The Biggar Independent Volume 115 Issue 35a

Vol. 115 No. 35

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

12 pages

$1.50

Field Work continues ... Many area farmers are well into baling with some deep into harvest. Here, a farmer gets squared away with baling, east of Biggar, haze from the forest fires still clouding the skyline. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

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2 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Biggar Central School 2000 Senior Blazer Football players have been hitting the Recreation Complex gridiron, preparing for the upcoming 2A six-man season. It should be another exciting season as the Green and Gold Senior and Junior teams will be in the thick of it, smacking pads and competing for wins.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

The Senior Blazers are in a four-team conference with Rosetown, Unity and Eatonia, in a four-conference provincial setup. The action starts this Thursday, September 5, 4 p.m. at the Rec Complex.

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

Council minute highlights

The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held August 6 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Rickwood, Councillors Alan Boyle, Dakota Ekman, Nicole Hoppe, Kevin McNicholls, Edward Young, and Ivan Young. Chief Administrative Officer Kristine Brown, Deputy Administrator, Camille Box, Town Foreman, Mark Haynes, Recreation Director, Erin Poitras, and Community Development Officer, Cassidy Burton, were also in attendance.

Council resolved that the agenda for the August 6, 2024 Regular Meeting of Council be

approved as presented.

Mayor rickwood called for any conflict declarations before proceeding with the meeting.

Council resolved that the minutes of the July 16, 2024 Regular Meeting of Council be accepted as presented.

Weed Inspector Chandra Archdekin attended this portion of the meeting to bring an informational update to Council.

Council resolved that the following reports from Administration staff be accepted as presented: Chief Administrative Officer; Recreation Director’s Report.

Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of

$196,367.67, including payment numbers, payroll deposit numbers, and online payments totalling $39,153.24, and the list of accounts for approval in the amount of $96,986.90, including payment numbers, be approved as submitted.

Council resolved that the following correspondence be accepted and filed: RCMP Report July 29, 2024.

Council resolved that two Orders to Remedy be issued to abate nuisance caused by overgrown and untidy yards in accordance with Nuisance Abatement Bylaw No. 10-707.

• Meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

Zbeeshko to run for Sask United in next provincial election

Jason Zbeeshko will be running for the Sask.

United Party in the next provincial election for the new constituency of Kindersley-Biggar.

Zbeeshko’s announcement came earlier in the week with Carrie Ann Hradecki set to run as the Sask United’s candidate for HumboldtWatrous.

The Sask United says the two bring unique experiences and diverse skills that will contribute significantly to the party.

Zbeeshko grew up in the Biggar area where

he graduated from high school. Being a hands-on type of person Zbeeshko has worked in the heavyduty mechanic field and spent many years working on oil drilling rigs in Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and North West Territories.

He then found his true passion in agriculture and he started working in sales and management positions for an ag retail location.

Zbeeshko enjoys working with growers, helping them to successfully grow their crops.

Zbeeshko and his wife Amber settled into the community of Perdue where they currently reside with their two daughters. Zbeeshko has always been a community-minded person having spent previous years sitting on the local Ag Society board and is currently the president

of the Perdue Museum and a councillor for the Village of Perdue.

Carrie Ann Hradecki, running in HumboldtWatrous, is a teacher and entrepreneur. She has opened and operated a variety of businesses.

“I am pleased to welcome Carrie Ann and Jason to the team,” said Sask United Leader Jon Hromek. “They bring unique perspectives and a wealth of knowledge and experience and public service and community engagement.”

Both candidates expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to serve their communities and contribute to the province’s growth and development.

Saskatchewan residents are set to go to the polls this October for the 2024 general election.

New York is Big for Biggar resident ... Ava Hoffman shows off the iconic Biggar saying, all from “The City That Never Sleeps,” New York City. A trip of a lifetime, Ava recently hit the concrete landscape of the incredible burg, drinking in all that a world-class city has to offer. It really is a trip that Ava will fondly look back upon! (Photo for The Independent by Ava Hoffman)

Biggar RCMP Report

by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment This past week 39 occurrences were dealt with by the Biggar Detachment.

Traffic Safety found 12 drivers in need of correc-

It’s Gold for Filipino Olympics ... Here’s a picture of the third FilipinOlympics with Black EAST the Beast vs White Wild WEST for the Win! WEST beat the EAST this time and was proclaimed as Champion.

Many from Biggar were competing in the athletic event. Let’s see in 2028 which team will be the next champion! (Photo for The Independent by Cherry Dalisay)

tion on their momentary lapse, while four others received reminders on safety tips.

A suspicious 2004 white Silverado was reported creeping through alleys in Perdue.

The 40-year-old male from Saskatoon was spoken to but nothing criminal was found at the time on his activity.

Report of a minor fender bender at a party in Kinley - one vehicle was found to be operating without insurance. A hit and run was reported in the parking lot of Eagle Creek Regional Park - a red Dodge Caravan from Wynyard received a dent in the door preventing it from opening.

Another incident from the Eagle Creek Regional Park prompted a complete emergency services response as a 44-year-old tipped over his Harley on the gravel trying to leave the park at 2 a.m. Emergency services also responded to another collision from a group of seven that were out sport riding off-road vehicles in the RM of Eagle Creek, when a 22-year-old female from Asquith, tipped over her side-by-side and was air lifted by STARS to Sas-

katoon.

On Saturday, patrons of their beloved Red Apple, reported that the store was an hour and a half late in opening. Further crises was adverted, as members were able to track down the employee that was considerably late for work. A purple wallet was reported lost around Biggar, the owner wishes to be reunited with it if located.

Reports of vandalism at the Hospital parking lot, when a person decided to key a couple of vehicles parked there. Theft from the liquor store reported - a 22-year-old female decided after purchasing a few smaller items that the five-finger discount on the larger bottle was the best deal.

A chapter is about to close for the ongoing story of 317 Main Street.

Neighbour disputes, landlord headaches, and the two per cent that revolved around nighty per cent of allocated time is being dispersed.

I am sure the bargains to be found on the second-hand items will be missed, if the opportunity passed you by to find a treasure, I am sure deal can still be struck.

Take care out there.

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Opinions

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

Trudeau’s crazy home taxes and deepening debt are hurting everyday people

by Kris Sims, Canadian Taxpayers Federation Bad government policies force people to make tough decisions.

“We decided to live in our garage.”

That’s what a couple told the Canadian Taxpayers Federation during the recent Debt Clock tour in Alberta.

The drywaller and his wife stopped by to watch the federal debt going up in real time on the jumbo screen the CTF has bolted to the side of a cube truck, dubbed the Debt Clock.

Jon, the tradesman who had pulled up in an older pickup truck, watched the debt numbers racing up past $1.2 trillion, and he winced.

“My parents worked hard and they were able to reach the next step,” he said at the gathering in Red Deer. “But my wife and I are working harder and we aren’t getting ahead, we can’t even see the next step.”

The federal debt numbers are mind-numbing.

Right now, it’s more than $1.2 trillion.

By later this year, the Trudeau government will have doubled the

debt after less than a decade in power.

Think of the prime ministers - Harper, Mulroney, Pierre Trudeau, Diefenbaker, William Lyon Mackenzie King, all the way down the history railway back to Sir John A. MacDonald - who came before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Picture the debt under all those governments, stacked up - debts incurred during wars, recessions and a depression.

Now double it.

That’s what the current incarnation of the Trudeau government will have achieved, with a federal debt of more than $1.2 trillion.

A trillion is such a big number. If you tried counting it in loonies, it would take you 30,000 years.

If you put those debt loonies down, edge to edge, they’d circle the planet about 793 times.

Canadians will pay about $54 billion just to cover the interest charges on the debt this year. That’s about how much we all pay in the GST every year. Think

about that. Every nickel in GST goes to debt interest charges.

And it’s not getting better.

This year, the Trudeau government delivered a budget with a $40 billion deficit, with no plan to ever balance it.

When it comes to the debt, inflation caused by printing money, or the financial strain from increased taxes, the numbers are scary.

But it’s downright grim to see how ordinary working people are getting battered by the Trudeau government’s bad management.

Our couple in Red Deer, Jon and Rebecca, buy older houses. They work together for about a year to gut the homes down to the studs, reshaping the main floor so there are three bedrooms upstairs and a new bathroom.

“It makes them so much better for families, much more functional for parents,” Rebecca said.

The couple buys all the gyprock, lumber, light switches and paint along the way, with costs piling up.

“The clients are very pinched right now, so we are trying to save on costs while keeping the quality,” Jon says.

Inflation is ballooning their supply costs, while the carbon tax is hiking their transportation costs.

But it’s Trudeau’s crazy home taxes that are biting them the hardest.

“We were living in the houses, roughing it in a construction zone, but the government called us ‘house flippers,’ even though we owned the place and lived in it

while working on it,” Rebecca added.

“Then we started living in a tiny place offsite, hauling the tools back and forth, but now we are worried about the capital gains tax hike, so we decided to live in our garage and keep working on the house,” she said.

“After these crazy home taxes, we hope we still have enough to make a living, but now we are hearing scary things about a home equity tax, so I don’t know what we are going to do and I am bracing

myself to talk to the accountant,” Jon concluded.

The Trudeau government’s reckless spending, spiralling debt and constant tax hikes are hurting everyday Canadians.

To fix this, the government must stop wasting money, balance the budget, and cut taxes to stop punishing hardworking people like Jon and Rebecca.

It shouldn’t take a jumbo screen on wheels showing the debt in real time to understand this.

How the media spreads government misinformation at the public’s expense

by Ian Madsen, Frontier Centre for Public Policy Journalistic objectivity, curiosity, skepticism, and neutrality seem to be on the decline.

It’s not just how quickly and aggressively the opinion pages of most news organizations dismiss challenges to establishment narratives - it’s of even more concern that the so-called ‘news’ side often does the same, instantly rejecting or contradicting anything that doesn’t align with what government officials or their allies are saying.

We saw this play out clearly during COVID19, where misinformation was sometimes presented as fact. Many of the ‘facts’ turned out to be wrong, and those pushing them often knew better. A prime example was the long-standing

claim that COVID first jumped to humans in a Wuhan “wet market”.

This story was pushed for years, likely because some thought it sounded less ‘racist’ than the idea of a lab leak from the nearby Wuhan Institute of Virology. Conveniently, this also shielded those involved in the research, including some in the U.S. government who helped fund it.

Other misleading ideas during COVID-19 included the exaggerated fatality rate, which was actually about 0.3 per cent, mainly affecting older people with multiple health conditions. The idea that twometre social distancing could stop transmission or that everyone was at equal risk was also misleading. In reality, kids and young adults had minimal risk, while

the elderly and those with obesity faced much higher dangers.

Claims that lockdowns would stop transmission or that vaccines would completely prevent illness and stop the virus from spreading also proved false. And the belief that cloth and surgical masks were protective, or that vaccines were better than natural immunity, didn’t hold up. Perhaps the biggest myth of all was that health authorities were fully in control and knew what they were doing.

Even though we’d faced earlier infectious disease scares like SARS in 2003, West Nile, Zika, MERS, Ebola, and Dengue Fever, experts still weren’t adequately prepared in terms of information, protocols, procedures, facilities, equipment, personnel,

or supplies.

Other myths, like the idea that massive COVID-panic spending wouldn’t lead to inflation or that inflation was just ‘transitory,’ are still causing problems. Supporters of Modern Monetary Theory encouraged governments and central banks to print money to fund stimulus programs and handouts.

Critics who warned that Canada’s governmentrun healthcare system was heading for disaster are now being proven right.

Another establishment talking point that’s crumbling is the Climate Crisis narrative.

The loudest voices claim that the Earth’s supposedly rapid warming is an ‘existential threat.’ This idea is used to justify all sorts of drastic measures, no matter how

damaging or costly.

What gets overlooked are practical solutions, like moving away from coastal areas threatened by rising sea levels, strengthening infrastructure, improving fireproofing, increasing water supplies, adapting agricultural practices, adjusting outdoor work hours, and expanding air conditioning use.

For over 30 years, predictions of rapid warming have been exaggerated. In fact, more people still die from cold than heat. The idea that carbon dioxide is ‘evil’ is another falsehood - it’s actually vital for plant growth and boosts crop yields.

Climate activists also promote the idea that solar and wind energy can reliably and affordably replace fossil fuels, even though this has

been proven false time and again. Yet, it continues to be backed by politicians and the media.

A good example is the push for heat pumps to replace gas furnaces, even though they are more expensive to buy and run compared to natural gas furnaces.

A similar myth is that ‘green’ or anti-hydrocarbon Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment funds outperform regular stock market indexes. This, too, has been debunked.

The score so far? ‘Conspiracy Theorists’ are racking up points, while Authority Figures and the Mainstream Media have yet to score.

Stay skeptical.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

Bob Mason

Notable Notes

Sometimes, as I limp my way downtown to get the mail, I feel a little like a few years have passed since I last got into a good ball game.

Oh, Y.T. (Yours Truly) was a whiz, all right, and although no one ever noticed it, some of his plays (at least to him) made Babe Ruth look like a backbencher!

Don’t get me wrong!

George Herman Ruth had his place in the game, all right, as do a lot ot the big-team players of today. Maybe I only write like this because sometimes it seems so unfair that today a lot of the modern ball players make more money in a year than most of us can make in a lifetime. They

might even enjoy the game, too, but not more than we used too.

When I was young, our small family consisted of three boys - not that girls can’t play ball! Holy Annie! I even married one that could. Little Bobbie wasn’t very old when our front yard on Springwell Farm sprouted a small diamond.

After school and around supper time, many a sun was going down whilst Billy, Bobbie and Walter held a yelling feud about who was going to pitch to who.

Being a kind of mild boy, a bit shy - believe it or not - and used to doing whatever he was told, Y.T. often found himself behind the batter, defensively closing his eyes whenever a pitch came his way.

We certainly had no back-catcher mask, and Y.T. got hit quite a few times. But the old, overused ball wasn’t very solid anymore and didn’t hurt that much.

Of course our old country school fielded a ball team every now and then at local sports days,

Play Ball! and this was the cause, I think, of a very odd phenomenon. Every first of July (Radisson Sports Day) there is a small patch of white sprouts that spring up through the hard ground in front of home plate on their old diamond.

The locals were a bit in awe of this and suggest different reasons why mushrooms should sprout especially there, and especially on July 1!

The truth is, they were not mushrooms at all but some of my teeth trying to keep alive a memory of that time in 1934!

At the above mentioned sports day, we were warming up our school team’s young pitcher before a final game. Y.T., of course, was behind the plate (a real sucker whenever they needed a catcher!).

He had often watched the senior types as they loosened up their pitchers, so he took his mask off and laid it on home plate much in the way they did. While warming up, Pete (our pitcher) reached way up high and threw in a ball which

Rail key to Canadian agriculture

Calvin Daniels

Agriculture

by Calvin Daniels In a country where export sales drive so much of the economy access to ports is hugely important.

And in a country as vast as Canada that means relying hugely on the rail system.

Whether it’s Prairie wheat, or canola, or potash, most of it will be consumed outside Canada, most outside of North America. It must be put on a ship to get to those markets, but first it rides the rails to get to port position.

So when labour disputes at the two key rail companies in Canada cause disruptions to their service it sends ripples of concern through the economy, especially among Canada’s farm groups.

Certainly the office e-mail at Yorkton This

Week has seen a steady flow of releases from farm groups.

It started in late July with the likes of a Wheat Growers release under the headline ‘Ministry of Labour Continues to Dither on Rail Strike’.

Then as recently as August, the same organization has another release sent out under the headline ‘Government (In)Action - Days Late and Millions of Dollars Short’.

On one hand the Wheat Growers released suggested the organization was pleased that the federal government has finally listened and invoked Sec. 107 of the Labour Act and put an end to the labour strike at both national railways.

“The Wheat Growers have called for the government to take decisive action since May 2024.

Agriculture and all other industrial sectors have been held hostage by this rail strike,” stated WG president Gunter Jochum in the release.

But, the WG also suggested, to arrive at this juncture is unacceptable to consumers and producers alike. Canadians cannot face the uncertainty of a rail stoppage

every year. Stronger action needs to be put in place to ensure certainty for the long-term.

“The Canadian economy has been impacted by this government’s inaction. We did not need to be in this situation,” said Jochum.

And, therein lies a definite conundrum of the situation - where rail disruptions do occur with some regularity which is on one hand concerning for exporters, but part of how workers and management ultimately come to the table to hammer out contracts.

There are those who would slap an ‘essential service’ tagged on railways, and economically the tag would be appropriate.

But, one needs to be careful when you limit the actions of workers and company officials in terms of the tools of strike and lock-out as a way to get a deal moving forward.

As a result rail service disruptions have remained both an ongoing trade concern, and a political hot potato without an easily found solution which provides balance for all.

went kind of low.

Of course, Y.T., who felt he had to look like a big shot, reached casually down to snag it.

But no! It hit the mask lying there and bounced up, right into his face.

Mushrooms?

Hah! Whenever I remember that day, my mouth begins to hurt!

The trustees of our old school must have really been sports-minded, though, because every few years they would haul off and spend a huge amount of money buying new equipment, sometimes over 10 dollars!

Even at that, although maybe we didn’t do too well in arithmetic and spelling, we sure made the honour roll when it came to replacing a broken bat with one of our school yard poplar trees.

Note: It’s not odd these days to meet a school grad class on its way to some far-off, exotic place that my generation could only dream of. But when Walt and I graduated from Grade 8, our folks presented us with a two dollar baseball glove!

I’ll say it again, “Times have really changed!”

We grew up, though, and in our own way

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5

played in quite a few ball games.

Most of those younger years were in the 1930s which really cut into our success as farmers, although we had lots of time to toss a ball around.

Looking back now, I realize that although we weren’t cut out for the Big Leagues, we did have our memories of playing ball, some of them pretty darn good. All kinds of memorable stuff!

Some of this memorable stuff came in handy a bit later over in Europe when it came to grenade-throwing time, but we never made it to the Big Leagues over there either!

There have been quite a few games “under the bridge” since Y.T. last played. Until now, all a fellow can do is boast about how he got his “baseball finger” (some mouse had chewed the finger stalls off the back of the old school mitt!) or make wisecracks to

his grandson’s about the TV announcer’s assessment of a “split-finger fast ball”. They probably wouldn’t believe him anyway!

The game is still around, though, and as far as activity goes, the young people are a lot better off playing ball in the school yard than out there lobbing explosives at some other guy way off on the other side of the world!

“Mr. Hook” and I, now that our ball playing days are over, God willing, will go do a few rounds on the local golf course in 2002 [Editor’s Note: article first appeared July 2, 2002] and in my cross-handed way, settle for a slice into the pond on Number 6 rather than a freak hit over a short-stop!

Memories of baseball are good, all right, and of course mine aren’t about World Series stuff.

Neither is golf, but I’m still able to swing a three-iron!

DEADLINE MONDAY 5 P.M. 24085MA0

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

Dear Money Lady, I want to buy a house with my children, and we would all be on the mortgage. My lawyer has suggested that we do this purchase as a corporation to protect all of us on this investment. He said this is necessary in the event that circumstances change in the future and a settlement would have to be considered. He also advised me to check

with an accountant too. challenge or disagree What do you think? with legal advice; but in Olivia H. this case, I have to say, I Dear Olivia think setting up a corpoI think that’s a terrible ration for homeowneridea. ship is a bit of a money It’s possible, but this grab and probably not would mean that the necessary. Buying a corporation owns the home with your chilhome, and the buyers dren is not the same as (you and your adult chil- buying into a franchise dren) would need to set business. Everything Christine Ibbotson up shares in the corpo- you need to protect your Page ration to divide owner- 1/4 ownership and rights Ask The Money Lady ship. can be handled through I don’t usually like to the registered title.

So how do you do that?

Well, you will want to register title on the new purchase as percentages.

This is a simple method when using a standard bank mortgage. You are We’ve been working with Fred & Patsy at all on title and all on the mortgage, but the Spyder Autobody for the past 3 years, ownership is placed by and will continue servicing the Biggar community a percentage of ownership at the time of title with mobile SGI appraisals registration.

I-Car Gold Class and OEM Certified Technicians Another way to do this could be to place a colConsumer Choice Award Winners 12 Years Running lateral charge on the Certified Aluminum Repair / Hail Repair Experts property, again in all of your names. The collat• Courtesy cars available eral charge will be setup • Free pickup and delivery for 100 per cent of the value of your purchase and you could then split up the loan segments among those that owe a portion of the mortgage debt. Let me give you an example.

Let’s say a parent wants to help out their adult child in purchasing a home and this home costs $500,000.

In order to make this a conventional mortgage request, a 20 per cent down payment would be

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(50 per cent ownership), needed to purchase.

So, for this example, and child 3 could have let’s say the parent was $100,000 (20 per cent willing to buy into this ownership).

Basically, the collateral purchase and provide the 20 per cent down charge gives more flex($100,000 investment ibility to the owners, and by parent). So, that it has no term or renewwould leave a mortgage al, so it is highly adjustable over time and can of $400,000.

With a standard mort- be paid off and drawn gage we would put all down again many times.

Personally, I think a owners on title and have the adult child pay the collateral charge promortgage payment with vides the most freedom title clearly setup as 20 with multiple owners per cent to the parent and doesn’t need to be and 80 per cent to the requalified for over time, child. When the home is when things change for sold in the future, per- all participants. I also haps for $700,000 the like to use this product parent is still entitled to as an estate planning their 20 per cent, which tool. Everyone’s owneris now worth $140,000. ship, debt or investment A collateral charge is clearly defined, and if makes it easier when they pay it off, they could you have more than one draw down their charge child or multiple own- segment in the future for ers making payments to home improvements, et the debt. With a collat- cetera, without qualifyeral charge example, the ing again.

Good luck and best parent still owns 20 per cent, but now there are wishes! by Chrisseparate loan segments Written on the property regis- tine Ibbotson, author, tered to the two or more finance writer, nationindividuals and divided al radio host, and now up as per ownership per- on CTV Morning Live, and BNN, syndicated centage.

For example, child across Canada. Send Jim Reiter, MLA money questions 1 could have a loan of your Constituency (answered free) through $50,000 (10 per centRosetown-Elrose 215 Main Street, Rosetown website at asktheownership), child 2 her – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 moneylady.ca. could have $250,000 Monday Tel: 306-882-4105 Fax: 306-882-4108 Toll free; 1-855-762-2233 Randy Weekes, MLA E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net Biggar - Sask Valley Box 278,Constituency Rosetown SK S0L Offi 2V0 ce Please concerns 106-call 3rdwith Ave.questions West, or Box 1413 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0 Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm

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

Jim Reiter, MLA

Rosetown-Elrose Constituency 215 Main Street, Rosetown Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 Tel: 306-882-4105 Fax: 306-882-4108 Toll free; 1-855-762-2233 jimreitermla@sasktel.net Open E-mail: Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0 Please call with questions or concerns 1/4 Page

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THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

School starts soon!

Biggar Central School 2000 and Class of ’71- ’72 at Biggar Composite School.’(below)

by Delta Fay Cruickshank for Biggar Museum & Gallery Its that time again ... school supply lists, new clothes, excitement, or dread, it’s back-toschool time! Biggar students and teachers have been starting school in September since 1909, 115 years ago!

The first school was an all-grades classroom in the Biggar Hotel.

The first purposebuilt school was the Biggar Public School built on the corner of Fifth Avenue East and King Street. There were 15 country schools, as well. As the years went by, the country schools were closed with Biggar expected to provide education for the students coming in from the rural areas. Little Biggar Public School was bulging at the seams, so a new

school was planned.

Thornton School was built. A large imposing structure built on Sixth Avenue East and King Street stands now.

Sports were encouraged in Thornton to keep the boys occupied and out of mischief.

St Gabriel’s Church and Convent opened St. Theresa’s Academy for the students of Roman Catholic faith. The Sisters of Assumption took over the education of the students here. It was believed by the Sisters that everyone had musical talent, therefore music was big on the agenda! That could explain Biggar’s prominence in the Canadian Music Scene over the ages! A brand-new separate school was built in the 1960’s to replace the Academy.

Later, on the east side

of the school yard, Biggar Composite was built.

Nova Wood and Woodrow Lloyd School added to the education of the town and area.

A clue to when BCS2000 was built is in the name. It’s hard to imagine but it’s 24 years old already!

I wonder how many students have passed through the doors of Biggar schools. We must thank the town councils and community members who kept an interest in provided our town with education, organized sports and clubs.

There is a little video at the museum that present day students enjoy watching. It is the History of Churches, Schools, and Hospitals. Step into the museum during our open hours and you will get to see the history of schools here in Biggar.

The secret is out!

Thornton School high school soccer, 1949 (right). and St. Gabriel School Band, 1945 (below).

Introducing "Shop Biggar" a passport with the goal of encouraging exploration and shopping from residents and visitors in the community of Biggar.

With the help from 19 of our local businesses we were able to bring you this community centered activity that not only encourages you to get out and explore your local businesses but also serves the local economy.

HOW THIS WORKS...

1. Pick up a passport from any of the participating businesses, the RM Office, or the Town Office.

2. Read the "Rules" page found in your passport.

3. Make a purchase as per the directions on each business's passport page (Note: You will see multiple purchase options on one page. Only one purchase is expected. The list is there to help showcase what that store may hold).

4. Once a purchase is made, present your passport, and receive a stamp.

5. Once every page has earned a stamp bring your passport to the Town Office to claim your prize!

Get out and get shopping!

A high school class standing on the steps of Biggar Public School, 1918. (Photo for The Independent by the Biggar Museum and Gallery)

email us at tip@sasktel.net

08- THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

R

The Saskatchewan Traveller ...

NOVA SCOTIA EDITION

by Trudy and Dale Buxton After an exciting two days we have landed in Nova Scotia, collected our car and off we go.

It’s early in the morning, there’s a fog in the air and the only thing open is a Tim Horton’s, so at least we grab a coffee and a bun.

The airport itself is about 40 kilometres from Halifax but the highway system is very good and easy to get around. The interesting thing about travelling through some of the communities of Nova Scotia is that unlike Saskatchewan a lot of communities are spread out on larger properties. What doesn’t look like a huge centre could be larger than it looks. Another thing that comes to mind is the years of history most of these communities have.

One community of great interest that is near the airport is the community of Enfield.

Enfield was first established around 1760, when grants of land were given out. The first grant of land that was given out was to a Benjamin Franklin, who at the time was a leading writer, scientist, inventor, diplomat, and considered to be one of the most influential intellectuals of the time. Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

A Mr. Hall was hired

by Franklin to take care of his land grant and to

operate a Wayside Inn for weary travellers to the area.

There were other grants given out along the Shubenacadie River as speculation arose of a new canal to be built in the area of what is now Enfield, formally known as The Crossing. It was to become a strategic location in the moving of goods and services, with the name Enfield officially adopted in 1863 during a town hall meeting. Today’s population is around 4,400 people.

Heading south towards Halifax we come to the community of Waverley, with a population of around 900 people.

First established in the early 1800’s by a fellow named Charles Pillsbury Allen who opened a chair factory in the area. The original house built by Allen still stands today. The name Waverley comes from a series of novels by Sir Walter Scott.

Next up is the community of Bedford, population around 36,000, the original community was established as a

citadel called Fort Sackville. Built in 1749 by the British, the stronghold was used to fend off attacks made by the French, Acadians and the Mi’kmaq peoples. It retained its name until the mid 1850’s when it became Bedford. It wasn’t until 1980 that Bedford was officially incorporated as a town, and is now a part of the Halifax District, serving the south end of Halifax.

The name Bedford is in honour of John Russell, the fourth duke of Bedford (1710-1771). Russell was the secretary of state for the colonies when Halifax was founded in 1749.

The area around Bedford is still to this day called Sackville in honour of Lionel Sackville, the first Duke of Dorset.

Main industries include forestry, tourism, fishing, and some agriculture. In recent years natural gas has been extracted from the area.

Indigenous people have been in the area for thousands of years, the area known as Kwipek to the Mi’kmaq people.

The Scott Manor House, which was built around 1770, is still standing and is the second oldest house in the region, acting as a museum.

Stay tuned as we continue our trip into Nova Scotia.

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

Jump on Board with the Biggar Arts Council

If you have an interest in musical performances , visual art, or local school productions and are looking for a break from your usual bedlam for a couple hours in the evening, the Biggar Arts Council is looking for you! New members are needed to keep live entertainment coming to our community.

The Biggar and District Arts Council is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to bring visual and performing arts for all ages and varieties of interest to our community and we have been doing just that for the past 45 years. We meet once a month from September to June and we welcome you to join us in “enriching our community through the arts”.

For further information contact Sherry Martin 948-2048.

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.

AUGUST 25, ST.PAULS ANGLICAN SEPTEMBER 8 REDEEMER LUTHERAN SEPTEMBER 22 REDEEMER LUTHERAN

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 Minister 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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

Business & Professional …

AUTOMOTIVE

ACCOUNTING

THe INDePeNDeNT, BIGGAR, SK - 9

SErVICES

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

306-948-3996

201B 2nd Avenue West, Biggar

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

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

ACCEPT NEW C ING LIE Year R NTS ound

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

(New Horizons Bldg) Biggar

Open Monday-Friday

Service Truck Full Mechanical Service

Mike Nahorney - Journeyman Red Seal Mechanic

HEAVY TRUCK AUTO TIRES BOATS & RVs

Mon - Fri • 8 a.m.-5

p.m. phone: Chris

FULL MOBILE MECHANICAL SGI Safety INSPECTION

306-948-3376 Serving Your “EnTIRE” Needs

3 col/6

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”

Landis Office Hours:

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

Thursday CLOSED

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

Perdue Office Hours

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

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

INVESTMENTS

(WY %AST "IGGAR

306-948-2109

Box 580 Biggar, SK SOK OMO

306-948-2183 Email: hrbbiggar@sasktelnet Website: www.hrblock.ca

BIGGAR

Attention: Deanna Stevenot REFRIGERATION

SERVICES

Chico’s Auto Works

Please proof Business & Profes Lesco COMMERCIAL AND (year) for $4 the next 52 weeks Will this Richard work? right colour? towing & recycling (Chico) Livingston RESIDENTIAL Bill has been sent SERVICES Franchise Advertising Payables “Same Service” Price: $63.00 plus Great gst per weekBIGGAR•LANDIS•PERDUE•WILKIE•ASQUITH for publiation on Feb 7, 14, 21, 28 #102 9622 - 42 Avenue, SPECIALIZING Licensed Journeyman “Top Dollar Paid Cash On The Spot ForIN Salvage Vehicles” Journeyman Automotive Repair Technician Edmonton, AB Adrian de Haan T6E 5Ya Removal of at - biggartowing.com Please get back toHwy me 14 by 1/4 5 p.m. on Monday, Check Feb 4us out 2 Miles East Mile North Phone: 780-448-2166; Thanks, Urla 306-948-5291 CALL LES Cars, AT (306) 951•8446 Junk Trucks Fax: 780-438-1233; TRUCK) *** (TURN NORTH AT THE OLDBox and any Scrap Metal 1298 email: CSC-Edmonton.account *NEW Jennifer:

306-948-5077 Biggar, SK.

** TION A LOC

chicosautoworks@sasktel.net

S0K 0M0

INSUrANCE

ÿ Auto & Home Insurance ÿ Farm & Commercial Insurance ÿ Health & Travel Insurance ÿ Life Insurance & Investments ÿ Farm Succession & Estate Planning ÿ Notary Publics

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

223 Main Street Biggar

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

“CASH PAID” on the Spot

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

Shoreline Realty

Cari Perih

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

wi

Cell: 306-948-7995

Dave Molberg

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

www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca

Rosetown Dental

115 - 1st Avenue West Rosetown, Sask.

SEED CLEANING

wyLie seeD &

ProCessing inC.

OFFICE HOURS

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

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

Phone:306.882.2123 New Patients Welcome!

Dr. Krista Maedel & Associates

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

excellent Quality at a reasonable Price!

for all your Cereal and Pulse Cleaning

Bill: 948-7457 Dale: 948-6045

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

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

Busse Law

ProfessionaL CorPoration Barristers & Solicitors Stuart A. Busse, KC Larry A. Kirk, LL.B. 302 Main Street, Biggar, SK

306-948-3346 …serving your community since 1972

Peszko &Watson

is a full service law office that practices…

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

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

306-948-5352 or 306-244-9865

PLUMBING & HEATING

Jrs Flooring and Install 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

Jrs Flooring specializes in all types of flooring.

Over 20 years experience.

Great rates and free estimates.

Call or text Jon 306•230•8949

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

306-716-4021 DEMOLITION & RESTORATION STUCCO , DRYWALL CONCRETE FINISHING

for 9

Acres of Expertise.

ReAlToR®

DENTAL

Te 9 9

Bring Back Your Smile

Frayling Denture Clinic Ltd since 1983

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

High-Arc Electric Ltd

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

10 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

HEALTH/WELLNESS

Business & Professional …

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

ROSETOWN ROSETOWN NATURAL HEALTH NATURAL HEALTH

healthy, naturally!

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

Mail Orders Welcome.

Monday – Saturday 9:00 – 6:00 Monday306-882-2220 – Saturday 9:00 – 6:00 rosetownnatural@sasktel.net 306-882-2220 www.rosetownnaturalhealth.com rosetownnatural@sasktel.net CLEANING SERVICE

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

You may have a renewed sense of energy and motivation right now, Aries.

Capitalize on that to tackle a laundry list of projects that have been sitting on the back burner.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Everyone’s heads are seemingly in the clouds right now, Cancer. It may feel like you are the only person with your feet on the ground ready to get down to business.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Taurus, your sense of humor and quirky personality could get you a few extra chuckles from friends this week, but try not to take it too far. Factor in time for serious pursuits.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, when focusing on your health this week, remember that stress reduction is an important component of getting healthy.

Aim for activities that focus on relaxation.

• • • • • • • •

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

OPTOMETRISTS

HAULING

Rockin D Trucking & Cattle • Cattle Hauling with 21 ft. gooseneck trailer • Grain Hauling • round and large square bale

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

306-948-9750 102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar, Sask.

newufitness@sasktel.net /WNED AND OPERATED BY "RETT "ARBER

1-833-948-3331 SERVICES

GALLARDO Liner

Special Event, Airport Service or Doctorʼs Appointments

306.237.7671

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

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

Super B outfits hauling grain and fertilizer in Western Canada

2 col/6

Brett…

Price…

2.5 inches - together with - = $201.50 plus gst per 6-month prepaid commitment.

Co-Ed Fitness PleaseCentre get back to me with Healthy Lifestyle changes/corrections by return Weight Loss email this morning.

Personal Training Fitness Classes

…owned and operated

by Brett Barber

102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

306-948-9750

www.newufitness.ca

Pisces, often it can be challenging to take the high road But that’s just what you have to do right now.

Others will recognize your willingness to set a good example.

(Answers on Page 8)

2 col/6

315b Main Street, Biggar, SK

Troy May, owner/operator

Thanks Urla

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

For appointments…

DEADLINE

BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN

Sagittarius, you may notice that people are very sensitive to what you are saying, so you may have to change your approach if you want your message to be wellreceived.

SUDOKU

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

New Location

Dan • 306-948-7843

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

–

Doctors of Optometry

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

Call: 306•303•7246

Strong emotions could be drummed up this week and may cause you to be distracted more so than usual.

Try to get a break so you can make some time sort things out.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21

Others’ words are meaningful to you right now, Aquarius. Consider these opinions and spend time figuring out how to incorporate this advice.

Dr. Kirk Ewen Dr. Michelle Skoretz

Passenger Services 122 Main St. - Biggar Depot

Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

You have to develop a strategy before making your next move, Scorpio.

Whether it is a business proposal or something with a friend or family member, don’t be too hasty.

Something could be brewing but you can’t identify what it is just yet, Capricorn. This could lead you to feeling restless and out of sorts. Give it some time and it will work out.

In BIGGAR

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

BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Leo, people have been gravitating in your direction for some time seeking advice. You can open up conversations to other topics that are important to you with such a captive audience.

Libra, being honest with yourself is important as you confront a notable challenge. Accept a self-assessment and devise a plan to make the most of this opportunity.

Naty/Michael…

This is what I worked up for the Business & Professional section in back of paper, 6 month commitment for $161.20 plus gst

2024

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

E-MAIL us at tip@sasktel.net

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

REFLECTIONS

by Pastor Dale Worrell, Biggar United Church The Season of Creation (Sunday, September 8 to Sunday, October 13) is a time set apart in our church calendars to intentionally involve the whole community to purposefully dream together how we might live into our Christian calling to build the world of God’s dream.

Romans 8:19-25 offers a profound perspective on creation and its relationship with humanity.

The passage speaks to the groaning of creation, waiting eagerly for redemption and renewal. The passage invites us to view our stewardship as a participation in the grand narrative of redemption.

By embracing this responsibility with patience and hope, we contribute to the fulfilment of God’s promise for a restored and renewed world.

First Nations perspectives on climate change are deeply rooted in their traditional knowledge, cultural values, and spiritual connections to the land. These perspectives emphasize a holistic understanding of the environment, where the earth, water, plants, animals, and humans are interconnected and inter-

dependent. First Nations peoples see themselves as stewards of the land, responsible for maintaining its health for future generations.

Being a steward of the earth takes on significant meaning. If creation is eagerly awaiting our revelation as God’s children, our stewardship becomes a crucial part of the redemptive process. We are called to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all life and to actively engage in preserving and nurturing the world around us.

What are we going to do with our world, with God’s world, the world we pass on to our children and grandchildren?

As we enter this liturgical time, may you find your own unique way to witness to hope and engage in faithful actions, ever mindful of our divine calling as stewards of God’s precious gift - our planet.

(Some information resourced from UCC Community of Faith Stewardship.)

BIGGAR MUSEUM

How is your gardening growing this year?

Do you have an excess of produce?

Will you be making relishes, jams, jellies, chutneys, pickles, etc. and homemade crafts.

Would you like to sell some of your bounty?

The Biggar Museum & Gallery will be hosting a Home Harvest alongside their Soup Sale on Friday September 27, 11:00 – 1:00.

Tables are available in the gallery; all we are asking is for a donation.

Call 948-3451 to reserve your spot now!

BIGGAR and DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL

Annual General Meeting Tuesday September 10, 7:30 p.m. at the Biggar Museum New Members Welcome!

WINNERS Congratulations... to Loreen Grondin and Glenna Tavanetz (accepting is Doug) for winning this go around of the popular Newspaper Bingo. They each receive a $200.00 gift certificate to be spent at approved Biggar Retailers. The next bingo starts next week, get your tickets only at The Independent.

“Miles of Mayhem” a racers thrill for Biggar gear-head

by Delmer Friesen About a year ago my cousin, Don Friesen called me about something he had discovered.

While travelling, he had encountered several hot rods with the sign, “The Miles of Mayhem”, on the vehicle. Upon research, “The Miles of Mayhem” is like a combination of drag racing and the Great Canadian Race.

The rules of the competition are laid out as follows: You drag race your car at four predetermined raceways in Alberta and Saskatchewan; You must drive the same car to the next location with a required photo-op at an assigned spot; No team is allowed a support vehicle or camper but may pull a trailer; And each race result is compared to your first race result.

Therefore, drivers try to run times closest to their original time set.

Don, who is the genius behind the engine rebuild in my ’67 Mustang, asked me to join him on the tour. We took his ’69 Chevelle. This car is Don’s former race car. Packing a huge 454 engine with a smaller blower, it produces about 550 horsepower and a stall feature on the torque convertor for racing.

Racers met on Sunday,

July 21, to test and tune at SIR (Saskatchewan International Raceway).

After the drivers’ meeting, racing began in four categories with Group A being the fastest group.

Some cars had 1,000plus horsepower. Everyone races an 1/8 mile to keep speeds to reasonable levels. Group B was next fastest and Group C (our category) still raced with racing tires while group D raced on street tires.

After the 170 registered vehicles finished racing, tires were changed and we hit the road to Edmonton. Our required stop was in Lloydminster at the casino where the Lloydminster Car Club met us with a cold bottle of water. It was greatly appreciated because we were travelling in a non-air-conditioned car, in plus-30 temps. Afterwards, we followed the set course to Nisku, Alberta, a Drag Strip just north of Edmonton International Airport.

We raced Tuesday, July 23, and then set off to Rimby, Alberta for Wednesday’s racing.

Unfortunately, the weather didn’t allow us to race that day because the light mist made the track too dangerous. We all left for Medicine Hat

in the plus-38 weather!

Our Chevelle worked flawlessly, never overheating the engine or the transmission. With the hot conditions in Medicine Hat, Don’s car really ‘hooked up’ going down the track.

For the return trip to Saskatoon, our required stop was in Rosetown at their local museum. The Dusty Wheels Car Club were our hosts, offering much appreciated cold water once again! The final day of racing was back in Saskatoon. Don and I didn’t care how well we raced, our goal had been to finish the complete course, and we had done so successfully!

This was a great experience for me. Besides racing for the first time, I met wonderful people who would help at a moment’s notice. Some cars or trucks had breakdowns where other drivers pitched in with help and parts. Many of the drivers stayed at the same hotels/motels so evenings were spent visiting and talking cars.

I am so grateful to my wife, Clare, who gave me this trip for my 70th birthday and to my cousin, Don, who extended the invitation to join him and let me race his car! It was a thrilling week!

PRAIRIE NOTES ADULT COMMUNITY CHOIR

Wednesday, September 18, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., registration night for Prairie Notes adult community choir at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

75$ a person, $130/couple.

Phone Cindy Hoppe at 306-948-7147 for more information.

No experience necessary, just a love of singing.

“Miles Mayhem”...Delmer Friesen is ready for another run down at the track with a ‘69 Chevelle during the “Miles of Mayhem” race competition. A marathon of tracks and events in Saskatchewan and Alberta, the competitive challenge is a bucket list item for any gear head! Photo for The Independent by Delmer Friesen

12-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

No rivals for Aaron Judge in MVP race

Bruce Penton

Penton on Sports They won’t need a judge or jury to determine the Most Valuable Player in the American League this season. It’s a runaway for New York Yankees’ superstar slugger, Aaron Judge.

The 32-year-old centre fielder, a surefire Hall of Famer when he retires, is having a season to remember - and that’s saying something when

one of his previous seasons resulted in a 62homer campaign.

Judge, a mountain of a man at 6-foot-7 and 282 pounds, set another long ball record recently when he swatted his 300th career home run in fewer games than anyone before him.

Through Aug. 24 and with more than 30 games still to play, he has a Major-League-leading 49 homers, a pace that would give him 62 for the season. In a 99-game span starting April 27 (when he had only four homers), Judge blasted 44 homers. Last year, in an injury-shortened 106 games, Judge belted 37 homers (a 55-homer

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pace over a full season).

He is without a doubt the most feared hitter in today’s MLB. Through games of Aug. 24, Judge had 105 walks, including 16 intentionally. Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider showed the ultimate respect to Judge’s power in a recent game by walking him intentionally with the bases empty and two out - in the second inning.

“I honestly didn’t feel like seeing him swing,” Schneider told reporters after the game. “That was kind of it. He’s in a different category ... than anyone else in the league, where he can just flip the script of a game with one swing.”

Judge won’t reach the fear level created by Barry Bonds in 2004, when the former Giant was intentionally walked a record 120 times, including once with the bases loaded. But Judge is the first player since Bonds 20 years ago to

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instil a similar fear in pitchers.

It’s not just home runs that define Judge, either.

If not for the sensational play of Kansas City sophomore Bobby Witt, Jr., Judge would have a legitimate chance to win the Triple Crown. He leads the A.L. in homers and RBI and his batting average is second only to Witt’s.

The National League MVP race is not so onesided, however. The winner will likely be the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, who is not pitching this year but slamming home runs in regular fashion.

In late August, he led the NL with 41 roundtrippers and became the fastest player in history to reach the 40-40 (homers, stolen bases) club. if the Dodgers continue to lead their division, MVP voters will likely say Ohtani was the major reason why.

Meanwhile, Judge’s heroics, and that of his teammate, Juan Soto, who sits third in A.L. home runs, have still not been enough to give the Yankees a cushion atop the A.L. East. They’ve been battling Baltimore for top spot all season and it appears as if the race will go down to the wire.

The MVP race, however, is over. All rise, here comes da Judge.

• The late pro golfer, Chi Chi Rodriguez, who died Aug. 8 at age 88: “I don’t fear death, but I sure don’t like those threefooters for par.”

• Super 70s Sports: “Cedric Maxwell on Pete Maravich and a rookie named Larry Bird: “We come to the timeout and Pete says ‘Larry, they’re double-teaming you.

You can’t force up those kind of shots.’ Larry looks up and goes ‘If you were any damn good, they wouldn’t be doubleteaming me.’”

• Headline at fark.com: “(Patriots coach) Jerod Mayo promises to kick the crap out of anyone who violates his nofighting rule.”

• St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong, justifying making offer sheets to two Edmonton Oilers, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway: “I’d offer-sheet my mother if it would make the Blues better.”

• Football columnist Graham Kelly in the Medicine Hat News, on B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke’s unsuccessful foray to the NFL: “During Rourke’s time holding a clipboard in the NFL, he wasn’t exactly reduced to cadging loose change on street corners. He was paid U.S. $513,000.”

• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “In Santa Barbara, a driver left the

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scene of his crash on a skateboard. Police are looking for a guy who answers to the name Dude.”

• Alex Kaseberg again: “Out of the NFL for almost a decade, Colin Kaepernick has turned down Jim Harbaugh’s offer to coach at Michigan.

Colin is holding out for an offer to be the starting QB for the Forty Niners, an offer that should come right before pigs fly.”

• Super 70s Sports: “Never forget John McEnroe won four U.S. Opens and three Wimbledons by overcoming the gross incompetence of everyone around him.

An inspiration.”

• Headline at the Canadian parody website, thebeaverton. com: “Blue Jays owners shocked to discover you’re allowed to fire Front Office when team sucks every year.”

• Jack Finarelli at TheSportscurmudgeon. com, on the firing of slumping Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais: “I have to be honest here; I didn’t realize that it was Servais who had been striking out with men in scoring position over the last two to three weeks.”

• Care to comment?

E-mail brucepenton2002@ yahoo.ca.

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