Slow down, take care ... Motorists are once again being reminded to slow down near the playground on Third Avenue East and Buckingham Park. With the warmer weather, stretch of roadway which encompasses the Fat Cat Waterpark, is a big draw for excited kids who may be more eager to play than to follow rules of the road. Keep a good eye out! (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
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Welcome to the The Independent - See What Is Inside
Page 2 - Spring has Sprung Page 3 - RCMP Report/Bethel Barr-Author Page 4 -Editorials/Comic
Just a quick drive on country roads reveals spring-time gems and the wonder of nature as it comes out of its winter slumber. All pictures were made north of Biggar in a one-hour time span - just goes to show you how much their really is if you just take a bit of time to look! Here’s hoping you get out for a little stress relief in nature’s wonderland!
(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
Celebrate Seniors - Volunteer Awards now seeking nominations
Limited precipitation over the past week has allowed producers to make substantial seeding progress.
Seeding is currently 49 per cent complete across the province, up 31 per cent from last week, according to the Crop Report for May 6-12. This is significantly ahead of the five-year average of 32 per cent and the 10-year average of 34 per cent.
All regions were able to make considerable seeding gains this week. Currently, the southwest region continues to lead in seeding progress with 76 per cent complete. The northwest region sits at 49 per cent complete. The southeast, west-central
by Kaitlynn Nordal
Nominations are officially open for the Celebrating Seniors Provincial Volunteer Awards through Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism.
Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism (SSM) is a nonprofit, volunteer organization.
“SMS acts as an umbrella to bring together Saskatchewan seniors’ organizations to contribute to a better quality of life for our province’s older adults,” said Linda Restau of SSM’s Programs and Projects SSM is in the planning phase for the Provincial 2025 Celebrating Seniors Volunteer Awards Gala, which will take place on September 28, 5:30 at the Conesus Art Centre in Regina. The event will be attended by nominees, nominators, family and friends, dignitaries.
“The presentation includes information about each nominee, awards presented, entertainment, gala banquet. It will be a fun and informative night,” said Restau
“SSM want to ensure that the efforts of older adults who contribute significant time and effort to help others are recognized,” continued Restau.
Older adults, from across the province are nominated by friends, family, or co-workers for one of 10 awards.
“Even though every person who is nominated is celebrated at the event, one individual in each of the 10 categories is presented with an award,” said Restau.
The nomination process is now underway, and SSM encourage individuals to nominate a deserving older adult in their communities.
The deadline for nominations is June 13, 2025
For more information visit the SMS website or contact Restau by e-mail at programs@ skseniorsmechanism.ca
“I would be happy to provide them with the nomination package,” said Restau.
10 Categories
1.) Community Leadership (urban) (Vision, dedication, integrity and respect).
2.) Community Leadership (rural).
3.) Community Leadership (First Nations or Metis).
4. Advocacy (Works to influence economic, social or political aspects of society).
5.) Arts and Culture (Works support the fine arts, entertainment, and/or inter-cultural awareness).
6.) Blooming Perennial (90-plus) (90 years of age or older - continues to volunteer and use their accumulated wisdom).
7.) Intergenerational Award (Works with youth or groups that inspire positive interactions between generations).
8.) Well-being (Promotes and encourages activities that promote well-being).
9.) Education (Fosters learning and is a life-long learner).
10.) Older Adult Friendly Business (Demonstrates awareness of and responds to needs of older adults). Nominees must be:
• Be 55-plus.
• Reside in Saskatchewan.
• Be a volunteer.
• Actively contribute to their community.
Seeding near half complete
and northeast regions are all reporting 43 per cent complete seeding. The east-central region is reporting 33 per cent complete.
Pulse crops continue to lead in seeding progress with 78 per cent of field peas seeded, 71 per cent of lentils and 65 per cent of chickpeas. Triticale is the highest in reported seeding completion of the cereals at 73 per cent, followed by durum at 65 per cent, spring wheat at 53 per cent, barley at 45 per cent, oats at 28 per cent and canary seed at 23 per cent. Of the oilseed crops, mustard is leading in seeding completion at 66 per cent, followed by canola at 29 per cent and flax at 28 per
cent. Perennial forage is reported at 25 per cent seeded. Soybeans are the furthest behind in seeding completion at 14 per cent.
Overall, rainfall was fairly limited throughout the province over the past week. The highest reported rainfall fell in the Marengo area at 14 millimetres followed by the Wadena area at 13 millimetres. Many other areas reported trace to limited rainfall for the week.
Warm, dry and windy conditions continue to deplete topsoil moisture across the province. Producers are hopeful for moisture soon to help support crop development and
improve hay and pasture conditions. Currently, topsoil moisture for cropland is rated at one per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hayland is rated at 51 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture conditions are reported at 42 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
Livestock producers in areas of the province are hopeful for moisture to support water supplies moving into the season. Fifty-four per cent of producers currently estimate there are no shortages of on-farm
surface water supplies for livestock occurring or anticipated, with 32 per cent estimating that shortages may occur in one to two months depending on future moisture conditions. Twelve per cent of producers are currently indicating that moderate shortages are occurring with two per cent reporting severe shortages occurring.
Currently, 84 per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock at this time. Producers are busy seeding while watching their early seeded crops begin to emerge. Many are applying pre-seed herbicide products for
weed control as the weather allows, along with harrowing, land rolling and rock picking.
Livestock producers are checking fences and starting to move cattle out to pasture. They have noted that, although pastures are starting to green up, growth is slow due to the drier conditions. As seeding rapidly progresses across the province, drivers are encouraged to watch for farm machinery moving along highways and roads during this busy season and producers are reminded to take precautions while transporting equipment.
Crystal Corridor of Light - The Starseed Highway
Have you ever felt like you were missing something and didn’t know what it was, or had a dream that was confusing? Perhaps you met someone for the first time and took an instant liking to them or felt that you had known them before but did not
know when or where.
Many of us have experienced situations like these or similar ones, and have no one close that we are able to share with.
That is the new book by former Biggar resident, Bethel Barr. Bethel, who
resided with husband Merv in Biggar from 1973 to 2000, is excited to share the book with everyone. It is currently on sale at The Independent.
This book will provide answers and explanations regarding these topics and others, such as the
enigma of Karma, the Ego, Kundalini, Past Lives, Crystal Energy, the Secret to Life and the mysteries of the great Unknown. The contents will demonstrate how to navigate the many twists and turns that appear along the path to Enlightenment.
As you wind your way through the pages, you will learn how to unravel the mysteries surrounding the paranormal, you will become more aware of your ‘outer world’ and the many methods that are at your disposal to connect with the Beings in the higher dimensions and once there, you will discover the great love and support that is available to each and every one of us. The way to move forward along the Starseed Highway is through the heart for that is where your truth and power lies.
Bethel is a teacher, healer, spiritual counsellor and oracle of the Ancient Wisdom. She is incarnated on Earth at this time to pass her knowledge on to others and to work with the healing energy that is sourced from
a deep, ancient part of the Universe. Her heartfelt connection to the higher dimensions is the result of meditation, self-study, life coaching, mentoring and trusting her personal guidance. Through dedication and determination, she has acquired a wide perspective of the infinite knowledge that is available to everyone. Again, the book is now on sale at The Independent.
Biggar RCMP report
by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment
A business reported having fraudulent cheques cashed through their account. The organized crime suspects target larger business in hopes that they would be able to sneak a few transactions through before being noticed. Thankfully all security precautions were in good working order.
In traffic, 19 motorists were engaged in traffic safety conversations about driving behaviour. Take care out there!
This past week, 35 occurrences were handled by the Biggar Detachment. Overall, the long weekend was uneventful for the area. There were a few alarm calls, four 911 calls and several suspicious vehicle complaints, including a Chev Equinox that was observed parked on Salter Road with the occupants throwing twisted tea cans out the window. A burnt SUV, believed to be stolen, was located up in the northwest corner of the RM of Glenside. The investigation continues as we try to identify the actual vehicle.
Playing on a Green Card
Former Biggar resident, Bethel Barr, signs her new book, “Crystal Corridor of Light” at the Signal Hill Indigo book store in Calgary. The new tome is on sale at The Independent. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Bethel Barr)
The West holds the key to blocking Liberal Party dominance
by Lee Harding, Frontier Centre for Public Policy
‘Screw the West, we’ll take the rest.’ Those infamous words, uttered by Liberal strategist Keith Davey during Pierre Trudeau’s 1980 election campaign, still echo across the Prairies.
Trudeau’s campaign openly marginalized Western Canada, concentrating primarily on Ontario and Quebec to secure victory. This dismissive approach fuelled long-standing grievances about Western alienation and political isolation.
Today, many Western voters continue to feel their ballots don’t count, but recent elections suggest otherwise. The West has consistently prevented Eastern Canada from handing the Liberals a majority. Don’t buy the myth: Western Canada does matter, and the numbers clearly demonstrate its influence.
The Prairie provinces, British Columbia and the territories collectively
hold 108 of Canada’s 343 seats. Their recent votes were pivotal in limiting the Mark Carney-led Liberals to a minority government.
Voters east of Manitoba elected 138 Liberals, 73 Conservatives, one NDP and 23 Bloc MPs. Without the influence of Western votes, Eastern Canada alone would have given Carney a commanding Liberal majority.
However, Western voters overwhelmingly backed Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, awarding his party 70 seats. In contrast, the Liberals secured only 31, the NDP six and the Greens just one seat.
Nationally, this resulted in the Liberals securing 169 seats, falling just three seats short of a majority government.
While Western Canada did not select the governing party, its significant Conservative turnout prevented Eastern Canada from fully realizing its political preferences.
Given the West
by Our View, Troy Media Poof!
One day, Justin Trudeau was everywhere - hugging pandas, lecturing world leaders, rolling up his sleeves for photo ops and rolling out carbon taxes. The next? Gone.
In January 2025, after nearly a decade as prime minister, Trudeau announced his resignation, citing “internal divisions” and the need for “party renewal.” Translation: the party was cratering, and even the caucus was done clapping on cue.
By March, Mark Carney was sworn in as prime minister, and Trudeau slipped quietly out the back door of political life. No farewell tour, no glossy legacy video narrated by Bono, not even a final “because it’s 2025” mic drop.
But here’s the curious part: he didn’t just leave office. He disappeared. No university appointments, no paid global speeches, no podcast called Sunny Ways. Just radio silence. For a man who spent 10 years mastering the art of being seen, Trudeau has suddenly become the political equivalent of a legacy app - still installed in memory, but no longer updated.
To be fair, maybe he needed a break. Ten years of coercive progressivism will wear anyone out. He managed to alienate Alberta, fracture Confederation and somehow make carbon taxes feel like a moral failing for heating your home in February. The entire second half of his time as prime minister often seemed less like governing and more like penance for previous optics.
possesses roughly one-third of Canada’s parliamentary seats, this outcome is as fair as the region can reasonably anticipate.
Such election outcomes have become characteristic since the merger of the Reform Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives in 2003.
In the 2004 election, Eastern Canada heavily favoured Paul Martin’s Liberals. The West’s support for the Conservatives, however, denied Martin a majority.
The 2006 election saw the West instrumental in bringing Stephen Harper’s Conservatives into power with a minority government. Eastern Canada alone would have returned a Liberal minority government.
In 2008, Harper maintained another minority government by achieving balanced electoral support in both Eastern and Western Canada.
By 2011, Eastern
voters offered stronger support for Harper’s Conservatives than before. Yet without Western seats, Harper still would not have reached a majority.
Only the 2015 election marked a notable deviation, when Justin Trudeau’s Liberals secured a decisive majority. Yet even in that election, Western Canada contributed significantly, delivering an additional 28 Liberal seats.
By 2019, however, the Western vote again proved decisive, returning Trudeau’s Liberals to minority status. This scenario
He declared war on Alberta’s energy sector, promising to “phase out” oil and gas while subsidizing battery plants that mostly produced press releases. Meanwhile, Western Canada saw jobs dry up, investment flee and provincial governments scramble to survive a regulatory onslaught dressed up as climate justice.
Then there were the scandals: the ethics violations, the WE Charity affair, the Aga Khan vacation, SNCLavalin and the blackface photos that seemed to multiply every few years like reverse campaign ads. Through it all, Trudeau stayed oddly untouched. Critics called it Teflon. Supporters called it charm. Realists said it was just slick messaging and a subservient media.
But perhaps the most lasting legacy of Trudeau’s time in office isn’t a policy or a scandal. It’s the national mood. Ten years of division, top-down lecturing and a government that seemed more interested in feelings than fundamentals left many Canadians weary. For all the talk of sunny ways, the cloud cover never really lifted.
The federal government increasingly prioritized identity over competence, embedding DEI frameworks into everything from hiring to infrastructure policy. Gender ideology became a litmus test for inclusion, and dissent - even reasonable debate - was often framed as hate. It wasn’t just governance by virtue signal - it was governance by checkbox.
Even his signature achievements - legalizing cannabis, gender-balanced cabinets and the carbon
INDEPENDENT
repeated in 2021.
Despite this clear and repeated political impact, many Westerners still feel disenfranchised. Why does this perception endure?
This sense of disenfranchisement is as much about perception as reality. Western Canadians often perceive Eastern voters not merely as fellow citizens, but as electorates seeking empowerment at the West’s expense.
There remains a deep-seated suspicion that Eastern Canada dominates political discourse and policy making in ways that
neglect or actively disadvantage Western interests. Economic policies related to energy, agriculture and natural resources often exemplify this divide, reinforcing the perception of Western alienation.
Nevertheless, the West holds significant electoral leverage; any political party that dismisses or undervalues its concerns will find it difficult, if not impossible, to form a stable majority government.
pricing regime - ended in either fatigue or backlash. The carbon tax, in particular, has outlived him in the most punishing way. While Trudeau exited stage left, Canadians are still left paying for his green ambitions. As for what’s next? No one really knows. Rumours swirl that he’s working on a memoir - title options include Because It Was There, The Gender Budget Diaries or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Lobbyists. But for the most part, Trudeau has gone dark.
Which raises the question: how does a man who built a political brand on presence so thoroughly erase himself? Is it intentional? A strategic retreat before a staged return? Or has he realized, like many former world leaders before him, that the limelight burns hotter when the legacy dims?
Either way, it’s telling that Canadians aren’t asking for more. There’s no public clamour for his return, no movement to rescue his vision. In fact, there’s just relief.
Justin Trudeau came to office promising hope and change. He left offering neither. He aimed to reshape Canada and, in some ways, he did: he redefined the role of image in politics, elevated identity as governing principle and proved that good hair and bad ideas can still win elections - for a while.
Whatever happened to Justin Trudeau? He disappeared. But the effects of his policies didn’t. And for many Canadians, that’s the part that still stings.
Bob Mason Notable Notes
Every now and then on TV there is a program showing some of the bloopers made in the name of baseball, and one gets the impression that even the millionaires who play in the Big Leagues make the odd mistake.
Maybe it is kind of rare for these high-priced guys to make them, but the teams that Y.T. (Yours Truly) used to watch and sometimes play on, made mistakes all the time!
So we’re in a ball game down at what used to be Valley Centre. It’s in the ninth inning and our team is one-up, and they are at bat with two out.
“Hooray ... we’ve almost won!”
The batter took a half-
by Frank Cox
All right, pal, lets get crackin’ on this here story, shall we?
The sun was setting over the city, painting the sky with hues of crimson and gold, when the phone rang in my cramped little office, the only sound in the otherwise quiet evening. I picked it up, my fingers calloused from years of dealing with the dregs of humanity, and heard the voice of a man who didn’t sound like he’d be out of place in a gangster movie.
“Detective,” he said, his voice low and gravely, “I got a problem that’s got me shell-shocked. Humpty Dumpty, that egghead big shot, fell off a wall. I need you to take a gander and see if it was an accident or if someone gave him the old heaveho.”
I lit up a cigarette, the flame flaring brightly against the dimness of
hearted swing and hit a slow rolling grounder out to our pitcher who deftly picked it up, took a few steps toward first and tossed it underhand.
The first baseman had a new trapper glove that hadn’t been used much, and that underhand ball wasn’t coming near hard enough to get trapped. So, he gave a mighty swing with his glove hand to catch it.
Sorry! The ball must have had a low IQ and refused to stick in his glove. He hit it so hard that it bounced way out past second base, and of course the runner was safe.
Now comes the sad part!
A mistake is a mistake, and we all accepted that. The next batter up got a hit and the runner scored, tying the game (sob!) and get this! We played 12yes, 12 - overtime innings before we eventually won ... puff, puff!
Another, this time in Tessier, I think, John Montgomery Sr. hit a slow grounder to the pitcher who overthrew first. John headed for second. The
my office, and replied, “I’ll take a look, but don’t expect miracles. Humpty’s got more enemies than a plate full of burnt toast.”
I made my way to the scene, the city streets alive with the sounds of honking horns and shouting vendors. When I arrived, there was a crowd gathered around the broken wall, all whispering and pointing at the shattered remains of Humpty Dumpty. I pushed my way through the throng, my mind already working to piece together the puzzle.
Humpty was lying on the ground, his oncegrand suit now little more than tattered rags. His head was cracked, the yolk oozing out. But it was the way he was lying, all broken and disjointed, that told me all I needed to know.
“This wasn’t an accident,” I said, my voice cold and hard. “Humpty Dumpty was pushed!”
I followed the trail of broken yolks and shattered dreams.
Humpty Dumpty was a man with many enemies, and one of them had put a contract out on his head, just like a breakfast order at a greasy spoon diner. The egghead had made
Baseball Blues
first baseman quickly retrieved the ball just in time to overthrow second as John raced for third. The centre fielder picked up the ball and wildly overthrew third as John walked home on what could be called a bunt!
Years ago, one of our sons was coaching the boys school team.
Regardless of who was pitching, the other team had runners on first and second with only one out. The batter hit a slow bounding ball right to the third baseman who was a few feet from the bag and could have easily stepped on it, thrown it to second and put two out.
But no! Ignoring third entirely, he overthrew second and the whole works came home while the right fielder was frantically chasing the ball!
The coach just smiled.
One of my most vivid recollections of an umpires mistake was during a game up north. The senior umpire in the area had just retired and a new younger fellow had taken over. I forget who was playing who, but this
is the way I saw it.
A pitch came in to one of the more experienced players, and he took a mighty swing at it. The ball hit the ground with a thud about two-feet in front of home plate and bounced 20-feet in the air before landing in the pitchers outstretched glove.
Of course, he casually threw the ball to the first baseman who made a great show of stamping on the bag.
Meanwhile, right in front of the young umpire, and completely ignoring the ball, the batter had turned and casually rubbed some sand on his hands before he straightened up and swung the bat back and forth, waiting for the next pitch.
“Foul ball!” yelled the young umpire.
The pitchers coach, who was squatting over by first base, I’ll bet jumped six-feet in the air from that squat!
Well, you can’t win them all!
Personally, Y.T. wasn’t included in many great plays himself, but over
the years things are bound to happen.
One time he was on second base and noticed that all the nearby players were ignoring him entirely. He snuck a quick glance over his shoulder and, sure enough, the centre fielder was silently tiptoeing in behind him. As soon as the pitcher turned to throw, Y.T. dived for the bag just as the ball bounced off him and on out to an empty centre field.
These memories go on and on!
Years ago we only had a radio, and every fall Dad would sit in front of it and listen to the World Series.
I think it was back in the late ‘30s, one time, that as he sat with his ear up against the speaker so he’d hear every word. He fell asleep for a few seconds and missed the home run by Stan “The Man” Musial that won the title!
Well, you can’t stay awake for them all either!
The Great Fall
quite a name for himself, breaking and making crooked deals left and right, and it seemed that someone had finally had enough of his scrambled schemes.
I questioned the lowly hen house help and the high-flying cockerels alike, and it wasn’t until I stumbled upon a disgruntled business partner with a grudge that I finally had my man.
I confronted him in a seedy diner, the air thick with the scent of bacon and fried egg sandwiches. I could almost hear the yolks crying out for mercy, the broken eggs shells crunching underfoot like the bones of fallen soldiers. But I had come to confront the man who had pushed Humpty Dumpty from his wall, and I was not to be deterred.
He tried to run, but I was quicker, and before he knew what was happening, I had him pinned against the wall.
“Tell me who pushed Humpty. I’m in no mood for yolks,” I growled, my voice barely recognizable as my own.
He cracked, naming the accomplices who had helped him push Humpty from the wall.
It seemed that Humpty
had double-crossed him on a deal, leaving him with the bad taste of week-old porridge and a burning desire for revenge. He had recruited a team of hard-boiled henchmen, and he named the accomplices who had helped him push Humpty from the wall.
I took them down one by one like putting eggs in a carton, and when it was all over I had served justice and saved the city from bad breakfasts of broken eggs and
undercooked omelettes.
And so, the case of Humpty Dumpty was closed, another notch on my belt and another bad egg off the streets. The city breathed a collective sigh of relief, and I went back to my office, knowing that the city was safe once again.
But as I sat in the dimness, the smoke from my cigarette curling up to join the clouds outside, I couldn’t help but wonder what other mysteries lay hidden just around the
One time I said to Harold’s wife, “Did Harold ever tell you about that ball game?”
“All the time,” she butted in (well, I would too!)
One time in Tessier, Y.T. was playing third when a foul fly ball went sailing way over past the fence.
Young Bob jumped the fence and ran just in time to snag the ball with one outstretched hand... Wow! I’ll bet there were 50 cars lined up around that field, all with good horns. But all the applause that mattered to Y.T. for that outstanding catch was one particular “Hurrah” from the crowd. Thanks, Dad!
A fellow - anybody, really - could keep on with this kind of stuff but these are my memories, much as they are, and Big Leagues or not, this is the way it should be!
Of course we’ll never forget that time in Harris when Max Bentley [NHL great, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and Delisle native] hit our softball so far with a baseball bat that we never found it. Or the time Harold Tyson put three out during a game at Crystal Beach and never let go of the ball.
corner. And I knew that no matter how many cases I solved, there would always be more to come. It was the life of a hard-boiled detective, after all, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So here’s to Humpty, may he rest in peace, And to the detective out on the street, For in the city of hardboiled crime, He’s the one who’ll always crack the case.
Celebrating everyday Canadian heroes
Show your national pride and draw inspiration from some everyday heroes whose outstanding contributions are building bridges between cultures and bringing people together.
Their stories can create hope in these times of uncertainty.
John Amagoalik. A survivor of the High Arctic Exiles, Amagoalik is known for his unwavering determination to preserve and celebrate the Inuit way of life. Nicknamed the “father of Nunavut,” he made a significant contribution to the creation of the territory 25 years ago. Amagoalik
has been invested into the Order of Nunavut and the Order of Canada for fostering greater understanding between cultural communities in the country and for his impact on safeguarding the rights of Inuit.
Richard Rohmer. This 101-year-old hero - who played a critical role on D-Day during the Second World War remains a remarkable example of sacrifice and collaboration for peace and democracy. An aviator, lawyer, adviser, author and historian, General Rohmer was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his lifetime commitment
to Canada.
Mellissa Fung. This renowned author, filmmaker and former war correspondent is a current journalist and appears regularly on CBC’s The National as a field correspondent. Her work has covered important topics in both Canadian and world affairs, including the Beijing Olympics, the war in Afghanistan, asbestos mining and post-traumatic stress in soldiers returning from war. Fung was invested into the Order of Canada for her advocacy work for women and girls in conflict zones.
Frank Cox Humble Opinion
Christine Ibbotson
Ask The Money Lady
Dear Money Lady: I am a new investor, and I wanted to know if I should buy mutual funds or ETFs (exchange traded funds) or should I get both? Can you let me know what you think?
Darren Great question Darren - most people choose mutual funds and ETFs to invest.
Growing heirlooms is something that should always be considered. We need to consciously make the effort to preserve our
It’s
Both are considered good investments for the long-haul investor enabling you to trade a basket of stocks, bonds, styles or foreign stocks like a single stock without the risk of single stock ownership. The idea is that if one stock turns out to be a lemon, it doesn’t spoil the whole bunch.
Let’s look an example. If you were holding an ETF that followed the Dow 30 Industrial and one component of this fund fell due to a bad news report, that doesn’t mean the stock price of the fund will necessarily drop. If the other holdings are doing well, they could potentially make up for the bad news that is specific to the poor stock in the fund. Another benefit would be the ability to
invest in broader market segments.
Here’s something to keep in mind. Many economists believe in the theory of sector rotation, which means that most of the time, money will move from sector to sector as one loses favour and the other gains popularity. I am not sure myself if I tend to believe this all the time, however it is clear that some sectors perform better at different times than others. Therefore, being able to move your money into a stronger sector and out of a weakening one can be quite advantageous and something easily done using ETFs.
When investing with ETFs and mutual funds you want to pick based on your planned time in
the market. What I mean is, if you plan on holding the investment for one to two years, then pick the mutual fund. If however, you only want to hold your investment choice for a couple of weeks or months, then you should choose an ETF instead. ETFs can be bought and sold throughout the day in the stock market however mutual funds can only be bought or sold once per day based on the closing NAV price. The other main difference is in the fund management. Mutual funds are actively managed, and ETFs are passively managed.
This means mutual funds will be controlled by an active investment manager while the ETFs are just set up to mimic a particular index with no real involvement from
the portfolio manager. Because of this it is said that ETFs have a more accurate realized cost to the funds when you buy them, based on the bid/ask spread at the time of purchase, versus a mutual fund that has money coming in from all investors on a daily basis to then be managed and put to work by the portfolio manager.
When you are looking to invest in ETFs, mutual funds or even index funds, try to pair them with other complimentary funds that work either in tandem or as opposites to mitigate your risk exposure. A good example might be to capture a Canadian Bank ETF with an Insurance ETF.
If you are wanting to offset risk, but still provide for growth, you
will want to diversify across sectors, market capitalization, geographic regions and investment styles.
Always do your homework and remember, you can’t know it all. Get a professional advisor to help you choose what is right for your money and start creating the “right” opportunities for the future you deserve.
Good luck and best wishes!
Written by Christine Ibbotson, author, finance writer, syndicated national radio host, and now on BNN Bloomberg News, and CTV News. Send your money questions (answered free) through her website at info@ askthemoneylady.ca
Growing Heirlooms - Part II
genetic diversity for future generations. It is also something that honours plants that we have grown over the centuries.
One thing that I always notice as a very visible difference between hybrids and heirlooms is that when you plant a field of hybrid plants they will be almost completely identical like a brigade of soldiers. When you plant a field of heirlooms you will see subtle variations in colours and forms that somehow feels more freeing.
In my garden, I usually grow a combination of hybrid and heirloom plants. Often some of the heirloom plants will be better producers than the hybrid plants. I like to use the tomato as an example. Tomatoes are hot crops and like to see warm, sunny days for best production. However, some of the heirloom tomatoes that I always grow thrive when the weather is cooler. I figure that as I do not have the power to dictate
never too early to take your brain health to heart
With stroke on the rise in Canada, it’s more important than ever to take charge of your brain health.
Our aging population is a big reason for the increase, but more young people are also having strokes because of a general rise in risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. In fact, about one in 20 cases in the country occurs in people under 45, and there is emerging evidence that young women are at higher risk than young men.
“We know that healthy habits are important throughout our lives, but many things can get in the way,” says Katie White, director of health systems for Heart and Stroke. “Work, chores, looking after children or caring for elderly relatives and other commitmentspeople are busy and it can be stressful.”
Taking steps to manage
stress, eating a healthy balanced diet, being smoke free and staying active are ways to reduce your risk.
“This is harder for some people than others because of factors like their financial situation, time constraints, where they live and other inequities,” notes White.
Women also face unique risk factors that change throughout their life, including during pregnancy, menopause and as they age. Factors like birth control, hormone treatments and genderaffirming therapies can
also raise their risk.
While stroke risk increases as people get older, it can happen to anyone. Understanding your risks early on, talking to your healthcare provider and taking steps to reduce or manage your risks can make a big difference.
“I’d also encourage everyone to learn the signs. You could save the life of someone you love,” says White.
Learn more about risk factors and signs of stroke at heartandstroke.ca/ stroke
the weather, if I grow tomatoes that thrive in hot weather and some that thrive is cooler weatherI am always guaranteed a tomato crop!
Growing heirlooms tells stories that we would otherwise never experience. Over the years, I have grown many heirlooms, and many have stood out as leaders in my garden. However, there is one ultimate tomato that wins for fast germination, amazing growth and a flavour that is seriously to die for. This unnamed variety of tomato we call “Nella”. We received some tomatoes from a lovely woman by that name. Nella had traded and saved seeds even after her immigration to Canada with her brother who still lives in the old country. Their family and friends have traded and saved seeds for many generations on both sides of the border between Croatia and Italy. My experience with Nella (the tomato) is unparalleled as even after saving the seeds in a not ideal en-
vironment for more than a year or two, they all germinated and left all the other heirloom tomatoes we are growing behind. The fruit is a pinky red colour and these tomatoes should be picked when they are not fully ripe for the best flavour. In spite of having many favourite heirlooms, I really do think that Nella ranks at the top. As far as peppers go, I have a few favourites. As we can use peppers in many ways, in my opinion we should grow many different peppers! I hope you enjoy a look into my favourites.
The Doe Hill pepper is extremely rare. It is a family heirloom from Highland County, Virginia. It is a great choice for anywhere the season is short and is also one of the tastiest peppers you will ever sample. It is a smaller, round lobed pepper that will turn gold at maturity. Enjoy the Doe Hill pepper stuffed or simply as a great ingredient in a salad. Only 60 to 65 days to harvest from transplanting.
The Sweet Chocolate Pep-
per was developed by Elwyn Meader and was introduced in 1965. It is an impressive pepper that ripens from green to a dark chocolate purple that is deep red inside. Producing fruit all summer long it is a sure fire addition to your garden. It is 65 to 70 days to maturity from transplanting.
The last pepper, I would like to share is the Red Ruffled Pimento Pepper. This old fashioned tomato pepper can be eaten raw or used in hot dishes and is especially lovely stuffed. It is one of the most beautiful, highly ruffled tomato peppers I have ever grown. Patricia Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at orchidhort.com; by e-mail at growyourfuture@gmail.com; on facebook @orchidhort and on instagram at #orchidhort Tune into GROW Live on our Facebook page facebook.com/orchidhort or check out the Youtube channel GROW youtube. com/channel/UCzkiUpkvyv2e2HCQlFl0JyQ?
Patricia Hanbidge Orchid Horiculture
New Ag Minister will have their hands full
It’s
Calvin Daniels Agriculture
by Calvin Daniels
Canada has a new federal agriculture minister and the question now is of course what will that mean.
That is the challenge ahead for Heath MacDonald, who represents the riding of Malpeque in Prince Edward Island, and therein lies a natural challenge for whoever assumes the mantle as ag minister - it has to be hugely difficult to fully appreciate the needs of
the Prairies, or a fruit grower in B.C. In general government programming looks to create something which is ‘one size fits all’ since that reduces red tape and makes thing largely ‘black and white’ in nature. You fill in the blanks, file the paperwork and wait as the system checks that the correct boxes were marked.
But given the rather broad range of agriculture a simple set of boxes just does not work.
While there are of course a legion of bureaucrats involved in formulating policy and programming, it is MacDonald who at least needs to set a general course. In a recent producer. com article it was noted MacDonald has said “he hopes to have discussions with farmers and provincial ministers across the country to
when taking on a new role, to say you want to talk to get to know needs on a first hand basis.
So it is now incumbent on MacDonald to make good on that suggestion and have those talks.
Equally critical is that farm groups and provincial officials come to those talks with an open mind. This can be a fresh start for farm policy so give the process a chance.
And there is where MacDonald can shine, or fail as agriculture minister. Once he has had his discussions then he has to act on what he hears in as positive fashion as is possible.
Of course not every farm sector is going to be happy no matter what agriculture policy comes forward in the coming months. As noted it’s too diverse a field to create something that meets
Biggar & District Credit Union requires a Full-Time Member Services Representative. In this role, you will provide excellent member service by processing financial transactions like deposits, withdrawals, and bill payments. You will also respond to members’ concerns, assist in identifying their needs, and provide and promote solutions. This position reports to the Member Services Team Leader. You’ll be required to work in Biggar, Landis, and Perdue. You must be a team player with a positive attitude toward learning and change; you must display initiative, and attention to detail, and be friendly, outgoing, and reliable. Experience in customer service and cash handling, a minimum Grade 12 education, and a working knowledge of computers and technology are required.
Help
The Saskatchewan Traveller ... The Alberta Ride
by Trudy and Dale Buxton
After a nice stay in Diamond Valley we continue east on Highway 7 and run into the City of Okotoks.
Okotoks is a city just over 30,000 strong and being so close to Calgary, has become a bedroom
Kim Gartner
community.
The name Okotoks comes from the Blackfoot people and refers to a big rock that originates out of the ice age. The Blackfoot people used this rock as a marker when coming up or down the river.
In the late 1800’s the settlers built the town site on the old wagon trails. These wagon trails were very important routes between Fort Macleod to Fort Calgary, then south to Fort Benton, Montana.
Once the railroad
came through into the area, the old trails were not used as much. Rail brought modern life to the community and the settlers around 1882. Once the railroad was established the last stagecoach came through in 1891.
The name of the community changed three times before residents settled on Okotoks.
Being established alongside the Sheep River, the city has experienced major flooding problems due to the extensive run off from the mountains in the spring. From all accounts the largest event happened in 2005 when flooding along the outer banks of the river saturated the downtown and business district.
The economy of Okotoks was mainly lumber and bricks in the early years.
The sawmill, built in 1891, employed more than 130 people. The growth of the railroad created a great need for railway ties.
At the turn of the century brick laying was quite popular and there was four plants built creating much employment.
Oil was also discovered around Okotoks in the early 1900’s and Okotoks became a supply centre.
Okotoks has a very diverse economy along with the oil there is some agriculture and a very good tourism business plus the aforementioned bedroom community of Calgary.
Did you know that Atina Ford made her home in Okotoks? Most people would know her for her
Nice view of Okotoks, Ab from the highway curling abilities and her alternate role on the 1988 Olympic gold medal winning Sandra Schmirler team.
Another interesting thing about Okotoks is that there was once was a social event called the Pink Tea, which was linked to five ladies who had fought for women’s rights in Canada. When they first started, these meetings were quite secret as they planned and
organized many social events. The Pink Tea still remains today but is now only a platform for lively discussion on women’s rights.
There is lots to do in Okotoks with a nice museum and a very nice downtown with lots of nice eateries to keep you filled up.
Stay tuned next week as we continue our Alberta ride.
Okotoks, Alberta
Your local museum receives stickers of excellence
by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery Time to do a little bragging here!
The Museums Association of Saskatchewan (MAS) announced their inaugural “Stickers of Excellence” initiative at the end of last year.
They invited museums to submit applications for recognition for evaluation based on the Standards for Saskatchewan Museums three main pillars: Governance and Management, Collections, and Communications, as well as work on Reconciliation and Inclusion, Diversity Equity and Access.
The Biggar Museum and Gallery received stickers in Reconciliation, Diversity and Inclusion, Management, Collections: Conservation and Storage, Collections: Collections Management, and Collections: Research.
The Collection at the Biggar Museum is close to 100 per cent accessioned. My years of working at
other museums and attending national conferences has shown me that we excel in this department for sure. And all that work is because of the museums’ volunteer Accession Committee. We are fortunate to have a dedicated crew that meet every Monday and keep things shipshape and award winning.
The Biggar Museum and Gallery seeks to
preserve, protect and present the history of Biggar and area for all ages. We take it seriously because we believe that knowing the past is the roadmap for the future. Besides, the past of our area is very interesting and important!
The stickers will be on our entry door, come in and check them out!
DEADLINE MONDAY AT 5P.M.
Bandits cruise past Rattlers with 40-point win in opener
by CEBL Staff
The Vancouver Bandits opened the season with a record-setting 105-65 win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Thursday (May 15).
The Bandits spoiled the Rattlers’ home opener with a convincing performance that saw the defending Western Conference champs set a team record for margin of victory.
Transition offence, sound defence and forceful low-post play fuelled the 40-point win for Vancouver, eclipsing its previous win-margin record - a 37-point win over Ottawa last June.
Big man Tyrese Samuel highlighted the post-play for the Bandits, scoring another team? record 36 points in the opener.
Samuel grew familiar with the SaskTel Centre rims throughout the game with dunk after dunk, saying farewell with the Target-Score winning slam.
“I didn’t really know how [many] points I actually had. I really just had a bunch of layups and dunks and putbacks, so it didn’t seem like I had that much. But hey, I’m happy,” Samuel said.
The former Florida Gator collected 12 rebounds as well to secure the double-double in his CEBL debut.
Returning Aussie big man Mitch Creek added 21 points for the Bandits, while newcomer lzaiah
Brockington chipped in 19.
Samuel says putting in work with Creek before the season allowed the duo to excel on Thursday.
“He’s a great guy. He has experience playing in the NBA, playing overseas, so he just has helped me a lot since I’ve been here,” he said.
The Bandits shot 55 per cent from the field in the win, while Saskatchewan finished 35 per cent from the field and 22 per cent from three. Jamir
Chaplin led the Rattlers’ attack with 17 points, followed by Nate PierreLouis with 16.
Chaplin said the game was a learning experience and the team can build on its offensive performance.
“ It was the defence that we slacked on today. I think we moved the ball pretty well. Shots weren’t going in for most of us, but I think those are easy [to] fix,” he said.
Despite the loss, Saskatchewan head coach Eric Magdanz says it’s a long season.
“This is just one game. We’re gonna learn from this. We’ve got a week to prepare for our next game, and we’re gonna take advantage,” Magdanz said.
“We’ve got a lot of things to improve on. I’m happy with how we battled at the end, but we’ve got to increase our execution, and we’ve got to do a better job of sharing the basketball.”
Vancouver head coach
Kyle Julius was pleased with the togetherness but echoed his peer about the long road ahead.
“We want to stay humble. It’s the first game. In the CEBL, if you put any stock into the first game, I think you’re crazy,” Julius said.
To open the game, the Bandits feasted on the fast break and in the paint, forcing two
Rattlers timeouts and leading 29-18 after one.
Brockington, a 25-yearold guard with NBA experience, showed off his abilities as a slasher in the first quarter with multiple finishes at the rim.
Vancouver built on its lead by hunting lowpost mismatches early in the second quarter, with Creek and Samuel fuelling a 13-1 run.
Saskatchewan trailed by as many as 23 in the first half before trimming the deficit to 52-34 at halftime. The Bandits shot 80 per cent from inside the arc in the opening 20 minutes.
The frontcourt duo of Creek and Samuel continued to attack the rim in the third.
Vancouver kept its foot on the gas throughout the second half and led by 40
heading into Target Score Time. The Rattlers showed fight during the final stretch, but Samuel’s record-breaking dunk ended the contest.
Vancouver and Saskatchewan will become well-acquainted this season. The teams will meet three more times, including their next matchup on June 8 in Saskatoon.
Summer road trip: 5 tips to get your vehicle ready
The destination is set, the route planned out and playlist sorted - but before you pack up and leave on that summer road trip, don’t forget to ensure your vehicle is ready. After all, car trouble can stop your trip right in its tracks. Ensure smooth sailing on your next adventure by following these tips. Check your tires. Before heading out, check the condition and inflation pressure of all four tires. Adjusting inflation pressure to proper levels helps your car handle better and achieve better fuel mileage. Also, take a look at your spare tire to ensure it isn’t flat or damaged. Prep your windshield and wipers. Clean your windshield inside and out to ensure a clear view of the road. Top up windshield washer fluid with a quality, summerrated product and make sure your windshield
wipers are in good condition.
Change your oil. Changing your vehicle’s motor oil before a road trip ensures optimal engine performance, prevents overheating and increases fuel efficiency, making your journey smoother and more reliable. Look for a quality product, like a full synthetic motor oil, to maximize your engine protection and help extend your engine’s life. Clean air filters. A blocked or clogged engine air filter will decrease performance, lead to poor fuel economy and possibly lead to more serious engine trouble.
Check that it is clean or replace it with a fresh, new one for improved performance and reduced fuel consumption. Check the cabin air filter to keep your AC working in good order.
Test your battery. Testing your car battery before your summer travels is an excellent way to maximize peace of mind. If the battery in your car doesn’t pass the test, it may be time for a replacement.
Tip: Motor oil manufacturers often have promotions available for you to take advantage of. Always check the company’s website before you buy.
The Saskatchewan Rattlers held their home opener this past Thursday, May 15 versus the Vancouver Bandits in Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) action. Not their best effort, the Rattlers were defeated on the day 105-65. Their next home game is May 22 versus the Edmonton Stingers.
Even if you’re only a casual fan of U.S. college basketball, you’ve probably heard of Cooper Flagg, who will be the No. 1 selection in the June 25 National Basketball Association draft.
Just as golf fans had heard of a young Tiger Woods prior to his big splash on the PGA Tour in 1996; just as Canadian hockey fans were well aware of the junior hockey exploits of Wayne Gretzky in the mid-1970s; just as basketball fans knew all about Michael Jordan before he hit the hardwood in the NBA in the 1980s, the name Cooper Flagg is as famous as any North American
Flagg touted as can’t-miss NBA star
amateur athlete these days.
Still only 18 years of age, Flagg graduated high school a year early, enrolled at Duke University as a 17-yearold and dominated the U.S. college hoop scene like no other in his rookie season.
He won every major national player of the year award, and led the Blue Devils to a 35-4 record and a berth in March Madness’s Final Four. (They lost 70–67 to Houston.)
“His highlights, his statistics, the ways he impacted the game on both ends of the floor, really in every category, was off the charts - as good of a freshman season that a guy has had here,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer told the Associated Press. Dallas Mavericks, who made major headlines during the season by trading their superstar guard, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers, had the bingo balls bounce in their favour in
the NBA draft lottery and give them the No. 1 pick. Naturally, it will be Flagg, team officials said.
Flagg, who grew up in Maine in a basketballcrazy family (both his parents played college hoops), averaged 19.2 points per game with Duke this year, grabbed 7.5 rebounds per game and had 4.2 assists.
While being selected No. 1 is no guarantee of success, most analysts who study the NBA are expecting Flagg to be a star.
“His ball-handling, playmaking and ability to function as a finisher are far superior to Risacher’s skill,” wrote Morten Stig Jensen of yahoo.com, referring to last year’s No. 1 overall choice, forward Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks. He’s slightly inferior to the 2023 No. 1 pick, Frenchman Victor Wenbenyama, of San Antonio Spurs, but power forward Paolo Banchero, another former Duke player who went No. 1 to
Orlando in 2022, isn’t as good a prospect as Flagg, wrote Stig Jensen.
The draft is often a crapshoot. In 1984, Jordan didn’t get picked until selection No. 3, waiting while Akeem Olajuwon went to the Houston Rockets at No. 1 and 7-foot-1 Sam Bowie was picked by Portland Trail Blazers at No. 2. Olajuwon went on to have a starry career in the NBA while Bowie, plagued by injuries, averaged only 10.9 points per game in 10 seasons.
History tells us Cooper Flagg being picked No. 1 by Dallas is by no means a slam dunk, but the Mavs are expecting their top pick to be more like Jordan, less like Bowie.
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “I just was watching Terminator 2, where the T-1000 becomes so brittle that with each movement, part of his body breaks. Anyone else just think of Joel Embiid of the 76ers?”
• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “United
Football League’s Samson Nacua slaps a fan at a UFL game. That is shocking. There is a United Football League?”
• Comedy guy Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver, after coach Rick Tocchet and the Canucks went their separate ways. “Some people are calling for the return of John Tortorella. Well, at least one guy who runs a gas station in Point Roberts.”
• Ontario columnist
Keith Schell, on the Utah NHL team’s new name, Mammoth: “I think they missed a glorious marketing opportunity by not naming their team the ‘Stormin’ Mormons’.”
• Another one from Schell: “Since the new Pope grew up a Chicago White Sox fan, I wonder how long it will take him to send the team a box of St. Jude medals, the patron saint of lost and hopeless causes.”
• Super 70s Sports, on Pete Rose: “He’s already enshrined in the Gambling, Nacho Helmet, and Bad Haircut
Halls of Fame.”
• Headline at TheBeaverton.com : “Leafs jersey thrown onto ice gets by Toronto’s defence and into the back of their net.”
• TheBeaverton.com continues to pick on the Leafs: “One day I’ll be dead and I won’t have to watch this team,’ thinks Leafs fan to cheer himself up.”
• Gary Van Sickle of golf website The First Call, on whether the PGA could create as much drama as this year’s Masters: “A White Sox fan is now the Pope so, yes, anything is possible.”
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “Memo to Anthony Santander: It’s almost June. Time to start hitting, isn’t it?”
• Headline at fark.com: “The NFL schedules TV games accordingly after learning the people love to tune in to watch the Cowboys lose.” Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca.
5 ways to spread kindness in your community
We hear it often - we’re living in uncertain, unprecedented times.
And while that is true, it also means that acts of kindness can have a more meaningful impact and foster hope in the people around you.
“Hope is looking forward to a better future for the next generation. But hope is now, too,” Governor General Mary Simon says in her most recent letter to Canadians.
“It is about what we do right here, right now. It is about a feeling of connection inside us that
With stroke on the rise in Canada, it’s more important than ever to take charge of your brain health.
Our aging population is a big reason for the increase, but more young people are also having strokes because of a general rise in risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. In fact, about one in 20 cases in the country occurs in people under 45, and there is emerging evidence that young women are at higher risk than young men.
“We know that healthy habits are important throughout our lives,
keeps us going.”
Here are some ways to promote hope and kindness in your community: Create a care package for newcomers. Join a volunteer organization that helps newcomers adjust to life in Canada. Create a care package that includes a small plant, journal or list of free local mental health resources and peer groups for extra support.
Organize a community cleanup. Gather a group of neighbours or colleagues to clean up a local park,
green space or body of water. This not only helps protect the environment, but also brings people together, promoting a sense of community and shared responsibility for nature.
Host an inclusive community gathering.
Organize a potluck dinner where everyone is encouraged to share dishes from their cultural traditions. Set up games and activities that foster kindness and celebrate diversity.
Create a youth kindness project. Partner with local
schools or community centres and organizations to develop projects that support youth, such as mentorship programs or cross-cultural workshops on topics that speak to youth, such as creating safe online spaces.
Host a hope garden event. Organize a neighbourhood garden day where everyone can come together to plant flowers, vegetables or trees and exchange gardening tips. Share seeds or plants with neighbours to encourage community bonding
and environmental stewardship. Read the full letter and learn more about the importance of hope at gg.ca
Know these 3 signs of stroke
but many things can get in the way,” says Katie White, director of health systems for Heart and Stroke. “Work, chores, looking after children or caring for elderly relatives and other commitmentspeople are busy and it can be stressful.”
Taking steps to manage stress, eating a healthy balanced diet, being smoke free and staying active are ways to reduce your risk.
“This is harder for some people than others because of factors like their financial situation, time constraints, where they live and other inequities,” notes White. Women also face
unique risk factors that change throughout their life, including during pregnancy, menopause and as they age. Factors like birth control, hormone treatments and gender-affirming therapies can also raise their risk.
While stroke risk increases as people get older, it can happen to anyone. Understanding your risks early on, talking to your healthcare provider and taking steps to reduce or manage your risks can make a big difference.
“I’d also encourage everyone to learn the signs. You could save the life of someone you love,”
Bruce Penton Penton on Sports
says White. Learn more about risk factors and signs of stroke at heartandstroke. ca/stroke
Governor General Mary Simon, centre, is helping to make the world a little bit kinder. (Submitted Photo)
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ARIES –
Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, you soon find yourself pushing forward with great determination. Your drive is unstoppable, but tread carefully and respectfully in the pursuit of greatness.
TAURUS –
Apr 21/May 21
Introspection is paramount right now, Taurus. You may find yourself reflecting on your values, goals and personal growth. This week there are chances to change.
GEMINI –
May 22/Jun 21
Gemini, right now is a good time to collaborate with others, whether at work or in personal projects. Use any time this week to your advantage to attend social events.
CANCER –
Jun 22/Jul 22
Put your long-term goals in focus this week, Cancer. Start thinking about where you would like your career to go. You’ll certainly feel driven to make progress.
LEO –
Jul 23/Aug 23
Adventure is the name of the game for you right now, Leo. Whether it is travel, higher learning or other new experiences, you just may soon break free of your routine.
VIRGO –
Aug 24/Sept 22
This is a week when practicality and organization will be your friends, Virgo. You will likely feel a need to get things in order. If you have any outstanding debts, tackle them now.
–
Sept 23/Oct 23
Libra, the spotlight is on you for the time being. You are feeling more confident and ready to take charge of your destiny. Personal growth may come by way of a job promotion.
SCORPIO –
Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, you may be drawn to more quiet, intimate moments with your partner this week. This is a great time for reflection and connection for the both of you.
SAGITTARIUS –
Nov 23/Dec 21
Sagittarius, expect to meet new people or form bonds with others who share similar interests and goals this week. Community-based projects may draw your attention.
CAPRICORN –
Dec 22/Jan 20
This week the focus will be on your career, Capricorn. You’ll feel more motivated than ever to achieve your goals, but it will take a lot of hard work to get there.
AQUARIUS –
Jan 21/Feb 18
Aquarius, you might feel more connected to your spiritual side right now and want to seek knowledge or inspiration in areas like philosophy. Take every opportunity to learn and grow.
PISCES –Feb 19/Mar 20
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Snakelike fishes 21. Places where people live 25. US, Latin America, Canada belong to
Periodical 27. A type of sense 29. A way to get possession of 30. Everyone has one
Body art 32. Mr. October
Abba __, Israeli politician
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Pisces, now is a good time to focus on your financial situation and make some changes for your security and personal growth. Your intuition will guide you. 43.
Stay healthy, naturally! 311 Main Street, Rosetown Quality Mail Orders Welcome. Monday – Saturday 9:00 – 6:00 rosetownnatural@sasktel.net
Lunch Is Served!
Biggar New Horizons will be serving a Cold Plate Lunch on June 14 after the Fair Days Parade. Come join us in the air conditioned hall for a bite of old fashioned potato salad, meat, pickles, homemade buns, coleslaw, desert and a drink. Located at 117, 3rd Ave West, one block off Main Street. Watch for signs.
We’re Hiring!
Biggar New Horizons is hiring an Office Coordinator. Responsibilities: answer phones and dispatch Courtesy Car, find office volunteers and car drivers, financial book keeping, type letters, greet new clients and members, rent hall, plus other duties as required. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:45 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 4:15. Please call New Horizons at 306-948-5115 or email resume to biggar.horizons@sasktel.net Present Coordinator leaving June 30, 2025
MATHIAS GERALD HUBER
February 9, 1929 - May 8, 2025
Mathias Gerald Huber of Wilkie SK, beloved son, husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa, passed away suddenly but peacefully on May 8, 2025, at the age of 96. Matt was born Feb 9, 1929 to Joseph Frank and Rosa Francisca (Stifter) Huber at their homestead 6 miles west of Leipzig SK. He attended school first at Krist, then Notre Dame in Leipzig, serving as an altar boy at St. Paschal’s, and hiring out as a farm laborer to local farmers as needed. He left formal schooling at the age of 16 to join his dad full time in running a farm of grain and livestock. Dad regretted not being able to further his education, but as an avid reader of newspapers, farm journals, and books, was in effect a life-long student, as many farmers are. Matt married teacher Helen Pauline Rohs on October 12, 1953, and they soon started their own family, which eventually grew to 11 children. They farmed full time, while Matt also worked at various jobs including telephone linesman, carpentry projects, and later driving school bus. He was always handy with tools, and did much of his own building, electrical and mechanical repairs, as well as butchering, sausage making, smoking meat, and other well-honed skills. In the mid1960’s, he built a mahogany stable for the church creche to Sr. Damien’s design. On Sunday mornings, you’d find him in the church entry, waiting to ring the bell before Mass. and in later years, he took on the job of starting the oftencantankerous furnace before services.
1995, Dad continued to farm on his own, gradually cutting back. He had plenty to do cooking all kinds of good things, maintaining a large garden and farmyard, and looking after his pet cat “Dog”. Every autumn, he gave away sacks of potatoes and wheelbarrows full of squash.
Dad retired off the farm and relocated to Bethany Enhanced Living in Wilkie in May 2013. There he enjoyed a good joke, favorite meals, watching curling, daily newspaper, crossword and other puzzles, the annual Huber Family Camping Rebellion, going for a drive to look at crops, kaiser & cribbage games and all ages of visiting family, and the company of old and new neighbors and friends.
Matt is survived by children Rose & Allan Roth, Terri & Ken Hull, David & Berna Huber, Chris & Marcia Huber, Kathy & Ted Dougall, Paul & Joyce Huber, Perry & Deb Huber, Loretta & Don Parker, Bryan & Sherry Huber, Julie & Roy Munton, Darrell & Angie Huber, 26 grandchildren and their spouses, and 25 great grandkids (2 more on the way), all of whom he was very proud. Our family is grateful to Lynn Christiansen and staff at Bethany for the excellent and personal care they provided to Dad in his final 12 years; he was engaged, content and in good spirits to the end.
St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh 109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney Parish Phone: 306-948-3330 Saturday Mass.......7:00p.m. Sunday Mass....... 11:00a.m. our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis Sunday Mass.......9:00a.m.
Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans
St.Pauls Anglican Redeemer Lutheran 205 4th Ave. E 319 7th Ave. E JUNE 8 10:30am Regular Worship (St.Pauls) JUNE
Biggar associated gospel church 312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to come and join us Biggar United ChUrCh
After the last of the kids left home, Mom retired from teaching, and Dad retired from driving school bus; he’d logged over a million miles on the job. Mom and Dad had a few good years of retirement together and enjoyed holidays to Florida and Austria. When Mom passed away in
by Rev. Bev Dyck, former pastor, Biggar Church of God
Have you ever wondered what the Garden of Eden looked like?
Genesis 2:9 “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
I have seen some beautiful gardens. My husband and I saw the Butchart Gardens in Victoria. My Uncle Henry in Grand Prairie grows a beautiful garden of fruit trees, flowers and vegetables and I have attempted to copy his somewhat with my own garden.
But imagine the Garden that God designed! It would have been incredible! All kinds of beautiful trees with good fruit. There must have been viney vegetables growing through mazes of assorted colours of flowers. The
scents must have been incredible! Imagine the happy bees and butterflies flitting about. There was also a river watering the garden that flowed from Eden. Everything would have been so lush and green.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 Saturday May 24, 2025 at St.Paschal’s Church, Leipzig SK. In lieu of flowers, please donate “in memory of Mathias Huber” directly to Bethany Assisted Living Homes (Wilkie) Inc. – Roof Fund, PO Box 629, Wilkie SK S0K 4W0, or online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/fix-our-roof/ or the Canadian Cancer Society https://cancer.ca/en
And God put Adam there to work it and to care for it. And because Adam needed a companion, God made Eve out of Adam’s rib. The ser-
pent came and tempted Eve and she took of the fruit of that one and only forbidden tree. Adam joined Eve in disobeying God and eating the forbidden fruit. Therefore God banned them from the Garden so that they would not eat of the Tree of Life and live forever in their sinful state.
In Isaiah 58:11 there is the word picture of us when we obey the Lord.
“The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sunscorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a wellwatered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
God has made a way for us to be in fellowship with Him - through believing in His Son Jesus Christ as our righteousness. And as we walk in obedience to His Spirit, God makes our life like a ‘well-watered garden’.
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Late one summer afternoon in the early 2000’s, a buddy called me up and said, “Keith, let’s go out for dinner tonight! My treat!”
We went out for dinner at least once a month to shoot the breeze, solve the world’s problems, and would usually split the check at the end of the night. We hadn’t gone out in a while and were due for a night out.
Not being one to turn down a free meal, I happily accepted the invitation. Since dining out can be expensive and he was treating, I wondered where he wanted to go. Usually, if we went
The night out
out for a bite during the week, it would be on one of my days off because of the odd shifts I worked. I would usually end up driving since my buddy drove all day for work and liked to relax at dinner with a couple of beers. I didn’t drink, so I didn’t mind. I usually became the designated driver when we went out - no problem.
But that night, he actually came over to my place and picked me up instead!
“Wow,” I thought. “He’s putting on the Ritz for us tonight! I wonder where we’re going.
As I got in the car, I asked him where we were headed, and he just smiled and said, “You’ll see. It’s a surprise.”
After a short drive, we finally pulled into the parking lot of the intended eatery, and I saw where we were:
He had taken me to fivedollar spaghetti night at the local Legion!
Hey, a meal is a meal,
but this was not the dinner I had expected! I actually hadn’t been to a Legion in ages. Back home, the only times I ever went were for wedding or funeral receptions or celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries. My buddy showed his membership card at the door and brought me in as his guest.
We entered the neatly organized hall, found a place to sit, and waited for the meal to be served. The Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary had a spaghetti “assembly line” set up that night, so when everything was ready, we just hopped in line and got served.
We ate, shot the breeze as we always did, and chatted with some of the Legion members sitting nearby.
When cleanup time came, a nice elderly Auxiliary lady with a cart rolled around to bus the plates. No doubt she was a grandmother because when I handed her my plate and utensils, she
noticed my empty plate and said to me with an approving smile - the way grandmothers all over the world do - “You really clean your plate!”
Sigh. Thanks, Grandma! We stayed for a bit after the meal, chatting and socializing with each other and some of the branch members, then quietly made our exit a little while later.
So, I guess the moral of the story is this: the most expensive nights out aren’t always the most fun nights out. Some of the funniest experiences are the ones you least expect, but if you keep your sense of humour about you, any experience you have can become a truly memorable one - even one on the cheap!
Always try to look for the good in a situation, and you’ll usually find it.
I still smile when I think about that night. A good time was had by all.
And support your local Legion!
of great benefit in helping to replace the worn out wooden garden beds at the school and creating a
environment for all the student gardeners. A great big thanks to The Rack for the donation to our school gardening project!
Keith Schell Remember When
The Rack helps student green-thumbs ... Kyle Dubriel presents a cheque on behalf of The Rack to BCS 2000 teacher volunteer Jennifer Singer. This donation will
(Photo for The Independent courtesy of Jennifer Singer)
