Preeceville Progress 2023-05-25

Addison Danielson slid into home in a cloud of dust as her teammate Fiona Pinaroc watched during the U17 Preeceville girls game against Hudson Bay. See story and photos on Page 8.

Sturgis Museum prepares for 2023 season opening

The Sturgis Station House Museum members and volunteers took advantage of the warmer temperatures to do some outdoor cleanup to prepare for the new season. A group of volunteers were joined by some students from the Sturgis Composite School on May 16 in the annual cleanup. The museum was to open for the season on May 20. The museum has some fundraising efforts in place for the season to help with operational costs. “There are plans to do a bread baking or two in the oven.,” stated Myrtle Boychuk, museum member.

“The opening tea is scheduled for June 13 at the museum and we will be having a booth at the Sturgis Sports and Rodeo on June 24 and 25, selling sweet treats and ice cream.”

The museum’s Agriculture building is completed and committee members are busy organizing the displays. Displays to be added will feature a blacksmith shop, a moonshine item, a working loom and many other agricultural related features.

The museum has hired two summer students this year; Jailin Soltys as Curator and Jake Soltys as Grounds Maintenance. Both were to be

commencing employment in May.

The museum will only be open on Wednesdays and Fridays, after school and weekends until the summer students have completed their school year and can be available full-time in the months of July, August and September.

“We would like to also offer some classes for students or anyone who may be interested this year on butter making and washing clothes the old way on a washboard and hanging clothes on a clothes line,” said Boychuk.

New BBQ items arriving every week!

Some of the students from the Sturgis Composite School joined members of the Sturgis Station House Museum for its annul spring cleanup on May 16. Students, from left, were: Cheyenne Peterson, Savannah Olson, Eugene Boychuk (museum member) and Karley Buchinski.

Preeceville and Sturgis track athletes successful in quest for Districts

The Preeceville and Sturgis Schools track team came away with a successful showing at the pre-district meet held in Yorkton on May 13. They now will advance to districts to be held in Yorkton.

Athletes participated in a variety of events in different age categories. This year athletes were divided into two separate competitive groups with Sturgis, Invermay and Canora in one group and Kamsack, Preeceville and Norquay participating in the other group.

The top two in the pee wee and bantam category in the Eastland Lakes East and Eastland Lakes West move on to Districts. The top four in the intermediate, junior and senior categories qualify for Districts.

Camryn Nelson was the big winner, taking home three first place medals in the junior category, javelin, discus and shot put.

Other results for Preeceville athletes

were: Blake Descalchuk placed first and Seth Reynolds second in the peewee boys long jump.

Descalchuk also placed first in shot put, second in discus and 100 meters. Savannah Neilson placed second in peewee girls 100 meters and first in the 200 meters. Ireland Zuk placed second in the peewee girls long jump, second in the 200 meters, and second in high jump. Dhexy Paligan placed second in bantam boys high jump, second in the 200 meter and first in triple jump.

Macey Mitchell placed first in peewee girls 400 meters. Devin Purdy placed first in peewee girls long jump, 100 meters and second in the 400. Amber Spray was second in intermediate girls long jump and discus and first in shot put and javelin. Brady Kashuba placed first in senior boys long jump and triple jump and third in shot put. Gerbo Javelona placed second in senior boys long jump and discus and third in triple jump.

Hudsyn Nelson finished

third in senior boys long jump, first in high jump and third in discus. Zachary Sorgen placed fourth in senior boys long jump, first in discus and javelin. Hallie Petryshyn finished third in senior girls long jump and discus.

Carter Halkyard placed second in bantam boys triple jump and third in high jump. Sarah Masko placed second in intermediate girls shot put and javelin and first in discus. Hudson Maier was first in bantam boys 100, 400, 800 and 1500 meters and Isaiah Maier placed first in senior boys 800 and 1500.

In Sturgis, Drei-Lance Terrenal placed third in in intermediate boys long jump, second in the 100 meters, second in the 400 and third in high jump. Jake Fedorchuk placed first in the peewee boys discus, and first in javelin. Cheyenne Peterson placed third in the intermediate girls 100 meters and second in the 200.

Sturgis students recognized for high level contest performance

Sturgis Composite School students were awarded prizes and acknowledgement for their winning entries at the zone level of the Norquay Legion Remembrance Day contest. Students from left, were: Kaiden Masley (third in senior poem), Andreanna Jatico (first in black and white junior poster), Grady Lario (third, black and white primary poster) and Savannah Olson (third at district level and first at zone for her intermediate essay entry).

Maria Anguluan placed second in peewee triple jump, and second in the 400 meters. Savannah Olson finished second in intermediate girls triple jump, first in long jump and first in hurdles. Parker Ryczak placed second in the intermediate boys high jump.

Jordyn Blanchard finished first in junior girls long jump, first in the 100 meters and second in the 400. Jailin Soltys

SUMMER STUDENT REQUIRED:

Preeceville public library is looking to hire a summer student to run the summer reading hour once a week from .

placed third in junior girls long jump, second in triple jump and first in hurdles. Ripley Pristie was first in peewee girls high jump.

Amrie Seerey placed second in peewee girls shot put, first in 400 meters and second in the 1500 meters. Kiya Tucker was second in intermediate girls shot put, discus and javelin. Karley Buchinski placed third in the intermediate girls shot put. Bracyn Konkel finished second in

intermediate boys javelin. Tristen Beatty placed second in bantam boys javelin and Riley Wiwcharuk placed second in the bantam girls javelin. Rylee Coleman finished second in the peewee girls 400 and first in the 1500 meters. Trae Peterson placed first in bantam boys hurdles. Emma Olson won first in bantam girls hurdles. Brea Babiarz placed second in bantam girls hurdles and Chaz Jaeb, first in senior hurdles.

Sturgis Community Bingo winners listed

Sturgis Community Bingo winners for May 16

were: Gaylene Palagian, Michelle Schneider, Irene Lingl, Beverly Severight, Delphine Whitehawk, Gwen Clark, Larry Pozniak, Gail O’Dell,

Lunch 11 am - 1 pm

Requirements: you must enjoy working with kids, must be organized and creative.

If you are interested pleas drop off resume at the library Deadline for resumes is June 1/2 .

Denise Barabonoff (two), Casey Hobb, Helen Tymryk, Cindy Karpyk, Jeanette Predinchuk, Kristine Frost, Margaret Schneider, Olga Wasylyniuk, Bev Kopeck and Richard Antoniuk.

Hudsyn Nelson placed first in high jump after soaring over the bar.

Camryn Nelson was the big winner taking home three first place medals in the junior category; javelin, discus and shot put at the pre-district track and field meet in Yorkton.

SUV driver endangers construction workers

BY SGT. DEREK FRIESEN Canora RCMP Detachment

The Canora/Sturgis RCMP responded to 63 calls from May 11 to May 17, including: one 911 Act call, one animal call, one check stop, one Child Welfare Act, one dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two failures to comply with probation order, two false alarms, two frauds, one impaired operation of a motor vehicle, one lost and found, one Mental Health Act call, three mischiefs, three other provincial calls, four roadside suspensions,

32 traffic offenses, two uttering threats, two suspicious persons, one wellbeing check, and two prisoners.

Dangerous driving

On May 12, the Canora/ Sturgis RCMP were dispatched to a dangerous driving complaint west of Canora on Highway 5. A newer Grey SUV went speeding through the construction zone and almost hit a worker. Police continue to investigate.

The Canora/Sturgis received a call on May 14 to assist with the return of a fridge that was purchased from a private sale and did

not work. As the matter was civil, police were not able assist with getting the caller’s money back. Check stop

The Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan Unit held a check stop at Highway 9 and 229 south of Canora on May 15. A total of 244 vehicles were checked. Two alcohol licence suspensions were issued, two cannabis licence suspensions were issued and two vehicles were impounded. One driver was ticketed for driving with a suspended licence.

Remains found

On May 15, the Canora/

Sturgis RCMP were called to an empty lot in Sturgis for a large garbage bag containing possible remains. Police inspected the bag and determined the remains to be from an animal.

Compounding the problem

The Canora/Sturgis RCMP were dispatched on May 15 to a disturbance outside a home in Canora. A female was banging on the door of the residence at which she was prohibited. Police attended the call and arrested the female for failing to comply with her probation order.

During the arrest the female slapped a police officer and she was charged with assaulting a police officer.

Overly friendly

A heavily-intoxicated male visited the Canora Detachment wanting to chat and share stories on May 15. After a short and humorous conversation with police, the male was arrested for public intoxication and charged for breaching his probation order for consuming an intoxicating substance.

Report tips and information

If you have any

information about these or any other crimes, or any substances involved in these incidents, please contact the Canora RCMP at 306-563-4700, or you can also report anonymously via Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www. saskcrimestoppers.com. Call the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Turn In Poachers & Polluters (TIPP) Line, toll-free, at 1-800-6677561 or #5555 from a SaskTel cellphone (phone calls only, no text messages).

Fedorchuk running for provincial NDP nomination

A Norquay man is hoping to get the nod from local New Democrats to run in the next provincial election.

Wynn Fedorchuk, who grew up on a small cattle farm west of Whitebeech, announced May 8 he will run for the NDP nomination in the CanoraPelly constituency.

“My wife, Anna

and I have deep roots in the community,” he said in a release.

“We were born and raised here and following our education, made a conscious decision to return home and contribute to our community.”

The NDP have yet to set a date for the nomination meeting. Fedorchuk will have to have his candidacy

approved before he can run for the nomination. The winner of the nomination will then be one of the names on the ballot for the election, scheduled for Oct. 28, 2024

A social worker and artist, Wynn said he is well aware of the many challenges facing rural Saskatchewan today.

“We can see

first-hand how cuts to health care, education and general affordability concerns are affecting our community. The Saskatchewan Party is sitting on a resource windfall and instead of responding with tangible measures to help Saskatchewan people, chooses to ignore the issues each family is facing daily.”

Local babysitter course to include complete childcare lessons

Students from Sturgis and Preeceville will be taking advantage to get their certification as a qualified babysitter thanks to the Saskatchewan Safety Council Babysitter Training Course offered to students 11 years of age and above.

The course will be taught by Candace Kuta of Preeceville, from May 23-June 8.

The Babysitter Training Course helps students to learn about the safe care of children, how to respond in emergencies and how to be responsible babysitters.

Saskatchewan Safety Council provides all the material, manuals, guidelines and final exam.

The students have to: complete a resume, care for a “baby egg” for 72 hours, put together and present their own babysitting kit, complete four hours supervised

babysitting with a report completed by the supervisor, and pass the final exam with a minimum mark of 75 per cent.

The Preeceville Ambulance is pitching in by teaching the first aid section and the Preeceville Fire Department will be

instructing the fire safety section. Their lessons included babysitting basics, child care (I and II), safety smarts, handling emergencies, first aid, and playing with children. Each lesson is to include book work, questions for discussion, and scenarios

Grow Hope SK launches 6th growing season to fight world hunger

SASKTODAY.CA

SASKATOON — Saskatchewan urban and rural communities are coming together to support people worldwide who need emergency food assistance. Grow Hope Saskatchewan has launched its sixth growing season, which invites farmers and donors to unite and learn about farming and the collective responsibility to be good stewards of our resources.

According to Rick Block, Regional Representative with Canadian Foodgrains Bank, funds raised through the grain-growing project support people worldwide who need emergency food assistance and improved long-term food security.

Grow Hope Saskatchewan is a tangible way for productive land in Saskatchewan to have a

direct and positive impact on many worldwide who do not have access to food, the “bounty that comes from the land.”

“We are farmers and Grow Hope allows us to help those in need while doing what we love. Do you also feel a call within your heart to help this great organization feed the world?” asked Michelle Hergott, a Grow Hope farmer near Bruno, Saskatchewan, about the initiative.

Folks are invited to sponsor an acre for $350, which can result in proceeds of up to $500 from the sale of that crop. This, in turn, may be matched 4:1 through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s Partnership with Global Affairs Canada.

Throughout the year, Grow Hope Saskatchewan offers multiple

opportunities for community engagement, including a field day, recipes connected to the grains grown, and artwork inspired by the landscapes of Grow Hope fields.

Grow Hope

Saskatchewan started as a collaboration between the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, MCC Saskatchewan, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon in the winter of 2017 to find creative ways to unite urban and rural communities in the effort to end global hunger.

The 2023 Grow Hope Saskatchewan project is a partnership of the Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle, Primate’s World Relief & Development Fund, PWRDF, Synod of SK of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, Presbyterian World Service &

Development, Mennonite Central Committee of Saskatchewan, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Development & Peace Caritas Canada, and Canadian Baptist Ministries.

In 2022, Grow Hope Saskatchewan had a recordbreaking year, raising $299,000 to end global hunger worldwide. Since its inception in 2017, Grow

Hope Saskatchewan has raised $748,000 for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, with the first crop planted in 2018.

Leveraging matching grants from Global Affairs Canada received at the highest rate; the total contribution would be about $3.74 million.

Individual donations are welcome through the summer, and several exciting

Wynn Fedorchuk of Norquay announced he is running for the NDP nomination for the Canora-Pelly constituency. The winner of that contest will then represent the NDP in the next provincial election.

in which the students acted out their responses.

“The course gives students an in-depth idea on what the rights and responsibilities are of a babysitter as well as how to deal with many situations they may encounter while on a babysitting assignment,” stated Kuta.

opportunities for corporate sponsorship exist. At the launch of the 2023 growing season, there are 421 available donated acres to sponsor.

It costs as much as $350 to sponsor an acre of land, which includes seed, fertilizer, fuel, and other inputs needed to grow a crop. Donors can support partial acres, a full acre, or multiple acres.

Saskatchewanʼs farmers are doing their share to help fight world hunger. Jon Perez / SASKTODAY.ca

123 First Avenue East (Box 746)

Canora, Saskatchewan

Phone: 306-563-5131 · Fax: 306-563-6144

Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.: 8 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 5 pm

Tues.: 8 am – 12 pm, closed afternoons

LOOKING BACK A decade ago

Family, friends and classmates shared in the celebration of 20 Preeceville High School graduates with awards and scholarships presented at the graduation exercises.

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In a detailed report, Lorne Scott , conservation director for Nature Saskatchewan, gave an update on the Indian Head tree nursery and PFRA pastures across Saskatchewan, during a presentation in Preeceville that was sponsored by the Kelsey Ecological Society.

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Area residents had the opportunity to have fun all summer long with the opening of the Mackenzie Hole-in-One miniature golf course in Preeceville.

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Thirty-nine of the province’s 77 updated liquor regulations announced came into affect as a result of policy changes made by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

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Wayne Lazaruk was recognized for his many years supporting the air cadet movement.

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Young players enjoyed the kickoff of the T-Ball season in Preeceville.

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Twenty-one Preeceville employees were recognized at the Sunrise Health Region annual employee recognition event held in Preeceville.

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The Sturgis Library served angel food cake, strawberries and ice cream during the Sturgis Libraries tea.

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The Whitehawk Arts Council announced its Stars for Saskatchewan concert series for the next season.

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Leaders, members, alumni and supporters of the 4-H movement from across the country gathered at Winnipeg to celebrate its 100th year gala anniversary.

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The Preeceville School hosted its annual Grade 4-8 oratory competition.

Consumers flooded with information, trends hard to predict The Ag Scene

There are times that farmers have to wonder what exactly consumers are thinking when it comes to their decisions about what they put on the dinner table.

There are so many factors the consumer is being asked to consider today that makes understanding their final decisions often confusing.

There are those promoting the idea of livestock being sentient and so should be off the menu.

There are those who point to livestock as being greenhouse gas emitters and so to combat global weather changes should be off the menu, which one imagines means eating up the existing herds and basically stopping further production –which for some breeds at least could well mean extinction which could have future impacts not well understood today.

Others worry livestock consumes feed from acres that they believe would

CALVIN DANIELS

be better suited to grains for human consumption. While most of the above reasons might best be described as morale ones, there are also the mixed messages regarding what is best for humans in terms of what feeds our bodies best.

“Meat, eggs and milk offer crucial sources of much-needed nutrients which cannot easily be obtained from plant-based foods”, a new report issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says in an online release on the organization website.

However, revisions to the Canada Food

Guide released in 2019 are pointedly different. The updated Food Guide emphasized plantbased foods and advised Canadians to consume less milk and meat.

One can sympathize if consumers aren’t quite sure which message is best for their families.

Ultimately, barring issues such as allergies or medical conditions limiting what one eats, it would seem, as in most things, moderation is a good starting place from which to determine family menus. Too much of anything; from raw sugars, to salt, to cured meats to any other menu item is not likely the best option.

It is also likely most any food in moderation is not going to be horrible for some unless the aforementioned issues are present.

Is eating beef or pork OK? Well for most, the answer is no doubt yes. The same can be said for consuming legumes as a protein source.

The better answer still is quite likely a diet with some of both on the menu regularly.

And let’s not forget humans have been drinking animal milks for centuries, so to suddenly think that is bad seems unlikely, although perhaps consumption needs to be adjusted for lifestyle. Most of us do not do the physical work we would have accomplished even 50 years ago, so our nutrient needs are going to be different.

The key is assimilating the data being tossed out and finding a balance that works in the kitchen for each of us.

Herbs can do so many things for a gardener and their garden

In the midst of planting our gardens and containers, don’t forget one enjoyable and interesting part of this year’s plantings: a herb collection! Whether you plant them in the garden or in containers by the back step (much more handy!), you will be happy to enjoy them all season.

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme; this combination of herbs was musically immortalized by Simon and Garfunkel, but herbs are the flavour of life in the gardening world. Herbs and herbal healing have been around for thousands of years, going back to the ancient Chinese, the Egyptians, the Romans and the Greeks.

The earliest Christian monasteries included small, walled gardens, and by the ninth century, monks were creating ‘herbals’ containing important information about various herbs and their healing properties. (If you enjoy growing herbs, you’ll love the Brother Cadfael books by Ellis Peters. Brother Cadfael is a medieval monk who solves crimes based on his knowledge of plants and their healing or not-so-healing properties.)

Herbs have been used to cure, to comfort, to flavour. Since 85 per cent of all drugs are derived in some way from plants, we could use volumes to talk about the medicinal plants and herbs. So let’s talk about more common herbs.

PREECEVILLE PROGRESS AND STURGIS REVIEW

The Garden Grapevine

DEBBIE HAYWARD

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme are four good, basic herbs that you might want to try. Parsley is more than just a garnish on your plate in a restaurant – it’s loaded with flavour and vitamins. For gardeners, it’s a lovely accent plant in containers. There’s curly parsley and the flat-leaf, but my Mom always grew the flat-leaf, saying it had more flavor.

Sage is one of my favorites. That musky, mysterious scent is reason enough to grow this tasty herb. Most common is the regular, silver-grey leafed sage, but there is also a variegated kind, which is a colourful addition to your herb collection. Dazzle dinner guests with chicken saltimbocca using your own sage! It’s so easy to make. Mark Twain might say that it was chicken with a college education, and all because of the

addition of sage!

Rosemary is a fragrant and delicious herb. The leaves are small and quite dense, growing on strong stems with a bushy habit, tolerant of hot dry locations. It is also a beautiful plant to consider as a filler among a container of flowers. As a culinary plant, rosemary works especially well with pork.

Thyme is a gardener’s friend in so many ways. From a landscaping point of view, it is a hardy, low growing perennial that will survive our winters (bonus!), and it spreads easily. This is the plant you want for rock gardens. For the chef, thyme is used in many recipes, and packs a lot of flavour punch in its small leaves. This plant will make itself at home in your garden and be a reliable addition.

We’ve chatted about only four herbs, and there are dozens more that you would want to include in your herb garden: basil to team up with your tomatoes, dill for salmon or scrambled eggs, lavender for tea or in shortbread cookies, tarragon for baked fish... the list goes on and on! Keeping them handy makes then easy to use. You’ll be amazed at the burst of flavors! And if you season with healthy herbs, you can omit some salt from your diet – never a bad thing.

Start that herb collection. Delicious!

Good luck with your planting.

First spring cut is can be a major challenge

It has already been established that due to my advanced age and various related conditions, I have been sidelined to being an observer.

Marion hauled the lawnmower out of the shed and tried to start it. No luck, she chided herself for not draining out the gas last fall. She lifted the mower up on a hip-high planter so she could better get at the carburetor. That was when I entered on to the scene. She had a multitude of wrenches of various sized, but none fit the little carburetor hexagon screw. That’s when it dawned on her that she had brought imperial tools to a metric job. How was she to know?

After searching the shed and basement, she finally found the metric tool set that was hidden

in a basement cupboard totally unrelated to tools. While she was searching the basement, I decided to take a look in the shed for other lawnmowerrequired tools or parts, and I found a brand-new sparkplug that we had bought last year, as well as an engine starter spray. First things first, we decided to replace the old sparkplug, which required a special sparkplug socket. The first one she tried was too short. She uttered a few unlady-like phrases, then found the longer one in the metric tool set. I helped her assembling an extension on to the ratchet and socket. She unscrewed the sparkplug and tried to disassemble the ratchet from the extension and socket. I’m not a mechanic but at least I knew to push on the back of the ratchet,

Observations

KAARE ASKILDT

causing the extension to pop off. “Wow!” said Marion. “That was simple.” For years, she had been prying with a screwdriver while pulling with a pair of pliers.

We decided to get some more engine spray before working on the carburetor, so Marion drove to the Co-op gas station and hardware store to resupply. There she ran into a young man who told Marion how to clean the carburetor without disassembling the engine. She came home, did as the young chap had told her,

and voila, the carburetor was cleaned.

After a few attempts, the lawnmower decided to cooperate and started. I did the first couple of back and forth passes before Marion took one look at me and put me on the sideline while she finished mowing the law in the yard as well as outside. Just because I’m old she gets to have all the fun. Not fair!

Ole and Sven were enjoying their lunch of Norwegian meatballs and mashed potatoes at Moe’s Bottoms Up Bar

and Grille, with shots of Akevitt chased by Moe’s special lager.

“I just bought a new lawnmower,” said Ole, “and I put the old mower out on the street in front of the house with a “FREE” sign next to it. Somebody came along and took the sign but left the lawnmower.”

“Really?” said Sven, “I guess you should have been more specific.”

Knut came and joined them for a desert of blueberry pie with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, along with shots of St. Halvard liqueur and coffee.

“When our old lawn mower broke down,” said Knut, “my wife kept hinting to me that we should either get it fixed or replaced, but somehow, I always had something else to take care of first, like organizing the shed,

clean up and ready the boat for the boating season and brewing my own beer. All these things were very important to me.”

“How did she handle that?” asked Ole.

“Well,” said Knut, “after a while she thought it would be a clever way of making her point. When I arrived home from work one day, I found her sitting in the tall grass snipping away at the blades of grass with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched her in silence for a short time and went into the house. I was gone maybe a minute or two and when I came back out again, I handed her a toothbrush. I told her that when she was finished cutting the grass, perhaps she could sweep the driveway. I slept on the couch that night!”

Unbelievable, I have ‘Social Media Rules’ I follow

BY NICK KOSSOVAN

Apart from a platform’s user policies, social media is still more or less governed by unwritten rules. Today, 25 years after its creation, social media still resembles the wild west. Therefore, don’t stress over which unwritten rules to follow and which to break. Instead, have fun, be mindful and create your own rules.

With all the social media platforms out there, it’s impossible to have universal social media rules. (As of January 2022, there were 17 social media platforms with at least 300 million monthly active users.) Picture yourself at a summer barbecue with friends. Imagine how you’d post about the event on different platforms, including pictures and videos.

Facebook: Look at my beautiful juicy hamburger.

Instagram: Look at me eating a hamburger with my friends (whom you’ve tagged).

Snapchat: Look at me taking bites of my hamburger while my friends cheer me on.

LinkedIn: My friend makes the best hamburgers! He should open a hamburger stand.

YouTube: Here’s how to BBQ the perfect hamburger.

Twitter: Liberals love to eat hamburgers topped with melted brie and pickled red onions.

In my opinion, there are 10 universal social media

“Do’s & Don’ts”: Do’s

1. Control your privacy settings.

2. Disconnect from negativity. (Block or unfriend those who are constantly negative or trolling you.)

3. Be authentic and engaging.

4. Include pictures and videos, they’re what create engagement.

5. Give credit and don’t tag indiscriminately. (Always ask permission before tagging someone in a photo. As well, be sure to credit the author whose

content you’re sharing.) Don’ts

1. Don’t over post. (You don’t need to constantly tell the world what you are doing.)

2. Don’t be needy. (You should never ask your followers to ‘Please retweet’ or beg your Facebook friends continuously to ‘like’ your page.)

3. Be mindful of your grammar and spelling. (Grammar mistakes and spelling errors reduce your credibility.)

4. Don’t project yourself as a know-it-all.

5. Don’t believe everything you read. (Always question the validity of what you read on social media.)

Following these 10 rules, along with life’s golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and you will boost your online presence. Question what you’re choosing to believe and most importantly, you’ll not be contributing to the toxicity prevalent on social media.

Now on to my social media rules:

1. Take nothing on social media seriously.

2. Accept the fact my words can be used against me, and anything I say can be twisted into something else.

3. Never mess with cats! (Talk to the volunteers at Guildwood Cat Relief— Twitter: @CatRelief— they’ll tell you about the benefits of owning a cat and why cat memes dominate social media.)

4. Don’t talk about politics or religion or imply your ideology is superior to all others.

5. Never try to “debate.” Nobody debates on social media. Instead, from behind anonymous accounts, they label you, mock your lack of intelligence, call you names and insult you for having the nerve to have a differing opinion.

6. People who hide behind anonymous accounts aren’t worth engaging with. Those who conceal their identity (use an alias,

not including an image of themselves) do so to avoid being held accountable for the content they post. It’s because social media companies allow online anonymity that social media is as toxic as it is.

7. Before posting, know how a platform moderates—each platform moderates “their way.”

8. Don’t argue with trolls. Doing so is how they win.

9. Note that eventually, regardless of how it looks, a social media victory becomes irrelevant. (This is also true of life in general.)

10. Anything someone can label can be hated, and the more you hate it, the stronger it gets.

11. Whenever possible, add pictures or a video; otherwise, it didn’t happen.

12. It takes only a few seconds for “original content” to no longer be “original content.”

13. Adhering to the adage, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything,” is

an excellent behavioural guide.

14. One to three hashtags (#) is acceptable; more than five hashtags isn’t.

15. Everything—I mean “everything”—has a fandom, and you’ll be attacked if you go against that fandom.

16. Don’t say anything online that I wouldn’t say in person.

17. When I’m angry or not in a good mood, stay offline.

18. Just because I’m offended doesn’t mean I’m right.

19. Being able to post it doesn’t mean I should.

20. Always remember: Social media is all about building relationships.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Nick Kossovan is the Customer Service Professionals Network’s Social Media Director (Executive Board Member). Feel free to send you social media questions to nick.kossovan@ gmail.com. On Twitter and Instagram follow @ NKossovan.)

Field peas and durum lead seeding progress

Producers have made great seeding progress recently and the region has 21 per cent seeded. This is ahead of last year of 13 per cent and behind the fiveyear average of 33 per cent seeded, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report for May 9 to 15.

Field peas and durum are both 52 per cent seeded and are leading the overall seeding progress.

Barley is 36 per cent, lentils 34 per cent and spring wheat 31 per cent seeded. Flax is the furthest from completion with only two per cent in the ground.

There were no significant rain events this past week in the east-central region of Saskatchewan. The Esterhazy and Craik areas received 18 mm of rain this past week. Other parts of the east-central region received trace amounts of rain.

Cropland topsoil moisture condition is 83 per cent adequate while hay and pasture land is at 80 per cent adequate. Fourteen per cent of topsoil moisture is short in both.

Producers are busy spraying when not working with cattle or seeding. Producers are concerned regarding potential dry spells impacting soil moisture levels and are hoping for rain soon, concluded the report.

EAST CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN CROP REPORT

Farmers across the region have been able to advantage of recent dry weather and get a lot of seeding done.

Making an impact in early childhood development

Children, parents and grandparents enjoyed spending time together learning during the Regional KidsFirst Intriguing Minds: Parents and Children Together (IMPACT) program. It was overseen by Kim Gelowitz, Yorkton First Regional community developer and Alejandra Barron, Triple P and Positive Parenting program director.

The program was hosted at the Preeceville School on May 10 and in Sturgis on May 17 and

focused on early childhood development.

The event targeted the preschool-aged children and their caregivers. All stations established were for developmentally appropriate and demonstrated skills and activities for children and parents.

The fun educational and interactive stations were designed to help children develop the skills needed for a successful school experience. It also promoted awareness of self, social skills, cognitive skills,

language communication, and physical development.

There were 12 stations that focused on scientific exploration and experiments for children that featured an obstacle course, numbers and counting, learning how to make a bird feeder, sensory bins, puzzles, and learning about building a birds nest and building a garden.

“IMPACT engages children in play and we are encouraging healthy development,” said Gelowitz.

Jamie Leason and her son Jayden had fun putting together a giant puzzle during the Regional KidsFirst Intriguing Minds: Parents and Children Together (IMPACT) program held at the Preeceville School.

Maycee Johnson, right, handed out special hand-made cards to residents at the Preeceville Long-Term Care during the Mother ʼs Day tea. Dianne Pollock loved her card that she received.

Jordan Lowe, spent some tine with her grandmother Shirley Lowe (sitting) who is a resident at the Preeceville Long-Term Care during the Motherʼs Day tea.

Children, parents and grandparents enjoyed spending time together learning during the IMPACT program. In Preeceville, from left, were: Jamie and Jayden Leason, Kim Gelowitz and Forrest and Catherine Van Nieuwenhuyze.

Catherine Van Nieuwenhuyze and her son Forrest had fun playing in the sensory bins.

Preeceville school badminton winds up another season

The Preeceville School junior and senior teams both concluded their badminton season with bringing home numerous medals from different tournaments.

“The senior badminton team had a busy and successful season. We had a number of players

and were able to attend the Invermay, Canora, Pregis, and Kamsack tournaments,” said Dallas Kardinal, coach. Silver medals were brought home from Invermay by Camryn Nelson in girls singles and Cassidy Paterson and Addison Danielson in girls

doubles. Mia Mitchell and Riely Turchinetz were gold medalists in this tournament.

The team had a good showing at the Pregis tournament, resulting in silver medals for Camryn Nelson in girls singles, and Mia Mitchell and Gerbo Javelona in mixed

Sturgis badminton players celebrate completion of season

doubles.

Camryn Nelson added another silver medal to her collection in girls singles at the KCI tournament and Mia Mitchell and Alexis Firman earned a gold medal in girls doubles.

To end the season, three teams were able to secure spots at districts with second place finishes at pre-districts. These players were Camryn Nelson in girls singles, Zander Purdy in boys singles, and Mia Mitchell and Gerbo Javelona.

The junior team

coached by Ally Hull also reported on successful season. “All players were able to attend at least one tournament this season,” said Hull.

At the home Pregis tournament, Lexi Prouse won a silver in the girls singles category.

At the Canora tournament, Dhexy Paligan and Saphira Anaka won silver in mixed doubles and Maggie Bartel earned a gold in girls singles.

In Kamsack, Deagan

Anaka and Devon Purdy won silver in mixed doubles and Amber Spray

won a gold in girls singles. In Yorkton, Deagan Anaka and Devon Purdy won gold in mixed doubles.

In Invermay, Bri Paterson and Jordyn Worobetz won silver in girls doubles.

Players who had advanced to districts held in Yorkton were: Dhexy Paligan and Saphira Anaka (mixed doubles), Amber Spray (girls singles), Kacey Heskin and Lexi Prouse (girls doubles) and Maggie Bartel, who won bronze in the girls singles.

Members of the Sturgis Composite School junior badminton team who concluded their season with district play, from left, were: (back row) Avyn Seerey, Drei-Lance Terrenal, Tyson Fedorchuk, Trae Peterson, Bracyn Konkel, Chloe Jansen, Parker Ryczak and Savannah Olson and, (front) Kelmer Albarracin, Erl Dela Torre, Amrie Seerey, Avery Masley, Ripley Pristie, Brea Babiarz and Layla Jaeb.

EQUITY ALLOCATIONS OF:

6.0%

Proceeds to local non-profit organizations

2%

members will receive general repayment and overage cheques. Members over 70 years receive their equity paid down to the minimum $100. All eligible members will receive 30% of their allocation in cash Cheques will be mailed out after Equity Days

2% FOOD, Liquor 0.5%

Member cheques will be distributed at your Co-op.

Members of the Sturgis Composite School senior badminton team who concluded their season with district play, from left, were: Chaz Jaeb and Trina Correos.

Members of the Preeceville School junior badminton team who concluded their season with district play, from left, were: (back row) Saphira Anaka, Bri Paterson, Maggie Bartel, Devon Purdy, Aron Irlandez, David Rogues, Deagan Anaka, Dhexy Paligan, Jian Isican and Seth Reynolds; (middle) Yohan Quibod, Yischa Villar, Anebeth Bartel, Franz Pinaroc, Kacey Heskin, Amber Spray, Lexi Prouse, Kaiden Bourassa and Carter Halkyard; and (front) Jordyn Worobetz, Makenna Firman, Ireland Zuk, Macey Mitchell, Dexter Penner, Chloe Viacrucis, Boden Heskin and Connor Burym.

Members of the Preeceville School senior badminton team who concluded their season with district play, from left, were: (back row) Carter Scheller, Alexis Firman, Hudsyn Nelson, Keane Balyski, Tristan Acosta, Cassidy Paterson and Haley Payette and, (front) Sean Lavega, Asia Kilborne, Riely Turchinetz, Mia Mitchell, Addison Danielson, Oakley Zuk and Camryn Nelson.

All girl softball gaining popularity in local area

The newly formed Preeceville U15 and U17 allgirls softball teams have gained popularity with girls across the region.

The coaches for the U15 team are: Sky Nagy, Tammy Pantiuk and Sheri Masko, while Morgan Frank assisted by Shannon Nelson coach the U17 team

“We are all very excited to have girls softball teams here. Some of these girls have played baseball in the past but softball has some different rules and the biggest difference is

the pitching,” said Sheri Masko. “We have a great group of young ladies that listen well and are super eager to learn and excel at this awesome game. James Bodnar and Sheldon Luci are the only umpires in town that have the special training required to umpire girls softball.”

Both teams play competitive ball and play against teams from Canora, Yorkton, Melville, Wadena and Hudson Bay.

Softball Saskatchewan is recognized as the

Provincial Sport Governing Body responsible for the development, improvement, promotion, and

regulation of amateur fastpitch, slo-pitch, and modified/orthodox softball in Saskatchewan.

Objectives for better flea beetle management

BY KEITH GABERT

Agronomy Specialist and Insect Management Lead, Canola Council of Canada

the pest of greatest economic risk

Flea beetles are

to canola production, according to our 2022 Canola Council of Canada survey of canola growers. With more striped species, which emerge earlier in the spring and seem more tolerant of common seed treatments, and with spring weather conditions that challenge rapid crop emergence, flea beetle damage seems worse than ever.

Canola growers have two major objectives to reduce the risk.

Objective A: Rapid canola emergence

Two species of flea beetle – striped and crucifer –were photographed on the same canola plant. Striped species emerge earlier in the spring and seem more tolerant of common seed treatments.

Source: Canola Council of Canada

The ideal flea beetle buster is a canola crop that establishes quickly with five to eight plants per square foot. More plants mean more food for the flea beetles, which limits the damage per plant.

Scenarios that require multiple in-season foliar sprays are often the result of a slow-establishing, noncompetitive crop. Many factors can cause this, including moisture, temperature, plant populations, seed treatment and overall flea

In Loving Memory

Herb Wagar

July

Warwich, Hayden & Ava

Tyler, Nicole, Austin & Rhett Greg

Kevin

Holly

beetle numbers.

Management steps to reduce the risk include:

• Seed shallow into warm, moist soil. Consider seeding cereals first as they can tolerate cooler spring soils. Seed canola after soils have warmed up and ideally just before or after a spring rain.

• Use an advanced seed treatment to improve flea beetle protection in highrisk areas. These include: Buteo Start, Lumiderm, Fortenza and Fortenza Advanced.

• Use safe rates of seedplaced fertilizer. The recommendation is to use only phosphorus in the seed row at rates of 20 lb./ac. of actual phosphate. Higher rates of seed-placed fertilizer can add more stress, slow the pace of growth and reduce the stand.

Objective B: Effective foliar sprays Fields under moisture stress may not meet objective “A.” Flea beetles love dry conditions, crops don’t. In that case, growers should set up for effective foliar insecticide.

What makes a spray

effective?

First, apply it at the right time. Action thresholds for canola are when damage exceeds 25 per cent cotyledon or leaf area loss. However, in warm weather with actively feeding flea beetles and slow-growing crop, this threshold can be passed quickly. Growers will want to anticipate the speed at which damage is developing and proactively begin spraying before 25 per cent defoliation. In some cases, early spraying around headlands may be enough when damage is localized from flea beetles entering the field edge.

“Right time” is also when flea beetles are most active. Warm, dry and calm are good conditions for spraying. In rainy cool weather, flea beetles often take shelter in the soil and don’t feed as much. In these conditions, insecticides, which all rely on contact with the flea beetle target, will have lower efficacy.

Second, consider the temperature effect on insecticide efficacy. On spray days with highs over 25°C, Malathion and Sevin XLR

MUSEUM OPENING

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Farmers can reduce flea beetle risk with a canola crop that establishes quickly with five to eight plants per square foot. More plants mean more food for the flea beetles, which limits the damage per plant. Source: Canola Council of Canada

may provide better results. On days with highs below 20°C, pyrethroids (Decis, Pounce, Perm-UP and others) will show better results. Pyrethroids have restrictions when temperatures exceed 25°C.

Third, achieve coverage. Flea beetle insecticides do most of their work through contact. Because young canola plants take up only a small percentage of the ground area and because flea beetles are small targets, effective contact requires adequate water (at least 10 gal/ac.) and medium nozzles. Check labels for specific nozzle

recommendations. Lowdrift nozzles, which are a good practice for some herbicides, produce a coarse spray droplet that may not provide efficient flea beetle contact. Without coverage, results may not be as good as hoped.

This is just a quick overview of the top points. Continue regular scouting for flea beetle damage until your crop is well established. For more on flea beetle management tips and how to make the spray decision, please see our agronomy-based articles in the Insects section at canolawatch.org/fundamentals.

Addison Danielson, left, and Camryn Nelson protected third and second base.

Alexis Firman was in position at first base to catch the ball against Hudson Bay.

The Sturgis Station House Museum members took advantage of the warmer temperatures to do some outdoor cleanup to prepare for the new season.

Barb Wagar, left, and Linda Knutson helped to rake old leaves and debris from the Sturgis Station House Museum grounds in preparation for its new season.

Jailin Soltys is the new Sturgis Station House Museum curator for the upcoming season. Posing inside the newly built and completed Agriculture building at the Sturgis Station House Museum were: Myrtle Boychuk, left, and Dale Bashforth.

From the Preeceville Progress Files: Throwback Thursday

May 3, 1973 -

May 6, 1971- The

Preeceville

May 14, 1970- The 40-piece Sturgis School

Unit Concert Band went on a five-day tour of Saskatchewan, North

Dakota and Manitoba. May 13, 1971- Fire

believed to have been ignited by a bolt of lightning from a storm

burned approximately 3,000 bales near Preeceville.

Opposition joins forces to pass carbon tax exemption for farm dryers, livestock barns

BY NATASHA BULOWSKI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, National Observer

A bill exempting fossil fuels used for certain farming activities from the federal carbon price is headed to the Senate after the Conservatives, Bloc Québécois, NDP and Greens joined forces to pass it on March 29.

If it becomes law, Bill C-234 will add natural gas and propane used to dry grain and heat livestock barns to the list of exempted farm fuels, which already includes diesel and gasoline.

“It’s disappointing to see the NDP, the Green Party and the Bloc – parties who claim to be progressive – vote alongside the Conservative Party to effectively weaken climate action in Canada,”

Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault said in an emailed statement to Canada’s National Observer.

“Our government will always stand up for putting a price on pollution, which has long been recognized by people on both the right and the left as the best marketbased approach to cutting greenhouse gases and driving cleaner technologies.”

Guilbeault went on to reference the high cost of climate-related disasters like floods, storms and wildfires, which often hit farmers hard.

In a news release, Warren Steinley, the Conservative’s associate shadow minister for agriculture, declared the bill’s passage a “big win” that will “put tens of thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Canadian farm families.”

Many environmental groups, including Environmental Defence, warn the bill will erode the power of carbonpricing signals used to drive innovation for lowcarbon solutions.

While farmers “do not yet have a full suite of options available to replace fossil-fuelled grain dryers and barn space heating,” tax rebate programs have, and can, be used to support farmers without weakening the carbon price, Tim Gray, executive director at Environmental Defence, said in a news release.

“Exempting these high-emission activities from carbon pricing for farmers will only further encourage other sectors to demand similar treatment,” he said, pointing to ongoing problems with this in other sectors, in particular, the oil and gas industry.

The environmental organization is urging the Senate to make amendments requiring the federal government to change the tax and regulatory regime to accelerate the development and adoption of clean energy technologies that can be used in farm operations.

Last year, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and AgriFood amended the bill to include a sunset clause that will end the natural gas and propane exemption eight years after the bill comes into force. It also includes the option for Parliament to extend the exemption if viable technologies are not available.

This means the industry will get “a little break right now, but it’s not going to last forever,” NDP agriculture critic Alistair MacGregor said in January. In response to concerns about the erosion of the carbon price signal, MacGregor has said the carbon price isn’t incentivizing farmers to switch technologies because there’s a lack of commercially viable alternatives to propanerun grain dryers.

The same day Bill C-234 was passed, Agriculture and AgriFood Canada announced

up to $22.2 million for 45 new projects related to farmers adopting more efficient grain-drying technology across the country.

Geerts Farms Ltd. is receiving up to $2 million to purchase and install a new grain dryer and biomass boiler powered by locally sourced wood waste, thus completely eliminating the need for propane to dry its crops, according to the release.

To date, the adoption stream of the department’s Agricultural Clean Technology Program has supported 99 grain dryer projects across the country, according to the federal agriculture department.

Over the last two years, the federal government has invested more than $1.5 billion in programs to help farmers reduce emissions, including the aforementioned nearly half-billion-dollar Agricultural Clean Technology Program,

which helps farmers purchase more energyefficient grain dryers and heating systems, said Guilbeault.

Liberal Ryan Turnbull told Canada’s National Observer the eight-year exemption does not encourage farmers to change or invest in new technology because it takes away the power of the carbon price signal.

Disincentivizing investment in developing alternative technologies is only one of several problems with the bill, Turnbull told Canada’s National Observer in late January.

“One other big problem with this bill is that it actually double compensates, because we’ve already offered farmers a rebate in the last federal budget,” said Turnbull. “So it creates problems and confusion, because now we’re going to have a rebate and an exemption … it doesn’t work. You can’t have both.”

A fashion show was the highlight of the Sturgis 4-H Sewing Club.

Reliance Garage in

changed ownership with Gordan Downs taking over full ownership.

May 4, 1987- Ron Prebushewski shot down the dam at Sturgis Regional Park.

May 24, 1984- Cindy Tulik, left, Danny Anaka and Veronica Wilgosh recited the class history at the Preeceville High School graduation.

May 27, 1987- Public speaking finalists in the Preeceville School division from left were: Twyla MacNaughton, Nicole Huska and Laura Dahl.

May 1, 1980- Kenny and Faye Ellison opened a greenhouse business on their acreage outside of Preeceville.

May 3, 1973- Construction of the new Sturgis Fire Hall was scheduled to be completed by the end of May. The total cost of the building was $40,000.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

CELEBRATINGTHELIFEOFDONROSTEN

ThefamilyofDonRostenwouldliketoannounceaprivateinternment ceremonyforDon'sashesbeingheldatthePreecevilleCemeteryonJune 11,2023.DuetotheCOVID-19pandemic,theinternmentwasdelayed, andwhiletheceremonywillbeforfamilyonly,weinvitethosewhoknew DontojoinhisfamilyforaluncheonimmediatelyfollowingtheSunday morningserviceatSt.John'sLutheranChurchonJune11,2023. Wehopeyoucanjoinustogathertogether inmemoryofDonandcelebratehislife.

NOMINATIONS FOR CELEBRATING

SENIORS PROVINCIAL VOLUTNEER AWARDS

Gala on Sunday October 1, 2023

Conexus Arts

Centre, Regina

YOU CAN NOMINATE

A DESERVING SENIOR VOLUNTEER WHO CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR COMMUNITY!

Nominees must be:

- 55+

- Reside in Sask

- Be a volunteer in your community

Go to SSM website for more information: www.skseniors mechanism.ca

OR email

ssm@skseniors mechanism.ca

OR phone 306-359-9956

Deadline for nominations is June 1, 2023

COMING EVENTS

Holy Assumption (St. Mary’s)

Orthodox Church, north of Stenen, SK

Everyone welcome.

Please call Lilia

306-594-2114 with questions.

PRAYER CORNER

Preeceville-Sturgis United Church

Pastoral Charge: Grace United Church (Sturgis) 9:30 a.m. Trinity United Church (Preeceville) 11

a.m. Available on Preeceville-Stur-

gis United Church Pastoral

Charge Facebook page every

Sunday

SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian

Catholic Church schedule: Sat May 27 Buchanan Praznyk 4 p.m

Sun May 28 Kamsack 9 a.m

Canora 11 a.m. Norquay 1:15 p.m

Hudson Bay 4:30 p.m. Mon May

29 Canora cemetery South 2-3:30

p.m. Tues May 30 Canora ceme-

tery North 2-3:30 p.m. Wed May

31 Kamsack Cemetery 2-3:30

p.m. Thurs June 1 Norquay H.

Trinity cemetery 2 p.m. Norquay

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It’s spring in Saskatchewan and all kinds of wildlife are having their young. Everyone loves a baby but if you see a young animal that looks abandoned, it likely isn’t. In most cases, the best thing you can do to help them is to just let them be, according to a release.

Many animals leave their young alone for long periods while they forage for food, or to protect them from predators. The mother is often nearby, sometimes even watching. At these times, the biggest danger can come from well-intentioned people who think the baby needs their help. In fact, contact with humans can greatly reduce a young animal’s chances for survival.

There are other good reasons to leave young wildlife alone. Some infectious diseases, like rabies and West Nile virus, can be transmitted from wildlife to people.

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Saskatchewan residents are being reminded to take precautions against hantavirus as they start spring cleanup of enclosed buildings or vehicles.

In most situations, it ʼ s best to leave baby wildlife alone. A young animal ʼ s chances for survival can be significantly reduced by contact with humans.

It’s also illegal to take wild animals home. Only recognized and licensed wildlife rehabilitators have the expertise to provide appropriate care to orphaned and injured animals, giving them the best chance to be successfully released back into the wild.

For example, before concluding that a fawn is

abandoned, ask yourself:

• Has it been lying in the same position for more than 10 hours?

• Is it vocal?

• Is it covered in insects?

• Is it wet, possibly covered by the morning dew?

If you answered yes to any of these, the animal may have been there a while and needs help. Other indicators are if the mother is found dead nearby, or if the animal is found in an unnatural situation, such as a baby bird on a doorstep. In that case, you can move the young bird to the closest suitable habitat.

Remember: always call for advice before removing a young animal from the wild. If you can see obvious signs of injury or believe the animal has been orphaned, please contact your local conservation officer or the Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561.

Chief Medical Health Officer

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Person to COOK & CLEAN for heavy construction camp. Must have valid driver’s licence and safe food handling ticket. Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc.

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Hantavirus infection is caused by breathing in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings, urine and saliva of infected deer mice. It can cause a rare, but potentially fatal lung disease known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

“Exposure most often occurs when cleaning up sheds, barns, garages, cabins, or vehicles after winter,” Saskatchewan’s Deputy

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Dr. Julie Kryzanowski said in a release. “Particles can become airborne after sweeping, but it’s also possible to get the virus by touching something that has been contaminated, and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes.”

Symptoms usually start within one to six weeks of exposure. They include fever, muscle aches, cough, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Some people develop severe symptoms that can be life threatening. Seek medical attention immediately if you have a cough, fever and shortness of breath.

Take the following precautions when cleaning rodent infested areas:

• ventilate the building by opening doors and windows, and then leave the area for at least 30 minutes before cleaning;

• avoid using dry cleaning methods such as dusting, sweeping, vacuuming or air-hosing;

• use wet mopping methods and wear rubber or plastic gloves;

• wear goggles and a well-fitting N-95 type filter mask when cleaning areas contaminated by droppings;

• dampen areas contaminated with rodent droppings with bleach disinfectant and remove droppings

• steam clean, shampoo or spray upholstered furniture with a detergent, disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water; and

• wash exposed clothes and bedding with detergent in hot water.

Prevention is also recommended to reduce rodent infestations:

• block openings that might allow rodents to enter a building;

• store human and animal food, water and garbage in pest-proof/resistant containers with tightly-fitted lids; and

• move woodpiles or other potential hiding places for mice away from your home.

Between 1994 and 2022, 37 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome were reported in Saskatchewan; 13 of those cases were fatal. The total case numbers include preliminary data for 2022 and are therefore subject to change.

For more information on hantavirus, visit www. saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/diseases-andconditions/hantavirus and HealthLine Online at www.saskatchewan. ca/residents/health/diseases-and-conditions/ hantavirus.

For advice on symptoms or when to seek care, call HealthLine 811.

Be mindful of hantavirus while cleaning this spring

Rama audience thoroughly entertained at Old Fashioned Hoedown

For anyone who likes their traditional music mixed with a healthy dose of family-friendly humour, St. Anthony’s Parish Hall in Rama was the place to be on May 13.

Renowned Canadian Fiddle Champion Scott Woods and his All-Star band provided the entertainment with their Old Fashioned Hoedown

Woods said he and his bandmates thoroughly appreciated the hospitality.

“They just rolled out the red carpet for us,” he said. “Our show speaks to the rural community. It’s the music the pioneers played, and it speaks to residents even now. Everyone seemed to have a great time, us included.”

Mary Kowalyshyn, one of the organizers of the event, said it was “an up-lifting two-hour Branson-style show that featured numerous fiddle tunes in the style of Don Messer, Graham Townsend and Al Chomey along with traditional country and Gospel songs that kept the audience entertained and their toes tapping.

“The show featured music for all ages: family humour, sensational step dancing and inspirational stories. But what kept the audience in awe was Scott’s keen wit and prowess on his fiddle while using a coat hanger, a broomstick or a toilet plunger as his bow and of course, his famous trick fiddling when he did a somersault and balanced on a rolling barrel all while playing his fiddle.”

Woods was joined onstage by a talented band of musicians.

Kendra Norris, Woods’

sister, is a multiple winner of the Canadian Open Fiddle Competition in the 19-45 class, a three-time Canadian Duet Fiddle Champion with her brother, and a multiinstrumentalist (piano, accordion, and singer). She has a gift for writing harmony and arranging.

Leo Stock, known as “spaghetti legs” is the current Canadian Open Step Dance Champion. He was the drummer, but also performed several fiddle tunes, sang the famous auctioneer song “and amazed the audience with his step dancing.”

Germain Leduc, also a champion fiddler, bass player, piano accompanist and recording artist was part of the band. He impressed the audience while playing the piano with his back turned.

Kathy Musty accompanied the band on piano.

Guest singer, Gloria Dove Bastien of Foam Lake, sang the song Family Bible

Scott Woods is a

Full Moon Friday

two-time winner of the Canadian Open Fiddle Contest, two-time winner of the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship as well as Fiddle Entertainer of the Year. In 2018, he was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association.

Woods said he thoroughly enjoys performing, including connecting with the members of the band, as well as experiencing positive feedback from the

audience.

“It’s great to see someone smile when they hear a tune. That usually means the song means something from their history. And it’s special when we meet people with health problems who tell us our show distracts them from their worries.”

Family-oriented humour is an important part of the show, and to hear Woods tell it, the cornier the jokes, the better.

“In Rama, I told the one about Leo Stock, our drummer and step dancing champion, but one day Leo told me he was seeing spots. When I asked if he was seeing a doctor, he said, ‘No, just spots.’”

Woods has performed all over the world for large crowds in the thousands, but also enjoys more intimate settings like the one in Rama

He first met up with the organizers from Rama several years ago while performing in Yorkton. They invited Woods to give a concert in Rama in 2020, but due to COVID-19, it took until this year for the visit to come together.

Now that pandemic restrictions have been lifted, the group has a busy schedule.

“We have 39 shows in five provinces on our current tour. We are playing every day for 17 days straight,

heading west through Saskatchewan on our way shows in Alberta.”

Possibly the best-known nickname given to Woods is “The Flippin’ Fiddler.”

“Many years ago we were headed to Cape Breton Island for a concert. The Cape Breton Post newspaper called and asked for an interview,” recalled Woods. “I told them that during the concert I do a front running somersault with my fiddle as one of my tricks. From that interview, the newspaper headline was ‘Flippin’ Fiddler coming to Cape Breton’ and the nickname stuck.”

Woods said he grew up in a musical home in Ontario as the youngest of

four siblings, and by the age of four, he couldn’t wait to learn the fickle. His father Merv played the fiddle and his mother Carolyn played piano, which was how they first met

“Dad would teach us fiddle tunes, I started playing with the family band, and I gradually took over.”

Following the Rama Hoedown, St. Anthony’s Ladies Club served strawberry shortcake as a special treat in celebration of Mother’s Day.

“It was a wonderful way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend and what a pleasure it was to host these talented entertainers in the village of Rama!” concluded Mary Kowalyshyn.

What better way to play Roll Out the Barrel than while rolling on a barrel?

Scott Woods and his band opened with a toe-tapping fiddle tune at the Old Fashioned Hoedown on May 13 in Rama.

Loud laughter and applause from the audience rewarded band member and Scott ʼ s sister Kendra Norris for her impersonation of Minnie Pearl.

Gloria Dove Bastien, guest performer from Foam Lake, sang Family Bible.

Drummer Leo Stock amazed the audience when he sang the auctioneer song at the Old Fashioned Hoedown

Leo “spaghetti legs” Stock showed the Rama audience why he is the Canadian Open Step Dance Champion.

Scott Woods demonstrated the use of a number of items as a bow, including a plunger.