The Independent

Vol. 112 No. 08

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Just hangin’ out ... A very quiet and patient deer sits as still as it can, waiting for the photographer to go away this past Saturday, no doubt wanting to get back to sunning itself as the warm weather continues. Let’s just hope the cold winter is behind us and we can begin looking to spring. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY

22 -- THE BIGGAR,SK SK THE INDEPENDENT, INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR,

After the bitter cold, the past number of days have been a huge improvement with temperatures swinging to a more pleasant range. The hills were alive with tobogganers, the Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park trails with folks out for a much needed walk, and the streets around town buzzing with road hockey. Hopefully we are past the coldest of winter’s grasp, and can begin looking forward to spring.

(Independent Photos by Dale Buxton)

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Town of Biggar Council Minutes

She Shoots ... Biggar Minor Hockey player, Charlee Wolfe takes a shot during a practice at the Jubilee Stadium recently. With the season one of no games and restricted practices, Biggar hockey players can only dream about the goals scored, the championships won. Let’s hope next year is a better season! (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Block introduces bill to protect medical professionals

Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Carlton Trail–Eagle Creek, tabled a private members bill, February 18, to protect the conscience rights of medical professionals.

“Freedom of Conscience is one of the first fundamental rights laid out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and it is at the core of our Canadian identity,” said Block. “This private members bill is a response to calls from physicians and patients to ensure conscience rights for medical professionals.”

The bill would extend protections for medical professionals who have chosen to not take part, directly or indirectly, in medical assistance in dying or euthanasia.

It would make it a punishable offence to use violence, threats, coercion, or intimidation in order to force a medical

professional to take part in or refer a patient for medical assistance in dying or assisted suicide.

It also prohibits the firing or refusal to hire medical professionals if the sole reason is their refusal to take part in medical assistance in dying.

“In the absence of conscience protection, the group with the most to lose are the patients - the people we are all trying to help,” stated Dr. Ellen Warner a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and a staff medical oncologist at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook since 1993.

“If all physicians who treat incurable diseases must promote medical assistance in dying, then there will no longer be such a thing as a second opinion.”

Dr. Heidi Janz who is an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta

and who has multiple disabilities, said of the bill, “When I was born, my mother’s conscience told her it is good I exist. We need to protect conscience rights so I can find doctors who believe so too.”

Medical associations, medical professional groups, and other concerned organizations across Canada have called for conscience protection for medical professions including the Ontario Medical Association and

First Nation leaders in recent letters to the federal Minister of Justice.

The Bill protects the doctor-patient relationship by ensuring doctors and other medical professionals are always able to recommend and provide the care they believe is best for their patient.

Every patient deserves a second opinion, added Block.

Conscience protections ensure that second opinions are always an option, she concluded.

The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held February 2, at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Rickwood, Aldermen Alan Boyle, Dakota Ekman, Nicole Hoppe, Kevin McNicholls, Edward Young, and Ivan Young.

Council resolved that the minutes of the January 19, 2021 Regular Meeting of Council be accepted a presented.

Council resolved that the minutes of the January 20, 2021 General Government Committee Meeting be accepted as presented. Council also resolved that the following minutes were accepted as presented: January 20, 2021 Planning and Development Committee Meeting; January 25, 2021 Water and Sewer Meeting; January 26, 2021 Committee Meeting of the Whole; January 27, 2021 Planning and Development Committee Meeting; January 18, 2021 regular meeting of the Biggar and District Recreation Board; Recreation Director’s Report for January, as presented

by Recreation Director, Erin Poitras; Administrator’s Report as presented

by Chief Administrative Officer, Marty Baroni.

Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of

$197,919.80, and the General Accounts Payable in the amount of $34,385.01, be approved.

Council resolved that the following correspondence be accepted for Council’s information and filed: Biggar Fire Department December 2020 Payroll; SUMAssure - Annual General Meeting; Municipalities of Saskatchewan Municipal Updates; Gordon Barnhart - President of MuniSask; Saskatchewan Health Authority COVID-19 Testing; Rennie Harper - VP of Towns Election; Kyle Bennet - VP of Towns Election; Pat Evanisky - Cemetery Concerns; PIWIK - January 2021 Web Site Report; Biggar Rural District Fire Association - 2021 Meeting Schedule.

Council resolved that the update from Busse Law regarding the sale of Lot 37 Block 40 Plan 102331202, be received.

Council resolved that the Municipalities of Saskatchewan 2021 Virtual Convention agenda, be received.

Council resolved that the Town of Biggar Branded Clothing Policy B(2), be approved effective February 2, 2021.

Council resolved that the Town of Biggar Wellness Benefit Policy B(3), be approved effective February 2, 2021.

• Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

Biggar Revitalization Project update Kelly Block

Diamond Lodge getting a reno ... Dumpsters and old furniture sit outside the Diamond Lodge as crews work inside to get the former long-term care home renovated for a new purpose still to be determined. It is nice to see work being done to the facility (Independent Photo by Dale Buxton)

by D’Shae Bussiere It has been one month since the open houses for the Biggar Revitalization Project.

We had two in-person open houses and one virtual open house and had an overwhelming turnout for all three presentations. Thank you to all of those that we able to attend and provide feedback to the project.

The feedback forms from the open house provided necessary community engagement to ensure that the original stakeholder group primary focus and ideas were on par with a larger sample of the community.

The feedback received was overwhelming in support

of revitalizing Main Street. The vast majority of the feedback was in support of the concept presented, but some valid and important comments and concerns were also raised for specific and certain aspects of the proposed concept. The purpose of the open house was to receive community feedback and to assist with future

detailed planning moving forward.

The feedback received has done EXACTLY that!

With the feedback we received from the community, there will be some tweaks and changes to some of the details of the concept plan that was presented.

Stay tuned right here for future updates.

Bingo Numbers for FEBRUARY 25

B-6 B-9 B12 I18 I22 I25 N37 N41 G47 G50 G53 G57 063 066 072

Opinions HAVE A NICE DAY!

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Many questions still to be asked as vaccine rolls out First of all what is a vaccine? A vaccine is described as a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

We are well underway with this vaccine for COVID-19, the vaccine is a good thing I am hoping that all will be able to reap the benefits, but does it work?

There is so much information out there is had hard to tell the truths from the myths.

I understand that some doctor’s are not going to get the vaccine. If it’s so good why are some choosing not to take the vaccine?

With infectious diseases like Chickenpox we have received vaccines to help our body fight these illnesses and so that we can go through life without worrying about catching these bugs.

So why if we receive our vaccines do we still have to worry about catching the bug?

If we still have to quarantine, wear masks and continue social distancing seams a fair question as why we are getting this vaccine in the first place.

Statistics say that about 60-70 per cent of the population will take the flu shot and that the same amount of people will take the vaccine when available, so wearing a mask will protect the other 30 per cent there seems to be a lot of questions around that. Wearing a mask could become the normal. Let’s hope that doesn’t continue for years to come.

There is also a lot of talk about “Immunity Passports” and that some companies including airlines will not let you enter there business without the “Immunity Passport”. If that is so, will it become a further divide in an already divided country?

I would like to know what is in the vaccine and if this thing will give us immunity.

I personally would like to have the freedom to travel our country as I choose and if getting a “Passport” will give me that right then so be it. I certainly don’t want to be restricted from doing anything that I wish. What happens to the other folks that don’t take the vaccine?

We as a society are already seeing that during this pandemic the huge companies continue to get richer while the small mom and pop stores are disappearing. Where is our society heading? I think these “Passports” are going to lead to further discrimination and further divide our country. The debates will continue as we head further down the road of this pandemic.

Best practice is to stay informed and try distinguish between the good information and the bull.

D.B.

Letter to the Editor: Dear Editor, First I would like to thank the Brownlee’s for their interest to beautify Biggar. I also feel that Micheal Beadle’s letter had a lot of good points.

My first feeling was that the people who did the presentation didn’t know much about Biggar and it’s history because when I mentioned a couple of things, their answer was “I didn’t know that.”

As all things go, Biggar has changed immensely too.

I’d like to go back in history. At one time there was a farmer on every quarter section of land.

Neighbours lived across the road or half a mile away. Now neighbours could be four or five miles away because they are either big farmers or ranchers, corporate farmers, or Hutterite farmers.

Farmers started buying cars in the early 1940’s.

Saturday night, the stores

the

were open until 9:30. The farmer families came to town to do some shopping and a lot of visiting. Main Street was so crowded you could hardly walk there. Many townspeople came to see farmer friends. We had four grocery stores, four clothing stores, Mooney’s hardware store that had furniture, electrical appliances and much more.

There were other stores too. Biggar was a busy place.

Then in the mid-70’s, Saskatoon had its first night shopping on Thursday, so Biggar decided to close Saturday night shopping and open Thursday night. How can farmers come to town on Thursday night when their children had to go to school Friday morning? This was the thing that shut Biggar down.

The second wrong thing they did was put parking meters on Main Street. If

someone was in a grocery store and was a few minutes late, they got a parking ticket. Little by little Biggar shutdown.

Now Biggar has industries, the malt plant, AGI, the rack and Eckman’s. I doubt if beautifying Main Street would help them, and Biggar is definitely not a tourist town.

At one point someone with a Grade 8 education could get a job, and they stayed in town. Then it changed to a Grade 12 education. Now the young need a degree, so they leave to further their education and very few come back. People who retire stay in Biggar and we have a large senior population.

Having boulevards and trees on Main Street and parallel parking is a bad idea. Seniors don’t like to parallel park. We get a lot of snow in the winter and we have an excellent crew that clean the street and

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME They MUST be signed, approximately 300 words in length and are subject to editing. Thank Yous will not be permitted in letters

haul the snow away. Boulevards would make it so much harder for them.

Plus, think of the mess the falling leaves would make every fall. It takes more than one day for leaves to fall.

What Biggar needs is something for the seniors to enjoy. In 1980 Biggar celebrated Saskatchewan’s 75 anniversary.

Joyce Hoffman had a brief history published about the celebrations in Biggar and surrounding areas. I was one of the people on the committee.

I don’t remember exactly how much we made but it was about $3,000. On page 4, it says, “celebration project and vision project, though not finalized, will likely be a contribution to Biggar participark on the west side of town”. This was supposed to be at the end of Third Avenue West.

We have three seniors apartment buildings there. All those living in them have health issues.

Some still drive but some can only get by using the Courtesy Car, thanks to the volunteer drivers. The car is available three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon, never in

INDEPENDENT

Phone: 306-948-3344

Fax: 306-948-2133

Publications Mail Registrations No. 0008535 Published by THE INDEPENDENT PRINTERS LTD. and issued every Thursday at the office of publication, 122 Main Street, Biggar, Saskatchewan, S0K 0M0 Publishers - Dale and Trudy Buxton Editor - Kevin Brautigam Composition - Fallon Neugebauer

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

the evening or weekends.

If there was a park like there should have been, with green grass, shrubs, flower beds and certainly some benches, seniors could enjoy it. In December the park could have lights. The seniors never get to see the downtown lights or the ones put up in the Sandra Schmirler Park. Why couldn’t a few of those lights been put up at entrances to the senior apartments?

There are three parks for children, one at the end of Fourth Avenue West, in the Lloyd Hock Park, and one on Third Avenue East. Both schools have excellent playgrounds for kids. We have ball diamonds, a tennis court, swimming pool. But what is there for seniors?

The outdoor skating rink was built where the RCMP building is. Then it was moved to the corner lot across the street from St. Gabriel School.

A perfect place because it was close to both schools, but the town sold the lot and moved the skating rink to the end of Third Avenue West where the senior park was supposed to be. There are no children here and very few in town know about it.

Hardly anyone used it until this year because there are restrictions, due to Coronavirus.

Another point of interest. On June 4, 1979, The Canadian National Railway Station in Biggar was declared a National Historic Site. I have a card to prove it. Historic sites were supposed to be up-kept not torn down.

There were nice parks at the end of Main Street. I don’t know if it would be any good to rebuild those parks but I feel it’s more important to build a participark for the seniors on Third West.

As I said, Biggar is not a tourist town and no amount of money spent on beautifying Main Street is going to bring tourists to Biggar. We have fewer farmers and they come to town to shop. Hutterites are selfsufficient, and workers don’t have much spare time for the park, but seniors need something.

I would like to see Biggar work on the participark before doing anything downtown. 40 years ago $3,000 would have built a nice park. Let’s remember the seniors.

Ann Muc, Biggar

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THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Footwork

Notable Notes Bob Mason

Although he has scrawled and sent in quite a few pieces to The Independent in the past, Y.T. often sits up here at his desk and wonders what in the world he should write about next!

And this being the case as he was chewing away at Jim Browns pen, all of a sudden inspiration (whups, wrong word!) a fresh, new subject popped into his head “Walking,” he wrote!

It’s probably a good thing that the phone rang just then because when he got back he noticed “Walking” scrawled on his manuscript, and thought it looked a little familiar.

Of course Yours Truly looked up “Walking” in his notes and found that although The Independent had printed one of his pieces called “Walking” in their 8/7/09 issue, only half of Y.T.’s collected items had been used. So here goes with the other half, eh?

At the time Y.T. wrote this, if he started his old truck and used a litre of gasoline, drives down to the Post Office, mailed a three dollar Christmas card for fifty-two cents and drove back home, that card cost him way over five bucks! Whereas, if he walks down, sez “Merry Christmas!” to a few guys, gets the mail and walks home, he is only out about ten cents of his valuable time ... Ie: army wages!

There’s no comparison!

The truck is going to wear out, while Yours Truly feels a little younger!

At the risk of being called an old bum who can’t change with the times, the writer has to point out that although the price of gasoline and postage have both gone up quite a bit, the cost of walking hasn’t changed at all! Mebbe we’re not vot-

ing right, eh?

When we were just kids, Walt and I found a large Edward VII one cent coin behind a broken baseboard in the porch, walked the five miles into Radisson, bought two large “jawbreakers” at the cafe, walked home and enjoyed our purchase off and on for a week!

I’m not sure whether that long walk contributed to our longevity or not, but the memory of it has never left.

I didn’t know what the health people think about these things but it never occurred to young us that those long rambles through the hills and along the river were any more than just the natural plan of living! Even that time when Y.T. was so disgusted with the way things were that he just took off for a long walk, was beneficial in a way, for when he got back to face things again he put his shoulder the the wheel!

Mebbe this happens to many people, I dunno, but later on, while I was still a boy, I took a long walk through the back country to see a neighbour of ours. And wow, was that trip ever something! There was a full moon over a silent land all around me, with only myself for company - no wisecracks here please!

I’m not much of an authority on religion (or anything else!) but I think that “Nirvana” comes about as close as anything else to describe how I felt that night.

I’m sorry that feeling didn’t last very long though. The challenge between WWII and “Thou shalt not kill” were just ahead, and though, as you know, we did a lot of walking and running, the army wasn’t the healthiest place in the world to be, eh?

Wheels are mebbe a good thing, and certainly have their place out here on the lone prairie!

They say that Saskatchewan has more roads then most parts of the world, but there are plenty of remote, back of beyond places in our country, where we can go, stroll down the trails and use

the legs we were created with.

There are all kinds of places to go, parks, golf courses, et cetera. Saskatchewan sure doesn’t lack in its walking facilities, but it does lack in the people who want to use them. Over the years the idea has gotten around that avoiding these things, like walking and manual labour, has lengthened our lives.

And yet over the years we have realized that it is the other way around!

I suppose this reads like old Y.T. was trying to turn the clock back a little. But after all, we were created with legs!

Walking for pleasure has always been a big thing for Y.T. and he almost sounds like we should all do it all the time. Yet things haven’t always gone his way! On the way home one weekend from construction up north he had to walk from Battleford to Perdue (some distance, eh?) and nobody, but nobody would pick him up! He did call in at one place along the road where a stranger offered him a cup of tea, but by the time he got home his legs sure hurt.

Mebbe Phyllis was a little thrilled that her husband walked all the way just to see her, but that trip always brought bad memories to Y.T.!

One of the most impressive memorable walks of Y.T.’s life was a short one that we took one cold, windy miserable morning as the Argyles moved into Friesoythe, Germany.

We had just waded across the cold Soeste River, and although we were trying to be quiet the “ squoosh, squoosh, squoosh” of each step that we took almost seemed loud enough to alert the German bridgehead we were trying to bypass.

The regiment spread out as we formed up to attack the town, and Y.T. can’t imagine how miserable we must have been!

The forward companies were clearing the town, and that rearguard we had passed, heard them and came charging by.

They saw us and all heck broke loose!

Going into Friesoythe

was the last walk that a lot of the Argyle’s took!

Quite a few years after the war, Y.T. had occasion to meet an old friend! From his home in Scarborough we took a stroll down the boardwalk along Lake Ontario.

Perk and Y.T. had been the only two guys in that group that hadn’t been hit.

Perk was a school teacher in Toronto, and many of the people we met on that boardwalk knew him! What a fine, proud feeling it was to be there with him!

Perk took his last walk a few years ago, and Y.T. sometimes wonders how long his own legs are going to last!

DEADLINE MONDAY 5 P.M. Jim Reiter, MLA

Rosetown-Elrose Constituency 215 Main Street, Rosetown Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 Tel: 306-882-4105 Fax: 306-882-4108 Toll free; 1-855-762-2233 E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0 Please call with questions or concerns

Jim Reiter, MLA

Rosetown-Elrose Constituency 215 Main Street, Rosetown Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL Tel: 306-882-4105 TOWN OF BIGGAR Fax: 306-882-4108 Notice is herby given that the assessment roll for the Town of Biggar for1-855-762-2233 the year 2021 Toll free; has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 8:00 a.m.

E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the following days: Monday to Friday, Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0 February 26, 2021 to April 30, 2021.

Please call with questions or concerns A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipality Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal, accompanied by a $100.00 appeal fee which will be returned if the appeal is successful, with: The Assessor, Town of Biggar, P.O. Box 489, BIGGAR, Saskatchewan, S0K 0M0 by the 30th day of April, 2021.

Dated the 25th day of February, 2021 Amanda Carruthers Assessor

Attention: Amanda Price: $101.25 plus 5.06 gst = $106.31 for publication on Thursday, February 25, 2021.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Over a century of gratitude for the businesses in our town

by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery Its warming up! Thank goodness! And I’m not walking to the museum in the dark, and I can walk the dog in light after my day at the museum is over!

Now my thoughts are turning to the garden.

February is a good time to start looking at starting seeds to set out as plants for when spring gets here ... a very welcome thought let me tell you!

I need seeds for herbs and potting soil and the cells to start everything … and I know I can get all that downtown in Biggar.

I also know I can get con-

versation about what others have started, sharing methods, achievements; being part of the community that grows will be found in the shops.

In these times of staying home, keeping company with very few, its kinda nice to share some conversations with like minded people.

Our town was created by those whose goods and services were for the settlers. I imagine all the conversation and sharing they met when they went into the shops were welcome as well.

When the railroad was completed and the goods started rolling in, our town grew from a village in 1909 to a town in 1911.

Some of the first businesses were the Omirod building, the Biggar Hotel, the Empire Hotel,

North American Lumber and E.H. Hardware.

Then A.W. Mooney, McKinley and Mitchell Hardware came in quickly after 1909. Pharmacies and Drug Stores were built, and of course Groceries.

Our town has had the businesses to provide the town and the outlaying farming area for anything and everything we have ever needed.

From what I can see, there have always been two hardware stores in

1. 1909 EH Hardware (all photos courtesy of Biggar Museum and Gallery).

3. A.W Mooney 1910.

1/4 Page 2. North American Lumber 1909 on First Avenue.

E P RB A P IN S GO EW N

4. McKinley & Mitchell 1917.

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5. PH O’Brien Hardware 1953.

town. Who can remember P.H. O’Brien hardware?

McLeod’s has not been gone for too long. One Stop Home Improvement has been here since 1993, with some owners changing hands. Home Hardware is in the building that used to be Bargain Store …I will have to look into what was there in the past, can anyone tell me?

I am so grateful for the products and services provided by the owners and staff, as the early settlers must have felt too.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Agriculture

Love it or hate it, CWB still gamers interest

Agriculture Calvin Daniels

by Calvin Daniels When you have been penning a weekly column dedicated to agriculture for better than 30-years, there are themes which have repeated often through the years.

One of those has been the now long-disbanded Canadian Wheat Board which was much despised by about half of Prairie grain farmers and loved just as passionately by the other half.

Interestingly the debate that raged here in Canada as the CWB fate was meted out now seems to be replaying in India as the national government there has been moving to open up highly regulated markets, and many farmers are resisting, fearful of change according to an article by Brian Zinchuk - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Estevan Mercury).

The debate might be the same at its heart, regulation to provide some market stability and fairness versus free access to the market with the best marketers prospering while a neighbour may not, but the spot in the history of agriculture in India today is vastly different from when Canada chopped the CWB. As the article noted, in India agriculture is the largest employer of the Indian population, and most of those are smallscale, subsistence farming operations.

That is hardly the case here. While agriculture remains a major export sector, the small farmsteads of the early homestead days have long gone, with farm size growing in a rather steady arc since the end of the first great war.

Small Indian farmers are in a totally different world and one can appreciate they are fearful of change and why protests are said to have numbered as many as 250 million people, taking part in a 24-hour general strike in late November, 2020.

The deregulation is being touted to open markets, but removes farmers’ “guaranteed, timely sale and distribution, stop businesses from hoarding produce, keep prices at a fair level, and prevent small farmers from being taken advantage of by agribusiness corporations” as Slate. com described it on Dec. 9, 2020.

Timely sales alone have to be enough to make small farmers shudder in terms of having money to survive on.

Now, with the better part of a decade of hindsight, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is suggesting that the Indian farmers might not need to be so afraid of what is coming, as Saskatchewan farmers have benefited from open markets, according the the article.

On Feb. 11, Moe said, “The path of agricultural reform being pursued by India is one that has been walked by Saskatchewan in the past. As a province we have moved from small scale subsistencebased farming practices in a highly regulated and government-managed production and mar-

• • • • • • •

keting system to one in which our producers have the ability to manage and market their own produce.”

The end of the CWB had little to do with the evolution from small farmers, a trend started decades early and mimicked in the United States and other major grain growing countries.

The evolution will happen in India. The big fish ultimately eat the small.

The question is how long the process is and how the small farmers fare on their way off the land?

Certainly deregulation changes things, as Moe noted.

“This has created tremendous prosperity for our province and literally helped feed the world through massive gains in production volumes and efficiencies. Most recently we saw records smashed with over $16B in agricultural exports in the last year alone,” he said.

The missing number is of course what have profits been. It’s great to boost production volumes, but if you are forced to produce more bushels because you are making less per bushel in profit, the equation skews in another direction.

The transition facing India is a massive one given the make-up of the agriculture industry there and the best advice is to proceed with caution and a well-thought out plan.

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DEADLINE MONDAY - 5 P.M to walk-ins HERE TO ASSIST YOU Closed but here to assist

Our constituency office is here to assist with government services and programs.

Please contact us by phone or email to maintain social distancing.

Call the HealthLine - 811 if you are experiencing symptoms and require medical advice For the latest information on COVID-19 visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Public inquiries may be emailed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca For general not health-specific inquires related to COVID-19 call 1-855-559-5502 The Business Response Team can be reached at 1-844-800-8688, emailing support for business@gov.sk.ca or by visiting www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-businesses Information on support for workers who have had their employment impacted by the current economic situation is found at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-workers

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2010 JOHN DEERE 9530 with 3650 Hours,5 hydraulics, Duals, Power Shift, LD Transmission & Leather seats......................... $198,000 SO 1996 JOHN DEERE 8770, 300 HP, 6199 Hours,tires almost new Duals ...........$68,000 1994 JOHN DEERE 8870, 350 Plus horsepower, has rebuilt engine ..................$68,000 2014 McCORMICK TTX 230 W3 PT HITCH, Factory warranty ........... $169,000 2021 VERSATILE DT520 Coming in soon Call for Details 2020 VERSATILE DT610. In Stock, Excellent Price ......................... Call for Details P:306-882-2283 • 306-882-2024 • F: 306-882-3336

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8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Biggar and District Credit Union EŽƟĐĞ ŽĨ ŶŶƵĂů 'ĞŶĞƌĂů DĞĞƟŶŐ͗ Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Time: 7:00PM*

*Note: Due to COVID-19 ƌĞƐƚƌŝĐƟŽŶƐ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŶƵĂů ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŚĞůĚ ĞŶƟƌĞůLJ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ŽŽŵ ;ǀŝƌƚƵĂů ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ƉůĂƞŽƌŵͿ͘ dŚĞ ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ůŝŶŬ͕ ĂŶĚ ĚĞƚĂŝůĞĚ ŝŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶƐ ŽŶ ŚŽǁ ƚŽ ĂƩĞŶĚ ƚŚĞ 'D ǀŝĂ ŽŽŵ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƉŽƐƚĞĚ ŽŶ ŽƵƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ŝŶ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ĚĂƚĞ͘ www.biggarcu.ca dŚĞ ĂŶŶƵĂů ƌĞƉŽƌƚ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ ĞĂĐŚ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ďƌĂŶĐŚĞƐ ďLJ DĂƌĐŚ ϭϱƚŚ͕ ϮϬϮϭ͘ ƉĚĨ ĐŽƉLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŶƵĂů ƌĞƉŽƌƚ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƉŽƐƚĞĚ ŽŶ ŽƵƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ďLJ DĂƌĐŚ ϭϳƚŚ͕ ϮϬϮϭ͘

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21012bs1

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

The Saskatchewan Traveller

by Trudy and Dale Buxton Our story continues heading north from Beauval on Highway 155 and our first stop is Ile-ala-Crosse.

Ile-a-la-Crosse was established in 1778 by the North West Company as a fur trading post and is the second oldest community in Saskatchewan, today with a population of around 1,300 residents.

Ile-a-la-Crosse in Cree is Sakitawak which means “where the rivers meet”.

It connects the Churchill, Beaver, and Canoe river systems. The name Ile-ala-Crosse translated from French to English means “Island of the Crosse”.

When fur traders arrived, they watched the local First Nations people as they played the game La Crosse on the big island and named it Ile-ala-Crosse. Ile-a-la-Crosse is the birthplace of Louis Riel Sr. and is the grave site of Sr. Marguerite Riel (the sister of Louis Riel).

Ile-a-la-Crosse is one of the most historical communities in Saskatchewan, noted in many books for its development of the entire area and Western Canada. It is one of the most beautiful places in Saskatchewan with its natural beauty of trees and lakes and invites paddlers to come out and paddle where the voyageurs once paddled on the rivers.

In 1821 the Hudson Bay Company merged with the North West Company and made Ile-a-la-Crosse the administrative centre for the English River District, this ensured that surrounding communities where given necessary provisions and that

its northern and southern entries remained accessible.

The Catholic missionaries came in 1846 to establish a mission, which later was called the Saint-Jean Baptist mission and a resource depot for other missions in the area.

Today commercial fishing, forestry and wild rice harvesting are the major industries of the community.

The community is northern Saskatchewan’s best kept secret with its rich history mixed with modern services and some of the best fishing you will find anywhere. le-a-la-Crosse plays host to an annual $25,000 fishing derby.

Next up on Highway 155 is the Town of Buffalo Narrows.

Buffalo Narrows has a population of around 1,400 people and is located at the “Narrows” between Peter Pond Lake and Churchill Lake. Logging and fishing are the main sources of economic activity.

The community was established in 1875 from an earlier Dene settlement during the fur trade and at the time the lakes were called the Buffalo and Clearwater lakes. It is notable for its scenery

and the bridge that crosses the Kisis Channel that connects the two lakes.

The bridge opened in 1982 replacing the ferry that crossed the channel.

The Buffalo Narrows Sand Dunes park is located about Five kilometres north and create a ten kilometre fine sandy beach on the southwest shore of Big Peter Pond Lake. The park is 3,650 hectares that has a peninsula that nearly cuts Peter Pond Lake into two.

The beach is one of the most impressive beaches of Saskatchewan and has pure white sand.

There are many opportunities for you stay in Buffalo Narrows and enjoy the wildlife and some fantastic fishing or to just relax. There is also a company that can rent you a kayak or canoe to explore the full richness of the lakes.

If you don’t want to drive the distance to Buffalo Narrows you can take the fly-in option, Buffalo Narrows has a great airport servicing two paved runways that supplies the north with travel.

Did you know the oldest community in Saskatchewan is Cumberland House established in 1774.

Stay tuned for more adventures.

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Farm-fed ... Deer scour the ground of a farm south of Biggar, looking for a free meal.

With warmer weather, the deer are out in force making travel on roadways a bit more dangerous for motorists as the deer cross highways and roads looking to fatten up. (Independent

Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Working with the local communities, Mid-Sask helps address the needs of local business through: • A combination of localized long range strategic planning • Counseling and business development • Financial assistance up to $150,000 to small, medium sized business and entrepreneurs Mid-Sask Community Futures 500 Progress Avenue, Box 176 Outlook, SK S0L 2N0 P: 306-867-9566 Fax: 306-867-9559 https://cfsask.ca/mid-sask

1/4 Page

“The time has come”said the Pizza Guy and Paper Boy, “To talk of many things: of carbon tax--and Covid-19-and vaccines--Of pizza--and paper--And why the Liberals in Ottawa are making us boil inside--and whether Trudeau has wings” “But wait said the Pizza Guy and Paper Boy, We can VOTE him out” CHECK OUT OUR DAILY SPECIALS

and thanks for the business

Asquith Council news for February

Asquith Town Council held its regular council meeting on February 10.

Attending were Mayor Gail Erhart, Councillors, Jackie Stobbe, Cecilia Mryglod, Jeff Eide, Wade Monks-Janzen, Jodi Nehring, and Darcy Stack.

Also attending was CAO Kathy Picketts and Foreman Darren Kraft. The meeting was called to order at 7p.m.

A resolution was made to accept the council minutes from the January 20 special council meeting.

Council made a motion to accept the January 2021 financials and January 2021 bank reconciliations as presented to them at the meeting.

Accounts Paid in the amount of $24,096.14 and Accounts Payable of $37,149.51 were accepted as presented.

If you have changed your phone number, please contact the Asquith Town Office to update.

2021 brings a new year, and of course with a new year comes the necessity to renew licenses. Pet licenses are now due. All individuals who own a cat or dog in Asquith are required to have a license for their pet. Failure to purchase a license will

result in a fine, and you will still be required to purchase a license.

2021 Business Licenses are also now due.

Did you know that if you take out a building permit, the onus is on the property owner to contact the building inspector to

make a final inspection and to close the permit.

Failure to do so results in your permit being left open and as such could pose a real problem for you should you decide to sell your property.

May 2021 will be a Census of Population.

Office with a view ... Imagine

these guys and their commute to work and how they get to the office (with no elevator!), all to make our world a more connected place. These technicians were out this past Saturday, north of Biggar at the Monarch Road site, and while the weather was warmer than what we had, up high, the wind chill would, no doubt, grab your attention! (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

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Ray’s Vinyls

10-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Sports

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

Goaltending boosts Habs’ fortunes

Penton on sports Bruce Penton

If goaltending quality were used to rate the Canadian teams in the National Hockey League, mark the Montreal Canadiens down as the presumptive champion of the North Division this summer.

As the seven teams approached the one-third mark of the 56-game regular season, with nary a postponement due to COVID-19 (as teams in the other three divisions had all suffered), a few things are becoming obvious.

Such as: It’s a wideopen race for the top four playoff spots, with

perhaps only Montreal and Toronto in safer positions than the others; on any given night ... any team can beat any other team; and pencil in Montreal’s Marc Bergevin as the general manager who made the biggest splash in roster construction.

Thanks to Bergevin’s moves in the off-season, his Canadiens appear to be neck-and-neck with the Maple Leafs as the North Division’s No. 1 team, which brings great joy to fans of the Habs, without a Stanley Cup since 1993.

Strength in goal is the foundation of Montreal’s good start (9-5-2), thanks to Bergevin’s acquisition of Jake Allen from St Louis in the off-season. The Carey Price-Allen combo is the division’s best, by far, and the envy of other teams. Toronto has the overworked Frederik Andersen in goal, backed up by Michael (Five-Hole) Hutchinson or Jack Campbell.

Winnipeg has the great Connor Hellebuyck and

the unproven Laurent Broissoit. In Calgary, No. 1 guy Jacob Markstrom gives the Flames quality but the backup is the dreadful David Rittich.

Up in Edmonton, coach Dave Tippett cannot fully depend on either Mikko Koskinen or Mike Smith.

Vancouver’s goaltending duo of the aging Braden Holtby and youthful Thatcher Demko is probably the division’s second-best unit.

Just like quarterback in football or pitching in baseball, a hockey team’s strength begins in goal.

And the Habs have it.

Bergevin’s off-season moves also resulted in the signing of free agent Tyler Toffoli from Vancouver (16 points in 16 games) and winger Josh Anderson from Columbus (for Max Domi and a draft pick), who had nine goals in Montreal’s first 16 games, providing added life to a developing offence that also includes former firstrounder Nick Suzuki, Jonathan Drouin, Brendan Gallagher, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Tomas

Tatar. And on defence, stalwarts Shea Weber and Jeff Petry are backed by another Bergeven pickup, Joel Edmundson, and rookie Alexander Romanov, who is being given rookie-of-the-year consideration for his strong play.

Overall, the Habs are solid. Toronto is off to a great start and if its highpowered offence had Montreal’s goaltending, the Leafs would romp.

Defence wins championships, though, and Montreal has it.

• Patti Dawn Swansson, aka the River City Renegade: “The only thing that surprised me about the Buccaneers championship boat parade was seeing Tom Brady on one of the boats. I thought for sure he’d be walking on the water.”

• Swansson again: “I understand why the NFL used faux fans, but Patrick Mahomes is demanding to know why Kansas City coach Andy Reid used cardboard cutouts instead of his regular offensive linemen.”

• Dwight Perry of the

21024ge0

Seattle Times: “Skateboarding has been added to the medal events for this year’s Olympics, and break dancing will likewise be in the lineup at the 2024 Paris Games.

Somehow not passing IOC muster: a motion to change the Olympic motto to ‘Sicker, Hipper, Gnarlier.’”

• Blogger Chad Piscasner, on Trevor Bauer’s new Dodger contract penciling out to $10,000plus per pitch this season: “Which could lead to this conversation on the mound: Manager: ‘How do you feel, Trevor?’ Bauer: ‘I think I got about $40,000 left in me, Skipper.’ ” • Gambling Mad blogger Norman Chad, on Twitter: “If Tom Brady ran a stoplight, they would say the stoplight was wrong.”

• Chad again: “Elected officials have term limits – it is time to apply them to Tom Brady.”

• David Staples of the Edmonton Journal, on a suggestion for a catchy nickname for the line featuring Jujhar Khaira and linemates Tyler

Ennis and Josh Archibald: “The Sweet Khaira Line.”

• From Dan Robson in The Athletic, on what former NHL enforcer Donald Brashear tells players in pre-game chats now that he is refereeing beer league games in Quebec: “I have one rule: If you guys start fighting, I don’t give out penalties. I jump in the fight.”

• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “Texas got so much snow, the Houston Texans traded J J. Watt for 10 snow shovels, two sacks of salt and a snowblower to-be-namedlater.”

• Dwight Perry again “Those wild and crazy Houston Texans agreed to release star pass-rusher J.J. Watt - still under contract - instead of trying to get some return value in a trade. Veteran team watchers say you’d have to go back weeks weeks - to find a Texans move this confounding.”

Care to comment?

E-mail brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca.

12 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

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ROOFING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

306.237.7671

TROY MAY, owner/operator

Ph: 306-948-4430 or 306-948-4460

rod.campbell@sasktel.net

117 - 3rd Ave. W.,

Fax: 306-237-TROY email: tmay@hotmail.ca

(New Horizons Bldg) Biggar

Rockin D Trucking & Cattle

210 - 616 Main Street Saskatoon, Sask.

S7H 0J6

Super B outfits hauling grain and fertilizer in Alberta and Saskatchewan

• Cattle Hauling with 21 ft. gooseneck trailer • Grain Hauling • round and large square bale

Ph: 306-948-5133 306-657-8999

hauling with step-deck or highboy semi-trailers • also buying and selling 2 col/6 straw and forage • also Machinery Hauling

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Naty/Michael…

OPTOMETRISTS

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This is what I worked up for the Business & Professional section in Box 580 Biggar, SK paper, 6 month commitment for $161.20 plusSOK gst OMO

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Email: hrbbiggar@sasktelnet Website: www.hrblock.ca

LEGAL SERVICES In BIGGAR

Every Tuesday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Attention: Deanna Steveno

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&P the next 52 weeks (year) f Biggar Professional Building, hours, as per phon Criminal Law been sent Bill has 223 Main St., Biggar Commercial Law Franchise Advertising Pay For appointments…

Real Estate Law #102 - 9622 Wills and Estate Law - 42 Avenue, 1-855-651-3311 and AB T6E 5Ya Edmonton, our lawyers, 3 col/6 Phone: 780-448-2166; Jason Peszko Attention: Karen Fax:Lisa 780-438-1233; Watson email: CSC-Edmonton.acc Logan Marchand BLANKET Here is a draft30ofminutes Businesscould & Professional change ad for y Bailee Massett tomorrow, February 23, then theto ad would your life!!! look forward assisting you start on CLASSIFIED and can be contacted at:

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SEED CLEANING ÿ Auto & Home Insurance ÿ Farm & Commercial Insurance ÿ Health & Travel Insurance ÿ Life Insurance & Investments ÿ Farm Succession & Estate Planning ÿ Notary Publics Biggar Office Hours…

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IC

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Virgo, some down time and R& R can do a body good. Ask your partner to cover for you and then reciprocate so you can both unplug and refresh.

What’s on your mind ?

Send your comments or concerns to

tip@sasktel.net or Drop a note off at 122 Main Street

All letters need to be addressed by the person sending the concern. Don’t be shy let us be your voice.

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK-13

LIBRA – Sept 23/ Oct 23

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Libra, a midweek business proposition or a real estate endeavor may present itself. This could lead to some exciting changes for your family.

Boredom isn’t a bad thing when you desire a respite, Capricorn. While others may be looking for ways to chase away cabin fever, you may be perfectly content snuggling in.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 You don’t mind defending your opinions or your ideals, Scorpio. In fact, you are highly skilled at constructive conversation. Your negotiation tactics may be put to the test.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 The early part of the week may be pretty uneventful, but things heat up as the week progresses, Sagittarius. You may not have time to do everything you desire.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Unexpected partnerships can yield some amazing results, Aquarius. This may be the opportunity you are looking for at this juncture in your life. Push ahead for the time being.

PISCES – Feb 19/ Mar 20 Pisces, momentum swings in your favor and you can sail through all of your tasks and goals in record time. Enjoy the ride.

14 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

FOR RENT Central Park Place

has apartments for seniors available in Biggar Call 948-3901 0r 948-7824

Charter/ Sherwood Apartments in Biggar

1 or 2 bedroom, heat and water supplied, wired for cable TV and satellite system, laundry facilities, appliances, some suites with dishwashers, air conditioning, parking with plug-ins.

For more information call: Risa Management at 306-665-2300 or Andre at 306831-4430

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FEED & SEED FEED AND SEED AgPRO Seeds buying HEATED CANOLA. TOP PRICES PAID IN SK FOR 15-100% HEATED. On farm pickup, prompt payment! Price inquiries: 1(306)873-0481 or email: agproseeds@ gmail.com

BIGGAR INDEPENDENT ONLINE

www.biggarindependent.ca

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

REFLECTIONS

God is Near Us, in our Difficulties

by Father Ed Gibney, St Gabriel Catholic Church In this time when the entire world is facing the affliction of spreading illness and even death, it is a good time to listen to the words of Hosea as he offers us guidance to understand why there are any difficulties in our lives.

He says, “When Ephraim and Judah acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, then they shall cry out to me.”

One positive thing that can grow out of earthly difficulties is that we can be drawn to recognize our need of God. Therefore, whether it is individual afflictions that trouble each of us or the wider pandemic the world faces today, it is valuable to look upon these difficulties in the light of the sinful imperfections in our lives that have separated us from God, and the mercy that God offers to draw us back.

Now, I am not suggesting that COVID or any of

the other afflictions we face are the result of sin; as if they were God’s punishments, but these difficult times create for us a good opportunity to contemplate how we could be living our lives better. Unfortunately it is human nature that we continue in our imperfect ways until we face some calamity which shocks us into remembering the importance of God in our lives.

In these cases, the difficulties we face cause us to look beyond ourselves and recognize how all of us need God’s assistance. In times of affluence, happiness, health and peace, God is often forgotten, but in the face of adversity there is a tendency for humanity to raise its mind to heaven. Again through Hosea the Lord tells us, “In their distress they will beg my favour,” and we will respond, “Come, let us return to the

Lord for he will heal us.”

In times of difficulty we seek forgiveness for careless, self-serving days; to seek the favour of God which has been lost through our own actions; to seek the help which, in better days, has been ignored. We often need to face difficulties that humble us before we again place our trust in God. And those that turn to God, in humility and with a contrite heart, will not do so in vain.

But for those who have accepted the need for humility in their lives it is not necessary to face affliction before turning to God. Humility acknowledges God’s helping hand in all things, every day, and so the humble can seek a closer relationship with God, without the afflictions that arise in the world.

God calls us to humility for humility assists our trust in God, and our trust in God is a sign of our humble love for God. May God Bless you and keep you safe.

ST. GABRIEL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar

Father Edward Gibney

Parish Phone: 306-948-3330

3!452$!9 -!33 4)-% s P M SUNDAY MASS TIME s A M

OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH, Landis 35.$!9 -!33 4)-% s A M

Due to the pandemic, Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans worship services are online until further notice. For pastoral services, or to be included in online worship, please phone Cindy Hoppe at 9482947 or John Bennett at 948-2852.

BIGGAR ASSOCIATED GOSPEL CHURCH Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.

312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar

BIGGAR UNITED CHURCH 907 Quebec St./corner Turnbull Ave., Biggar

SUNDAY Services 11 a.m.

Covid 19 Guidelines Apply Masks Required INQUIRIES CALL CHURCH OFFICE 306-948-2280 LEAVE MESSAGE

S-D A C

SATURDAY SERVICES

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HIP/KNEE Replacement?

Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and up to $50,000 Lump sum refund.

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Providing assistance during Covid.

Expert Help:

1-844-453-5372 PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or 306649.1405 for details.

FARMLAND WANTED I am currenlty PURCHASING single to large blocks of land.

NO FEES OR COMMISISONS Saskatchewan born and raised, I know land, farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way.

Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com

Integrity Post Frame Buildings SINCE 2008

Built with Concrete Posts Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and More sales@ Integritybuilt.com 1-866-974-7678 www. integritybuilt.com

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.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Independent Classifieds

OBITUARIES Gordon Frederick Shuttle Feb 4 1938 - Feb 15 2021 It is with sadness we announce Gordon’s passing.

Gordon Frederick Shuttle was born Feb 4th, 1938 in Dodsland Saskatchewan. He passed away following a short illness at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, on Feb 15th, 2021.

Gordon is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years Caroline, his three sons Paul (Anahita), Mark, and Peter (Katherine), and his three grandchildren Steven, Katrina, and Cyrus. Gordon was predeceased by his father, Sydney and his mother Lillian, and his sisters Vivian and Jean. He is survived by his brother Brian Shuttle and sister Joan Baker (Bob) and nieces and nephews who also mourn his loss. Growing up on the family farm near Ruthilda he participated in 4H and enjoyed curling.

After completing high school in Rosetown, Gordon studied Agriculture and Education at the University of Saskatchewan at the Bachelor and Master’s level, and completed a Doctoral program in Education in Eugene, Oregon. Gordon had a long career, teaching in places such as Maidstone, Marsden, Neilburg, and Zealandia. Later he taught in Saskatoon at Walter Murray High School, Riverview Collegiate, and finally Nutana Collegiate, where he led the re-entry program.

Gordon was skilled at carpentry and construction. He was active in the Masonic Lodge and was a volunteer for Parkinson’s research, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Cremation has taken place and condolences may be left at: www.prairieviewchapel.com.

WANTED Canadian Prairie Pickers DEAD OR ALIVE

$

are once again touring the area!

Paying Cash For Coin Collections, Silver & Gold Coins, Royal Can. Mint Sets.

Also Buying Gold Jewelry

$ $

Bonded since 1967

We purchase rolls, bags or boxes of silver coins

PAYING HIGHEST PRICES

TOWN OF BIGGAR

is now accepting resumes for the following Recreation Seasonal positions:

To arrange a free, discrete in-home visit call

Kellie at 1-778-257-8647

Heavy Duty Mechanics required: Late model, clean CAT, JD equip; winch, dump, gravel trucks, and trailers. Both camp and shop locations; R & B provided Wage negotiable.

Clean drivers abstract a must.

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction )V_ (YIVYÄLSK :R : , ( " Fax: 306-769-8844 ,THPS! brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

Currently accepting applications for CROP HAIL ADJUSTERS for the 2021 hail season.

(July - October) Semi-retired or retired this job is for you!

Competitive salary, all expenses & mileage paid, health spending account and pension plan. We provide extensive training using our industry leading crop hail adjusting program.

Email: dtiefenbach@smhi.ca for application form and job overview.

306-569-1852 ext 170.

CARD OF THANKS We Would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Biggar Hospital for thier excellent care during mom’s stay. Also to all those who made donations on her behalf. Everything was greatly appreciated.

The Irven Family

1) Biggar Aquatic Centre:

- Assistant Pool Manager - Full-time and Part-time Lifeguards/Instructors *You must include photocopies of all current certifications *Please indicate if you are looking for a full time, part time, or casual position.

2) Summer Day Camp:

- Supervisor (40 hrs/week) - Assistants (20 hrs/week) *Please include photocopies of First Aid and CPR certification.

3) Recreation Department Seasonal Staff:

*Must have valid driver’s license.

With respect to the above positions: • Specify on resume which position(s) you wish to be considered for.

• Start dates vary, please include the earliest date you could commence work.

• Include any dates that you would not be able to work due to other commitments.

• For more Information on duties and wages contact: Erin at the Town Office, 306-948-3317 or recreation@townofbiggar.com

Deadline for all resumes: March 11, 2021.

Apply to: Biggar and District Recreation Board P.O. Box 1360 Biggar, SK, S0K 0M0 Fax: (306) 948-5134 Email: recreation@townofbiggar.com The Town of Biggar wishes to thank all prospective candidates; however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

ANDREW DANDERFER MAY 1, 1930 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 To the family & many friends of the late Andrew Danderfer, we wish to extend our sincere thanks for your many kindnesses, condolences and support that we have received. We also send our gratitude and appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Biggar & District Long Term Centre for your compassionate care you extended to Andrew during his stay. To Father Ed Gibney for his spiritual guidance and for the lovely church service. To the Landis Choir for the beautiful music and thank you to Gerein Funeral Services.

CLUES ACROSS 1. Ancient Persian city 5. Spindles 11. Stake 12. Retrain 16. Close by 17. Commercial 18. One who publicly announces 19. American ballplayer 24. Junior’s father 25. Go up or climb 26. Concern 27. When you hope to get there 28. Iacocca and Oswald are two 29. Plant of the lily family 30. Male college organization 31. National capital 33. Raccoonlike animal 34. Symbols of fertility 38. Astronomy unit 39. Series of ridges in anatomy 40. Hebrew leader 43. A portent of good or evil 44. Supreme goddess 45. Gelatinous substance 49. Engage in a contest 50. Famed ballplayer Ruth 51. Pledge 53. -__, denotes past 54. Revival 56. Spanish surname 58. Gold 59. Elsa’s sister 60. Workplace

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 15

SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE TOWN OF ASQUITH The Town of Asquith is inviting individuals to submit a resume for the position of seasonal Public Works Employee.

This position runs from May 1 to October 31 (Employee may be asked to start earlier in April, depending upon the year).

Respondents must include with their resumes written proof of their Grade 12 matriculation, a valid drivers license and experience working with mowers, trimmers and machinery.

Certification in water treatment/distribution and wastewater treatment/distribution is a priority requirement.

The right candidate can work towards achieving this while on the job. Candidate must be willing to learn how to operate and utilize all town equipment, be willing to work well with others, be willing to take direction and be physically fit enough to lift at least fifty pounds.

Please have all resumes stating qualifications in at the Asquith Town Office by 4:00 pm on March 18, 2021. Mailing address is:Town of Asquith, Box 160, Asquith, SK S0K 0J0 For more info please contact the Asquith Town Office at 306-329-4341.

63. Large quantity of something 64. Engraved 65. Discount CLUES DOWN 1. Shoe 2. Disquiet 3. Posture 4. Large nests 5. Soviet “Second Symphony” composer

6. Joins two pipes of different diameter 7. Exist 8. Overdose 9. Pleat of fabric 10. Predict the future 13. Burgeoning technology 14. Having made a valid will 15. Having no fixed course 20. __ route 21. Lethal dose 22. Indian musical pattern of

notes 23. Athlete 27. Geological times 29. Atomic #21 30. In support of 31. Brew 32. Certificate of insurance 33. Taxi 34. Type of saying 35. For cigars 36. Phil __, former CIA 37. Local area network

38. Gym class 40. Philippine Island 41. Not great or bad 42. Eastern part of NY state 44. Gov’t lawyers 45. Constructions 46. Former British gold coin 47. Unkeyed 48. Rechristen 50. Threaten persistently 51. Southeast 52. Cools your home 54. Removes the leaves 55. Regretted 57. Thus 61. Relief organization (abbr.)

62. Exclamation of surprise

16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021