The Biggar Independent Volume 115 Issue 18

Vol. 115 No. 18

THURSDAY, May 2, 2024

16 pages

$1.50

It’s that season ... A fire east of Biggar on Highway 14 on the afternoon of Monday, April 29 may be a sign of a dry summer to come. Little was damaged in the blaze, and rain by midweek has helped alleviate dry conditions. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

--JUNE 7- 9, 2024-Block Party - Kids Carnival - Fibre Fair Sidewalk Sale - Seller’s Market Want to sell something, tables are FREE This spot could be yours *948-3344* Better Than Facebook!!

2 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Jack Garton hit the Majestic Theatre, April 24 for the final show of the 2023/24 Biggar and District Arts Council concert season. Energetic and entertaining, Garton, along with drummer Jodie Ponto, guitarist Noah Walker, and bassist Steven Charles, was an impressive and satisfying conclusion to the eight-concert series, bringing a lot of buzz for the upcoming season. Garton’s show was combination story and musical revue, with the multi-instrumentalist getting laughs and setting toes tapping - a great end to the season!

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Prairie Branches set for annual Mother’s Day Tea Prairie Branches will be hosting their annual fund raiser this Wednesday, May 8 at the Biggar Community Hall, honouring all Mom’s.

An important fund raiser for Prairie Branches, Mother’s will be pampered and treated to an afternoon of entertainment, tea, coffee and snacks, raffles, and bake table.

In the past, Mother’s from certain service groups were nominat-

ed for the yearly fund raiser. This year, Prairie Branches will be honouring all Mothers.

The tea is an important part of Prairie Branches.

Residents benefit with money raised going to summer holiday trips, family visits. Prairie Branches has been grateful for past support, and are hoping residents continue to champion the organization in their efforts to provide important necessities for their

clients.

The community has been very supportive of the event, and Prairie Branches is hoping that they will continue to do so. Prairie Branches will be accepting all financial donations for this worthwhile cause.

Prairie Branches Mother’s Day Tea is Wednesday, May 8 at 2 p.m. at the Biggar Community Hall.

Biggar RCMP Report

Classic sign back at Leslie’s ... Dale Wylie waves atop a scissor-lift last week, putting the final touches to the refurbished Leslie’s Drugs sign. The long-time fixture to the Biggar business is a welcome sight, especially during evening hours as its neon lights are once again operational. (Independent Photo

by Dale Buxton)

by Cst. Chad Mehl, Biggar Detachment Biggar RCMP had a busier week this past week, with a variety of calls including five finger discount reports throughout the Biggar and surrounding area.

There was a reported theft of utility gas from a residence in Biggar.

In the Sonningdale and Eagle Creek RM areas,

Council minute highlights

The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held March 19 at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Rickwood, Councillors Alan Boyle, Dakota Ekman, Nicole Hoppe, Kevin McNicholls, Edward Young, and Ivan Young.

Council resolved that the minutes of the March 5, 2024 Regular Meeting of Council be accepted as presented.

Council resolved that

the minutes of the March 12, 2024 Committee Meeting of The Whole be accepted as presented.

Council resolved that the Community Development Officer’s Report to March 19, 2024 be accepted as presented by the Community Development Officer, Cassidy Burton.

Council resolved that the Town Foreman’s report to March 19, 2024 be accepted as presented by the Town Foreman,

Mark Haynes.

Council resolved that the following financial reports for February 2024 be accepted as presented: Bank Reconciliation. Statement of Financial Activities.

Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of $77,986.56 and the General Accounts Payable in the amount of $106,619.55 be approved.

Council resolved that the following correspon-

dence be accepted for Council’s information and filed: SUMAssure - 2024 AGM Notice.

SAMA - 2024 AGM Notice. New Beginnings Church - April 18, 2024 Invitation.

Occupational Health and Safety - Inspection Report. SUMA - Upcoming Training Opportunities. SUMA - Convention 2024.

• Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

there were two land locations and one cabin where thieves took a variety of power tools, two bar clamps with black piping, three farm forks for hay baling, a 100-gallon red skid tank, a 600-gallon water tank, diesel fuel, a pair men’s model 1034 and a pair of woman’s model 929 red Faber Northlander snowshoes, and a set of Black Diamond walking poles, model 30778.

Thieves broke into outdoor sheds with locks to get to some of these items. As always, Biggar RCMP asking the public to be vigilant with suspicious vehicles and activity in their respective areas, and set up game cameras to potentially catch would-be thieves.

On the other side of the coin, a prank unexpectedly resulted in a call to police when the caller’s friend took a particular outdoor item belonging to the caller to entice the caller to keep his belongings locked up.

The caller, not knowing who took his belongings, reported a theft, and it was discovered it was a prank the whole time to teach a lesson about security and theft. The prankster remains “at large” and it is unknown when and how the caller will “one up” his friend on a return prank as it’s

a closely guarded state secret.

There were two reports of disturbances in the Perdue area at the Perdue School during evening hours. Abandoned vehicles were reported in the Eagle Creek and Highway 14 near Perdue areas. Also, in the Sonningdale area there was a minor, but reportable vehicular collision.

Multiple complaints of suspicious persons were reported and all were successfully followed up with and ruled out as not criminal. A bicycle was turned into Biggar RCMP in which the owner is unknown.

There was report of a mother with child crossing a sidewalk who were cut off by a passing motorist at an intersection in Biggar.

There were two reports of persons on the railroad tracks this week in the area at separate locations. The railroad companies consider the tracks to be private property as they are concerned with public access and railroad safety. Persons found on the tracks can be technically given a ticket for trespassing on private property. While its tempting to visit Thomas the Train, best to give him a wide birth and stay away from the tracks.

Bingo Numbers for

MAY 2

Block on spring tour ... Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek MP Kelly Block, left, talks with residents during a coffee stop at, ironically, Kelly’s Kitchen, April 24. The stop was a constituency tour of the area, hearing residents thoughts and concerns. (Independent Photo by Daryl Hasein)

I-17 I-27 N-39 G-51 O-70

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Opinions

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Why Trudeau’s reign as ‘Dear Leader’ is coming to an end

by Bruce Dowbiggin, editor, Not The Public Broadcaster The polls suck. His party is restless watching his constant gaffes.

His NDP allies are similarly hoping he quits before he brings down their party, too.

The public now laughs at his Happy Ways demeanour and lush living on the public dime.

It seems inevitable that Justin Trudeau is at the end of his runway as prime minister of Canada. If the polls are right, he could experience one of the greatest electoral repudiations when the federal election finally happens.

Just as he replaced the dour technician Stephen Harper, Trudeau will be dismissed by the public, seen as yesterday’s man.

In desperation, Trudeau has tried labelling his nemesis Pierre Poilievre as a Trump wannabe, a divisive altright force who would reverse the generous graft he’d bestowed on Canadians. His paid media have picked up the theme, calling Poilievre’s strategy “shameful” and “cynical,” and his “scorchedearth approach” is “contributing to a breakdown in overall faith in the system”.

You go with that.

What makes them mad are Poilievre’s insouciant takedowns of Liberal hacks and media flacks, best epitomized by the apple-eating destruction of a lazy B.C. journalist out for a cheap score to raise his profile. A host of

self-appointed press figures lost their minds.

“You are not supposed to treat interviewers this way!” Since that moment, Poilievre has repeated the formula on cabinet ministers and played-out press figures.

Leaving Liberals and their wind therapists in the press to wonder what Trudeau’s legacy will be in 10 or 15 years if he can’t control the messaging. Most look at the recent funeral for Brian Mulroney and the forgiving attitude of his former enemies.

Indeed, those who watched Wayne Gretzky and others eulogize the 18th PM of Canada as a statesman assume that this charity will eventually be extended to Trudeau.

Sure, Justin told the UN his citizens are genocidal, installed felons to cabinet posts, applauded Nazis in Parliament and showered his pals with graft. But wasn’t Mulroney also found counting bribe money from paper bags in a hotel room? Surely the charity shown to Mulroney will also be extended to Trudeau in the fullness of time?

It would be if the media/government apparatus that existed in the Mulroney 1980s were the ones writing the epitaphs. “Let bygones be bygones.”

However, this fantasy scenario misses the collapse of authority that the media/government apparatus has suffered over the past decade. A collapse Poilievre has

duly noted.

While they rail against Poilievre’s dismissive attitude toward them, the Conservative leader understands the new dynamic where voters - especially the young - get their information from social media, not the scrum theatre of the past, engineered by politicians and the people who followed them. If Poilievre appears dismissive of their game, it’s because he knows they’re irrelevant to him.

This outrage from the Family Compact comes from people like the self-obsessed MSNBC staff who whined like babies at the thought of a GOP voice on their shows - an attitude parroted by their Canadian cousins fed money by the ruling class. No wonder Trudeau is rushing through laws to censor the Internet. X hates him and he knows it.

After years of toeing the line, however, influential journalists are suddenly recognizing the damage done by their obsessions - and the peril in which their business finds itself.

NPR Senior business editor Uri Berliner shocked many with his confession that Trumpobsessed NPR “lost its way when it started telling listeners how to think. Today, those who listen to NPR or read its coverage online find something different: the distilled worldview of a very small segment of the U.S. population.”

A segment so

deranged by Trump’s election in 2016 that it fed phoney stories about Russiagate and Hunter Biden’s laptop to its audience over Trump’s term.

NPR’s managing editor for news dismissed revelations over Hunter spilling the beans on his dad: “We don’t want to waste our time on stories that are not really stories, and we don’t want to waste the listeners’ and readers’ time on stories that are just pure distractions.” We now know this senior journalist helped bury a generational story.

Getting it deliberately wrong is bad enough, continued Berliner, but “What’s worse is to pretend it never happened, to move on with no mea culpa, no self-reflection.

Especially when you expect high standards of transparency from public figures and institutions, but don’t practice those standards yourself. That’s what shatters trust and engenders cynicism about the media.”

As Berliner suggests, a population that understands the massive COVID deception is now dumping the news sources they long trusted. Hollywood, too,

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME is reaping the whirlwind in cables cut from the nightly Colbert Chorus of Insanity. A worried New York Times has tried a limited mea culpa on overselling the pandemic (one of their reporters claimed in 2022 that COVID had “racist” roots), but the stain of its irresponsible censoring of any critics endures.

The Wall Street Journal has noticed: “... the newspaper’s problems go beyond young staffers who learned in college never to tolerate reasonable viewpoints.

With general election season upon us, even middle-aged Timesmen are giving every indication that they’re planning to repeat all the mistakes they made covering the first Trump administration.”

In Canada, no one at CBC, CTV, the Globe and Mail, or the Toronto Star is even remotely

close to owning up to their role in creating panic over COVID19 (one prominent reporter even received the Order of Canada for supporting lockdowns and vaccines). They have ceased reprinting Trudeaupian propaganda on the virus and the vaccines. But the silence on their enthusiastic support for closing of schools, the isolation of the dying and the firing of those reluctant to try untested vaccines speaks louder than any mealy-mouthed correction.

So the next time the prime minister and his media pals try to portray the earnest sometimes plodding - messaging of Poilievre as a new Dark Age, consider the source.

And then move into the future. Because it won’t be written anymore by the people who assume their infallibility.

Complex problems in healthy delivery beyond rhetoric

Provincial Viewpoint Murray Mandryk

What seems certain is that people want health care here at home ... or as close to home in this province as is reasonable.

That has pretty much been the last 40 years of politic debate in Saskatchewan, recently dominated by the Saskatchewan Party government noting the former NDP government closed

the

52 rural hospitals and the Plains Health Centre on the outskirts of Regina. Now, the NDP opposition is accusing the government of underfunding the health system to the point where temporary closures of emergency and non-emergency services, sending people out of province for surgeries, has become the norm.

One gets the politics.

But when you delve a little more deeply into the problem, it becomes rather apparent that underneath all the politicking and rhetoric is the reality of some tough problems in health care that aren’t easily solved by throwing money at the problems.

Let’s begin with the present-day temporary closures of emergency rooms and x-ray, lab or other services - 950 such temporary closures between August 2019

and July 2023, affecting 53 facilities mostly in rural areas outside the larger hospitals, according to information gathered by the NDP opposition.

Most of these closures are the net result a severe staffing shortage of doctors, nurses and other health care providers. Health Minister Everett Hindley points to the government’s latest $140-million recruitment and retention action plan to create permanent and fulltime position across the province and especially in rural Saskatchewan.

“It’s working in our rural communities,” Hindley said in the legislature last week. “New hires are happening as a result of that.”

Unfortunately, many within the health system are saying the same thing people in need of the health system are

observing - the solutions aren’t always working.

Recently, 49 emergency room nurses from Saskatoon’s St. Paul’s Hospital set a letter to a letter to Hindley on the unfairness, inefficient and expense of temporary travel nurses as a stopgap. “The agency nurses appear valued while they themselves are not,” the permanent nurses wrote of the travel or contract nurses.

Hindley explained he was “trying to balance the need for filling those vacancies over time and making sure that the existing staff do have the ability to have time off.”

But the NDP noted concerns from the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses that the average travel nurse salary is $289,256 a year - also three times that of permanent nurses that SUN say are now having trouble booking shifts and getting more

overtime.

Meanwhile, the amount the government is spending on this “temporary fix” of contract nursing that is supposedly related to 2020 pandemic cost the health system $59 million last year and is expected to cost $70 million in 2023-25, according to SUN’s numbers.

Similarly, the Sask.

Party government is taking heat for the inability of this province’s health system to deal with either diagnostic mammograms to stop breast cancer or the hip and knee surgeries. The medium time for knee surgery here was 318 days compared with the 161-day national average.

The solution from the government has been to ship people out-ofprovince to Calgary. For mammograms, that cost is 10 times as much as

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if they would be done at home, say the NDP. For hip and knee surgeries, the solution is a $6-million contract with the private Surgical Centres Inc. whose parent organization, Clearpoint Health Network of Calgary contributed $14,000 to the Sask.

Party.

Suffice to say, the complex problems and solutions in health care go well beyond political rhetoric of underfunding, privatization and closure.

We have gone from the $3.2 billion spent on health by the NDP government in their last 2007-08 budget to the $7.6 billion the Sask. Party government is expected to spend in 2024-25.

Yet problems remain and government struggles to find solutions beyond spending more each year.

Newspaper Pricing

Online - $35+gst Pickup - $40+gst Delivery within 40 miles $45+gst Delivery Outside 40 miles - $50+gst 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.

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Notable Notes Bob Mason

Some people relax over a game of cards, reading a book or watching TV. Other listen to the music they like or relax in a hundred different ways.

On an army route march - with full pack - the order often came: “Take Five!” And it was these times that we looked forward to ... sitting down and leaning back, letting the pressures of the day go on by.

Some guys really enjoy

hunting. One of my cousins was just that sort of guy!

Every fall when the farm work slowed down some, he’d take off for a few days and go hunting.

I forget how old he was when he finally fell over but those long walks through the bush, doing what he felt like doing, certainly stretched out his “allotted time” a bit!

Not only did his “Hunting Holiday” supply meat for the table and sometimes mitts and moccasins, but he really valued those little forays that gave him a chance to prove that he could “get by” in his chosen way of life.

Books have been written and thousands of tales told about the skill - or lack of it - in hunting. And it would be a little silly of me to pretend that my “nimrodian” experiences remote-

Take Five!

ly resembled “skill” of any kind.

Incidentally, for all that I claim hunting to be really relaxing for some people, it sure never was for me. Maybe because some of us became the “game” at one time in Europe during the Second World War! But like it or not, we did have a few hunting and sometimes humorous adventures that are marked down in my old journal under “H”.

To you, they might seem kind of boring but sometimes when I look them up I have to laugh.

Hunting with Vic Lecoq: So we’re striding through the bush when we meet this conservation type.

“By gosh, Mr. Lecoq,” says the game warden.

“Your supposed to be wearing white or red coveralls when you’re

Innovation Saskatchewan Invests $170,000 in R&D crop pathogen testing Innovation Saskatchewan is investing $170,000 in two industry-led research and development (R&D) technologies through the Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF) and Agtech Growth Fund (AGF).

These dual R&D grant programs accelerate the commercialization of game-changing technologies in agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing and health care and help bring them to market.

“Saskatchewan companies are leaders in innovation and the advancement of cutting-edge technologies,” Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison said. “The SAIF and AGF programs support companies in our province’s core sectors to accelerate their technologies, driving job creation and economic growth.”

SAIF and AGF funding will support two innovative companies in the spring 2023 cohort as they accelerate their R&D projects and commercialization efforts: • BrewNature Composting - Developing a modular composting technology capable of reducing composting times from three months to five days ($95,000 in SAIF support).

• PathoScan Technologies - Developing a rapid crop pathogen diagnostic technology. PathoScan’s in-field device will be capable of detecting pathogens in as little as 45 minutes ($75,000 in AGF support).

BrewNature specializes in converting organic household, commercial and agricultural waste

into nutrient-rich compost 95 per cent faster than traditional methods. The SAIF funding will be used to advance BrewNature’s technology and enable it to upscale its operations, enhance its composting processes and develop innovative solutions for organic waste management.

“By leveraging SAIF funding, BrewNature aims to have a significant impact on mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with organic waste decomposition and promoting sustainable practices in waste management,” Brew Nature CEO and founder Babak Roshani said. “We are excited about the environmental benefits of our composting technology and its impact on and contribution to the circular economy.”

BrewNature also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding at COP28 with an UAE-based company to introduce and advance innovation in composting technology.

PathoScan enables farmers to perform pathogen tests for any crop with its userfriendly testing kits that deliver fast, accurate and cost-effective results while ensuring a seamless user experience. The AGF funding will help refine this technology through comprehensive field testing to ensure its device is robust and effective under different agricultural conditions.

“The AGF funding and support from Innovation Saskatchewan will catalyze our mission at PathoScan to empower

farmers with immediate, in-field crop disease diagnostics, drastically reducing response times and safeguarding livelihoods,” PathoScan founder Tayab Soomro said. “By minimizing crop losses due to disease, PathoScan will help sustain the agricultural economy, ensure food security and foster a more sustainable approach to farming.”

The announcement took place in Regina at Ground Truth Ag, a Spring 2022 recipient of AGF funding for its automated grain grading technology, which significantly improves the process of obtaining and grading grain samples and delivers accurate and consistent results that eliminate discrepancies and save time and money for farmers.

“AGF funding helped us significantly speed up the development time of our automated grain grading product by allowing us to add infrastructure, advance field testing and enhance our academic partnerships,” Ground Truth Ag CEO Kyle Folk said. “We were able to get to market faster and with a more complete product.”

Since 2012, SAIF has committed over $14.7 million in 59 projects, resulting in more than $50 million in private investment and $103 million in post-project investment. Similarly, since AGF launched in 2020, the program has invested over $4.4 million in 23 projects, resulting in more than $19.4 million in private investment and $25.3 million in post-project investment.

hunting.”

He’s right! The rest of us are all dressed up as hunters. Vic is only wearing a dark jacket and pants.

What to do?

Right on the spot, Vic undresses and pulls his fleece-lined underwear on over his other clothes - I wonder if anyone ever took a picture of that! I can still see those spindly legs striding through the bush!

Hunting with Old John Daniels: John came from the Sturgeon Lake reserve, and went hunting with us one time. A couple of well-heeled hunters from PA were almost aghast when John showed them the two rounds he had for his old rifle ... after all, he only wanted to shoot two animals!

Under “H” in that old book, I find that Oscar Gillette and I followed a track through deep snow in the bush until it disappeared entirely.

Then we realized that it wasn’t a deer track

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5

at all but a weasel that got tired of jumping and finally burrowed through the snow instead!

The Great White Hunter: We called him that because he shot at a deer from 10 feet one time ... and missed!

The One-Day Sergeant: In Shilo, Manitoba at the army training base, a Sergeant gave me his uniform and name so I could attend a social thing in his place while he went hunting deer out in the “area” with a Bren gun! [Editor’s Note: The Bren gun - a light machine gun - at the time fired .303 British ammunition from a 30-round magazine, 500-520 rounds/minute practical or 120 rounds/ minute sustained] At another time many years ago, one of the family men was conservation officer up north.

He was snowmobiling through the bush one day when he stopped to talk to a hunter.

“Look sonny,” says the

hunter. “You shouldn’t be driving that snowmobile in the bush ... someone might mistake you for a moose!”

“Oh,” says Gene as he zipped down his coveralls to show his uniform underneath.

“Would you mistake me for a moose?”

I understand that he let him keep his rifle!

A further entry under “H” reads “Weak Bladder”. I guess that we’ll look at that one another time!

Some day in the future, someone will maybe throw that old ledger out, but every time I open it, it brings back a lot of memories!

Of course “H” doesn’t just include hunting!

There’s a couple of pages there that remind me of other stuff, all the way from “Half-inch Man” to “Hypochondriac”.

But those are stories for another time. Sometime, maybe, if we last that long!

Saskatchewan’s retail trade growth leads nation Statistics Canada released retail trade figures, April 24, for February 2024 which places Saskatchewan second in the nation for both month-over-month and year-over-year growth.

The province saw retail trade increase by 3.9 per cent, or more than three times the national average, in February 2024 compared to February 2023, with the total value reaching $2.1 billion (seasonally-adjusted). Retail trade also went up by 1.7 per cent per cent (seasonally-adjusted) in February 2024 compared to January 2024. This places Saskatchewan well above the national decrease of negative 0.1 per cent.

“The continued growth in retail trade is indicative of the overall strength of the province’s economy,” Trade

and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “These numbers, along with another record-breaking year of exports, is a clear sign that Saskatchewan is open for business.

This success creates jobs and opportunities for the people who call this province home.”

The Monthly Retail Trade Survey compiles data on sales, including e-commerce sales, and the amount of retail locations by province, territory and selected census metropolitan areas from a sample of retailers.

Retail sales is a measure of total receipts at stores, or establishments, that sell goods and services to final consumers.

The announcement builds on further encouraging news for the province on the

economic front. The Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership recently released their State of Trade report which shows that Saskatchewan reached several export milestones in 2023. This includes agri-food exports totalling over $20.2 billion and agricultural equipment exports of nearly $835.0 million.

Both figures represent record exports in their respective categories.

To spur further economic growth, the province also recently launched Securing the Next Decade of Growth: Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy, along with a new website. investSK.ca This brand-new strategy and website will be tools for attracting investment into Saskatchewan.

NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL Rural Municipality of Biggar No. 347 Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll of the Rural Municipality of Biggar No. 347 for the year 2024 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. on the following days: Monday to Friday, from April 24th to May 27th, 2024.

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, accompanied by a $200.00 appeal fee which will be refunded if the appeal is successful, with: The Assessor, Rural Municipality of Biggar No. 347, Box 280, Biggar, SK, S0K 0M0, by the 27th day of May, 2024 by 4 p.m.

Dated this 24th day of April, 2024.

Sandi Silvernagle, Assessor

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK tion, one that I know a lot of dual Canadian and American citizens living here in Canada may also be worried about.

If you never plan to go back to the U.S. to live or work, if you have a home here in Canada, work in Canada, have investments, RSPs, TFSAs and kids in school; why are Christine Ibbotson you keeping your U.S. Dear Money Lady, citizenship? I know, it’s a My wife is one of those lot easier to travel using USA residents who has your U.S. passports; but lived in Canada as a per- keeping it so it’s easier manent resident since to travel to Florida or 1968 and never filed a Arizona in the winter, U.S. tax return. We were just doesn’t make sense. told that it wasn’t necesThe USA is one of the sary if you didn’t earn few countries in the income and weren’t liv- world that make their ing in the U.S. Also, we citizens claim 100 per had no idea that our chil- cent of their worldwide dren, who are dual citi- income, which is not zens due to their moth- the case in Canada. So, er, were also required if you have RSPs/RIFs to file taxes every year and TFSAs, as a dual even though they have citizen - they are not tax never lived or worked in exempted. the USA. What do we do Also, if you hold title now? to any properties in Ken W. Canada, for example, a I feel for you Ken. This primary residence (that is a very difficult situa- as a Canadian, would be

Ask The Money Lady

tax exempted when you sell it) you will owe capital gains tax to the IRS. If you have a U.S./ Canadian citizenship, please make sure you file taxes in both countries. If you do not have a social security number for the U.S., you will need to apply for one first and then file your tax returns.

Make sure to transfer all ownership of any Canadian assets over to a non-US resident, (preferably your spouse).

Speak to a U.S. taxation lawyer for assistance and once you have settled with the IRS, consider renouncing your citizenship if you plan to stay in Canada.

Now I’m not saying that all dual citizenships are bad. It’s totally fine with many other countries around the world; countries that don’t base their taxation on worldwide income.

For example; let’s say you were born in Australia, Germany, India

or maybe the UK - you can have dual citizenship, and live and work here in Canada. You’re totally fine to keep both citizenship status and you’re not required to report your income or file a second tax return in those countries, (only the country of residency).

Filing two tax returns is a space unique to the USA. Taxation in Canada is based on local and resident income.

So, what qualifies you as a resident of any country?

Well, you have to spend more than 183 days a year in most countries to be considered a resident, and this brings up a unique opportunity for those who love to travel.

There is a foreign earned income exclusion that applies to all countries that don’t use worldwide income (so, the USA is not included).

Basically, if you keep moving, never spending more than 183 days a

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024 year in any one country, of only $20,000 and you you never become a tax only have to spend a few resident and are not sub- days there every year. ject to any tax reporting. Because you don’t make This is a great option for an income in Panama, perpetual travellers who you now have no tax might split their time hit, and you’ll be free between Europe, Cana- to travel the world as a da, Asia or even South nomad, earning income in other countries, as an America.

There’s a little snag independent contractor, with this proposition if tax free.

Of course, you’ll have you find this appealing, and that is your citizen- to get healthcare coverage, but other than that, ship with Canada.

Countries will attempt you’re set.

This idea is not for to tax based on citizenship and especially if the faint of heart, but you’re using their health- certainly something to care system. So, if you consider if you want to really want to be “free travel.

Good Luck and Best as a bird” then you must give up your Canadian Wishes! by Chriscitizenship and become Written a permanent resident tine Ibbotson, author, of a country with a ter- finance writer, national ritorial tax system (for radio host, and now on example: Panama). I’m CTV Morning Live, and using Panama as an CTV News @6, syndiexample because they cated across Canada. only tax based on local Send your money quesincome and that’s what tions (answered free) through her website at you want.

You can become a per- askthemoneylady.ca. manent resident of Panama with an investment

6 tips for planning a graduation party Graduation season is a festive time of year.

Each year, graduating students close a notable chapter in their lives.

But as one chapter closes, another opens.

Many families commemorate graduation with a celebration. Planning a graduation party requires some work, but the efforts can be well worth it in the end.

Here are six tips for planning a graduation party.

Start early with planning Graduation season is a busy time of year. Many notable events take place in spring. In addition to graduation, Mother’s Day, weddings, communions, make up many people’s spring social schedule. Each of these special events will be competing in a relatively small window of time for the same vendors and

services in various communities. Set a date for the graduation party as soon as possible so that all other components of planning can fall into line. Also, it would be wise to send out invitations well in advance so guests can plan ahead and make it to the festivities.

Set a budget Graduation season can stretch families’ budgets.

Graduation caps and gowns, travel, gifts, and special occasion attire will need to be to purchased. It is important to budget accordingly if you plan to throw a party. Budget will dictate whether yours is a large affair or something more intimate. Realistically assess what you can afford before you make any promises.

Plan easy food options Food is not the focal point of a graduation

party like it is during a wedding reception.

Therefore, hosts have more leeway with the menu when planning a graduation party. Choose finger foods and others that can be grabbed and eaten on the go, as people will want to mingle and have time to congratulate the graduate.

Choose the right venue Budget may dictate the type of venue. Having a graduation party at home can work, provided you have the space. If your graduate has requested a theme, then the party location can align with that theme. For example, a luau theme may work best around a pool or at the beach. If you will be hiring entertainment, make sure there is enough space and electrical hook-ups for equipment as well. Give neighbours a heads-up if you’ll be hosting at

home.

Consider an open-house event Various graduation parties may be going on at the same time, particularly on weekends.

Consider an open time frame for guests to drop by and then leave when they desire. This makes it easy for the graduate’s friends to stop by when

they can, rather than having a fixed schedule for the party.

Personalize decorations Set the party apart with some personalized decorations that fit the theme. This can include using school colours, photography, the graduate’s name, or specific quotes or interests of the graduate on banners

and more. Personalized decorations also mean that the grad can save something to serve as a memento of this exciting time in his or her life.

Graduation season is on the horizon, and it’s best to start thinking about parties as soon as possible.

How to choose the perfect barbecue for you Barbecue season is here, and there are many options to consider when choosing the perfect grill for your next meal. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best grill for your space.

Multifunctional “A surprising trend is that people now have more than one barbecue in their yard, just like how they have multiple appliances in their

indoor kitchen,” says Janna Millious, barbecue merchant. “For smaller backyards, we’re seeing increased interest in modular grills with a pizza oven, storage, foldable side tables and a griddle top for entertaining, which is great for a group teppanyaki night or for a fun breakfast.”

Natural gas One of the most widely

used grills; the natural gas grill connects to the gas line on the exterior of your home, eliminating the need for propane tanks. While natural gas doesn’t burn as hot as propane, it can be more cost-effective and it offers a constant flow without the need to refill your tank.

Propane Propane tanks can be refilled and are portable,

allowing more freedom in where you place the barbecue in your yard.

Charcoal Charcoal grills are heated using briquettes.

When burned, they turn into embers, giving you an even, hot grilling surface that produces a smokier flavour. Charcoal grills are often portable as well and they can be used in a variety of scenarios - from your

backyard to a picnic in the park.

Wood pellet Wood pellet grills are some of the most versatile barbecues on the market because they can be heated to a variety of temperatures, making them an ideal grill, barbecue or smoker.

They’re often cylindrical in shape and burn foodsafe wood pellets to create heat.

Electric Electric grills are small in size and run completely on electricity, making them the ultimate portable grilling surface if there’s somewhere to plug it in. You won’t get the full, smoky, barbecue flavour that you would from a traditional fire grill, but they can be used almost anywhere.

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Ag myths should be cause for discussion

Agriculture Calvin Daniels

by Calvin Daniels While I would not suggest anyone trust a post on social media as fact without delving into the statement further with some research, there are times something gets posted that is at least worth a moment’s pause to consider.

As I readied to write this week’s column I happened upon a post which wondered with some amazement how we have become a culture that considers Twinkies, cocoa puffs and Mountain Dew safe, but raw milk and compost grown tomatoes unsafe.

Like most things on social media the statement is a bit simplistic in as much as there is good reason milk has been pasteurized for decades, and one should hold some trust in processed foods following rules established by bodies which monitor such things.

That said there is a kernel of truth in the statement too, one which alludes to how disconnected we are from our food sources.

There is a concern that many are increasingly concerned about how farmers produce food and question whether they are producing food

safe to put on the dinner table.

Fertilizers and crop protection products are seen as dangerous bugaboos by many.

Of course we don’t want wheat grown with ergot because farmers have no access to fungicides.

And, we don’t really want meat from sick livestock on the barbecue either, so vaccines and antibiotics used ethically are not a great evil.

Of course questioning food is not wrong either, if one researches carefully and trusts the best science since it’s the only option in ultimately determining food safety.

And, when asking questions about one’s food, it should certainly include processed foods, because something like microwaveable bacon, and seemingly indestructible Twinkies at least warrant a closer look by common sense at least.

The answer should be to get back to having greater control of our food source.

Maybe a front lawn where we work to kill every weed - often with chemicals - is not the answer.

What if the patch of land grew our potatoes?

What if we forgot an ornamental shrub for a fruit tree?

Maybe our second vehicle sits outside so - in forward thinking communities at least we can have a few laying hens for eggs?

Could we create ‘mini co-ops’ where a few buy a sow that a farmer raises, so the participants get a side of pork each year as part of ‘membership’?

Our food is important, and we need as much control as is reasonable to each individual.

And, of course ask questions, but always be aware of the source of any answer offered.

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by Trudy and Dale Buxton After a brief stop into Macklin, we continue west on Highway 14 towards Alberta.

It’s a great day for sightseeing and the highway is good to travel on.

Did you know that the Saskatchewan/Alberta border lies on the 110th meridian, which was the only way in 1905 to define the two provinces.

The 110th meridian also defines part of the border between the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Continuing west we change highway numbers to Alberta Highway 13, and the first small community we come to is the Hamlet of Hayter.

Founded in 1909 and was named after the president of CP Hotels.

Hayter has a current day population of around 120 people and is governed under the Municipal District of Provost. The economy of Hayter is mainly agriculture, along with oil and gas.

Next up we come to the Town of Provost, with

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a current population of just under 2,000 people.

The origins of Provost and how it received its name remains a mystery.

What is known is this fledging community was once called “Lakeview”, because of the closeness of the Fleeing Horse Lake. But back in 1907 when the Canadian Pacific Railway was coming through, the officials decided to call it Provost and it stuck.

Nobody is sure whether Provost was named after someone or whether it comes from the Scottish word meaning “magistrate”.

The village quickly grew and by 1952 was established as a town.

There are records and artifacts to indicate that there was human activity in this area for hundreds of years. A nearby archaeological site has discovered many artifacts.

This area is part of the Treaty 6 area when in 1879 at Sounding Lake, Chief Thunderchild of the Cree First Nations instructed his people to sign the treaty with the expanding Dominion of Canada.

The signing brought many

St. Norbert Catholic Church, Provost, Alberta

also a national finalist with Communities in Bloom.

If you are wondering about the goose that is part of the town sign, it signifies the extra large flocks of Canada geese that migrate to this area every year.

There have been a few hockey players to come from Provost into the ranks of the NHL, most notably was Norm Ulman who played with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A nice colourful little community, this will be a place to revisit in the future.

Stay tuned as we continue west into Alberta.

Europeans, most on foot from the railhead ends of Battleford.

In the Provost coat of arms, a large wheat stalk to signifies the history of agriculture in the area and the peace pipe to signify the signing.

Today the economy relies on agriculture along with the booming oil and gas industry that employs many jobs.

A full-service community, Provost features many recreational activities, both winter and summer, even sporting a Frisbee Golf Course. Provost also has one of the only “Butterfly Gardens” in Alberta.

Last year, Provost was

“Butterfly Gardens” in Provost, Alberta

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THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

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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Filipino culture on display at Biggar Lodge ... Filipino workers headed

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10 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

5 bucket-list worthy places to visit in Canada

While many of us jump at the chance to travel outside our borders, Canada remains a spectacular place to explore, with a diverse and far-reaching history.

Here are five must-see destinations to add to your bucket list. How many have you visited?

L’Anse aux Meadows Visit this breathtaking World Heritage Site, which rests at the tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, to tour the archeological remains and experience a reconstruction of a thousand-year-old Norse encampment dating back to the Viking Age. You’ll be walking in a place immortalized in the Icelandic sagas 500 years before the next Europeans arrived on this continent, all set against a rugged backdrop of icebergs, whales and moose.

Enjoy archeological artifacts, expert tours, geocaching and even an escape room.

Gwaii Haanas Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture, surrounded by rich rainforests, and an ocean teeming with life in Gwaii Haanas on the beautiful islands of Haida Gwaii, the homeland of the Haida Nation.

After you’ve made a reservation and obtained

a trip permit, embrace your sense of wonder at the national park reserve and heritage site. The remote chain of islands is roughly 170 kilometres off the coast of northern British Columbia or 700 kilometres north of Vancouver.

Get an intimate view of nature and wildlife from the seat of a kayak or take a guided tour to witness the power of ancient Haida village sites. Spot the carved poles lining the beach at SGang Gwaay and notice the remains of multitiered longhouses at T’aanuu and other historic communities. The Haida have called the 150island archipelago home since time immemorial.

Grosse Ile For over a century, Grosse Ile was the gateway for millions of European immigrants on their way to new lives in North America. Walk in their footsteps at this historic quarantine island, just 50 kilometres downstream from Quebec City, where incoming ships - and people - were inspected in an effort to prevent the spread of diseases.

Tour the island by bike or trolley, check out the medical quarantine station from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and pay your respects at the memorial

for the thousands of Irish immigrants who died there.

Louisbourg Prepare to be wowed at the expansive 18thcentury French fortress on the coast of Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island.

Painstakingly reconstructed between the 1960s and the 1980s, the bustling town is brought raucously to life every summer by costumed Parks Canada

interpreters who play music, bake fresh bread and showcase what life would have been like for many of the residents.

While you’re sampling an 18th-century meal or exploring the town, you can also learn about the Mi’kmaq traditional territory it sits on. Recent research has revealed the lives of enslaved people who lived at the fortress, such as Guineaborn Marie Marguerite

Rose, the first known Black businesswoman in Canada.

Dawson City Once called “the Paris of the North,” this unique Yukon town was the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s. Today, it’s home to five national historic sites. Hike the Discovery Trail, explore local engineering feats and admire historic buildings, including one

that used to be a brothel.

You’ll get to know the cultural and economic fabric of the time - and just have fun. With a vibrant arts and culture scene, lively tours of the town and plenty of nature adventures, there’s something here for everyone. In the summer you’ll bask in the midnight sun, and in winter, you might just catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Biggar bowler takes Bronze at Nationals ... Cassandra Raschke (front row, left) is a two-time National winner. Raschke took home the Bronze from the recent competition at the Canadian competition as a member of Team Saskatchewan. Congratulations! (Submitted Photo)

FOR SALE BY TENDER offers for sale the following:

1) 1985 International S1754 2) 1975 GMC fire truck 3) 2014 Road Boss 4) 1996 Retriever 5) 1999 Handyhitch 6) 2012 Dodge 1 Ton

1) 1985 International S1754

2) 1975 GMC Fire Truck

3) 2014 Road Boss

4) 1996 Retriever

5) 1999 Handyhitch

6) 2012 Dodge 1 Ton

• All sold as is. For pictures and information please contact the office at (306) 948-2422.

Tenders may ONLY be submitted by: • Mail to the Rural Municipality of Biggar No. 347, P.O. Box 280, Biggar, SK, S0K 0M0. Must be sealed with the words “Equipment Tender” marked on it.

• Hand delivered to the RM office, 201 2nd Avenue West, Biggar, SK. Must be sealed with the words “Equipment Tender” marked on it.

• Email submission of bids will be permitted. However, the RM of Biggar No. 347 cannot guarantee confidentiality of e-mailed documents and the Bidder assumes all risks associated with these forms of communication. Electronically submitted bid files shall be named: “Equipment Tender” and can be sent to: rm347admin@sasktel.net.

• With all submissions, please indicate what item you are bidding on.

Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.

• Tenders must be received in the municipal office by: 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2024.

No tenders received after this time will be considered.

• Tenders will be opened on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the council chambers.

Winning tenders will be contacted Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Golf needs a Scheffler Grand Slam run

Penton On Sports Bruce Penton

Televised golf is losing viewers. That is a fact, offered up after every tournament.

Theories are varied: Fans are turned off by the fight between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Too much money is spoiling the game. Tiger Woods, the game’s biggest draw for the past two decades, is nothing more than a sad, ceremonial golfer these days.

But my theory is that the drama normally associated with professional golf has been muted by the recent success of Scottie Scheffler in the men’s game and Nelly Korda on

the Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association tour. Both are lacking outgoing personalities.

About as exciting as a wet washcloth. Dull.

But there is one solution on the men’s side. Viewership would skyrocket if Scheffler were to threaten to win the Grand Slam, an accomplishment never achieved in the modern era - winning the Masters, the PGA, U.S. Open, and the Open Championship (known as the British Open to many) in the same year.

Historically, golf’s only ‘grand slam’ winner is Bobby Jones, the storied Atlanta amateur who won in 1930 what were considered the four major tournaments of his day - the U.S. Amateur, the British Amateur, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship.

Woods in 2000 finished fifth at the Masters and then won the next three majors, and then won the Masters in 2001 for the ‘Tiger Slam.’ He held all four majors’ trophies at one time, but they weren’t all won in one

calendar year, so it didn’t count.

Scheffler might threaten to do it this year.

It seems that everyone else is playing for second place when he tees it up at a PGA event. He has won four tournaments in his last five starts and finished tied for second in the fifth, missing a six-foot putt on the 72nd hole that would have put him into a playoff with Stephen Jaeger at Houston.

Were he to win the PGA at Valhalla in Kentucky May 16-19, a few more casual viewers would be sure to tune in for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in June. If Scheffler were to get three in his holster heading into the Open Championship in July at Scotland’s Royal Troon, viewership would explode.

On the women’s side, Korda has been even more dominant. She has won five consecutive tournaments, including the first major of the season, the Chevron Championship.

Korda, whose sister

Jessica is also an LPGA player and whose brother Sebastian is a world-ranked (26th) tennis player, joins two of the LPGA’s all-time greats, Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam, as the only ones to win five consecutive tournaments.

Meanwhile, Scheffler will take some time off before the PGA as his wife Meredith is about to give birth to the couple’s first child. Winning at Valhalla would give him Woods-like media attention and also ramp up Grand Slam talk.

Not to mention giving a big boost to TV ratings.

• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe. com: “Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard to get final Team USA spot for this summer’s Olympics.

Cool, but so who’s everyone’s best guess to replace Kawhi when he gets injured?”

• Super 70s Sports: “Sometimes Larry Bird would just haul off and punch lousy white players for perpetuating harmful stereotypes.”

• Janice Hough again:

“The NFL formally reinstated five players today who had been banned indefinitely for gambling violations in 2023. Wonder what were the odds?”

• Comedy guy Steve Burgess of Vancouver, on the eve of the CanucksPredators NHL playoff series: “Vancouver doesn’t churn out insipid, formulaic country music, so I don’t see why Nashville should dabble in hockey.”

• Jon McCarthy of Sun Media on Jason Day’s clothing choices at the Masters: “Day’s oversized pants nearly had him cleared for takeoff during Thursday and Friday’s blustery conditions.”

• A note from Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “If you’re scoring at home, Scottie Scheffler has made more than twice as much money ($16.25 million) in his last five tournaments than Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus combined to make during their entire PGA Tour careers.”

• Phil Mushnick of

the New York Post: “Listening to ESPN NHL studio man P.K. Subban - career ‘lower-body injury’ inflictor - discuss dirty plays that warrant fines or suspensions was a bit like hearing Matt Rempe complain of a headache.”

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “Kellogg’s has sued tennis pro Thanasi Kokkinakis to stop him using the handle Special K. Ranked 277th, Kokkinakis isn’t special - a flake maybe, but not special.”

• Steve Simmons of Sun Media: “Bobby Orr is the greatest hockey player I’ve ever seen. My dad told me Ted Williams was the greatest hitter ever. Many insist Tom Brady is the greatest of all-time. That’s a touch of overkill for one city.”

• Simmons again: “What do Pete Rose, The Guess Who, Alex Mogilny, Supertramp and Leo Cahill have in common?

All of them should be in the Hall of Fame.”

• Care to comment?

E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca.

Biggar Taekwondo athletes medal

Biggar Taekwondo did extremely well at the Fire and Ice tournament this past weekend in St. Albert, Alberta.

With over 700 competitors, Biggar took 10 medals, with everyone in the club bringing home a medal. Marissa Carter (not pictured) brought home bronze in patterns. Chloe Hebert a silver in sparring. Sasha Toderovic a bronze in sparring and gold in high kicks. Harjap Thandi brought home gold in sparring. Jackson Quessy a bronze in patterns. Lydia Huber a bronze in patterns. Ibadat Thandi a bronze in sparring and gold in patterns. Nash Wheaton silver for sparring. Everett Dowson a gold for high kicks and a gold for sparring. Hayden Westgard got gold for patterns and silver for sparring. Congratulations!

(Submitted Photos)

12 - THe INDePeNDeNT, BIGGAR, SK

Business & Professional …

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

AUTOMOTIVE

ACCOUNTING

T

SERVICES

M & N REPAIR 701 - 4th Ave. E., Biggar

306-948-3996

201B 2nd Avenue West, Biggar

Office: 306-948-3558 Email: info@biggaraccounting.ca Services Provided Include: Compilation Engagements Personal & Corporate Taxes Bookkeeping AgriStability & AgriInvest

C AMPBELL A CCOUNTING S E RV I C E S • Personal Tax Returns • Corporate Tax Returns • Farm, AgriStability, AgriInvest • Estate Returns • Bookkeeping • Payroll

ACCEPT NEW C ING LIE Year R NTS ound

Ph: 306-948-4430 or 306-948-4460 rodc@campbell-accounting.ca 117 - 3rd Ave. West,

(New Horizons Bldg) Biggar

INSURANCE

Open Monday-Friday

Service Truck Full Mechanical Service

Mike Nahorney - Journeyman Red Seal Mechanic

HEAVY TRUCK AUTO TIRES BOATS & RVs

Mon - Fri • 8 a.m.-5

p.m. phone: Chris

FULL MOBILE MECHANICAL SGI Safety INSPECTION

306-948-3376

Jennifer:

Chico’s Auto Works

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

“We’ll getcha covered”

Thursday CLOSED

Phone: 306-658-2044 Toll Free: 1-855-658-2044

Perdue Office Hours

Mon,Tue,Thurs,Fri, 9am - 4:30 Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30 Closed at noon 12 - 12:30

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

INVESTMENTS For all your investment needs, Visit…

Lyndsey Poole PFP

Pamela Eaton PFP

Investment Advisor Credential Securities Inc.

Jennifer Quessy

Ashley Booker CFP

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist Credential Asset Management Inc.

Investment Advisor Credential Securities Inc.

Located at the Biggar & District Credit Union 302 Main Street, Biggar, SK • 306-948-3352 Mutual funds are offered through Credential Asset Management Inc., and mutual funds and other securities are offered through Credential Securities Inc. ®Credential is a registered mark owned

by Credential Financial Inc. and is used under license.

306-716-4021

DEMOLITION & RESTORATION STUCCO , DRYWALL CONCRETE FINISHING

Website: www.hrblock.ca

306-948-2109

BIGGAR Attention: Deanna Stevenot REFRIGERATION SERVICES

Lesco

COMMERCIAL AND (year) for $ the next 52 weeks RESIDENTIAL Bill has been sent SERVICES Franchise Advertising Payabl

Please proof Business & Prof

towing & recycling

BIGGAR•LANDIS•PERDUE•WILKIE•ASQUITH #102 - 9622 - 42 Avenue,

Thanks, Urla

Shoreline Realty

Box 1298 Biggar, SK. S0K 0M0

Cari Perih ReAlToR®

CALL LES Cars, AT (306) 951•8446 Junk Trucks

and any Scrap Metal

office: 306-867-8380 carip@remax.net

Acres of Expertise.

Phone: 780-448-2166; 306-948-5291 Fax: 780-438-1233; email: CSC-Edmonton.accou

email: les@lescotowing.com Rebel Landscaping www.lescotowing.com

“CASH PAID” on the Spot

Cell: 306-948-7995

Biggar-Landis-Perdue Asquith-Wilkie Rosetown Call Les at 951-8446

948-2879, evenings 948-7207, daytime Ed Kolenosky s $RIVEWAYS s 3OD s #ONCRETE s 0ATIO s 'ARAGE 0ADS "LOCKS s 0RUNING s 3NOW s 0LANTING 2EMOVAL s 4OPSOIL s &ENCES s ,AWN #ARE xAND s ,EVELING MUCH MORE

T 9 9

fo

9

LEGAL SERVICES Busse Law

Dave Molberg

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

DENTAL

Rosetown Dental

115 - 1st Avenue West Rosetown, Sask.

SEED CLEANING wyLie seeD &

ProCessing inC.

Phone:306.882.2123 New Patients Welcome!

Dr. Krista Maedel & Associates

seeds Canada authorized Pedigree seeds & Custom Cleaning fuLL line of Cleaning equipment and Colour sorter

Peszko &Watson

ProfessionaL CorPoration Barristers & Solicitors Stuart A. Busse, KC Larry A. Kirk, LL.B.

is a full service law office that practices…

Criminal Law Commercial Law Real Estate Law Wills and Estate Law and our lawyers,

302 Main Street, Biggar, SK

Jason Peszko Bailee Massett Sarah Roesler

306-948-3346 …serving your community since 1972

OFFICE HOURS

look forward to assisting you and can be contacted at:

306-948-5352 or 306-244-9865

PLUMBING & HEATING

excellent Quality at a reasonable Price!

for all your Cereal and Pulse Cleaning

Bill: Dale:

948-7457 948-6045

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

DENTURES

Bring Back Your Smile

Frayling Denture Clinic Ltd since 1983

Métis Owned Aboriginal Owned • Mobile Welding & Fabrication • 24/7 Emergncy Service • Repairs? Got a project in mind?

• We cater to ALL Give us a call industries… farming, for a quote. commercial, oil field, • NOW offering industrial Skidsteer, Transport, • CWB Hot Shot Service!

Certified Call Chance Parenteau @ 306-948-9465 or Sarah Nagy @ 306-290-9766

Email: hrbbiggar@sasktelnet

SPECIALIZING Licensed Journeyman “Top Dollar Paid Cash On The Spot ForIN Salvage Vehicles” chicosautoworks@sasktel.net Edmonton, AB T6E 5Ya Adrian de Haan Removal of Please get back to me by 5 p.m. on Monday, Check Feb 4us out at - biggartowing.com

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

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

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist, Credential Asset Management Inc.

306-948-2183

Feb 7, 14, 21, 28306-948-5077

Landis Office Hours:

Mon.-Tue, & Fri., 9:00am - 4:30pm Wednesday, 9:30am - 4:30pm

Box 580 Biggar, SK SOK OMO

(WY %AST "IGGAR

Richard (Chico) Livingston Journeyman Automotive Will this work? Repair right colour?

Technician 317 Main Street Biggar, SK for publiation on Price: $63.00 plus gst per week

www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca ÿ Auto & Home Insurance ÿ Farm & Commercial Insurance ÿ Health & Travel Insurance ÿ Life Insurance & Investments ÿ Farm Succession & Estate Planning ÿ Notary Publics

YH Truck, Ag & Auto s (EAVY TRUCK PARTS s !GRICULTURE PARTS s !UTOMOTIVE PARTS ACCESSORIES WWW YHTRUCKAGAUTO COM

Serving Your “EnTIRE” Needs

3 col/6

223 Main Street Biggar

35-102 Hampton Circle, Saskatoon (Westside) 306-382-7767 Website: fraylingdenture.com

Jrs Flooring and Install

Bring Back Your Smile

Jrs Flooring specializes in all types of flooring.

Over 20 years experience.

Great rates and free estimates.

Call or text Jon 306•230•8949

Frayling Denture Clinic Ltd since 1983

35-102 Hampton Circle, Saskatoon (Westside) 306-382-7767 Website: fraylingdenture.com New Dentures - Partial Dentures - Denture Relines - Repairs - Complimentary Consultations

PLUMBING HEATING ELECTRICAL For all your home, business and rural needs

Biggar, Sask.

306-948-3389 Owners/Operators • Dallas Young • Claude Young

Journeymen Plumber, Gas Fitter, & Electrician on staff

High-Arc Electric Ltd

Commercial / Residential / Service / Farm •306-251-1477 •306-491-9678 “ Now Servicing Biggar and Area”

w

024

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

HEALTH/WELLNESS

Business & Professional …

ROSETOWN NATURAL HEALTH

311 Main Street, Rosetown Massage Therapy - Supplements Ideal Protein Clinic Mail orders welcome.

Monday – Saturday 9:00 – 6:00 306-882-2220 rosetownnatural@sasktel.net www.rosetownnaturalhealth.com

CLEANING SERVICE • • • • • • • •

HAULING

Troy May, owner/operator

Fax: 306-237-TROY email: tmay@hotmail.ca Super B outfits hauling grain and fertilizer in Western Canada

Rockin D Trucking & Cattle

Dan • 306-948-7843 Biggar, Sask.

GALLARDO Liner

Macklin to Saskatoon & towns in-between Kindersley to Saskatoon & towns in-between

Special Event, Airport Service or Doctorʼs Appointments

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Dr. Kirk Ewen Dr. Michelle Skoretz Doctors of Optometry

In BIGGAR

Every Tuesday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

New Location

315b Main Street, Biggar, SK

For appointments…

1-833-948-3331

BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN

FLOWER SHOP s FLOWERS s CUSTOM WEDDING DECORATING & EVENTS s RENTALS… 4ENTS "OUNCY #ASTLE

Gemini, exercise caution when dealing with people who promise big returns on your investments right now. Avoid financial dealings with anyone you have not fully vetted.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Someone in your life who has not always been on your side has been changing his or her ways lately, Libra. You may want to reevaluate the relationship soon.

Scorpio, you have been working hard to avoid conflict with someone close to you, but it could start to feel like more effort than you can care to keep up.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21

An interesting travel opportunity is coming your way, Sagittarius. When the news arrives, take advantage of it and start planning your itinerary.

Cancer, some people around you would like to use flattery to get you to do what they want. However, Brett… you are too savvy to fall for people who may be guiding you in the wrong direction.

Price…

2.5 inches = $201.50

LEO plus –gst per 6-month prepaid Jul 23/Aug 23 commitment.

306-948-9750 Biggar, Sask.

VIRGO – Thanks Urla Aug 24/Sept 22

/WNED AND OPERATED BY "RETT "ARBER

Aquarius, you may be feeling moody and introspective right now. Take time to evaluate your dreams and the thoughts going through your head. There may be common threads.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Don’t let some ambiguous feedback adversely affect your mood, Pisces. You will never be able to please everyone, so focus on those people who are on your side.

2 col/6

Loved ones and friends in your life deserve your time Please getright backnow, to me and energy Leo.with changes/corrections by return Figure out a way to cut down hours spent on emailonthis morning. the job this week.

newufitness@sasktel.net

–

Capricorn, is your schedule flexible right now? Try to rearrange things to take advantage of some lastminute recreational opportunities. You deserve to have more fun.

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

Mobility scooters, Lift chairs, walkers & more.

Now in stock

DEADLINE for ads, classisifeds and news MONDAY - 5 P.M.

BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Call: 306•303•7246

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Aries, your friends have stepped up to support you, and it is time to get together and enjoy one another’s company. Think about an activity that everyone can get behind.

Virgo, things going on in your life right now may be a bit more confusing than This is what I worked up for the Business & Professional section in back of Advertising you anticipated. It can be paper, is an stressful, but with some as6 month commitment for $161.20 plus gst investment sistance from others you in your will get through the situabusiness. tion.

PHONE......306-951-0078 or 306-951-0098

Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

102 - 3rd 2 col/6 Ave. West, Naty/Michael…

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

OPTOMETRISTS

www.newufitness.ca

306.237.7671

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Taurus, the people around you may work more slowly than you, so you will likely need to be patient this week while working on a particular project. Eventually things will work out.

306-948-9750

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

Passenger Services 122 Main St. - Biggar Depot

Healthy Lifestyle Weight Loss Personal Training Fitness Classes

102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

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

DJ SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS CALL 948-3344 SERVICES

Co-Ed Fitness Centre

…owned and operated

by Brett Barber

TRUSTY TIDYING CLEANING SERVICE Washing Baseboards Washing Walls Cupboard Cleaning Oven Cleaning Fridge Cleaning Light Fixtures Carpet Cleaning Organizing of closets 639-480-8439 (TIDY) Ask for Katy or Sharon trustytidying@ gmail.ca Connect with us on Facebook@Contact Us Thankful to clean for Biggar regularly Tuesdays-Thursdays

- together with -

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 13

(Answers on Page 14) PICKLES IS ON 14 OR 15

SUDOKU

201 Railway Ave. (Hwy 7) East Rosetown, SK 306-882-4522

email us at tip@sasktel.net

14 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Tired of running out of ink.?

SILVER EAGLE is looking for a Semi-Truck Driver to haul gravel Applicant needs to have a Class 1A Driver’s License with a clean abstract.

If you are interested please phone Chris at 306-948-6997 for more information Available at The Biggar Independent

It’s that time of the year.

Your Donations are needed for the fight against PROSTATE CANCER. Help us with that fight Call 948-3344, The Independent or E-Transfer to dale@dtjssb.ca

WE CAN HELP JUST SEND US

YOUR DOCUMENTS AND LET US PRINT THEM FOR YOU.

Help me to make my Fundraising Goal

Donations are Tax Deductable Custom made Business Cards for your Business or Personnal

Only $24.95 for 100

REFLECTIONS

by Father Edward Gibney, Biggar/Landis Roman Catholic Church Ascension and Pentecost

If you have lost a loved one and would like to display a Memorium for that person we can help do that.

The cost is only $25 for a display Contact us at The Independent for more information

After the many weeks of Lent, then the celebration of Holy Week with the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, and the celebration of Easter, we approach the culmination of this season of our Christian Year.

Soon we celebrate Jesus’ Ascension, His return to His Father in Heaven; and Pentecost, when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit into the world, the acknowledgement that God never abandons us.

And of course, the world is blessed with the Holy Spirit to guide us and to strengthen our

faith. The Holy Spirit is with us to make it possible for us to be God’s presence in the world. St. Teresa of Avila prayed, “Christ has no body but yours.

“No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.” Jesus left us the Holy Spirit, so that we could be the reflection of God in the world.”

In this time of the Ascension and Pentecost, we see Jesus go away, and yet He is still nearby, and we are supposed to carry on His ways. A good analogy is expressed in the image of when the sun is set-

ting and how bright a glow the sun has, on the horizon.

Yet at the same time, the moon is also starting to rise.

At first you do not notice the moon because the sun is so bright, but as the sun sets, the sky gets darker, the moon becomes more obvious, and we focus our attention on it, for it is still receiving the sun’s light.

The sun continues to shine on the moon, illuminating it and reflecting heat upon us, for we are dependent on the moon for its role, reflecting the sun’s light and heat on the world.

In a way, that is what Pentecost, and our relationship with God, is all about.

God is always close by, shining on each of us and we are called to radiate with the Glow of God; with the Glow of our Faith. Even though He is not with us, God is nearby giving us the light, and it is important for the world that we continue to radiate that light.

Without that radiated light of God, made present in the world by His followers, the world would be a cold and dark place.

May God Bless you and protect you!

4

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

E-MAIL us at tip@sasktel.net OBITUARIES

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 15

IN LOVING MEMORY OF WILLIAM “BILL” SAWCHUK

Everyone Welcome!

June 29, 1937 - April 12, 2024

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our Dad, Husband, Grandpa, Papa, Brother, Uncle, and friend to many, on Friday, April 12, 2024.

He will be sadly missed by his loving and devoted wife, Fern Margaret Sawchuk; his children Enola Bell (Kevin Bell); Donald Sawchuk; his grandchildren Morgan and Payton Bell; his brother Henry Sawchuk (The late Marilyn Booth); sister Bettie (Wally) Sutter; along with many nieces and nephews who were dear to our family.

Bill was predeceased by his loving mother and father, Lazor and Alexandria Sawchuk; his sister Marie (Dave) Friesen; half-brother Peter (Nettie) Kitay; half sister Ruby (George) Woytuck; we least not forget his Son Bruce William Sawchuk. We miss Bruce every day, but he is never forgotten. Bless his soul!

Bruce is survived by his three daughters Harvest, Aspen and Evan.

Our Dad was born on his family farm by Perdue, SK and lived there his entire life, just shy of 87 years of age. Bill and Fern were married on November 16, 1963 on a beautiful, warm and sunny day in Biggar, SK. Bill knew from a very young age that he wanted to be a farmer. Not just a farmer, but also talented and gifted in many other ways of life. Grain farming and raising cattle just to name a few. He enjoyed cars, snowmobiling (fixing many others in his shop), welding and getting creative with the lathe, he had that special touch. When he was younger, he played softball as the back catcher for the Perdue Ball Team with his good friends in the area.

Many memories included lake time at Loon Lake, SK waterskiing, fishing, camping and making breakfasts over the fire Bill had a big appetite, fast metabolism, and a sweet tooth, loving his ice cream in the evenings. And as you all know, the “occasional smoke break”. Bill and Fern enjoyed watching the Toronto Blue Jays and Winnipeg Jets games together.

He loved his way of life and was an example of a hard-working man, dedicated, caring soul to all who had the opportunity to know and love him. Bill was loved and respected in the farming communities, whose friendships he cherished and respected. He was a religious man, reading the Bible daily passages every day. He loved his game shows and crossword puzzles. He had a brilliant memory and mind right up to his last days. Bill and Fern were married just shy of 61 years.

We would like to thank the staff and Physicians at the Royal University Hospital for his care during his final days. Lots of times they would mention that he had a “Farmer’s Heart” and we are very proud of that!

A Private Service was held at Wheatfield Cemetery on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 2:00PM. His wife, children and grandchildren were by his side every step of the way. A big thank you to Gerein Funeral Service and Beautiful U Flowers from Biggar, SK for helping with all the arrangements.

A special thank you to Ken Davidson who spoke on short notice and delivered a beautifully composed sermon which our Dad would have loved! And not to forget Nick Scharf who acted as a pallbearer and friend of the family, you were so appreciated.

Donations may be made to the Wheatfield Cemetery or Jim Pattison’s Children’s Hospital.

“Your memory is our dearest inheritance” We will always remember you Papa, because there will never be another one to replace you in our hearts and the love we will always have for you! May you meet up with Bruce in Heaven, he will be waiting for you with open arms and a big hug!

“God’s garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best! Part of us went with you, the day God called you home.”

Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.

MARY ROSE LEHNERT

109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney Parish Phone: 306-948-3330 Saturday Mass.......7:00p.m.

Sunday Mass....... 11:00a.m.

our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis Sunday Mass.......9:00a.m.

Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans

St.Pauls Anglican 205 4th Ave. E

Redeemer Lutheran 319 7th Ave. E

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

MAY 12, ST.PAULS ANGLICAN MAY 26, ST.PAULS ANGLICAN Rev. Daphne Bender Pastor’s cellular Phone: 1-306-621-9559 Office Phone: 306-948-3731 (Messages are forwarded to Pastor’s phone immediately)

Biggar associated gospel church 312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

All are welcome to come and join us

Biggar United ChUrCh REGULAR SERVICES SUNDAY 11:00 am Pastor Dale Worrall Inquires Call Church Office 306-948-2280 Leave Message

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SATURDAY SERVICES BIBLE STUDY 10:00a.m.

CHURCH SERVICE 11:00a.m.

320 - 6th ave.east contact: 306-951-8445 3 abn

www.amazingfacts.org

NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH ...In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope...1Pe 1:3

You are Invited

May 14, 1929 - April 16, 2024 Mom was born on May 14, 1929 in Handel, Saskatchewan.

Later, the family moved to a farm at Andrew, Alberta.

School and farm work kept mom busy. In 1952 she married the love of her life, Emil Lehnert.

They raised six children on their farm near Landis. Mom’s life was blessed with Faith and Love.

She loved her family, friends, garden, flowers, animals, birds, fishing, phone calls, card playing, bingo, casino and visits from her grandchildren. Mom was a great cook - no one left her home hungry.

Dad passed away in 2003. Mom continued to live on the farm until she become ill last summer. She passed away suddenly in the Biggar Long Term Care Home on April 16, 2024.

Mary is lovingly remembered by her six children and their families, Vernon and children Jennifer, Christina, Aimee and Heather; Judy (Dan) and children Ryan, Kim and Stacie; Erwin (Jill) and children Jonathan and Matthew; Steve; Rick; Jackie (John) and Jaydon; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brother Martin (Gayle) and daughter Marla.

She was predeceased by her husband Emil in 2003; and parents Mike and Annie.

St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh

Tributes, Biggar Long Term Care Activities Fund or The MS Society In memory of Mom, we ask that you considered making a new friend or doing an act of kindness.

Eternal Peace Our Anchor and Angel!

“Thank You” to all per-

sonnel at Biggar Health Care Centre, Biggar Long Term Care Home, Home Care and Sunshine Family Care Home, for your compassionate care for Mom. Thank you to Father Gibney and Gerein Funeral Service for your guidance. Thank you to all whom participated in Mom’s beautiful Celebration of Life. Heartfelt thanks for the prayers, visits, calls foods, gifts, cards, hugs and support shown to our families.

God Bless!

Mary Lehnert and Family

Sunday Tea and Coffee -10:15am Worship - 10:30am NEW HORIZONS 117 3rd Ave. W, Biggar For more info - Philip Watson - 250-487-8476

Mother’s Day Tea

WEDNESDAY MAY 8, 2:00pm at the Biggar Community Hall sponsored by

Prairie Branches Enterprise.

Enjoy entertainment and snacks, raffles, and bake table!

Funds raised support the residents of Prairie Branches.

Everyone is invited to attend.

Silver Collection.

16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Happy Birthday to this young lady, Emily Liska, who turned 95.

A lunch and tea was held in her honour at the New Horizons on April 27th with many of her friends and family (Independent Photo by Dale Buxton)

Biggar Aquatic Centre Swimming Lesson Registration Monday, May 6th 6:00p.m. - 7:30p.m.

Biggar Community Hall (319 1st Avenue East)

Blazer’s medal at District play ... Biggar Central School Junior Badminton players Chloe Bartusek, Jaryn Doell and Adriana Sanchez (left to right) show off the latest in badminton fashion medals won during the recent District competition in Rosetown. Doell took Gold in Girls Singles, while Bartusek and Sanchez nabbed Silver in Girls Doubles. Congratulations! (Submitted Photo)

After registration night, forms will be available at the Biggar Town Office and on www.townofbiggar.com Payment by cash or cheque

Randy Weekes, MLA

Biggar - Sask Valley Constituency Office 106- 3rd Ave. West, Box 1413 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0 Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm

Toll Free: 1-877-948-4880 Phone: 1-306-948-4880 Fax: 1-306-948-4882

Happy Mother’s Day

You’ll find a perfect gift for your mother

East Breeze Liquidation Store

East Breeze Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm Merchandise at Discount Prices Liquidation Store Quality802 MAIN STREET “OPENING NOVEMBER 22” • • • •

Quality Merchandise at Discount Prices Will there be open boxes? yes Will some things be in no boxes? yes Will there be broken boxes? yes Will there be boxes that we have opened? yes

802 MAIN STREET

COME CHECK IT OUT!

Watch for the “RED AIR DANCER”

COME CHECK IT OUT!