The Biggar Independent, Volume 115 Issue 2

Vol. 115 No. 2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

16 pages

$1.50

It had to be ... After an unseasonably warm start to winter, the snow finally arrived, as did the cold. Winter is here - the dark, gloomy days, now blanketed in white. Let’s hope it all passes quickly! (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

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2 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Happy New Year

Biggar Central School Senior Boys held their annual tournament this past weekend, bringing in area teams for some fierce basketball action. The Green and Gold went all the way through to the final but came up short to Unity.

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

Indexation and Carbon Tax relief will save Saskatchewan families money in 2024 Low personal taxes and indexation are among the measures the provincial government is taking to help make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people this year.

“A family of four with annual income of $75,000 will save $322 in 2024, as a result of indexing personal income tax,” Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said. “That is on top of the $400 that family will save through our government’s decision to stop collecting carbon tax on home heating, for a total savings of over $700 in 2024.”

Indexation protects against bracket creep, which are the automatic increases in tax caused by inflation.

“Combined with our government’s commitment to keep personal taxes low, indexation is an important component of affordability that is among over $2 billion of affordability measures built into our budget each year,” Harpauer said. “For a family of four, when taxes, utilities and housing costs are considered, Saskatchewan is the most affordable province in which to live in Canada.

“A family of four now

pays no income tax on their first $59,475 of income. When our government took office, a family of four started paying provincial income tax at $26,150 of income. Reductions our government introduced have more than doubled the tax-free threshold.”

Indexation of the provincial Personal Income Tax (PIT) system preserves the real value of personal tax credits, and the income tax brackets, since these also rise with inflation. Indexation protects taxpayers from automatic tax increases that would otherwise occur when

their incomes rise with inflation.

For example, indexing the basic personal amount preserves the real value of the amount that all taxpayers can earn without paying tax. Indexation also preserves the real value of benefits people can receive, such as the Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit. Indexation, therefore, provides significant benefits to pensioners and others who are on fixed incomes.

Indexation will result in Saskatchewan residents seeing $70.5 million in annual income tax savings. The level of

indexation in 2024 will be 4.7 per cent, which matches the annual average national inflation rate from October 2022 to September 2023.

The combined effect of the indexation of the tax system from 2007 through the 2024 taxation year is saving Saskatchewan taxpayers a total of approximately $355 million in 2024.

Saskatchewan has among the lowest personal taxes in the country. Since 2007, PIT exemptions have removed more than 112,000 people from the province’s income tax roll. In total, PIT reductions since 2007 are providing over $830 million in annual income tax savings to Saskatchewan people. Saskatchewan also has one of the highest tax-free thresholds in Canada.

Also helping with affordability, families in Saskatchewan with children enrolled in sports, arts and cultural activities will continue to be

able to claim the Active Families Benefit on their tax returns.

The benefit was reinstated in 2021 and provides a refundable tax credit of $150 per year, per child to eligible families. Families of children with a disability will receive an additional $50, for a total tax credit of $200 per year, per child. Parents who enrol their children in sports, arts and cultural activities are reminded to keep their receipts so they may claim the benefit with their annual tax filings.

“The Active Families Benefit, the Disability Tax Credit, the Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit and others, when combined with affordable housing, comparably low utility rates, indexation and low personal taxes demonstrate our government’s commitment to helping keep life affordable for Saskatchewan people,” Harpauer said.

RCMP Report Cold and Frosty ... With the snow and cold now upon us, the countryside is taking on some pleasant - albeit, bleak - beauty. Winter has indeed finally arrived and with it, the hope it passes without a fuss.

(Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Biggar RCMP report

by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment This past week seen 34 occurrences reported, with the majority being traffic related incidents with a variety of educational reminders discussed with the motoring public. Citing nine tickets and eleven warnings through out the area.

A 21-year-old female was located walking westbound on Highway 14 - nothing unusual until a good Samaritan tried to offer a ride and found them to be more then they could handle when the person thought they were heading to Prince Albert. Police assistance was required for transport and hospital assessment.

A resident of Kinley reported having their

dog shot with a pellet gun. However the story had variants from the evidence found during the investigation.

Report of a male breaching his British Columbia court order after writing messages on the envelope used to mail the cheque to the other half.

Sask Energy reported theft of gas after an individual on Eighth Avenue decided to reconnect their meter after being disconnected.

All schools are back in session this week. Be mindful of speed, braking and stopping distances as we experience the new snow fall. It has been awhile, so let’s not forget how to drive in it and save your fibreglass and rims.

Take care out there!

Bingo Numbers for

January 11

Attack Mode ... U11 National, Drew Fick sits on the doorstep versus a visiting Unity Lazer goalie, Saturday at the Jubilee. The Nats pulled off a 5-4 win. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

B-05 I-25 N-39 G-53 O-63

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Opinions

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

Trudeau hiking taxes again in 2024

by Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation Brace for impact, taxpayers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be reaching deeper into your pockets in 2024 with payroll tax hikes, a carbon tax hike and alcohol tax hikes.

Canadians will be paying higher payroll taxes because of the mandatory rising Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance contributions.

If you make $73,200 or more, you’ll be paying an extra $347 in payroll taxes in 2024 for a total tax bill of $5,104.

Your employer will also be forced to fork over $5,524 in the new year.

The federal government is imposing a new tax, which it calls “CPP2.” The original CPP taxes your income at six per cent up to $68,500. The new CPP2 expands that threshold and taxes additional income at four per cent up to $73,200.

Trudeau likes to claim he’s “working to make life more affordable.”

But he’s also hiking a tax that directly makes life more expensive: the

carbon tax.

The carbon tax increases the price of gasoline, diesel and home heating fuels, which is a big deal in our vast, cold country. The carbon tax also makes groceries more expensive, as it increases costs for the farmers who grow our food and the truckers who deliver it.

The carbon tax will cost the average family up to $911 in 2024, even after the rebates, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer.

The feds are also scheming to implement a digital services tax. This new tax targets social media platforms, companies operating digital marketplaces, and businesses earning revenue from online advertising, such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, Uber and Airbnb.

Consumers should expect to pay higher prices because of the tax. When faced with the three per cent DST in France, Amazon increased its commission charge to French vendors by the same amount.

You could be forgiven if all these tax hikes drive you to drink.

But when you pick up

that case of Blue, a bottle of Pinot or a mickey of rum, Trudeau will be taking an extra 4.7 per cent from you through his alcohol tax hikes.

The federal alcohol tax hike is expected to cost taxpayers almost $100 million.

Taxes in Canada already account for about half of the price of beer, 65 per cent of the price of wine and more than three-quarters of the price of spirits.

While Trudeau hikes taxes, many other countries are providing relief.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation identified 51 national governments that provided tax relief during the pandemic or to ease the burdens of inflation. Those governments include more than half of the G7 and G20 countries and twothirds of the countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Provincial governments - of all political stripes - are also providing relief.

Manitoba’s NDP government is suspending its fuel tax. Gas tax relief from Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives will save a family with a min-

DEADLINE MONDAY 5 P.M. ivan and pick-up truck about $185 through June 2024. And the Liberals in Newfoundland and Labrador cut their gas tax by eight cents per litre.

The Alberta government promised to cut personal income taxes and passed legislation requiring a vote

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 before a government can increase income or business taxes. Manitoba’s income tax cuts could save an individual taxpayer more than $2,000. Quebec lowered its income tax rate on the first two brackets. New Brunswick implemented significant income tax relief in 2023. And

Prince Edward Island’s income tax cut will save middle-class taxpayers up to $200.

The fastest, simplest and easiest way for Trudeau to make all areas of life more affordable is to ditch his hightax policies and allow Canadians to keep more of our money.

Electoral boundary map still in Sask. Party’s favour

Provincial Viewpoint Murray Mandryk

Happy New Year and welcome to another election year - a potential historic one.

Should the Saskatchewan Party win a solid majority in the general election in October which seems a high probability - it will extend its current run to 2028.

That would translate into a 21-year run, which would surpass the Tommy Douglas Co-operative Commonwealth

the

(CCF) government from 1944 to 1964 as the second-longest in the province’s history. Only the Liberals’ initial 24 years of successive governing from the formation of the province in 1905 until 1929 when it lost to the Conservative coalition would be longer.

Of course, there are no guarantees in politics.

Premier Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are facing pressures from both sides. In the two major cities of Regina and Saskatoon where there are 26 seats, opinion polls show that the NDP is hovering at more than 60 per cent popular support.

It wouldn’t be enough for the NDP to win, but it would seem to be enough for Moe and the Sask. Party strategist to be concerned.

Perhaps strangely, that

doesn’t seem to be where the Sask. Party concerns lies.

Based on their policy direction like fighting the carbon tax that most affects farming, mining, oil and gas and even the “parental rights” issue that last fall produced the so-called pronoun bill after the demands and limited success of the Saskatchewan United Party in LumsdenMorse byelection, it very much seems as if the Sask. Party feels more threatened by the right.

It doesn’t completely make sense. Even in the Lumsden-Morse byelection (held the same day last summer when the Sask. Party was hammered in two city seats of Regina Coronation Park a Regina Walsh Acres that it held) it still easily won with more than 50 per cent of the

popular vote.

But there may be another reason why the Sask. Party has less to worry about than its strategists think. The electoral boundary map still works in its favour.

For this, the Sask. Party owes debt of gratitude to the late Joe Donlevy the long-time Saskatoon businessman and political operative who passed away late last month.

Former premier Brad Wall’s chief of staff for 10 years, Donlevy was the classic political insider someone you heard little about, but also someone with formidable skills and influence.

While he left his role as a political operative when Wall left politics in 2018 and Moe took over as premier, Donlevy was appointed as Sask.

Party representative on the three-member 2022

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Electoral Boundaries Commission that redrew the political map for the next 10 years.

His work was masterful.

Rather than the hamhanded approach of the last boundary commission that increased the legislature by three seats to 61 to preserve rural seats despite a declining rural population, this commission worked within the existing seat map to redistribute the existing seats.

What the most recent Saskatchewan Boundaries Commission produced is a new 61-seat electoral map that still had 14 Saskatoon seats, 12 Regina seats, two each in Prince Albert and Moose Jaw, the two disproportionally smaller northern seats permitted by the law and the 29 “rural seats”.

E-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca

Except for the northern seats, all seats are within five per cent provincial average as mandated by the commission although 88 per cent of the Regina/Saskatoon seats are above the average size and 66 per cent of the “rural seats” are below average.

And a couple of those “rural” seats are now largely bedroom communities of Regina and Saskatoon which should still be strong seats for the Sask. Party.

Again, nothing can be guaranteed but the new electoral map suggests the Sask. Party has a good chance at a fifth straight term.

In my last column, I incorrectly stated that Melville-Saltcoats MLA Warren Kaeding will be retiring in 2024. My apologies to Warren for my mistake.

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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.

Bob Mason

If there is anything that turns me off, it is when some intelligent, university/graduate politician, describing an opposition university/graduate politician saying something like, “They don’t have any idea what the country needs. They’ve lost touch with the public, entirely!”

As a peasant with a Grade 10 education, to me this kind of stuff is absolutely ridiculous. And yet, they do it over and over. Again and again, during my mostly uninvolved lifetime, partisan people have blasted each other.

Often with such shallow accusations that it leads one to wonder just how ignorant and unintelligent they think we are!

Every move that a government makes is criti-

Politics and Practicality

cized up and down, even if it is a good one. This is Democracy, I suppose, and the governmental set-up that we have is possibly more workable than any other. Far from ideal, but workable.

If all those blustering accusations are only for some parties sake and have nothing to do with the reality of the thing, then I wonder what would be the right name for our Democracy!

This writing is only an observation, and maybe not too constructive of one at that! So at the risk of being called a faultfinder, I think I should point out some things that must have been seen many times before by many others but are often overlooked.

Can it be true that in an election, let’s say of a vote win of 80 seats to 20, that the citizens of that area get the same representation they would if the vote had been 55 to 45 No wonder that the free enterprise type life, which to me includes farming, appealed to so many in the past, when one made their own decisions and, of course, suffered their own mistakes. And this, at least to me, is what Democracy is all about - living

are own lives!

To me, pure Democracy is in the ambitions of our honest selves. Maybe I expect too much! And while I’m sorry about this, I know that most personal plans, being far from ideal, are real bait to the ones who plot and plan to take advantage of that very attitude.

I know that I write as though I know all about everything, but that impression is not anywhere near the truth!

Often, while deep in the concentration that these kinds of philosophical decisions require, I’m sure glad - being a political “no account” that I can drop this pen and say, “Leave it up to George,” and go golfing!

Sometimes I think that politics is a lot like tug of war. Sure the team that has the most people on it often wins, and this is right. A person is a person whether they weigh 125 or 250 pounds. But back before the game starts, the one who choose up sides plot and plan to have as many heavyweights as they can muster pulling for them! So we’ve got 10 people who weigh 200 pounds pulling against 15 others who weigh 125 ... guess who’s going to win?!

The only way that one can expect to win in this political battle seems to be by employing every wile and tactic that the other side does! And yet, as soon as all is going our way and the most deserving ones, let’s say have won, we settle back, let down our defences ... and whammo! We’re back at square one.

One would think that after a thousand years of so-called “Political Progress,” man (and of course this includes women, too!) would have finally found a method of governing that was acceptable socially to all of us!

I don’t pretend that the brains-in-power of the world have that possibility. But I do feel (and I pen this as a peasant of only rural experience) that any dumb old type, left to his own plans, would have developed a method satisfactory to his way of life long ago!

Having put his opinion down on a piece of paper and more or less committed myself to having one, I can certainly expect someone to say, “If you think you know so much, Mason, why don’t you do something about it?!”

And there’s the rub ... me!

One reason for all

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5

this stuff is that after one has so many annular rings on their trunk, they seem to feel that every now and then they have to point out to the younger types what they feel is the right thing to do! Hey, wait a minute!

I thought the Senate was

supposed to do that!

Actually, I suppose from here on in we’ll just “go with the flow” and let the political people have their way.

After all, as someone said on TV the other day, “It’s still a beautiful world!”

DONOR’S CHOICE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING January 25, 2024 at 7:00pm at the New Horizon’s.

This meeting is open to all.

A representative from local organizations that are supported by Donor’s Choice need to attend.

The Majestic Theatre Biggar JANUARY Í THE HUNGER GAMES: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

Friday, Jan 12 • 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan 13 • 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan 14 • 2 p.m.

Matinee Admission $5

Ratings from the Saskatchewan Film Classification Board

For bookings and information please NEW phone no. 306-951-8244

A Word Or Two From The Mayor of Biggar, Jim Rickwood

Mayor Jim Rickwood

With our 2024 calendars now in place, we can say goodbye to 2023.

Last year brought us a all a variety of events that we accepted with the challenges that they came with. Although we should never wish our time away, for many it was a joy to commence the new year with a fresh start and understandably so in many circumstances even though we are always uncertain of what the future will bring for us.

It is with great sadness that in December we said goodbye to Brandon Klassen.

Brandon was in our public works department and was most rec-

ognizable around town in the grader. However, to all that worked with him and knew him on a personal basis he was so much more. His passing left a large void within all of us but his remembrance will remain. Rest in peace Brandon...

As for the rest of the Town of Biggar we will see many changes coming our way.

January 12 marks a significant departure from the Town of Biggar staff with the retirement of Cory McMahon. Cory has been with the town for over 29 years and will certainly be missed.

Amanda Flasch has submitted her resignation effective January 31 after 10 years with the town and will become the new Town Administrator for the Town of Maidstone.

Raymond Silbernagel has also made the decision to retire after 20 years with his retirement date set for April 30.

As mentioned in September, Town CAO, Marty Baroni resigned with the town and his last day in the office will also be on January 12.

Marty has accepted a position with the Town of Kindersley, and worked

for the Town of Biggar for 12 years as part of the management team.

Our new CAO, Kristine Brown, has been hired and will start her position on January 15. Kristine comes to us from the Town of Gillam, Manitoba, and although our extended snow free winter has ended, we can’t lay blame for her changing the northern Manitoba weather patterns to encompass Biggar.

Please pass on a hello and welcome to Kristine and her husband as they settle in and make Biggar their new home.

As we witness the changes, we wish Cory, Amanda, Raymond, and Marty all the best for their futures and offer a sincere thank you for your dedication to Biggar. When you see these individuals please pass on your regards and best wishes as well. It is certain that new faces will be present in the Town of Biggar office and on the crews, but change is the one thing in life that is certain, and we can feel very honoured to know that support will only be a phone call away if and when it is needed.

Thank you once again

for your commitment of spirit and support! You will all be missed!

Although we are witnessing the days becoming longer, the winter will definitely be around for awhile. We are still awaiting an engineer’s report on the Biggar Curling Rink and hopefully have an update to share soon.

Jubilee Stadium is abuzz with hockey, figure skating and all kinds of activities, the museum and gallery always have interesting happenings as well as the library.

Biggar Arts Council offers a winter series of performances.

On January 27, Biggar Minor Hockey is hosting a Mental Health Awareness Supper with guest speaker Chris Beaudry; and on February 15, experience the Acronaires at Biggar Central School at 7:30 pm.

Our town celebrates ethnic diversity in our town with recognition of different nationalities monthly. On February 10 there will be a Metis Winter Festival at the Biggar Community Hall with a supper, a presentation by key note

speaker John Lagimodiere and a performance

by Donny Parenteau. It is certainly an affordable evening of entertainment and enlightenment with 70 per cent of proceeds being donated by the event hosts, Ruthilda Metis Local.

I encourage everyone to attend this event and support the numerous other events in our town as well, our participation builds community!

Watch for events and details on the town website, community billboards on the north and south sides of the theatre as well as social media and of course in our local newspaper, The Independent.

The walking path is still lit up with the Christmas displays that our organizations and businesses offer. Now that there is snow the perspective is certainly more Christmas like. Please check them out again - we get a lot of great comments from highway travellers, and don’t forget to pass on compliments to the display sponsors. The sponsors go out of their way to provide this seasonal display and many hours of planning are

dedicated to the event by our recreation department and public works departments. A smile and a thank you go a long way in expressing gratitude.

There is great information on the newsletter that accompanied the Utility Notice billing that covers events, licensing, dog and cat tag information and so much more including snow removal guidelines. Check it out and if you didn’t receive that sheet, stop by the town office and pick one up.

With so much going on around town, I am sure our days will be full and plans for spring and summer events and activities will be in process. It’s going to be an exciting year and we will keep everyone informed of what’s happening in Biggar.

As always, we need to hear the questions, comments and concerns that are out there, so please reach out and let our council and office staff know so we can ensure Biggar is the best town to be part of!

Everybody please be safe and take care out there!

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Ask The Money Lady Christine Ibbotson

Dear Money Lady Readers, December is the eat and spend too much month and January is the go on a diet and pay your bills month.

So, have you decided to really create a budget this year to get your finances in order? Or is it going to be like that gym membership you’ll sign up for that will fizzle out

by March because you just can’t find the time to go.

I know we all have the best intentions to do things at the beginning of a New Year, but then life gets in the way, challenges come up and we give in to the failure of our January goals yet again.

According to a recent study done by Stats Canada (September 2023), three out of five Canadians are dealing with debt. So don’t beat yourself up if you have debt too, especially after one of the most expensive months of the year. It can always be fixed.

No matter what reason you had for going into debt - good or bad - you will want to have a strategy to repay it in full during the life of the asset or at least by the time you reach retirement.

Here’s how you’re going to do it.

First you want to review all your options,

so make a list of all the debt you currently have.

You’re going to want to categorize it into large and small debts. For example, it’s going to be a lot easier to pay off a credit card for $10,000 than it is to pay off a mortgage of $200,000.

Just list everything you owe so you can get a good understanding of what you are dealing with and if you have a lot of debt (over $100K in consumer debt).

You may want to ask yourself: Could you downsize your home, refinance, or even change your job to earn more so you can reduce your debts?

Now when it comes to consumer or credit card debts the easiest and fastest method is to consolidate high interest loans into a new mortgage or a secured line of credit. Your goal is to capture a lower rate of interest so that you can increase your monthly cash flow.

Obviously this should be viewed as a one-time credit fix and not something that you do every couple of years to drain the equity from your residence, use your home as an ATM and get a free pass to spend again.

Also, make sure your amortization on your mortgage matches with the date of your retirement (for example, if you have 15 years to retirement, your mortgage amortization should also be 15 years).

But, what if you don’t own a home, and you still have debt? Well, we’re going to have to do it the old-fashioned way.

Take that list of all your debts and decide which one you’re going to tackle first. You will want to concentrate on

Happy New Year putting as much as you can down on this debt every month (for example a credit card balance), whilst only paying the minimum payments on the other debts that you have.

Once this debt is paid off, then move to the next one, repeating the process of paying down one and maintaining the others with only minimum payments.

This process takes a lot longer to accomplish and can be quite frustrating at times, but it does teach you how to create new habits for saving and definitely helps you learn how to budget for 2024.

Now if you still can’t resolve your debt situation because there is too much to handle - declaring bankruptcy should be viewed as a last resort.

You want to make sure you’ve exhausted all other solutions before contemplating a bankruptcy or consumer proposal.

Please don’t think that a consumer proposal won’t be as bad as a bankruptcy. They both will hit your credit bureau and drop your score once initiated. But if all else fails and you must declare bankruptcy to get you back on the road to financial recovery, don’t worry too much, your credit rating can be restored.

Once the bankruptcy has been settled and cleared, you will want to begin re-establishing good credit right away.

It could take up to three years to do so, but remember you’ve got to get back in the game.

So, don’t be afraid to use credit again. Remember, your credit score is the only way to measure your credit worthiness not just for the banks,

but also investment firms, insurance companies, some employers, security checks and rental housing.

Good Luck and Best

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024 Wishes!

Written by Christine Ibbotson, author, finance writer, national radio host, and now on CTV Morning Live, and

CTV News @6, syndicated across Canada.

Send your money questions (answered free) through her website at askthemoneylady.ca.

Saskatchewan’s record job growth continues in December Statistic Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows employment in Saskatchewan reached a record 600,200 in December 2023, adding 22,100 full time jobs year-over-year, ranking second among provinces in terms of percentage change at 3.8 per cent.

Saskatchewan ends the year with a seasonallyadjusted unemployment rate of five per cent, below the national average of 5.8 per cent.

“Saskatchewan is seeing remarkable job growth numbers with records broken month after month,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “This means more opportunity for Saskatchewan’s people and a higher quality of life for our population.

This growth doesn’t just happen. This is the result of the government and employers working closely together to create the conditions for success. That is why the province is making strategic investments in growing our economy, including attracting investments worldwide

through targeted initiatives, such as participating in COP 28 and the recent mission to Singapore and the Philippines, leading to a better quality of life for Saskatchewan people.”

Saskatchewan saw both an all-time historical population (aged 15 and over) high of 935,700, and an all-time historical off-reserve Indigenous population (aged 15 and over) high of 112,100.

The province also saw record highs for the month of December, including: Saskatchewan Full-Time Employment: 494,200. Saskatchewan Male Employment: 322,400. Saskatchewan Female Employment: 277,800. Off-reserve Indigenous Employment: 64,300.

Saskatchewan’s two biggest cities also saw major year-over-year growth in December.

Compared to December 2022, Regina’s employment was up 11,300, an increase of 8.1 per cent, and Saskatoon’s employment was up 11,500, an increase of 6.1 per cent.

Off-reserve Indigenous

employment was up 3,500, an increase of 5.8 per cent and Indigenous youth employment was up 5,000, an increase of 52.1 per cent, marking the third consecutive month of year-over-year increases for both.

Major year-over-year gains were reported for professional, scientific, and technical services, up 9,700, an increase of 33.4 per cent; educational services, up 5,500, an increase of 10.7 per cent; and wholesale and retail trade, up 3,500, an increase of 3.6 per cent.

In addition to the Labour Force Survey figures, Saskatchewan also leads the nation’s other economic indicators. The value of building permits rose 45.6 per cent in October 2023 compared to October 2022 (seasonally adjusted), and urban housing starts in Saskatchewan were up 108.2 per cent in November 2023, when compared to November 2022 (unadjusted). Saskatchewan ranked second among provinces in both these areas.

This month’s flag represents the Francophone heritage in Biggar

by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery At the top of Main Street, every month town workers erect a flag representing nations and countries. There are people who live in our community who came from these countries.

Our community is proud to represent inclusion and diversity!

People from all over the world have come to our area to start a new future for themselves and their families.

The foundation of the Canada as we know it, was originally settled by men from France, as were areas around and in Biggar.

Men came from France from the beginning of the discovery of New World.

They came as explorers, and as “coureur de bois” to harvest the natu-

ral resources from the abundance of the New World, and for employment. Many hooked up with Indigenous women, babies were born and thus began the emergence of the Metis Nation.

I looked over the volumes of the ‘A Harvest of Memories’ and saw several French surnames. Many of these families came from the USA or from the east of Canada to set up their homes and futures here in Biggar.

I do know of two families in our area whose ancestors came from France, the de Moissac and de Bussac families.

In 1904, Marie and Antionette de Bussac came from Matha, France with their parents, to St. Claude, Manitoba. On their sea voyage, they had met two

men who came from France as well. These men had parcels for the girls to deliver to their friends in Winnipeg and asked the girls to do that for them. These parcels were for the brothers Hilarie and Louis de Moissac.

And so starts the story of how these two families came to the Biggar area!

In 1906 the de Moissac brothers asked the de Bussac girls to marry them.

Hillarie was the first to come out here to the Cochery district in 1906.

He ended up at the Sixty Mile Bush (now known as Argo) area where Metis men helped him find the survey posts for his homestead. His brothers followed him out and they set about building sod shacks for their families. They

worked hard and found out the hard way how to build a sod shack. One of the shacks crumbled down after only two days. Hilarie spend the winter in Manitoba, whilst Louie stayed in the Sixty Mile Bush sod shack. In 1907 Hilarie came back, walking the 60 miles from North Battleford in only two days!

In January 1908, Hilarie and Louis went back to Manitoba and married the sisters, Marie, and Antoinette de Bussac. Louis, Hilarie and Antionette returned to the homestead in the spring, but Marie stayed behind because of poor health. She came out to the homestead in July.

In the summer of 1909, she went back to St. Claude, Manitoba and gave birth to their first child, Cecile, who even-

tually married Alfred Martin. Would that be an ancestor of the Charlie Martin family?

Marie and Hilarie had a son, Joseph in 1925 and he married Mary Beth Hindley and they had Rene, Jeanne Marie, Aimee, Julie, Lise and Eve. Rene married Lorraine and Jeanne Marie is now the Reeve of the RM of Biggar.

Meanwhile, three brothers from the de Bussac family, Jean, Joe and Renee came from Manitoba and built a sod shack in the Duperow area. Anne came from France and married Jean de Bussac and they eventually built their own sod shack on the south shore of the Whiteshore Lake.

They had four children, Lily, Jean, Joseph and Christian. It gets pretty confusing when the names of children are

the same as parents and uncles, but eventually these children grew up and had children of their own, some staying in the area and others moving to other parts of Saskatchewan and Canada.

One de Bussac offspring found himself in France during the Second World War and he met and married a beautiful young girl he met there. And thus, the beginning of another branch of the de Bussac family, Charles, Daniel, Jack, Marie Helene, and Cathy.

I spent a lot of my growing up years in France and I could not be more pleased to have the richness of that culture in my background, as that culture enriched and continues to enrich the culture of Biggar.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

Bonne Annee

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7

0$,1 675((7 81,7 526(72:1 6. 6 / 9 .(//< %/2&.Ÿ3$5/ *& &$ ì .(//<%/2&.03 &$ ì Ŧ Ŧ Put to pasture ... Round of applause for Cory McMahon after nearly three decades of dedication to the Town of Biggar. Cory has been a cornerstone of reliability, dedication and expertise for the town.

Beyond his professional commitment, Cory has always been the friendly face with an infectious smile and trademark big wave! Enjoy your well deserved retirement. May this new chapter be as fulfilling and rewarding as your years of service!

Congratulations! (Submitted Photo)

Oats becoming a source of protein and $ for farmers like I am anti plant pro- the morning is a good teins and that actually is way to start your day at least my grandmother not the case.

As food prices have used to say that and I am inched up - and more so still eating it today.

The U of M research because other costs have tightened the budget - seems to be siding with my better half has turned my grandmother too. to cooking far more So it stands to reason often with white and oat protein may well be black and kidney beans, a healthy addition for and lentils too. Yes they what is a multibillion are often included with dollar global market for some chicken or ham- things such as protein burger too, but legumes bars, drinks, suppleAgriculture can be a lower cost food Calvin Daniels stretcher that also can be quite tasty.

Granted we are not

by Calvin Daniels ready to grab some conIn an area noted for coction of a myriad of its ability to grow oats ingredients that are supresearch being underposed to mimic meat. If taken into the potential we want meat the real for oat protein has to be thing is still the choice Individuals have to of interest. juggle many different here.

Certainly anything But what about oat responsibilities on a which diversifies the daily basis. protein? potential uses for any Page with full- or Well we know oats in1/4 Those crop is a good thing. general are healthy - part-time jobs, children, Of course in the end that bowl of oatmeal in spouses or partners, or any diversification needs aging family members that require assistance, will often find they are pulled in different directions.

In many cases, work takes priority over family time because people rely on their jobs for We’ve been working with Fred & Patsy at the income that funds Spyder Autobody for the past 3 years, their lifestyles. Rather than jeopardizing that and will continue servicing the Biggar community income, certain individuals will make time with mobile SGI appraisals concessions that favour I-Car Gold Class and OEM Certified Technicians employment over personal relationships and Consumer Choice Award Winners 12 Years Running family time.

Certified Aluminum Repair / Hail Repair Experts Recent data indicates that many people are • Courtesy cars available trapped in unhealthy • Free pickup and delivery work-life balances and can’t find the time to unwind and enjoy themselves. An e-commerce company asked 2,000 people about stress at work. Sixty per cent indicated that pressures and responsibilities of the workplace and home life do not have boundaries.

Learning to balance work and life better may come from following these tips.

1.) Find more time.

While there’s no way to to mean a positive bump in prices to the farmer and it is unlikely that occurs as often as one might imagine.

A farmer is just as likely to receive to same dollar value and processors down the line will simply take advantage of new use markets to diversify their sales.

Still, in the case of the University of Manitoba’s research into oat protein, the effort is notable as some suggest grain proteins will become ever more important as imaginary meat concoctions gain popularity, and livestock are painted ever more often as environmental villains - rather than jets, ocean going barges of garbage, millions of gas burning cars, and other all too human endeavours.

Now that might sound

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ments and ingredients.

The interest in protein is not new.

In recent years a lot of capital in Canada has flowed into pea protein work.

Roquette, a French firm, constructed a $500 million pea processing plant in Portage la Prairie, Man., and the federal government invested $100 million - mostly in loans - to help build

the Merit Foods plant in Winnipeg. It was supposed to produce protein from canola and peas, but the company went bankrupt in 2023, noted a producer.com story.

Can oats carve out a share of what appears to be a growing market, and if successful will it mean more money in producer pockets?

Those are questions yet to be answered.

5 ways to ensure a greater work-family balance add extra hours to the day, you can add extra hours to your schedule. One way to do so is to wake up earlier or stay up later than the household. Some people prefer the quiet time to get things done while others are asleep. If you can afford to shave an hour from your sleeping schedule (provided you already are getting enough), this approach can make a significant difference.

2.) Limit distractions as much as possible.

Distractions pull attention away from tasks and that can make it harder to complete jobs on time. Schedule tasks that require your utmost concentration when others are not around. Perhaps this means coming into the office during off-peak hours or waiting until a spouse or the kids go to their respective places of work or school before you start on things that require greater concentration.

3.) Figure out your home priorities. Schedule your home priorities just as you would work meetings and other responsibilities. While you may not be able to attend every sports practice or game, make it a point to get to as

many events as possible.

Put it in the calendar or planner as a must-do.

4.) Maximize your PTO (personal time off). Chances are you are entitled to a certain number of days off. Do not squander the opportunity to use these days.

It will not make you a hero if you give up on time off. Map out priorities for the next couple of months and see where your time away from work will be needed. Then utilize PTO for these events as well as vacations.

5.) End work at a certain time. There is a saying that “work expands to fill the time allotted.”

It’s easy to let work infiltrate home time especially for those who are remote workers. Set a distinct end time for the job and reinforce it by turning off your computer or other devices, or physically lock the door to your office. Schedule tasks directly after work that are important to you, so you won’t be tempted to continue working.

Finding work-life balance can take time and require breaking established habits, but it is one way to reduce stress and feel more personally satisfied.

8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

IS BACK

GET YOUR TICKETS AT: The Biggar Nationals Home Games or -The Westwinds -The Independent

Frohes Neues Jahr

by Trudy and Dale Buxton We continue on with our trip east and arrive into the Town of Hudson Bay. Hudson Bay has a long and storied history dating back into the late 1800’s when the Hudson’s Bay Company set up a fur trading post beside the Red Deer River.

Ruins of the old trading post have been found in the nearby Village of Erwood. It has been claimed that there was a second trading post from the North West Trading Company on the opposite banks of the river, but no remains have ever been found.

The original name of the settlement was “Etomami” which in the First Nations language means “a place where the three rivers join”. This name stuck for a long time and by 1907 there was enough dwellings in the settlement, a village was established along with a post office. By 1909 when the railway came through, the executives of the railway changed the name to “Hudson Bay Junction”.

The village continued to grow in the early 1900’s until the village incorporated as a town in 1946, and after the first meeting of the new town council, it was agreed to drop the “Junction” from the name.

Today’s population is around 1,425 people, with the town having a very diverse economy based on agriculture, forestry and tourism.

Marvin Evans first began working with the Town of Biggar back in June of 2002.

Almost 22 years ago! He started in the Recreation Department and has since moved into the Utility Department as General Maintenance and Operations.

Here his main duty is to ensure potable drinking water for the Town. Marvin says his favourite thing about his job is learning new things and teaching others.

However, we all know that his truly favourite thing to do is bug Kathy when in the office!

When Marvin is not driving Kathy nuts, you can find him at the local golf course working on his swing or at the ball diamonds coaching his daughter’s, Chloe, softball team. Marvin believes that volunteerism is vital for communities, which is why he is often volunteering to coach sports teams for our youth and take care of our community as a volunteer firefighter.

Calling Biggar home from the very beginning, Marvin believes it is one of the best places to raise a family. Speaking of the character of people here in Biggar, Evans values the comradery our community has when someone is down; banding together, when necessary, to help each other out.

Camping is one of their favourite activities to do as a family during the summer months. However, according to his wife Susan, if you see Marvin at the campgrounds, you better hope you remembered to pack an umbrella. “He is bad luck and always brings the rain”, states Susan. Because of this, he might grumble a bit when you suggest camping but don’t be fooled, he secretly loves it!

Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Blue Jays, Iron Man, and Rock 102 are just some of Marvin’s favourite things. One thing he hates, having to do things twice.

So if you see Marvin around town be sure to give him a wave but remember if you see him at the campground be sure to start looking for your umbrella.

The forestry business over the years has been quite large, earning the title of “Forestry Capital of Canada”, which is quite odd coming from Saskatchewan.

Hudson Bay also has earned the title as “Moose Capital of the World” with its abundance of wildlife in the area.

Over the years Hudson Bay has become a very popular tourist site, with the abundance of wildlife there are hunters from all over North America that come to this area looking for that trophy set of horns.

It is also very popular a a snowmobile travel site with the wide range of terrain around the area.

In the summer there are many recreational activities especially where the three rivers join together.

It is still today a major railway junction with

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

three different directions of rail plus passenger carrier, Via Rail.

If you are looking for a great place to eat then the Railway Pub and Grill is a great spot to wet your whistle. The pub offers a simple but effective menu.

If you have some time and you like history, Hudson Bay has a very nice museum bringing you some history dating back into the 1800’s. The museum is located by by the old stone school that has been in place for over 100 years. If you are into tractors, there

is also a museum that consists of 42 restored vintage tractors, mostly John Deere, and these are on display at one of the memorial parks in Hudson Bay. When staying in Hudson Bay a simple drive around town and you will see many murals painted on various buildings around town. A great place to relax, there is plenty of accommodations.

This was a great stop for before continuing our journey eastward.

Stay tuned for more adventures.

Saskatchewan labour market remains historically strong Statistic Canada’s annual labour force statistics show that Saskatchewan continued to grow a strong and engaged labour force last year.

Saskatchewan had the second-lowest annual average unemployment rate among the provinces at 4.8 per cent, which was well-below the national unemployment rate of 5.4 per cent. The province had 592,000 people employed in 2023, an increase of 10,700, or 1.8 per cent, from 2022, and its working-age population (age 15 and over) reached an alltime historical high with 924,400.

Full-time employment increased to 489,000 in 2023, with 2.4 per cent more people working in full-time jobs compared to 2022.

“Once again,

Saskatchewan continues to demonstrate our economic strength through significant growth in our labour force in 2023,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said.

“Enabling job growth that supports Saskatchewan’s economy and its people is critical to building a province that provides a high quality of life for everyone.

The data reflects the work the government is undertaking to address labour force shortages and maximize growth potential to ensure Saskatchewan residents have access to even more employment opportunities.”

Saskatchewan is on track to reach its goal of 100,000 new jobs by the end of 2030.

In 2023, the largest job gains year-overyear were reported in: Professional, scientific and technical services, up 5,600; Educational services, up 4,000; and Transportation and warehousing, up 3,100.

Regionally, the largest employment gains were in Regina, up by 6,400, and Saskatoon, which increased by 5,500 from a year ago.

With the Government of Saskatchewan’s commitment to building a broad based labour force, the province recorded all-time historical highs for offreserve Indigenous youth employment (aged 15-24) reaching 12,500, and overall female employment reaching 275,400.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

Rosetown-Elrose Constituency 215 Main Street, Rosetown Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 Tel: 306-882-4105 THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9 Fax: 306-882-4108 Toll free; 1-855-762-2233 E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net Biggar - Sask Valley Box 278,Constituency Rosetown SK S0L Offi 2V0 ce Please call rd with questions or concerns 106- 3 Ave. West, Box 1413

Manigong Bagong Taon

Randy Weekes, MLA

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

Jim Reiter, MLA

DEADLINE MONDAY 5 P.M.

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 Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm Box 278, Rosetown SK & S0L1-4pm 2V0 Please call with questions or concerns

Mental Health Awareness Supper January 27, 2024

Sponsored by: Biggar Minor Hockey

Guest Speaker

Chris Beaudry

Chris Beaudry, Former Humboldt Broncos Coach, CRB Wellness @ChrisBeaudry9 Chris Beaudry was born in Edmonton.

Chris was an assistant coach with the 2017/18 Humboldt Broncos, who were tragically involved in the bus crash that killed 16 players and staff. Since then, Chris has been heavily involved in the field of mental health and healing.

7p.m. - Roast Beef supper at the Biggar Community Hall “Cash Bar”

Vaadeland brings rockabilly to Majestic ... Like a days-old radio show featuring the fun and toe-tapping excitement of rockabilly and early rock ’n’ roll, Jake Vaadeland and The Sturgeon River Boys came to the Biggar Majestic Theatre, Friday for the third show of the Biggar and District Arts Council concert season. Saskatchewan born and raised Vaadeland along with guitarist Joel Rohs, upright bassist Stephen Williams and pedal steel Justin Bloudoff, gave a fantastic performance on the evening. (Independent Photos by

Kevin Brautigam)

Tickets are $40 Text Cathy at 306-948-8081 or BJ at 306-948-7090 or pickup at The Independent Come on out and cheer on the U18 National/Outlaws vs Eston at 4pm

24013SS0

10 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Feliz Ano Nuevo

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

St. Gabriel CWL

would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all the individuals, organizations, and businesses who generously donated toys, money and space to the 2023 Secret Santa Project.

Your donations were very much appreciated and enabled us to provide this service to many families in our community.

Chef Dez on cooking Spice Up Your Winter Meals Since we are in the middle of winter, this is the ideal moment to infuse some bold flavors into your home menu.

The joy of indulging in a bowl of comfort food is unparalleled during the chilly weather, and adding a touch of spice can elevate the experience even further.

Several methods and resources are available to accomplish adding “fire to your fork”.

While the classic method of using dried crushed chilies or dried ground cayenne pepper is common, it’s crucial to acknowledge that these spices lose their potency over time. Do you know which spice jars I am referring to?

The ones that have not been replenished for years. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating (slightly), but contrary to popular belief dried spices do not last forever. To ensure freshness and optimal flavor enhancement, replenish your stock of ground spices and herbs every ten to twelve months. Opting for bulk spice sections in supermarkets is both manageable and costeffective. Whole spices, as opposed to ground, have a longer shelf life, making a small spice grinder a worthwhile investment.

While dried crushed chilies are handy, they require time to rehydrate for their full heat potential. Although this a good standby when you have no other available options, there are many other ways.

For instant heat and flavor, consider the convenience of Sambal Oelek, a crushed chili sauce that requires no rehydration. Found in the Asian/Import food aisle of major grocery stores, this product is a kitchen essential. I use it in countless recipes and

it’s fantastic for adding instant heat to a dish or a different dimension of flavour. Once the jar is opened it will last in the refrigerator almost indefinitely.

Fresh chili peppers have been ever increasing in popularity, and consequently the available options in produce sections have multiplied. They range in varying degrees of hotness with Anaheim peppers being one of the milder options.

Jalapenos or Chipotles supply a moderate amount of heat with Scotch Bonnets and Habaneros being some of the hottest. The amount of heat that a pepper provides is measured scientifically in Scoville units developed by a Professor Wilber L. Scoville in 1912. The majority of this heat comes from not only the seeds, but the inner whitish membranes as well. For flavour with less heat, discard these inner portions. When handling hot peppers, be certain to not touch your eyes or other sensitive areas. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly upon completion. I find that cold water and soap works the best. If hot or warm water is used, the pores in your skin enlarge trapping the pepper oils in your fingers. One of the best precautions is to wear latex gloves, especially when handling extremely hot peppers.

If the thought of using fresh hot peppers sounds too much like work, there are a number of hot sauces on the market to ease your preparation.

Dear Chef Dez: Is it just me, or do you find that jalapeno peppers aren’t as hot as they used to be?

John M. Chilliwack, BC Dear John:

Nats take win on Lasers ... Biggar U11 Nationals hit the Jubilee Stadium Saturday for a tilt versus the Unity Lazers. Nats took the contest 5-4. (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

You are absolutely right.

When I was a teenager, it was considered daring to order these fiery green rings on nachos, and downing three or four slices was a feat in itself. I won’t reveal how long ago that was, but the demand for these

peppers have grown considerably over the years. Through some investigation, I learned that many of them are now cultivated to be milder. This is done to expand the appeal of this pepper to a larger consumer market and

thus increase sales.

For those of us who enjoy jalapenos really hot, we now must eat more of them, switch to hotter peppers, or find a reliable source of ones that are not modified to be milder.

Chef Dez is a Chef,

Writer, & Culinary Instructor. Visit him at www.chefdez.com, write to him at dez@ chefdez.com or P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 6R4

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

NHL coaches usually not unemployed too long

Penton On Sports Bruce Penton

When Minnesota Wild fired coach Dean Evason in late November after a miserable start (5-10-4) to the 2023-24 season, they didn’t have to struggle too long to find a replacement.

John Hynes, who had earlier National Hockey League coaching stints with New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators, was experienced, successful and, best of all as far as the Wild were concerned, available.

Why Hynes was fired after four seasons in Nashville is somewhat of a mystery. He had four straight winning seasons - 134-96-18 from 2019-20 through 2022-23 - but word out of Nashville is that lack of playoff success (or no playoffs at all in 202223) was the reason for his dismissal.

Being fired as a coach in the NHL is usually not a career-killer. Only two of the top 50 winningest bench bosses coached only one team - Toe Blake in Montreal, who made the playoffs every year from 1955 to 1968; and Jon Cooper, currently the coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who has been in charge since the 2012-13 season and has a couple of Stanley Cups to his credit.

Currently, 12 of the NHL’s 32 teams are being run by first-time head coaches. The other 20 teams are using ‘veteran’, ‘experienced’, ‘seasoned’ or ‘retreads.’ Choose your description.

Some of the coaches with the most lengthy NHL resumes are John Tortorella, currently with his fifth team in Philadelphia; Rick Bowness in Winnipeg, whose Jets are his sixth team; Rangers’ boss Peter Laviolette, also with his sixth team; and Paul Maurice in Florida, who has had six different head-coaching jobs, but two of the six were in Carolina.

Six different coaching jobs might sound like a lot, but it pales in comparison to the eight jobs held by Mike Keenan (Philly, Chicago, Rangers, St. Louis, Vancouver, Boston, Florida and Calgary) and Roger Neilson (Toronto, Buffalo, Vancouver, L.A. Kings, Rangers, Florida, Philadelphia and Ottawa). Neilson has the best hiring/ firing story, falling victim to the whim/ idiocy of former Toronto owner Harold Ballard, who fired Neilson on a Thursday in 1979 after a 2-1 loss to Chicago, the team’s fourth straight defeat. Problem was, Ballard didn’t have a replacement coach lined up and over the next 48 hours, he was turned down by a handful of prospective coaches.

Desperate, Ballard rehired Neilson in time for Saturday night’s nationally televised game, but asked Neilson to wear a paper bag over his head so viewers wouldn’t know the coach’s identity until

the puck was dropped.

To his credit, Neilson said no to his boss’s ridiculous request, and carried on coaching for the rest of the season, at which time he was fired for real.

The oldest phrase in the world of hockey is that ‘coaches are hired to be fired.” It’s never more real than in the NHL, with an additional few words: “... and likely to be rehired.”

• Headline at the Canadian parody website, The Beaverton: “John Tortorella convenes press conference to talk about how much he hates press conferences.”

• Former Oilers’ coach John Muckler, quoted in Steve Simmons column in Sun Media, about those great GretzkyMessier-Coffey-Fuhr teams of the 80s never winning nine or more in a row: “Those ’80s teams couldn’t go nine games without finding a party.”

• Joel Beall of golfdigest. com, doing a review of 2023 and a look-ahead to 2024: “We usually don’t condone violence but each tour player should get to punch one fan per year who yells anything gamblingrelated at them.”

• Headline at fark.com: “Randy Moss shares his pick for the greatest wide receiver of all time and, surprisingly, it’s Randy Moss.”

• Headline at theonion. com: “Silhouette Of Chainsaw, Blowtorch Visible Through NFL Injury Tent”.

• Super 70s Sports, in the aftermath of the $700 million Shohei Ohtani signing by the Dodgers, ran a picture of actor Lee Majors and said: “The Dodgers could’ve built

116 bionic men instead.”

• Steve Simmons of Sun Media, on the Blue Jays’ off-season inactivity: “You can’t love what’s happened this offseason with (Blue Jays’ management) Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro unless you love stadium renovations.”

• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “Aaron Rodgers is so far out of his league in trying to exchange funny barbs with Jimmy Kimmel. So, Aaron, go put your hair in a man-bun, lie about

getting vaccinated and get into the concussion protocol right away.”

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com:”Tennis pro Pablo Cuevas continues to draw fire for taking the 2017 Brazil Open title with an underhand serve on match point. ‘Nothing wrong with winning underhanded,’ said Bill Belichick.”

• From fark.com, after the Blue Jays signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a two-year contract: “Bob Costas, defender of America’s pastime,

shades utility player IKF by saying (‘no disrespect intended’) if you’re paying the IKFs of the world $15 million for two years, baseball is in fine financial health.”

• Steve Simmons again: “Aaron Rodgers is on a short list of both the greatest quarterbacks to ever play and the least likeable human beings around.”

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

Sask West This Week

by Phil Heilman A busy first weekend of 2024 for the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL) resulted in some movement in the standings.

The Wilkie Outlaws continue to lead the league with a 12-0 record. The Kindersley Sr Klippers sit second with an 8-4 record, followed by a tie for third with the Hafford Hawks (7-6) and the Biggar Nationals (6-5-2). The Macklin Mohawks sit in fifth spot with a 5-6-1 record. Rounding things out are the Edam 3 Stars (4-6-1) and the Unity Miners (1-11-1).

On Saturday, the Biggar Nationals headed north to Hafford for the long-awaited home opener for the Hawks.

The home fans left happy as Hafford secured a 5-4 overtime victory.

Keaton Haynes was the lone goal scorer of the first, giving the Nats the 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

In the middle frame, it was a scoring bonanza as Derek Nicholls’ first of the year gave Biggar

the 2-0 lead. However, Jarden Braid got the Hawks on the board on the power play, followed by Jeremy Boyer’s seventh of the year to tie the game up at 2.

Taylor Bucsis scored just two minutes later to give the Nats the lead back, and Chris Henry extended the lead to 4-2 with his goal a minute after that. Kyle Litchenwald’s seventh of the year cut the deficit to 4-3, which is how it stood after 40 minutes.

The lone goal of the third period was an important one, as Kyle Ireland fired a power play shot past Nats goaltender Brett Matlock to tie the game up at 4.

In overtime, and on the power play due to a Nats too many players penalty, it was Ireland who secured the victory.

Matlock was once again amazing in the OTL, stopping 62 of 67 shots, while Joel Gryzbowski took the win stopping 31 of 35 shots.

Up north on Friday, the Edam 3 Stars finally held their home opener, opening the doors to the

Biggar Nationals, with the home team enjoying the 4-1 win.

In the first, the team exchanged goals, with Brady Deobald opening the scoring. Jonathan Redlick replied with just 2:23 left in the period.

In the second period, Darian Dziurzynski scored early, giving the 3 Stars the 2-1 lead.

Just a minute later, Joel Blaquiere’s fifth of the year extended the lead to 3-1, which stood after 40 minutes. With the Nationals pressing and on the power play, Joel Blaquiere sealed the victory with a shorthanded, empty net marker with 1:17 left.

Brett Matlock took the loss, stopping 44 of 47 shots, while Taryn Kotchorek took the win stopping 29 of 30 shots.

Jonathan Redlick has found the fountain of youth this year. He currently sits second in the league in points and leads the league in scoring. He is a huge part of the resurgence of the Biggar Nationals.

Simple strategies to create more storage space in the kitchen

If home is where the heart is, then the kitchen is where that heart spends most of its time.

Kitchens are where family and friends tend to congregate during holiday celebrations, and many a homework assignment has been completed at a kitchen island while parents prepare dinner.

The popularity of kitchens is reflected in the attention these rooms get from renovationminded homeowners.

Recent data indicates kitchens are the most popular room to

remodel.

Upgrading kitchen storage is a popular renovation project, and it’s also one that has practical appeal. Adding more storage in the kitchen gives the room a more organized feel, which can make preparing meals more enjoyable and create space when hosting and guests inevitably congregate around an island. With those benefits in mind, would-be organizers can consider these strategies to create more storage space in the kitchen.

• Take stock of the

spice rack. Creating more storage space does not necessarily have to involve tools like screwdrivers, hammers and nails.

Spice racks can easily become overcrowded as amateur cooks expand their culinary repertoire.

A crowded spice rack inevitably spills out onto the surrounding countertop. Take stock of the spice rack and discard any spices or seasonings you haven’t used in a while. This can create a more organized look and free up extra counter space.

• Make a digital cookbook.

If your go-to recipes are filling a binder or two, those binders are almost certainly taking up precious storage space.

Scan printed recipes and covert your physical recipe collection into a digital cookbook you store on a tablet.

• Install roll-out shelving in the pantry. Roll-out shelving puts the entire pantry to use. Without such shelving, items are destined to be relegated to that nether region known as the back of the pantry. Some items never emerge from this area,

as cooks forget they’re there and then purchase duplicates, which inevitably contributes to storage issues. Rollout shelving ensures all items in the pantry can be found and greatly reduces the likelihood that cooks will have lots of duplicate items taking up precious kitchen space.

• Remove single-use gadgets from the kitchen.

Much like spices and seasonings vital to the preparation of specialty meals have a tendency to be used just once, kitchen gadgets that lack

versatility have a way of gathering dust and taking up storage space.

Whether it’s a popcorn maker, a seldom-used but space-needy wok or another gadget that’s used infrequently, if at all, store single-use gadgets in the garage or another area of the house where they won’t get in the way or contribute to a less-than-organized look in the room.

A handful of simple strategies can help anyone create more storage space in the kitchen.

12-THe INDePeNDeNT, BIGGAR, SK

Business & Professional …

ACCOUNTING

C AMPBELL A CCOUNTING S E RV I C E S

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

“We’ll getcha covered”

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

• Personal Tax Returns • Corporate Tax Returns • Farm, AgriStability, AgriInvest • Estate Returns • Bookkeeping • Payroll

201B 2nd Avenue West, Biggar

Landis Office Hours:

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

Office: 306-948-3558

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

Email: info@biggaraccounting.ca

Thursday CLOSED

Ph: 306-948-4430 or 306-948-4460 rodc@campbell-accounting.ca

Cell: 306-948-9621

117 - 3rd Ave. West,

Perdue Office Hours

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

(New Horizons Bldg) Biggar

Services Provided Include: Compilation Engagements Personal & Corporate Taxes Bookkeeping AgriStability & AgriInvest

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

LEGAL SERVICES

Shoreline Realty

(Answers on Page 14) 223 Main Street Biggar

Acres of Expertise.

Cari Perih

Busse Law

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

Box 580 Biggar, SK SOK OMO

®

ReAlToR

Cell: 306-948-7995

306-948-2183

Dave Molberg

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

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

www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca

302 Main Street, Biggar, SK

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

SERVICES Attention: Deanna Stevenot

BIGGAR Please proof Business & Prof REFRIGERATION the next 52 weeks (year) for $ SERVICES Bill has been sent

306-948-3346 …serving your community since 1972

Franchise Advertising Payabl

COMMERCIAL AND #102 - 9622 - 42 Avenue, RESIDENTIAL Edmonton, AB T6E 5Ya SERVICES

Peszko &Watson

Phone: 780-448-2166;

Fax: 780-438-1233; Licensed Journeyman AdrianCSC-Edmonton.accou de Haan email:

is a full service law office that practices…

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

306-948-5291

Rebel Landscaping

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

Jason Peszko Bailee Massett Sarah Roesler look forward to assisting you and can be contacted at:

306-948-5352 or 306-244-9865

INVESTMENTS

BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN

AUTOMOTIVE

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

Pamela Eaton PFP

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist, Credential Asset Management Inc.

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.

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

(WY %AST "IGGAR

306-948-2109

DENTAL

Rosetown Dental

115 - 1st Avenue West Rosetown, Sask.

OFFICE HOURS

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

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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

306-948-3996

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

306-948-3376

Open Monday-Friday Mike Nahorney - Journeyman Red Seal Mechanic

HEAVY TRUCK AUTO TIRES BOATS & RVs FULL MOBILE MECHANICAL SGI Safety INSPECTION

Chico’s Auto Works Richard (Chico) Livingston Journeyman Automotive Repair Technician 317 Main Street Biggar, SK

306-948-5077

chicosautoworks@sasktel.net

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

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For all your investment needs, Visit…

Lyndsey Poole PFP

ACCEPT NEW C ING LIE Year R NTS ound

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

Brett…

Price plus g comm

306-948-9750

Pleas chang email

Biggar, Sask.

Than

102 - 3rd Ave. West,

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SEED CLEANING wyLie seeD &

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

HEALTH/WELLNESS

Business & Professional … THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK-13

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

Co-Ed Fitness Centre

DENTURES

…owned and operated

by Brett Barber

- together with -

Healthy Lifestyle Weight Loss Personal Training Fitness Classes

Bring Back Your Smile

102 - 3 Ave. W., Biggar

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

OPTOMETRISTS

rd

306-948-9750

www.newufitness.ca

Frayling Denture Clinic Ltd since 1983

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21

TAURUS – Apr 21/ May 21

VIRGO – Aug 24/ Sept 22

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

LIBRA – Sept 23/ Oct 23

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aries, watch out because you are hot stuff this week.

Coming off the excitement of the holidays, you’re still in the mood to socialize.

The invitations to various social events will still flow.

Hopefully you’ve made progress on the various organizational projects that you have had in mind, Taurus. Now is the time to get those resolutions moving.

GEMINI – May 22/ Jun 21

Doctors of Optometry

In BIGGAR

CANCER – Jun 22/ Jul 22

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

New Location

315b Main Street, Biggar, SK

For appointments…

1-833-948-3331

• • • • • • • •

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Gemini, how is your to-do list coming along? If you haven’t yet gotten moving, a coming slowdown could make the perfect time to get cracking.

Dr. Kirk Ewen Dr. Michelle Skoretz

CLEANING SERVICE

ARIES – Mar 21/ Apr 20

TRUSTY TIDYING CLEANING SERVICE

Cancer, right now you may be feeling like hibernating, especially if the weather is changing. Don’t burrow under the covers just yet.

Find a way to stay busy and socialize.

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

PLUMBING & HEATING

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

Jrs Flooring and Install

Libra, after a season of partying and letting other tasks fall by the wayside, it is time to get back to focus.

You must take out your financial account records and track spending right now.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/ Nov 22

Take an inventory of the things you want to change about yourself, Scorpio.

There is always room for improvement, especially if you feel you have not been your best self lately.

It’s often business as usual for you to burn the midnight oil, Capricorn. But scale back on those latenight interludes. That’s a recipe for burnout that can derail your bigger plans.

Aquarius, you are the zodiac’s team player, so you may have to give the troops a pep talk to get everyone working together this week.

Smooth down any ruffled feathers as needed.

PISCES – Feb 19/ Mar 20

If you have any unfinished business that needs to get wrapped up, Pisces, the clock is ticking. Make a strong attempt to finish by Wednesday or Thursday.

Granite Monuments for Less with Laser Engraving

Call: 306-831-8987

BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Advertising

Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income

is an investment

Call: 306•303•7246

in your business.

HAULING

Rockin D Trucking & Cattle 306.237.7671

306-716-4021

Virgo, your innate humility means you’re often content with being behind the scenes and not in the limelight. However, this week you may want a little extra fanfare.

Hopefully you have met your quota of parties and social events because now is the time to take a break, Sagittarius. The invitations will cease, but that can be a good thing for you.

SUDOKU

Jrs Flooring specializes in all types of flooring.

Over 20 years experience.

Great rates and free estimates.

Call or text Jon 306•230•8949

DEMOLITION & RESTORATION STUCCO , DRYWALL CONCRETE FINISHING

Leo, even if it seems the way to be the most productive, burning the candle at both ends is only going to make you tired and less efficient. Ask for help if you need it.

–

Troy May, owner/operator

Fax: 306-237-TROY email: tmay@hotmail.ca 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 hauling with step-deck or highboy semi-trailers • also buying and selling straw and forage • also Machinery Hauling

Dan • 306-948-7843 Biggar, Sask.

Mobility scooters, Lift chairs, walkers & more.

Now in stock

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

14-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

email us at tip@sasktel.net

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF GRANDVIEW NO. 349 SEASONAL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

The R.M. of Grandview No. 349 invites applications for the position of Seasonal Equipment Operator/Maintenance Person. The successful candidate should have previous, large equipment, tractor and mower experience as well as general equipment maintenance knowledge.

Applicants must hold a current driver’s license.

Duties will include, but are not limited to, mowing, road maintenance, culvert and sign installation, and equipment maintenance and repairs.

The R.M. of Grandview offers an attractive benefit package with Health and Dental and Short-Term Disability coverage as well as Long Term Disability and Life Insurance.

Salary will be negotiated commensurate with related qualifications and experience.

Interested applicants are invited to submit a resume by February 7, 2024 to the following address: GRADER OPERATOR POSITION R.M. OF GRANDVIEW NO. 349 BOX 39 KELFIELD, SK S0K 2C0 (306) 932-4911 rm349@xplornet.com The R.M. of Grandview thanks you for your interest in working for the municipality; however only individuals selected for further consideration will be contacted.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Defensive nuclear weapon 4. Moved back and forth 9. One-time coach of the Cowboys 14. Last letter 15. Cause to become less intense 16. Genus of tree bugs 17. Body art 18. Romance novelist 20. Be filled with love for 22. City 23. Make vivid 24. Horses 28. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano 29. Atomic #18 30. Shortly 31. A type of prejudice 33. Whirls 37. Six 38. Old world, new 39. __ Hess, oil company 41. Talk 42. Not off 43. Begets 44. Cars need them 46. Computing architecture (abbr.)

49. Of I 50. Journalist, activist Wells 51. Takes apart 55. Lists 58. Positively charged electrode 59. Hard, colorless compound 60. Inflammation of the peritoneum 64. Trent Reznor’s band 65. Simply dry fruit 66. “Ivanhoe” author

67. Google certification 68. French commune 69. Medieval circuit courts 70. Soviet Socialist Republic

CLUES DOWN

1. Indigenous people of Mexico 2. Dietary supplement 3. Having a particular sheen or luster 4. Views 5. Academic Bill of Rights 6. Automobile 7. When you anticipate arriving 8. Beef or chicken intestine 9. Conspiracy 10. Blood disorder 11. Long-time NBAer Shawn 12. Time zone 13. US, Latin America, Canada belong to

19. Upton Sinclair novel 21. What a cow does 24. Cavalry-sword 25. Ancient Greek war galley 26. Stars 27. Rebukes 31. Billion year periods 32. Some are in a bottle 34. Tears down 35. Lethal dose 36. Humorists 40. Midwestern US state (abbr.)

41. Frameworks 45. Rocker Billy 47. More thin 48. Dog 52. Habitual repetitions 53. State of fuss 54. Uneasy 56. Chemical compounds 57. More cognizant of reality 59. A place to build 60. Exclamation that denotes disgust 61. Supplement with difficulty 62. Very slick 63. Hill or rocky peak

Did you know we offer Social Media Advertising?

Would you like to advertise on Social Media but are unsure where to start?

We can design full color Social Media friendly Ad’s for you to share on any Social Media platform. Along with your ad being shared on our Social Media pages.

All Social Media Ad’s will also be printed in our weekly newspaper!

Contact Dale at The Independent for pricing or inquiries!

1IPOF t &NBJM UJQ!TBTLUFM OFU

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

E-MAIL us at tip@sasktel.net

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK-15

OBITUARIES PETER ROBERT POLETZ May 20, 1930 - December 31, 2023 Peter Poletz was born on May 20, 1930 to Samuel and Annie Poletz. His parents immigrated to Canada from Russia and his mother spoke little to no English, making it difficult to communicate, especially when her husband was away. As a family in difficult times, they managed.

They farmed and raised children, and all children contributed in the daily operations of the farm as was needed especially since his mother suffered with rheumatoid arthritis, making tasks very difficult and painful with her crippled hands. The family settled south of Biggar in the Zealandia area. Peter was the youngest son and sibling to Annie, Adam, Samuel, George, Nick, Gladys and Ria. The family eventually moved to the homestead north-east of Biggar in the Louvain district. Peter worked hard and helped his family on the farm and eventually met and then married Edna Tarasenko in 1950. They eventually farmed the homestead area. They retired in Biggar, with the farm taken over by son, Calvin.

Peter and Edna together worked on the farm, and at times off the farm as well in different positions. Peter and Edna raised four children, Barry, Calvin, Darryl and Valerie. Peter was pre-

deceased by his parents, Sylvester "Sam" and Annie Poletz; his sister Annie (Laurent) Lovenuk; his brothers Sam (Evelyn) Poletz, Nick (Ria) Poletz, George Poletz, Adam (Alexandra) Poletz; brothers-in-law Sam Savostianik, Robert "Bob" McGratten; and his daughter-in-law Kim Poletz.

Hi is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Edna; sisters, Ria McGratten and Gladys Savostianik; sister-in-law Bernice Poletz; his children, Barry (Margaret) Poletz, Calvin (Denise) Poletz, Darryl (Brenda) Poletz and Valerie (Phil) Ozeroff; fifteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Peter can be remembered by his natural talent for singing, playing his guitar and being a lefty!

He had a talent also for storytelling and hours would pass as he captivated his listeners. He enjoyed the outdoors, his yard and their farm in earlier years.

In lieu of flowers, Peter would like donations to be made to Kinsmen Telemiracle or The Canadian Cancer Society.

A private family service will be held for Peter.

Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.

PETER ZIPCHEN March 6, 1929 - January 9, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa, Peter Zipchen, on January 9, 2024 at Biggar & District Long Term Care at the age of 94.

Peter “Pat” was born in Hafford, SK on March 6, 1929 and grew up on the family farm. He attended farm school, then completed his high school education in Hafford. In 1955 Pat began his 36-year career with Sask Power which took him to Kindersley, Melfort, Davidson and lastly Landis where he became district operator until his retirement in 1991. Pat married the love of his life, Irene in 1958 and together raised their two children, Murray and Cheryl. Peter was actively involved in his community as he served one term on the village council and was a member of the Landis Lions Club. In 1975 Pat and Irene bought a mobile home at Aquado Resort where they spent many summers with family and created ever-lasting memories with their two grandchildren, Tanner and Tegan. Pat lived life to the fullest and his days were spent golfing, fishing, gardening and playing cards with his friends and family. He became a really good cook and it was a treat to be sent home with some of his homemade soup. Pat was always willing to help his family

by Pastor Dale Worrell, Biggar United Church Happy New Year, it’s a new year for us all and in the church it’s the time of Epiphany.

In Isaiah 60:1?6, Isaiah’s people were afraid, and they struggled to remember they were God’s people. So, Isaiah called them to arise and shine because in spite of all that was going on around them.

God’s light was indeed inside all of them. It wasn’t a call to be perfect, but a call to be authentic in living out who God was calling them to be.

In many ways, we encounter a similar journey as we join the Magi

and drove truck on Cheryl and Neal’s farm during harvest. On November 21, 2013, he lost his wife Irene after 55 years of marriage. In 2019, Pat moved to Biggar where he could receive more care. 2022 was a very special year as Pat became a great-grandpa to Ollie and Harper. We would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Biggar Care Home for their excellent care over the past couple of years.

Peter is survived by his son, Murray (Charlene) Zipchen; daughter Cheryl (Neal) Houdek; grandchildren, Tanner (Kelsey) Zipchen and Tegan (Samir) Miljkovic; great-grandchildren, Ollie Zipchen and Harper Miljkovic; brothers George and Nick Zipchen; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Peter was predeceased by his parents, Mary and William Zipchen; wife, Irene Zipchen; sisters, Olga (John) Chodzicki; Anna (John) Kelly; and sister-in-law, Helen Zipchen.

At Peter’s request, a private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Biggar Long Term Care Activities Fund: Box 130, Biggar, SK, S0K 0M0. Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.

REFLECTIONS

(the Three Wise men) in their search for the Light in Matthew 2:112. They knew this light was important for them to follow, even into the empire of Rome and King Herod. When the Magi find Jesus, they realize this light is changing the ways in which they see themselves in the world and they know they can’t go back to Herod, for the light they have seen would challenge his power. So, they go home by a different road - a way that transforms them and the people who would hear their story.

Both of these stories call us to rise above our fears, to see the beauty

in what we offer and how it shapes us as disciples. Just like Isaiah’s people, we are not called to be perfect, but to arise and shine in all of our imperfect glory.

When we do this, we invite others to do the same. When we share our gifts with purpose and desire, our light joins with the light in others, encouraging giving and gratitude as the very backbones of discipleship.

Practising gratitude and giving, rising, and shining, in response to the call of God, changes us. As disciples of Jesus, it is for us to know that this light, and our best gifts, are within us, and

only need to come out to be seen.

This journey of discipleship is following the call to have the courage to share those gifts, that the world might be transformed.

We need to remember we are never alone; in both the dark and the light, we are able to hear the call of God. Therefore, know that offering our gifts transforms us, the way we think about relationships with God and others.

May it be so.

Everyone Welcome!

St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh 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.

JANUARY 14 WORSHIP ST.PAULS JANUARY 28 WORSHIP ST.PAULS 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

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

Mental Health Awareness Supper January 27, 2024 - 7p.m.

Sponsored by: Biggar Minor Hockey Guest Speaker: Chris Beaudry Tickets $40 Available from Cathy 948-8081 BJ 948-7090 or The Independent

Ruthilda Metis Local presents: February Winter Festival

February 10, 2024 Supper & Concert Biggar Community Hall Music by: Donny Parenteau call Jennifer Jiricka for Tickets 306-850-0108

The Acronaires

performing at:

Biggar Central School MUST SEE PERFORMANCE Thursday February 15, 2024 7:30p.m.

Cost: Silver Collection

Ireland/Buttar

Steer Riding School Biggar, SK May 10, 11, 12, 2024

Frohes Neues Jahr

16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Biggar & District Arts Council celebrating over 40 years, presents...

Prairie Debut presents BUZZ BRASS

MONDAY JANUARY 22, 2024 7:30 P.M. The Majestic Theatre, Biggar, SK

Tickets available at: • de Moissac Jewellers 217 Main St. Biggar • www.ticketpro.ca • At the Door

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2024

Scammers target seniorshere’s how to protect them Whether they’re connecting with friends via social media, admiring photos of their grandkids or paying their bills, seniors are taking advantage of online tools to manage their lives.

Unfortunately, fraudsters are increasingly targeting them for scams. Here are three ways you can help protect the seniors in your life.

Help them become scam aware There are a number of scams specifically aimed at seniors. One of the most common is aptly named the “grandparent scam,” which is when they get a phone call or message from someone pretending to be their grandchild, asking them to send money urgently.

In other cases, they’ll be contacted by someone claiming to be law enforcement officials

or their bank, saying they need the senior’s help to catch a thief.

Ultimately, the caller will try to get the person to send money or share their banking login info.

As new scams emerge, warn older people about them so they know what to watch out for.

Protect their passwords It’s hard to remember different passwords for all the secure sites and apps we use, so it can be tempting to use the same one over and over. But this puts you at greater risk - for example, if fraudsters get hold of the password through one app, they can access all accounts that use that password. Teach older people to avoid using passwords that can be easily discovered, like grandkids’ names. Every password they use should use complex phrases, have at least eight

Established in 1929

Over 30 Years in Business

306-882-2283 www.allwestsales.ca

124-1st Ave.W

FEATURE OF THE WEEK!

• • • • • •

2023 FORD F-150 TREMOR Regal Price $74,510 +licensing and taxes or $509 Biweekly Automatic / Crew Cab 4x4 Agate Black Metallic 400hp 3.5L 4 Cylinder Engine Tailgate Step / Preminum Audio Trailer Hitch / Sync 4 Apple Carplay / Android Auto

• • • • • •

2023 FORD F-150 PLATINUM Regal Price $92,695 +licensing and taxes or $634 Biweekly Automatic / 4x4 / Sunroof Rapid Red Metallic 400hp 3.5L V6 Cylinder Engine Heated / Cooled Leather Seats Premiun Audio / Fx4 Off Road Pkg. Ford Co-Pilot360 / Apple Car Play

characters and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.

Help them identify red flags Whenever anyone unexpectedly contacts you and asks you for an urgent favour, that’s an immediate red flag. Fraudsters often ask to be sent gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, which can be difficult or impossible to recover once given away.

Also, remind the older people in your life that their bank, insurance company and the Canada Revenue Agency will never e-mail or text a link and ask them to click it and enter their password. If you or your family receive such texts or e-mails, you can report these to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre using their website or toll-free number (1-888-4958501) or by forwarding suspicious texts to 7726.

Teach everyone in your family to weed out suspicious messages by looking for red flags like an e-mail address that doesn’t match the company it claims to be coming from, a message riddled with spelling mistakes or a blurry logo in an e-mail signature.

Highway 7 West Rosetown )V_ ࠮ : 3 =

Feature of the Week

Winter is Here Be Ready with a New Snowblower Come on down and check out some amazing sales on all of our new and used farm equipment.

Enjoy buying your next vehicle at Regal Motors!

2012 FORD F-150 SUPERCREW Regal Price $87,685+licensing and taxes • Automatic / 4x4 • 200,971km • Black • 365hp 3.5L 6 Cylinder Engine • Tailgate Step • Leather Bucket Seats • Trailer Tow Package • Lariat Chrome Package

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