The Independent

Go fly a kite ... Barry Redlick hits the frozen surface of Richmond Lake south of Biggar, February 24, trying out a new kiteboard kite. With warmer weather, Redlick was getting a bit of fresh air after a bitterly cold stretch. The warm weather will hopefully continue.

(Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Vol. 112 No. 09

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

16 pages

$1.50

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

Winter still has a hold on us, but spring is ‘round the corner.

Warmer temperatures this week are already making for better days.

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

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THURSDAY, MARCH ??, 4, 2021

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Pandemic Contingency used to support Saskatchewan people To help protect Saskatchewan people and businesses through the global COVID-19 pandemic, the $200 million health and public safety contingency has been drawn down, with $160 million in new contingency allocations.

Combined with other spending needs for the 2020-21 fiscal year, this required the issuing of February special warrants totalling $322.8 million.

“These special warrants are needed for pandemicrelated costs, as well as for health system requirements, AgriInvest Program payments, and highways construction and winter maintenance,” Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said. “In part through these special warrants, as well as in-year appropriation approved earlier in the fiscal year, our government

has drawn down the Health and Public Safety Contingency.”

The new contingency allocations totalling $160 million, consist of: $75.6 million for Saskatchewan Health Authority COVID pressures; $20 million for the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment Program; $17 million for Tourism supports; $14.2 million for Municipal Grants for Growth; $12.3 million for Public Safety response; $9.9 million for Custody Services; $5.5 million for the Chief Electoral Officer; $3.2 million for Court Service enhancements; $1.8 million for SaskPoly Dental Lab renovations; $500,000 for Conexus Arts Centre support.

The first $40 million of the $200 million contingency was allocated to the Safe School Plan in the first quarter of the 2020-21

fiscal year, to support the safe reopening on K-12 schools in the province.

Six ministries required special warrants, including: $179.5 million for Health; $75.0 million for service pressures in the Saskatchewan Health Authority; $52.9 million for various costs across the health system including the response to COVID-19 and settled collective bargaining; $50.3 million for equipment purchases for the response to COVID19; $1.3 million for asset development costs for the new physician claims management system; $96.6 million for Highways; $57.0 million due to a good season with more

contractors completing more work than a typical season; $23.0 million in pressures for winter maintenance; $14.2 million for municipal grants to stimulate economic growth and allow contractors to prepare for the upcoming season; $2.4 million to provide federal funding to Transwest Air for scheduled air services to five communities in northern Saskatchewan under the federalprovincial contribution agreement with Transport Canada; $35.4 million for Corrections, Policing and Public Safety; $15.7 million for Custody Services primarily due to operational pressures related to the COVID-

19 pandemic, as well as salary costs related to overtime; $13.8 million for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, primarily due to COVID19 response measures; $5.9 million for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program for increased disaster claim payments; $5.1 million for Justice and Attorney General; $3.174 million for Courts Services due to additional operational requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic; $1.156 million for Boards, Commissions and Independent Offices for utilization pressures in the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, the Human Rights Commission and the Office of Residential

Tenancies; $770,000 for Innovation and Legal Services due to higher usage of the ISC Corporate Registry and to cover falloff in revenue to the Queen?s Printer Revolving Fund due to the pandemic; $4.4 million for Agriculture for the AgriInvest Program based on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada winter forecast; $1.8 million for Advanced Education for Saskatchewan Polytechnic to upgrade its dental lab facility to ensure compliance with COVID-19 Protocols.

Special warrant amounts will be included in the Supplementary Estimates No. 2, which will be tabled on Budget Day, April 6.

Donahue recognized by Canadian Western Agribition with Top 50 in ag Canadian Western Agribition unveils the Top 50 most influential people in Canadian Agriculture, and Biggar local, Chantelle Donahue was in the list.

Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) is celebrating Canada’s Ag Day by unveiling a diverse group of industry leaders for the first-ever “Top 50 in Canadian Agriculture” campaign.

Donahue was recognized in the Innovators category. She is the Vice President Commercial Leader for Cargill in Canada based out of Winnipeg. She oversees government/regulatory relations, industry relations, media relations and corporate social responsibility. Prior to her current role, she was with Prairie

Malt Limited, merchandizing for Cargill Limited and various roles which focused on agriculture research. She has 16 years of experience in the ag field. Along with her husband Greg, Chantelle operates a grain and oilseed farm in Biggar. She is the proud mother of her daughter, Abigail.

In late 2020, CWA and FCC teamed up to launch the search for the Top 50 most influential leaders in Canadian agriculture.

The nomination-based campaign ran coast-tocoast and consisted of five unique categories: Mentors; Upstarts; Innovators; Deal Makers; Designated Hitters.

After several weeks of nominations, a panel of judges, including Kim McConnell, Mary Robin-

Biggar local, Chantelle Donahue was named to the Canadian Western Agribition’s Top 50 influential people in the nation’s ag sector.

(Submitted Photo)

Rail Commerce ... A CN train waits while west bound company traffic passes, all at an crossing on Crozier Road, east of Biggar. See story on Page 10 which answers some of the questions recently posed to CN. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

son, Rory McAlpine, and Claude Lafleur, were put to the test of selecting 10 finalists in each category. The finalists unveiled today come from all over Canada, working in almost every sector of agriculture.

“There is no better way to celebrate Canada’s Ag Day than to recognize the diversity of people, sectors, and ideas that make

Canadian agriculture what it is today,” says CWA CEO Chris Lane.

“These finalists represent some of the best in an industry that continues to create endless

opportunities to dream, grow, and thrive. It’s certainly something to celebrate as part of Canada’s Ag Day,” says Todd Klink, chief marketing officer for Farm Credit Canada.

All Top 50 in Canadian Agriculture winners will be featured in a magazine that will be distributed

by CWA and will be celebrated at CWA’s 50th show in November 2021.

Biggar RCMP report

by Sgt Dean Kabaroff, Biggar Detachment Commander The Biggar RCMP responded to 64 calls for service area over the last three weeks.

These include assault, mischief and two people were charged with impaired operation.

There were 224 vehicles stopped for driving infractions, resulting in 83 tickets and 86 written warnings and 55 verbal warnings being issued.

Biggar members and the Rosetown Traffic Unit continue to target impaired drivers on the highways, Rural Municipalities and towns. Biggar RCMP continue to make

proactive patrols in the RM’s and as the weather gets nice police encourage people to report any suspicious vehicles or persons.

With the nice weather finally here the Biggar RCMP would like to remind people to slow down in school zones, respect all posted speed

limits and be mindful of pedestrians at cross walks. Pedestrians have the right of way at cross walks and police want to ensure the publics safety.

RCMP will be increasing patrols and enforcing the Traffic Safety Act in the school zone, controlled intersections and stop signs.

Bingo Numbers for

MARCH 4 B1 I29 N31 N44 G68

Opinions HAVE A NICE DAY!

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Letters to the Editor:

Dear Editor We are overjoyed that the Brownlee’s are willing to invest money in order to make Biggar an even better town. We are sure that we are the envy of every other small town.

Biggar could become a destination town. If we have activities going on in the park, people will drive miles to join in. People are always looking for fun things to do. It’s why so many of us drive to Saskatoon. How much nicer it would be to stay home. If we make Biggar unique it will encourage more people to come here. They will eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores and visit our beautiful museum. Now that so many people can work from home, people may decide to move here.

Yes, mistakes have been made in the past but we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make Biggar special. The reason they held the consultation meetings was so people could point out things that needed to be tweaked. The plan may not be perfect but it can become even better with input.

We all know how much small town living has to offer. It’s so nice to visit with our friends and neighbours in the grocery store or post office (pre COVID) we know our children’s teachers and friends. We feel safe here. We have a great life here and now we have the chance to make it even better.

We would like to thank all who contribute to making this a great community.

Here’s to the future!

Shirley and John Bennett Biggar

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

Dear Editor I am not an “anti-vaccer” or an “anti-masker” but, I am anti-mandatory, anti-oppression and anti-deception.

Labeling people for what they believe, especially in a negative way, in my opinion is a way

of shutting down intelligent questioning and debate. Because someone disagrees with what we believe does not automatically make them wrong.

Remember Galileo? He taught heliocentrism, which was against what the established church/

government believed, and in 1632 he appeared before the Inquisition. He was found guilty of heresy, and he spent the rest of his life under house arrest. Are we headed back to the Dark Ages?

Continued on page 6

Texas reminds us of value of SaskPower There are a number reasons why we take good, ol’ SaskPower for granted … and maybe sometimes even dislike it.

For starters, a government-owned monopoly utility is bound to irritate us because it seemingly can charge what it wants for something we absolutely can’t live without.

This always been a source of resentment in Saskatchewan - one that’s likely grown as we’ve become more free enterprise in nature.

And while publicly owned utilities like SaskPower actually pre-date the first Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (the CCF that would later become the NDP) government, Crown corporations have always been long-associated with the NDP, social

the

democratic philosophy.

That was cemented in the 1980s when the NDP fought tooth and nail to stop their privatizations.

But ultimately why we still own Crown utilities like SaskPower comes down to our recognition that we do need a stable, reliable and affordable power supply for all.

A snowstorm 1,400 miles to the south of us in Texas now serves as a reminder of that.

The -20C temperatures Texans faced a couple weeks ago wreaked havoc on poorly insulated homes, businesses and people more accustomed to enduring tornadoes, hurricanes and summer heat.

About 4.7 million Texas homes and businesses were left without electricity, heat and run-

ning water due to burst pipes and frozen natural gas intakes. Power lines downed by ice and freezing rain added to the chaos.

So did wind turbines that account for 15.7 per cent of Texas power that were shuddered by the cold.

To say that SaskPower is vastly more prepared for such cold weather is a massive understatement.

For starters, we do better insulate everything, including our wind turbines - although they only account for 241 megawatts or five per cent of SaskPower total 4,893-megawatt generating capacity. (Another 387 megawatts is in the works in the Herbert-Riverhurst-Assiniboia area with 300 more megawatts in the planning.)

Contrary to the notion held by some that wind turbines don’t work in cold Saskatchewan winters, they continue to spin here in temperatures as low as -30 C (windchill being a non-factor, because wind is the turbine’s friend). In fact, wind turbines here pump out more energy in the colder months.

But besides being prepared for cold, Saskatchewan is more accepting of the reality that distributing electricity to a vast jurisdiction (Saskatchewan is within 4,000 square kilometres of being as big as Texas) requires rules to be followed and a willingness of both business and people to co-operate.

What really bogged down Texas even after the power went back on

INDEPENDENT

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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

is utility deregulation in that state that’s created a bit of a free-for-all for that now sees Texas consumers buy their power from the cheapest private source and sees little in the way of a backup plant for catastrophic events like this snowstorm.

Unlike SaskPower that stops energy exports in times of shortages and also has agreements and means to quickly purchase power from neighbours in a crisis, there is little central planning in deregulated Texas.

So even after power was restored, some Texans were hit with bills of $5,000 for five days because their contracts with private companies allowed to jack up prices to make up for shortfalls.

Here in Saskatchewan, some big industrial users

do have guarantee supply contracts to prevent damages to their businesses, but even they can have their power cut to ensure electricity first flows to homes and hospitals.

Are we perfect? Hardly.

And our electrical costs are high.

But maybe what we saw in Texas is reason to question whether its smart to be handing back rebate cheques back to consumers as the Saskatchewan Party promised last election rather than pumping that money back into SaskPower’s aging infrastructure.

As Texas proved, electricity costs you dearly when you don’t have it.

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.

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Some years ago ...

Notable Notes Bob Mason

I’m getting old, I guess.

All I can write about seems a little short to me anyway. I hope the readers don’t mind this account of something that happened in the ‘30s!

Things were kind of bad at that time, and I think some things were

never remembered! I’m going to tell you what Y.T. knows about what happened ... read on!

In the 1930’s, things got kind of bad for some ranchers and farmers.

In “Ten Lost Years”

by Barry Broadfoot, a fella rode in to part of the area and bought up some of the struggling ranchers. But he got into a card game one night (poker, I understand!) and won a lot of his money back. He was found a week later, tied to his riding horse, his saddle had slipped and he had turned upside down, his head dragging along the ground!

Now, everyone in the

country seemed to know who had done it. The police tried for months to find out who, but no one was ever charged, no one ever blamed!

Times were real bad for some ranchers back then, and for some, it seemed the right sort of justicething to do. Except for that saddle accidentally spinning him upside down! It was almost a horrible tragedy!

There were many things like this that happened in those years!

Let’s hope those years never happen again!

And yes, this was back in the 1930’s, a bleak, desperate period for the Prairies. The Saskatch-

How to help aging adults adapt to technology Children, adolescents and young adults likely cannot imagine a life without modern technology.

Technology may have pervaded every part of life in the 21st century, but it wasn’t so long ago that phones were still attached to walls and people had to watch their favourite shows and films exclusively on televisions instead of having the option to watch them on devices like smartphones and tablets.

The transition to life in the age of technology went smoothly for most segments of the population, but some aging adults have had a more difficult time making the adjustment. That difficulty was apparent throughout the COVID19 pandemic, when public health agencies like the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged aging adults to limit interactions with people outside their homes. Such recommendations forced many seniors to communicate with their families exclusively over the phone or via video conferencing apps like Zoom.

If seniors have had a hard time adapting to technology, their families can try these strategies to make that transition go more smoothly.

• Go over product man-

uals with seniors. The senior caregiving experts at Home Care Assistance note that older adults are less likely to learn through experimentation than they are by reading instructions in the manual. When helping seniors learn to use new devices, go over the owner’s manual with them as you set up the device. Mark important pages in the manual so seniors know where to go for quick answers if they experience any issues logging in or using certain apps.

• Look for senior-specific devices and guidebooks. Seniors make up an enormous segment of the population, and tech companies have long since recognized that there’s a market for products designed specifically for aging men and women. When shopping for devices for seniors, look for those that have

been designed to help them overcome issues that have proven problematic for aging adults in the past. Devices that feature touchscreens with large menus, easily accessible navigation tools and simplified features can help seniors as they learn to use new technology.

• Be patient. Some seniors are excited by the prospect of learning to use new technology, while others may be hesitant. Patience is essential when working with an aging loved one who’s intimidated by technology. Take the time to explain apps and features and don’t take it for granted that seniors will know how to use a device or recognize what a device can do.

Today’s seniors may not have grown up with technology at their fingertips, but they can still learn to use devices to their advantage.

If seniors have had a hard time adapting to technology, their families can try these strategies to make that transition go more smoothly.

ewan of that time and most of those involved with the fella who bought up those struggling ranchers, are now long gone. It was a terrible time, all because of money!

Let’s hope that our plans for money are better in the future, eh?

Advertising doesn’t cost

. . . it pays!

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Chef Dez on cooking Chef Dez on cooking Chef Dez

Cooking with or without water How many recipes have you seen that list water as an ingredient?

A pasta sauce recipe, for example, may say to add a cup of water.

How much flavour does water have? Nothing. I am always preaching to be innovative while cooking and add ingredients other than water such as wine, broth, beer, juice, et cetera because they have more flavour.

Although most can, some recipes cannot adapt to this type of modification.

It will usually depend on the amount of seasonings/flavour already in the dish.

The first thing to examine is the amount of water the recipe suggests. If the amount is of minuscule

proportion, then typically replacing the water shouldn’t be a concern.

The choice of distinctive liquid would accent the existing flavours without risk of overpowering of the dish.

If the recipe states a large quantity of water, then one must examine what the other ingredients are and how much flavour they will impart on their own. This is not as complicated as it may sound. The most effective way to determine if a recipe can accept any variation is to make it the way it is written first and then listen to your taste buds. Could it use more flavour? If so, what would compliment it and how pungent/mellow can the liquid be? Maybe just replacing a portion of the water would be the solution or leaving the recipe in its original state is just fine. Make notes in your cookbooks for future reference.

Rice cooked in chicken stock, for example, has more flavour than if it was cooked in only water.

I know that may seem

Letter to the Editor: This is the challenge we are facing today. “Get with the program.” “We need to listen to the experts.”

Well, that’s fine, but let’s debate your program. Some of us believe it is not based on science.

The experts don’t all agree either. So far only the experts employed by the government have the floor. That is why we need a free and vigorous debate in our legislatures and our parliament. If the other experts were given opportunities to speak in our legislatures and on the mainstream media it would bring some balance to any solution that might be considered. We cannot allow one-sided decisions to be forced upon the people. Many of the decisions have resulted in restrictions that are totally extreme, and make no sense, because they are not based on science or logic.

Michelle Remple, the shadow cabinet minister for health, asked in committee this week, “What data was used to determine that hotel quarantines are a better option for stopping the spread of variants than the Calgary border pilot program

(Continued from page 4)

which employs rapid onarrival testing?”

The best answer was stunning silence! There was a promise to get back to her.

Other questions Ms. Remple could ask are: “Why do we need a vaccine if we have medication such as hydroxychloroquine and zinc or budesonide, or ivermectin? Why did Dr. Fauci say that the vaccine does not prevent you from getting COVID-19? Is that correct?

Why don’t we arrange to have a debate between medical experts who have very different perspectives on how to approach this virus? People could listen and then decide for themselves what is best for them. What a novel idea!

The fallout of this extreme approach to COVID-19 has been devastating and destructive.

Wearing masks limits the supply of oxygen which is needed to maintain good health. Also, the toxins that escape from our lungs when we exhale are partially blocked and are inhaled back into our lungs, possibly weakening the immune system,

quite obvious, so let me give you some ideas with the following liquids: Red wine or dark beer are great additions to red meat and tomato dishes, such as pasta sauce, gravies, chili, stir-fry’s, soups, stews, et cetera. A general ‘rule of thumb’ is the stronger the flavours in a certain dish, then the more robust wine/beer it can handle as an ingredient.

White wine is better suited to cream sauces, poultry gravies, lighter soups, and seafood.

Broth, stock, or vegetable juices can be paired up with certain dishes, based on the flavours you want to impart, albeit chicken, beef or vegetable. Broth/ stock is an option for almost any savoury dish.

Fruit juices can also be used in savoury dishes (savoury is the opposite of sweet). A delicious example would be an orange ginger stir-fry made from orange juice.

These are only suggestions as there are countless options and combinations to try. Keep tasting and taking notes. Your

cookbooks may turn our looking like high-school textbooks, but for the sake of better eating – it is worth it.

Dear Chef Dez: If I don’t have white wine and a recipe calls for it as an ingredient, what can I use instead?

Tim M. Nanaimo, B.C. Dear Tim: If you want to keep the recipe tasting as close to the way it was written then I would suggest white grape juice or apple juice, as long as the quantity is minimal.

The main consideration with fruit juices is their higher sugar content could drastically affect the outcome of the recipe. Therefore, it is better to use them in smaller quantities, unless your goal is a sweet finish.

Darker berry and grape juices can also be used in small amounts in place of red wine.

Chef Dez is a Chef, Writer, and Host. Visit him at chefdez.com. Write to him at dez@chefdez.com or P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, B.C., V2T 6R4.

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

and putting everyone at a higher risk of contracting the virus. Parents, elderly folk, young people, and children have suffered physically, and mentally. Suicides, to say the least, have almost, become common place.

Many of the enjoyments of life have been put on an indefinite hold. Some people live in constant fear. Not much incentive here to get with the program! We were created to live, laugh, work, and play. The scriptures say, “A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 (NKJ). Unfortunately, there appears to be a lot of broken spirits these days. It is difficult to see smiles behind masks, but even the eyes have lost their sparkle!

We now have a Christian pastor who is currently detained in a maximum-security prison, in solitary confinement, because he believes that the scriptures instruct Christians to assemble

together each week for worship. It is called freedom of worship. Worship is essential to the whole being of a person, physically, socially, mentally, and emotionally. It would seem to me that if we really cared about the safety of the people, churches would be one place that would not even be limited in attendance never mind closed. We need to ask our selves what kind of stress is this placing on this pastoral family, who in my opinion, are exemplary citizens of this country? I ask, again, “Are we heading back to the Dark Ages?”

We all know that the big retail stores are wide open with hundreds of people shopping at the same time. I guess these huge retail stores have built up an immunity to the virus.

How about a program as simple as this one that comes from a medical institution in Weimar, California. The acronym spells ‘A New Start’.

A-Attitude of Gratitude:

Big win for Biggar local ... Larry Sutherland was a recent ZING - Set For Life lotto winner. Sutherland, who bought his ticket at Biggar FasGas, came away with a big $20,000 payout! Congratulations!

1/4 Page (Submitted Photo)

PE R B IN SPA W GO E N

YOU COULD WIN A $400 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO SPEND AT OUR FINE RETAILERS IN BIGGAR

CHECK THE NEWSPAPER EACH WEEK FOR A NEW SET OF NUMBERS GET A BLACKOUT AND YOU WIN!!

NEXT START DATE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2021 In the case of multiple balckouts gift certificate will be split evenly

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Learn to develop a strong positive and optimistic outlook on life and to have an attitude of gratitude for the many blessings that we each have in our lives.

N-Nutrition: two or B1 - B6 - I18Eat - N38 - 068 three well-balanced meals THIS WEEKʼS NUMBERS JUNE 18 a day, including a large wholesome, breakfast and a small supper. Use sugar very sparingly.

E-Exercise: Establish a regular exercise program, such as a daily thirtyminute walk.

W-Water: Drink approximately six to eight, eightounce glasses of water a day.

S-Sunshine: When possible, try to get 15 or more minutes of sunshine on the face and hands every day. Taking up to 4,000 International Units (IU) of Vitamin D3 each day seems to be beneficial for many people. Check with your family doctor.

T-Temperance: Avoid the

use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drinks containing caffeine.

A-Air: Get as much fresh outdoor air as possible every day R- Rest: Get approximately 8 to 8.5 hours of sleep a day.

T-Trust in God. Take time for spiritual growth.

In my humble opinion, these simple health tips, based on scientific research, and have stood the test of time, could have a far greater impact on this virus and many other afflictions we suffer, far greater than wearing masks and shutting down our country.

I appeal to your intelligence. After almost one year, I believe it is time to make the call, “The emperor has no clothes.”

Thankfully, we still get to choose which program we want to support.

Marjorie Fortney, Biggar

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Agriculture

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7

Carbon Tax idiocy

Agriculture Calvin Daniels

by Calvin Daniels The national carbon tax in Canada is widely - well despised - on the Prairies, in particular among farmers.

That stands to reason simply from the position that farmers are major consumers of fossil fuels in their day-to-day operations, and anything that increases the cost of that fuel is not going to be popular.

While the idea of a carbon tax is to push people to look for alternatives to fossil fuel use, that is not easily achieved on the farm. Tractors may one day operate on alternatives to diesel fuel, but that development still appears years away at best.

The tax also hit farmers hard last fall as wet

weather necessitated trying grain, and grain dryers typically rely on fossil fuel consumption to operate. So the carbon tax was a factor, and not one that could be avoided as drying was essential to make sure the crop was safely in the bin.

Not surprisingly the carbon tax on farm fuels, and in particular that used for grain drying, has become a political issue, with the Conservative Party putting forth a Private’s Member initiative; Bill C-206, an Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (qualifying farming fuel).

In the world of party politics, rarely does a Private Member’s Bill get support from the ruling party, and such was the case here as the Liberals did not vote for the Bill.

But, while Private Member’s Bills rarely get passed, they do focus attention on the issue at-hand, and the Liberal government has said relief for grain drying is coming.

Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and environment and climate change minister Jonathan

Wilkinson have released a joint statement signalling their intentions, suggesting Bill C-206 did not provide relief for the fuel costs of grain drying, as it does not add grain drying as an eligible farming activity.

The Liberals are saying they are committed to new rebates for on-farm fuel use such as grain drying.

Of course the Liberals are also suggesting their plan will be better touting grain drying and barn heating will be a priority focus under the proposed $165 (million) agriculture clean technology fund.

The program will invest in energy efficiency, fuel switching, and other new technologies on farms.

In the end, beyond the political posturing that comes from a partybased system, the positive here is that some recognition, and financial relief tied to grain drying appears on its way. Given the importance of drying to protecting grain food crops and the importance of agriculture to the Prairie economy that is a good thing - if the details favour producers.

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8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

The Saskatchewan Traveller

21031mm4

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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by Trudy and Dale Buxton Our story continues southeast on Highway 55 from Green Lake.

We first come to the intersection of highway 924 which if you head north will take you to the Hamlet of Dore Lake.

Dore Lake has a population of less than 100 full time residents, but if your looking for a place to hideaway for a time then this could be the place.

Dore Lake is situated on the south tip of one of the largest lakes in Northern Saskatchewan and is an excellent place just to relax or try out some fantastic fishing and hunting which is plentiful in the area. There are many places to book and stay.

Next up down Highway 55 is the town of Big River.

Big River has a population of around 750 people and is just north of the prairie grain belt and 16 kilometres from Prince Albert National Park. Big River is a full service community with all amenities.

It began as a company town created as a base for the lumber industry in the very early 1900’s.

Commercial fishing also played a major role in the development of the community which was incorporated in 1921. It also has a sawmill which is a major employer in the area.

A couple of NHL players, Barry Pederson and Jim Neilson were born in Big River. Metis film producer and director Wil Campbell was also born in Big River.

Big River sits on the southern tip of Cowan Lake and summer time recreation in and around the lakes are a major industry of Big River.

It sponsors a huge Fish

Derby every spring to kick off the tourism season.

Next up is the village of Debden, with a population of around 350 residents, and most of the people are of “Fransaskois” origin or “FrancoSaskatchewanians” which are French Canadians living in Saskatchewan.

Debden was established in the 18th century during the fur trade and were early Francophones that entered the region. The village boasts a “Small Community With Big Hearts” Debden is also the place of a “Human Fooseball Tournament”, which was an annual event. It is also the administrative office for the Big River Cree First Nations, which is located nearby. The village is on the edge of the Prince Albert National Park and with all the lakes nearby Debden has become a favourite destination for many in the summer time.

Big River Cree First

Nation has a total population of around 4,000 people, of which around 2,900 live on the nearby reserve. The First Nation is involved in the forestry industry cutting timber for the Big River sawmill as well as in commercial fishing and tourism.

Next up down the road is the village of Canwood and a population of around 350 people.

Canwood’s major industries include agriculture and tourism, with its close proximity to the lakes in the area.

It has 20 campsites, golf course and three baseball diamonds, so there is no shortage of activities that happen in the area.

Since it was settled has gone through four name changes before settling on Canwood, which is in part of “Canadian Woodlands” and incorporated in 1916 and a quiet community with most amenities.

Stay tuned for more adventures.

1/4 Page

Pizzeria Adria and Ray’s Vinyl Paper Boy

Pizza Guy

Would like to say “Thank You” to the people of the R.M.’s of and surrounding Biggar for their support to our great community.

CHECK OUT OUR DAILY SPECIALS

and thanks for the business

Ray’s Vinyls

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

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

RCAF heavy-lift makes stop in Biggar ... An RCAF CH-147F Chinook from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, based in Petawawa, Ontario, gets a bit of attention from its crew, Tuesday afternoon at the Biggar Airport. While going back to its home base in Petawawa after taking part in Exercise Arctic

Classic Iron ... Not the Magnificent Seven, but the Weary Worthy Four, these classic snowmobiles have been buffed to past splendour on the Kevin McLeod farm during the COVID saga. Showroom condition and certainly a fond look back at some winter ‘mobiles!

(Submitted Photo)

Warrior in Alaska alongside the United States Army, the ferry crew had to stop in Biggar to make an adjustment to a panel latch on the aircraft before continuing on their way. While 450 Squadron members are no strangers to operating in the Arctic - one of the harshest environments on Earth - the Royal Canadian Air Force joined the exercise to enhance skills and ensure RCAF ability to operate alongside our American allies. Approximately 40 RCAF members and two helicopters took part from February 8 to 19 in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Extra caution was taken to protect Canadian Forces members from risk of COVID-19 exposure, which included cleaning the helicopters and equipment prior to returning to Canada. The crew who participated in the U.S. exercise remain in quarantine in Alaska while the pictured crew brought the tandem rotor Boeing Chinook back to base. In little time, they had everything fixed and magnificently and, for 1/4 Page such a huge helicopter, were very quietly on their way. (Independent Photos by

hotograp P t h 2i

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Kevin Brautigam)

)'( '0 ') % #$ .',) ' ,% &+*

Let’s get outside and have some fun MINI PHOTO SHOOTS for MARCH, APRIL, MAY

$100 C2it Photography

Package includes: t 5 edited images on a USB t 5x7 print of each image We’ll work together to make some great memories whether dressed up & looking pretty or wearing rubber boots and playing in puddles

Call or Text Chandra at 306-948-7099

Facebook page: C2it Photography Website: www.c2itphotography.com

($' )'% "'% ,*#&! %'+ - -( )+ ',)* +" / ()#$ +"

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10-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Canadian National Railway has been dealing recently with a lot of misconceptions as to their operations.

Long associated with Biggar and area, CN has

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

CN answers public questions

also taken heat for long crossing delays. The following are just some answers to the most popular questions they have received.

Why do trains whistle?

While we understand that whistling may be disturbing at times, CN is federally regulated and governed by Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) which mandate

to walk-ins HERE TO ASSIST YOU Closed but here to assist

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

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

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

Randy Weekes MLA for Biggar-Sask Valley randyweekes.mla@accesscomm.ca / 306-948-4880 / 1-877-948-4880

20200330_Weekes_COVID-10 Info Ad.indd 1

3/30/2020 1:09:21 PM

THIS A 3 COLUMN BY 3 INCH COST $100.00

21031ds0

whistling regulations.

Under CROR, Rule 14 (l), train crews are required to whistle at all public crossings. Train whistles are safety devices that alert motorists and pedestrians to the presence of an approaching train and warn trespassers away from the rail rightof-way. Locomotive engineers follow a detailed set of instructions under the CROR that outline when a whistle must be sounded and the whistling sequence to be used. Train crews will also use the whistle if there is a work project in the area to notify the work gang on or near the track that a train is approaching. In certain circumstances, a particular crossing may be exempt from whistling requirements.

How long can trains block crossings?

Regulated by Transport Canada, railways “cannot conduct regular railway operations or leave railway equipment blocking a public grade crossing for more than five minutes when drivers or public are waiting to cross, unless the railway is continually moving in one direction”.

CN notifies all first responders in the event a crossing is blocked for unforeseen reasons.

In case of emergency, motorists are encouraged to contact the CN Police Emergency Number 1-800-465-9239 - which is posted at every public crossing on our network.

In addition to the phone number, the sign includes the CN subdivision name and mileage point. This information may be used by emergency responders as well as the public to report an emergency.

This phone number is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CN Public Inquiry Line is the central point of contact for the public 1-888-888-5909. These inquiries may include noise, train whistling, crossing condition or property maintenance.

That number is also how to stay in contact with CN, as well, e-mail contact@ cn.ca, web site cn.ca, and facebook.com/CNrail.

Trespassing Being on railway property including its right of ways is both dangerous and against the law. The use of off highway vehicles such as snowmobiles, ATV’s, et cetera, or taking a shortcut is trespassing and you could be charged under the “Trespass to property Act 3(1) (a)” which is a $250 fine.

Safety Reminders

• Pay attention to your surroundings and don’t drive distracted.

• Always stop at the stop line or no closer than five meters from the crossing.

• When the lights at a crossing begin to flash this means to stop – not accelerate to beat the train.

• If there are multiple tracks, there might be multiple trains, wait till the gates are completely up and the lights stop flashing.

• At crossings only protected by a cross buck, you must stop if the train is within 500 meters.

• Crossings with cross bucks and flashing red lights you must stop and only proceed when the train has cleared and lights stop flashing.

• Any time is train time.

Trains do not run on a schedule. They can run at any time, on any track and come from either direction. Look, listen and live.

Do you know what the number is under the cross bucks if there is one displayed? This number tells you how many sets of tracks a motorist or pedestrian has to cross in order to get to the other side. Remember, there could be more than one train, in any direction at any time. Be aware of multiple line tracks, the crossing lights may be active for a reason.

Weight Ratio: An average freight train weighs 5.5 million kg.

Compare that to a car, which weighs around, 1,375 kg. A train hitting a car is like a car driving over a pop can. A single locomotive engine is 210 tonnes. When these trains are put together they are the longest heaviest pieces of rolling steel in the world.

A freight train with 80 railcars travelling 100 km/h can take up to two kilometres to stop or 18-20 football fields.

What makes these trains unable to stop is the minimum contact they have with the rail and their weight. A typical railway wheel will contact the rail less than the size of a dime, which means a freight train with 100 cars having 800 wheels will contact the rail surface no larger than a typical school desk top.

Why do collisions occur at highway/railway crossings? Statistics show that more than half of the collisions involving highway/railway crossings happen at crossings equipped with lights and bell with or without gates. A motorist who ignores the warning devices which is CN’s number one casual factor takes an unnecessary risk with their life and that of others.

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

Sports NHL’S Best? We’ll have to wait until summer

Penton on sports Bruce Penton

Canadian hockey fans are blessed with the best of the four National Hockey League divisions.

Those who can’t get enough of puck play are offered televised action almost every night, and most of it features teams in the Scotia North Division, where the likes of Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Mark Scheifele, Johnny Gaudreau and Brock Boeser frolic and make life miserable for goaltenders.

While the high-scoring games featuring explosive offences are exciting to fans, it’s difficult to look into a crystal ball and see what will transpire once divisional champions are determined this summer and crossover playoff action begins.

For instance, how will the high-scoring, wideropen play of the Canadian champion compare to a tighter-checking, lowerscoring team representing, say, the MassMutual East Division, where Boston Bruins, Washington, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the Islanders are battling it out for supremacy?

How will it work against the winner of the Discover Central Division, where the two Florida teams, the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, and Carolina appear to be the division’s powers? And how about the Honda West Division, where Vegas and surpris-

ing Minnesota are off to great starts?

The unique scheduling of this COVID-19 season creates a lot of mystery as to where the power actually lies. Because teams play only within their division - and won’t meet any other team until this summer’s playoffs the NHL’s overall power rankings are impossible to determine.

For instance, how would the first-place Toronto Maple Leafs (16-4–2 on Feb. 27) fare against the Panthers (13-4-3)?

Maybe Florida’s record is glittering because they play an extraordinary number of games against weak teams, such as Detroit and Nashville. On the other hand, the Leafs overload on Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary and have padded their win totals as a result.

Where do the Boston Bruins stack up in the overall scheme of things?

The Bruins were 11-5-2 on Feb. 27 and in a near dead heat with Washington and three other teams.

The weaker teams in that group - the Rangers, New Jersey and Buffalo - have been instrumental in the leaders’ gaudy record.

How would West-leading Vegas (11-4-1) fare if the Golden Knights faced a road trip taking them to, for example, Toronto, Boston, Philly, Tampa and Florida? We’ll never know.

Things will get interesting in late May or early June when each division determines its own champion and the four survivors get together to fight over the Stanley Cup. It will take us that long to discover where the true power lies. Meanwhile, keep those red lights flashing in NHL rinks across Canada. It’s been fun.

• Jack Finarelli, at sports-

curmudgeon.com, on Urban Meyer being hired as coach of Jacksonville Jaguars: “In his seven years at Ohio State, Meyer’s teams lost a total of nine games. If his first year with the Jags results in the Jags losing fewer than nine games, he might be the Coach of the Year in the NFL.” • RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “An ESPN talking head called one of Rob Gronkowski’s nightclub partying videos, ‘Just a man living the American dream.’ Which in Gronk’s case appears to be life, liberty and the pursuit of happy hour.”

• Chris Calarco, commenting on a Facebook page for Buffalo fans, after the Sabres got shut out at home for their fourth straight loss: “I bought a cardboard cutout to honour my aunt who passed away. Can I come pick it up so she doesn’t have to watch this any more?”

• Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “The NBA issued warnings to the Lakers’ LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma for violating the anti-flopping rule in a game against Memphis.

Hey, if the league is really all that worried about flops … disband the Timberwolves!”

• Patti Dawn Swansson, aka the River City Renegade, on whether melting ice that caused the Vegas-Colorado outdoor game at Lake Tahoe to be delayed eight hours cost the NHL some money: “[If it did] they can just take it out of the slush fund.”

• Swansson again, on Mike Babcock returning to his roots by agreeing to be head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies: “How fitting that an old-school coach would return to his old school.”

• Good idea from Bob

SaskEnergy warning customers of telemarketing scam SaskEnergy is warning of a potential telemarketing scam targeting its residential customers.

SaskEnergy has received reports that individuals claiming to be associated with either SaskEnergy, or the federal government, are contacting customers regarding their eligibility for various rebates, including: carbon tax, furnace replacement and equipment maintenance. These callers are not associated with SaskEnergy, and are

not offering rebates on behalf of SaskEnergy.

SaskEnergy rebates are not offered through solicitation or door-todoor sales. All SaskEnergy rebates are offered through participating SaskEnergy Network Members only. For more information about SaskEnergy current rebates and programs, and a list of qualified Network Member companies, please visit saskenergy. com.

Anyone who has received

calls of this nature should make a report to the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) of the Government of Saskatchewan at 1-306787-5645 or 1-877-8805550 (menu option #1).

If you have provided personal financial information, including bank account or credit card information over the phone, you should report the matter to local police, as well as immediately contact your financial institution.

Advertising doesn’t cost . . . it pays!

Molinaro of pilotonline. com (Hampton, Va.): “Any NBA player who complains that a colleague was snubbed in the All-Star selection process must name the player he’d remove from the team.”

• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “There has never been any money in underestimating Tiger Woods. If anyone can come back from this, it is him. Having said that, if Tiger Woods ever drives a car himself again, his manager should go to jail.”

• Headline at Fark.com: “Patrick Mahomes welcomes first child, Sterling Skye Mahomes, expected to play against Tom Brady in about 20 years.”

• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com, on the sun wreaking havoc on the NHL outdoor games at Lake Tahoe: “So add to 2021 insanity … a major professional sporting event postponed because the weather was too good?”

Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca.

• • • • • • •

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 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

“NEW” Family Combo 1 LARGE PIZZA 1 POUND of CHICKEN WINGS 6 CHICKEN FINGERS 95 .

DRY RIBS $56 4 GARLIC TOAST LARGE CAESAR SALAD 2 LITRE POP

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

12 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

COURIER

ELECTRICAL

BIGGAR ELECTRICAL & REFRIGERATION SERVICES Commercial and Industrial Electrical Wiring

Business & Professional …

BIGGAR COURIER

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

~Brian and Cathy Fick~

Cell: 306-948-7524

Licensed Journeyman Adrian de Haan

306-948-5291

PLUMBING & HEATING Sewing & Embroidery Custom Embroidery t +BDLFUT t 8JOETVJUT t 4IJSUT t )VOUJOH (FBS Teams, Corporate and t #VOOZIVHT t $BQT Personal Attire t 5PRVFT t #BHT

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For all your home, business and rural needs

Judy Check outKahovec… our new website: classicmakings.ca 306-882-4313, cell 306-831-7935 Judy Kahovec: 882-4313, Cell 831-7935 Carey Krchov: 882-3213

HEALTH/WELLNESS

Biggar, Sask.

Journeymen Plumber, Gas Fitter, & Electrician on staff

306-717-2818

www.madgesaskroofing.com Biggar, Sask.

AUTOMOTIVE

M & N REPAIR Open Monday-Friday Mike Nahorney, Journeyman

Co-Ed Fitness Centre Healthy Lifestyle Weight Loss Personal Training Fitness Classes

…owned and operated

by Brett Barber

Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income

102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

Call: 306-948-2101

www.newufitness.ca

306-948-9750

HEAVY TRUCK & AUTO Repair TIRES BOATS & RVs FULLY MOBILE MECHANIC

SGI Safety INSPECTIONS

104 - 6th Ave. East, Biggar, Sask.

Southeast entrance of Nova Wood Bldg.

Hours…

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

306-948-3408

ROSETOWN DENTAL

115 - 1st Avenue West Rosetown, Sask.

OFFICE HOURS

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

Friday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Phone:306.882.2123 New Patients Welcome!

Dr. Krista Maedel & Associates

SERVICES

GALLARDO Liner

Passenger Services 122 Main St. - Biggar Depot Macklin to Saskatoon & towns in-between Kindersley to Saskatoon & towns in-between

Special Event, Airport Service or Doctorʼs Appointments

PHONE......306-951-0078 or 306-951-0098 A Sign of

INVESTMENTS

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SERVICE TRUCK FULL MECHANICAL SERVICE

-ON &RI s A M P M phone: Chris

306-948-3376

HAULING

s 7OOD METAL PLASTIC SIGNS s 6EHICLE WINDOW GRAPHICS s "ANNERS STICKERS AND Magnetic signs

Jerry Muc Phone: 306-948-2958 Fax:

306-948-5699

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ACCOUNTING SEEKIN G NE CLIENT W CAMPBELL S ACCOUNTING SERVICES • Income Tax Returns • Bookkeeping • Payroll • Financial Statements

BIGGAR DENTAL CLINIC

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FOR RENT BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

“Setting a Higher Standard” New Construction Re-roofing Torch-on Tile Metal All repairs Asphalt Inspections Shakes NOW DOING Eavestroughing Downspouts Soffit & Facia We offer 10 Year Workmanship Warranty and Liability/Torch On Insurance Excellent Local References For a FREE estimate please call… 306-948-5453

306-948-3996

- together with -

DENTAL

MADGE ROOFING INC.

701 - 4th Ave. E., Biggar

Owners/Operators • Dallas Young • Claude Young

306-948-3389

ROOFING

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 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

Dan • 306-948-7843

Biggar, Sask.

Naty/Michael…

OPTOMETRISTS

223 Main Street Biggar

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

Dr. Kirk Ewen Dr. Michelle Skoretz Doctors of Optometry

306-948-2183

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

LEGAL SERVICES In BIGGAR

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

Attention: Deanna Steven

Peszko &Watson

is a full service law office Please proof Business that practices…

&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.ac 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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INSURANCE

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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…

Mon. - Tue, Thur - Fri 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday, 9:30am - 5pm

304 Main St., Biggar Phone: 306-948-2204 Toll Free: 1-855-948-2204

Landis Office Hours:

Mon.-Tue, & Fri., 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday, 10:00am - 4:30pm

Thursday CLOSED

100 - 2 Ave. W., Landis Phone: 306-658-2044 Toll Free: 1-855-658-2044 nd

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P

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DPNNFSDJBM PJM GJFME t /08 PGGFSJOH JOEVTUSJBM 4LJETUFFS 5SBOTQPSU • CWB )PU 4IPU 4FSWJDF Certified CALL Chance Parenteau @ 306-948-9465 or Sarah Nagy @ 306-290-9766

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CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Get a firm grasp on your finances this week, Libra.

Start browsing your bank accounts so you have a better idea of your spending.

This way you can better plan for the future.

Capricorn, no matter how much time you want to devote to your personal goals, you just may find that other activities require much more attention than you anticipated.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Shift your focus to your

Normally you are very good at keeping your emotions in check, Scorpio.

However, letting others see what’s beneath the surface can be beneficial to you in the weeks to come.

Aquarius, don’t be surprised if you have your patience tested a bit this week, especially at the workplace. You’ll find a way to come out shining, however.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

PISCES – Feb 19/ Mar 20

Take your foot off of the accelerator, Sagittarius.

You don’t have to race to the finish line; enjoy the scenery for a change. Stop as many times as you can along the way.

Take a big, deep breath and focus on all the good things in your life, Pisces.

This will help you ride out any rough spots that crop up.

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DB SAFETY SERVICE 1ST AID TRAINING

1st Aid training on-line or classroom. $120 Re-Certs $85 Canadian Red Cross For More Info:

dale@dtjssb.ca or

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REAL ESTATE

Shoreline Realty

Cari Perih ®

REALTOR

Cell: 306-948-7995 Office: 306-867-8380 carip@remax.net

www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca

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Dave Molberg

Farm & Acreage Salesperson (306) 948-4478 dave.molberg@hammondrealty.ca HammondRealty.ca

BIGGAR INDEPENDENT BOX 40 BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 306-948-3344 tip@sasktel.net SUBSCRIPTION RATES…per year ONLINE… $40.00 + $2.00 gst = $42.00 Inside 40-mile Radius… $45.00 + $2.25 gst = $47.25 Outside 40-mile Radius… $50.00 + $2.50 gst = $52.50

VIRGO – Aug 24/

Re-Certs $85 Please get back to 22/ me withSept 22 GEMINI – May Canadian Red Cross changes/corrections by returnYou are usually better Jun 21 For More Info:

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space is a tad chaotic, then Thanks Urla 951-7700 hunker down somewhere 948-3344 less hectic. This can provide the right environment for focus.

at focusing on the tasks at hand than most other astrological signs, Virgo. Don’t be hard on yourself if you get a tad distracted in the next few days.

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

Expect to be in high Cancer, make a habit demand this week, Aries. of finding the silver lining You have the time and to any situation. This shift energy to give to others, in attitude can bring more so make the most of each positivity and sunshine into 2 col/6 chance to lend someone a your life, particularly when helping hand. you need it most.

23

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CANCER – Jun 22/ Jul 22

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ARIES – Mar 21/ Apr 20

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

14 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

FEED & SEED

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

FORAGE SEED FOR SALE: Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc.

Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942.

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BIGGAR INDEPENDENT ONLINE

www.biggarindependent.ca

REFLECTIONS

Sowing our garden

by Sue Bernier for Biggar United Church Well, I for one, am glad that the cold weather is behind us.

“It hasn’t been that cold in a hundred years” is what could be heard in coffee shops, behind masked faces, for those brave enough to go outside.

We all promise not to complain about the heat of summer- just wait.

I am glad, though, that it is warming up and there is heat and strength in the sun.

Thinking of warmth and summer, we often turn to seed catalogues and planning our gardens. I helped my daughter and grandson plant their indoor garden with peppers, tomatoes, herbs and such.

Every year, with bated breath, we start those poor

seeds indoors, imagining the bounty the plants will bring. Our mouths water thinking of the juicy tomatoes, crisp peppers, crunchy cucumbers and the savory herbs our garden will produce.

Spring also brings Lent and Easter, a time for reflection and renewal. God gave his only Son so we could have a fresh start, to plant seeds of goodness, faith and truth.

Does God imagine the fruits of his labour and sacrifice meeting with His expectations?

Every year we hear of things we should give up for Lent; what if we gave more thought to those around us

for Lent instead?

Can we do more reflection and be better followers of Christ, walking in Jesus’ sandals, really deserving of the forgiveness freely given to us?

In this time of uncertainty, during this pandemic, what can we “seed” as true followers of Jesus?

Can you be there for a friend who is having a hard day, with a phone call or across the driveway chat?

What about the food bank - do you have an extra can of soup to spare?

Can you send a letter to a shut in?

Can you plant the acts of compassion that Christ has shown us?

Let us all plant Christ’s garden and imagine the fruits of our labour being the best harvest ever. May it be so.

Happy Easter from your friends at the Biggar United Church!

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

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

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or 306-649.1405 for details.

Recreation Seasonal positions:

2) Utility Seasonal Staff Duties include but are not limited to maintenance associated with water and waste water, assisting with daily work orders, water line disconnections and reconnections, yard maintenance, and GPS mapping of municipal infrastructure.

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: Mark at publicworks@twonofbiggar.com.

Deadline for all resumes: April 1, 2021.

Apply to: Town of Biggar P.O. Box 489 Biggar, SK, S0K 0M0 Fax: (306) 948-5134 Email: publicworks@townofbiggar.com The Town of Biggar wishes to thank all prospective candidates; however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

C: -- www.amazingfacts.org

Seasonal positions:

1) Public Works Seasonal Staff Duties include but are not limited to: grass cutting, trimming, patching potholes, painting, small equipment operation and maintenance, assisting with water line repairs, line painting, and sidewalk replacement.

SATURDAY SERVICES

B S : ..

C S : ..  -  A. E

TOWN OF BIGGAR

*Looking for an eager, energetic self-motivated individual.

Must have valid driver’s license. *Individuals will be working in a close team environment with experienced staff.

Father Edward Gibney

Parish Phone: 306-948-3330

TOWN OF BIGGAR

is now accepting resumes for the following

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

is now accepting resumes for the following

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, 306948-3317 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.

Independent Classifieds

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

CARD OF THANKS

MEMORIAMS

The families of Sylvia Thomson would like to send our heartfelt thank you to everyone for the virtual hugs, kind words, messages, flowers, cards and thoughts on Sylvia’s passing.

A special thank you to Neal Houdek for creating the beautiful urn.

Thank you to Mike and Ed of Gerein Funeral Services for their compassion and taking their time with us on making everything perfect.

To Ed Young for the caring words as Celebrant at the church.

Thank you to Biggar EMS, the staff at Biggar and District Health Center, as well as Shannon and the staff of Sunshine Care Home. To Dr. Muller for the special care given to Mom over the years.

Last but not least to Brett Barber for the gorgeous flowers.

Sylvia will be sadly missed by all and the memories of her will always be cherished.

Debbie and Verne and family, Denise and Weldon and family, Dale and Tracy, Derek and Cindy and family.

“Hope you are still playing with your sticks” In Memory of: Brother Elmer Kurbis June 1940-February 2020 Brother Art Kurbis November 1937-January 2015 Sister Liz Murch September 1934-January 2021 Mom Oct 1907-Feb 1998 Nephew Jason Long April 1970-March 1985 Dad March 1896-March 1976 Brother Bill Kurbis October 1935-July 2-16 Brother Gordon Kurbis March 1943-October 2017

The Biggar Nationals U7 & U9 Teams would sincerely like to thank the Rosetown A&W for sponsoring the purchase of the medals for the teams.

DEAD OR ALIVE

$

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

Also Buying Gold Jewelry

$ $

We purchase rolls, bags or boxes of silver coins

PAYING HIGHEST PRICES

Bonded since 1967

To arrange a free, discrete in-home visit call

Kellie at 1-778-257-8647

Expert Help:

1-844-453-5372

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.

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.

HIP/KNEE Replacement?

Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide!

Providing assistance during Covid.

TOWN OF ASQUITH

are once again touring the area!

We miss you all everyday & hope to meet you again wherever.

From all your siblings and kids.

The Kurbis Family Jan Kurbis

The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and up to $50,000 Lump sum refund.

SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE

WANTED Canadian Prairie Pickers

Though your smile has gone forever, And your hand we cannot touch, Still we have so many memories, Of the one we loved so much, You memory is our keepsake, With which we will never part, God has you in his keeping, And we have you in our hearts.

Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING?

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 15

BELIEVE IT? Don’t fall victim to sharing fake news about COVID-19 online.

Learn the four simple steps that will help you SPOT fake news online.

Watch the video at SPOTfakenews.ca

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 3 col/6 website at www.swna.com.

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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

HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF FAKE NEWS! The global COVID-19 pandemic means learning how to SPOT fake news has never been more important.

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16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021