SASKATOONEXPRESS - July 13-19, 2015 - Page 10
AS70315.G13 Aaron
U-Pick
Rhodes’
Raspberries Haskaps Saskatoon Berries
Raspberries and Black Currants
Directions: 1. From South Circle Drive, take the Valley Road exit 2. Right on Cedar Villa Estate Road 3. Proceed just past the Chappell Conservation Marsh and turn left on gravel road, #3062 4. Go one mile and turn left at our gate
Open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please call for daily picking times & berry availability (306) 934-6748 or peterrhodes2@sasktel.net
DC20105.G13 Darlene
Corey Tochor, MLA Saskatoon Eastview
306-384-2011
Roger Parent, MLA Saskatoon Meewasin
C-96 33rd St. E. S7K 0S1 phone 652-4607 fax 652-4614 email rogerparent@gmail.com
DC20124.G13 Darlene
Rob Norris, MLA Saskatoon Greystone
Phone: 306.933.7852 E-mail: r.norrismla@sasktel.net
CP90527.G13 Chenise
Non-profits must mix help with co-ordination
T
hese are always difthe pushback. Mixed mesficult columns to write, sages came from non-profits because by the time contracted to assist evacuees; you’re reading this, I wrote it some wanted the donations, last week, and the situation has some said no. Problem was, undoubtedly changed – hopethey were both working out fully for the better. But, lessons of the same facility, leaving learned are hopefully timeless, some understandably offended and I think it’s worthwhile in donors hauling their stuff back the midst of a challenge, to look home. Meanwhile the charity at what is coming of it – if that taking donations was set up just makes sense. With that, I presaround the corner. Then there Columnist ent what I’m calling Notes on a were those pesky “unofficial” Crisis, Part 1. shelters on First Nations, where Non-profits need to stop competing, evacuees were allowed to go, but wouldn’t but likely never will. I have seen this time receive any financial aid if they did. and time and time again and, every time, Anyway, not to dwell, because these it’s troubling. In Haiti, after the earthare all common conflicts and, ultimately, quake, there was no end to the stream of everyone did and is likely still doing an non-profit organizations that came into amazing job taking care of the 13,000 the country, obviously with all the best displaced. intentions to provide aid. Sometimes these Hindsight is always 20/20. The armorganizations were set up mere metres chair quarterbacking on these wildfires apart, only mounds of rubble and piteous has been worse than any post-Rider game humanity separating them. Each and every loss has ever seen. Already the premier one wanted to do good, but in their own has been asked if he should have done this way, on their own terms. differently, or done that sooner. Blame and Perhaps an extremely Christian nonfinger-pointing is running as rampant as, profit felt that food and water needed to well, wildfire. be distributed with prayer, while the next There is no doubt that the 2015 group felt that there should be no strings to Saskatchewan wildfires will be analyzed aid. Or – true story – that the digging and and dissected from any number of angles construction of a row of latrines trumped for months and years to come. Political the non-profit next door’s efforts to dig a ground will be won and lost on these fires. well for water. Frustration and arguments Policies and, in some cases, personnel, ensued, hampering the motives and outwill see major changes, even upheavals. comes everyone so desired. Ultimately, though, I really hope we In Saskatchewan, as the north concan see through the criticism to take away tinued to burn down, hundreds of indipositives in valuable lessons learned. I viduals and organizations wanted to help. know that’s easy for me to type from my Donations of clothes and diapers began unburned, unthreatened home office in piling up outside evacuee shelters, as did Saskatoon. The hurt is real, the loss for containers of everything from personal many painful. I hope to hell that by the hygiene products to home baking. First time you’re reading this it isn’t painful for Nations communities across the province most. Regardless, however, we can’t undo began opening their hearts and their local this; we can only move forward. arenas to displaced northerners needing I don’t really think I need to elaborate a place to stay. Pet rescue organizations on the next two thoughts. Plus, I’m runsprang into action, stockpiling food and ning out of column space. I’ve said this charging in to affected areas to evacuate before in this space, and I’ll say it again, pets left behind in the smoke and ash, and because I believe it more so today than I the panic. did then: Saskatchewan people are inherAnd, predictably, soon enough came ently good, and we are fortunate.
TAMMY ROBERT
D
DC20115.G13 Darlene
Gordon Wyant, MLA
Saskatoon Northwest
Contact Gordon at: 75 B Lenore Drive Saskatoon, SK S7K 7Y1 Ph: (306) 934-2847 g.wyant.mla@sasktel.net
Opportunity is closer than it appears!
The Force awakens on the Prairies
on’t be so sure that shown up at countless gigs in Saskatchewan is far numerous parts of Canada and removed from a galaxy has even brought his droid as far, far away. The Force is far as Anaheim, Calif. strong on the prairies. When Martin was asked if he Saskatchewan has its very was stoked about the release of own chapter of the 501st Legion the next instalment in the Star – an international organization Wars saga, his voice immediatethat pays homage to the Star ly sprang to life. “Oh yeah,” he Wars universe. While the 501st said. “I only ever got to actually ranks more than 4,600 troopers see one of the movies in the thein 47 countries world-wide, our atre. It will be great to see this province’s chapter holds about Guest Column new one on the big screen.” 15 dedicated members. Formed Like a lot of fans, Martin in 1997, the Legion takes its name from doesn’t seem to feel that having creator the group of raiders who served at Darth George Lucas turn the reigns over to DisVader’s side during the now-famous attack ney is a bad thing. He feels the Disney stuon the Jedi Temple in the final days of the dios will do just as much of a bang-up job Old Republic. Die-hard Wars fans will as Lucas did. I tend to agree – the company understand this, while others won’t. has been under huge pressure to put out a Notable tours of duty for the 501st fan-worthy flick and they will surely deliver Legion include showing up in full Star when the film is released at Christmastime. Wars regalia at parades, comic expos, When the The Force Awakens hits charity events and children’s hospitals. As Saskatoon, there are bound to be members long as one is over the age of 18 and has a of our chapter of the 501st Legion there deep passion for Star Wars and costuming, in complete Stormtrooper and other Star anyone is allowed to apply for memberWars character costumes. Martin will ship to the 501st. likely be in the crowd (and so will this reDave Martin is one such dedicated porter). After all, some things never grow member of the Legion. This Saskatchewan old. When the first instalment of the Star farmer took his Star Wars passion to new Wars movies was released in 1977, many heights when he designed and built a fully felt the movie’s hype would simply die operational replica of the lovable droid, away and the enthusiasm would quickly R2-D2. Over a course of two years, Martin fade. Clearly, this has never been the case. spent his downtime in his workshop and The Force has awakened in Saskatchewan basement bringing R2 to life. He has now and it will only become stronger.
Wes Funk