47. Interior layout and furnishings

48. Muse of poetry

49. Valleys

50. Celestial bear

51. Type of fastener

53. Surveyor’s map

56. East southeast

57. Anger

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.

WANTED - Cap for 2013 Chevy 4 door truck. 73” long, back width is 70”, front is 72”. Prefer white. Please call 306-313-7788.

Looking for a handyman for small jobs around my home. Please call 306-972-8855.

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 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

CLASSIFIED ADS

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 available, 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

140 FOR RENT

FOR RENT - 1 bedroom suite, NW location, kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, includes heat and water. Taking applications, $775/month. Call 306-692-0727.

FOR RENT - 4 room suite for rent, kitchen, living room, washroom, bathroom, and

one bedroom. NW location. Includes heat and water, separate entrance and electrical metre. Washer and dryer included. Call Duane @ 306-692-0727.

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, 306-250-5271.

FOR SALE - 6’x10’ Trailer. 15” tires, 2” ball, 3500lb axle, 4’ folding ramp, spare tire, toolbox. Asking $3000. 306-331-8741 - Phone calls only. *w/photo*

160 MISCELLANEOUS

Senior downsizing, lots of good items - electrical and carpentry tools, fold up table, lawn chairs. Willing to sell as a whole or piece it out. By appointment 306-6908018

Daisy Air Gun - Complete with shoots and canister. 12 Gauge Coooey Shot Gun, complete with

trigger lock. 39” barrel. PAL is required. Call Ray @ 306-690-8018

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.

“There is only one rule for being a good talkerlearn to listen.”

-- Christopher Morley

--

Refreshing Moments A 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.

Daily Living Hope

As Christians we have some awesome promises from God. Promises designed to keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The challenge we face is staying focused.

So often we allow ourselves to become discouraged or distracted by things that trigger disap- pointment or even rejection. The result, we give up – forgetting that God has the power to keep us from being shaken.

King David is quoted in Acts 2: 25 – 26: I see that the Lord is always with

me. I will not be shak- en, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope.

The overall thought is that God never leaves us stranded, but allows us to stand firm in every situation in and through Jesus Christ our Lord. The result is that we rest in the promises God makes to every believer.

One of the keys to walking with Jesus is found in experiencing the joy of His presence in your life.

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 1: 13 – 14 that God gives every believer the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to identify us as His own. With such a presence of God in our lives and a guarantee that we are

Obituaries / Memorials

SONIA MCWILLIAMS

Sonia passed away peacefully at her home in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, on March 12, 2025, with her family by her side.

A celebration of Sonia’s life will be held on Friday August 1, 2025, at 11:00AM at W. J. Jones & Son, 474 Hochelaga St W, Moose Jaw.

Della Ferguson will officiate.

We will gather in gratitude to honour Sonia and Fred, their life, their spirit, and their faith.

Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries). Dayna Chamberlain - Funeral Director

His children we have solid ground on which to cling daily to a living hope.

Many years ago we sang the words: Why should I fear when the Lord is on my side, why should I fear when in His love I hide? He is to me my fortress and my rock, why should I fear?

There is security in walking with Jesus and holding firm to His promises for our lives. When we learn to daily trust and lean on Him, we discover more intimately the living hope we have in Him.

The Apostle Paul (Philippians 4: 6 – 7) reminds us not to be anxious, but to entrust everything to God in prayer. The lesson here is to stay focused on the Lord and His promises so that the peace of God which passes all under-

standing will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus even when we are still waiting for the answer to our prayer.

Let us be like King David and ask God to show us the way of life so we can daily experience the joy of His presence through the work of Holy Spirit in our lives.

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

Some crops benefitted from rain

Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Rainfall across much of Saskatchewan improved crop conditions. according to the weekly crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

Crop land soil moisture improved from 55 per cent adequate to 60 per cent adequate.

Conditions improved in the southwest but too late to help much of the crop. Northern soil moisture declined some.

In the southwest region crop land moisture was 56 per cent adequate.

Pasture soil moisture rating improved the most for the week ended July 12 with 43 per cent adequate versus only

13 per cent adequate the previous week.

Canola and mustard is completing flowering stages early in some places. Among oilseeds 12 per cent were ahead of normal development with 73 per cent normal.

In spring cereals 17 per cent were ahead with 78 per cent normal, In the southwest 34 per cent was ahead.

In pulse crops 18 per cent were ahead with 79 per cent normal.

Sixty-nine per cent of pulse crops in the southwest were ahead of normal.

The most rainfall in the Moose Jaw region was about 1.5 inches at Lafleche.

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.

Axiom & Axiomatic

I am sure many of you are familiar with the axiom called Murphy’s Law: Whatever can go wrong will go wrong. The saying is an axiomatic truth.

An axiom is a statement accepted as true on its intrinsic merit. Axiom has been used in the English language since the 15th century. Axiomatic means that something is taken for granted. It is axiomatic that good athletes have a strong mental attitude. It’s axiomatic that the instinct for self-preservation is universal throughout the animal kingdom

Axiom is derived from the Latin word axioma, meaning a fundamental proposition. This came from the Greek word axioma, meaning honoured status, prestige, and that which is reasonable though not demonstrated to be true. The Greek verb axioo means to consider worthy or of value.

In mathematics or logic, an axiom is an unprovable rule accepted as true because it is self-evident or particularly useful. An example is, “Nothing can both be and not be at the same time and in the same respect.”

Send your letters to the editor to: joan@moosejawexpress.com

All columns, letters to the editor and editorials are solely the personal opinions of the writers themselves andnot necessarily the opinions of The Moose Jaw Express.

The contents of this publication are the property of the Moose Jaw Express. Reproduction of any of the contents of this publication, including, but without limiting the generality of the following: photographs, artwork and graphic designs, is strictly prohibited.

There shall be no reproduction without the express written consent of the publisher. All ads in the Moose Jaw Express are published in good faith without verification. The Moose Jaw Express reserves the right to refuse, classify, revise or censor any ads for any reason in its sole discretion. This paper may include inaccuracies or errors.

The Moose Jaw Express does not under any circumstances accept responsibility for the accuracy or otherwise of any ads or messages in any of the publications editions. The Moose Jaw Express specifically disclaims all and any liability to advertisers and readers of any kind for loss or damage of any nature what-soever and however arising, whether due to inaccuracy, error, omission or any other cause.

All users are advised to check ad and message details carefully before entering into any agreement of any kind and before disclosing personal information. If in doubt, please take legal advice.

Axiom is contrasted with a theorem, which requires a rigorous proof.

An axiom is a principle widely accepted for its essential worth. A statement that is axiomatic, therefore, is one against which few people would argue. Edward Murphy Jr. was an American aerospace engineer working for the United States Air Force Institute of Technology in the 1940s & 1950s. He was a research and development officer at the Wright Air Development Centre in Ohio. Edward and his team had mishap after mishap during rocket sled tests. His original quote was the precautionary design advice that “If there are two or more ways to do something and one of those results in a catastrophe, then someone will do it that way.”

Testing project head John Stapp finalized and popularized the axiom during a press conference when he quipped, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” It wasn’t until 1951 that the axiom became known as Murphy’s Law.

In 1955, May–June issue of Aviation Mechanics Bulletin included the line “Murphy’s law: If an aircraft part can be installed incorrectly, someone will install it that way.” Lloyd Mallan’s book Men, Rockets and Space Rats, referred to Colonel Stapp’s axiom on sober scientific laws, Murphy’s law, “Everything that can possibly go wrong will go wrong.”

The Mercury Seven were a group of astronauts selected to fly for Project Mercury in 1959. Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton created a new profession in the United states and established the image of the American astronaut for years to come. In 1962 they attributed Murphy’s axiom to the United States Navy training films.

Synonyms for axiomatic include obvious, selfevident, apparent, and prima facie.

Obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for

TRINITY UNITED CHURCH

discernment in the observer. Keeping his head down focusing on the ball through the shot was the obvious solution to his errant golf shots.

Self-evident means presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion without proof or reasoning. The phrase “self-evident” in the United States Declaration of Independence refers to the idea that certain truths, like the equality of all men and their endowment with unalienable rights, are obvious and do not require proof.

Apparent suggests something manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be factually valid. They attributed his death to an apparent heart attack.

Prima facie means true, valid, or sufficient at first impression. Although it was a prima facie idea, it is easy to think of counter examples.

John Stapp is credited with involvement in another axiom, Stapp’s Law, during his work on the aerospace project, “The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle.” It seems the U.S. space program generates a lot of axiomatic statements. I wonder if it will continue to do so.

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.

Happy 95th Birthday to Elsie Meacher! Celebrating a wonderful milestone on July 26, 2025. With love from all your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren

UPCOMING EVENTS IN MOOSE JAW

If you would like your notice or event added to this list, contact us at: joan@moosejawexpress.com

Saskatchewan Mixed Pairs Lawn Bowling Championships are being hosted by the Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling Club July 25-27 at the Lawn Bowling greens in Crescent Park . Everyone is welcome to watch this championship. Limited seating available. PLEASE bring your own lawn chair if you can. Times are: July 25 6:30-9 pm/July 26. 9am -5 pm/July 27 9am -3:30 pm approx. For more information email moosejawlawnbowling@gmail.com

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. 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 once-a-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 306684-1464 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 6:307 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 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).

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 until Aug. 28. Free event/drop-in program/come and go as you please.

• 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.

• 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 Yamada-Kun 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.

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 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 @ 3pm - Everyone 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 4pm, Every Tuesday 9am -4pm starting September

Lounge – Friday’s from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jam Sessions – Friday’s 9 a.m.

Teaxas Hold’em - Thursday @ 6:30pm Floor Curling – Wednesday and Fridays @ONHOLD for summer

Bingo – Monday afternoons 1:30pm -3:30pm and NEW Wednesday evenings 6:30pm-8:30pm

Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre Weekly Activities – 235 3rd Ave. N.E. Phone 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/1pmPickleball/7pm-Friendship 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

August 16th Cosmo Barbeque Fundraiser from 5-6pm. Hamburgers, hotdogs, beans, salad, coffee & tea. Cost $15

August 16th Social Dance - Dennis Ficor 6:30pm10:00pm. 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

Lakefront cabin has been a family vacation spot since the 1950's, back deck gives beautiful views of the lake, cabin itself has a large open area with high ceilings

Moose Jaw’s Notoriously Good

Congratulations to Beverly and Yogi Arnold for being chosen the Notoriously Good Neighbour winners for the month of June, sponsored by the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce and the City of Moose Jaw. They were recognized as “Notoriously Friendly, Notoriously Generous and Notoriously Kind-Hearted Moose Javians making a Notoriously Positive difference in our community.”

While Beverly and Yogi respectfully requested not to have their photograph taken, they are happy to continue supporting their neighbours and welcomed a visit from Bylaw staff that extended their congratulations. During the visit, a certificate and a gift card was presented as a token of appreciation.

The following nomination, submitted by Kalie Seidlitz, highlights why Beverly and Yogi were selected as our winners:

“I am writing to enthusiastically nominate my neighbours – Yogi and Beverly ARNOLD …for the Good Neighbour Contest. Simply put, they are the kind of neighbours everyone dreams of having—thoughtful, dependable, and always willing to lend a hand.

Their yard is a testament to their dedication and pride in our community. Immaculately maintained, it’s the first thing that catches your eye when you walk or drive down our street especially when the flowers are in full bloom during the summer. They’re often up early,

3pc bathroom, lower level family, bedroom, a full bathroom, large patio enclosed replace, raised garden beds, garden shed and more.

Neighbour for the Month of June

tending to the landscaping, watering plants, and ensuring that their property contributes to the overall beauty of the neighborhood. Their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, and it certainly elevates the curb appeal of the entire block.

More than just great caretakers of their own home, they consistently go above and beyond to help those around them—including me and my family. Whether it’s taking care of our dog when we’re working long hours or out of town, or helping with daily tasks that we’re unable to get too or need assis-

tance with (ex: taking out our garbage/ recycling if we forget or aren’t home,

lending us tools we may not have, cutting our lawn, watering our flowers, or assisting with house maintenance/repairs), they’re always there with a smile and a helping hand. Their generosity and willingness to step in when needed makes a meaningful difference in our lives.

Since we do not have immediate family in the city, the Arnold’s have felt like the missing piece and are people we can ultimately depend on in case of an emergency. It is something we try not to take for granted but are extremely grateful for because not everyone gets to experience what it’s like to have neighbours like them.

In every way, they embody the spirit of community and kindness. It’s hard to imagine more deserving recipients of this honor. I can’t think of anyone more fitting for this recognition, and I hope you’ll agree that their contributions to our neighbourhood are truly exceptional.”

Bylaw officers for the City of Moose Jaw stand along with Chamber of Commerce CEO Rob Clarke (centre) with the certificate and gift certificates presented to Bev and Yogi Arnold as June’s Notoriously Good Neighbours.

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