The Independent

Vol. 112 No. 13

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

20 pages

$1.50

They’re all ears ... Deer take a long, long look as they get their picture taken this past weekend.

A small herd was grazing behind the offices of Prairie Malt on a lazy day before Monday’s storm.

(Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

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THURSDAY, APRIL ??, 1, 2021

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

After a cold winter, it is wonderful to see the earth again as it comes out from under a blanket of snow.

While a whole lot of bluster on Monday with a final storm, it is now time for the warmth of spring and the season of renewal.

Here is hoping for a harbinger of great things to come!

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Local man reaches milestone with Motorcycle Ride For Dad

by Dale Buxton Don Sapsford of Perdue has reached a major milestone with the Motorcycle Ride For Dad, raising $100,217.40 for the organization and reaching the “Platinum” plateau with the Captain’s Club.

The Motorcycle Ride For Dad since its beginnings in year 2000 by Garry Janz, President of Ride For Dad, and cofounder Byron Smith, National Road Captain, is an organization that raises money across Canada for the awareness and prevention of prostrate cancer. Each year a ride is organized with different chapters of the organization across the country.

To date, Ride For Dad has raised $36 million nationally for the fight against prostate cancer.

Don has raised all his money with the Saskatoon Chapter.

The Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation, is continuing to work extremely hard to overcome the reliance on a event based charitable event. However, the organization realized with the onset of COVID-19 that there is a need to expand fund raising activities and reduce

reliance on single day events.

The rides are generally a gathering of approximately 500 motorcycles with each individual registering for the ride, helping to gather donations and pledges. The local chapter in Saskatoon and their executive works very hard throughout the year in organizing a specific route for the participants of the ride.

Major sponsors and Captain’s Club members are a very important part of the ride.

To date the Saskatoon Chapter has raised over $1.2 million for local research and awareness.

All the money raised in the chapters stays local. A major donation is made each year for research at the University of Saskatchewan Urology Department. It should be noted that the Town of Biggar and its population have contributed almost 25 per cent of that total for the local chapter.

The Captain’s Club of the Ride For Dad is designed to acknowledge and recognize those riders who consistently participate in Ride For Dad events and raises pledges.

The Captain’s Club database tracks the participants year after year from each chapter.

In Canada there are only eight Platinum earners, and congratulations to Don for his contributions to the organization being one of those eight across Canada. Other locals in the Captain’s Club are Bill Roenspies, Dale Buxton, Larry Bleile, Bruce Delainey, Tim Hammond, Jack and Courtney Webster. All have raised money for this worthwhile organization.

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 ride was cancelled.

However, through some inventive strategies the 2020 ride was called “RAT” or Ride-AloneTogether where motorcyclists would register with The Ride For Dad and run a predetermined route. Participates would receive a patch and other goodies for their efforts.

In Canada there was over 1,350 riders that took place in the RAT ride as opposed to the usual 8,000 riders that usually participate in the event.

The donations were down quite a bit from previous years however

the local chapter was able to raise almost $46,000.

Nationally Ride For Dad was able to raise just over $700,000, down from the yearly average of $2.5 million.

This year, Motorcycle Ride For Dad officially kicks off the RAT ride fund raising season on May 1. and will continue until September 15. Ride For Dad remains cautiously optimistic that big rides will be able to happen later in the summer or early fall of 2021, but in the meantime Ride For Dad is planning

many exciting activities throughout the season ... a national sweepstakes event, online auctions, and much more. In Biggar there will be a car show planned for June 13 as a fund raiser.

Chairman Brent McFadzen from Saskatoon and executive members Dale Buxton and Dakota Eckman of Biggar urge everyone to get out and ride, and asks everyone to help out with a generous donation.

Please contact Dale at 948-3344 or Dakota at 948-2544 for donations.

All donations over $10 will received a charitable tax receipt.

Keep an eye out for the new Web site ridefordad. ca and follow the Facebook page Motorcycle Ride For Dad Saskatoon and Instagram at ridefordadyxe.

Don Sapsford, left, and Ride For Dad founding member Mark Diehl. Sapsford has hit a milestone mark for the worthy charity. (Submitted Photo)

Biggar Revitalization Update

by D’Shae Bussiere, Biggar Community Development Officer As we await concept changes, we thought we would share with you some of the feedback received from the community.

Overall, there was overwhelming support for the project as a whole!

If you missed the Open Houses, the project was broken down into four different areas focusing down Main Street. The Gateway Entry Zone from Highway 14 to Seventh Avenue, the Transition Zone from Seventh to

Fourth Avenue, the Business Core from Fourth to First Avenue and the CN Park Area.

The Gateway Entry and Transition Zone seemed to be the areas the community liked the most. 97 per cent of respondents agree that the Gateway Zone provided a welcoming entrance to town. 77 per cent of respondents agreed that the Transition Zone provides the right pedestrian and vehicle focus. The idea in these areas is to set the tone travelling down Main Street to the Business Core.

One last gasp of winter ... The Duperow Co-op Cardlock took one to the chin during Monday’s storm as high winds knocked down signage, closing the pumps for a short while. Winter had to have one more storm, acting like an in-law who has stayed a wee bit too long. (Photo

for The Independent by Dakota Ekman)

There were a variety of concerns in the Business Core area, however 84 per cent of respondents agreed that the Business Core concept provides the right pedestrian and vehicle focus design. This percentage also agreed that the improvements provide safety and comfort for pedestrians and still meets the needs of vehicle operations.

Concerns expressed for the Business Core area included infrastructure, maintenance, loss of parking and displeasure with the proposed median. These concerns are all

addressed in the concept changes to come.

Continuing south down Main Street brings us to the CN Park Area. This section of the open house feedback form was open to comments and suggestions; therefore we do not have a solid percentage to share with you. Majority of respondents expressed excitement for this area

to be revitalized since the station was torn down.

Many supported the ideas for a plaza, event space and formal garden area. Concerns in this area mostly attributed to safety. We will work with CN to maximize the potential in this area and address the community safety concerns.

In conclusion, we are

very grateful for the feedback we received to have the opportunity to address these community concerns.

Please continue to stay tuned right here as we await the changes to the concept and move into detailed planning and fund raising for this Growing Biggar project!

RCMP looking for careless motorist Biggar RCMP are requesting the publics assistance regarding an accident which took place Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Triumph Road.

An east bound tractor trailer was cut off by an erratic driver travelling west bound.

The suspect vehicle was described as an older smaller green Chevy or GMC truck with a male driver.

Anyone with information regarding this event or any unsolved crime is asked to contact the Biggar RCMP at 306-9486600 or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or by e-mail.

When using crime stoppers you will remain anonymous and you will not have to go to court. If your information leads to an arrest and conviction you will receive a cash reward.

Bingo Numbers for

APRIL 1 B2 I19 I27 G46 O61

Opinions HAVE A NICE DAY!

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Carbon Tax fight over?

Continuing to tax while in a depressed economy, our Liberal Overlords have “won” the fight at the Supreme Court.

I wasn’t surprised. The Supreme Court is, after all, Liberal friendly territory, loaded with Liberal appointed shills.

And while climate change is a reality, taxing a country in the throws of a pandemic is as stupid as it gets. But then again, it is Justin Trudeau.

The coifed hair and “umming” and “ahhing” example of failing the West is more interested in what the international “in crowd” believes and not the reality of an industry that is one of the cleanest in the world. Make no mistake, we do have to move on to another form of energy, but to simply stop while we await a newer form will prove to be catastrophic and put an already on life-support national economy in the grave.

Justin still hasn’t revealed his plan for the economy, how all those out of work energy sector folks transition to new jobs, jobs that support an economy during a pandemic, and well into the future.

He just doesn’t have a plan. Why would he? He’s just not that smart, and the committee that loads him with his daily “umming” and “ahhing”, hasn’t thought that far in advance, other than to tax Canadian for heating their homes during the bitter cold winters.

Now they have to. And I don’t have any confidence that they will figure it all out. For the east and Quebec, yeah. No problem. They have wind turbines (currently made in Seigneurie de Beaupre and Rivieredu-Moulin, Quebec and Henvey Inlet, Ontario), battery-powered vehicles (Ford in Ontario), and of course, Bombardier (cue the “wha wha whaaa” sad sound effect). Nothing of real merit for the West. We didn’t vote Liberal.

But now they have to do something. And this could be a problem for the Liberals. But then again, appease Quebec and Ontario, and Justin doesn’t have to move from 24 Sussex Drive.

Problem is the equalization payments. Money that comes from “Have” provinces for Quebec, amounted to $13.1 billion in fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, compared to $11.7 billion the previous year.

Wow! No wonder they are bragging about their economic turnaround.

Odd we didn’t get a thank-you - not even a card, a call, a fruit basket ...

Most of that cash windfall comes from the energy sector that you, Justin Trudeau, just torpedoed.

Good luck come next election. But again ... those voters in the east are about as sharp as jello. Or Justin Trudeau with someone else’s money.

K.B.

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Letters to the Editor: (more on page 6) Dear Editor, The March 20 Freedom Rally/Convention in Saskatoon was not at all what I expected.

A crowd of over 2000, most middle age or older, from all walks. A dozen or so guest speakers including a virologist, nurses, doctors, politicians, pastors from various churches, et cetera. We sang ‘O Canada followed by prayer. The Vimy Ridge Memorial Site was chosen to honour those who fought and those who died for the freedom we can no longer take for

granted.

That is what this rally was about.

Many of the seniors had parents who came from communist countries or fought in the war. But what we all had in common was the recognition of our freedom being eroded and sabotaged by our present government whose leader has an intense lust and thirst for Xi JingPings style of communism. Also we all had in common that a lot of lockdowns across the country were not necessary.

This Rally was an oasis in a desert of deception and delusion.

“FREEDOM is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected and handed on to our children to do the same or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and their children what it was once like in America when men were free.”

Ronald Regan.

Ross Hingston Landis

Moe aims to confine lockdown to Regina Regina is now under a COVID-19 lockdown, not unlike the one the entire province was experiencing exactly a year ago.

It is something Premier Scott Moe vowed he would never do - a commitment he made just days before the October vote when daily cases in the province were in the single digits and there had only been a total of 25 deaths.

But rather that condemn the move - unpopular with those in running businesses or within his political base, regardless where in the province where they live - Moe should be credited for making the tough decision.

Unfortunately, new variants swamping Regina made this a decision he had to make.

In fact, the day Moe

the

announced the strict new lockdown-like measures for Regina, the capital city was accounting for 763 of the 891 new variants cases in the province.

That day, Regina was also accounting for 91 of the 150 new cases in the province 755 of 1,422 the province’s active case.

“The concentration of the variants in Regina is quite high and that is why we are coming forward with a number of tools at our disposal,” Moe said at a press conference.

“We have a higher concentration of variants anywhere else in Canada.”

It was a grim and uncomfortable admission for Moe to make - especially given the hope that mass vaccinations would allow Saskatchewan to get through the waning days of this pandemic.

Unfortunately, the reality for Regina is a growing fear of running out of ICU beds of the new variants’ fast-pace spread.

Some of Moe’s tough new measures are things the province hasn’t seen in a year - the closing of restaurants and bars except for takeout orders, restrictions households to their immediate residents only with no visitors and limiting outdoor gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Theatres, bowling alleys, arcades, museums and libraries that had been reopened in Regina were ordered closed.

And religious services in Regina were capped at 30 people until April 6, meaning that traditional Easter services would again be severely limited.

Moe even went one step further in at least

one area - recommending that Reginans only travel for essential reasons.

The stay-at-home recommendation was even extended to the neighbouring communities including, Pense, Belle Plaine, Grande Coulee, Regina Beach, Lumsden, Craven, Edenwold, White City, Balgonie, Kroneau, Davin, Gray, Riceton and Lajord.

Essentially, Regina is now experiencing the lockdown Moe vowed would never happen.

Given that Moe has shown he’s not exactly inclined to give in to the wishes of the NDP Opposition or some public health critics who were clamouring for such a measure, this very likely was a last resort.

The Premier said he was following the advice of the province’s Chief

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

Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab.

So the question for many worried people elsewhere in the province is a simple one: Who after Regina might be next to face a lockdown?

Well, the good news - at least hopeful - is that it may be no one.

Let is be clear that Moe’s unpopular measures may need to applied elsewhere. At this point, we really don’t know.

Those tracking variants now see numbers in south central and southeast Saskatchewan that were similar to Regina’s numbers a week or two ago. This only heightens the fear that new variants could spread from Regina to not only these areas but virtually every area in the province.

But here is the good news: While both the

Murray Mandryk Murray Mandryk

spread within the city has been dramatic, we are still only talking about a Regina outbreak.

There are those who argue Moe could have and should have acted faster, but by acting now, it might be possible that the outbreak will be confined to Regina.

That surely is the hope.

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, APRIL 1, 2021

Notable Notes Bob Mason

Dad often used to tell us about his father being raised on the shore of Lake Scugog northeast of Toronto, and of course we young fellows always thought: “Wow, way back then!” with great visions of Dad’s pioneering parents “roughing it in the bush” (pardon me Jenny Canuck!)

On looking through Canadian history though, we find that Lake Scugog was formed when the Trent Canal was built in the early 1800’s as an alternative defence route when it was feared that the Americans were going to take over southern Ontario.

Not that old, eh?

But that was way back when. My Grandfather, who learned to swim in Lake Scugog, moved West with with the rest of his family in the early 1900’s, and it is along out here somewhere that our history begins.

Probably one of my first memories of lakes was

when, as a small boy, we laughed as he told us of an enterprising young fellow who sold a lot of shares all over the country, in an outfit known as “The Whiteshore Chemical Association”.

The young guy (I could tell you his name but I won’t!) took the money and beat it, and was later rounded up and sent to jail for sometime. When he got out, sold some more worthless shares to the local banker!

I understand that eventually the Sifto Salt people took over Kilsquaw Lakes. Mebbe they are still there!

There are thousands of lakes in Saskatchewan and it would be kind of boring to name even part of them, but Y.T. can name some that were important in his life. Some even might mean something to whoever reads this!

When we were kids, every now and then the family used to gather at Meeting Lake south of Spiritwood past Witchekan Lake into which Meeting Lake drains, and always wondered how come a fish was never caught there!

Witchekan, what a dramatic name! Also, I toured Aroma Lake with Norman Smith looking for buffalo skulls, but the whole setup was spoiled when Y.T. recalled the name of the lake south of Keppel!

A lot of the lakes that young Yours Truly bathed in (I’d write “swimming” here accept that my prowess in water kind of resembles a stone!) have dried up ... no wisecracks here please! But I’d better mention them so the younger folks will know where they were.

I traveled north of Radisson on my way up past where a fine rippling lake used to be. At one time there whole community gathered there for picnics, but now there is only a flat field.

All over Saskatchewan there are many, many flat mudflats where lakes used to be! Many a person who reads this will remember Wilson Lake, Crystal Beach, Goose Lake (south of Tessier) Old Wives Lake and Rush Lake ... the list goes on and on!

Yours Truly isn’t the right

one to ask how come some lakes got their names. A few years ago I told one of the boys that Shuswap Lake was where the natives “swapped shoes” whenever they met, and I’m sorry to report that the boys haven’t believed me ever since! Some people don’t believe me anyway!

Historically though there must be many dramatic legends about our lakes.

Who can forget: “Qu’appelle, Qu’appelle”, no answer, and the night, Seemed stiller for the sound ‘till round me fell.

The far-off echoes from the far-off height, “Qu’appelle”, my voice came back, “Qu’appelle, Qu’appelle!”

Or the sometimes sad story of the Old Wives

Lake, where the hunters left the older women to keep their fires going and make their camp look occupied while they escaped!

And then there are the legendary fires of Candle Lake. I’m sure the stories go on and on!

Although we always felt that we never went away much, how well I remember Redberry Lake with its Pelican Island north of Borden, and Long Lake, Pike Lake, Attons Lake, Waskesieu, Diefenbaker and a lot more.

I remember Old John saying that, because they named the lake after him, he always asked his political opponents to “drop in” while in Saskatchewan!

I imagine very few people have ever even heard of Lakenheath south of

Moose Jaw, but when I think of lakes I think of Jack ... L102546 “That fellow in the ditch back there was Glavin from out West.”

“Out west,” you say? How far away from where the sun went down.

A million miles or more I think!

A few miles further on in Germany we came to a big lake named Bad Zwischennan (a few miles north of Oldenburg) where Captain Sherman Day got killed.

A fellow told me to look up a friend of his at St Cyr Lake up north somewhere, but it’s getting kind of late now! Mebbe he came home to where she was waiting, and now they’re sitting on a veranda, looking out across the water!

NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL VILLAGE OF KINLEY Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Village of Kinley for the year 2021 has been prepared and is open to inspection at the office of the assessor from: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m to 4:00 p.m. on the following day: Tuesday’s, April 1, 2021 to May 30, 2021 except all public holidays.

A Bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities 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, along with fee, with: The Assessor, Village of Kinley Box 51 Kinley, Saskatchewan, S0K 2E0 by the 30th day of May, 2021.

Dated this 1st day of April, 2021.

Brain-healthy tips to help reduce dementia risk

We all know there are things we can do to keep our bodies healthy at any age, like eating well, staying active and reducing stress.

But are there things we can do to help keep our brain in tip-top shape?

It turns out that all the habits you practice to keep your body healthy are good for your brain too because they contribute to lowering many risk factors associated with dementia, like mid-life obesity, smoking, harmful alcohol consumption and social isolation. Here are a few brain healthy tips to think about: Be active and eat well You can’t see the impact of exercise on your brain the way you can see it with your body. However, blood pumps through the brain when you exercise,

Fakes

and that can help keep your brain cells healthy.

Go for a brisk walk, or dance in your living room to get your heart rate going. Fuelling your body and brain with a well-balanced diet will also keep you going strong.

Reduce harmful alcohol consumption Drinking alcohol is a personal choice. But drinking too much alcohol can be harmful and, surprisingly, is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.

There are Canadian guidelines on the recommended consumption limits, which are no more than two standard drinks per day, to a maximum of 10 per week for women and three standard drinks per day to a maximum of 15 per week for men. A standard drink is equiva-

lent to a bottle of beer (12 oz., 341 ml, five per cent alcohol) or a glass of wine (5 oz., 142 ml, 12 per cent alcohol).

It is also recommended to have no-alcohol days.

You can replace alcoholic beverages with sparkling water with a splash of natural fruit juices, try a cucumber-lime combination, or add mint or basil to jazz it up.

Socialize Connecting with others, even virtually, is an important way to keep yourself engaged in the world around you. Not only is social activity an essential part of our mental health and wellbeing, but it can also help reduce the risk of developing dementia as well as associated conditions like depression.

Lynne Tolley Assessor

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Adoption of Bylaw to Amend the RM of Rosemount No. 378 Zoning Bylaw Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Rural Municipality of Rosemount No. 378 intends to consider the adoption of a bylaw to amend the Zoning Bylaw No. 6-2015 under the Planning and Development Act, 2007.

INTENT OF ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT: The proposed amendments will further clarify policies to improve interpretation and implementation and provide for exceptions to the maximum site area for non-residential developments. The amendments are summarized below: 1. Section 7.3: “Discretionary Uses Table” is amended by adding a “subject to section” clause.

2. Section 7.6: “Supplementary Development Standards”, is amended by adding a new sub-section for allowable exceptions to the 4.05 ha (10 acres) maximum site area for discretionary non-farm residential developments.

PUBLIC INSPECTION: Any person may inspect the proposed bylaw to amend the Zoning Bylaw during regular office hours at the RM of Rosemount No. 378 municipal office. Copies are available at cost.

PUBLIC HEARING: The Public Hearing shall be held on April 14th, 2021 at 9:00 AM at the RM of Rosemount No. 378 municipal office.

Issued at the RM of Rosemount No. 378 this 25th day of March, 2021.

Kara Kirilenko, Administrator

Cost week

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Letters to the Editor: (Continued from page 4)

Dear Editor, Sorry for the late response to Delta Cruickshank on her interesting article on business that contributed to the community of Biggar.

I just wanted to thank Delta for her article about all the contributions that the many business in Biggar have had on the busy community.

One of the pictures caught my attention in the article. Especially the picture of A.W. Mooney store with all the new pot belly stoves. I remember my grandparents, Ross and Lizzie Williams, had a large pot belly in their cozy living room on their farm. They farmed south of Leney around 1915-

1960.

I can’t help but wonder if they purchased their pot belly stove at the Mooney store in Biggar.

Many a family Christmas and reunions were held around that stove.

There were 19 grandchildren with no electricity, no water and no bathrooms for many years.

Make you wonder how they held those big family get togethers.

My grandparents moved into Perdue in the 1950’s and left the farm behind.

Years later my dad and I were out roaming around the “old farmstead”. In one of the small buildings, we found the old stove buried in sand. Dad was able to rock it free

(albeit doing a jig when a large family of mice scattered from under it), and we brought it home to B.C. My husband and I cleaned up the old rusty stove and still have it as a fixture in our basement.

That article brought back a lot of memories for me of the many wonderful times we had at the farm with our grandparents, and where a lot of us cousins played for hours in the hay loft of the barn, and running around grandma garden.

Thank you to your paper and the museum for printing all these lovely articles.

Beth Polovick (nee Mason)

Dear Editor, My family and I attended the presentation at the Biggar Community Hall that was done to outline the upgrading of the main street of Biggar and south end where the old CNR station was.

As much as we would like these improvements implemented with modifications, we feel the funds raised by the residents of Biggar and District could be used for a bigger need of employment opportunities. The town of Biggar needs to bring in services that are not only needed by those who live here, but also create jobs thus having people move for work and/or come to utilize the services available.

Our proposal would be to make Biggar a place for Radiological Procedures.

This proposal is to build a complex west or north of the Biggar and District Health Centre on First Avenue with easy access from Highway 4 and 14. This complex would include, MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Mammogram scanners and any other new radiological technology necessary for patients diagnosis. We envision this to be compatible for all patients, conventional and those whose weight exceeds the regular scanner restrictions (bariatric patients). Many town and district residents have gone to Saskatoon, North Battleford, Humboldt, Rosetown, and Swift Cur-

rent to have procedures performed. It makes sense that the residents of Saskatchewan would come here if the services were available for them.

Employment opportunities would be for the building of the facility, but mostly when it is completed. Radiologists, Radiology Technicians, Receptionists, Medical Record personnel, Environmental service workers, Laundry services, and Maintenance services.

This complex would also require from time to time electrical, plumbing and technical services, which could come from the local business sector. Patient’s coming to the centre from out of town may utilize local accommoda-

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

tion if appointments are early ot very late in the day. These people would also utilize the restaurants, cafe’s or possibly do their shopping (groceries, pharmacy or just general shopping) before returning home.

In conclusion we feel that this Radiological Diagnostic Centre would be an asset to the Town of Biggar and District in so many ways. It would take research into all the aspects of building this

centre from government regulations and design.

This proposal is worth thinking about and at this time a better use of the Town of Biggar and District people’s hard earned money rather than just a beautification project.

When Biggar has a better outlook for employment that project could be readdressed. As the movie “Field of Dreams” said “Build it and they will come”.

Susan and Nick Maguire Biggar

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21041SS1

3 tips for a better yard A healthy yard is a beautiful way to add value to your property.

It also enhances the environment by filtering rainwater, attracting birds and good insects, and absorbing pollution.

Regular maintenance and a watchful eye for potential problems are ways to make the most of your personal oasis while contributing to a beautiful, vibrant urban environment. Here are some tips to help make your outdoor space one of the best on the block: Mow high Keeping the blade of the lawnmower raised for a 2.5 to 3-inch cut is best because it helps a strong root system develop in the lawn and discourages weed growth.

Don’t water too often By watering deeply

and infrequently you can encourage deep root growth. Water in the morning and you’ll lose less moisture to evaporation.

Keep an eye open for pests A small number of weeds or bugs is nothing to worry about, and if you catch a problem before it gets out of hand you will have an easier time dealing with it.

If your problem reaches a point where you need to use a pesticide, just follow the label. Products on store shelves are approved by Health Canada before they are made available to consumers to ensure they’re safe for people, pets and the environment. Be sure to avoid creating or using homebrews that have not been evaluated for safety.

Midtown Auto Body Ltd is excited to announce that we will be doing estimates in Biggar!

Every other Friday, starting April 9th at KRF Customs (Kevin Fick).

Please call (306) 378-2828 to book!

We are OE Certified and I-CAR Platinum Certified and specialize in aluminum repair. We have a fleet of 10 courtesy vehicles for use while your vehicle is being repaired. Clint Whyte and Clint Kennedy, formerly of 1st Avenue Collision have joined our amazing team at Midtown Auto Body Ltd. We have top technicians in all fields that take care to do the best quality work for you and are proud to say we are backed by 50 years experience in the automotive industry.

We look forward to serving Biggar and community for all your auto body needs, please call us at 306-378-2828.

Owner: Kirston Rouse, General Manager: Scott Knezacek, Office Manager: Jill Hamilton

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Sports

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7

Youthful Bedard living up to hockey hype

Penton on sports Bruce Penton

Hey, hockey fans, there’s another Connor Superstar lacing up his skates, ready to show up on your Hockey Night in Canada TV screens in oh, about four years.

This will be no shock to those who have more than a passing interest in hockey, but the occasional fan may have not yet heard of Connor Bedard, a 15-year-old from North Vancouver who is playing major junior this year with the Regina Pats.

Bedard is the first Western Hockey Leaguer given ‘exceptional player’ status, allowing him to play before the age of 16. And how is he doing so far? Well, in his first eight games, in which

the Pats scored 26 goals, Bedard had a team-leading 13 points, six goals and seven assists. NHL scouts, who were drooling before, now carry a bucket whenever they observe Bedard in action.

Is he ready for the big time? Last season, as a 14-year-old playing in the under-20 Canadian Sports School Hockey League, Bedard was dominant, scoring 43 goals and 41 assists in 36 games to lead the league. One of his summer on-ice workout partners of late has been Matt Barzal of the New York Islanders.

John Paddock, the general manager and vicepresident of the Pats, says Bedard, who won’t turn 16 until this July, “can do a little bit of everything” - unable to isolate one aspect of Bedard’s game as his most outstanding.

Paddock, who played parts of five seasons in the NHL and was head or assistant coach for three NHL teams during another eight campaigns, has seen a lot of hockey players in his day and says, if

he has to pick a comparative player, Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos comes to mind, considering how he gets the one-timer blast away from the left circle.

Is Bedard your best player? A 15-year-old?

Paddock demurs. “Well, we have a 19-year-old defenceman who would probably be our best player, but it’s close,” he said.

Paddock says he knows he’ll have Bedard for only two seasons beyond the current COVID-19truncated season before the NHL comes calling, and hopes he can build a winner around his young superstar during that period. “We’re going to try,” he said.

All the attention the 5-foot-9, 179-pound Bedard has garnered since being identified as a hockey prodigy around the age of 12 has not gone to his head, said Paddock.

“He was really brought up the right way,” he said.

“He’s one of those rare players who’s been preparing for this his whole life. He’s ready mental-

3 things that could be damaging your vision With all the many aspects of your overall health and wellbeing that you must be mindful of on a day-to-day basis, it is easy to allow certain things to fall through the cracks.

This is particularly true for those aspects of your health that are generally seen as a given and therefore can be taken for granted.

For instance, most people who have never been at a serious risk of losing their eyesight or who have never suffered from an eye condition can be prone to taking their vision for granted.

Unfortunately, you might even be losing your vision without even realizing it.

The best thing that you can do for your eyes is to take a proactive approach to eye health and care.

Setting up good habits can help to keep your vision and healthy eyes for as long as possible.

It is important to try to avoid those habits and lifestyle choices that can be damaging your vision and as with all health issues maintain a good diet and stay hydrated.

Here are three such thing that might very well be damaging your vision without you even noticing.

1.) Improper Use of Contact Lenses There are many people who choose to wear contact lenses instead of wearing glasses every day. Perhaps you are quite active throughout the day and glasses tend to get in the way. Maybe you simply feel more comfortable with the way you look in contacts as opposed to glasses. Whatever your reasons for opting for contacts may be, it is important that you respect your eyes and wear them properly.

Contact lenses should only be worn for about eight hours at a time.

Any more than that can deprive your eyes of the oxygen they need. Furthermore, contact lenses should never be worn while you sleep or shower, it is very easy to get an infection from them if you do.

2.) Too Much Screen Time Screen time is another thing that can cause you

to have issues with your vision. In the modern age of smartphones and tablets, screens are almost inescapable. However, using such screens for too long and in improper light can result in some serious strain on your eyes.

Aside from causing blurred vision, you might also start to experience headaches as a result of the strain to your eyes. It is recommended that you give your eyes a break from screens for around 20 minutes every so often.

3.) The Sun If you spend a great deal of your time outside or if you are planning a day out in the sunshine, it is important that you protect your eyes. The ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause damage to your vision and eyes from too much exposure.

Moreover, your eyes can also suffer from sunburn which can be incredibly painful.

Every time you plan to be outside in the sun, take care to wear sunglasses or a hat in order to protect your eyes.

ly.”

Meanwhile, the NHL’s best player, the Oilers’ Connor McDavid, won’t be the league’s only Connor Superstar for long.

• Comedian Argus Hamilton, via Facebook, on the Rover’s search for water on Mars: “They should’ve sent me there with my golf clubs. I’d have found water by my third tee shot.”

• Colour commentator Ray Hudson of beIN Sports TV, after Barcelona’s Lionel Messi put on a one-man show to score against SD Huesca: “He needs help like a shark needs a dentist.”

• Jack Finarelli, from sportscurmudgeon.com, on one of five new sports at the Olympics in Japan this summer: “Sport Climbing: Athletes here will scale a vertical wall.

I guess this is like the hundred-metre dash staged at right angles to one another.”

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “A New Yorker is selling an ultra-strong coffee called Death Wish, which carries the warning ‘many sleepless nights’.

Hey, it’s cheaper than

Jets tickets.”

• Currie again: “A brawl reportedly broke out at a New Hampshire retirement centre during a bingo game. It looked like a hockey fight, except with more teeth.”

• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: “New Zealand defeated Italy in the final of America’s Cup sailing in Auckland. Homewater advantage?”

• Posted on the Lethbridge Hurricanes’ scoreboard during a fan-less hockey game: “Free beer for all in attendance.”

• Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “Ohio State safety Marcus Hooker was arrested on DUI charges after he passed out behind the wheel while waiting in a McDonald’s drivethru line. Defence lawyers can’t decide whether to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or ‘I deserve a

break today.’”

• Another one from RJ Currie, on marine biologists’ claim that many sharks take a break each spring to focus on eating, mating and swimming in warm water: “If we’re talking San Jose Sharks, add golf.”

• Another one from Perry: “Evander Holyfield, 58, and Mike Tyson, 54, are scheduled to meet once again in the ring on May 29. Winner becomes the first boxer in history to boast all four belts - WBA, WBC, IBF and AARP.” • Troubled ex-big-leaguer Lenny Dykstra, via Twitter, not making anyone forget Cal Ripken Jr.: “Guess who hasn’t been arrested in now 34 consecutive months.”

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

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1/4 Page 8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

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by Trudy and Dale Buxton Our journey continues west on highway 16 as we venture to the Town of Maidstone.

Maidstone named after Maidstone, Kent, England. It has a population of about 1,200 residents.

In the spring of 1903, settlers began arriving in the area many of whom were Barr Colonists.

These settlers would be followed by African/ American settlers from the US and a significant number of Mennonites after the construction of the Canadian Northern Railway in 1905. John Henry Wesson settled in the area and became very influential as one of Saskatchewan’s foremost farm leaders. He became president of the Wheat Pool in 1937.

Maidstone officially became a town in 1955, and with oil and gas there was a population boom in the 1970’s.

African/American settlers were the first and only African/Americans, to establish a farming community in Saskatchewan. The new government enacted segregation and laws disenfranchising African/Americans and many decided to emigrate to Western Canada to take advantage of offers of free homesteads. About 10 or 12 families founded the Shiloh Colony in the local RM of Eldon.

Interesting fact was that Maidstone was mentioned in one of Joni Mitchell’s songs.

Next up we have the community of Lashburn.

Lashburn is a full service community with a population of around 1,000 and is on the banks of the Battle River, founded in 1903 with the arrival of Barr Colonists. Farming is the main industry around Lashburn.

Lashburn is know as the

“Home of the Bluebirds” for the senior ladies softball team.

The Bluebirds represented in the Canadian Dominion Softball Championship bringing home bronze in 1975 and 1982 and a silver in 1976. Softball is a favourite pastime in Lashburn during the summer. If golfing is your thing then a visit to the Lashburn Golf and Country is on the agenda.

Next up going west is the Town of Marshall.

Marshall has a population of around 600 residents and was founded in the early 1900’s by the arrival of the railway. It is the home of NHL goaltender Braden Holtby, who played with the Saskatoon Blades and was later drafted by the Washington Capitals, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.

Holtby now plays with Vancouver.

Marshall is only 19 kilometres from Lloydminster and its economy is based on agriculture and the oil industry, commonly known as “Black

Gold Country”.

Next up and our final stop on this journey is the City of Lloydminster.

Lloydminster straddles the Saskatchewan and Alberta border with the border, or the Fourth Meridian, going directly through the city.

The population of the city is around 32,000 residents with the majority living on the Alberta side.

When the provinces were established in 1905 the two governments used the Fourth Meridian as a border which cut Lloydminster in half, the citizens then tried to petition to have it moved but were unsuccessful.

Up until 1930 the two towns remained separate administrations until they voted to amalgamate into one shared jurisdiction, and then reincorporated in 1958 as a city. It is named after the Bishop of Saskatchewan, George Lloyd, who was an Anglican Priest.

Stay tuned for more adventures.

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Farmers balance a fine line with herbicides Agriculture Calvin Daniels

by Calvin Daniels When you look at agriculture today if one area of the industry shows how significantly the view of end consumers and those of producers can seem at odds, it would be in the use of herbicides.

While in a world of the din on social media might be the minority making their voice heard, it is rather clear there is increased concerned about the use of chemicals in producing a crop. It is a concern that is actually two-pronged, with some worried about residues in the food we eat, and others concerned about its impact on the environment; the danger of bees, birds and water.

But, farmers need to control weeds, bugs and disease if they are to produce crops to feed people.

That said it is important the agricultural sec-

tor does what it can to reduce usage, in-part because consumers are increasingly demanding it and if farmers don’t do it on their own, governments will legislate it, and because reducing use is good business.

Herbicides are not lowcost, so reducing usage saves money.

Weeds also develop tolerances so again reducing use is good to slow that process.

That is where the concept of spraying only the weeds in a field, not the crop itself, is such a compelling one for the industry.

The approach is simple enough, wanting a system that can identify the weeds and spray them.

Much as homeowners do when walking across the lawn with a home sprayer going after dandelions, and only dandelions.

Of course the technology to do that on a field scale is quite another thing, but it appears to have arrived.

John Deere has a unit that is nearing production that will employ 36 cameras which will iden-

tify offending weeds.

From the time a camera sees a weed it is 200 milliseconds until spray is applied to it, noted a story at producer.com.

While the technology limits the speed one can spray at so the technology can work, the system is designed to significantly reduce the amount of total spray product applied to a field.

This is another example of how technology is pushing farming techniques ahead by huge steps.

It will take some time for the technology to be widely used, but the agriculture sector has long been a field where early adoption of new ideas has been the norm; from growing GM canola to zero-till practices.

With the potential to save annual operational costs by reducing herbicide use, and because it is a positive development for the environment and the peace-of-mind of consumers, this has to be something producers are keeping a close eye on in terms of development.

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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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10-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Easter Reflections

by Marjorie Fortney, Seventh Day Adventist It was Sunday morning and the women were coming to complete the burial process after they had rested on the sabbath.

They must have had a conversation about how they were going to roll away the huge stone that covered the opening.

Imagine their astonishment when they saw the huge stone rolled to the side away from the entrance to the tomb.

They cautiously entered, and as they feared, the body of Jesus was not there. While they stood stunned and confused, two men appeared in shining garments. The women fell to their knees hiding their faces. The shining men, obviously angels, spoke these words in Luke chapter 24: 5 and 6: Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is

not here, but is risen.

It was only a short time before this that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. This is assurance that God will resurrect those who follow Him. One day all the dead in Christ will hear the voice of God calling them from their graves. Like the old song says, “In that great gett’n up morning.”

Revelation chapter 20:6 states the following: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Jesus died so we could take part in the first resurrection. The grave could not hold Him because there was no sin in Him. And now because He made atonement for sin, we are forgiven. God

gives us the gift of repentance when we give our lives to Jesus. Isaiah 53:5: But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.

Easter is a time to remember that God will not forget his people who sleep in death but He who has power over death and the grave will bring them forth from the grave, clothed with immortality and free from all taint of sin. 1 Thessalonians 4:16: For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

Take courage, Friend.

Though we live in challenging times, the best is yet to come.

Happy Easter!

Walking with Christ in Holy Week

by Father Ed Gibney, Biggar and Landis Parish As we near the end of our Lenten journey, we can look backward and see how well our Lenten observance has been, or

“Jesus response to the thief on the cross”

by Pastor Doug Motz, Associated Gospel Being it’s already Easter - lets talk about the heart of Easter!

In the Gospel of Luke 23:39-43 we read that along with Jesus hanging from that Roman cross, were two thieves hanging on either side of Him. All three of them were hanging in the balances between life and death!

Between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon, the Jewish leaders, Roman soldiers, and others were hurling insults and blasphemed Jesus.

Upon hearing this, one of the thieves joined in by saying, Luke 23:39 “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us. (The thief on the other cross rebuked him): Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condem-

nation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.

Then he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.

This thief was only hours away from death!

He realized in his heart that he was being justly punished for his crimes!

But, The sinless Lamb of God took the full penalty of this thief’s sin, and the penalty of every sin of every human being, who comes to God by His Grace through Faith.

Ephesians 2:1-10. Not only as a result of Christ’s shed blood and death on the cross, but because He arose bodily the third day

from the tomb, we can know God’s promise of eternal life in Him alone!

Unfortunely, not one of us knows the day or hour when death will come knocking at our hearts door! The question is, have you made that all important decision - the choice to be eternally ready for that day?

We only have one of two choices as to where we will spend eternity Heaven with Christ, or Hell without Him! I urge you to repent and choose to turn from sin and ask Jesus to come into your heart today before death’s door closes in on you!

we can look forward to the true reason we are Christians, the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The days between Passion Sunday and Easter, commemorate the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, so let us experience Holy Week as a time in which we travel with Jesus from the gates of Jerusalem, up to the Mount of Olives, on to his crucifixion on Calvary and into new life.

This Holy Week, allow the Lord to reveal to you the blessings he has in store for you and allow him to touch your heart and your spirit. Allow the emotions of this week to grab hold of you and to shape you.

Allow yourself to enter into the celebration that accompanied Jesus, the miracle worker who raised Lazarus from the dead, as he rode into Jerusalem.

Feel Jesus’ doubt, and ultimate abandonment of himself to his Father, in those last hours in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Allow your prayer and emotions to take you through the betrayal, the sorrow, the pain, the suffering and the joy that comes through the cross.

And if you feel angry, experience that anger.

If you feel sorrow and tears, let those tears flow.

In final preparation for Easter, let us find some way to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. On Holy Thursday, if possible in our current situation, break bread with your friends as Jesus did. Make it a simple meal, but share it in a spirit of brotherhood.

Go forth with Christ and visit a friend or family member living in a nursing home, even if you can

only knock on their window and say hello. And in this year where we will not be able to physically wash each other’s feet as Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, let us consider other ways to humbly assist those in need.

On Good Friday, carry your cross, whatever struggles you may have in your life, and offer up your pain in the hope that others may have their pain alleviated. Pray with it, and let go of the pain that you have been holding onto, as well as those feelings that have been separating you from someone whom you truly love.

As you carry your cross drop the weight of anger that is holding you back.

Mourn for those people who have lost their faith in family, friends and Church, and there at the foot of the cross, let a river of tears flow in the knowledge of how we have wounded Jesus with our failings and our sins.

And finally acknowledge the lack of pain we feel because Jesus has been whipped and scourged, pierced and stabbed, in our place.

As we take our final steps on this journey, let us be with Mary Magdalene as she finds the empty tomb and is the first to see the risen Lord. Let us walk confidently into the light of the risen Christ. Then, filled with the joy of the resurrection, we can continue on the journey to Emmaus, and on to the upper room of Pentecost, and the Ascension, the path that Jesus has already walked, leaving his footsteps for us to follow.

May God Bless you and keep you safe.

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Easter Devotional

Rev. Bev Dyck, Biggar Church of God We have had Easter Egg Hunts for our grandchildren for many years.

We are always hoping the snow is gone so that we can hide the eggs outside. We put small candies in the large plastic eggs and then hide them all around. We hide them in the front yard for the little grandchildren sometimes the eggs can be in plain view, but it is so fun for them to find them and fill their baskets with the coloured eggs.

We hide the eggs in much harder places in the back yard for the bigger grandchildren. It is fun to find unusual places to tuck eggs into, and then wait and chuckle as the children try to find them.

I remember one year, we had hidden eggs all around and we had hung some colored eggs from the branches of the trees.

The children had their heads down and were looking and looking and it was a long time before they noticed the eggs hanging from the

branches. It was so fun to do it in an unexpected way.

Easter long ago when Jesus died on the cross, was buried and on the third day, arose, it was not what the people expected. Prophets had foretold about Jesus.

Jesus had told his disciples numerous times that he was going to die and on the third day, he was going to rise again.

Somehow, it was not what the religious rulers were expecting. It was not even what the disciples were expecting.

So when Friday happened and Jesus died on the cross, the disciples lost hope. They had earlier believed Jesus to be the Messiah but he was dead.

Matthew 28:5-6 “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.’

These women, who were some of Jesus’ followers had their heads down. They were sorrowful. They were looking to

bring spices to embalm their beloved Jesus’ body. But the angel reminded them of what Jesus had said.

We are often like the disciples. Though we know the Easter story, often we live as if Easter Monday did not happen. Often we live as if we only have a religious creed, instead of a living, risen Saviour. Since we can have this Living Lord as our indwelling companion and guide, we ought to have our heads up.

Because of Easter, we have hope.

Easter Reflection

by Paster Ken Davidson, Perdue United Church As Easter approaches, we may find our hearts filled with sadness, because it symbolizes the sacrificial death of our Lord and Saviour.

However the tears are not just of sadness, but also of joy.

The Romans felt that making criminals carry or drag their own crosses, showed that they were, in fact showing submission

to the Roman Empire and their power.

However, Jesus did it to fulfill the ancient prophecy. He became the lamb, to be sacrificed, for all God’s people. The last and final sacrifice needed to atone for his sins that we had and still comit against God. Only Jesus, the man who had no sin, the perfect lamb, could be the iltimate sacrifice.

Only through His blood and His Lost Life on the

cross, would it be enough to gain our freedom and our redemption. Not by works, not by purchase, not by our efforts could we gain God’s forgiveness and our salvation.

While the Romans thought they were getting rid of Christianity, they were giving us all Eternal Life. Through death and resurection we gain the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Praise Jesus.

REJOICE IN THE MIRACLE OF EASTER Lenten reflection for PALS

by Cindy hoppe As the PALS community works through a COVID year without a pastor, without a map and without any indication of an end in sight, we take comfort in signs of the Holy Spirit among us.

As I read my church magazine there is a general feeling that we have been in the “Lentiest” Lent ever. Wandering in the wilderness of “What Next COVID” and trying to do the best we can in the new reality, there are many parallels in scripture and Jesus life that

we can find strength in.

Jesus suffering on the cross gave him endless compassion and mercy to meet us where we may be in loneliness, silence, sorrow, dislocation and uncertainty. Not knowing is the human condition and we should be used to it by now, but when our lives have changed so much, we cannot help wondering and maybe giving into fear.

My church has always surprised and comforted me. We have sparks of creativity and love that support and uplift each

other in the best and worst of times. It has been hard to do new things like church online, but there is such good will and hunger to be together, that it becomes the new faith that we will tune in and be there for each other. I give thanks for the commitment of our church family and the Can do spirit to connect and sustain our church presence in this tough time.

As we gather safely for another COVID Easter, may we all find signs of hope and be seeds of new

life for each other in our community.

I will close with some final words of a prayer that our Bishop Susan Johnson used in her Easter message: So, Spirit of the silence of our days, take these ashes of our lives and mingle them with the dust from our crumbled hearts and our shattered souls, to mark us with that hope which has never left us even though we may not have realized that it, like you, was as close as the very next breath we take.

Amen. Alleluia.

12 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2020

Smart Woman Leaves Cheating Man a Note

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People get caught cheating all the time, whether physically walked in on, intercepting a message or a feeling. This, however, is not a typical way to find out.

TikTok user Molly, who is living in Chicago, explained in a video that she had suspicions of cheating and the video was viewed more than one million times. She went viral after sharing her “method” which alerts the ‘other woman’ if she exists.

She met the guy at a bar and has seen him again, more than once. When she was at his house, she decided to take a look around his bathroom.

She was surprised to find some bobby pins by the sink on her third visit,

along with a bag full of other female products.

She explained: “So last weekend, I picked up a guy in a bar, I’ve seen him three or four times now and I was low-key snooping in his bathroom. And I found some female products. His roommate is single and I thought he was too.”

She shares a video of the bathroom and adds: “But if this is your man, he’s cheating.”

Then she shows the alert that she left for the other woman, if there is one, in her makeup bag, which says “If you’re seeing/dating Josh, he’s cheating!”

Many praised Molly for potentially letting the other woman know and the video quickly got

more than 153,000 likes and thousands of comments.

Molly shares in the comments that she confronted the guy and that he was “defensive.” One woman commented, “This happened to me. I found a note in my stuff.

Bless you for leaving it there.”

Another said: “A guy I was dating said I was the only one. He kept a spare key for me in a box hidden outside. I found a letter from a woman.”

A third commented: “I like that she put the name too in case that stuff is a girl the roommate is seeing and she doesn’t freak out on the guy. She handled this in a good way.”

Future technology you David Anderson DD should be excited about

Caitlin Geiger DD

21041MM3

The 21st century has easily been the golden age for technology. The explosion of the Internet, everybody owning a phone, smart voice assistants living in our kitchens, streaming services that turn homes into cinemas – the list is endless.

While the world’s population enjoy their busy lives, behind the scenes engineers and wizards continue to work tirelessly on new inventions. We often don’t see their faces, but they’re real people making real changes to keep civilization moving forward.

Now, a new era is upon us that is going to make old technology completely redundant and change people forever. Let’s look at some of the emerging technology that is slowly going to take center stage in the near future.

Self-driving vehicles You aren’t dreaming – promise. Self-driving vehicles are coming.

They’re kind of already here.

Major advances in electrical and computer engineering have enabled this to be achieved.

Twenty years ago, if you told people that one day there would be self-driving vehicles, they would have thought you were out of your mind. Even today, they might think the same thing.

Some people simply

don’t understand – or believe – that in the coming years, they might not have to physically drive to work anymore: their car will just do it for them.

You’ll be able to jump in your car, strap yourself in, and browse Instagram on your journey there.

Nuts, right?

Several car companies are working secretively to prepare a self-driving car for the public to buy, such as Tesla. Even Apple is interested in this.

It’s certainly going to be interesting, as convincing everyone that self-driving cars are safe could take some time.

But without a doubt, somewhere down the line, our normal cars will stop being produced as driverless cars take over.

The biggest concern won’t be buying gas; it will be what to watch on Netflix during your driverless journey.

3D printed food Although it sounds like something out of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, 3D printed food might soon be a part of our lives.

3D printing has been around for a little while now, playing an active part in industries like construction. Forty years ago (in its early days), 3D printing was generally used to create prototypes – and still is to the present day. If an engineer

has a cool idea, they can use a 3D printer to test it. However, as technology has progressed, 3D printing has dramatically improved!

Now, because of the huge range of materials that can be accurately 3D printed, 3D printers are used to create a lot of valuable components, such as parts for cars.

Other fun examples of this include 3D-printed bikinis, shoes, and jewelry. So, you might one day get married with a 3D printed ring – bizarre, isn’t it? You’ll probably even drive to the wedding in a 3D-printed car.

You, your friends, and your family can buy a 3D printer now, as there are some pretty great ones on the market for less than $250. Although these are the more basic printers, you can still print more things than you could think of, like Baby Yoda or a colourful stand for your phone.

Back to the important topic – food. Confectionaries, such as chocolates and sweets, have been 3D printed on a smaller scale for the past 15 years. Now there is major progress taking place, with actual meals being created, such as 3D-printed steaks.

Although technology and the world’s popula-

Continued on page 13

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2020

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 13

Future technology you should be excited about (Continued from page 12) tion aren’t quite ready for a 3D printer in their kitchen or local restaurants, the general belief is that it’s only a matter of time before our food is entirely 3D printed! It’s almost certain that one day you’ll be going into your kitchen to ask your 3D printer to make your evening meal, rather than spend two hours doing it yourself. With the click of a button, you’ll have a 3-course meal ready.

Bye-bye microwave.

Hello, 3D printer.

Wireless energy transfer Everyone knows the feeling. You’re at home relaxing on the couch, browsing Instagram and Twitter on your phone – everything is good. Then it happens: Low battery. You need to go and charge your phone, and your charger is upstairs.

Nightmare. Even worse, you don’t know where your charger is! It ruins all the fun you were having.

Thankfully, this should soon be a thing of the past because of one simple technology – wireless energy transfer, or wireless charging.

Now, it’s obvious what you’re thinking – ‘wireless charging already exists’. But this isn’t about the wireless charging where you place your phone on top of a power outlet without having to plug an annoying cable into your phone.

This is about the literal wireless transfer of energy to your phone, where you don’t have to move or do anything. Physical chargers will no longer be needed. Instead, your phone will be charged through electrical power in the air – not a cable.

It’s crazy and sounds almost impossible. But the hopes of this happening are quickly growing.

Let’s go back to the couch scenario – but in the future. This time, when you need to charge your phone, you don’t need to go and look for your charger. You will simply have to click the charge button on your phone, the same way you connect to Wi-Fi, and boom. Your phone is being charged through electricity in the air, and you can carry on using it freely. R.I.P to traditional charging.

Although there’s still a long journey to go before this becomes a reality, the level that technology continues to advance means it should only be a

few years before we start to experience this being introduced on a smaller scale – such as being able to charge your phone 5 meters away from a power source.

Smart clothes Watches used to just tell us the time; now we can make calls from them and browse social media.

Radios used to only be able to play certain stations; now we can interact with them with our voices and request our favourite songs to be played.

Clothes, unsurprisingly, are next – as they become ‘smart clothes’ driven by technology within them.

Our clothes are starting to come fitted with the latest tech that allows them to use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Companies are slowly introducing this new type of clothing – but soon, it will become entirely mainstream.

Foldable iPhones Since the first iPhone in 2007, Apple has released a new iPhone nearly every year – building a large and dedicated fanbase along the way.

But a certain demographic of fans keep asking one question: “When will get a foldable iPhone?”

You might be one of these people. If you think about it, phones have basically followed the same formula for years now. The only difference is they’ve kept getting bigger. It’s natural that people want something groundbreaking to happen in the phone industry again.

A foldable phone used to be something people could only dream about – but now a few companies, like Samsung, have started to release their own foldables.

However, the general feeling is that no company has yet done it right or set the market on fire with a truly impressive foldable phone.

It seems like Apple are secretively working away and will soon release their own foldable phone that could – potentially – change the phone industry forever.

Aside from the technology itself, imagine how satisfying it will be to fold your iPhone up like a piece of paper and place it in your pocket!

Smart water bottles In recent times, people have truly started to care about hydration. The new craze is no longer soda –

it’s back to the old days of water.

Now, people even care about the type of water they are drinking.

It’s become almost popular to post about drinking water on social media, letting your followers know how much you’ve been intaking. One of your friends is probably crazy about water – and reminds you to regularly drink it. This is great, as water is key to being healthy.

It’s not surprising that ‘smart water bottles’ have begun to enter the market. Sure, smart water bottles are nowhere near as impressive as selfdriving cars and are likely to disappoint children if you get one as a Christmas present. But with their built-in technology, they are certainly going to improve everyone’s health.

The main feature and purpose of a smart water bottle is ‘hydration tracking’. This is where the water bottle connects to an app on your phone and keeps track of how much water you are drinking – and will even notify you if you’ve gone a couple of hours without drinking.

Let’s say you’ve gone three hours without hydrating. Your smart water bottle will be aware of this and will ping your phone to let you know.

Although they aren’t quite mainstream yet (you probably don’t know anyone who owns one), smart water bottles will soon become regular parts of people’s lives – leading to a happier and more productive world.

1

Campbell Accounting Services Rod Campbell, CMA, CPA

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS * Over 25 years experience * We handle: - Corporate Tax Returns - Personal Tax Returns - Estate Tax Returns - Farm Books Accounting - Monthly Payroll - GST & PST Filings - Consulting - Training

Due to COVID-19 please call Jen at 306-948-4460 to make an appointment or leave your documents in our Office dropbox at the New Horizons Building

The Asquith Bar and Grill & Perdue Oasis Golf Resort

are looking for some fantastic seasonal employees for the kitchen Skills include: • Responsible • Works well individually and as a team • Willingness to learn • Able to follow procedures • Time management skills • Organized • Passionate to do a great job • Ability to handle stress • Previous cooking experience preferred but we are willing to train.

• Food Safe certificate preferred Schedule includes evenings and weekends Jobs run May 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021

Battlefords Hearing Center #2 11204 Railway Ave East 1-(306)-445-5700

Please send resumes to

asquith.hotel@gmail.com Only successful candidates will be contacted.

1/4 P

14 - 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

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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

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

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NEED LIFE 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

Website: www.biggarlandisinsurance.ca Email: biggar@biggarinsurance.ca

“We’ll getcha covered”

WYLIE SEED &

PROCESSING INC. Canadian Seed Institute Accredited Pedigree, Commercial & Custom Cleaning FULL line of Cleaning Equipment including Gravity Table

Excellent Quality at a Reasonable Price!

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

306- 948-2807 or 948-5609 948-5394

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

ADVERTISING

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DENTAL

MADGE ROOFING INC.

701 - 4th Ave. E., Biggar

Owners/Operators • Dallas Young • Claude Young

306-948-3389

ROOFING

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 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 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.

Biggar Professional Building, 223 Main St., Biggar

For appointments…

1-855-651-3311 3 col/6

Attention: Karen

Attention: Deanna Steve

BUSSE LAW

PROFESSIONAL Please proof Business & CORPORATION the next 52 weeks (year) Barristers & as per pho hours, BillSolicitors has been sent Franchise Advertising P Stuart A. Busse, QC #102 9622 42 Avenue Larry A. Kirk, LL.B.

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Fax: 780-438-1233;

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…serving your BLANKET Here is a draft30ofminutes Business & Professional ad for could change community since 1972 tomorrow, February 23, then the ad would start your life!!!

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520,000 Nice to have met you, and I’m looking forward t Criminal Law Commercial Law POTENTIAL Real Estate Law Wills and Estate Law CUSTOMERS. and Urla Tyler, Consultant One phone callAdvertising our lawyers,

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and can be contacted at:

306-948-5352 or 306-244-9865

P

Tel: 9 P 9 W

for an 9 P O M M witho

Business & Professional …

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Aboriginal Owned t .PCJMF 8FMEJOH 'BCSJDBUJPO t &NFSHODZ 4FSWJDF t 3FQBJST (PU B QSPKFDU JO NJOE t 8F DBUFS UP "-- Give us a call JOEVTUSJFTy GBSNJOH for a quote.

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

BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN

MUSIC

D.J. Music for all occasions, pop, rock, country, new, edm, light show included Marriage Commissioner For More Info: or

951-7700 948-3344

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

This week shows signs of being a very busy, but fulfilling time, Libra. Even though things can get a tad overwhelming, you’ll be able to work through the excitement.

You may have been pondering ways to advance your career, Capricorn.

Don’t hesitate to put plans in action, especially after they are vetted and you run them by others.

TAURUS – Apr 21/ May 21 DB Brett…

SAFETY Taurus, close friend-

LEO – Jul 23/Aug

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Leo, relax and be your-

Your financial success is bound to take another step forward, Scorpio. This bodes well for the plans you have in place. Now you may be able to act on them a little ahead of schedule.

Aquarius, your strongest relationships are warm and supportive. This is a great time to form romantic partnerships, business relationships or personal friendships.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

PISCES – Feb 19/ Mar 20

Enjoy the success you have achieved over the past several weeks, Sagittarius.

Even though you have been flying high, make an effort to be humble as well.

Everything is going great for your career, Pisces.

Things may seem too good to be true. There are challenges ahead, but you can manage.

23

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new relationships with honesty.

back to me with

GEMINI – May 22/ VIRGO – Aug 24/ Red Cross 306-948-9750 Canadian changes/corrections by return Jun 21 Sept 22

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

951-7700 948-3344

REAL ESTATE

Shoreline Realty

Cari Perih ®

REALTOR

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

www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca

Acres of Expertise.

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

For More Info:

Personal is email thisgrowth morning. dale@dtjssb.ca important for you, Gemini.

newufitness@sasktel.net

SIC

7700 3344

LIBRA – Sept 23/ Oct 23

Have deep conversations Success at work continwith those close to you as ues to usher in good forthey may have something tune, Cancer. But you may they can teach you, Aries. have a tingling feeling it You will learn about yourmay be time to move on to self and those close to you2 col/6 new horizons. Think things in the process. through carefully.

DECORATING & EVENTS 1st Aid training on-line allcommitment. kinds lately.

This brings s RENTALS… 4ENTS

or classroom. $120 you closer to those you love.

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CANCER – Jun 22/ Jul 22

ships have the potential to self when you meet new SERVICE become even closer this people. You don’t need to FLOWER SHOP 1ST Price…

AID2.5 inches = $201.50 week. You are focusing pretend to be someone else s FLOWERS plus gst per 6-month prepaid TRAINING s CUSTOM WEDDING intently on relationships of to win others over. Start

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buy good retail rks? e Info:

ARIES – Mar 21/ Apr 20

or

It Thanks may increase others’ 951-7700Urla admiration of you in the 948-3344 days to come. Keep up the self-improvement because it is producing results.

Virgo, you will propose new ideas to people around you. Don’t be surprised when they want to go along with them. Simply embrace the interest and move forward.

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-15

16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

BIGGAR INDEPENDENT ONLINE

www.biggarindependent.ca

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

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 Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 844-4493547

Put on your TV Ears and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95 - NOW WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-888-802-0141

Deadline for Classifieds is Monday at 5 p.m. … Need to Re-certify? … need your First Aid Course certification? … Don’t have time to leave work or tie-up your weekend!

Do it from the comfort of your home... OLINE!!

$130 for Certified Red Cross Course done on YOUR TIME! Call Dale Buxton

D B

SAFETY SERVICES Biggar, SK

306-951-7700

dale@dtjssb.ca

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 PEDIGREED SEED FOR SPRING 2021 Lentils:

Peas: HRS Wheat:

SWS Wheat: Canaryseed:

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

CDC Simmie CL (red) New CDC Impulse CL (red) CDC Lima CL (lg.green) New CDC Peridot CL (french green) CDC Marble (french green) CDC Lewochko (yellow) New CDC Forest (green) AAC Wheatland VB New AAC Starbuck VB New AAC Alida VB AAC Brandon AC Andrew CDC Bastia

NAKONECHNY SEEDS

RUTHILDA, SASK.

(306) 932-7771

WHERE QUALITY COMES FIRST!!

Prairie Malt in Biggar, Sk is currently hiring a Barley Merchandising Assistant

-The successful applicant will provide administrative support to the Barley -Supply Team at Prairie Malt, interact with members of the operations and finance teams, as well as with our grower customers.

-Must be organized, detail oriented and a quick study. Will be working regularly in Microsoft Office software as well as industry specific programs.

-Knowledge and experience in SAP, OPERRA and the agriculture industry is considered an asset.

Please submit resume to: eleanor.scharf@boortmalt.com Only those candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted.

email us at tip@sasktel.net NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY PEGGY FRANCES GUZE late of the District of Biggar, in the Province of Saskatchewan, deceased.

ALL CLAIMS against the above estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 22nd day of April 2021 MATRIX LAW GROUP 1421 – 101ST ST NORTH BATTLEFORD SK S9A 1A1 Attn: Eldon B. Lindgren, Q.C.

The family of John Dennis would like to thank everyone who reached out to us with cards, flowers and baking after his passing.

Thank you to the fine people at Gerein Funeral Home for helping with the arrangements for his funeral.

Thank you to the staff at Biggar and District Health Center and Biggar EMS you made his last days much easier on him and his family.

Thanks to the Perdue UCW for making a Covid-19 safe lunch for everyone at his funeral.

CLUES DOWN

1. One who manufactures 6. Science degree 9. Database management system 13. Desert 14. Inventor Musk 15. Welsh valley 16. Round Dutch cheese 17. Saying 18. Comedian and TV host 19. Uppermost portions of the brain

39. Greek mountain 41. Pastas 44. Fishes 45. Wrap 46. Potentially a criminal (slang) 48. Seize 49. The Constitution State 51. Upset 52. 1991 men’s Wimbledon champ 54. Central Chinese province 56. Predisposition 60. A notice of someone’s death

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

Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans will be celebrating Easter Sunday, April 4, In person worship at Redeemer at 10:30a.m., 313 7th Ave.E COVID restrictions will apply. Online and phone in access will be available. For pastoral services or to be included in online worship, please phone Cindy Hoppe at 948-2947 or John Bennett at 948-2852.

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

61. One-time Kentucky Rep. 62. Swiss river 63. Dried-up 64. Finger millet 65. __ Allan Poe 66. German river 67. Brew 68. Kenyan river

21. City in Transylvania 22. Where astronauts go 23. Men’s hairstyle 24. Indicates position 25. One point east of due south 28. Businessmen may have one 29. Grass part 31. Running back Gurley 33. Unwavering 36. Options 38. Annoy

Parish Phone: 306-948-3330

BIGGAR ASSOCIATED GOSPEL CHURCH

John will be missed by his family and friends, but everyone helped make his passing much easier.

Thank you and greatly appreciated by his family.

CLUES ACROSS

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 17

cost $74.50 per week plus gst ST. GABRIEL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney

1. Millisecond 2. Acts as military assistant 3. Knot in a tree 4. Husband-andwife industrial designers 5. The Ocean State 6. Point the finger at 7. Parts in a machine 8. Midway between northeast and east 9. Portray precisely 10. Blister 11. Mental illness 12. Nose of an animal 14. What students receive 17. Semitic peoples 20. Beats per minute 21. Family of drugs

23. Atrocious 25. Type of microscope (abbr.)

26. __ or bust 27. Icelandic poems 29. A citizen of Pakistan 30. Very pale 32. Metric linear unit

Good Friday Service 10:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

All are welcome to come and join us as we celebrate Lord Jesus has Risen!

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

B S : ..

C S : ..  -  A. E C: -- www.amazingfacts.org

34. Sea eagle 35. Biblical judge of Israel 37. Isaac’s mother (Bib.) 40. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.)

42. Cool!

43. Large hotel room

47. Type of boat (abbr.)

49. Picked 50. Type of hookah 52. Attack 53. Directs 55. Belgian WWII resistance fighter 56. Finished negotiation

57. Heroic tale 58. Middle Eastern country 59. Protein-rich liquids 61. Malaysian Isthmus 65. Spielberg’s alien

1/4 Page

18 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Mum’s kitchen fills with smoke after washing machine explodes mid-cycle A Scottish Mum says she thought a bomb had gone off at home when her washing machine ‘literally exploded’ mid cycle.

Laura Birrell shared shocking images of the destruction in the kitchen on Sunday, after her machine ‘blew up’ in Glasgow, and warned people not to go out with their machines on.

The manufacturers are

investigating the incident, which Laura said left debris scattered around her kitchen, which was filled with smoke. The businesswoman took pictures of the scene, which show the bunker top above the washing machine seeming to have imploded. The top cover of the machine has also been blown apart, leaving large chunks of plastic and glass scattered across the floor.

Laura claims the machine drum inside the appliance exploded upwards through her worktop and draining board. She shared the images on Facebook as a warning to others about leaving their washing machine on when they are not at home. Laura said: ‘I have often heard don’t leave your washing

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Last year as the pandemic hit Canada and lockdowns began, many of us put off routine vehicle maintenance, including changing winter tires back to all-season tires.

But it’s important to take the necessary maintenance precautions before hitting the road.

Here are some things to keep in mind: Change is a good thing Above 7°C, winter tires on the road is like bare feet on hot sand, so don’t wait until summer to swap out your tires. Make the change back to allseasons when the weath-

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Laura. I’ve not heard of this happening before.

Thank god no one was injured.” Iain Venters added: “Oh wow. Didn’t think a washing machine would do that. Scary stuff.”

Laura replied to the comments on Monday, saying that she hopes the insurance company will be on the case quickly as her kitchen taps were “Blown off.”

“Our thoughts are with the residents affected by this incident, and we are investigating the situation,” a spokesman for the manufacturer of the machine said. “We have spoken to the customer and one of our engineers will visit the property this Wednesday, as we seek to understand what happened as a matter of urgency.”

Preparing your vehicle for spring road trips

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machine on when you leave the house.

“Well today I am glad that I did not go out anywhere as my machine literally exploded. With a glass sink drainer unit I thought a bomb had gone off, glass everywhere.

That is the machine drum that exploded through the worktop and drainer.

Fortunately I was in as smoke started to appear so I quickly switched it off,” she said, adding that she will never leave a washing machine unattended again.

“I can’t even imagine what the outcome would be if myself, Warren or Mark were in the kitchen at the time.”

Dozens of social media users commented on the post and branded the incident ‘scary’. Kara Mac replied: “Good Grief

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er reaches 7°C or higher automotive service proconsistently. vider to verify it for you.

Time for a change?

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Checking your tires If your tires are worn for wear and damage is and you need a replaceJim Reiter, MLA essential for determining ment, consider a set of Rosetown-Elrose Constituency if your tires will keep you all-season tires that will 215 Main Street, Rosetown safe. An easy way to check keep you moving right Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 your tread is by grabbing through to the next time Tel: 306-882-4105 a quarter. With the head- your winter tires need to Fax: 306-882-4108 side down, select a point be put back on.

Toll free; 1-855-762-2233 where the tread appears It matters where you E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net lowest and insert the fig- store your winter tires Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0 urehead into the groove.

Make sure to store your Please call with questions or concerns If you can see the tip tires in a room that’s cool, of the caribou’s muzzle, dry and dark. If your tires the tread has thinned and are on rims and piled the tire is worn out and together, make sure you you should consider get- reconfigure the pile every ting a new set of tires. If four weeks. in doubt, ask your local

Jim Reiter, MLA

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

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THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 19

How some famous comedians got their starts

Pranks and jokes are on full display come April 1.

That’s when the world celebrates April Fool’s Day, a date on the calendar that began when certain countries, particularly France, switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar.

In the Julian calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1. However, upon the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, the new year was celebrated on January 1. People who failed to recognize the change were the butt of hoaxes and called fools.

While people today recognize the start of the new year as January 1, the tradition to tell jokes and engage in sometimes elaborate hoaxes has continued. People often become comedians for the day. In fact, April Fool’s Day can be an ideal time to reflect on some of the popular comics who have entertained throughout the years and how they got their starts in the industry.

• Roseanne Barr: Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Barr turned her experiences as a wife and mother into a stand-up comedy routine at local clubs. Bigger gigs and increased attention came in the mid-1980s, leading to a television series that earned Barr three Emmy Award nominations.

• Lenny Bruce: Lenny Bruce, born Leonard Alfred Schneider, was a stand-up comedian and satirist. He was a target for prosecutors due to his use of obscenities and controversial subject matter during performances and ultimately

became an advocate for free speech. He began doing stand-up at age 22 before joining the Navy during WWII. After his discharge, he resumed his stand-up career and gave edgier performances until his untimely death at age 41.

• George Carlin: Born and raised in New York City, Carlin became known for his dark comedy and reflections on politics, language, taboo subjects, and much more.

Carlin got his start as a disc jockey while in the United States Air Force.

He met Jack Burns, a fellow DJ, in 1959 and they formed a comedy team.

Eventually the duo parted ways, and Carlin went on to have a successful solo career in stand-up.

• Rodney Dangerfield: Dangerfield certainly earned respect in the comedy industry even though he often lamented about not getting any during his acts. Born Jacob Rodney Cohen, he began his career working as a comic in resorts around the Catskill Mountains region and later became

From human composting to chewing gum coffins, we’ve brought you many stories about strange and unusual funeral practices. But now the state of Maine is looking to put everyone else to shame when it comes to burials.

A new bill submitted to the Maine state Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee would legalize open-air funeral pyres. In other words, this is the closest you could get to an actual Viking funeral.

The picture of the legendary Viking funerary practice has become synonymous with literally going out in a blaze of glory. There’s just something about having your earthly remains disposed of by setting them off in a burning boat that’s so cool.

The funeral pyre keeps popping up in popular media as well. If you’ve watched The Game of Thrones, Vikings, or even The Phantom Menace, you’ve seen great warriors and chieftains depart the

living world with a fiery send-off.

Funeral pyres are still commonly used – especially for high-ranking individuals – in the Far East, for example.

Should the bill pass, non-profit corporations in Maine would be allowed to conduct openair cremations if they meet certain caveats. To begin with, the cremation needs to be conducted on a property at least 20 acres in size that the corporation owns.

Additionally, only one funeral pyre would be allowed to be lit at a time.

The ashes of the honoured dead could be scattered either on the funeral property, or anywhere else where law allows.

Open-air cremation is currently not legal in the U.S., apart from one town in Colorado. But as people are looking into alternative, environmentallyfriendly funeral options, pyres keep attracting attention.

But wait, environmentally-friendly options?

a mainstay on late-night TV shows. He appeared in a few films in the 1970s before a breakout film role in the comedy “Caddyshack.”

• Ellen DeGeneres: Hailing from Metairie, Louisiana, DeGeneres dreamed of becoming a veterinarian but claimed she was “not book smart.” During one public speaking event, she used humour to get over her nerves and was a hit. Her successful stand-up work transformed into a sitcom deal and later a long-running talk show.

• Jerry Seinfeld: Jerome Seinfeld was born in Brooklyn, New York, and harbored aspirations to be a comedian by the time he was 8 years old. He made his standup debut in 1976. By the late 1980s, he was one of the highest profile comics in the United States, and developed a sitcom with fellow comic Larry David.

Comedy takes center stage on April Fool’s Day, making it a great day to watch a favourite comedian.

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Biggar Homestead Restaurant 948-5656 April Fool’s Day can be an ideal time to reflect on some of the popular comics who have entertained throughout the years and how they got their starts in the industry.

Maine Considers Legalizing Viking Funerals Wouldn’t setting up a massive blaze that burns hot enough to cremate a body be a huge environmental nightmare?

No, it wouldn’t. Dr. Ivan Vince has carried out a study in the UK on open-air funeral pyres and found them mostly harmless.

“Risks to the mourners themselves would be similar to those encountered by any persons tending a bonfire of similar size, and therefore I would expect them be considered acceptable,” Vince wrote.

“There will be negligible health risks to the public [1,500 feet] from the pyres,” he added.

Vince also found that pyre funerals held at woodland sites would have a zero carbon footprint. Additionally, when it comes to pollutants such as mercury, funeral pyres would actually be safer than normal crematoria, “if dental fillings are removed prior to funeral pyre cremation.”

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20 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

4 worst professional blunders throughout history They’ve finally managed to move Ever Given and open up the Suez Canal. In case you haven’t followed the news, a 200,000-ton cargo ship got stuck sideways in the canal about a week ago and stopped all ship traffic going through it.

As a result, around 15 per cent of the world trade came grinding to a halt.

Initially, it was though that heavy winds jammed the ship into the canal, but apparently there was also a good deal on good old unprofessionalism.

The Suez Canal Authority noted that “human errors” were a likely partial cause. We sure wouldn’t want to be however caused this little mishap.

But it’s not the first time a bit of human error has caused potentially worldchanging results. Here are four other cases where someone simply messing up their job changed history as we know it.

Titanic’s Lookout Had No Binoculars … Because the Locker Keys Went Missing Titanic is already in a class of its own when it comes to messing things up. We all know the story

– in the dead of night, the supposedly unsinkable ship hit on iceberg and sank.

More than 1,500 people went down with the ship. Among the more famous mistakes made with Titanic included much too few life boats, separation of passengers by class which increased casualties, and pretty much everybody from passengers to the captain didn’t take proper precautions because, come on, this is the unsinkable ship!

But there’s one blunder that most people might not know. Namely, Titanic’s lookout had no binoculars.

Titanic’s Second Office David Blair was – for some reason – moved off the ship in a hurry to another vessel. It’s widely speculated that in his rush, Blair accidentally took with him the key to the locker that held the binoculars.

You can imagine how having them might’ve helped the poor lookout spot the iceberg that spelled the death of hundreds. But because one man didn’t pay attention to what he was packing,

we now know Titanic as the disaster it is.

A Driver’s Wrong Turn Started World War I The year was 1914, and Austro-Hungarian Empire’s Archduke and crown prince Franz Ferdinand was visiting Sarajevo, Bosnia. Unfortunately for him, the Serbian nationalist Black Hand Gang had planned to assassinate the Archduke.

One of the gang’s members threw a bomb under the Archduke’s car, but he clearly was not an expert pitcher. The bomb bounced away into the crowd, where it exploded and injured a security guard and several bystanders.

Later in the day, the courageous – or reckless – Archduke decided to visit the hospital where the injured were being treated. So, he instructed his driver to take him and his wife there.

But the driver was unfamiliar with Sarajevo’s streets. He didn’t have Google Maps, either, so he ended up turning to the wrong road.

By the side of the rode was a café, where the now-infamous assas-

sin Gavrilo Princip, also a member of the Black Hand Gang, was sitting.

He could barely believe his eyes when he saw the Archduke’s car roll by right next to him.

Princip pulled his pistol and put several bullets in both the Archduke and his wife, killing them. This started a political domino effect, which eventually resulted in World War I and 20 million dead.

The lesson here is that if you’re transporting an important person, learn the map. Please.

NASA Authorities Ignored Warnings About the Challenger Shuttle In 1986, television viewers watched as horror unfolded on live TV. The Challenger space shuttle broke apart and burst into a ball of flames, killing all five astronauts and two other crew members.

The event has been carved into our shared memories as one of the worst disasters to be broadcast on TV. And to think, it all could’ve been avoided if NASA had listened to one man.

Bob Ebeling was at the time a NASA engineer.

He, together with four other engineers, figured

out that the O-ring seals in the shuttles booster engines would fracture in cold weather – like that on the morning of the launch.

Just the night before the disaster, Ebeling and his fellow engineers had pleaded with their managers at NASA to delay the launch. NASA didn’t budge – the launch would happen as scheduled.

That night, when Ebeling got home to his wife, he didn’t have anything nice to say to her. “It’s going to blow up,” he said to her.

And he was right. The following morning, 73 seconds after the launch, Challenger exploded.

If only they’d listened.

German Officers Went Home to Celebrate Rommel’s Birthday on D-Day Everybody knows the story of D-Day. The largest military landing operation in human history gave the Allies a foothold in Europe, which – together with Soviet victories – lead to the collapse of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

It may have been a completely different story if the Germans would’ve had some competent,

battle-hardened commanders leading them – like the legendary general Erwin Rommel. Lucky for the rest of the world, though, Rommel decided to return to Germany to celebrate his birthday.

Instead of the nowfamous date on June 6, the Normandy invasion was supposed to happen the day before. But the weather was lousy and the plans were pushed back.

Rommel was aware that the Allies would attack at some point. However, German intelligence told Rommel that the weather would not clear up for several days.

Convinced that the Allies wouldn’t brave the bad seas, Rommel pulled off the front to give his wife a surprise visit for his birthday. When the word reached him that the Allies had attacked Normandy, he rushed back into action.

But by then, it was just too late. Maybe we can forgive Rommel for his mistake, though, considering it helped beat the Nazis.

Cathy and Brian Fick are excited to announce that Biggar Courier will be under new ownership. We are pleased that this much needed service will remain the same for many years to come.

Kiley and Sever Ellis will continue service effective April 1st.

The contact information will remain the same at (306)948-7524.

BIGGAR COURIER

We would like to THANK YOU for your support over the past 15 years and are looking forward to retirement.