Vol. 111 No. 50
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
16 pages
$1.50
‘Round the tree they sang . . . Carollers were out on the streets of Biggar, December 1 and 2, putting one and all into the Christmas mood. Here, they made a stop at the Biggar Long Term Care Home, Dec. 2, singing holiday classics outside while residents tapped their toes indoors. While it was cool outside, the weather wasn’t frightful, and the residents appreciated these singers (inset photo) as did the entire town. The Biggar Music Festival Association put on the two-day carolling in lieu of the annual Christmas Concert. (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
22 -- THE BIGGAR,SK SK THE INDEPENDENT, INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR,
The walking path at the Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park was a beautiful splash of colour and light, Friday, as the Light Up The Night event went off to highlight the Christmas season. People were encourage to keep their social distance, stay within their pod of people, and just walk, enjoy and take in the colourful displays of local merchants and organizations. The warmish temperatures made for a wonderful evening with many people making their way through the wonderland of lights! (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
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THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
Council Minute highlights The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held November 17, at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Rickwood, Aldermen Alan Boyle, Dakota Ekman, Nicole Hoppe, Kevin McNicholls, Edward Young, and Ivan Young. At 7:15 p.m., all members of the new Council were assembled to take their oath of office. The oath was administered by the Chief Administrative Officer, Marty Baroni, to those members of Council present. The newly elected members of Council then assumed the duties of their office. All members of the new Council were required to fill out the Public Disclosure Statements pursuant to Section 142 of The Municipalities Act. Council resolved that the following financial reports for October 2020 be accepted as presented: Bank Reconciliation; Statement of Financial Activities. Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of $67,695.31, and the General Accounts Payable in the amount of $59,396.94, be approved. Council resolved that the following correspondence be accepted for Council’s information and filed: Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan - Multicultural Week; Government of Saskatchewan - Municipal
Election; Sherry Martin Sandra Schmirler Walking Path; Claims Pro Ladder Truck Insurance Claim; Claims Pro - Kova Engineering Report. Council resolved that the Declaration of Results of the elections held on November 9, 2020, be accepted as presented. Council resolved that the following list of Committees of Council be made for the remainder of 2020 (the Mayor shall be an ex officio member of all committees): General Government Services - Chair: Alan Boyle; Members: Ed Young, Nicole Hoppe. Protective Services - Chair: Kevin McNicholls; Members: Ivan Young, Dakota Ekman. Transportation Services and Water and Sewer Utility Services - Chair: Ed Young; Members: Dakota Ekman, Ivan Young. Environmental, Recycling, Waste Management, Public Health and Welfare Services - Chair: Ivan Young; Members: Ed Young, Kevin McNicholls. Recreation and Cultural Services - Chair: Nicole Hoppe; Members: Alan Boyle, Kevin McNicholls. Planning and Community Development Services - Chair: Dakota Ekman; Members: Alan Boyle, Nicole Hoppe. Deputy Mayors: November-December: Kevin McNicholls; January-February: Alan Boyle; March-April:
Dakota Ekman; MayJune: Ed Young; JulyAugust: Ivan Young; September-October: Nicole Hoppe. The following appointments were made for the remainder of 2020: Solicitor - Peszko and Watson. Treasurer Marty Baroni. Assessor - Marty Baroni. Development Officer - Amanda Carruthers. Building Officials - Wayne Meier, Clayton Meier, Ryan Thiessen, Travis Elkin, Shenah Cartier. Auditors - PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. E.M.O. Co-ordinator - Diane Akister. Deputy E.M.O. Co-ordinator - Amanda Carruthers. Development Appeals Board - Ross Holt, Dave Miller, (one vacancy). Pest Control Officer - John Hammond. Secretary Board of Revision - Aileen Swenson, Board of Revision - Clint Krismer (Chair), Gord Krismer (Vice Chair), Jeff Hutton, Kirby Bodnard, Charmaine Luscombe, Brenda Lauf, Cam Duncan, Dave Lang, Gail Wartman. Rivers West District for Sport, Culture and Recreation - Erin Poitras. Weed Inspector - John Hammond. Predator Control Officer - Larry Robb. Municipal Inspectors - Marty Baroni, Amanda Carruthers, Mark Haynes, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires North Saskatchewan Division. Returning Officer - Marty Baroni. License Inspector -
Marty Baroni. Recreation Board 2020 Appointments - Nicole Hoppe (Town Representative), Kevin Ellard, Michele Keith, Scott McMahon, Hailey Metz, Mellissa Raschke, Hayden McMahon (Student Representative), Lisa Haynes (RM of Biggar), Cari Perih (RM of Biggar). Other Committee Appointments for remainder of 2020: Wheatland Regional
Library - Ed Young, Nicole Hoppe (alternate). Biggar Library Board Ed Young, Nicole Hoppe. Biggar Regional Park - Ivan Young, on behalf of Biggar Golf Club Glen Stevens, Clinton Weekes, on behalf of Sask. Wildlife Larry Tavanetz. West Central Municipal Government - Jim Rickwood. Biggar Housing Authority - Jim Rickwood. Bear Hills District Planning Committee - Dakota
Ekman, Alan Boyle. Biggar Rural District Fire Association - Kevin McNicholls, Ivan Young, Dakota Ekman. Council resolved that the quote from Carter Plumbing and Heating to replace the furnace in the Zamboni room at Jubilee Stadium in the amount of $2,545.78 plus taxes, be approved. • Meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Tiny Tot Nursery announces 50/50 winner . . . Laurie Robillard, left, accepts his winnings from the recent Tiny Tot Nursery 50/50, a huge $3,910 cheque that will, no doubt, go a long way this Christmas. Presenting the winnings were Tiny Tot President Erin Ford, centre, and Treasurer Shannon Bennett. Congratulations! (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Biggar Fire Department November Report
A wee small town comes back to life . . . Small model buildings have now found a home at the Biggar Long Term Care facility. The small dioramas were a once beloved Christmas display by local teacher Doug Schmeiser, who every year built one more extra building, filling his yard with holiday spirit. Since his passing, the display sat silent, but now finds a new place of prominence at the long term care home and at the Schmirler Park. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
The Biggar Fire Department responded to two motor vehicle collisions and three false alarms this month. A breakdown of the numbers for the year so far are: Motor Vehicle Collision - 12; Structure Fire - 5; Rescue - 1; Grass Fire - 17; STARS Landing - 4; Vehicle Fire - 4; Investigation Request - 16; False Alarm - 28. Totalling 87 calls for 2020. The Biggar Fire Department would like to remind people that while the holidays are a wonderful time for family get-togethers and celebrations, they are also a time when fire departments see a significant increase in preventable home fires. Hundreds of civilians die needlessly each winter season as a result of fires involving Christmas trees, candles and unattended cooking. By taking some simple precau-
by Sgt Dean Kabaroff, Biggar Detachment Commander The Biggar RCMP responded to 56 calls for service in the detachment area over the last two weeks. There were 21 vehicles stopped for driving infraction, resulting in 10 tickets being issued. Biggar RCMP over the last two weeks have attended five motor vehicle collisions, and would like to remind the public to slow down and be mindful of
from our immediate area, and police would like to thank the public for their assistance and encourage the public to report any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area. Biggar RCMP are requesting the publics assistance regarding a break and enter that took place on December 7 in the early morning. A business located on K Avenue in Perdue was broken into and a white 2014 Ford truck with green business markings on the sides
tionary steps everyone can enjoy the lights and festivities and remain safe while doing so. While trying to enjoy the festive season we encourage everyone to keep the following fire safety for holiday decorating and entertaining tips in mind: • Test your smoke alarms. • Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant. • Place Christmas trees at least three feed from fireplaces, furnaces or any other heat source. • Water live Christmas trees on a regular basis (trees should have fresh green needles) and dispose of them safely within four weeks of placing them. • Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. • Use lights that have the
label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. • Replace any string lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. • Use clips, not nails to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged. • Blow out lit candles when leaving the room or going to bed. • Turn off all string lights before leaving home or going to bed. • Do not burn Christmas tree branches or wrapping paper in fireplaces. • Keep children and pets away from lit candles. • Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. The members of the Biggar Fire Department would like to wish everyone in our community and surrounding area a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Biggar RCMP report
wildlife. With Christmas upon us Biggar RCMP continue to get calls from people in the area regarding fraudulent phone scams. Some include receiving a call from the Canadian Revenue Agency stating there are warrants out for their arrest to someone encouraging them via e-mail to purchase gift cards and sending them the card number. These are 100 per cent scams and people should hang up, delete the e-mail and
report the incident to the anti-fraud section. Police want to remind people to never provide strangers banking or personal information out over the phone or in general. Police are also reminding people to remove presents and other valuables from their vehicles as it makes for easy targets for thefts. On Sunday December 6, Biggar RCMP, arrested three youth in the Perdue area for Break Enter and Theft. All three were not
was stolen. The truck was then seen in the Kinley area around 8 a.m. and was later recovered in Saskatoon. Anyone with information regarding the break
and enter or any unsolved crime is asked to contact the Biggar RCMP at 306948-6600 or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by e-mail.
Numbers for December 3 B5 - B14 - I22 - N40 - G59
Opinions HAVE A NICE DAY!
4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
Breakdancing now in Olympics - the world has been locked up for too long I wish I could say I’ve been doing well with the pandemic lockdown. You know, being introspective, taking up meditation, maybe a cerebral hobby, getting in touch with my inner self. Then I heard that breakdancing is going to be included at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. My inner self had a meltdown. Including something that we all thought was pretty stupid in the ‘80’s into an esteemed organization like the Olympics pretty much sums up the whole pandemic situation - we really are in need of fresh air, social interaction, maybe even a frontal lobotomy. I don’t dispute that it takes real talent to wear your pants down around your ankles, nearly showing off the crack of your fading intelligence while spinning on your head, all to the beat of some boombox techno idiocy. Breakdancing isn’t a sport. It’s maybe a contest, a form of expression, but definitely not a sport. I get that it takes real physical effort but so does shovelling snow. And I don’t see any French judges giving me “7” or even “2”, the cheap @$%*&. Now the comments have been decidedly negative of breakdancing in the Olympics. That probably rules out country line dancing, too. While you’re at it, can we get rid of that ribbon thingy? You know . . . the one where they run around like the store just closed, twirling a very very, very long Visa bill. And if you are going to open it up to breakdancing, why not beer pong? Imagine the steroid monster that Russia will try to pass off in the next Olympics. The decision to consider breakdancing came long before COVID, but with the pandemic in full lockdown, apparently it was time for more lunacy and, it would appear, a great chance to turn the esteemed games into a side-show. K.B.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME They MUST be signed, approximately 300 words in length and are subject to editing. Thank Yous will not be permitted in letters
The truth about Extinction Rebellion’s smiley-face terrorism by Jack Buckby By now it should be abundantly clear that violent extremism is not just a trait of Islamists or the far right. Black Lives Matter and Antifa riots have resulted in dozens of deaths this year, multiple police officers wounded and blinded, and entire districts of American cities burned down in the name of racial justice. Despite this, political leaders appear unwilling to even acknowledge this is happening. Democratic presidentelect Joe Biden said on September 29 that Antifa, the revolutionary communist organization responsible for violence throughout Europe and North America, was merely an “idea.” It’s bad enough that violence destroying the lives of innocent people is being routinely ignored by those who consider it politically inconvenient. Now other radical move-
the
ments are using equally radical tactics to disrupt and incite terror without meeting the typical expectations of traditional extremist and terrorist organizations. Extinction Rebellion, the climate alarmist group, has redefined activism in an extreme way while expertly manoeuvring around accusations of extremism and terrorism. When British counterterrorism police included Extinction Rebellion on a list of extremist ideologies, backed by Home Secretary Priti Patel, the organization threatened legal action and received an outpouring of support. Patel’s support for the decision was branded “indefensible” by the Labour Party. A spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion also pointed to Mark Carney, the former governor of both the Bank of England and Bank of Canada, who has warned that climate change is a threat to glob-
al financial security. Globally, Extinction Rebellion is praised, Greta Thunberg idolized and given speaking time by the United Nations, and the movement is a fixture in popular culture and supported by huge numbers of young, leftleaning students. Extinction Rebellion has established itself as a mainstream group with the support of politicians and celebrities by combining disruptive yet clever tactics, and adopting existing popular messaging. Much in the same way that far-right extremists prey on the legitimate grievances of the white working class, Extinction Rebellion has latched onto the existing narrative around climate change while upping the ante. Climate alarmism was already common before Thunberg entered the stage, giving the organization scope to be more radical in their messaging
and activism. In the same way that opposition to Antifa can be decried as fascism, simply because the name implies their opponents are all fascists, critics of Extinction Rebellion’s tactics are easily dismissed by the group as climate change deniers. With that armour, the organization has gone about implementing a new climate of panic, by intimidating people in the streets, bringing cities to a standstill, and coopting every major headline or crisis for their own gain. Dancing in the street is obviously hard to describe as terrorism, but the unseen effects of the group’s street activism form an undercurrent of intimidation and fear. It’s the same kind of intimidation and fear that terrorists incite in periods between violent attacks. In Australia in October 2019, a woman broke down in tears after cli-
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mate activists stopped a woman reaching her family home just days after her mother passed away. In London that same month, Extinction Rebellion protesters blocked one of London’s bridges, forcing a cancer patient to get out of the car and walk to her treatment. “20 mins might not sound long but when u have CANCER IT IS!” the patient, Adeline Aedji, wrote online. In September of this year, an ambulance on an emergency call was blocked by climate protesters who brought the Westminster area to a standstill. In British Columbia in February, three protesters were arrested after sitting in the driveway of Premier John Horgan’s home, banging on his door and proclaiming that they intended to perform a citizen’s arrest. Dancing (or lying down) while they do it, Extinction Rebellion activists cause
disruption in the daily lives of people in major cities with no regard for the health, safety or wellbeing of anybody around them. For them, cancer patients and people waiting on emergency medical care are mere collateral damage for a climate that, they say, is on the brink of disaster. It’s smiley-face terrorism. At some point, the impact that this kind of activism has on people’s lives must be addressed. Just as far-right groups use legitimate grievances surrounding immigration and identity, Extinction Rebellion feeds on climate change fears and incites greater panic with its relentless disruption. Isn’t it about time we began addressing underlying grievances behind extremist groups, undercutting their ability to capitalize on those fears? Jack Buckby is a research associate with Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
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COPYRIGHT The contents of The Independent are protected by copyright. Reproduction of any material herein may be made only with the written permission of the publisher. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Biggar Independent invites the public to participate in its letters to the Editor section. All letters must be signed. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
Notable Notes Bob Mason
I sing no idle song of dalliance days, No dreams Elysian inspire my rhyming. I have no Celia to enchant my days, No pipes of Pan have set my heart to chiming. I am no wordsmith dripping gems divine, Into the golden chalice of a sonnet. If love songs witch, close this book of mine, Waste no time on it! (Robert Service) Pretty good “rhymer” that service guy, eh? Everyone has heard Aesop’s fable about the Ant and the Grasshopper, and having in the past filled this column with a lot of grasshopper tunes, Your’s Truly decided that, for once, mebbe he should become a bit more serious and make like an Ant, eh? I know that the following paragraphs sounds an awful like the rantings of some grumpy, frustrated old man, and mebbe they are! Especially so, when for all his imaginary social wrongs, we are living pretty high on the hog! (Back Bacon, eh?) Y.T., who has always considered himself a pretty well-informed guy, doesn’t have a very good grasp on the “in’s” and “out’s” of Partisan Politics, but he does have his own personal opinion, and having been warned by the above verse, hopes the Reader will bear with him as he presents it! Being of another generation, he has always thought that the people in the small world around him were a straight-forward type that gets things done . . . period! People who did the ordinary, necessary things that made a
community function, and all the time believing that our democratic people in Ottawa did the same! Then he read a couple of books by Pierre Berton, telling about Canada’s early governments! Boy, was he ever surprised to find that a lot of Berton’s descriptions of the political backstabbing taking place back then were “Patronage”, “Subterfuge”, “Favourtism”, “Bias” and “Prejudice”. Do we have to accept these things along with democracy? Far more inquiring brains then most of us have considered and rethought this kind of question over and over for years! Leaving most of us to wonder if we should even try to answer them! part of our practical upbringing has always been: “We can do wonders if we work together!” Yet, how can we all “work together” and be partisan at the same time? There must be a reasonable explanation, and seeing that there is, why don’t we know it? Way, way back there in Greece (the “home” of democracy) The “Status Quo” (that’s us!), were responsible for knowing the workings of democracy through involvement (It’s your turn to think what it is, eh?) but I’m afraid that a lot of us aren’t being “involved” very much anymore! A while ago Yours Truly was talking to one of our elected representatives from Ottawa. “I hear tell,” I told him, as though I knew what I was talking about, “that the Galleries in our Government buildings aren’t full anymore!” Like many politicians, he countered my question by asking one of his own. “What is the latest buzz on ‘Coffee Row’,” he asked. “I imagine the things debated there are pretty important too!” Y.T. didn’t reply, because he knew that a lot of the expressions used on “C.R.” weren’t allowed in the House of Commons!
Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 Tel: 306-882-4105 Fax: 306-882-4108 THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5 Toll free; 1-855-762-2233 E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0 Please call with questions or concerns son must carefully follow activists, First Nations the recommendations spokespeople, The Tempassed by a panel of rep- perance Coalition, and resentatives of Munici- industrial environmental pal, Regional and Provin- specialists, et cetera and cial governments, local et cetera . . .
Our Political Pen
That was the end of my questionable questions, eh? For all the benefits of our modern communications system, do we know any more about our governments working than they did in 1869 or do we know as much? Or, even more importantly, do we care? Does the right partisan hand of society have any idea what it’s left hand is doing? How can our existing powers proclaim ours to be a “World Society” and still work toward cultural and economic isolationism? How can the global Mensa-backed authorities promise the world a better, more high-class way of life, while the millionaires of one country watch the people of nearby countries starve? Mebbe these are lousy, not-too-well-informed statements, but to Y.T. it seems that we have a big social problem here! It almost appears that once democracy is established in a country, the job is done. Not so! We continually have to repair and improve parts of it. I read somewhere that a Bill passed years ago, consisting of four pages with amendments, is now over a hundred pages long! And it is this kind of bureaucracy that contributes so much to our public galleries being empty! Y.T. thinks that to keep true democracy alive, we must introduce compulsory voting. We do have many other compulsory laws, and voting shouldn’t be a problem. Every one of us has an opinion and should be made to express it! It has been reported to society many times that the ignorance and lethargy of its people is making room for that “wrong road” to be followed, and empty galleries is one early sign. Right now we do seem to be sitting kind of pretty, Y.T. being a part-time pessimist and “thinks-heknows-everything” critic, sez “mebbe it’s just the calm before the storm!
The meteorological (some word, eh?) people, seem to be able to predict our weather pretty well, and I often wonder how for our economical types can see ahead. Mebbe they should look back a little, eh? Sometimes I wonder who is minding the democratic store, for whereas at one time there were only two decisions to be made, “Right” and “Wrong”, now, they tell me there are a thousand legal pages leading to blurred decisions by our leaders. Sometimes, when one sees those empty seats in our government galleries, they wonder why 101-year-old writers pick up their pens! So, there you have it! A quick run down about the State of the Nation from an old guy who pretends he is interested . . . and a big weight lifted from his shoulders! Why do we hesitate to be involved in political things? Y.T. sometimes wonders if mebbe a political wisecrack is the way to go. Mebbe he should just make a political wisecrack! So . . . Q: How many Canadians does it take to change a light bulb? A: One! But that per-
Jim Reiter, MLA
Rosetown-Elrose Constituency 215 Main Street, Rosetown Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 Tel: 306-882-4105 Fax: 306-882-4108 Toll free; 1-855-762-2233 E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0 Please call with questions or concerns
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
Chef Dez On Cooking - Culinary Stocking Stuffers Chef Dez on cooking Chef Dez
Being a man, I am sometimes mistakenly slotted into the stereotype of a last-minute shopper. Nothing could be further than the truth. Stressing about Christmas gifts because I have run out of time is not how I want to spend the days before Christmas. Therefore, to help you avoid this ordeal I am offering you some stocking stuffer ideas for the hobby chef on your list. Zester - This is a hand
tool that removes the aromatic, coloured segment of the peel from citrus fruits while leaving the white bitter pith part on the fruit. Great for adding extra citrus flavour to almost any recipe, or to enhance garnishing presentation. Mini Whisk – Approximately the same size of a ball point pen. It always comes in handy for small whisking applications like mixing individual drinks, beating one egg, or small amounts of sauce. I have even seen ones that are attached to a key chain hoop. Melon Baller – Great for its intended purpose of creating bite-size balls of melon, but works just as well on soft cheeses and an assortment of fruits and vegetables. Caramel-
ized balls of potato, for example, makes for an appealing side dish. Olive Pitter – This tool resembles a pair of spring-loaded pliers. It has a circular base to hold an olive on one of the ends, and a prod on the other. When squeezed together, the prod inserts into the olive and pushes the pit through the opposite side. It works great on cherries too. Garlic Press – I have gone through many poorly made garlic presses in the past, but there is one brand that has never let me down. I highly recommend the Switzerland made “Zyliss� brand. I have literally crushed hundreds of cloves with this brand, for the past 15 years, without fail. Apple Corer – Simply
push this tubular tool through the centre of an apple or pear, and proceed with slicing‌ or eating. Butcher’s Twine – Not only great for trussing stuffed turkeys, but also for chickens and a variety of stuffed roasts, meats, and seafood too. Silicone Spatula – Silicone kitchen tools like spatulas and bowl scrapers are great because they can withstand high heat temperatures and they are very flexible. Fantastic for omelets, where ones made of rubber or plastic would melt in the hot pan. Dough Scraper – Sometimes called a Bench Scraper - A flat-edged tool that easily scrapes dough or flour together on the counter. They are
available in metal or plastic. Great for anyone that likes to bake. Lemon Reamer – A wooden handheld tool to efficiently juice lemons or limes. Citrus Juice Sprayer – This small gadget is a spray pump that gets inserted directly into your favourite whole citrus fruit and allows you to spray juice directly from inside the fruit. Culinary Torch – Whether it’s for crème brulÊe, adding a bit more browning to a piece of meat, igniting a flambÊ, or for just lighting candles, this little device is awesome. It’s a small refillable torch that is kept in the kitchen for all these jobs and more. Cut Resistant Gloves – These are great for some-
one that is just learning how to use a knife, or someone who is not very steady with their hands. They are lightweight and washable too. I hope this helps relieve some of your shopping burdens. Small locally owned businesses need our help this year more than ever, so please take this list to your neighborhood specialty kitchen store. Whatever they don’t have in stock can be easily ordered online. Merry Christmas! Chef Dez is a Chef, Writer, & Host. Visit him at chefdez.com. Write to him at dez@ chefdez.com or P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, B.C., V2T 6R4.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
Agriculture
One disaster after another?
Agriculture Calvin Daniels
There is no doubt 2020 has been the most difficult year we have faced in Canada since at least the years this country sent troops to the Korean War with the uncertainty that would have caused for families and the threat of that conflict igniting a larger worldwide battle. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a battle of a different kind of course, one where the world is allied in their efforts to deal with a disease that has killed thousands, 55 to-date in Saskatchewan. Fifty-five may not sound like a huge number, but with more than 100 in our hospitals, the health care system is being stretched rather tight, and were numbers to spike even higher, perhaps after people risk gatherings for the holidays, a health sys-
tem wreck could be in the offing. As bad as COVID-19 has been, nearing 300,000 dead in the United States, and more than 12,000 in Canada, it could be worse. The disease is hardest on the aged, if the death toll were among children the effect of our public psyche would be much greater. So everyone, the farm community included, is looking forward to the end of 2020, forever to be known as the ‘Year of COVID’ with hopes 2021 will be better. Certainly on the COVID front there is an expectation of a vaccine in 2021 so that is a positive. But, farmers might be facing another serious issue arising in the next year. In a recent Western Producer story Drew Lerner, president of World Weather Inc. was quoted as stating “We are overdue for a multi-year drought. I am totally convinced of that.” Now weather prognosticators aren’t always on target. Some might suggest the only reliable indication of the weather is to stick your head out the window, with any other forecast at best being a
guess, albeit an educated guess, but anytime the word drought comes up farmers naturally shudder. Farmers face a lot of challenges in a normal year in terms of getting a crop to market. The annual production cycle is largely a minefield of obstacles to be avoided, or if they go off then they are dealt with. There is spring frost, and weeds, and bugs and plant disease, and too much heat, or not enough, and rain issues, followed by early fall frost, or early snows, machinery breakdowns and of course marketing challenges. Most can at least be dealt with, chemicals to kill bugs and disease and weeds, careful planning of planting to best avoid early frosts et cetera, but if the rains don’t come, the crop can easily be reduced, and in extreme drought conditions, a crop can be lost. Few things are thus scarier than the possibility of a multi-year drought, and if it arrives in 2021, it will impact Prairie farmers harder than the pandemic that has the world in its grip right now.
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THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7
to walk-ins HERE TO ASSIST YOU Closed but here to assist
Our constituency office is here to assist with government services and programs. Please contact us by phone or email to maintain social distancing. Call the HealthLine - 811 if you are experiencing symptoms and require medical advice For the latest information on COVID-19 visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Public inquiries may be emailed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca For general not health-specific inquires related to COVID-19 call 1-855-559-5502 The Business Response Team can be reached at 1-844-800-8688, emailing support for business@gov.sk.ca or by visiting www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-businesses Information on support for workers who have had their employment impacted by the current economic situation is found at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-workers
Randy Weekes MLA for Biggar-Sask Valley randyweekes.mla@accesscomm.ca / 306-948-4880 / 1-877-948-4880
20200330_Weekes_COVID-10 Info Ad.indd 1
3/30/2020 1:09:21 PM
THIS A 3 COLUMN BY 3 INCH COST $100.00
TOWN OF BIGGAR, SASKATCHEWAN PUBLIC NOTICE
ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT
Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Town of Biggar intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend Bylaw No. 15-763 known as The Zoning Bylaw. INTENT The proposed bylaw will: 1. Rezone from IND1 - Light Industrial to C1 - Town Centre Commercial, and 2. Rezone from R1 - Residential Low Density to C1 - Town Centre Commercial described below as affected lands. AFFECTED LAND The affected land to be rezoned in 1. is described as Lots 1-6, Block 1, Plan D4770 and Lots 8-11, Block 1 Plan D4770 and is shown on the map dashed in black which forms part of this notice. The affected land to be rezoned in 2. is described as Lot 7, Block 1, Plan D4770 and is shown on the map dashed in blue which forms part of this notice. REASON The reason for the amendment is to change the zoning of an existing business to a commercial zone to allow for the establihment of a dwelling unit in addition to a commercial operation. PUBLIC INSPECTION Any bylaw may be inspected by any person at the Town Office in Biggar, Saskatchewan, Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Copies of the bylaw are availabe to persons at a cost of $2.00. PUBLIC HEARING Council will hold a public hearing on the 5th day of January A.D., 2021 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Town Office in Biggar, Saskatchewan to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaw. Council will also consider written comments delivered to the undersigned at the Town Office before 12:00 noon on the 31st day of December A.D., 2020. Issued at Biggar, Saskatchewan this 3rd day of December, A.D., 2020. Marty Baroni, Chief Administrative Officer
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8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
The Saskatchewan Traveller
by Trudy and Dale Buxton We continue from Maidstone and travel north on highway 21 for about 50 kilometres. Turning left we head for Paradise Hill. On our way
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there we go by a heavy oil thermal unit from Husky Oil. This thermal unit has the capacity of producing 10,000 barrels a day and is one of the biggest employers in the area with 30-40 full-time people. We arrive at the Village of Paradise Hill with a population of around 500. Paradise Hill was originally named as a “Hill of Paradise� by early settlers of the Gold rush. The name stuck as Paradise Hill. Paradise Hill is nestled against a picturesque tree covered hillside, surrounded by rolling hills and plenty of nearby lakes within 30 minutes. Paradise Hill is part of the Carlton Trail, which was the primary land route of the Hudson Bay Company in the northwest connecting Fort Carlton near Duck Lake to Edmonton. Visit the nearby historic sites at Frenchman Butte, known for the Battle of Frenchman Butte, when a force of Cree dug
into a hillside but was unsuccessful against an Alberta Field Force, also along the route is the historic site of Fort Pitt. One cannot make a stop a Paradise Hill without stopping at the “Paradise Hill Ranch and Western Wear� which has a little bit of everything, and is Saskatchewan’s largest, locally owned family business, consisting of over 12,000 square feet of retail space. Continuing on our trip, we head east on Highway 3 and travel to St.Walburg. The Town of St.Walburg has a population of around 750 people. The
Can you spot the person Surprise, who has hearing loss? They All Do!
Do you have hearing loss?
40% of adult canadians have hearing loss (CHMS 2012-2015)
1 2 3
Do you feel people are mumbling? Do you turn up the television? Do you have ringing in your ears?
4 5 6
Do you experience difficulty hearing in a crowd? Do you ask friends or family to repeat themselves? Is it hard to hear someone from a different room?
Risks associated with hearing loss: fatigue, tension, stress and depression avoidance or withdrawal from social situations Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks Diminished psychological and overall health
(306) 445-5700 #2 11204 Railway Ave. E North Battleford, SK
Leo Schwebius, left, Grand Knight of Council 5549, Knights of Columbus, presented Bob Gruber with an Honorary Knights of Columbus Life Membership and Pin. Council 5549 includes Knights from Landis, Leipzig, and Handel.
main industries are tourism and farming. Just outside of St.Walburg you will find the Berthold Von Imhoff Museum. Berthold Von Imhoff was born into nobility in Germany and became a famous artist. He moved his family from Germany to the USA and later into St.Walburg to avoid distractions. He built a studio where he could paint, which now contains over 200 paintings. If your hungry, you cannot go past St.Walburg until you have had a meal at The Farm House Inn. This restaurant is on our list as one of the best places to eat. The first thing you notice is the building itself which is spectacular and then the inside furnishings are very well done. Once seated the service is very good and the food is fantastic, definitely a place to go. St.Walburg is a nice area to enjoy the many lakes that surround the town and the many recreational activities that go with it. Stay tuned for further adventures.
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
DĞŵďĞƌ ƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ƌĂǁ NŽƌŵĂůůLJ ǁĞ ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ŚŽƐƟŶŐ ŽƵƌ ŵĞŵďĞƌ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ tŝŶĞ ĂŶĚ ŚĞĞƐĞ ^ŽĐŝĂů ƌŝŐŚƚ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ŶŽǁ͘
Ɛ LJŽƵ ĂƌĞ ĂǁĂƌĞ͕ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ ƌĞƐƚƌŝĐƟŽŶƐ ǁĞ ǁŽŶ͛ƚ ďĞ ĂďůĞ ƚŽ ĐĞůĞďƌĂƚĞ ǁŝƚŚ LJŽƵ ŝŶ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ƚŚŝƐ LJĞĂƌ͘ /ŶƐƚĞĂĚ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ƵƐƵĂů tŝŶĞ ĂŶĚ ŚĞĞƐĞ ^ŽĐŝĂů ǁĞ ĂƌĞ ŚĂǀŝŶŐ Ă ƉƌŝnjĞ ĚƌĂǁ͘ tĞ ŚĂǀĞ ĨŽƵƌ ƐĞĂƐŽŶĂů ƐůĞŝŐŚƐ ĮůůĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ďƌŝŵ ǁŝƚŚ ǀĞƌLJ ĨĞƐƟǀĞ ĐŽŶƚĞŶƚƐ͊ tĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĚƌĂǁŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƚǁŽ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐůĞŝŐŚƐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ŝŐŐĂƌ ƌĂŶĐŚ ĂŶĚ ŽŶĞ ĞĂĐŚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ >ĂŶĚŝƐ ĂŶĚ WĞƌĚƵĞ ƌĂŶĐŚĞƐ͘ tŚĂƚ ĚŽ LJŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ƚŽ ĚŽ ƚŽ ďĞ ĞŶƚĞƌĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĚƌĂǁ͍ ďƐŽůƵƚĞůLJ ŶŽƚŚŝŶŐ͊ tĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĚƌĂǁŝŶŐ ƌĂŶĚŽŵůLJ ĨƌŽŵ ĂŵŽŶŐ ŽƵƌ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ͘ dŚĞ ĚƌĂǁƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŵĂĚĞ ŽŶ ĞŵďĞƌ ϭϴƚŚ͘ tŝŶŶĞƌƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŶŽƟĮĞĚ ďLJ ƉŚŽŶĞ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ǁŝŶŶĞƌ͛Ɛ ŶĂŵĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƉŽƐƚĞĚ ŽŶ &ĂĐĞŬ͘
ĞƐƚ ǁŝƐŚĞƐ ĨŽƌ Ă ǁŽŶĚĞƌĨƵů ŚŽůŝĚĂLJ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ͕ ĨƌŽŵ Ăůů ŽĨ ƵƐ Ăƚ ŝŐŐĂƌ Θ ŝƐƚƌŝĐƚ ƌĞĚŝƚ hŶŝŽŶ͘ tĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƚĞ LJŽƵƌ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĂŶĚ ůŽŽŬ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƚŽ ƐĞĞŝŶŐ LJŽƵ ŝŶ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ŶĞdžƚ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ Ăƚ ŽƵƌ tŝŶĞ ĂŶĚ ŚĞĞƐĞ ^ŽĐŝĂů͘
Marcel Poirier was the winner of last month’s What’s it? He knew it was an item used for darning socks, often called a mushroom! Probably
because it is shaped like a mushroom, heh? The What’s it? for December is up and ready for everyone to guess on it! The What’s it? lady is sure she
will stump you all this time! (Photo courtesy of Biggar Museum and Gallery)
Coin removed from man’s nose after being stuck for more than 50 years A man has finally had a coin removed from his nose after it was stuck for more than half a century. The 59-year-old unnamed Russian man was aged just six when he wedged the money into his right nostril. He was ‘too scared’ to tell his ‘strict’ mother about it and then later ‘forgot,’ local media reported. The man apparently managed to live for the next 50 years unimpeded by the blockage until recently stared complaining he could not breath at all in his right nostril. He went to hospital and was given a scan which showed the unexpected object in the nasal passage.
Rhinoliths – stones in the nasal cavity – had formed around the coin, constricting his ability to breathe. Medics carried out endoscopic surgery under general anaesthetic removing the stones and retrieving the Soviet one kopek coin from his nose after 53 years. The money – officially worth around one penny at the time – ceased to be used in Russia after the USSR’s collapse in 1991 and the hammer and sickle emblem was no longer visible on the coin. Specialist otorhinolaryngologist Elena Nepryakhina said: ‘We operated on Friday and he was discharged on Monday. He has regained full nasal
Advertising doesn’t cost . . . it pays!
breathing.’ The man’s not the first person to become reacquainted with a foreign object lost up the nose many decades earlier. In 2015, Steve Easton, then 51, from Surrey in the UK, had a sneezing fit during which the tip of a toy dart shot out of his nose. He’d put it up there aged 7 and his parents had taken him to hospital at the time but doctors were unable to remove it. Mr Easton had often suffered headaches and sniffles which he put down to hay fever. He said he was completely unaware the dart had been stuck in his nose for 44 years.
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10-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
There is always something happening at the museum Volunteers…what would we do without them?
by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery Hanging in my office I have this quotation “Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year but when
you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” Here in the Biggar Museum and Gallery we have been fund raising during this season. We have had our Cookie Sale,
Nettie Beckett donated the little village, and the Biggar Art Group donated the bell pulls in the window.
Landmark Business falls . . .
The Duperow Coop was demolished this past December 1, marking a sad day for members and the area that it so graciously served. While the new facility near Biggar will better serve an expanding membership, the old Duperow location was a hub and much cherished business for local farmers and residents. It will be missed! (Photos for The Independent by Georgina Heather)
and the Christmas Magic Auction is still happening. So much of what we are doing right now is a result of community members volunteering their time . . . or voting for the kind of community they want to live in. We have also been decorating the lobby, gallery and museum. The big Christmas tree is in the museum. The gallery is looking so beautiful with all the Christmas Magic Auction donations set up by the volunteers and board members. Come in to see what you could be bidding on. It is a safe
environment; masks are worn and there are hand sanitizer stations at each entrance. The Poinsettias on the piano in the lobby are from the Friends of St Gabriel’s Association fund raiser, managed by volunteers. The banners in the window were painted by the Biggar Arts Group, volunteers who share their skills and give back to the community. They organize the local art exhibits in the Credit Union, on the banners in the museum, and on other years, the banners in the long-term
The nativity scene donated by Father Bedard, to make sure we do not forget the reason why we celebrate at Christmas.
care lodge. Our community thrives despite a worldwide pandemic. Volunteers are still out there, doing what they can to keep some sort of normal. We are informed by a volunteer daily on the information
we need to know about the spread of COVID-19. Our volunteers are a big part of what makes our community carry on, people who everyday vote for the community they want to live in, a very generous community.
The original piano from the Majestic Theatre all dressed up for the season, poinsettias from the Friends of St. Gabriel’s Association. (Photos courtesy of Biggar Museum and Gallery)
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
A year in sports to forget
Penton on sports Bruce Penton
The best thing about 2020 is that it’s almost over. Can 2021 or ’22 possibly be worse? Not a chance. Or so the world hopes. The COVID-19 pandemic killed hundreds of thousands of people around the world and, in a truly immaterial sidebar, dealt chaos and confusion to the world of sports. Professional sports leagues stopped abruptly in mid-March, leaving league officials, team owners, players, fans and TV networks in the dark for a couple of months about what the future might hold. Thousands of people were suddenly on the unemployment lines -
people who sold hot dogs, took tickets and provided stadium security, among dozens of other tasks associated with a game of a professional team sport. No longer will a pitcher’s injured elbow, a basketball player’s torn Achilles tendon or a hockey players broken nose be regarded as the worst thing that could possibly happen to a player. Having his or her job suddenly taken away is worse. The sport least affected by the COVID-19 outbreak was professional football, at least in the United States. The National Football League’s season wrapped up with the Super Bowl in early February, and the pandemic reared its ugly head in North America in March, so the NFL had a full six months to put in place a plan to run its 2020 season. It’s been able to, with only a few pandemic-related hiccups. Pro hockey and pro basketball resumed action, in bubble setups, to deter-
mine champions and, for the most part, it worked, even though fans could watch the action only on television or streaming services. Baseball manufactured a modified season and determined a champion. Will there be asterisks beside the titles won by the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and MLB’s L.A. Dodgers? Probably, but the victories were legit. Too bad for the Canadian Football League, however. While NHL, MLB and NBA teams have owners with deep pockets, and able to absorb a season without fans, the same could not be said for the CFL, which abandoned the 2020 season entirely, while making plans for a full restart in June, 2021. Professional golf was another sport that semisurvived the pandemic. It took three months off, rearranged its schedule, resumed in mid-June, did regular testing of its players, allowed no spec-
tators, and TV networks reaped the benefits of regular sports programming. Sports fans have been promised - no guarantees, though - of a near-normal 2021. The NHL and NBA are both planning latestarting, shortened seasons, with regular players in mid-2021. MLB is on track for a late-winter start. Post-vaccine, fans will be allowed to return, merchandise will be sold, raucous cheering will fill the stadiums and beer will be spilled. And if we’re lucky, we can program our minds to forget that 2020 even happened. • Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “The No. 19 who made the biggest impact in pro-football history was: a) Unitas; b) Alworth; c) COVID” • Saints coach Sean Payton, after his team’s 31-3 win over hometown Denver Broncos, who played the NFL game without a legitimate quarterback, thanks to COVID-19: “I felt bad for the cardboard
20122ge0
fans.” • Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “Anthony Davis has re-signed with the Lakers for a five-year deal for $190 million. That works out to $190 million for each of his eyebrows.” • Kaseberg again: “Fiftyfour-year-old Mike Tyson and 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. fought to a draw. They’re talking about a rematch in Las Vegas. It will billed as ‘The Geezers at Caesars’.” • RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “Scientists say video evidence has proven fetuses can yawn hundreds of times in the womb. Thousands of times if Mom is a New York Jets fan.” • Headline at fark.com, after the Russell Westbrook-to-Washington Wizards trade for John Wall: “Washington is finally giving Texas a Wall.” • Dwight Perry again: “The Ravens-Steelers game, originally scheduled for Nov. 26, was moved to Nov. 29 and
then Nov. 30 because of COVID-19 before finally getting played on Dec. 1. Broncos fans - forced to watch their team play on without a bona fide QB are calling for an illegal shift.” • Raiders coach Jon Gruden, to reporters, on what it was like watching film of his team’s 43-6 loss to the Falcons: “When you go to the dentist and have to have your teeth pulled out? It’s pretty much like that.” • Ryan Brown of Birmingham’s WJOX Radio, via Twitter, after watching six consecutive quarters of Kentucky football: “Hoping if I’m ever convicted of a major crime this will count as time served.” • Rapper Snoop Dogg, commentating on the pay-per-view telecast of the Tyson-Jones fight: “Like two of my uncles fighting at a barbecue!” Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca.
12 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
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ARIES CANCER Jun 22/Jul 22 Mar 21/Apr 20 Cancer, be confident Aries, exciting news could be coming your this week and do not way that could bring take “no” for an answer. much joy into your life. 2 col/6 It can be easy to get thrown off course when It’s just what you need right now. Enjoy the ride others offer their views on how things should be in the coming days. TAURUS done. Stand firm. DB Brett… SAFETY LEO Apr 21/May 21 BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN SERVICE People may be trying Jul 23/Aug 23 Price… inches = $201.50 1ST AID2.5 You may be surprised to convert you by tells FLOWERS plus gst per 6-month prepaid TRAINING s CUSTOM WEDDING ing you their thoughts how cutting edge your DECORATING & EVENTS 1st Aid commitment. training on-line and opinions, Taurus. thinking can be, Leo. Put s RENTALS… 4ENTS or classroom. $120 "OUNCY #ASTLE some effort into innovaYou can listen, but folRe-Certs $85 Please get back towith me withtive ideas. Be a leader low your own mind Red Cross 306-948-9750 Canadian changes/corrections at work this week and important decisions. by return rd For More Info: 102 - 3 email this morning. GEMINI welcome any new sugdale@dtjssb.ca Ave. West, gestions. orMay 22/Jun 21 Biggar, Sask. Thanks Urla VIRGO Gemini, before you 951-7700 newufitness@sasktel.net Aug 24/Sept 22 try to prove your point 948-3344 /WNED AND OPERATED BY "RETT "ARBER to others, make sure Let others know you will not be a pushover, you have all of the facts DB SAFETY Virgo. Sometimes you and proof to state your SERVICE cave to the pressures of case; otherwise, sound thoughts may fall on others, especially when 1ST AID deaf ears. you feel the need to help TRAINING out. Focus on your needs 1st Aid training on-line this week. or classroom. $120
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
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THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK-13
LIBRA Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, if you know you have something important to share or do, be bold and make your move. Waiting for others to go first may cause you to miss an opportunity. SCORPIO Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, sometimes you are so resolute in your thinking that you feel the need to get your ideas across to everyone. Do not make promises unless you can keep them. SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, even if your ways of doing things have served you well, it may be time to revise your modus operandi to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
CAPRICORN Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, a quick call to a friend can easily turn into a lengthy conversation. There is much to say and catching up to do. Enjoy the time you have with this person. AQUARIUS Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, you may feel a bit pressured to start something you really aren’t ready for. Take it slowly and think it through before you jump into the action. PISCES Feb 19/Mar 20 You may be anxious to get moving with a new plan that you’ve hatched, Pisces. If you have all of the facts, move ahead.
14 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
Independent Classifieds
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
REFLECTIONS
by Pastor Ken Davidson, Perdue United Church It is the Advent Season, so what Then came a poor man that was do we do? We wait for the arrival of hungry and cold. So this kind man Christ! The little baby Jesus! gave him food and warm boots. For the little children, it is all Then there came a woman who about the presents. Were you good was hungry and lonely, so the kind enough this year to receive the item man gave her food and visited with or more likely the items you asked her for a time. for? Let me be on the Good List and It was getting late by then. The not the Naughty List! man said, “Lord why have You not For the children it is whether or come to my house as You had said not they can live up to the approval You would?” of the Jolly, Fat Man! For those of The Lord answered, “I came to us with a few more Christmases your house, three times and you under our belts, we live more to be treated Me well.” loyal to three others, who we try to emulate throughout the year. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Three In One God that has given us so much more than we could ever earn or deserve! For the children it’s about the presents, for all of God’s children it is about “His Presence!” Mathew 24:33 says: He is near, ready to come.” There is a song I believe may have been sung by Rita MacNeil, likely others as well, where “The Son of God” tells a man that He shall eat at this man’s table that day! First there came a child who had lost his mother, and the man helped ÀQG WKH ORVW ER\V· PRWKHU
No man knows how, when or at what hour the Lord shall come, so we must be ready and treat all in the way we would treat Jesus! I may have messed that song up a bit, but, I think you get the point! There is another song that says “I believe there are angels among us.” I too believe that! There are many things that cannot be explained, things that were accomplished only by God’s intervention. I guess the whole point I am trying to make is that we should treat
each and every person we meet or encounter as though they were Jesus! I think this has started to form a type of ministry in my mind. We all have a piece of God within us. We are all God’s children, and deserve to be treated with love, dignity and respect. Few things restore my soul more than the thought of God’s People reaching out and helping to calm and save a world of people that are so broken.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
Obituary MICHALINA "MAE" (PYLYPIW) CHORNEYKO Family is sad to announce the passing of Mae Chorneyko, (80 years old) at the Biggar & District Health Care Centre Long Term Care Home on November 15th, 2020. Mae was born in Pulp River, Manitoba on September 9th, 1940. She married Michael Chorneyko on July 17th, 1959. They resided in Dauphin, Manitoba before heading west to Biggar, Saskatchewan in 1973 to raise their family. Mae worked at the Biggar Union Hospital until retirement in 1995. She loved her flower and vegetable gardens. Mae is survived by; her sons, Wayne, Dwight, Brent (Michelle); daughters, Lisa (Ken), Karen (Warren); grandsons, Tyler, Michael, Corey, Alex, Jonathan, Calvin, Cody; granddaughters, Lindsay (Tyson), Kailee, Ashlee, Alyssa, ShaeLynne, Rachelle, Santaya; great granddaughter, Rylee; sisters, Helen, Alice; step-brothers, Ed, John, Joe, Marcel; step-sisters, Sonia, Natalie; many nieces & nephews and extended family. Mae was predeceased by; her husband, Michael Chorneyko (2008); granddaughter, Tanya; brother Alvin; sister, Emily; step-brother, Clifford; father, John Pylypiw; mother, Sabina (nee Soshycki); stepfather, Wasyl Soloway. Thank you to Shannon and staff at Sunshine family care home, Dr Muller and staff at Biggar & District Health Centre for caring for Mae the last 3 years. There will be no service at this time. In leiu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Alzheimer Society, 1405 Faulkner Crescent, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. S7L 3R5 Gerein Funeral Service, Biggar, SK entrusted with arrangements; 306-9482669, info@gereinfuneralservice.com; www.gereinfuneralservice.com
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www.biggarindependent.ca
BIGGAR INDEPENDENT ONLINE
For Rent Central Park Place
has apartments for seniors available in Biggar. Call 948-3901 or 948-7824
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1 or 2 bedroom, heat and water supplied, wired for cable TV and satellite systems, laundry facilities, appliances, some suites with dishwahers, air conditioning, parking with plug-ins. For more information call: Risa Management at 306-665-2300 or Andre at 306831-4430
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 15
COMING EVENTS Biggar Museum Christmas Magic Auction will be online, at Facebook “Biggar Museum’s Christmas Magic Auction�. last day for bidding will be Saturday, December 12, at 3:00pm. All items on display in the gallery at 105-3rd Ave. West Open Tuesday-Friday 9:00 - 12:00 1:00 - 5:00, Monday 1:00 - 5:00
Looking for aerial photos of farms from the Biggar RM. Looking to have an exhibit in the Biggar Museum & Gallery for January. Can you bring in your aerial photo, and invite your neighbours to show theirs’s? Before and now shots welcome. Will be hung by professionals, under lock and key in a safe environment. Call 306-9483451 for more information. We will accept the framed photos QRZ XQWLO ÀUVW week in January.
SALE BY TENDER FOR SALE BY TENDER
Tenders will be accepted on the following parcels of land located in the RM of Grandview No 349, approximately 3 miles east of Kelfield and 3 miles north. NW 4-35-18-W3 approx. 150 cult. acres NE 8-35-18-W3 approx. 155 cult. acres NW 8-35-18-W3 approx. 150 cult. acres SE 8-35-18-W3 approx. 145 cult. acres SW 8-35-18-W3 approx. 140 cult. acres Tenders will be accepted no later than 3 pm Dec 23, 2020 Highest or any tender not necesarily accepted. Tenders may be sent mash4@sasktel.net or G. Weese, Box 61, Wilkie Sk. S0K 4W0.
Land for Rent
3 year cash lease. Payments due May 1st and December 1st. R.M. of Rosemount #378 NE 04-39-17 W3rd 80 acres SE 04-39-17 W3rd 160 acres R.M. of Reford #379 NW 35-38-18 W3rd 160 acres Deadline for Tenders is: December 24th, 2020 5:00pm Highest or any lease offer not necessarily accepted. Send offers: Ken Kobelsky Box 602, Biggar, SK S0K 0M0
St. Gabriel Roman Catholic Church 109 - 7th Ave. W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney Parish Phone: 306-948-3330 SATURDAY MASS TIME • 7:00 p.m. SUNDAY MASS TIME • 11:00 a.m. By Appointment, Phone the Parish to Book Your Time
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Landis SUNDAY MASS TIME • 9 a.m. Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans will be suspending in person worship for December and January due to the rise in COVID cases. We will be doing a Facebook live service of Lessons and Carols on December 13 and Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m. both evenings. For more information/pastoral services, phone Cindy Hoppe at 948-2947 or John Bennett at 948-2852.
BIGGAR ASSOCIATED GOSPEL CHURCH 312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar
Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m. 7HZ[VY +V\N 4V[a *O\YJO VɉJL WOVUL
BIGGAR UNITED CHURCH 907 Quebec St./corner Turnbull Ave., Biggar
SUNDAY Services 11 a.m. Covid 19 Guidelines Apply Masks Required INQUIRIES CALL CHURCH OFFICE 306-948-2280 LEAVE MESSAGE
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
SATURDAY SERVICES
Church Service‌11 a.m. Temporary Location at: 403 2nd ave. east in Biggar Contact: 306-948-2481 www.amazingfacts.org
Notice to creditors 56;0*, ;6 *9,+0;69: IN THE ESTATE OF RALPH CRAWFORD, LATE OF THE VILLAGE OF PERDUE, IN THE PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN, DECEASED: ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE, duly verified by Statutory Declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 31ST day of December, 2020. BUSSE LAW PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION Barristers and Solicitors 302 Main Street, Box 669 BIGGAR,Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
SOLICITORS FOR THE EXECUTOR
16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
Having a mullet is back and the kids are winning the “Style”
The Rack gets hairy for Movember . . . The Rack had some rather rough looking folk gracing their workplace for the month of November as they raised money for Movember. The employees raised $11,630 which in turn was matched by The Rack, all for a total of $23,260, all going to tackling prostate and testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Outstanding effort from a great local business! (Submitted Photos)
Mullets have been quite the hairdo over time, and are often loved or hated. But this Texas boy was praised for his good looks and took the top prize in Mullet Champ USA’s 2020 Kids Mullet Championship. At 8 years old, Jax received over 20,000 votes and over 50,000 social media reactions, winning first place for his curly mullet. According to the contest officials, he also won a $500 cash prize and a gift card package of the Bridge Street Exchange. Noah from Illinois was just 12 and won second place along with a $200 cash prize. He was also awarded Neff shades and a gift card package. And Jude, 7, from Colorado took third place, winning a cash prize, shades, and a gift card package as well. The contest was popular and in turn gained a lot of traffic on Facebook. The winners were determined on October 27, after all the votes were authenticated. “The contest has blown up with over 20,000 votes from all over the country! It has been truly amazing to
see these kids get all the spotlight and have this contest get picked up by the local news, radio stations, and even national outlets! During these tough times it’s important to have fun. This is exactly what 2020 needed!” contest officials said in a statement. It really is true, this has been a rough year for legit the whole world so the more fun things to happen, the better. Also, mullets are coming back, so watch out
for the style, or maybe have your kid grow out and they may win 2021’s kid’s mullet contest. After all, it’s the year of quarantine cuts, making it totally acceptable to have all kinds of haircuts, or not having a haircut in some cases. And now that winter is coming, and on top of that we are supposed to be staying home, it’s the perfect time to do whatever you want with your hair.
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Biggar Flower Shoppe Main Street Biggar 948-2616
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