issue 9

Nominations being sought for Mother of the Year celebration

by Kevin Brautigam of The Independent

If you think your Mom is the best, or you know of a special woman in your life, you have until April 11 to nominate her for Biggar Community Connections annual Mother of the Year celebrations this May 1.

The Mother of the Year Tea, to be held at the Biggar Community Hall, brings together women nominated from their respective communities not necessarily mothers - all to raise needed funds for the Biggar Community Connections. It not only is a chance to treat those special women, but a great chance to treat yourself to an afternoon of pampering, good company, and entertainment.

Nominations for Biggar’s Mother of the Year are currently being sought.

Nearby communities will be holding nominations for their Mother of the Year, also to be honoured at the

tea in Biggar.

If you know someone who deserves a bit of pampering, send in a small explanation -- about 150 words -- to the Biggar Community Connections, Box 1690, 102 Sixth Avenue East, or to The Biggar Independent, Box 40, 102 Third Avenue West.

Deadline for nominations is noon, April 11, with voting to take place throughout the month of April.

Those special ladies will be introduced to the community at 2 p.m. on May 1 at the Biggar Community Hall.

may be a portent of one final blast of winter. (Independent

for NWT made the announcement February 10.

NWT currently has 3,277,915 outstanding Class A and B shares. In addition to the $0.22 per share dividend to all Class A and B shareholders, Class A shareholders will also receive a $0.33 per share preferential dividend.

Overall, a total of $735,991.30 will be returned back to shareholders.

NWT’s original shares were issued at a price of $3.33 per share in 1995.

The company issued additional shares in 2000 at $3.67 per share, and in 2007 at $5.63 per share.

February 9, 2012 was set as the date of record for all holders of Class A and B shares. Dividend cheques are expected to be mailed out in the first two weeks of March 2012.

“We are very pleased to be able to pay a dividend to the shareholder again this year,” says NWT president, Jim Skinner.

“The company is coming off a successful year for both its grain handling and biofuels operations.

As I stated in the past, it is the board’s philosophy that we continue paying shareholders regular

Unity.

North West Terminal is an independent, farmer-

Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

NWT announces dividend North West Terminal (NWT) has announced a $0.22 per share dividend to shareholders following what they call a “successful year in 2011-12.”

The Board of Directors

‘Cake Connoisseur . . . Griffin Lehnert flips a pancake February 21 at the Biggar New Horizons as St. Paul’s Anglican Church held their annual Shrove Tuesday supper. The day precedes Ash Wednesday, and is a day of feasting and celebration. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Winter solitude . . . North of Biggar, Mother Nature can put on a show when she wants to. The ominous sky

dividends when profits allow.”

Skinner farms near

shareholder owned company headquartered near Unity.

Record coverage for 2012 Crop Insurance Program The 2012 Crop Insurance Program will include an Unseeded Acreage Benefit of up to $100 per eligible acre, as well as another year of record funding and record coverage levels.

“We have worked closely with the Province of Saskatchewan to expand Crop Insurance coverage for unseedable acres,” said Yorkton-Melville MP Garry Breitkreuz, on behalf of federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “With stronger and broader coverage, Crop Insurance is now better positioned to help producers manage the risk of excess moisture and flooding. We encourage producers to enrol in Crop Insurance so they are best positioned for the coming growing season.”

“We are working to improve the Crop Insurance program for producers by providing record funding, record coverage levels, an improved Unseeded Acreage Benefit and numerous other program enhancements,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said.

“With this year’s program improvements, as well as those we have made over

the previous four years, I encourage all producers to consider enrolling in Crop Insurance in 2012.”

The 2012 Provincial Crop Insurance budget is at a record high of $177 million. Coverage levels are increasing to a record high $174 per acre, on average.

This is nearly double the average coverage level offered to producers under the previous government in 2007. Since 2008, Crop Insurance has introduced the five largest budgets and highest coverage levels in the program’s history.

New in 2012, producers will have the option to supplement the Unseeded Acreage Benefit of $70 per eligible acre by purchasing either $15 or $30 per acre in additional coverage. In addition, the Unseeded Acreage Benefit calculation has also been simplified.

Crop Insurance will now also provide coverage to commercial fruit growers for the replacement of Saskatoon bushes, dwarf sour cherry and haskap fruit trees.

Yield cushioning is also being extended to include forage crops. This feature

limits the impact of consecutive poor growing seasons, such as excess moisture or drought, on a producer’s coverage level.

In 2012 establishment benefit values will also increase from $20 to $25 per acre for oats, canary seed, fall rye, spring rye and triticale.

Overall, this year’s Crop Insurance Program will provide more options and improved coverage for producers. As a result, there will be no AgriRecovery program for weather-related disasters in 2012. “ T h e S a s k a t c h e wa n Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is pleased Crop Insurance continues to make program improvements,” SARM President David Marit said.

“The increased coverage, enhanced Unseeded Acreage Benefit and other improvements will help producers manage their risk.”

“Saskatchewan oat growers will benefit from these continued program improvements, including increased coverage and establishment benefit values, …see Coverage, cont. pg

2 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Boyd leads resources investment mission to China and Australia Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd left Sunday for a two-week resources investment mission to China and Australia.

Boyd and a small government delegation headed to Beijing, Shandong, Melbourne and Adelaide, February 19 to March 3.

The minister will promote business investment and market development opportunities in Saskatchewan, with an emphasis

on uranium, potash and oil projects. He will also connect with major companies that already have investments in the province.

“Saskatchewan’s resource riches are in the international spotlight more than ever before and projects here have attracted considerable interest and capital from Asian and Australian

investors,” Boyd said.

“Missions such as this one keep that momentum going and reinforce the advantages of doing busi-

“This mission is also very timely, in that it follows closely on Prime Minister Harper’s recent mission to China

Offshore Oil Corporation, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

The minister will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on scientific and technical research cooperation on uranium geology with the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, a research establishment of the China National Nuclear Corporation.

The Australian leg of the mission includes meetings with BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, international mining companies that are developing potash and uranium projects in Saskatchewan. The minister will tour BHP Billiton’s large Olympic Dam mine which produces copper and gold in addition to uranium.

“Saskatchewan’s resource riches are in the international spotlight more than ever before . . .” ness in our ‘resource-full’ province with existing and potential investors and customers.

Cover the province with one phone call.

Place a blanket classified ... for more information call

306-948-3344

and the new deal he concluded that will allow Saskatchewan uranium sales to China. I expect our uranium resources and the energy opportunities they afford to be top of mind in a number of the meetings that I’ll have in Beijing.”

Private companies and government agencies that Boyd will meet with in China include the China Investment Corporation, the China National Nuclear Corporation; Sinofert, Canpotex, the China Development Bank, the China National

While in Adelaide, Boyd will also meet with South Australia’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Tom Koutsantonis. Saskatchewan has had a MOU in place with that Australian state for the past three years, covering technical exchanges of geoscience and regulatory information between the two jurisdictions.

“This information-sharing relationship with South Australia has been very valuable to our government and our mining industry,” Boyd said. “It’s added to our understanding of the nature of the rich deposits in our Athabasca Basin, and that new knowledge is already being applied in mineral exploration up north.”

Boyd will be accompanied on the mission by four officials from Energy and Resources and Executive Council Intergovernmental Affairs.

12025MS01

Your safety is our priority.

As the busy construction season and spring thaw approaches, safety on the job site and in communities around the province remains SaskEnergy’s top priority. We’re investing more time and money in safety initiatives to meet new challenges, while continuously improving safety practises and procedures.

With your support, SaskEnergy is …

INVESTING IN SAFETY

WORKING WITH YOU, FOR YOU

We’ve increased safety spending to $79 million for 2012 to elevate the safety related system upgrading for our 80,000 km pipeline system.

SaskEnergy works closely with industry associations, natural gas utilities across Canada and provincial regulatory bodies to maintain best practises for safety.

We appreciate feedback from our customers and key stakeholders as well.

We want to keep you informed of our efforts and the actions you can take to assist with keeping our communities safe.

We have more than 600 technicians and tradespeople, construction workers, engineers, technologists, and customer service employees working in communities across the province to deliver safe and reliable natural gas service.

Whether buildings are being constructed, renovated or taken down, or you are planning to excavate, our team uses tools and techniques before work begins to make job sites safer. For example, a new building demolition process of deactivating service lines at a demolition site is now in place.

Each year, our highly-trained people manage over 100,000 work orders of proactive safety related activities while also responding 24/7 – at no charge – to 24,000 calls from homes and businesses to provide safety checks and peace of mind for our customers.

The most vital element of SaskEnergy’s safety initiatives is YOU! Make sure you know where underground lines are before you dig, by contacting Sask1st Call on-line at www.sask1stcall.com or call 1-866-828-4888.

When planning a building demolition project, contact SaskEnergy at 1-888-7000-GAS (427).

Most importantly, if you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately and contact SaskEnergy at 1-888-7000-GAS (427).

Let’s stay safe by working together. saskenergy.com

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Council Minute highlights The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held February 7, at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Attending the meeting were Mayor Ray Sadler, Aldermen Ron Arnold, Jim Besse, Don Cleaveley, Penny McCallum, Eugene Motruk, and Kirk Sherbino.

Council resolved that the General Accounts Pa i d i n t h e a m o u n t of $123,458.23, and the General Accounts Payable in the amount of $30,610.02, be approved.

Council resolved that the Agreement to Purchase Land for Biggar Tire Centre to purchase 25-feet on the east side of Parcel D Plan 101970266, be approved and duly signed by the town’s official to execute the agreement.

Council resolved that the request from BCS 2000 to sponsor the yearbook in the amount of $50 be approved.

Council resolved that the following be transferred to reserves for 2011: General Reserve - Transit Van - $2,000.

Council resolved that a 2012 Dodge half ton be purchased from Dodge City Auto at a total cost of $28,361.50.

Council resolved that each Biggar Recreation Board member be given a $50 voucher to be used towards a season pass at one of the recreation facilities.

Council resolved that the invoice from Southwest Paving in the amount of $4,410 be approved for payment.

Council resolved that the quote from McBee Construction to build a circulation desk at the town library, in the

amount of $13,196.54 plus taxes, be accepted.

Council resolved that the invoices from Dorosh Painting and Contracting to paint the Biggar Community Hall interior dance area, in the amount of $2,950 plus GST, be authorized for payment.

Council resolved that the invoice totalling $7,100.10 from K and S Contracting to remove and replace 70-feet of interior wall at the Biggar Community Hall that was moisture damaged, be approved for payment.

Council resolved that Altus Geomatics be authorized to complete a subdivision in Parcel “B” Plan 98MW03012-3 SW 1/4 Section 5-36-14-3, and further that Altus Geomatics be authorized to submit and process the subdivision application to the Ministry of Municipal A f f a i r s, C o m m u n i t y Planning branch.

Council resolved that the Community Planning application fee of $350 be authorized for payment to the Minister of Finance.

Council resolved that the request from the Friends of the Lodge committee to waive the hall rental fee for the February 11, 2012 Valentine’s Day Dine and Dance fund raiser, be approved.

• Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.

as well as further enhancements to the Unseeded Acreage Benefit,” Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission Chairman Dwayne Anderson said.

“We are pleased Crop Insurance continues to improve its programs to address the needs of

Friday, February 24, 11:30 a.m. (stations randomly selected)

Biggar ....................................... 116.9¢/L Duperow Cardlock ................... 114.9¢/L Perdue… ................................... 120.9¢/L Landis… ................................... 116.9¢/L Rosetown… .............................. 12-.9¢/L North Battleford…................... 114.9¢/L Unity ........................................ 114.9¢/L Saskatoon ................................. 122.9¢/L

Lottery Numbers

UNOFFICIAL

the

Western 649 - Wednesday, Feb. 22 01, 03, 13, 21, 26, 34 Bonus 32 Western 649 - Saturday, Feb. 18 12, 25, 32, 42, 47, 49 Bonus 06 Lotto Max - Friday, Feb. 17 01, 15, 26, 28, 31, 39, 49 Bonus 18 Extra 1174159

21. The annual event is a tasty way of getting ready for Lent. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Graveyard-shift petition launched by NDP The NDP-sponsored bill named for Jimmy Wiebe gained momentum last Thursday as a legislative petition was launched in his hometown, along with a series of late-night tours of businesses to meet with workers who could be affected if the bill becomes law.

Wiebe’s best friend Aaron Nagy and his sister, Debi Paton, were joined in Yorkton by NDP labour critic David Forbes

… Record Coverage, cont. from front page

GAS PRICES AT THE PUMP…

649 - Wednesday, Feb. 22 01, 12, 22, 35, 42, 44 Bonus 40 Extra 2537955 649 - Saturday, Feb. 18 04, 12, 14, 21, 22, 37 Bonus 28 Extra 6344852

Pancake Tuesday . . . Geoff Cooke, right, serves up pancakes at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church Shrove Tuesday supper at the Biggar New Horizons, February

producers,” SaskCanola Chair Brett Halstead said.

“Record coverage, improved unseeded acreage options and other program improvements will benefit canola producers and our entire industry.”

“We welcome these Crop Insurance improvements, especially the introduction of yield cushioning for forage crops, which will benefit forage producers whose production is affected by extreme weather, such as excess moisture or drought,” Saskatchewan Forage Council President Aaron Ivey said.

The deadline for customers to apply for, make changes to, or cancel their Crop Insurance contract is March 31, 2012. Detailed program and contract information is available at any Crop Insurance office, at saskcropinsurance.com or by calling 1-888-9350000.

where Nagy and Paton became the first to sign the legislative petition in support of Jimmy’s Law. Forbes will present the petition during the spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

Throughout March and April, Nagy and Forbes will tour the province to visit late-night workers to see, firsthand, graveyard-shift working conditions and take stock of the number of workers working alone or in pairs. Forbes will also be consulting workers and stakeholders on the private member’s bill, which he introduced in December.

“I’m relieved to see the law we’ve asked for getting closer to reality,” said Nagy.

“Jimmy’s Law can provide real protection for workers and the government should recognize that simple steps need to be taken to protect employees and their families from tragedy.”

Paton, supportive of Nagy’s efforts in getting Jimmy’s Law drafted, said that Nagy and the NDP “are taking a step forward for worker protection.

You never move forward without taking a step.”

Nagy and Forbes began their tour by visiting a number of retail businesses in Yorkton during the latenight shift on Wednesday.

They’ll continue with similar visits until April 28, the Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job.

third page

Jimmy’s Law is a private member’s bill that would amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The changes would require employers to schedule a minimum of two employees for late night shifts or ensure that a worker is safe behind a locked door or barrier when working alone.

“Jimmy’s Law puts into regulation a basic safeworkplace practice,” said David Forbes, who is the

MLA for Saskatoon Centre.

“We’re calling on the Sask Party government to get behind the NDP’s proposal to improve protections for working women and men better than we do today.”

Wiebe was shot twice and killed during a robbery while working the night shift at a Shell gas station in Yorkton in June, 2011.

Jimmy’s Law, numbered Bill 601, could pass during the spring sitting of the Legislature.

Squeeze box virtuoso . . . Alexander Sevastian hit the Biggar Majestic Theatre stage for the sixth concert of the Biggar Arts Council performance season, February 18. The accomplished musician wowed the audience with his playing. (Independent Photo by Daryl Hasein)

This Week . . .

Opinions ............................................................ 4 Agriculture ...................................................... 8 Classifieds ............................................... 14 - 16 Business & Professional Directory...........17 - 18

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Opinions Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: I applaud Justin Trudeau in saying last week he’d “rather live in a separate Quebec then a Canada with a Harper government!”

This statement went over most heads, even Rex Murphy’s. but I, like many, knew exactly what he meant. remember when P.E. Trudeau once said; “Society must take every means to defend itself against the emergence of a parallel power . . .” It is

no secret anymore that Harper’s fascism is that parallel power.

Harper has a neoliberal market agenda for corporate transnationals at the cost of beautiful geography, natural habitat, fresh-water lakes, rivers, and aquifers, seeing our lakes and rivers as a natural resource to be exploited. He has flaunted his contempt and disrespect for the First Nations people with the expansion of the

tar sands, leaving a wake of toxic repercussions; insisted on draining the Teseko River (tributary of Chilko), which poisoned local water supplies along the Frazer; the Athabasca and its tributaries poisoned beyond comprehension, and the list is long. He backed out of Koyoto, cut funding to renewable energy, instead giving 1.4 billion to the gas and oil industry for ‘fracking’, and cut hundreds of Environment Canada

jobs.

Harper’s contempt for Canadians and democracy is evident again as he rams the CETA into law, allowing EU’s largest corporations to deregulate and privatize our water, schools, health care, social services, and to block future measures to combat climate change.

Harper’s mandate to introduce a “Police State’ format has already begun with many

RCMP raids on innocent Canadians, and we will see thousands more with the passing of Bill C-30.

He plans to destroy the small family farm, already evident to those who understand the implications of UPOV’91, an inclusion of the CETA. So with the toxicity of GMO in our food (which he has managed to keep off the labels), forty thousand tonnes of extremely

dangerous nuclear waste to be sunk into our pristine northern aquifers from ‘fracking’.

The when we’re all dying like flies and our health care is gone . . . .

So Justin, I hope Quebec does go separate because survivors of Harper’s Reign of Terror will need somewhere to go.

My bag is packed.

Ross Hingston, Landis

Why we never seem to have enough hospital beds in Canada

by Jason Sutherland and Trafford Crump, Expert Advisors, EvidenceNetwork.ca Distributed by Troy Media, troymedia.com Canada has over 70,000 hospital beds and spends more than $47 billion a year on hospital care, yet accessing these beds when they’re needed most remains an important public health concern.

Patients regularly experiencelongemergency room waits and canceled surgeries as a result of the health system’s inability to make hospital beds readily available.

U n d e r s t a n d a b l y, frustrations run high.

Changing the way health care is funded can be an important solution to this problem.

Many hospital beds are being used by patients who no longer require the specialized equipment or nursing care provided by a hospital. These patients are often approved for discharge by their doctor and are awaiting placement in a continuing care facility - either hospitalbased rehabilitation, residential or home care.

They remain hospitalized simply because there are no appropriate continuing care settings that can accommodate their medical and social needs.

Most of these patients don’t want to be in hospital, yet they use over 7,500 hospital beds each and every day in Canada - a stunningly inefficient use of hospital services that is unparalleled in other developed countries.

Siloed funding models create perverse financial incentives In a recent report published by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF), we target the complex underlying factors that have made effective solutions to Canada’s ‘hospital bed problem’ difficult to implement.

First, there is a disparate mix of stakeholders with different objectives, including publicly-funded physicians and hospitals, and a mix of publiclyand privately-funded continuing care providers.

They all need to work together to empty the beds currently occupied by patients who no longer need to be in hospital, and to divert future unnecessary hospitalbased care. This is a tall order when financial incentives are not aligned amongproviderstoachieve these fundamental goals.

Second, health care providers are funded in ‘silos’: one silo funds hospitals, one funds doctors, and still others

fund rehabilitative, residential and home care. These silos can create perverse financial incentives that don’t optimize scarce health care dollars.

For example, hospitals are paid one lump sum to cover the care of all their patients, creating little incentive to discharge a less expensive patient and, in return, admit a new, expensive patient without any change in revenue.

In continuing care - with the exception of recent, and tentative, steps in Alberta and Ontario - providers are not remunerated based on the complexity of patients, an effect which makes it challenging for these providers to look beyond the additional costs of providing care to complex patients stuck in hospital beds.

Expanding acute hospital capacity is unappealing for multiple reasons. While this might resolve the problem temporarily, it fails to address the underlying problem of transitioning patients to continuing care. Few patients would want to live in a hospital setting. This is also the most expensive option that has been tried in the past with no success except to increase hospital expenditures.

Expanding continuing care capacity is another option. However, the care and social needs of waiting patients are so varied that unmanaged expansion of continuing care, of the right kind, in the right amount, in the right geographic area could also prove unsuccessful over time.

Financial incentives don’t undermine medicare So what’s the solution?

Research has shown that financial incentives have been effective at motivating changes in health care provider behaviour. To date, the use of financial incentives has not been pursued in Canada, in part, because of its association with privatized health care. But cost effective methods that free hospital capacity, and don’t undermine Canada’s public health system, should be viewed positively, and as a step forward.

One potential solution is to change the way continuing care providers are funded and align their financial incentives with those of hospitals.

We should give continuing care providers the financial tools

INDEPENDENT

the

Phone: 306-948-3344

Fax: 306-948-2133

Publications Mail Registrations No. 0008535 Published by THE INDEPENDENT PRINTERS LTD. and issued every Monday at the office of publication, 102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar, Saskatchewan, S0K 0M0 Publishers - Margaret and Daryl Hasein Editor - Kevin Brautigam Advertising Consultant - Urla Tyler Composition - Delta Fay Cruickshank

to strengthen care coordination with hospitals and to be fairly reimbursed for accepting the most complex patients.

A potential arrangement might take the form of a one-time, per-patient, payment to continuing care providers that accept patients who would otherwise remain waiting in hospitals.

Creating this incentive would accomplish two things. First, it would reward continuing care providers for ‘pulling’ patients to appropriate lower intensities of care.

Second, it would freeup the current stock of hospital beds and is well worth the expenditures.

Clearly our current system undermines the provision of effective and safe care when

Canadians need it most.

Creating necessary financial incentives and investing in home-based care may be just what we need to improve hospital efficiency, free-up hospital beds, reduce waitlists and improve patients’ experiences with the health care system.

Jason Sutherland is an expert advisor with EvidenceNetwork.ca and an Assistant Professor, and Trafford Crump, post doctoral fellow at the Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia. They are the authors of Exploring Alternative Level of Care (ALC) and the Role of Funding Policies with the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF).

www.biggarindependent.ca

E-mail: tip@sasktel.net

P. O. Box 40 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0

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, through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

It’s amazing how pervasive food is. Every second commercial is for food. Every second TV episode takes place around a meal. In the city, you can’t go ten feet without seeing or smelling a restaurant.

There are 20 foot high hamburgers up on billboards. I am acutely aware of food, and its omnipresence is astounding.

Adam Scott, The Monkey Chow Diaries, June 2006 Food does seem to the centre of a large portion of our lives. We celebrate with food and we mourn with food.

It seems every time we visit there is food around.

In my mother’s house whenever we had visitors we always had food around. And, there had to be enough of it so that no one would go home hungry. At family celebrations the food table was bountiful and then everyone would have a “midnight snack” before they went home or off to bed.

Those meals were home made but that doesn’t mean they were entirely healthy, albeit probably more healthy than the meals at fast food restaurants and the supersize portions.

And of course, we were taught to eat everything that was on our plate -- a habit that has 12024KK00 12025KK00

followed us in life. Thus, we are conditioned to clean up our plate which means we tend to overeat.

Researcher and author Brian Wansink calls this “mindless consumption”.

We want to get our money’s worth and if we get more food then we will eat it. For example instead of ordering a large burger, fries and pop at your favourite burger joint try ordering a “small” meal -- burger, fries and pop. The difference in calories is about 500.

Some call this downsizing your portions but Wansink calls this “rightsizing” your food. Of course, fast food is higher in fat than a salad so it becomes a matter of choice. Researchers found that consumers who downsize their order will consume, on average, about 200 fewer calories.

Nutritionists often advise their clients to eat the way everyone did in the 60s with servings of all foods. The

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5

portions were smaller yet it didn’t seem like you were hungry. A snack was often a fruit or if it was baking then again the portion size was smaller. I remember if the cookie recipe said it would yield 4 dozen cookies that is what you got. A teaspoon was a teaspoon.

There was hardly any snacking in the evening.

If you did again it was a fruit or one cookie -not a dozen. So maybe the nutritionists have a point.

There is a certain amount of psychology to this whole food thing.

The plates are larger today so we tend to think we need to fill them up to get a full serving. Look at the size of those coffee mugs.

If you fill one with hot chocolate you are getting more than your day’s worth of cocoa.

As Adam Scott says food is everywhere. It’s hard not to be seduced by it. We just have to remember that in this case bigger is not always better.

Check out the Galleries section for more photos and videos biggarindependent.ca

There is more to life than increasing its speed. ~ Gandhi

E L SA

s endh 3rd c Mar > Easter treats now here > ‘Royale’ Toilet Tissue, 24s & 12s….............................$5.99 > ‘Royale’ Facial Tissue … 95¢ each

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29

> Lottery Terminal Centre > FREE Daily Delivery

Leslie’s Drugstore Ltd. 205 Main St. • Biggar •

948-3397

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Bards

by Bob Mason Of course Yours Truly may be biased by making statements like this, but there is quite a bit to be said about poets.

Comparing them to greenhorn bagpipes players, I’m not exactly sure what is said, but I’m sure that it is quite a bit!

Poets, as a rule, don’t build things or grow gardens or any of that basic stuff, and as an e x - b u i l d e r- g a r d e n e r, YT can sure appreciate the contributions of buildings and gardens out here. However, poets aren’t very far behind!

It is not so much what they do, as it is the fact they fill in that part of life’s day when we aren’t doing things why they become so necessary “Book of verses underneath the bough, eh?”

However, no one told Mr. Homer, or those early Greek guys, society didn’t have to have poetry to get by, and they kept on writing them anyway (by the thousands!), and

over the years many other misinformed folks, have penned their verses all the way from Alpha to Omega.

So, just to find out how needful society is of them, YT looked in some of the anthologies above his desk and in this nice warm room (the product of builders) and having downed dinner (the product of gardeners) he started to scrawl this piece! Right at the start of that book, and in the preface (just opposite page xxxviii), it sez: “Poetry is one of the oldest and most important branches of literature (pretty important stuff, eh?) From earliest times people have enjoyed it, as they worked and played.

It has won great honour and respect in every civilization.”

Every civilization! it seems a little odd though, that in our so called “bilingual” Canadian “civilization”, most of that big book’s 1,200 pages are printed in English. Comprende Vous?

William Henry Drummond, one of our most famous poets, didn’t even make an exception: Leetle Batese, now don’t forget, We rader you stay a small boy yet, So chase de chicken, an’ mak dem scare An’ do what you want wit your ol’ Granpere, For when you beeg fella, he won’t be der Leetle Bateese!

Of course YT has his own, if twisted, ideas and observations of things, and finds in his old encyclopedia that poets have been around for a long time, and that many Royal Courts used to have “Jesters” who quoted small homemade verses

and made wisecracks to entertain the aristocratic “Hangers-on”. (Hey, what the heck am I doing here, eh?)

According to my old worn-out deck of cards, they later changed the Court Jesters name to “Jack”, where he always follows the Queen!

(Things haven’t changed much over the years, eh?)

Regardless of all the technologic stuff invented over the last few years, real down-toearth “life” isn’t much different than it used to be. Even Homer, thousands of yours ago, mentioned quite a few things that we still do.

Edward Fitzgerald in his translation of the “Rubaiyat of Omar Khanyyam” mentions the following sentiments: “A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou Beside me, singing in the wilderness Ah, wilderness is paradise now!”

Close your eyes and picture this as only yesterday, eh?

A fellow is apt to wonder why that anthology only goes back in time to the A.D. 1350’s or so. But in explanation,that big book sez that old poems and songs written before that time can’t be understood anyway without some translation.

Example: “Awe bleteth after lomb Lhouth after calve cu, Bulluc sterteth, Buck verteth

Murie sing cuccu Cuccu, cuccu No swik never nu!”

Get it? Plain old English (OE)!

Actually when some of those old verses are translated they show a lot of the same sentiments that we have today!

When Geoffrey Chaucer wrote those pages and long pages of the “Canterbury Tales”, I’ll bet that the people sitting around that tavern table were the A.D. 1370 edition of our modern day “Coffee Row”! A gathering of folks who want to be in the company of real people, instead of with our, dare I say “newfangled?” entertainment machines, and B.S. (whatever that means!) with some of the local knights and squires.

Having been on coffee row a few times myself, YT can sure vouch that some of the stories there are just as colourful and entertaining, too.

Some of Chaucers “Tales” almost seem that we heard them yesterday!

Oh, oh? That anthology is over 1,200 pages long and we haven’t gotten past page 100 yet. There must have been quite a few verses scribbled in the last few hundred years!

Personally, Yours Truly goes for a lot of the Ribald stuff because it makes him feel big and tough. . .

“A bunch of the boys were whooping it up in the malamute saloon And the kid who handled the music box,

was playing a jigtime tune.

Back of the bar, in a solo game, sat Dangerous Dan McGrew.”

But when it comes to other matters, where was that Bill Shakespeare guy when Yours Truly was wooing Phyllis, eh?

There may be better love poems written than his, but if there are, YT has never found them yet!

When, in disgrace with fortune and mens eyes I, all alone, beeweep my outcast state.

And trouble deaf Heaven with my bootless cries, And look upon mysself, and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possessed.

Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope With what I most enjoy contented least Yet in those thoughts, myself almost despising Haply I think of thee and then my state, Like to the Lark at break of day arising From sullen earth, sings hymns at Heaven’s gate!

For thy sweet love remembered, such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings!”

There are still over a thousand pages of that big book left. But being a written record of “man’s” time, it has to take second place with an even more important Book!

Sometimes, I think, we need them both!

12025JJ00

For the past 35 years, the Saskatchewan Junior Citizen program has been recognizing the outstanding youth of Saskatchewan.

This year four deserving youth, aged between 8 and 18 years old, will receive $3000 bursaries to help pay for their future post-secondary education.

Someone you nominate could be one of them.

Visit www.swna.com for more information and nomination forms or call Nicole Nater at 1-800-661-7962 Nomination closes April 30, 2012.

The Independent is now available on the internet

biggarindependent.ca Call 948-3344 to subscribe!

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7

Another drop in the number of EI recipients in Saskatchewan The number of people in Saskatchewan receiving Employment Insurance (EI) dropped significantly in December, 2011, compared to the same month in 2010, for 21 consecutive months of year-overyear decreases.

There were 10,050 beneficiaries receiving regular EI benefits in Saskatchewan, a decrease of 2,230 (18.2 per cent) from December 2010.

Each of the province’s eight large centres had year-over-year declines in the number of beneficiaries, with the largest occurring in Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.

“With increases in average weekly earnings and a growing demand for skilled employees, Saskatchewan workers continue to benefit from a strong and steady economy,” Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. “There is good reason for optimism with many economic forecasters predicting that Saskatchewan will continue to be an economic leader in the year ahead.”

Saskatchewan’s decrease in the number of EI recipients was the fourth best among provinces and was larger than

the national decrease of 16.7 per cent. In Saskatchewan, 1.2 per cent of the labour force population received regular EI benefits in December compared to 1.9 per cent nationally, ranking Saskatchewan second lowest among provinces, behind Alberta at 1.0 per cent.

“We are focused on keeping EI numbers moving in the right direction,” Norris said. “With more than 9,800 jobs posted on SaskJobs.ca, there are many employment opportunities around the province for Saskatchewan job seekers.”

New Horizons Activities The members of the New Horizons are enjoying the beautiful winter weather. We are all appreciating the extended day light hours.

Wednesday evening Kaiser scores for February 1 were Ken Pearce first, Pat Turner second, Mike Plysuik third and Reg Turner fourth. Feb. 8 scores were first Ken Pearce, second Helen Kanz, third Ron Arnold and 4th Joyce Colbert.

Shuffleboard was played on Feb. 2 with first place going to Bernard Zimmer and Mildred Henne, second place Marlene Sinclair and Ed Smith.

Don and Marlene Sinclair were the hosts and also provided the lunch.

Cribbage scores of Feb. 3 were Pat Turner in first place, Myrtle Althouse second place and Richard Boisvert third place.

Joanne Kral was the host for the afternoon with Hazel Watson providing the lunch.

Kaiser club scores for Feb. 6 were first Reg Turner, second Phyllis Martin, third Mildred Henne, fourth Joyce Colbert and Mike Plysuik.

Highest scoring game was Joyce Colbert and Reg Turner.

Bowling scores for Feb. 9 were June Hoppe LHS 177 & LHT 492 and Jack Eckart MHS 218 and Geoff Cooke MHT 597.

Carpet bowling scores for Feb. 7 were first place Ag Small, Pat Turner, Aileen Smith, Ed Smith

and Florence Johnson.

Second place Barb Swyryda, Dinah Kegler, Mildred Henne and Marie Roesch. Scores for Feb. 14 were first place Aileen Smith, Agnes Small and Alma Redlich, second place June Hoppe, Marie Roesch, Blanche Borchardt and Florence Johnson.

The card party on Feb. 10 had Barb Swyryda coming in first place playing crib and Pat Turner coming in second place.

Kaiser winners were first Myrtle Althouse and Reg Turner second place.

Hosts for the afternoon were Pat Turner and Joanne Kral.

Bingo was played on Feb. 9 with 15 players.

Pat Turner was the halfand-half winner and Laura Campbell won the blackout.

February birthday potluck was held on Feb. 13 with 41 in attendance.

Don Sinclair was the MC for the afternoon. Dorothy Wirachowsky provided the birthday cake and Myrtle Althouse sold half-and-half tickets with Doris Gartner winning the money. At 1p.m. Larry Kirk and Dean McCallum made a presentation on estate planning, wills and power of attorney. This presentation generated a number of questions and also provided a lot of information to our seniors.

Hope everyone had a great long weekend.

Student Loans Information Night Biggar Post-Secondary Access Project invites all comunity members

Wednesday, February 29 7:00 p.m.

Great Plains College (north entrance)

Diamond Lodge News Hello from the residents and staff at the Diamond Lodge.

We had another nice week with lots of our residents going outside for a breath of fresh air.

Monday we started the week off with exercises.

Then in the afternoon we played bean bag toss.

Tuesday was an exciting day being Valentine’s Day, February 14. In the morning we made Valentines then in the afternoon we had a tea, with a lovely cake and had a familiar face come to help serve.

Wednesday we had word games in the morning. In the afternoon we played floor Yahtzee.

Thursday we again did exercises. Also did some spring cleaning. In the afternoon we played our ever popular bingo.

Friday we treated 10 residents to breakfast club. With the smell of bacon through the building making everyone wanting some. In the afternoon we played shuffle board.

Saturday morning we played Home Sweet Home Bingo, with lots of winners. After dinner watched a movie.

Sunday we did a little spa, and lots of “1-1s”.

In the afternoon we had

got stuff to sell?

Place an ad in

TheIndependent call

948-3344 NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL DIVISION MEETING Notice Is Hereby Given That THE ANNUAL MEETING OF ELECTORS OF THE SUN WEST SCHOOL DIVISION NO. 207 WILL BE HELD IN THE GYMNASIUM AT ELIZABETH SCHOOL, KINDERSLEY, SK ON THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012 STARTING AT 7:00 P.M. THIS MEETING IS FOR THE TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS AS PRESCRIBED BY THE EDUCATION ACT. ALL ELECTORS ARE URGED TO ATTEND THIS VERY IMPORTANT MEETING. DATED AT ROSETOWN, SASKATCHEWAN. THIS 10TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2012 RYAN SMITH SUPERINTENDENT OF BUSINESS

Check out our Keurig K-cup machines and coffee Áavours!

INSTANT

REBATE

UP TO

$1300* ON THE PURCHASE OF SELECT

LG APPLIANCES

See Sales Associate for details.

From February 24 to March 15, 2012

Please join us for an informational evening of student loan eligibility, helpful tips for completing applications, and important information for students and parents.

Biggar Leisure

Everyone Welcome

216 Main Street, Biggar

For more information contact Erin at 948-1304

church and then some homemade treats.

WINTER CLEARANCE EVENT

QUALIFYING MODELS: SELECTED REFRIGERATORS UP TO $500 REBATE, SELECTED RANGES UP TO $250 REBATE, SELECTED MICROWAVES UP TO $150 REBATE, SELECTED LAUNDRY PAIR UP TO $200 REBATE, SELECTED DISHWASHER UP TO $200 REBATE *Rebate amount will vary depending on the number of qualifying LG products purchased, up to a maximum of $1300 with the purchase of 6 different LG Home Appliances.The promotion is only applicable to one (1) product within a product category. Additional purchases within a product category do not qualify for a rebate. Conditions: Some restrictions apply. See sales associate for details. Offer valid on retail, catalogue and website purchases. Offer is not available to dealers, builders or contractors. Limit one claim per household. LG Electronics Canada, Inc. reserves the right to verify all claims. Offer includes applicable G.S.T., H.S.T., or Q.S.T. This offer cannot be combined with any other rebate offer. Not valid for groups or organizations.

306-948-2266

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Agriculture Pioneer of minimum tillage honoured

by Calvin Daniels If you grew up on a farm previous to the 1980s the term summerfallow was as common to you as wheat.

Every farmer factored summerfallow into the farm crop rotation, often 50 per cent of the land left fallow to ‘rest’ while the other half was cropped.

Of course weeds never respected the idea of land being rested, so they populated summerfallow fields, and the proven way of controlling those weeds before they could set seed and repopulate the field was to head out with the cultivator, turning the field black.

There was a certain level of pride in keeping the summerfallow black, at least in the years I was growing up.

Of course when Mother

Nature decided to have a dry summer it was not a good situation. The almost constant wind of the Prairies would send valuable topsoil into ditches, hedgerows, and to the neighbour’s since black dirt blows easily when dried out.

It is a lesson the industry should have learned in the 1930s, but it was one which really got taken to heart

industry wide in the dry years which started the 1980s.

The idea of reducing tillage took hold, and minimum tillage systems came to the forefront.

A pioneer of the minimum tillage movement in the Yorkton area was recently recognized by the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association when it presented Fred Phillips with the Conservation Farmer Award.

It is interesting to talk to Phillips about the problems he and his brother faced after the family made the decision to reduce tillage to save the family’s farm from blowing away.

While the award singled Fred out, he said it was actually a family effort to move to zero till farming

techniques. He said his parents Jim and Elsie, Uncle Ray and brother Martin were all involved in the decision to make the change.

“It was the spring of ‘81.

It was a terrible spring.

The land was blowing everywhere,” he said. “As a family we sat down and said that’s never going to happen again.”

The issue was how to make minimum tillage work at a time before the agriculture industry was actually focusing on equipment and farm systems which were specific to minimum tillage.

Phillips said while they were on the cutting edge of converting, the edge can be a tough place as the industry of farming caught up to farmer needs. He said finding the right equipment in

the early years was near impossible. He pointed to a Haybuster 1000 drill they used for seeding.

“It was the only true zero till machine that was available, and you could buy around here,” he said.

Phillips said much of what is now “taken for granted” in terms of making zero till systems work today, was not yet developed. “It was really experimenting to see what worked.”

It is actually amazing how quickly the agriculture industry made progress to meet the needs of farmers.

The Haybuster might have been Phillips only option in the 1980s, but quickly companies, predominantly on the Canadian Prairies moved to fill the need.

The ingenuity of

designers at companies such as Bourgault, Flexi-Coil, and Morris filled the need for direct seeding equipment, and minimum till moved quickly to zero till.

Zero till has added thousands of acres to annual production and that is critical to feed a growing world population.

And, the systems have accomplished the primary hope for the system, which was the near elimination of erosion from wind.

It was the foresight of farmers like Phillips which helped speed the process, and what they heralded is perhaps the greatest advancement in farming techniques since the plow.

Western Canada Farm Show changes name, updates logo, adds events The Western Canada Farm Progress Show announces the launch of a new brand and logo celebrating their 35th Anniversary along with

got stuff to sell?

the recent recognition

by Trade Show News Network (TSNN) as Canada’s largest trade show.

Canada’s Farm Progress

Show as it is now known, is an annual event that takes place June 20-22 at Evraz Place, Regina.

Canada’s largest trade show is an agriculture

Place an ad in TheIndependent call 948-3344

industry show that focuses on innovation and technology primarily for dryland farming practices.

Displays include companies that manufactured agriculture equipment, crop inputs, and ag services including financial services.

Canada’s Farm Progress show attracts visitors from the Prairie provinces, Eastern Canada, the United States and 45 other countries.

A focus for this year’s farm show, is attracting international business.

India, which had 14

representatives attend last year’s event, is a new market to note.

New this year at show will be the Farm Progress Forum. The forum aims to educate farmers by presenting key note speeches from reputable people in the field.

Among the speakers scheduled for the event include Alliance Grain Traders Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Murad AlKatib, Canadian Wheat Board Tokyo office general manager Derek Silworsky, certified speaking professional Jolenne Brown and

CROP OPPORTUNITY AND SCOTT RESEARCH UPDATE THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 AT THE ALEX DILLABOUGH CENTRE 421 – 28TH STREET WEST, BATTLEFORD, SK

Partners:

Featured topics include: A Market Update by Greg Kostal WARC Project Results Cost: $30 per person (includes lunch) Registration: 8:15 a.m.

For more information or to register: Please call (306) 446-7964 or visit www.warc.ca.

AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

academics from Colorado State University, the University of Guelph and University of Regina.

“We expect the global population to grow to 9.7 billion people by 2050. To feed this increased human population, farmers of the world will need to be more productive and efficient. We want to offer professional farmers a venue to learn about new technologies and equipment that they can use to improve their own farming practice,” commented Rob O’Connor, show manager.

Duane Neufeldt

www.duaneneufeldt.com

Saskatoon/Biggar

948-8055

Houses for Sale - MLS 106-8th Ave. E., Biggar............................................$255,000 508-4th Ave. W., Biggar..........................................$194,900 106-5th Ave. W., Biggar..........................................$189,000 108-5th Ave. W., Biggar .........................................$165,000 304-3rd Ave. W., Elrose..........................................$154.900 310-7th Ave. E., Biggar...........................................$150,000 401-2nd Ave. E., Biggar..........................................$ 51,900

Land for Sale - MLS + Exclusive Sinclair Acreage, RM of Biggar...............................

SOLD $229,000 SALE LaFayette farm & PENDING residence, RM Pleasant Valley $220,000 Emke land, RM Glenside........................................$ 98,000 Evans land, RM Grandview....................................$ 69,000 Kushner land, RM Eagle Creek............................. $ 59,000 Correction Line Road Acreage, RM of Biggar....... $ 49,000 Tower Road Acreage #1, RM of Biggar................ $ 29,000

310 - 7th Ave. East, Biggar…Beautiful 884 sq ft 3 bedroom, one bath bungalow built in 1959 on a 60’ x 140’ lot. Detached 24’x36’ insulated garage with cement Áooring built in 2007.

MLS #415859.......................................$150,000 Scenic Acreage/Farm (157 acres) with Organic Orchard, RM of Biggar…South facing, 1092 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath bungalow with double detached garage built in 1985. MLS # 417425...................$229,000

D

SOL

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9

4-H curlers moving on to Provincial play

Senior winners Pierceland/Meadow Lake Northwest Regional 4-H Curling was held February 4 and 5. The event was hosted in Biggar by District 23 which includes Monarch Multiple, Catherwood Beef and Sheep and Catherwood Multiple. There were 12 teams in total competing.

Junior teams were: District 22 Saskatoon Woodlands, District 23 Monarch Multiple, District 30 Senlac Multiple, District

33 Canwood Multiple, District 35 Maidstone Gully Multiple. A Side was won by Senlac and the B Side winners was Canwood. Senlac and Maidstone Fern Gully will be representing the Northwest region at provincials.

Senior teams were: District 22 Vanscoy Multiple, District 23 Monarch Multiple, District 30 Unity Community, District 33 Canwood Multiple,, Dis-

Saskatchewan among leaders in wage growth in Canada According to a report from Statistics Canada, Saskatchewan’s average weekly earnings for December 2011 increased by 3.3 per cent compared to a year ago.

This was the third highest increase among the provinces and above the national average of 2.4 per cent.

Saskatchewan’s average weekly earnings for December 2011 were $893.21, the second highest in Western Canada behind Alberta ($1,064.80) and above the national average of $888.26. Saskatchewan’s earnings have exceeded the national average since August 2011.

“Saskatchewan workers continue to benefit from our growing economy with competitive wages and a multitude of job opportunities,” Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Min-

Junior winners Senlac

trict 35 Standard Hill Beef, District 36 Pierceland Beef/Meadow Lake Beef, District 38 St. Walburg.

The A side winners were Pierceland/Meadow Lake and the B side winners were Canwood. Canwood and Vanscoy will be representing the Northwest region at provincials. The organizing committee arranged the opening ceremonies with the first rock being thrown by Randy Weekes, MLA, speeches from Kelly Block, MP, and Justin Zhong our 4-H regional specialist, a raffle table, downtime entertainment, banquet with many clubs providing entertainment and breakfast with closing ceremonies rounding out the weekend.

ister Rob Norris said Thursday. “With a record population and the second highest average weekly earnings in Western Canada, Saskatchewan is a great place to live and work.”

Saskatchewan’s real wage rate (adjusted for inflation) increased by 0.8 per cent, compared to a national increase of 0.1 per cent, compared to December of last year.

“With more than 10,000 jobs listed today on saskjobs.ca, opportunities are available in every corner of the province,” Norris said.

LEADING PRODUCTS AND EXPERT ADVICE Viterra offers exceptional crop protection products to meet your every need. From our own exclusive VT Crop Protection line to other leading brands, you’ll find the right products for your unique situation. Our team of experts ensure that you’ll get the valued advice you need to protect your crop investment.

For proven products and trusted advice, visit your local Viterra ag retail today.

Provides long-term protection against damaging cereal pests, maximizing both yield and profit potential.

• Enables the crop to get off to a healthier start, producing more bushels and higher yields.

• Combines the benefits of an insecticide and fungicide seed treatment in one convenient product.

Provides fast root development and good overall stand establishment to enhance yield potential and ultimately improve return on investment.

Deadline for classifieds is every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.

Helps protect crop investments by improving plant stands and vigor, therefore maximizing yield potential.

• Reduces seed-borne infection • Can improve germination • Better chance to maximize yields Biggar Grain Ag Retail - 306.948.2643 306.948.2643 Landis Grain Ag Retail - 306.658.2002

Delisle Ag Retail - 306.493.8188 Perdue Ag Retail - 306.237.4304

10 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Govt of Canada provides $1.8 million for victims of crime in Saskatchewan The Government of Canada announced last Wednesday $1.8 million in funding to support victims of crime in Saskatchewan.

The announcement was made by Rob Nicholson MP for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Saskatchewan Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan.

“Our government is committed to providing victims of crime, especially young victims, with the services and support they require,” said Nicholson.

“We will continue to ensure that resources and programs are in place to better respond to the needs of victims of crime in Saskatchewan and

specialized support and going commitment to vic- out the court process. Too across Canada.” tims of crime programs often, in the past, vicThe funding aims to services; improve programs and • provide consistent, in Saskatchewan,” Mor- tims’ needs have been left services to residents of responsive, timely, and gan said. “The dedicated behind in the criminal Saskatchewan, particu- culturally sensitive sup- people who run these justice system and these larly children, who have port services to victims programs support victims programs go a long way been victims to correcting o f c r i m e . “Our government is committed to providing victims of that.”

Specifically, The fundcrime, especially young victims, with the services and ing the funding was made support they require,” will: available • make it through the easier and Victims Fund, less stressful for children of crime and traumatic from the time a crime is a grants and contributo provide full and can- events in northern Sas- committed and through- tions program adminisdid testimony in crimi- katchewan; and nal court proceedings. • ensure victims services This includes doing so workers have access to from outside the court- the training/learning reroom or through witness sources they need and opportunities to collaborate screens; • give families of miss- with colleagues to share ing persons, including best practices.

“We thank the federal the families of murdered Asquith Town Council patience in this regard. and missing Aboriginal government for their on- met for its regular council Requests are once again women, easier access to meeting on February 14. being sent out to those Saskatchewan Environ- who own plots at the ment was out to inspect Asquith Cemetery, and the water plant and la- to those who have loved goon, and all reports are ones interred at the Ascompliant with regula- quith Cemetery, for donaNeil Millard 329-4235 tions. tions towards the maintethe kids are going crazy your muscles and release Christmas decorations nance and upkeep of the at home for the Febru- tension, take a brisk walk have not yet been re- cemetery. Last year, the ary break, why not get around the block. Even moved from the light town contracted Jim and them busy inventing old a 15 minute stroll has standards as SaskTel can Kelly Stack to perform items or scrap materials been shown to reduce no longer assist the town grounds keeping, and a that most people would stress, anxiety and de- with their bucket truck. lot of compliments were throw away, otherwise pression. Something To Other alternatives are received on the neatness known as “upcycling.” Think About! being looked at to remove of the grounds. If enough When you upcycle someThe baseball world was the decorations, and the donations are received, thing, you’re keeping it saddened to hear of the town asks for the public’s the town would like to out of the waste stream passing of Gary Carter, altogether and turning it the Hall of Fame, Catcher into something of higher of the Montreal Expos value then the original! and the New York Mets.

Get More Physical - we Gary was 57 years old all need it! To oxygenate and died of cancer.

Asquith Council News for February

Asquith News The United Church held their annual Pancake Supper and Silent Auction on Tuesday, February 21 in the Senior’s Hall.

A good crowd attended and everyone seemed to enjoy the evening. I hope to attend the one next year as I always enjoy this special night!

The good weather really helped. The days seem much longer too!

Spring Training has begun in the Major Leagues.

Both the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays will be contenders in the American League.

Who Said It? Faith - we trust, Sir, that God is on our side. It is more important to know that we are on God’s side. (Abraham Lincoln) Jennett and Spencer Wilson of Caron, Saskatchewan spent a few days with me during the school break.

Don’t forget the bingo in the Seniors Hall on Friday, March 30. Put it on your calendar.

The exercise group invite you to join them every Tuesday and Thursday of every week in the Senior Hall.

The next Seniors’ meeting will be held on Monday, March 5.

The Royal Purple will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, March 14.

Saint Patrick’s Day this year is on Saturday, March 17. Wear your green!

The March Break Challenge - Tip of the Day: If

tered by the Department of Justice Canada. The Fund currently has $10.2 million a year available to give victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system.

More information about the Fund, and the government’s approach to victims of crime, can be found at the Department of Justice Canada’s Web site.

plant some trees at the cemetery this year. If you are someone who would like to donate to the Asquith Cemetery, and who would like to have a yearly letter about the Asquith Cemetery emailed to you, please send your email address to town.asquith@sasktel. net. This will cut down on cost as well as save the environment!

The next regular council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 13.

SATURDAY, March 31 Biggar Community Hall

BIG thanks

to all my clients.

This esteemed award was only possible because of your support.

Sincerely, Duane Neufeldt

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

by Delta Fay Cruickshank, of The Independent I am just back from a little R & R in Phoenix, Arizona. Well, it was supposed to be R & R, but it was actually a reunion with my high school girlfriends! Not much R & R really happened, what with running around the state taking in the sites, completely ignoring the GPS, laughter, and recalling memories from

Cacti grow for only a few months every year, they rest the remainder of the year. They will grow in the spring and fall, therefore needing more water, and resting during the hottest part of the summer and all winter, and not needing water.

Something very interesting came to my

up on them and then you will know when it has it’s growth periods and its rest times. In the fall, wash dust off the plant, do not let it sit in the sun all wet though.

Fertilizing is not needed.

The soil requirements are quite specific. Regular potting soil is not recommended, and yet plain sand is

Mammillaria, above and right, is another type of cactus that was recommended for indoor blooms. (photos from wikipedia.com)

Echinocereus, left and below, is a type of cactus that was recommenced for indoor use, and will also bloom in the house.

so long ago.

Isn’t it something else, the way one becomes the age of the memory . . . we were all 18 again as soon as we met at the airport!

The flora of Arizona was fascinating, a bit prickly in many cases, and yet very interesting.

Looking out across the desert, it was a bit drab at this time of the year, and yet, in the botanical gardens, I saw pictures of the cacti blooming, now that was colourful! I have been thinking about maybe creating a little cacti garden, hopefully to have a bloom come on them for that vibrant colour!

Without even checking the Internet to see how to grow a cactus garden, I know that the soil must be very fast draining. The soil in Arizona was very gritty, and what with barren river and creek beds, I understand that when it does rain, these waterways fill up quickly, then drain away, back to dry and gritty again.

Another thing I noticed was the huge skies, the long hours of light and sunshine, so cacti need lots of direct sunshine.

Could I replicate this environment in my home?

Well, I have a south and east facing living room, hopefully that will be enough light, and as long as I am careful not to overwater, I should be able to have a windowsill Arizona garden! So, off to research all I can about growing a cacti garden!

Here are some of things I learned:

Opuntia, left, blooms in yellow, but there are varieties that have pink blossoms.

The common name is Prickly Pear, a cacti that will grow wild in fields in Saskatchewan. There is a bird sanctuary near Plenty called Opuntia Lake, another name would be Prickly Pear Lake! I am thinking, time for a visit this summer. attention . . . it is wrong to assume that a south facing window is the right location for a cactus! Too much bright south light in the winter could fool the plant into thinking it is time to bloom far too soon, or cause it dry out too much and cause sunburns!

Apparently for most cacti, the east window will be best.

Like all plants, know the light requirements of the plant before you bring it home!

Tap water is hard on cactus and will gradually cause them to stop growing! Pretty good tip, heh! A little white vinegar in tap water will be better for the plants, one tablespoon for five gallons of water, nine drops per quart, .26 cc in one litre. It has been suggested not to store the mixed water, make it fresh each time you water, or buy distilled water for the cacti garden.

Water when the plant is growing, and water from the bottom! When the plant is not growing and doesn’t need the water, a light misting will work the best, using distilled water in the mister.

Know your cactus, read

not the answer either.

What is needed is a very coarse, rocky soil with very small amounts of coarse sand and organic matter. I suggest going to a garden centre and asking for packages of planting medium for cacti and succulents.

I have looked up three kinds of cacti that will

bloom in the house. They are the echinocereus, the mammillaria and the opuntia. The common name for the opuntia is “prickly pear”. Now, we can grow these outside here in Saskatchewan!

In actual fact there is a lake and bird sanctuary called Opuntia Lake (Prickly Pear Lake) near

Plenty. I hope to visit it some time this summer.

Each one of these types have several different other plants under the same name, with different colours of blossoms, I guess, just looking for what we can get would be the best way to find plants for a cacti garden.

So, I am going to look, armed with my new found information, in garden centres for a few plants to create a windowsill garden, to remind me of the many hours spent laughing until our sides ached in Arizona.

Fueling your farm.

Keep your farm running strong with top quality Esso farm fuels and Mobil branded oil and lubricants. Get the convenience of local ag retailers, great credit programs, plus the reliable quality and consistency you’ve come to know from all Viterra products and services.

VITERRA NOW OFFERS ESSO BULK FUELS. Esso is a registered trademark of Imperial Oil Limited. Imperial Im Oil Licensee.

Viterra – committed to providing what you need for your farm, your field, and your future!

Viterra.ca/fuel ADVICE

OPPORTUNITIES

ACCESS

North Battleford

Kindersley

(306) 445-3642

(306) 463-2121

12 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Landis Locals Helen Buxton 658-2115 The school is closed this week for the annual February break. You better enjoy it kids; there won’t be one next year. Instead, you will begin school a week later in the fall.

My downstairs tenant, Jafer, enjoyed the company of two friends from Regina over the long weekend. When you are far away from your homeland, visits from fellow countrymen (in this case Pakistan) are really

important.

Leon Ochs and Lavern Skog share a birthday on Valentines Day, and Audrey Och’s birthday is February 16, so, of course a party was in order. The Buxton’s, the Ochs, Amanda Anderson, Keith Richardson and Val Wheaton took the food and met at Lavern’s last Friday night. After stuffing ourselves with food, we enjoyed an evening of visiting.

FOR SALE BY TENDER The Village of Landis offers for sale by tender the following tax title property: Lots 29 to 32, Block 6, Plan C5881 106 - 1st Ave. East Tax Recovery: $1,216.00 Tenders must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Property Tender” addressed to the Village Office.

Tenders must be received at the Village Office by 3:00 p.m. on March 13, 2012.

Tenders must indicate use of property. Payment in full will be required within five (5) days of the tender being awarded.

All reasonable tenders will be considered. Any tender accepted for less than the tax recovery amount will be required to pay one year’s tax levy in addition to the tender amount. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.

For further information regarding these lots, you may call Sandra at the Village Office.

Dated the 14th day of February, 2012.

Sandra Beckett, Administrator

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Trim Fat Without Trimming Taste Eating healthy has never been more popular.

Whereas cooking shows once focused on making meals as delicious as possible, nowadays such shows place an equal emphasis on health and taste.

While some people might find it hard to believe that foods can be both healthy and delicious, it’s actually simple to trim fat without trimming taste. The following are some easy ways foodies can cut fat from their daily diets without sacrificing food flavour.

• Mix up the milk.

Many people grew up drinking whole milk and might find it hard to switch right to fatfree skim milk. Those who want to make that leap can ease the transition by switching from whole milk to 2 percent and then gradually wean themselves from 2 percent to 1 percent and eventually skim milk.

Coffee drinkers can also cut heavy cream from their coffee and instead choose a low-fat milk to go with their java.

• Don’t butter it up.

Mom no doubt used to

make sandwiches on buttered bread. However, making sandwiches without buttering the bread can significantly reduce fat while not greatly affecting taste.

For those who love mayonnaise with their sandwich, consider light mayonnaise instead of traditional mayo.

• Order egg w h i t e s. T h e medical opinion on eggs seems to flipflop depending on whose opinion it is. One thing all health experts agree on is the health value of egg whites, which contain no fat and no cholesterol.

While eating just the egg whites and no yolks will sacrifice some taste, many people find they

and simply remove it.

Fat can be trimmed from meats and poultry, making foods healthier with-

don’t notice the difference after a while.

• Trim the fat. In many cases, the best way to trim fat from favourite foods is to get out a knife

out sacrificing any taste.

Those who enjoy the flavour fat brings to their favourite foods can spice things up using fresh herbs and spices.

News from Perdue Perdue Bowling news Club 55: MHS, Tom Davies, 231; LHS, Kay Munro, 264; MHT, Tom Davies, 539; LHT, Kay Munro, 622; THS; Aches and Pains, 1,149; THT; Aches and

12025AA00

DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIEDS 5:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY

Pains, 3,252; MHA, Tom Davies, 185; LHA, Kay Munro, 175.

Ladies: LHS, Dorrie Laberswieler, 261; LHT, Sonja Evers, 636; THS, High Rollers, 1,107; THT, Bleepers, 3,098; LHA, Joey Levitt, 181.

Mens: MHS, George Bartley, 238; MHT, George Bartley, 669; THS, WWF, 752; THT, Tri-Hards, 2,156;

Smokers Helpline 1-877-513-5333 or www.smokefree.ca Questions about Medication? Call 1-800-665-DRUG (3784). Ask questions online www.usask.ca/druginfo Mental Health & Addictions Centralized Intake Line 1-866-268-9139 Monday to Friday 8:00 am—4:30 pm

Heartland Health Region www.hrha.sk.ca

Subscribe at 948-3344

For toll-free health information 24 hours a day.

Please call 1-888-425-4444(TTY) if you have hearing or speech difficulties

biggarindependent.ca

After School Physical Activity Active Healthy Kids Canada gives a report card every year on how much physical activity kids get. Canada got a failing grade. The time after school was the most concerning. We can help improve our grade and the health of our kids. Cut down on screen time after school. If your kids are playing video games, choose ones requiring movement. Check out parks near your home and encourage unstructured play.

Some communities offer activities after school for kids, see if yours does.

MHA, Tom Davies, 187.

Mixed: MHS, Dennis Notschke, 275; LHS, Joey Levitt, 257; MHT, Dennis Notschke, 607; LHT, Joey Levitt, 610; THS; Smilin’ 5, 1,110; THT; Smilin’ 5, 3,090; MHA; Chai Senglow, 197; LHA; Joey Levitt, 180.

Y.B.C.: Junior HD, Kyren Wilkinson, 327. HS, Danielle Munro, 171. Bantam HD: Dakota Anderson.

HS:, Dakota Anderson, 157.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 13

PUBLIC

Origins of the Pink Ribbon These days ribbons are worn for many different causes. Red signifies AIDS awareness. A yellow ribbon has long represented support for armed forces. However, one of the most prominent ribbon colours is pink, which aims to raise awareness of and support for breast cancer.

Pink is a color that is uniquely feminine, and it also represents a person full of health and vibrancy; think of little babies pink with life. Pink is also a colour that seems the complete antithesis of cancer, and thusly inspires hope for renewed health and survival.

There is some controversy surrounding the origins of the breast cancer mascot … the pink ribbon. There are also suggestions that the ribbon was intended to be peach and not pink.

In 1992, just about every organization started using ribbons to raise awareness. The New York Times actually dubbed 1992 “The Year of the Ribbon.” Alexandra Penney, the then-editor of Self magazine, wanted to create a ribbon for the publication’s second annual

Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue. The previous year she had worked with cosmetics giant Estee Lauder. Evelyn Lauder, the senior corporate vice president, was herself a breast cancer survivor. Penney thought a collaboration between the magazine and Lauder could see a ribbon on cosmetic counters across the nation, and help sell a few magazines in the process.

The trouble was Penney had read a story about a 68-year-old woman, Charlotte Haley, who was producing handmade ribbons in her home. Haley had a number of people in her immediate family who had battled breast cancer and her handmade “peach” ribbons intended to raise awareness about the limited government funds being used for breast cancer research. Haley’s message was spreading by word of mouth.

Penney and Lauder contacted Haley and wanted to further collaborate on the peach ribbon theme. However, Haley didn’t want to be involved, saying the ef-

fort would be too commercial. She refused to turn over rights to the use of the peach ribbon.

As a result, Penney consulted with attorneys who said to come up with another colour, and pink was eventually chosen.

Pink had already been associated with breast cancer in the past. Just

a few years earlier, the Susan G. Komen Breast

CAM-DON MOTORS LTD. Perdue, Sask.

2011 Ford Fusion SE, 22,000km, auto, sirus/sync, like new

$18,900

2011 Silverado LT, crew, 4x4, OnStar, 34 km, very good! ........................................ $28,900 2011 Escape Limited, V6, 4x4, leather, 11 km! ............................................... $29,900 2011 Ranger Supercab 4x4 XLT, 58km ........ .......................................................... $18,900 2011 Hyundai Elantra, 30,000 km, loaded, new style body!................................. $18,900 2010 F-150 4x4, crew cab Lariat, 30,000 km, local truck, tax pd .......... $34,500 2009 Flex SEL, 55 km, AWD, local trade, SK tax Pd ............................................... $21,900 2008 Ford Focus SE, ATC PW PL, 69,000km, SK Tax Pd ......................................... $10,900 2007 Ford Ranger Supercab, 4x4, new tires, ATC, PW PL, SK Tax Pd .................. $13,900

SOLD SOLD

2007 F F-150 150 XLT, XLT supercab, b 44x4, 4 only l 108,000km, SK Tax Pd ..................... $14,900 2007 F-150 ½ ton, 5 spd, 2WD, only 28km c/w service cap, very good...................... $12,900 2006 Hyundai Tuncson GL, 4wd, 113 km, very good.......................................... $13,900 2006 Dodge 1500, quad cab, 5.7 Hemi, 4x4, 90,000 km, tax pd ..................... $15,900 2001 Dodge 3500 Cummins 4x4, 5 spd, duals, 12’ deck, 194km ................................ $15,900 2001 IHC 4900 DT 530, 300 hp, 10 spd, new BHT, fresh SK safety ........................ $47,500 1999 F-350, 7.3 diesel 4x4, auto, duals, 150 miles, very straight and clean .......... $15,900 1997 F-150, reg. cab, V6, long box, SK Tax Pd ......................................... $ 2,900

SOLD SOLD

Trades ***VIEW OUR AUTOS ON www.camdonmotors.com ask fo Welcome, r Kevi n More Vehicles Available, Financing “If you don’t see the vehicle you want, we will Ànd it, give us a call!”

Available We Service What We Sell DL #916201

Call 306-237-4212

TOLL FREE 1-888-264-1955

Cancer Foundation had given out pink visors to its “Race for the Cure” participants. It had also created a pink ribbon.

The pink ribbon quickly took off by leaps and bounds. Millions were distributed by Estee Lauder.

There are many philanthropic and commercial businesses who now use the pink ribbon in their breast cancer marketing plans. Every October, women are urged to don pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One can find the pink ribbon adorning everything from cereal boxes to cans of cleanser.

Many embrace the pink ribbon as a symbol of hope, one that has done its share of work toward spreading the word about the need for more breast cancer awareness and research.

NOTICE

Rural Municipality of Perdue No. 346 Please be advised that the bridge located on the NW 32-343-10-W3 (correction line) will be CLOSED FOR REPAIRS commencing February 27 to March 10.

NO thru trafÀc will be allowed during this time. Alternate routes will be marked.

Just a reminder . . .

The Independent closes Fridays at 1:00 p.m.

Tim Hammond Realty

113 3rd Ave W Biggar, SK

Tim Hammond, BSA, P.Ag. Owner - Broker Cari McCarty - Residential Grant Anderson - Farms Dave Molberg - Farms

306.948.5052 306.948.9168 306.948.7995 306.831.9214 306.948.4478

Main Office Tim’s Cell Cari’s Cell Grant’s Cell Dave’s Cell

Homes for Sale in Biggar (MLS) Farmland for Sale Wardrop Irrigation Pobran Weekes Hoppe Dixon Johnson Yurchuk HillCor Whitmore Green Sopotyk Hay/Rec Land Sopotyk Farmland Kohlman

Acreages for Sale Clarke Egert Fuster Kerr Jordan Unity Ac. Dodsland Woods Road Rawson Sutherland Elliott Denholm

(MLS)

RM 317 RM 284 RM 343 RM 347 RM 377 RM 346 RM 316 RM 342 RM 466 RM 316 RM 317 RM 372 RM 372 RM 350

2099 ac.

1855 ac.

1229 ac.

1226 ac.

793 ac.

640 ac.

480 ac.

458 ac.

322 ac.

320 ac.

160 ac.

159 ac.

158 ac.

156 ac.

(MLS)

Rosetown Biggar Stranraer Biggar Wilkie Unity Dodsland Biggar Rosetown Wilkie Elrose Riverland

*$589,900 *$290,000 $249,900 $235,000 $200,000 $185,000 $179,900 $169,900 $149,000 $85,000 $85,000 $33,000

302 6th Ave W 102 6th Ave E 205 Turnbull Ave 402 7th Ave E 2nd Ave W Condos* 313 6th Ave E 414 7th Ave W 201 King Street 412 3rd Ave E 308 6th Ave E 104 6th Ave E (Lot)

Stranraer Wilkie RM 317 RM 343 RM 316 RM 376

$249,900 $200,000 2099 ac.

1229 ac.

320 ac.

40 ac.

102 6th Ave E

Dodsland RM 376 RM 376 RM 376 RM 317 RM 344 RM 317 RM 317

Commercial Property Demaine Hotel

Demaine

$199,900 317 ac.

298 ac.

160 ac.

160 ac.

160 ac.

150 ac.

10 ac.

(MLS)

$399,900

*denotes exclusive listing

Langham 207 2nd Perdue 909 8th St Perdue 9th St Landis 212 3rd W Kinley 518 3rd Landis Lot Wilkie Lot 204 2nd St W

$274,900 $89,900 $54,900 $49,900 $24,900 $22,500 $15,000

Sale Pending 313 6th Ave E 219 4th Ave E

$175,000 $116,999

Recently Sold

Featured Listing

$98,900 $43,400

$268,900

Completely renovated and modernized 1440 sq ft raised bungalow. Features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and custom kitchen with eating island.

Walk out developed lower level. Maintenance free yard, double detached garage and only a block from the schools! Call to view this fabulous home today.

414 7th Ave W

Featured Listing

$175,000

Spacious home in great condition! Main floor includes the kitchen, dining room, living room, 4 piece bathroom, 2 bedrooms, and master bedroom with ensuite. Lower level features rec room, den, 4th bedroom, 3 piece bathroom, work shop, storage and cold rooms, utility and laundry. Fully fenced yard. Call to view today!

Recently Sold Hamilton Holbrook Swanson Swanson Krchov Ali Freethy Freethy

$296,500 $268,900 $257,000 $223,900 $198,900 $175,000 $175,000 $131,000 $124,900 $84,900 $30,000

Rosetown Condo 224 2nd Ave W

Sale Pending Fuster Jordan Wardrop Pobran Whitmore Krivoshen

Out of Town Property

Current Listings

308 6th Ave E

Featured Listing

$84,900

Fantastic 588 square foot 4 bedroom home! Main floor features kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and 3 piece bathroom. Upper level serves as a loft bedroom. Lower level has 2 bedrooms, 2 pc bath plus shower room, laundry area, and a cold room. Exterior boasts vinyl siding and windows, metal fascia, and soffit. Single detached garage. Call to view today.

www.TimHammond.ca

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

14 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Classi¿ed Box 40, Biggar, SK S0K 0M0

call: 948-3344 fax: 948-2133

email: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca

CLASSIFIED AD RATES DEADLINE-WEDNESDAY AT 5 p.m.

25 words or less ....................................$12.00 per week Over 25 words .................................. - per word 25¢

Repeats -- 3 weeks for the price of 2

If The Independent Box Number is used add $3.00

• ALL CLASSIFIED MUST BE PREPAID • Obituaries, limit of 300 words, without photo..... $50.00 - With photo............................. $60.00 - Additional words, per word.... 25¢ ‘Happy’ Ads…Anniversary, Engagements, Weddings, Birthday Greetings,etc.................$30.00 with photo...................... $40.00 Bold Type .................................................... $2.00 Italic Type..................................................... $2.00 Birth Announcements................................... $25.00 - With a Photo......................... $30.00 Administration Charges................................ $5.00 CONDITIONS OF ADVERTISING ACCEPTANCE All advertising subject to publisher’s approval. It is agreed by The independent and any advertiser using or requesting space that the publisher shall not be held liable for damages in event of non-insertion of, or errors in advertisements, in excess of or beyond the amount paid for space actually occupied by the non-insertion, or by that portion of the advertisement in which the error or non-insertion occurred whether such error or non-insertion is due to the negligence of its ser vants or other wise.

All advertisers must assume responsibility for errors in any advertisement which is supplied to The Independent in handwritten form or given over the phone.

PLEASE READ YOUR AD -- Advertisers should read their advertisement THE FIRST ISSUE IT APPEARS and report any errors in time for the next insertion.

The Independent is responsible subject to the conditions noted above, for ONLY the Årst incorrect insertion.

NO REFUND on classiÅeds. Times to run must be stated at First Insertion.

Enclose cheque, money order, Visa, MasterCard or American Express for your classiÅed.

Other Advertising Rates Available upon Request.

The BIGGAR INDEPENDENT accepts advertisements in good faith. We advise that it is in your interest to investigate offers personally. Publication by this newspaper should not be taken as an endorsement of the product or service offered.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES… Pick up… $28.00 + $1.40 gst = $29.40 Inside 40-mile radius/ONLINE $33.00 + $1.65 gst = $34.65 Outside 40-mile radius… $38.00 + $1.90 gst = $39.90

CARD OF THANKS

COMING EVENTS

St. Paul’s Anglican Church thanks everyone for coming to our Pancake Supper. It was nice to see everyone again for this annual event. It was a huge success and a good time was had by all. Thank you! Also, welcome to all the new people in Biggar and area.

9p1

MARCH 1 - 23: “A Celebration of Student Expression”-Students Art Show, now showing in the Credit Union Gallery at the Biggar Museum, 1 - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

9c3 MARCH 5 - 9: Biggar Music Festival Association proudly presents their annual festival.

Performers Concert, Sunday, March 11, 2:30 p.m.; March 5…Instrumental at BCS 2000; March 6 - 7, piano at the Majestic Theatre; March 8 - 9, voice at the Majestic Theatre.

Programs are available at the drugstores.

9c2 THURSDAY, MARCH 15: 1:00 p.m., Biggar Museum & Gallery Annual Meeting. Everyone welcome.

9c3 SATURDAY, MARCH 17: 2-4 p.m. Reception for “ACelebration of Student Expression”-students art show in The Credit Union Gallery at Biggar Museum.

Meet the young artists and view their work!

9c3 FRIDAY, MARCH 23: Biggar & District Arts Council presents…

“Cadence”, 7:30 p.m. at The Majestic Theatre, Biggar.

Advance tickets available at de Moissac Jewellers. Adults/ Seniors, $25 at the door, advance, $20; students, $15 at the door, advance $12; children 12 and under, $5.

7c6

COMING EVENTS FRIDAYS during Lent: Interdenominational services at 12:05 p.m. followed by lunch at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, corner of King St. and 4th Ave. E., Biggar. Sponsored by Biggar and District Ministerial.

Everyone welcome.

7p6 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29: Biggar Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Biggar New Horizons, Everyone welcome!

9c1 SUNDAYS in March: Presbyterians, Anglicans, Lutherans will be worshipping at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Biggar at 10:30 a.m. Potluck lunch following service on March 25.. Everyone is welcome. For more information or pastoral services, phone Rev. Mark Kleiner at 951-7122.

48/10tfn

Deadline Wed. 5 p.m.

AUCTIONS AEROFLEX ATHLETIC CLUB INC., 201 Athabascan Ave., Sherwood Park, Alberta.

Saturday, March 3, 10 a.m.

Selling complete premiere club including cardio, exercise equipment, free weights, racks, benches, tanning & massage, cafÇ, lockers, TV’s, mirrors, rubber & hardwood Àooring, & much more. See www. montgomeryauctions.com.

1-800-371-6963.

HUGE RV AUCTION April 27th, 2012. Mark this date, and follow us Online www. yorktonauctioncentre.com.

Online bidding on sale day, 306.782.5999.

NOTICE Families, clubs, churches and businesses are invited to do a Heritage Page to be on permanent display at Biggar Museum. Share your history!

For more information call 9483451 or visit museum 1 - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.

7tfn This newspaper accepts advertisements in good faith.

We advise that it is in your interest to investigate offers personally. Publications by this paper should not be taken as an endorsement of the product or service offered. tfn Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements.

For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com. tfn

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

MISCELLANEOUS OUCH!!!

What you don’t know about your kids' physical inactivity is actually hurting them.

Pledge to take action at saskatchewaninmotion.ca

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS growing perennials, shrubs, trees, fruit. Great selection, quality, price. Free catalog.

Boughen Nurseries Box 12, Valley River, MB R0L 2B0. www.boughennurseries.net Ph: 204.638.7618. Fx: 204-6387172.

Get Fast Restless Leg Syndrome and Leg Cramp Relief. Safe with Medication, All Natural, Proven Results, Guaranteed!!! Sold in 75 Countries 1-800-465-8660 EST. www.allcalm.com IMMEDIATE CA$H for Gold, Diamonds, Silver, Coins, Ingots, Old Rings, Chains, Charms.

GMG Jewellers, 105 21st St E, Saskatoon. gmgjewellers@ shaw.ca 1-866-464-7464 www. gmgjewellers.com.

P R O V I N C E - W I CLASSIFIEDS. Reach 350,000 readers weekly. this newspaper NOW or 649.1405 for details.

STEEL OF A DEAL BUILDING SALE! 20X24 $4798. 25X30 $5998. 30X42 $8458. 32X58 $12,960. 40X60 $15,915. 47X80 $20,645. One end wall included.

Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422. www.pioneersteel.ca.

‘Mother of the Year Tea’ will be held Tuesday, May 1st …submit your favourite Mom/ nomination letter,

*NOTE…mothers from various communities and service clubs will all come together to be honoured on the day of the tea.

CARS & TRUCKS

1985 Yamaha Virago, 1,000 cc, new rubber, carbs and forks redone. Phone 948-7521.

36tfn

WANTED HOME WANTED … family relocating to Biggar. Looking for a newer home with three bedrooms up, 2+ baths with a double garage. Will consider acreages in the vicinity of Biggar.

If you’re thinking of selling, we’re buying. Call Colin/Shanelle at 306.931.2998.

8p3 Old battery collection, Fisher #300 Cadet Squadron. Drop off at the Biggar Land¿ll OR contact Quentin Sittler at 658-2132 3tfn

for Spring 2012

Lentils: CDC Impower CL CDC Greenland CDC Maxim CL CDC Imax CL Wheat: AC Carberry AC Andrew Durum: AC StrongÀeld Peas: CDC Golden Canary Seed: CDC Basoia CDC Maria

Where Quality Comes First!

RECREATION

150 words or less,

PEDIGREE SEED

Ruthilda, SK S0K 3S0 (306) 932-4409

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.2 EcoTech engine, 117,000km, standard (5 spd), cloth interior (interior and exterior in excellent condition), one set of summer tires on rims, one set of winter tires on rims (Michelin), very good gas mileage, excellent overall running condition, asking price: $3,700 or OBO. Contact Brianne, 306-948-9763 7p3 Guaranteed approval drive away today! We lend money to everyone. Fast approvals, best interest rates. Over 500 vehicles sale priced for immediate delivery OAC. 1-877-796-0514. www.yourapprovedonline.com.

now being accepted

Seed & Feed

NAKONECHNY SEEDS

Steel Buildings STEEL BUILDINGS FOR ALL USES! Spring Deals! Make an offer on sell-off models at factory and save thousands NOW! Call for FREE Brochure - 1-800-6685111 ext. 170.

“Mother of the Year”

…support Biggar Community Connections with their annual recognition/fundraiser.

Main Street Garage Sale is accepting donations of all items in clean and working condition.

Please phone 948-1773 or 9485393. Pickup available.

32tfn

D E over Call 306-

for

stating why you think your choice should be Mother of the Year.

Drop off nominations to the Biggar Community Connections Nova Wood Centre, 6th Ave. East, Box 1690, Biggar or The Biggar Independent 102 - 3rd Ave. West, Box 40, Biggar.

Deadline Apr. 11, 2012

WANTED

LIVESTOCK

Purchasing Cattle?

Need Financing?

Call your local BIGGAR FEEDER CO-OPERATIVE Jim - 948-5472

Classi¿eds Work Phone 948-3344

H EATED CANOLA WANTED!!

- GREEN CANOLA - SPRING THRASHED - DAMAGED CANOLA FEED OATS WANTED!!

- BARLEY, OATS, WHT - LIGHT OR TOUGH - SPRING THRASHED HEATED FLAX WANTED!!

HEATED PEAS HEATED LENTILS "ON FARM PICKUP" d Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

REAL ESTATE Two serviced lots, side by side in Biggar, 100’x140’, $79,900. Call 717-4681 (cell) 5tfn FOR SALE. 55 PLUS ACTIVE ADULT Living. Large Ground Level Townhomes. 306 241 0123 www.diamondplace.ca.

LAND FOR SALE LAND for CASH RENT. RM of Grandview 349, W 1/2-30-3618-W3rd, NW-29-36-18-W3rd, SW-33-36-18-W3, SW-17-3618-W3. No grain storage. Three year contract. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.

Tenders accepted until March 12, 2012. Written tenders to: G. Kolenosky, Box 160, Landis, SK, S0K 2K0 9c2

For fax service,

see us at The Independent, 102 - 3rd Ave., Biggar

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 15

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

LAND FOR SALE PURCHASING: SINGLE TO LARGE BLKS OF LAND. PREMIUM PRICES PAID WITH QUICK PAYMENT. SOLD EXAMPLES Bengough - 22 1/4’s Bethune - 2 1/4’s Blaine Lake - 245 acres Cupar - 5 1/4s Davidson - 6 1/4’s Elfross – 18 1/4’s Emerald – 22 1/4’s Eastend - 2 1/4’s Grenfell - 3 1/4’s Harwarden - 1 1/4’s Lestock - 5 1/4’s Lake Alma – 9 1/4’s Marcelin - 7 1/4’s Moose Jaw - 8 1/4’s Nokomis - 8 1/4’s Ogema - 36 1/4’s Prince Albert - 1 1/4’s Saskatoon - 2 1/4's Semans - 7 1/4’s Simpson - 10 acres Viscount - 3 1/2 Wadena - 4 1/4’s Wakaw West - 41/4’s Watrous/Young 30 1/2 Mobile Home Park Weyburn - 21 1/4’s Call DOUG 306-955-2266 EMAIL: saskfarms@shaw.ca Letter of Appreciation When we were approached by Mr. Doug Rue of Freshwater Holdings in July 2011, it was an opportunity for us to sell our farmland at a very fair price.

Mr. Rue visited our home and he explained the process, w h i c h went forward very quickly. We received payment on September 15, 2011. We appreciated Mr. Rue’s friendly and understanding manner.

There were no difficulties and he kept in touch throughout the transaction.

HOUSES FOR SALE SPECIALIZING IN FARM LAND SALES WHAT WE DO - Represent Buyers & Investors with CASH for large & small parcels - Lease back to Seller is a possibility ABOUT US - Long term Sask farmer & businessman - Fully licensed, professional service - Highly effective Farm Land sales team - References available upon request - We welcome your call or email to discuss the sale of your land or answer questions.

HARRY SHEPPARD #1 Top producer in 2011 at Sutton Group - Results Realty, Regina, SK. harry@sheppardrealty.ca

(306)530-8035

FOR RENT Charter/ Sherwood Apartments 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom Heat and water supplied, wired for cable TV and satellite systems, laundry facilities, appliances, some suites with dishwashers, air conditioning, parking with plug-ins.

For more information call:

948-3820 302 - 8th Ave. W. • Biggar

SPECIALIZING IN FARM LAND SALES WHAT WE DO - Represent Buyers & Investors with CASH for large & small parcels - Lease back to Seller is a possibility ABOUT US - Long term Sask farmer & businessman - Fully licensed, professional service - Highly effective Farm Land sales team - References available upon request - We welcome your call or email to discuss the sale of your land or answer questions.

HARRY SHEPPARD #1 Top producer in 2011 at Sutton Group - Results Realty, Regina, SK. harry@sheppardrealty.ca

(306)530-8035

HOUSES FOR SALE 423-4th Ave. West, Biggar…

1100 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 1 bath plus 1/2 bath off master bedroom upstairs, ¿nished basement with one bedroom and 3/4 bath.

Detached garage, Beautifully landscaped yard.

Contact Bob Foster, 948-7348, leave message 9tfn MARSDEN, SASK.… 1652 sq. ft, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom, 1976 mobile home with addition developed a a bungalow, detached garage, $109,900.

(780)-808-9885 MLS46398 9p3

THIN AND HEALTHY’S TOTAL SOLUTION -discover the magic that is working for our members!

We provide Weight Loss, Movement and Motivaion 948-2208

PERSONAL DATING SERVICE. Long-term/ short-term relationships. Free to try! 1-877-297-9883. Live intimate conversation, Call #7878 or 1-888-534-6984. Live adult 1on1 Call 1-866-311-9640 or #5015. Meet local single ladies. 1-877-804-5381. (18+).

HEALTH/ WELLNESS GET PAID TO LOSE WEIGHT. $5,000 For Your Success Story.

Personal Image TV Show. Call to Qualify: 416-730-5684 ext 2243.

Joanna@mertontv.ca. www.mertontv.ca.

HERBAL MAGIC - With Herbal Magic lose up to 20 pounds in just 8 weeks and keep it off.

Results Guaranteed! Start today call 1-800-854-5176.

TRAVEL

HAWAII ON THE MAINLAND, where healthy low-cost living can be yours. Modern Arenal Maleku Condominiums, 24/7 secured Community, Costa Rica “the most friendly country on earth”! 1-780-952-0709; www.

CanTico.ca.

SERVICES

If YOU are…

• Moving • Expecting a Baby • Planning a Wedding • Anticipating Retirement Call WELCOME WAGON at 948-2563 - Lisa Haynes We have gifts and information www.welcomewagon.ca Need somebody to tend bar at your function, wedding, anniversary, etc. Contact Biggar Arts Council members, Denise, 948-5146 or Marilyn, 948-2792. tfn

SERVICES CRIMINAL RECORD? Guaranteed record removal since 1989.

Con¿dential.

Fast. Affordable. Our A+ BBB rating assures employment/ travel freedom. Call for free information booklet. 1-8-NOWPARDON (1-866-972-7366).

RemoveYourRecord.com.

MoneyProvider.com. $500 Loan and +. No Credit Refused. Fast, Easy, 100% Secure. 1-877-7761660.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY DON’T MISS this opportunity.

30 year manufacture expanding across Canada. Fencing, decks and docks. Expanding your business or start new. Email: info@friendlyearth.com; www. friendlyearth.com. 1-800-4659968.

HOME BASED BUSINESS. Established franchise network, serving the legal profession, seeks self-motivated individuals.

No up-front fees. Exclusive territory. Complete training.

Continuous Operational Advertising Support; www.lormit. com.

CAREER TRAINING

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY SERVICE MANAGER Hanna Chrysler Ltd. (Hanna, Alberta).

Opportunity in a perfect family environment. Strong team, competitive wages, bene¿ts, growth potential. Fax resume: 403-854-2845. Email: chrysler@ telusplanet.net.

Speedway Moving Systems Requires O/O for our 1 ton and 3 ton Àeets to transport RVs throughout N. America. We offer competitive rates and Co. Fuel cards. Paid by direct deposit.

Must have clean criminal record and passport to cross border.1-866-736-6483; www. speedwaymovingsystems.com

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE MANAGER.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

HAZCO Environmental Services is seeking a Sales Representative to join our sales team. Work from your home town and grow professionally with one of the largest oil and gas service companies in the industry. CCS is welcoming resumes for the position of Sales Representative for our Saskatchewan area.

Please visit our website at www.ccscorporation.ca or submit your applications to Resumes@hazco.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY TH Vac Services, Kindersley Sask is now hiring drivers & swampers. Competitive wage, bene¿ts package, scheduled days off. Tickets an asset. Fax resume to 306.463.2919 or call Don @ 306.463.7720.

ASPHALT PAVING Personnel Required: Paving contractor in the beautiful BC Interior requires paving personnel for all aspects of Asphalt Laydown. Applicants should have minimum 1 years’ experience in Highway, Commercial and Residential Paving, although candidates with construction experience will be considered for training. Please forward resume to paverswanted@ yahoo.ca.

NORTHLAND CHRYSLER IN MEADOW LAKE IS SEEKING A SERVICE MANAGER. PREVIOUS

AUTOMOTIVE

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.

EXCELLENT

BENEFIT

PACKAGE FOR THE RIGHT INDIVIDUAL.

EMAIL

RESUMES TO

sales@northlandchrysler.ca

Biggar Subway requires sandwich artists to prepare food and provide excellent customer service.

• Drop off your resumes at Subway with references; or fax 306-948-2231; or email hirengaj@gmail.com • We will train.

Bring your future into focus by participating in program information sessions at Lakeland College. RSVP today for one or more of these events. Vermilion campus March 5: Child and Youth Care, Early Learning and Child Care, Educational Assistant, and Of¿ce Administration; March 9: Environmental Sciences; March 16: Agricultural Sciences. Lloydminster campus March 13: University Transfer, Business, Esthetician, Practical Nurse, Event Management, Health Care Aide, Heavy Oil Operations Technician, Arti¿cial Nail Technician, Driver Training, and more. Details at www. lakelandcollege.ca/infosessions To RSVP phone 1 800 661 6490.

WORK FROM HOME. Largest Medical Transcriptionist employer in Canada looks to CanScribe for 100 more MT’ s.

We need more students! Enroll Today! 1-800-466-1535 www. canscribe.com admissions@ canscribe.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Part-time of¿ce help wanted in accounting ¿rm in Landis, Sask.

Knowledge of Quickbooks, Word and Excel an asset. For more information, please call Bernadette Garrett at 306-6584567.

8c3 One person of¿ce manager needed immediately for Monarch Trailer Factory near Perdue, Sask.

Mature, responsible multi skilled person required to manage a one person of¿ce.

Position will entail all facets of of¿ce work including some management, bookkeeping, accounting, secretarial and reception. Applicants should have knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, bank reconciliations, inventory control, etc. Computer skills would be desirable. A minimum of two year experience in a similar position is expected.

Please fax resume to 1-306237-9100.

9p3 FORT MCMURRAY JOBS! Jacobs Field Services Ltd. (JFSL Triton Division) is looking for Pipe¿tters and Rig Welders for camp job starting in March.

Excellent wages, CLAC bene¿ts, Àights provided to Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatoon.

Email: humanresources@ tritonprojects.com. Fax 780-4856722. Phone 780-969-1890.

WorleyParsonsCord offers extensive experience in field construction, module fabrication and assembly in the energy industry across Western Canada.

Operating in a fully integrated EPC environment or as a standalone general construction contractor, WorleyParsonsCord’s track record in oil and gas transmission, gas processing, petrochemicals, power generation and heavy oil sectors is unrivaled. Flight programs and living out allowance may apply.

WorleyParsonsCord is currently hiring for the following positions throughout Alberta: • Pipefitters • Rig welders • Welders Helpers • Iron Workers • Labourers • Crane Operators • CWB Structural Welders • Construction Managers • Project Managers • Construction Superintendents • Foreman • General Foreman • Safety Advisors Construct your career with us!

Apply online at www.worleyparsons.com/careers or via email: hr.cord@worleyparsons.com Phone 1-855-483-2626.

16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY DIRECT SALES REPRESENTATIVES. Canada’ s premiere home automation and Security Company is NOW hiring April-August. No experience necessary. Travel Required.

E-mail resume kkurtze@vivint. com Visit: www.vivint.ca NEED A HOME PHONE? Cable TV or High Speed Internet? We Can Help. Everyone Approved.

Call Today. 1-877-852-1122 Protel Reconnect SUBWAY ROSETOWN - Wanted 1 Food Counter Attendant $11.80/ hr, No Exp. Req. Rosetown, SK. rosetownsubway@yahoo.ca

Serve your own!

• Wine Kits • Beer Kits • All the supplies Grapes Moments, in The Independent, 102-3rd. Ave. W. Biggar, 948-3344

BLANKET CLASSIFIED ADS can reach more than 520,000 potential customers One phone call covers the entire province Expand your market and increase your proÀts.

Phone…

948-3344 Biggar Independent, Biggar, Sask.

THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT on NEWSSTANDS at…

• Leslie’s Drugstore • Pharmasave • Weasie’s Gourmet Blends • Super A Foods • Shop Easy Food • Quick Stop • Esso 414 • Feudal Co-op, Perdue • A & D Foods, Perdue

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

The Sky This Month -- February 2012

by Gary Boyle, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Winter Wonderland It is great to see our parent star - the Sun making the news once again.

It started with an active region labelled sunspot 1402 and the M-9 solar flare that blasted off the sun’s surface on January 22 at 10:59 p.m. EST. From that point on, the explosion and expected grand aurora displays was talk on TV, radio and water coolers around the world.

An astronomical event like this is a good catalyst on motivating people to learn more about the night sky.

The Corona Mass Ejecta hurling through space at a staggering 2,200 km/sec hit our planet as predicted on the 24th at 10 a.m.

EST produced an S3 solar storm resulting in spectacular aurora displays over Europe.

In fact a laboratory in Norway measured a surge in ground current.

Some 12 hours later, the storm had passed. Some places in Canada and the lower states reported seeing Northern Lights but I am sure nothing like across the Atlantic Ocean.

Although sunspot 1402 is now pointing away from Earth it still blew out an X-2 flare on Jan. 27. Be sure to follow this spot’s activity over the next couple of weeks as the Sun rotates. If this intense region is still healthy, we might get a second chance to an aurora display but sunspots do not usually survive more than one revolution.

As we turn the calendar page to February, we find ourselves mixing the bad with the good.

The bad news is in Canada, it is extremely cold in some parts for observing, unless you have an observatory with a warm room.

The good news is the mighty constellation Orion now sits on the meridian at 9 p.m. local time and is well placed for observing.

Nestled within its 594 square degrees of sky are the three iconic stars forming his belt.

This trio of suns from left to right are named Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka residing 700, 1,300 and 900 light years respectively from us.

The iconic belt rests on the celestial horizon and

is perfectly positioned to be seen from any point on Earth. In fact the orientation of the ancient pyramids matches exactly to the belt stars.

Including Orion itself, a dozen bright suns light up the sky with the brightest being Sirius located to the lower left of Orion’s foot.

Speaking of Alnitak, look for the Flame Nebula only half a width of the full moon to the east. Designated as NGCC 2024, the Flame is a combination emission and reflective nebula.

The Nebula is estimated to be some 1,300 light years from us. Energetic ultraviolet light from within is causing the nebula to light up as a thick dark cloud gas and dust in front silhouettes the back light – giving the resemblance of a flame.

Amongst the seven brighter prominent stars that define the Orion’s shape or asterism, Betelgeuse is an interesting super-giant o r a n g e star.

First is its size.

If Alpha Orionis replaced our Sun, its boundaries w o u l d expand a bit past the orbit of Jupiter.

Betelgeuse resides 425 light years from Earth and because of its girth, the Hubble S p a c e Telescope was able to image its disk.

Living its final stages in a cocoon of dust pushed up by its own solar winds, astronomers believe Betelgeuse is large enough to become a supernova when it finally dies. When the time comes, it will probably be as bright as the quarter moon and be seen during the day.

After the explosion, its super dense core will be a neutron star measuring the size of a small town.

On the opposite end from Orion’s right shoulder, we move down to his left foot and the star called Rigel.

Officially listed by Bayer as the Beta star,

this blue super giant sun is a tad brighter than Betelgeuse. Astronomers estimate its distance to be about 800 light years from us and if it replaced our Sun in the daytime sky, Rigel would appear 35 degrees wide or 70 full moons lined up in a row. I cannot imagine anything let alone a sun to span one-fifth of the sky. Rigel is the sixth brightest star in the entire sky and is a natural celestial lighthouse to objects in the area. With that said the Witch Head Nebula located just over the Eridanus, only two degrees west of Rigel and is wonderfully lit by the star’s light.

Catalogued as IC2118, the Witch Head is an old supernova remnant that is difficult to observe visually.

Astrophotography shows us the true face and contour of the Witch Head. Observations from the Spitzer has shown infrared signatures in four of the six previously known T-Tauri stars and

west of the bright reflection nebula NGC 1788.

Of course the piece de resistance is the exquisite Orion Nebula.

M42 is readily visible from light polluted suburbs to the tranquil surrounding of the countryside.

With dimensions of 45 light years wide and 1,500 away, words are not enough to describe its delicate structure. One must peer through the eyepiece of a telescope to experience the brilliant Trapezium and subtle wings.

Thanks to the sensitive optics of the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have photographed new stars with what appears to be developing solar systems in the nebula.

These Evaporating Gaseous Globules (EGGs) measuring about 100 astronomical units wide, surround the parent star in a cocoon of dust and gas and hopefully the right stuff to make planets.

the fuzzy bluish green light to reach us.

Jupiter is now high overhead at sunset and slowly sliding to the west as Venus marches to the east.

On Feb. 1, the two brightest planets were separated by 41 degrees but will shrink to 12 degrees by month’s end.

Venus will overtake Jupiter on March 13.

Next we welcome the red planet Mars. The beginning of February sees Mars rising in the east at 9 p.m. local time and at magnitude (-0.6) is clearly the brightest object in that area. As Earth catches up to Mars to the March 3 opposition (-1.2), it will get brighter.

Saturn – the ringed jewel is now creeping over the eastern horizon at midnight local time on the 1st along with the star Spica.

Of the two, Saturn is on the left. It will become stationary on the 8th after which it will begin to slide west

have found six entirely new candidates called young stellar objects (YSOs), one of which may possess an edge-on disk.

Talk about recycling old star stuff.

NGC 1729 is one of the few galaxies that call Orion home. This 1.7 by 1.4 arc minutes is located an estimated 130 million light years away and at 13th magnitude, could pose a bit of a challenge.

NGC 1729 can be found in the lower right side of the constellation and is less than two degrees

The planets are nicely out in full force.

We first have Venus high in the west, beaming brightly at magnitude minus 4. If you still have trouble spotting the planet Uranus, wait till the 9th as Venus will be located a mere .3 degrees north of the solar system’s seventh planet.

This is half the width of the full moon so both will fit nicely in a low power eyepiece. Uranus currently resides 3.1 billion kilometres from Earth and it takes two hours and 52 minutes for

(retrograde motion) with the background stars.

This leads into the April 15 opposition when the rings will be tilting nicely 13.7 degrees. Saturn is leading up to be the showpiece of spring and summer.

Until next month, clear skies everyone.

WHY NOT GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

BY PLACING YOUR CLASSIFIED AD, TODAY! CALL 9483344

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 17

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Business & Professional …

FOR RENT

REAL ESTATE

BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Saskatoon DUANE NEUFELDT Licensed For: • Residential • Acreage • Farm

ELECTRICAL

306-948-8055

BIGGAR ELECTRICAL & REFRIGERATION SERVICES

The sign you want. The agent you need.

Tim Hammond Realty Licenced for:

•Farm •Residential •Commercial •Acreage

113 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

948-5052 (office) Cell 948-9168 www.TimHammond.ca www.FarmsofCanada.com

BSA, P.Ag., Broker

Call: 948-2101

Serving BIGGAR and Area

Fax: 306-948-2763 www.DuaneNeufeldt.com

Tim Hammond,

Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income

Proud to handle Biggar’s Real Estate Needs

Tim Hammond Realty Licenced for: •Residential

Authorized Appliance Depot Electrical Wiring Trenching Licensed Journeyman Adrian de Haan

PHILLIPS ELECTRIC • Residence • Commercial Wiring For free estimates Ph: 948-5393

Cell: 306-221-6888

948-5052 (office)

Residential & Commercial Painting contact…

NCM Home Maintenance - Nick Maguire -

948-3325 948-4558 (cell) or The Design Goddess - Heather Hawkins -

948-3702 948-7958 (cell) Northland Foaming

Spray Foam Insulation

306-948-2805 Cell: 306-948-6062 Email: northland83@yourlink.ca Want to insulate your quonset, farm/commercial buildings, house or cabin?

Lower your heating and cooling costs and add strength to your buildings!

MADGE

Cell 948-7995 Cari McCarty

“The Dream Machine”

948-5291

113 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

www.TimHammond.ca http://Cari.TimHammond.ca

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

PLUMBING HEATING ELECTRICAL

CONTRACTING LTD.

948-5052 (office)

948-3389

Cell 948-4478

Journeymen Plumber, Gas Fitter, & Electrician on staff

For all your rooÀng needs… ¬New Construction ¬Metal ¬Torch-on ¬Re-roofs ¬Tile ¬Asphalt ¬All repairs ¬Shakes We offer 10 Year Workmanship Warranty and Liability/Torch On Insurance Excellent Local References For a FREE estimate please call… 306-948-5453

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

www.madgerooÀng.com Biggar, Sask.

Residential Sales

Biggar’s Top Performing Residential Agent

Tim Hammond Realty Licenced for: •Farm •Acreage •Residential • Commercial

113 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

www.TimHammond.ca www.FarmsofCanada.com

Dave Molberg BSA

Exposure, Experience and Effort.

For all your home, business and rural needs Owners/Operators • Travis Young • Dallas Young • Claude Young

Biggar, Sask.

MANUFACTURING

Wally Lorenz

of The Battlefords Independently Owned and Operated

Sales Associate 1391 - 100th St. North Battleford, SK S9A 0V9 Day or Night

FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS… • Selling/Buying • Residental • Farm/Acreage • Commercial • Recreational

Cell: (306) 843-7898 Bus: (306) 446-8800 znerol.w@sasktel.net

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GLASS INSTALLATION

Bear Hills Rural Development Corporation Box 327 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0

9Residential 9Commercial 9Automotive 9We tint vehicles too!

Helping you Help yourself

For all your glass needs,

Kent Dubreuil, E.D.O. Phone: 306-948-2295 Fax: 306-948-5050

104 - 2nd Ave. West Biggar

948-4846

306-717-2818

Inc. FRE E Es timat Call us for… es • Insurance jobs • Renovations • New home building • Drywall & Painting • Flooring (hardwood, ceramic, etc.)

• Residential/Commercial • CertiÀed installer for Logix ICF

Bear Hills Rentals & Machine Works • Machine Shop Service • Rentals • MASTER FEEDS dealer • COMMERCIAL SOLUTION Ag Parts dealer • Drive line parts & service • KANE VET supplier

Phone: 948-4844 Fax: 948-4845

HANDY JIM SERVICES

A Sign of Qualilty!

available to do…

• painting & Ӿnishing • decks & small buildings • light plumbing • windows & doors • laminate & hardwood ӿoors • general repairs

Call Jim @ 948-3333

• Wood, metal, plastic signs • Vehicle & window graphics • Banners, stickers and Magnetic signs

Jerry Muc Phone: 948-2958 Fax:

948-5699

MANUFACTURING

SEED CLEANING

McNULTY’S MOBILE SEED CLEANING

CWB CertiÀed Light Fabrication Mobile Welding

Custom Cleaning of H.R.S. & C.P. S. Wheat

Phone: 948-5678

230 - 1st Ave. W., Biggar Phone: 948-7117 email: chase14welding@sasktel.net

HEALTH/ WELLNESS Your Healthy Living

DENTAL DR. GLENN RIEKMAN Dentist 115 - 1st Ave. W. Rosetown, Sask.

OFFICE HOURS Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weight Loss & Wellness Centre

Consultant & Coach Anne G. Livingston •Ideal Protein Weight Loss Clinic •Epicure Selections •Walden Farms Products •Young Living Essential Oils •Beauticontrol Skin Care www.beautipage.ca/annelivingston

Located in Angie’s Hair Salon 219 Main St., Biggar Call 948-7274 or 948-3696

Phone: 882-2123 Emergency (after hours) 882-2006

BIGGAR DENTAL CLINIC 104 - 6th Ave. East, Biggar, Sask.

Southeast entrance of Nova Wood Bldg.

Hours…

Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Friday, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Michelle Spuzak, R.M.T. (NHPC member) Located @ New Beginnings Wellness Centre, 114 - 2nd Ave. W., BIGGAR

Services available…

• Shamanic Healing • Psychosomatic Therapy • Massage • Emotional Release Therapy

~ Gift CertiÅcates ~ Evening, Saturday and in-home appointments available.

948-2548 or 948-9710

306-948-3408 SEED CLEANING

- together with -

Wylie Farms Ltd. SEED CLEANING Canadian Seed Institute Accredited Pedigree, Commercial & Custom Cleaning FULL line of Cleaning Equipment including Gravity Table

Excellent Quality at a Reasonable Price!

For all your Cereal and Pulse Cleaning Call: Bill: Dale:

948-2807 or 948-5609 948-5394

Plant located 8 miles south of Biggar on Hwy #4, ¼ mile west on Triumph Rd.

Phoenix M4 Mobile Grain cleaning and sizing

WTSL MOBILE GRAIN SERVICE

Ladies Only

30 min.

Circuit Gym …owned and operated by Diane Larouche Ellard

Located in the Nova Wood Centre (back entrance) 104 - 6th Ave. E., Biggar

948-2208 NEW BEGINNINGS WELLNESS CENTRE “Putting PERSONAL back into fitness training!”

Wayne Baldwin,

Box 917, Biggar, SK S0K 0M0

Wayne Dollansky 306-948-7247 Custom Combining JD9770 with draper or hydraÁex headers

Without Advertising, Nothing would happen!!!

CPFT, CPTA, CnHc

Specializing in Exclusive Seasonal Personal Training Sessions! …for weight loss, body sculpting, strength training.

Offering… One-on-One Rehab & Therapy Sessions * Limited Memberships available to fully equipped Private Fitness Studio & Cardio Room Gift Certificates available

Visit us @ 114- 2nd Ave. W., Biggar Where you can feel right at home!

Phone… 948-2548 Cell… 948-8048

If you DO NOT receive your Independent in a timely manner, please call your local post office or Canada Post @ 1-866-607-6301

18 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

MONDAY, FEBRURY 27, 2012

Business & Professional LEGAL SERVICES

ACCOUNTING

BUSSE LAW

BIGGAR ACCOUNTING SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION Barristers & Solicitors Stuart A. Busse, QC Larry A. Kirk, LL.B.

Chartered Accountant Notary Public

302 Main Street, Biggar, SK

201B-2nd Ave. West

948-3376

948-3346

P. O. Box 1480 Biggar, Sask.

after hours George: 948-4042

…serving your community since 1972

Phone: 948-5133

is a full service law office that practices… ¾Family and Criminal law ¾Commercial law ¾Real Estate ¾Wills and Estate, and our lawyers, William Roe, Q.C. Jason Peszko Ian Mokuruk Treena Sikora Lisa Watson Sheri Woods look forward to assisting you and can be contacted at:

306-948-5352 or 306-244-9865

Corner of Main Street & 1st Avenue West, Biggar

948-3996 223 Main Street Biggar Box 580 Biggar, SK SOK OMO

OPEN: Mon.-Fri. • 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday • 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

948-2183 Email: ddolack@sasktel.net Website: www.hrblock.ca

INVESTMENTS

Open Monday-Saturday Mike Nahorney, Interprovincial Heavy Duty Journeyman Mechanic

Heavy Truck Repair SGI Safety Inspection Auto Repair TIRES

948-2700

8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sat. • 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

info@twhÀnancial.ca www.twhÀnancial.ca

Biggar Professional Building, 223 Main Street, Biggar

PHOTOGRAPHY

Call me to Ànd out more about how The Plan™ can help you prosper now …and over time.

JIM VANCHA, PAg Consultant (306) 948-4393 jim.vancha@ investorsgroup.com

Portraits, Family, Weddings & Sports Photography Biggar, Sask.

www.photosbyjocelyn.com

306-948-2814

Let Vortex protect your truck and your investment with the Vortex Seamless Sprayed on Liner System

100% handwash “Where we do it all for you!!”

• Detailing • Vortex Spray-In Box Liners • Granitex Baked-on Coatings for Decks and Cement Flooring • Auto Accessories • Trailer Rentals Owned & operated by Kevin Fick

227 - 1st Ave. East, Biggar

948-1722

ADVERTISING is an investment in your business.

The Country Clipper • All Breed Dog Grooming • Boarding Kennels (Bordetella Mandatory) • Pet Supplies • Saleboard for dog and cat related items

For appointments and inquiries, call Janet at 948-2091

Pssst...Did you hear that you can still buy REGAL? Independent Rep

www.sask.shopregal.ca Ph: 237-4777

Email: saskregal@sasktel.net

THUR-O CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Cliff Forsyth

Rosetown, Sask.

306-882-2289

YH Truck, Ag & Auto

Wood and Steel Buildings Floor & Trusses GEORGE STAHL (306) 948-3776 cell: (306) 260-6503 Ph:

• Heavy truck parts • Agriculture parts • Automotive parts & accessories www.yhtruckagauto.com

521 Main St., Biggar 948-2109 To advertise in this directory, please call Urla at The Independent

• 948-3344 • This feature will appear Weekly.

ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL DIRECTORY RATES.

Box 736, Biggar

Phone:

948-5600

HAULS TO THE DUMP Small moves and deliveries with ½ ton truck

Ph/fax: 948-3856 or cell: 948-7896 Sales Consultant J. G. Smith

;% N% Lg_fcjk\ip ¾ ¾ ¾

Residential Commercial Automotive

For FREE estimates or enquiries CALL Wayne or Dorothy at

948-5678

BIGGAR LEISURE CENTRE 216 Main St., Biggar

Battery Chargers Electric Fencers Repaired/Rebuilt/ Built

Phillips Radio Shop 109 Main St., Biggar

948-2442

HONEYBEE SEPTIC TANK SERVICE Bob Kobelsky

658-4474, Landis, SK COURIER/HAULING

BIGGAR COURIER • Biggar to Saskatoon • Same day Service • Monday to Friday • 24-hour Answering Service

~Brian and Cathy Fick~

Cell: 306-948-7524

Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 6 pm.

2 mi N on Hwy #4, 2-½ mi E on Golf Course Rd.

Contact Nancy Duns

Prairieland Collision

AUTOMOTIVE KRF Automotive Detail Centre

Photos by Jocelyn

Carey Krchov…882-3213

email: northland83@yourlink.ca

B I G G AR I N S URAN CE SERVIC ES

Phone: 948-2204 or 948-3886

Biggar

948-3381

LG, Frigidaire, Shaw, Bell, Xplornet Internet Dealer; and Your authorized SaskTel Mobility and High Speed Internet Dealer

Fax: 948-2484

Judy Judy Kahovec: Kahovec…

882-4313, Cellcell 831-7935 306-882-4313, 831-7935 Carey Krchov: 882-3213

• cut trim and removal • post holes • landscaping • cement removal • trenching • holes for piles • driveways • garage pads • basements

Your authorized

Panasonic, Samsung,

Phone:

Check out our new website: classicmakings.ca

Mobile Units Office: 948-2805 05 Cell: 948-6062

INSURANCE

• photographs • paintings • art prints • memorabilia • collages, etc.

Call Anne @ 948-7274 greengables2@sasktel.net

• Jackets • Windsuits • Shirts • Hunting Gear • Bunnyhugs • Caps • Toques • Bags

•Texas Gates •Spray Foam Insulation •Sandblasting & Painting •Internal Coatings •Rock Guard Coatings g

In Biggar Every Tuesday.

For appointments…

1-855-651-3311 INSURANCE

CertiÀed Custom Picture Framer

Ivan Young, Tree services available…

SERVICES

948-3955

Anne G. Livingston

<Zee Gb\d FZ`nbk^ 2-1&,,+. hk 2-1&-..1 \^ee

NORTHLAND PAINTING and SANDBLASTING

222 Main Street 306 948 5377

• Notary Publics • Home & Agro Insurance • Auto & Commerical Insurance • Health Insurance • Motor Licence Issuer Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday to Friday 304 Main Street • Biggar

& @^g^kZe RZk] <e^Zgbg` &Lghp K^fhoZe & Likbgde^k lrlm^f >O:< & Ahnl^ahe] iZbgmbg` Zg] fbghk k^iZbkl

• Snow Removal • Fences …and much more

Sewing & Embroidery

1st Ave. West, Biggar

Your Auto Parts and Accessories Dealer

Financial Planning Estate Planning Life Insurance

• Topsoil • Lawn Care • Leveling • Sod • Patio Blocks

G<F Ahf^ FZbgm^gZg\^

701 - 4 Ave. E., Biggar

Open: Mon.-Fri. Doctor of Optometry

• Driveways • Concrete • Garage Pads • Pruning • Planting

th

OPTOMETRISTS

Kirk Ewen

948-2879, evenings 948-7207, daytime Ed Kolenosky

M & N REPAIR

Roe & Company

SERVICES

Rebel Landscaping Service Truck Full Mechanical Service Mon - Fri • 8 a.m.-5 p.m. phone: George

Garry A. Faye

SERVICES

AUTOMOTIVE

MONARCH MEATS Modern Licenced Abbatoir • custom slaughter, cut and wrapping • sausage making, curing and smoking

• sides of Pork & Beef available

948-3384

WINE, BEER, COOLER KITS and SUPPLIES

available at Grape Moments located in The Independent, 102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar

948-3344

HARRIS TRUCK SERVICES LTD.

Custom Grain Hauling 306-948-9278 Landis, Sask.

Atkinson Trucking Landis, Sask. …For all your Local Grain Hauling Needs Bailen Atkinson 658-4460 or 948-4450

Rockin D Trucking & Cattle

• Cattle hauling with 21 ft. gooseneck trailer • round and large square bale hauling with step-deck or highboy semi-trailers • also buying and selling straw and forage • also machinery hauling Home • 306-948-2037 Alex • 306-948-7291 Dan • 306-948-7843 Biggar, Sask.

CLASSIFIEDS WORK

…call 948-3344

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 19

Report from the Legislature

by Randy Weekes, MLA, Biggar (16 February, 2012) Surgical wait times are down again, as our government continues making progress towards its goal of no one waiting more than three months for surgery by 2014.

New statistics updated to the end of last December show the number of patients waiting more than 18 months is down 89 per cent from where it was in 2007.

The number of people waiting more than 12 months is down 76 per cent.

Over the last five years, our government has instituted several new initiatives that have played a role in this reduction, including; using private surgical clinics within the public system; to recruiting more doctors and nurses; and expanding training opportunities for medical students.

During the recent campaign, one of the promises we made was to continue to manage the province’s finances in such way that our economy remains strong and growing. I am happy to report today that this year’s budget remains balanced despite historic flooding last year.

Due to the strength of the Saskatchewan economy and our current prosperity, our government was able to provide assistance to the many Saskatchewan families affected by flooding.

In spite of that, we will finish this year with a balanced budget, further reduce the provincial debt and retain a balance

of more than $700 million the provincial savings account.

It’s not often that an announcement halfway around the world affects Saskatchewan directly unless you control close to 20 per cent of the global resource involved. The federal government announced recently that it had signed a $3 billion deal which will see China buy Canadian uranium.

That directly affects our province; due to the fact all of the uranium production in Canada comes from Saskatchewan mines. Uranium mining pumps hundreds of millions of dollars into the Saskatchewan economy each year through expansion, salaries, taxes and royalties.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is looking for average to below average runoff, which means a low risk of flooding.

However, in some areas, with a high carryover of water there could still be flood issues. Significant late winter or spring storms could increase risk of flooding.

That being said, this is the first forecast issued for 2012, and SWA will continue to monitor the spring melt. If we do have flooding issues the province will provide assistance through PDAP. Our government remains committed to ensuring Saskatchewan families are safe and secure in the event of job action by important service providers such as nurses or snowplow operators. In light of the recent court ruling on our

Essential Services law, which upheld the need for such legislation, we will work with the organized labour to find the right balance that protects you and your family.

To that end, we have asked the Saskatchewan

year we have expanded the 14-night maximum stay during peak season to more parks, and made all camp sites open for either walk-up or reservation. Beginning at 8 a.m. CST on March 12, 2012, reservations can be

made in real-time for 24 parks through their Web site or by calling 1-855737-7275.

If you have a question about this Legislative report or any other matter, just contact Randy.

Saskatchewan’s retail sales and wholesale trade set double records in 2011 Saskatchewan retail sales and wholesale trade set a double record in December 2011 - posting the highest-ever figures for the month of December and the highest annual totals in the province’s history.

“Setting these new records shows that Saskatchewan’s economy continues to lead the country,” Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “These records reflect the economic climate of growth, opportunity and optimism that exists in Saskatchewan. At the end of the day that means we’re creating more jobs and opportunities across the province, making families confident in their future here.”

Saskatchewan experienced monthly retail sales of $1.6 billion (seasonally-unadjusted) in December, putting the total sales figure for 2011 at $16.3 billion. Likewise Saskatchewan’s wholesale trade at $1.6 billion

KELLY

BLOCK

(seasonally-unadjusted) also set a new record for the month of December with total wholesale trade at $21.4 billion (seasonally-unadjusted) for 2011. These numbers are the highest ever in Saskatchewan for these economic categories.

In December 2011, compared to December 2010, wholesale trade was up by 13.0 per cent (seasonally-adjusted), ranking Saskatchewan second among the provinces.

For the year compared

to 2010, wholesale trade was up by 21.8 per cent (seasonally-unadjusted), good for first in percentage growth among the provinces.

In terms of retail sales, numbers were up by 9.5 per cent (seasonally-adjusted) from December 2010 to December 2011, placing Saskatchewan second in percentage growth among the provinces. On a seasonallyunadjusted basis, retail sales in Saskatchewan increased by 8.5 per cent

in 2011 compared to 2010, again ranking first in percentage change among the provinces.

Deadline for classifieds Wednesday at 5 p.m.

12025MM02

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SASKATOON-ROSETOWN-BIGGAR

Working Hard for You! 1-306-948-2446 biggar@kellyblock.ca

Federation of Labour for written input which we hope to receive by the start of the spring session of the Legislature.

We have made it easier than ever to plan your summer vacation at a Provincial Park. This

www.kellyblock.ca

Randy Weekes, M.L.A. for the Biggar Constituency 1-877-948-4880 OfÀce Hours: Monday - Friday 1 - 5 p.m.

Phone: 306-948-4880 106 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar Fax: 306-948-4882 e-mail: randyweekes.mla@accesscomm.ca

Web site: www.randyweekes.ca P. O. Box 1413 Biggar, SK. S0K 0M0

20 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

12025MF00

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012