A day at the beach ... Springwater Lake was the place to be, Saturday, as a sports day and volleyball tourney hit the beach, thrilling all who participated. The day was a hit as various games were also played, lunch and supper were also held, making for a fun day in an awesome recreational jewel. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Local music teacher, Peggy L’Hoir (right picture, right) was introduced as the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Associations (CFMTA) Honourary President for 2025-31.
“Peggy is one of our Saskatchewan Prairie treasures from the Town of Biggar,” said Laurel Teichroeb, President of the Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers Association, who introduced L’Hoir. “When CFMTA was founded in 1935, its vision was ‘to promote excellence in teaching and connect teachers from across Canada’. Peggy caught this vision early on and has truly lived it out in her over 50 years of teaching.”
Teichroeb added that only one word sums up L’Hoir: “Mentorship”.
“I believe the measurable success of a great leader is looking at the path behind them,” Teichroeb explained. “The path behind Peggy is rich, healthy and full of
Summer Sizzle, the Canadian National Conservatory of Music, held their always popular music symposium, July 8-9 in Biggar. Young musicians could bend the ear and learn from established composers and artists, take in a trade fair, and, of course, perform at a Majestic Theatre concert. The Summer Sizzle event held a number of workshops, events and symposiums around Biggar, justifying the “Prairie Chord and Keyboards - Biggar 2025” moniker, and, as always, Biggar was a fantastic host, teaching the musicians and teachers of tomorrow!
vibrant musical communities, organizations and hundreds of families all inspired and touched by her care and expertise.”
Her CV is long but here are some highlights: •has served in many capacities on the National and Provincial boards, including President or a board member from 1995 to the present.
•founded CFMTA’s ‘Call for Compositions’, two ‘Prairie
to Pine’ Centennial composition projects for SRMTA.
•The ‘Heart of the City’ piano program in her hometown.
•has also organized three Summer Sizzles - a Piano and Pedagogy Symposium for students and teachers with special emphasis on engaging Canadian composers and students.
Among her notable recognition awards are:
•Hugheen Fergusson Dis-
(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
tinguished Teacher Award in 2023.
•RCM 40 years of Dedicated Service Award. •Sask Music Festival Adjudicating Excellence Award. “I am so grateful for the mentorship and friendship I have received over the years,” L’Hoir said, “many people believing in me when I did not believe in myself. Others can see our potential before we can. I hope to be that person that empowers others as I have been empowered.”
Haynes named Rural Ambassador with WESK for second year
Women Entrepreneurs Saskatchewan (WESK) is proud to announce that Lisa Haynes, a rancher and insurance broker from Biggar, has been selected for a second term as a Rural Ambassador.
Haynes is one of seven regional ambassadors representing rural communities across Saskatchewan as
part of WESK’s Rural Ambassador Program, funded by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan).
Haynes owns and operates both her ranch and her business, Biggar and District Insurance Services, where she assists owners in finding ways to mitigate risks that may arise within their
own businesses. With deep roots in agriculture and a commitment to empowering women in business, Haynes brings a relatable, grounded voice to the program.
“As a business owner, rancher, and mom, I know the unique challenges women in rural communities face when starting or growing their businesses,” says Haynes. “Being a Rural Ambassador allows me to meet other incredible women and provide the support and encouragement we often go without. I’m excited to continue making these connections and helping women in our region access the resources they deserve.”
Through the Rural Ambassador Program, Haynes will continue facilitating local mentorship and networking opportunities, supporting women entrepreneurs with information, advisory services, and access to WESK programs and loans.
Her role helps ensure that women in smaller centres like Biggar are included in Saskatchewan’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Council minute highlights
The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held June 24 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Rickwood, Councillors Alan Boyle, Nicole Hoppe, Kevin McNicholls, Edward Young, and Ivan Young.
Council resolved that this meeting be recessed at 7:15 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a public hearing to hear any person or group that wishes to comment on the proposed Bylaw No. 25-880 (Zc), being a bylaw of the Town of Biggar to amend the current Zoning Bylaw, which was carried. As no verbal or written comments were received, Mayor Rickwood closed the public hearing and reconvened the regular council meeting at 7:18 p.m.
Council resolved that the following reports from Administration and Council Committees be accepted as presented: Staffing Committee Meeting Minutes, June 16, 2025. Committee Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2025. Public Works Manager’s Report.
...
had a memorable tourney at his third Master Bowlers Association of Canada National, June 22-28. After 17 years of bowling with his right hand, Raschke had to ‘south paw’ it this time, still putting in an excellent showing with a Gold medal in the Saskatchewan Mens Teaching Division with teammates Tyler Goosen, David Caister, Eric Kozakevich, Dale Der, and Coach Orest Schular. Raschke also received a Team Canada Award for a plus-588 pins over average, winning 18 out of 21 games. The Saskatchewan Senior Team also took home the Bronze, with a big congratulations to another Biggar bowler, Dianne Misener (second from left) for a plus-609 pins over average, winning a Team Canada Award in her first Masters National. Raschke’s daughter, Kiersten, was also at her first Nationals, and her Teaching Ladies Team placed fourth overall in their division. Congratulations!
Council resolved that the following financial reports for May 2025 be accepted as presented: Bank Reconciliation, May 2025. Statement of Financial Activities, May 2025.
Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of $110,491.03 including payment numbers, payroll deposit numbers, and online payments totalling $40,542.87, and the list of accounts for approval in the amount of $46,810.90 including all payment numbers, be approved as submitted.
Council resolved that the following correspondence be accepted and filed: Ratepayer K. Brown re: Property Taxes. Biggar RCMP Report, June 9, 2025. Biggar RCMP Report, June 16, 2025. Biggar RCMP Report, June 23, 2025. Biggar Fire Department re: Payroll, May 2025. Biggar RDFA Meeting Minute Package, April 10, 2025. Biggar Daycare Thank You. WCMGC re: Letter to Stakeholders.
Council resolved that the Community Impact Statement prepared by the CAO be approved as presented and submitted.
Council resolved that the proposal submitted by Push Applications to build a Digital Communication App for the Town of Biggar be approved as presented.
Council resolved that the Town of Biggar agrees to participate in the Sask Recycles Program as presented.
Council resolved that the draft job description for the Community Development Officer position be approved as presented.
Council resolved that the draft Sewer Emergency Response Plan be approved as presented.
Council resolved that the Town of Biggar sell lot the lot located at 518 McPhee, Lot 4 Blk 68 Plan 102029880, for $55,000 with a deposit to Lois and Ken Lienenweber, and further that the Town will supply fill material at no cost.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
Biggar RCMP report
by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment
This past week Biggar Detachment handled 22 reported occurrences.
In traffic, nine drivers were spoken to about traffic safety concerns.
An Alberta semi driver reported meeting a Saskatchewan mooseneither were very happy about the encounter. There was a report of a hit and run between two vehicles in a parking lot - members have tracked down the other party and have spoken with them.
A report of a suspicious male in a grey Impala on First Avenue. With the aid of video from nearby businesses, members were able to track down the individual, who was known to police, to see what the encounter with a young bicyclist was about. Turns out it was a misunderstanding of interpretation.
Another suspicious
vehicle was reported near the pool with a couple of young males asking inquiring questions to the lifeguard. Members later tracked down the vehicle and occupants who live in town and were just using the basketball court near the pool.
Reported theft of a diamond ring between two known parties.
Suspects stole a Red Arctic Cat ATV from a yard on Duperow Road, as well, suspects have been stealing diesel from unattended equipment throughout the RM of Biggar west through to Tramping Lake. Along with an ongoing investigation of mischief around the Springwater Lake Road gravel pit. Anyone with any information about these suspects or the whereabouts of the stolen quad are asked to call Crimestoppers.
Biggar Bowler hits National stage
Biggar’s Jason Raschke (left)
Lisa Haynes (Photo submitted)
Canadian youth growing tired of climate alarmism
by Dr. Perry Kinkaide, Troy Media
For years, climate change has dominated the worldview of many young people, instilling a sense of urgency, fear and moral responsibility.
In schools and media, young people have been taught that the planet is on the brink of collapse and that their generation will bear the brunt of the consequences. They have grown up surrounded by climate anxiety. But after decades of apocalyptic messaging, something is shifting.
What was once explosive passion is giving way to fatigue, confusion and competing priorities. Climate change still matters, but panic is giving way to weariness, and urgency alone is no longer enough to sustain engagement. If concern is to translate into lasting action, the relationship youth have with this issue must be recalibratedfrom despair to informed, empowered participation. Why has climate change resonated so deeply with this generation? First, it’s about time. Young people know they’ll live long enough to face the
full consequences. It’s also moral. Many have been led to believehaving heard only one side of the story - that previous generations, through consumerism, complacency and environmental neglect, are to blame. That generational divide isn’t just political. It’s personal.
Yet even with this strong emotional connection, the focus is beginning to shift. Surveys now show that while climate change remains a concern, it increasingly shares space with other anxieties - housing, economic insecurity, mental health, artificial intelligence and war. Once front and centre, environmental fear is settling into the background, dulled by uncertainty over whether individual efforts make a meaningful difference. That uncertainty is only deepened by the contradictions young people see around them. In school, they’re taught to recycle and reduce emissions. But they also see the wealthy flying private jets and governments approving new oil and gas projects -
even as Canada pledges to cut emissions. The science is broadly consistent, but the messaging isn’t - from catastrophe to denial, from guilt to technooptimism.
The result is cognitive dissonance - when what they’re taught to believe clashes with what they see happening in the real world.
Caught between anxiety and ambiguity, many turn to activism. Protests, petitions, even civil disobedience provide a sense of agency. From ‘Fridays for Future’ walkouts to local rallies in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, youth-led climate activism remains highly visible.
Others, however, retreat into digital spaces, focus on personal wellness or shift their attention to more immediate, local concerns.
This disengagement isn’t apathy. It’s exhaustion. And unless something changes, the risk is a generation emotionally burned out before it ever gets the chance to lead.
Young people aren’t wrong to care. But they need more than emotional
appeals or empty slogans. They need truth and consistency. They need tools - practical ones that help them understand how systems work, how change happens and where their energy can have real impact.
They need to be trusted with the complexity, not shielded from it or fed only worst-case scenarios.
What would empowerment look like in practice? It starts with honesty - about trade-offs, timelines and
limits. It means teaching systems thinking - how environmental, political and economic forces interact - and policy literacy, so they can engage with how real decisions are made.
It also means shifting from symbolic gestures to strategic ones, and offering pathways that connect personal passion with institutional influence. Instead of telling youth to “save the planet,” we should show them how energy grids operate, how regulations
evolve, how real solutions grow from ideas to largescale impact, and how meaningful change actually happens.
The climate is changing. But so is the conversation. If we want today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders on this issue, we must stop scaring them into paralysis and start equipping them for meaningful action, not through alarmism, but through science, honesty and empowerment.
Poilievre poised for comeback in Alberta stronghold
by Michael Taube, Troy Media, political commentator, former speachwriter for Prime Minister Stephen Harper Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre unexpectedly lost his Ontario-based seat in the House of Commons in the federal election. He’s running in a byelection in a safe Conservative riding in a different province.
While some of his opponents and critics are hoping that lightning will strike twice, they can safely put this pipe dream to rest.
Poilievre was first elected in 2004. He ran as a Conservative MP in the Nepean–Carleton riding against David Pratt, a two-term Liberal MP and then Minister of National Defence. It was predicted to be a close race, and that’s exactly what happened. The 25-yearold, who had previously been involved in Reform Party and Canadian Alliance circles, worked hard in this riding. He established a strong ground game with new and existing grassroots support. He won the
riding with 30,420 votes (45.7 per cent), while Pratt finished second with 26,684 votes (40.1 per cent).
The newly minted Conservative MP’s support in NepeanCarleton expanded in the preceding elections. He won 54.7 per cent in 2006, followed by 55.84 per cent in 2008 and 54.45 per cent in 2011. When his old riding was recreated during the federal election redistribution in 2012, Poilievre shifted to the new riding of Carleton. It wasn’t quite as Conservative-leaning, which meant it would take more work to hang on to this seat.
The 2015 election was a tough battle for Poilievre, but he won 46.86 per cent versus Liberal candidate Chris Rodgers’s 43.74 per cent. He had an easier time against Rodgers in their 2019 rematch, winning 46.35 to 38.23 per cent. Poilievre nearly crossed the 50 per cent threshold in 2021, earning 49.9 per cent of the vote. He now seemed solidly entrenched in Carleton.
That’s what made Poilievre’s April 28 loss to lightly regarded Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy so surprising. There were a few factors that likely contributed to this upset. The Ottawa region, where the Carleton riding is located, turned heavily against most Conservative candidates in this year’s election. Poilievre had to run a national campaign and couldn’t spend nearly as much time in his local riding as he had done in the past. The Longest Ballot Committee, which was established in 2021 to protest Canada’s firstpast-the-post electoral system, flooded the ballot with independent candidates and muddied the political waters. And, as Fanjoy suggested in an April 29 interview with CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning, the issue of U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs could have partially turned the tide.
So be it.
Poilievre wanted to continue in politics and remain Conservative leader. His next move was to find a new seat to
run in a byelection. He needed to resolve this matter quickly so that he could return to the House of Commons. When three-term Conservative MP Damien Kurek graciously decided to step aside from his seat in Battle RiverCrowfoot on May 2, a unique opportunity had opened up. Would Prime Minister Mark Carney call a byelection? He told the media that “I will ensure that it happens as soon as possible... no games, nothing, straight.” To his credit, the PM kept his word. When Kurek officially resigned on June 17, Carney issued the byelection writ on June 30.
Battle River–Crowfoot is one of the safest Conservative ridings in Canada. There hasn’t been a close result since the rural Alberta riding was created in the aforementioned 2012 federal election redistribution. Kevin Sorenson won 80.91 per cent of the vote in 2015, while Kurek won 85.5 per cent, 71.3 per cent and 82.84 per cent
in 2019, 2021 and 2025, respectively. If you include results in other iterations of the riding - Acadia, Battle River, Battle RiverCamrose, Camrose and Crowfoot - it’s been in the hands of a rightleaning politician for all but two years. The only time it changed was when former Progressive Conservative MP Jack Horner crossed the floor to the Liberals in 1977. He was then crushed in the 1979 election, earning only 18.2 per cent of the vote against Progressive Conservative candidate Arnold Malone’s 77.12 per cent. (Malone decisively beat Horner again in 1980, winning 76.61 to 15.53 per cent.)
Some political pundits and prognosticators may be hoping the Aug. 18 byelection will be closer than expected. Liberal candidate Darcy Spady, along with Independents Bonnie Critchley and Sarah Spanier and some smaller party candidates, are all attempting to beat Poilievre in a riding that he’s never represented. The independence
movement that has encompassed Western Canada as of late goes right through this riding. The Longest Ballot Committee has targeted Battle River–Crowfoot in hopes of creating another Carleton-like upset, too. Don’t count on any of this happening, however. 338Canada, a respected Canadian-based political forecasting and commentary website, showed a massive Conservative lead of 80 per cent (with a possible uptick of up to six per cent) on July 13. The odds of a Conservative win in Battle River–Crowfoot are currently at 99 per cent.
Poilievre is firmly in the driver’s seat. While it obviously doesn’t matter what his margin of victory is in Battle River–Crowfoot, he would surely like to keep it close to Kurek’s most recent victory. This means he can’t rest on his laurels - which isn’t his style to begin with - and has to take it to the finish line. That’s exactly what he’s going to do.
Bob Mason Notable Notes
There must a thousand different ways to relax, and Y.T. (Yours Truly) sure isn’t the one to say you’ve got to do it this way or that. Maybe it doesn’t really matter that much because actually, like a lot of other things, it is “wanting to” that really counts.
All the way down the scale from “coffee row” to “surfing the net” folks will find that so important thing that we’ve all got to have: Rest!
Over the centuries some
by Frank Cox
A faded relic of a bygone era, the theatre was a ghostly silhouette against the backdrop of the city skyline, its grandeur faded like an old photograph left out in the sun. The once-bustling theatre had become a silent spectator to a world that had moved on, a hollowed-out cathedral of celluloid dreams.
The sign above the theatre read “Roxy” in bold, neon letters, but the once-vibrant colours had faded to a dull, lifeless hue. The letters were cracked and broken, some of them missing entirely, and the neon glow that had once illuminated the night now flickered faintly, casting a feeble light on the crumbling building.
The marquee below the sign was a sad shadow of its former self. The once-bright lights that had announced the latest films and performances now lay broken and shattered, their shards of glass scattered across the ground. The posters that had once advertised the glamour and excitement
enthusiasts have found that they can get a lot more done while that other person is relaxing, hence the workaholic. But from the very earliest of times nature has provided such diversions as relaxation. So, Y.T.’s opinions sure aren’t new! What is new in the modern rat-race is to find someone who seems to feel like sitting there and whittling away! A person can’t just look at one of these folks either and say something like, “What a futureless pastime! They’ll never get anywhere doing that!”
Opinions bolstered by such great literary axioms as, “Time is of the essence” or “If you can fill the unforgiving minute...” the unseen stress is still there, and outside pressures aside, if given a chance even Rudyard Kipling would pick up a knife and start whittling!
Y.T. had the occasion
of Hollywood now hung tattered and torn, their colours faded and their edges frayed.
The ticket window, once a crowded hub of activity, now lay covered in a thick layer of dust. The cracked glass reflected the deterioration of the building, the shattered remnants of a bygone era when dreams came true and the impossible became possible.
The once-grand entrance, adorned with ornate moulding and intricate carvings, now stood as a testament to the passage of time.
The faded paint peeled away from the walls, revealing the weathered bricks beneath, and the once-lush gardens that surrounded the theatre were now overgrown with weeds and littered with trash.
A ghostly mausoleum of silver screens and popcorn shadows, the abandoned theatre stood like a solitary sentinel on the desolate street corner, an obsolete and outdated reminder of a past that can never be recaptured.
Amidst the desolation, there was a flicker of life.
An old man, his oncedapper attire now frayed and worn, shuffled into the theatre, his arthritic hands clutching a battered cane. His eyes, once bright with the fire of youth, now held the sober wisdom of a thousand
The Whittler
last summer to visit a northern relative of his. We talked long and intelligently into the night as he whittled away on a stick that he had. I don’t think that stick ever turned out to be anything, but our conversations were some of the best we’d ever had!
All over the world the history of mans “Progress” has been recorded as “The Bronze Age” or “The Iron Age” et cetera. But the “Wood Age” has been with us forever. Then when our planet’s iron and bronze are all all gone, it will take a few million years to replenish them. Whereas wood is more or less a contemporary renewable resource that will supply the world with oxygen and whittle sticks for years to come!
The ancients - even the people before them - strode through forests that have been replenished over and
over, much as we have, and it is no wonder that “man” feels more affiliation with wood! It’s too bad, in a way, that anyone who stops to rest is classed as someone who has no ambition because they care about their mental health. History is full of go-getting enthusiasts who fell over in midlife because they never stopped to whittle.
There is a fairly modern saying that almost seems to have been made by some psychiatric type, “Take time to smell the roses!”
But we don’t! It’s kind of hard to smell the roses when one has to catch the executive flight, but the thought is there ... and it’s a good thought!
I remember knowing a fellow who had spent much of his life carving away at little things. The stuff he had carved so careful in his whole life could be produced in
our production-oriented society in a few hours if not minutes. And yet, a great satisfaction in creating a very personal piece was his, as compared to the criticism some foreman of a trinket-carving production line would get for not having produced enough!
This carving versus manufacturing comparison is something like the horse and buggy versus the jet, upon which a person doesn’t have time to “smell the roses”!
When we were kids, every boy had a jackknife. Not only did we have them, we used them. Bows, arrows, hockey sticks, whistles, et cetera ... no tree was safe from the jack-knives of our old school yard. And we never even thought of using them for anything else!
We whittled and carved - and even cut our fingers occasionally - and relaxed
The Roxy
sunsets, and the lines on his weathered face told tales of a life lived hard.
He made his way to a worn-out seat, the faded red velvet groaning beneath his weight and a cloud of dust rising into the air. He settled back into the chair, his worn-out boots scraping against the cracked tile floor, and closed his eyes.
As the sun set and the moon ascended its celestial throne, the old man sat in the faded seat, his eyes locked on the vacant screen.
In that moment, the theatre held its breath and as the sun dipped below the horizon, the ghostly whispers of the past seemed to swirl around him, weaving a tapestry of memories that only he could see.
The theatre, once witness to the stories it housed, now became a stage for the old man’s own tale, a narrative that refused to be silenced in the face of the ravages of time.
The auditorium thrummed with the mournful cries of forgotten films and the whispers of memories long past. Dust danced like spectral wraiths in the feeble rays of light that filtered through the cracked and peeling curtains, casting a pall of gloom over the decaying seats that lined the cavernous expanse.
The screen flickered
to life, casting a spectral glow over the crumbling auditorium. The old man’s eyes widened as the ghosts of the characters that had once graced the silver screen came to life, their ethereal forms shimmering in the moonlight.
He could feel the ghostly presence of Humphrey Bogart, his voice smooth and seductive, whispering in his ear. The ghost of Marilyn Monroe, her smile as radiant as ever, beckoned to him, her hand outstretched. The old man took a deep breath, rose from his seat and stepped forward, his boots echoing in the emptiness of the theatre.
The walls seemed to hum with the music of a thousand forgotten scores, and the weight of the years slipped away.
The old man was transported to another world. He danced, twirled and spun with the ghostly characters, his laughter echoing through the empty theatre. And as he danced, he felt alive, his spirit rejuvenated by the magic of the silver screen.
As the sun began to rise, the old man grew tired. He stumbled and fell, his body crumpling to the floor.
The ghostly characters began to fade away, their ethereal forms dissolving into the mist.
a little more. I think knowing as we did then that violence, even knifewise, was a thing of the past.
Some big important people, I guess, didn’t have jack-knives, and became restless, getting a lot of our school chums to go out and defend “Democracy”. It took quite a few years and cost the world an awful lot of bucks, but boy were we ever glad to get home, pick up our knives and start whittling again! It maybe sounds kind of rough when Crocodile Dundee says stuff like, “Now, there’s a knife!” Or we hear on the news that, in a fit of anger, someone has stabbed someone else.
But what do we expect? There must be a little bit of that million-year old brute in us yet. Surely the time will come when folks will pick up a knife and sit down with a piece of wood!
A single ray of sunlight found its mark on the old man in the dimly lit auditorium. His shadow on the cracked screen was a spectre of the past. The wind wafted through the broken balcony, carrying with it the scent of memory, as it shimmered with the dust motes that drift around the old man. The air was thick with the weight of a thousand stories, each one as silent and as heavy as a lead pipe. And the old man waited for the final curtain to fall, for the last reel to spin, for the credits to roll and the story to come to a stop.
Healthy snack ideas kids will love
by News Canada
Packing healthy and satisfying snacks every day can become challenging - for kids and grown-ups alike. Luckily, a selection of delicious and nutritious local options means that family-pleasing snack options are readily available.
Here are a few easy ideas to keep snack time local and seasonal:
Apple slices with cheese or nut butter. Apples are at their peak in early fall and pair perfectly with protein-packed sides. Try
different apple varieties to keep things interesting.
Veggie sticks with dip. Freshly harvested veggies like carrots, cucumbers, sweet peppers, cauliflower, or cherry tomatoes make colourful, crunchy snacks that are both fun and filling.
Pear and granola parfaits. Layer sliced pears with yogurt and granola for a quick, no-mess treat at home or on the go that is packed with flavour and nutrition.
Grapes and whole grain crackers. Table grapes
are sweet, portable and easy to pair with whole grain crackers or mild cheese for a balanced bite. Pumpkin muffins or squash bites. Sneak some fibre and vitamin A into lunch boxes with baked goods made from local pumpkin or butternut squash. These fresh, local ingredients aren’t just tasty - they support local fruit and vegetable growers and encourage healthy eating habits for the whole family.
Frank Cox Humble Opinion
Christine Ibbotson
Ask The Money Lady
Dear Money Lady Readers,
I recently received a question from someone wondering about debt consolidation in retirement and this reminded me of a talk I did a few years ago on the Honeymoon Phase of Retirement.
We all go through this phase when we initially retire. That great moment when you can
The mushrooms that seem to magically appear almost overnight in our lawns are the fruiting bodies of a fungus.
Fungi cannot manufacture their own food and must obtain it from an external source. In most cases, the clusters of mushrooms in our lawns are present because they are part of the natural process of decomposition of stumps or roots left from a tree removal or even from construction debris. Sometimes mushrooms appear to be marching across the lawn as they follow the path of a root underground. Do not worry about a few mushrooms in your landscape as they will not damage the lawn. If you find them unsightly, they can be picked or raked. They will generally disappear as the weather becomes dry.
There is another kind of mushroom that appears in lawn areas - and this one is worthy of some treatment. Fairy rings appear as circles of dark green or brown circles in the lawn. In wet weather, small tan mushrooms often appear in the ring. If you dig into the fairy ring you will find a white, fibrous net-like growth, the mycelium, throughout the soil. As
finally sleep in everyday, no prospecting calls, no angry co-workers, and no demanding bosses. You’re finally free from the rat race, and you welcome the honeymoon stage of retirement with open arms.
But did you know that four out of five retirees today find themselves in debt only 18 months after they’ve retired. They may have walked into retirement with no debt, but after the honeymoon stage, they’re now in it.
The problem arises from not planning properly.
I know you planned all your way to get to retirement, but failure to plan in retirement can be just as problematicmentally and financially. Many retirees leave work with no plan and no clear to-do list.
Let’s face it, your
professional identity most likely defines you to the outside world. Once you retire, that identity is lost, along with all the people, culture, and community that you were immersed in.
So, who are you going to be in retirement? What are you going to do with the next 20-30 years of your life? You must create a new game plan. Fear of being irrelevant and alone has no place in this new phase of your life.
Now I don’t suggest you try to replicate your career by switching to consulting or public speaking, unless you’ve always wanted to. Often this does not work out the way you expect it to.
Instead, you need to re-channel your energy into new aspirations, maybe a part-time job you
could love, with no stress, (as paid employment or a volunteer endeavour).
Most people will need to redefine their identity, so below are some questions to ask yourself before you get started:
• What do you really want to do, and what is meaningful to you now?
• What things haven’t you tried in your life but secretly would like to?
• Where will you live in retirement? Could you divide your time between two locations a year?
• Could you be a mentor to millennials? Could you start a club to meet more like-minded people?
• Have you worked out your financial plan and included travel (even if it’s on a shoestring budget)?
Pure leisure for most retirees gradually turns into pure boredom, and
we’ve seen a new trend of retirees that are having difficulty adjusting. Many over identified with their careers and now need to remind themselves that they still have value.
Remember, there is so much more to experience in this new phase of your life. Why not go back to school, start a small hobby-business, make a plan to leave a meaningful legacy, become a teacher or tour guide, improve your health, take dance lessons, or learn a new skill. Always keep planning your life. I know you’ve done a good job planning to get to retirement, so once there, you must continue that plan to reinvent your life in retirement too.
In fact, this is something I’ll be talking more about this fall during my “Vibrant Living
Mosses and Mushrooms
the growth spreads, the ring grows along the outer edge. The mycelium can become so dense that water will not penetrate and the grass above it dies.
Fairy rings can be present on any kind of lawn but are found more often on dry, under fertilized lawns. Control begins with good lawn maintenance.
The spike and soak method is the only real method of control for fairy ring. Use a garden fork to make holes throughout the ring. The holes should be about four to six inches (10-15 centimetres) apart. The area must then be soaked every day or two for at least a month, especially if the ring has dry grass in the centre. A teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water can be sprayed on the area before soaking. The soap will act as a wetting agent and helps the water soak into the affected area. If the ring is small, it is possible to remove the entire ring along with at least 18 inches of soil on each side of the ring. The soil must be removed to a depth of at least twoinches below the mycelium. Fairy rings will die out when they approach sidewalks, flower beds, or other cultivated areas. Two rings meeting will
Series” presentations. Empowerment, financial readiness, and finding meaning after retirement are all major themes we’ll be exploring - because retirement isn’t the end of your story, it’s the start of a whole new one.
If you’d like to attend one of my sessions in your community, visit my website to find out where I’ll be speaking next at askthemoneylady.ca
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
also cause the death of both rings. Mosses appear when grass is weakened by unfavourable growing conditions. Mosses prefer damp, heavily shaded areas and are often found on the north side of buildings. In addition, heavily compacted soil and low fertility encourage growth. Moss is not harmful to lawns but rather occupies the bare spots in lawns as grass thins. If moss is not deeply rooted, it can be raked out. There are chemical controls available but unless the conditions which encourage moss growth are changed, the moss will return. Several cultural practices will discourage moss growth. It is a good idea to plant shade tolerant grasses or shade-loving plants or shrubs. Fertilize the lawn regularly. Avoid soil compaction by staying off wet lawns. If your lawn is compacted it can be aerated. Avoid over-watering. Reduce thatch by vigourous raking. Where shade is the result of trees and shrubs, pruning and thinning will allow more light into the area and better air circulation. As conditions which favour grass growth are improved, the grass will compete better with the moss. It is important to remem-
ber that both mosses and mushrooms will grow when conditions are right for them to thrive ... sometimes as gardeners it is wise to bow to the forces greater than we and to focus on other more important tasks! 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?
We all practice living cultural heritage
by
Claire Mantyka for the Biggar Museum and Gallery
Living cultural heritage is all around us every day. Essentially, living cultural heritage encapsulates traditional expressions such as performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, thoughts concerning nature or the universe, crafts, and oral tradition. It is the things we do and think rather than hard evidence of culture.
These skills are inherited from our ancestors and passed onto our descendants. Often, they must be adapted to modern conditions. The availability of specific tools or materials, the number of participants, or wider cultural conditions determine how heritage may be expressed.
Whether it be artistic expressions or social norms, we all practice living cultural heritage even if we don’t realize it. Our day to day lives are dictated by them. This is why when we travel to a new area, even one not
too far away, we may feel out of place. The people there experience different living cultural heritage than we do in our own home.
There are many examples of living cultural heritage in Biggar and area! The recent Old Time Music Festival showcased folk music and dance traditionally hailing from what is now the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland, but took its modern form in rural North American communities.
Red Rivers West Local and Biggar Local Metis Nations consistently work to preserve Metis culture and heritage through storytelling and traditional crafts at a time when Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis traditional practices are threatened by urbanization.
Preserving living cultural history is vital to the preservation of history as a whole. We can only learn so much from things that can be touched, like artifacts and places. Truly understanding a culture comes from the hidden, the unseen, where traditional stories and practices lie.
We can all do our part to keep our cultural heritages alive, revive forgotten ones, or adopt new ones! Organizations are more than happy to welcome newcomers into their cultural practices and expressions.
This way, we can feel connected to our pasts and build community in the present.
Biggar’s many churches, past and present, also reflect a form of living heritage where religion plays a vital role in culture and community. A more subtle form of local living cultural heritage includes intricate farming practices, passed down from parents to children, which evolve with technology but at their core stay true to traditional beliefs. Of course, the Biggar Museum and Gallery is a very obvious example of living cultural heritage through the traditional expressions we work to preserve and present to the public.
Patricia Hanbidge Orchid Horiculture
Can we ‘out-tech’ ourselves?
interests automatically, but with something of Orwellian overtones in terms of ‘big brother’ watching.
Calvin Daniels Agriculture
by Calvin Daniels
It still amazes me how showing interest in something on the Internet results in your social media being flooded with links to similar items.
That in some ways is the brilliance of technology at work, feeding our
Now if you are researching something such as robotics in agriculture you probably aren’t concerned if a computer algorithm knows it, and that is what I have been interested in general terms for quite some time.
Increasingly there are reports of farming being done with robots controlled by A.I., and it often reads like something from a Ray Bradbury or Isaac Asimov book from my youth, and
yet here we are some 50 years later - a rather short period of time in the broader passage of timeobserving the very infancy of such technological advancements. There are all kinds of issues and questions which will become ever bigger as the tech grows.
For example while a producer might be interested in tech which reduces the need to pay a workforce, knowing a machine can operate 24/7 sans lunch breaks, sleep, days off and a range of other things, it also means lost jobs.
Now here in Canada farmers might find it
challenging to find the trained help they need, in many places workers still line-up to help harvest onions or cabbages or cut flowers. It might be hard work but it is work that can help feed a family.
Of course such change will not be new. Threshing crews were once large to bring in grain. Today a combine does thousands of acres often operated by a computer with the human component more a passenger overseer at times.
Still, jobs lost are people at least temporarily out of work. Then there is the question of the wealth required to implement
on the shiny new tech coming down the line these days.
Much of the world’s agricultural base, the farmers who feed the local populace in many places, remains far behind what you would find on a Canadian farm.
Add A.I.-driven robotic tech and the gap grows yet wider.
I am reminded of a visit a number of years ago by a farm delegation from Ukraine to the Yorkton area. On a farm visit they were less interested in the modern combine than a simple grain auger.
Asked why, the interpreter explained
they could see how a grain auger could save them labour, but the combine was too great a leap forward to fully understand.
A similar tale had combines sent to Africa, but they sat in fields when a breakdown occurred because no one knew how to fix them.
Should farm tech grow too rapidly, how wide does that knowledge gap become, and what does that mean in terms of feeding everyone? Those are questions needing answers as progress marches on.
The Potty-Mouthed Parrots
Back in the day, you had to take your amusement where you could find it; not like today, where there are a million funny and amusing videos at your fingertips on your phone or laptop to be viewed at a touch.
Our late father, along with many other people he worked with at the time, found an amusing distraction from the workaday world one summer that brought a smile to everyone’s faces and was usually good for a chuckle every time anyone who experienced it ever thought about it.
Because of the longterm physical and emotional aggravations of working in a factory, Dad would sometimes come home from his job aching with repetitive stress pain or fuming with workday frustration. A good-natured person at heart, he would usually need half an hour or so after getting home to cool down and recover before he returned to his old normal self again.
But one summer, Dad would usually come home with a little smile on his face. Sometimes at dinner, Dad would be thinking about something
that happened at work that day and begin to chuckle.
When we finally asked him what was so funny, he told us with a grin:
At our father’s workplace, there was a small row of houses adjacent to the right side of the factory property from the passing street. Each of those residential properties was separated from the plant property by a row of chain-link fence and some company green space. All of those residential backyards faced that side of the plant behind the chainlink fence, and in one of these backyards was a stand for a large birdcage. And when the birdcage was brought out and placed on the backyard stand that summer, it always contained a couple of old Macaw parrots.
When the weather began to warm up that summer, the owner of the two parrots would often put them in the cage, bring the cage outside in the late morning, and place the cage on the backyard stand so the birds could get a little fresh air.
There was a large tree in that particular backyard that provided shade and overhung onto the factory green space. When lunchtime rolled around, some of the workers, our father included, liked to leave the plant and eat their lunch outside in the green space by the chain-link fence in the shade of that backyard tree, especially if there happened to be a nice breeze blowing that day. And one day, while some of the guys were eating their lunch in the
shade of the tree by the fence, the two old Macaw parrots in the backyard cage looked at each other and suddenly began swearing like a couple of drunken sailors!
Apparently, it was quite the thing to hear for all those who were present. It was so unexpected and so funny that everyone eating lunch under the tree burst out laughing at the two cantankerous birds who were cussing each other out!
When the workers got back from lunch, word quickly spread amongst the employees about the two potty-mouthed parrots in the backyard of one of the houses adjacent to the right side of the plant.
And the next day at lunch, a couple more guys came out to the tree to sit on the grass, eat, and listen to the parrots swear. And the next day at lunch, a couple more guys came out for the same reason. And so on, and so on.
By the end of the summer, the two old Macaw parrots had built up a considerable noontime fan following of workers who enjoyed eating their lunch while sitting in the grass under the shade of the tree and listening to the parrots’ X-rated backyard banter.
And when the lunch break was finally up, everyone who enjoyed the little blue show would usually go back to work with a smile on their face. As fall began, the weather would start to get too cool through the day to put the parrots out for fresh air around noon like always, and to everyone’s disappointment, the
shows would finally end for the summer. And the next summer, the parrots were no longer there. To my knowledge, no one ever found out the reason. Perhaps the owners just got tired of their pets putting on a noontime show for the neighbouring workers. Or perhaps the people sold the house and moved, taking their profane pets with them. Or perhaps the
two old Macaw parrots were just re-homed or simply passed away. We will never know.
But for a few months that one particular summer, the swearing
old neighbourhood parrot duo brought a lot of lunchtime amusement to a group of workers who dearly needed it. Talk about a couple of dirty birds!
Keith Schell Remember When
MONDAY AT 5P.M.
Kim Gartner
The Saskatchewan Traveller ... The Alberta Ride
by Trudy and Dale Buxton
After a brief stop in Hanna, we continue heading east on Highway 9, we come across the small hamlet of Richdale and a population of 14 people.
Richdale owes its existence to a pioneering family from England
named the Richdale’s. Incorporated back in 1916, it was later dissolved in 1931. Like a lot of communities, services dried up and people moved away to larger centres. As people move away these communities become a ghost towns.
As we continue down the highway another one of those communities slowly disappearing is the small hamlet of Scotfield which has a population of less than a 100.
We also come upon the community of Youngstown, population around 170, but one of the communities that have gained in population from previous years. Youngstown has the nickname of Sportsman Paradise for the vast wild game hunting and trout fishing that is done in the area. This close-knit community once revolved around the railroad and farming.
Youngstown was named after a fellow named Joe Young, an early settler in the area.
Along the highway, Youngstown has a very interesting museum featuring many antiques, motorcycles, vehicles and other historical artifacts. This museum is privately owned and they do a pretty good job keeping up with history.
While taking a look, one of those fantasy vehicles drives in, a back end of a Pontiac Fiero and front end of a motorcycle. Not sure what you would call it but it sure did look interesting, and I would imagine the fellow that owns it get lots of
questions.
We could have stayed on Highway 9 to Kindersley but decided to take a detour north on Highway 884 for a different route.
I’m glad we did.
We come across an interesting statue made of metal and the only thing that comes to mind is the story of the Headless Horseman.
This statue is the creation of a local artisan named Bill Powell, who creates a number of projects out of whatever scrap metal he can find. Looking into the history of this sculpture, Mr. Powell really didn’t have a specific purpose for this work of art other than his own personal expression - it was neat and I suppose it gets a lot of interest from anyone passing by.
It’s amazing what you see when you get off the beaten path and explore different routes.
Next up is the community of Veteran and home of the Big Poppy, established around 1912, likely named after those who had served in the Canadian Armed Forces. This quiet little town has a population of around 225 people. The main source of income is farming.
With the introduction of the railway in the early 1900’s there were several communities named during the King George V coronation to respect the military. Veteran was one of them.
Close to the community is a large hill named Nose Hill, has significant historical facts as it was part of the second NorthWest Rebellion which included the uprising of the armed rebellion that included Louis Riel. Nose Hill was a meeting spot in this uprising. Stay tuned next week as we conclude our Alberta ride.
Headless Horseman Hwy 884, Alberta
New Fantasy Ride in Youngstown9
Swift Swimmers ... The Biggar Aquatic Centre was a busy place, Sunday, as the local Barracuda Swim Club hosted their annual swim meet. Athletes from around the area came to Biggar to compete making for a memorable day of competition.
(Independent Photos by Kevin
Do you know about age-related macular degeneration?
by News Canada
It’s the leading cause of vision loss among older adults, affecting nearly 2.5 million Canadians, but awareness around age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains low. It can significantly impact daily life and long-term eye health, so education and early detection are crucial.
Here’s what you should know:
What is AMD?
The condition begins when the macula, a part of your retina, becomes damaged. There are two forms of the disease, dry and wet. The dry form is the most common, accounting for 85-90 per cent of cases. The disease advances through three stages: early, intermediate and late. In some cases, the dry form can progress to wet AMD, a less common but more aggressive form that can lead to significant vision loss.
What are the symptoms?
At the early stage, symptoms are often unnoticeable but can rapidly progress, impacting vision and quality of life. In later stages, central vision can become very blurry or completely dark,
making simple tasks like reading and recognizing faces difficult or even impossible.
Who’s at risk?
Risk for developing AMD increases as we age, and research suggests that a family history of the disease can increase the risk further. Other factors like cardiovascular disease, prolonged UV exposure, smoking and diets rich in saturated fats also make the disease more likely to develop. What treatments are available?
A healthy lifestyle and balanced diet can help slow the progression of dry AMD, but can’t reverse it. The first treatment approved by Health Canada is a device called MacuMira, and it’s currently the only available option for dry AMD. Research has shown that it improves vision significantly in most recipients.
The more Canadians know about AMD, its symptoms and risks, the better chance they have of protecting their vision well into the future. Ask your eye care professional about lifestyle choices that can support eye health, as well as available treatment options.
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• Fordpass Connect
Brautigam)
Check out Prairie Keepsakes this Saturday as part of the Prairie Art Road Trip. Along with 6 other venues; The Oak Tree Coffee House and Boutique, Michaela Hoppe: Artist Studio, Cindy Hoppe Fibre Artist Studio, Arelee Art and Prairie Fire Alpacas. Enjoy a tour of the prairies, with crops in bloom and see the unique talents of local artists. More information can be found online at www.prairieartroadtrip.ca
Sandi’s Prairiekeepsakes
I have always enjoyed antiques, flowers, and painting, and now at this time of life I have decided to put it all together.
We have retired from the cattle business which allows us a little more time for the enjoyable parts of life. My little studio was moved in to provide a space not only to work and create but maybe a place for others to enjoy as well. I’m hoping it can be a place of calm and maybe people can be blessed from it in some way. All items in studio are for sale and custom work also available but on my schedule. I’m available by phone or text, and if I am around (not at our second home at the lake!) I will be happy to share our yard and Prairie Keepsakes.
The most electrifying player in Western Canada hockey circles is chasing big bucks south of the border and won’t be displaying his ‘how-didhe-do-that?’ talent this winter in the Western Hockey League.
Gavin McKenna, 17, and the presumed No. 1 pick in the National Hockey League draft 11 months from now, announced July 8 he would be enrolling at Penn State and playing for the school’s hockey team.
Instead of making $100 a week or so playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers
McKenna departure a big blow for WHL
and facing a gruelling 68-game schedule that would have taken him on cold bus rides to 22 other cities in the west, McKenna and his new Penn State mates will travel in luxury - short regional bus trips and the occasional air flight.
What was the attraction? Why Penn State over Medicine Hat, which could have made another legitimate run at the Memorial Cup?
There were, in fact, 700,000 attractions.
As in $700,000, the reported value of the deal he signed with Penn State under the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s NIL (name, image, likeness) policy.
The NIL policy resulted from a series of legal challenges aimed at compensating athletes for the commercial use of their identities. It wasn’t too long ago that an aspiring NHLer who had designs on playing
college hockey in the U.S. could not appear in a WHL game, lest his NCAA eligibility be ruined for competing as a ‘professional.’ The WHL is hardly a professional league, but players do get some minor compensation so they can fill up their gas tank, or buy an occasional Big Mac.
But all that changed when the NIL policy came into effect in 2022.
Thirteen years earlier, a UCLA basketball player, Ed O’Bannon, filed a class action suit against the NCAA, arguing antitrust laws were being violated by the schools profiting from athletes’ names and images, with no compensation going to the players.
He eventually won the suit, and the door flew wide open for every college sport in the U.S. to pay its players for helping to fill 70,000 seat football stadiums,
Fuss-free snacks for camping, cottaging or road tripping
by News Canada
Whether you’re packing the car for a camping trip, heading to the cottage, or hitting the open road for a getaway, the right snacks can make all the
difference. And nothing beats simple, healthy and delicious bites made from locally grown in-season fruits and vegetables. For a delicious and portable snack, consider
trying these double corn muffins. Flecked with tomato, corn and basil, they’re perfect for camping, cottaging or road trips.
With a sharp knife, cut corn kernels from cobs to make 1 cup (250 mL).
In medium pot of boiling water, cook corn three to four minutes, or until almost tender; drain and set aside.
In medium bowl, combine eggs, cornmeal, milk, honey and oil.
In large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, basil, baking soda and garlic powder.
Add cornmeal mixture, corn and tomatoes to dry ingredients, stir until just moistened.
Spoon into prepared muffin pan. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until tops are firm to the touch. Let cool in pan for five minutes. Transfer to rack.
These muffins can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container, making them an ideal snack for your outdoor adventures.
Bonus: Easy grab-andgo snacks
Fresh produce is perfect for on-the-go munchingno need for complicated prep or fancy packaging.
Just wash, chop (if needed), and pack in reusable containers or snack bags.
• Carrots - Sweet, crunchy and travel well.
• Cucumbers - Refreshing and hydrating; slice or snack whole (especially mini varieties).
• Apples and pears - Crisp, sweet or tart, naturally portable and ideal for no-prep snacking.
• Cranberries - Great for dried snacks or trail mix.
18,000-seat basketball field houses and 15,000seat arenas. Player agents swooped in to represent the best athletes and negotiate deals based on ability and potential media exposure.
McKenna’s reported $700,000 deal with Penn State will be one of the most lucrative of all hockey players. He’ll suit up for the Nittany Lions for one year before getting drafted and turning pro in 2026. Last year, Penn State played 40 games, allowing players plenty of time for schoolwork (as if!) and practice. For players in the WHL, it’s almost a full-time job from September to April. While McKenna is a big winner, the list of losers is longer: Thousands of WHL fans won’t get to see the next generational player; WHL owners will lose big at the gate, because McKenna would be a huge draw; and the Tigers, who had hopes of contending for the WHL title again this year, appear en route to a mediocre season.
Unfortunately, this U.S. college NIL policy could be a Canadian junior
hockey killer.
• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “Chicago native Pope Leo wore a White Sox hat. Or as Cubs fans call it: the seventh sign of the apocalypse.”
• Headline at theonion. com: “WNBA To Expand Into Three More Cities
As Caitlin Clark Cloning Experiment Nears Completion.”
• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “Quote of the week comes from Urban Meyer on an unnamed college program offering him a job as a general manager, where his main task would have been dealing with the agents of 17- and 18-year-old high school and college football players. ‘I’d rather step on a rusty nail and pull it out myself.’”
• Bianchi again: “By the way, can you imagine a negotiating session between Urban Meyer and a sports agent? You’d need a referee, a priest, a federal investigator and a tetanus shot.”
• Cooked corn on the cob - Wrap in foil for a satisfying snack. These fresh and local fruits and veggies travel well, especially if kept cool in a cooler or insulated bag. Plus, they’re a healthy alternative to processed snacks.
by News Canada
Reaching retirement is the goal for so many of us, but once people get there, some find that it just isn’t for them.
Whether you’re considering a return to full-time work or a parttime position, here are a few good reasons to take the plunge:
1.) Increase your income. There’s nothing wrong with taking a job for the money, and some retirees may find that their fixed incomes aren’t covering everything they want to do. Taking on a new job can give you greater financial freedom and helps maintain your sense of independence. The best part is, you get to set the terms of how long you want to work for - when you’re ready to leave again, you can.
2.) Enjoy a routine - on your terms.
One challenge many retirees face is a lack of structure to their days. Keeping busy and having a schedule both help people stay more mentally and physically healthy. Taking on a full-time, or even parttime job helps create a
• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “The Colorado Rockies are now the third worst team in MLB history. To which the Chicago White Sox said, ‘Hey guys, we’re working this side of the street.’”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com : “Soccer Gold Cup favourite Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinal by Guatemala. This might be harder for Canadians to bear than Justin Bieber.”
• Headline at theonion. com: “White Sox Fans Asked To Remove Polish Sausage From Mouths During National Anthem.”
• Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider, about his team’s recent 10-game winning streak: “In about 10 days, I went from very mediocre to a really good manager.”
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “An old joke of my father’s: ‘I have two sons. One at Penn State. The other at State Pen.’” • Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com, an avid San Francisco Giants fan: “Los Angeles Dodgers have lost seven consecutive games for the first time since 2017. Thoughts and prayers.”
4 great reasons to come out of retirement
routine, while fighting the boredom and lack of direction some retirees may experience.
If you’re starting a new position, make sure to prioritize a work-life balance that works for you. This is an opportunity to work not because you have to, but because you find it fulfilling, you enjoy the challenge or even just want to stay busy.
3.) Build new relationships.
Many retirees report feeling isolated, or that they don’t enjoy the same level of social interaction that they used to. Re-entering the workforce can be a great way to meet new people and grow your social circle. Workplaces often bring together
people of different ages and backgrounds, offering a chance to build relationships with people you wouldn’t otherwise have got to know.
4.) Make a difference. Take the example of one Canadian couple, who had retired after successful careers in the mining sector. They came out of retirement to join the Technical Assistance Partnership project, supported by Global Affairs Canada. Bringing their decades of experience, they went to Kosovo and Malawi to help those nations’ mining industries operate more sustainably. The skills and experience you’ve earned can make a difference in ways you may never have considered.
Bruce Penton Penton on Sports
Business & Professional …
ARIES –
Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, your confidence is peaking and people are noticing. Even though you are on a roll, don’t let it go to your head. Midweek might be a test of your patience, but you’ll keep your cool.
TAURUS –
Apr 21/May 21
You are craving creature comforts, Taurus. This week you might be happy with keeping things slow and relaxing. You also may want to splurge on a treat.
GEMINI –
May 22/Jun 21
Gemini, this week your brain may be best compared to a Wi-Fi signal. In other words, moving fast, seeking new information and maybe a little glitchy. Slow down enough to focus on necessary tasks.
CANCER –
Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, you might be feeling tender this week, and others may be realizing that you’re giving off warm-and-fuzzy vibes. That will suit you at home, but you may need to be more firm at work.
LEO –
Jul 23/Aug 23
Your charisma is showing this week, Leo, and people could be eating it up. You’re giving off lead character energy right now, but don’t forget to let others share some of your spotlight.
VIRGO –
Aug 24/Sept 22
This week you are completely focused on organizing your life, Virgo. Whether you need to use spreadsheets or label makers, do whatever it takes to fix what you think needs it most.
GAMES PAGE …
BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN
FLOWER SHOP
Brett…
LIBRA –
Sept 23/Oct 23
Libra, it’s time to embrace some social events, or at least get them on the calendar. Practice your small talk and get ready to mingle. You will be ready to be the life of the party.
SCORPIO –
Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, if you’ve been holding on to secrets, one may slip out this week. It could be a confession or a breakthrough, but it will be intense to reveal.
SAGITTARIUS –
Nov 23/Dec 21
You may be halfway out the door and ready for some adventure, Sagittarius. Spontaneity will look good on you this week, but reserve some time for your responsibilities.
CAPRICORN –
Dec 22/Jan 20
Take inventory of what you have accomplished thus far and enjoy what you have built, Capricorn. You don’t need to prove anything because you’ve been rocking it.
AQUARIUS –
Jan 21/Feb 18
What to-do list, Aquarius?
Your ability to focus on tasks and knock them off one by one is monumental this week. Your brain definitely has been firing on all cylinders.
PISCES –
Feb 19/Mar 20
Someone might surprise you this week with an unexpected compliment or an offer of help, Pisces. Accept either gladly and then figure out how to pay it forward.
independent 122 Main Street, Biggar, Sask. tip@sasktel.net
Stanislav “Stan” Liska was born to Frantisek Liska and Marie Stankova in Bohumilice, Czech Republic, the second youngest of six children, three boys and three girls. At the age of 18 he escaped from Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia to West Germany. After spending a year in a refugee camp he migrated to Canada in 1953, sponsored by his Uncle John who came to Canada in 1912. In 1956 he joined the Redemptorists and was professed as a brother on September 15, 1957. Eight years later he began his studies for the priesthood. He studied philosophy at Resurrection College in Kitchener, ON and theology at the Redemptorist seminary in Esopus, N.Y. And at the diocesan seminary in Edmonton.
to Grand Prairie. He spent all his priestly life in parish ministry in the Redemptorist parishes of Grand Prairie, Winnipeg, Yorkton, Edmonton and Saskatoon.
St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh
109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney Parish Phone: 306-948-3330
Ordained at St. Alphonsus Church in Edmonton on May 25,1970, he was appointed an associate
In 1999 he moved to the Redemptorist retirement community at the Grey Nuns Centre in Edmonton. His brother also became a Redemptorist and later on bishop of Ceske Budejovice (Budweis) in the Czech Republic. His two sisters became School Sisters of Our Lady of Namur, his nephew a priest, and one of his nieces a consecrated virgin. He sends a fond farewell to his adopted family, the Lobkowicz of Edmonton, and all his family and friends in Canada and throughout the world. In lieu of flowers friends are asked to donate to his favourite charity, the Marian Centre, 10528 98th Street, Edmonton, AB T5H 2N4.
Sincere condolences to Rhonda Joyce Smith Colbert on the passing of her mother Joyce, she is the only daughter of Ron & Joyce Colbert of Biggar, SK.
by
Pastor Dale Worrell, Biggar United Church
In Luke 10:38–42, we encounter the story of Mary and Martha-two sisters who welcome Jesus into their home.
Martha is busy with the many tasks of hospitality, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening. When Martha expresses frustration, Jesus gently reminds her that Mary has chosen “the better part.”
This passage speaks to the tension we often feel today between doing and being. Our lives are full of tasks, e-mails, meetings, caregiving, cooking, advocating, volunteering.
Like Martha, many of us feel overwhelmed, pulled
in many directions, and burdened by the demands of our roles. And yet, Jesus’ response isn’t to criticize Martha’s workit is necessary and valuable - but to call attention to her anxious spirit and to affirm Mary’s choice to be present, attentive, and rooted in relationship.
In our current world, where productivity is often seen as a measure of worth, Jesus invites us to pause. He reminds us that our spiritual lives need nourishment-not just through service, but through listening, reflection, and presence. There is a time for action and a time for contemplation. The challenge is to find
WEDDING SHOWER
In Honor of Danielle Desrosiers --August 16th at 2:00pm-608 7th Street West, Biggar Sk
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 NEXT SERVICE
AUGUST 24 10:30am Regular Worship (Redeemer) Have a Safe Summer Rev. Daphne Bender Pastor’s cellular Phone: 1-306-621-9559 Office Phone: 306-948-3731 (Messages are forwarded to Pastor’s phone immediately)
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 907 Quebec St./corner Turnbull Ave., Biggar REGULAR SERVICES
Next Service August 10, 2025
Minister Dale Worrall Inquires Call Church Office 306-948-2280 Leave Message
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
SATURDAY SERVICES
the balance.
This story also prompts us to consider: what “better part” might we be missing because we are too busy? Where are we being invited to slow down and truly listenperhaps to God, to others, or even to ourselves?
In our homes, churches, and communities, we are called to be both Martha and Mary, faithful in our work but also rooted in the stillness that allows us to hear God’s voice. In the rush of today’s world, may we not lose sight of the sacred in the simple act of being present.
Blessings!
Please bring your own lawn chair. RSVP to Kelsey U at 306.361.8177
Please respond by August 1st
BIBLE STUDY 10:00a.m. CHURCH SERVICE 11:00a.m. 320 - 6th ave.east contact: 306-951-8445 3 abn www.amazingfacts.org
NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH
...In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope...1Pe 1:3 You are Invited Sunday Tea and Coffee -10:15am Worship - 10:30am 323 MAIN STREET, Biggar For more info - Philip Watson - 250-487-8476
The Biggar Independent is a
We can offer you all the great products that you would find at a Staples Store without making the drive, and in most cases can sell to you CHEAPER. Contact us today at 948-3344
Canada Day at Wilkie Museum another huge success
by Phil Heilman
The Wilkie Museum hosted their Second Annual Canada celebrations on July 1.
The morning started off with Pancake Breakfast at the New Horizons Hall. Along with the flapjacks, ham slow cooked to perfection and hashbrown patties was also served.
The party moved over to the Ed Elder building where the 1929 Ford Model A and 1954 Chevy Fire Truck were cleaned out for entertainment.
Dan Wilgenbusch, along with Colin and Eddy
Keller performed for the big crowd in the afternoon.
In the evening, the Swingsters moved in and played some old tunes for the crowd as a barbecue supper was served, which included three different kinds of salads, beans and dessert.
The final push for the Hometown Raffle was happening in the background, and at 5 p.m., the draw for the Leather Package and Pharmacy gift basket was done. The winner of the Pharmacy package was Saige Veit of Wilkie,
Jim Reiter, MLA
while the grand prize was won by Joe Jaindl.
With all the large pile of money the museum has fundraised, work has been started on redoing the steps for the RM
Building and the Cavell School House, with work of the Bachelor House to begin soon as well. The Museum has also been able to open with two students at the helm of the
summer programming.
The Museum will be open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Fundraising continues
with a Saskatchewan Day (August 4) breakfast, followed by musical entertainment and activities in the afternoon.
Rosetown-Delisle Constituency 215 Main Street, Rosetown
Museum President Laura Heilman presenting Joe Jaindl with his prize package of leather bags and wallets. (Photos for The Independent by Phil
Biggar Pickleball donated to Farm in the Dell ... Biggar’s Adult Pickleball Club made a big donation to the currently under construction Farm in the Dell, digging deep and coming up with $1,000 for the new group home and vocational building east of town. Pictured are club members Karen Jiricka, Darlene Meger and Laura Kowalchuk (left to right). The generous donation will go a long way into making Biggar’s Farm in the Dell a reality! (Submitted Photo)
Danny Wilgenbusch, Colin Keller and Eddy Keller play tunes.
