The Biggar Independent Volume 115 Issue 3

Vol. 115 No. 3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

16 pages

$1.50

Pressure ... Biggar Central School Senior Blazer Girls hit the court, January 10 for a host game versus the Rosetown Royals. A fiercely fought battle, the Royals took the lead in the fourth for a close 49-44 win. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

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After a mild start to the winter, wicked cold temperatures hit the Prairies this past week, sending us all into the stark reality of minus-40 temperatures. Apologies to Pink Floyd but it really was “uncomfortable” as cold temperatures bit into flesh, stalled cars, and frosted trees.

Town of Biggar crews cleaned streets to make things a bit more bearable - our hats off to them! Warmer weather is slowly making its way back to the Prairies. Hopefully, that is it for the cold!

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Weekes supports Biggar’s Cultural Gateway Entrance Project

Biggar-Sask Valley MLA and current Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Randy Weekes, is throwing his support behind the Cultural Gateway Entrance Project.

Part of the Biggar Revitalization initiative, the Gateway Entrance will proudly recognize both First Nations and Metis culture, along with the athletes and notable residents who have come from the community.

The Gateway will feature Canadain, Saskatchewan, Biggar, Treaty 6,

Metis and a monthly rotating cultural flag, a Red River Cart, an archway recognizing the Town of Biggar, Treaty 6 Territory and the Homland of the Metis plus well-known residents.

“This serves to strengthen and recognize relationships between the Town and its history,” Weekes said in a recent letter to the Town. “Through the recognition of the various cultures that entwine the community of Biggar and amazing athletes that originated in this

community, this project will create the utmost welcoming entrance into the communithy of Biggar.”

The Gateway Entrance is one of four key areas of the Biggar Revitalization Project. The other three are the Business Core, Transition Zone, and Grand Central Park, all initiated by former residents Ina Lou and Wayne Brownlee who donated $2.5 million with a matching $2.5M from fund raising efforts.

RCMP Report

by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment This past week 22 occurrences were dealt with.

Despite the frigid temperatures there was still a little traffic enforcement taking place with six tickets and five warnings being issued.

Report of an assault

between two males with a long history - investigation is ongoing as members seek both versions of the incident. Members provided assistance to a mischief complaint of a 23-year-old female high on meth smashing and breaking another’s property. Report of a propane delivery driver locking himself out of his truck while it was still running.

Report of a 2020 Tra-

verse colliding with a deer on Highway 4 south, and a new driver reporting they ran their Ford Escape into a parked Mercedes Benz due to slippery road conditions.

Twenty-four-year-old Jake Adam was charged with theft of a vehicle out of Yorkton after it was recovered at 240 Second Avenue East in Biggar.

Take care out there!

Town a-buzz with Buzz Brass Arts Council concert A rare weekday concert will feature Canadian icons, Buzz Brass as the fourth show of the Biggar and District Arts Council concert series this Monday, January 22 at the Majestic Theatre.

Since 2002, Buzz Brass quintet has been travelling all over the globe to captivate classical music lovers. Whether its concerts consist of brass quintet alone or together with guest musicians, the original artistic propositions it presents leave nobody cold.

With over 1,600 appearances to its credit, the

ensemble has reached more than 350,000 music lovers throughout North America, Europe and China. The numerous awards and distinctions that Buzz Brass has earned over the years (Opus, ADISQ, and Trille Or) attest to both the quality and the relevance of its musical performances. Thanks to numerous innovative programmes, praiseworthy recordings, a unique repertoire and a vision of classical concerts that reaches out to a wide audience, the group now features among the most

reputable brass quintets in Canada.

Its appearances abroad (Edinburgh’s 2015 Fringe Festival, Beijing’s 2016 Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, and New York’s 2018 Chamber Music America) enable Canadian musicians’ know-how to shine forth and inspire youths from everywhere to learn music.

Buzz Brass takes to the Majestic Theatre, Monday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now from de Moissac Jewellers or from ticketpro.ca.

The Buzz Brass comes to the Majestic Theatre, Monday for the latest Biggar and District Arts Council concert. (Submitted Photo)

Blazers take home win ... Biggar Central School Senior Boys hosted the Perdue Steelers last Wednesday for a basketball battle. Blazers were rotten hosts, taking the win. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

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

Council resolved that the minutes of the December 5, 2023 Regular Meeting of Council, the minutes of the December 12, 2023 Committee Meeting of The Whole, the Chief Administrative Officer’s Report to December 19, 2023 by the Chief Administrative Officer, Marty Baroni, the Community Development Officer’s Report to December 19, 2023 by the Community Development Officer, Cassidy Burton, and the Town Foreman’s Report to December 19, 2023 by the Town Foreman, Mark Haynes, all be accepted as presented.

Council resolved that the following financial reports for November, 2023 be accepted as presented: Bank Reconciliation; Statement of Financial Activities.

Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of $84,611.60 and the General Accounts Payable in the amount of $95,131.36 be approved.

Council resolved that the following correspondence be accepted for Council’s information and filed: RM of Biggar - Weed Inspector Proposal. SUMA - Message from the President. Saskatchewan Small Cities - CN Prairie North Line.

Ministry of Government Relations - Construction

Codes Act. Prairie Mapping Industries - New Ownership Announcement. SUMA - Municipal Update. Biggar Fire Department - 2023 Town and RM Fire Calls.

Council resolved that the Offer of Employment Agreement with Kristine Brown as Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Biggar be approved.

Council resolved that in accordance with the Municipalities Act and Public Notice Policy Bylaw No. 06-665, public notice is hereby given that the Town of Biggar Council intends to change the council meeting schedule as follows for 2024: • January’s Regular Meetings will be on January 9 and 23 and the Committee Meetings of the Whole will be on January 16 and 30 due to January having five Tuesdays.

• April 16 Regular Meeting postponed to April 23 due to the SUMA Convention.

• April 23 Committee Meeting of the Whole postponed to April 30 due to the SUMA Convention.

• May 28 Committee Meeting of the Whole cancelled due to the UMAAS Convention.

• June 13 Committee Meeting of the Whole cancelled.

• July 9, 23rd, and August 13, 27th Committee Meetings of the Whole are cancelled for the summer months.

• December 24 Committee Meeting of the Whole cancelled.

Council resolved that the invoice submitted

by Silver Eagle Excavating for demolition and cleanup to remedy the nuisance order on 412 Fifth Avenue East be paid, and furthermore that this cost be invoiced accordingly to property owner.

Council resolved that the Bylaw Enforcement Agreement with the Town of Unity be accepted as presented.

Council resolved that Progress Certificate No. 055-105-P14 from Catterall and Wright in the amount of $9,394.76 be approved for payment to ASL Paving Ltd. for work performed on this project up to October 1, 2023.

Council resolved that the Town of Biggar donate some promotional items and a letter of support to the Random Acts of Kindness Club along with a monetary donation of $1,000.

Council resolved that the 2024 Service Agreement with Loraas Recycling be accepted as presented.

• Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Bingo Numbers for

January 18

B-13 I-28 N-44 G-59 O-69

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Opinions

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023

Sir John A. Macdonald: the enduring legacy of a great Canadian hero

by Gerry Bowler, historian, Senior Fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy Not many of us are aware that January 11, just passed, is officially known as Sir John A. Macdonald Day, as decreed by Parliament in an act of March 21, 2002.

On that long-ago date, Sir John was considered a Canadian hero worthy of celebration and commemoration, but now, of course, the wisest minds of our nation tell us otherwise. Macdonald is a despised and disgraced figure. His name is removed from places, buildings, and prizes; his statues are torn down and defaced; mothers frighten their children with stories of the Ogre of Ottawa.

On the occasion of his birthday, it may do readers some good to be reminded of why John A once had a shining reputation.

Let’s begin with his creation of an independent Canada out of a disparate collection of North American colonies.

In the face of an expansive United States, French-Canadians wor-

ried about Anglophone domination, and a Britain looking to shed the financial burdens of some of its non-profitable dependencies, Macdonald persuaded politicians from Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick that a federal union was the best way forward.

A confederation would preserve them from being swallowed up by the U.S., preserve provincial rights, and allow the French culture to be protected.

This new nation was the first of its kind: a self-governing dominion based on English common law and the British parliamentary system. Considering how many failed states have come and gone since 1867 - empires in Europe, Africa, and Asia, fascist dictatorships, emirates, soviets, communes, caliphates, kingdoms, sultanates, and “people’s” republics - you must give Macdonald and his colleagues full marks for a successful and stable creation.

In addition, Macdonald expanded this union of four provinces into the second-largest

country in the world.

Negotiating with the British government, native tribes, regional authorities, and the Hudson’s Bay Company, he made Canada a continent-wide nation linked by a railway from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

It is essential to note that this expansion westward and northward was accomplished with the minimum of violence, unlike in the U.S., where the doctrine of Manifest Destiny produced decades of war with aboriginal inhabitants and a trail of broken treaties. Aside from an ill-advised uprising led by a mad prophet in 1885, the settlement of the Canadian West was brought about by mutually agreeable treaties.

Sir John A. Macdonald’s treatment of Prairie natives received much criticism from the Liberal opposition of the time, which claimed that he was spending too much money on emergency food relief in the wake of the disappearance of the buffalo economy. Liberals also complained that native reserves were on good farmland that

DEADLINE MONDAY 5 P.M. should have been given to white settlers. They were also upset that the Northwest Mounted Police, established by Macdonald to bring law to Western Canada, were too even-handed in their treatment of Aboriginals.

But Sir John A. Macdonald’s policies won

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 him the gratitude of the tribes. They were especially grateful for his smallpox vaccination program, which, in the words of a recent historian, made him the saviour of more indigenous lives than any other prime minister.

Though public opinion is now negative towards

Sir John A. Macdonald, it may be truly said of him that there was never “a man who has given more of his time, more of his heart, more of his wealth, or more of his intellect and power for the good of this Dominion of Canada.”

Expectations may exceed Sask. Party’s good news

Provincial Viewpoint Murray Mandryk

All in all, it’s been pretty good start to an election year for the Saskatchewan Party government.

The thing is, though, this is the fourth time this 16-year-old Sask.

Party administration will ask voters of the province to pass judgement on its record ... or at least, compare its record to whatever alternative there is.

the

On the latter point, the Sask. Party still holds a decided advantage over the Official NDP Opposition. The good news for the Sask. Party is that this remains a very conservative province and the NDP alternative - especially, outside the cities - isn’t exactly viewed as having much credibility.

Moreover, the Sask.

Party government’s approval rating and polling support remains than most any other government in the country - good news for any government starting an election year.

The less good news for the Sask. Party? Well, the NDP - at least in the cities - is now being seen as a slightly better alternative than it’s been seen to be in the past.

Meanwhile, since the rise of the Buffalo

Party out of nowhere in 2020 election, Premier Scott Moe has made it known he is concerned in rural areas about voters examining political alternatives to the right.

The biggest threat now appears to be the Saskatchewan United Party, led by former Sask. Party MLA Nadine Wilson.

Finally, while the Sask.

Party may be more popular than most other governments, no government in this country - provincial or federal - is particularly popular right now.

And when you have been in office for 16 years, you tend to accumulate a track record that may stick with voters long past whatever recent success you might have as government.

The good news for Moe and company is that they can point to that recent

economic success.

Both in the form of government news releases and on his social media feeds, Moe is pointing to some rather good news for the Sask. Party government to start the year.

The first bit of good new is a prediction by Deloitte Canada that Saskatchewan is expected to lead the nation in economic growth in 2024 - growth that may be double the national average.

This growth in increase will largely be driven

by BHP’s approval of a $6.4-million investment in the second-stage of the Jansen Potash mine.

It’s also partly due to the fact that 2023 didn’t completely meet economic expectations in Saskatchewan, as would seem evident by 202324 budget that went

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from a billion-dollar surplus when the budget was first introduced in March of last year to a quarter-billion deficit in October at the mid-year point.

A key component was the cost of crop insurance and the added costs of fighting forest fires both, potential problems by this fall if the lack of winter snow we are now seeing again translates into more drought.

One of the big problems for governments that pin their hopes on numbers in the here and now is that those numbers are apt to change.

For now, though, Moe can lean into some pretty good numbers, including a 22,100 increase in jobs in December compared with December 2022.

It’s not all rosy in that a TD Economics study is suggesting that the job

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vacancy rate is outpacing a slowing population growth.

Having more job openings than the economy can fill is, obviously, not the worst problem for government. But it is a bit of a problem if those jobs happen to be lowpaying jobs in an economic situation where people Saskatchewan people are leaving for better-paying jobs elsewhere.

The province’s population is growing, but not at the rate of the other provinces where people see better opportunity.

For now, though, the year is starting out pretty well for the Sask. Party.

The big question may be whether it can maintain that success.

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COPYRIGHT The contents of The Independent are protected by copyright. Reproduction of any material herein may be made only with the written permission of the publisher.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Biggar Independent invites the public to participate in its letters to the Editor section. All letters must be signed.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

3 HOBNM POKOM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

I know that this bit sounds an awful lot like my brain is going dry and I sure wouldn’t blame anyone for hauling off and blasting Y.T. (Yours Truly).

“Ya know, that old cluck used to write like he had something he wanted to tell, but lately it looks like all he wants to do is fill up some space in The Independent!”

Maybe they are right!

“Ode to a skylark” sounds awful dull compared to “How Horatius kept the bridge.” But, as notoriously peaceful people looking at the world around us has got to be interesting - well, more interesting than flying planes into skyscrapers!

Here goes anyway!

Looking back we sure never saw many places without windows.

It seems that they’ve always been there and actually are a kind of

luxury in a way. Doors are needed so that a person can get inside out of the elements. But windows?

Someone is bound to say, “Ah-hah! I know a place that had no windows one time!” and this reminds me of a story.

Story: A fellow went into a dark air-raid shelter in London during the war and was having a great time cuddling up to a lady in the dark until someone shone a light on them and he realized it was his wife! End of story!

I don’t think in this little bit that I’m telling anyone anything they don’t already know, so much as maybe reminding them how much we all rely on light.

Maybe a moth is the best example but they are part of nature too and it is no surprise that we all love to sit around a campfire!

Computer games (Windows!) aside, I’ll bet we could look a long, long way back on one to find when man started letting a little light into his shelter. I’ll bet that way back there before homo erectus first realized that his campfire would melt some of the sand and eventually make glass, that maybe those old folks stretched animal diaphragms over their wall openings. Who knows?

Also, whether we like it or not, a lot of us are

claustrophobic and sure feel a bit more comfortable when there is a window nearby!

They can have quite an influence on a persons outlook sometimes too! Heck, years ago I was relaxing in a fellows basement, staring out of a huge picture window across a blue, island-dotted lake although I knew darn well that there was no lake nearby.

I could almost feel a cool breeze coming in off of the water and hear the gulls crying until I realized that the “picture window” was really a painting on glass, lighted from behind with a couple of curtains drawn over it for effect. Maybe we should make something like that sometime and put it down in the mine somewhere!

When we were kids and sealed, insulated windows were practically unknown, we got our first impressions of natures magic as we admired the intricate frost patterns on the window panes. Sometimes we licked our fingers and scrawled out own crude designs on top of them, but, oh, how clumsy they all seemed compared to work of Mr. J. Frost!

Everyone knows that most living things require light. Even out here in the cold climate of Saskatchewan we expect grass to grow next spring. But try leaving a

chunk of flat stuff out in the yard for awhile this summer and what have we got?

I often wonder if this unconscious craving for light (in humans) is why we have windows!

After all, trees and flowers need light. Are we so much different?

There are dozens of windows in many of our dwellings. They are so common we just accept them as being part of life and probably never wonder why! Well, we all know why the walls are there.

Even with all the fine modern lamps and lights that are so available now, it is still kind of nice, come wintertime, to sit there by a window reading a good book - preferably by Y.T. - and soak up some of the worldly sun!

More philosophy: Everyone lives their lives and should never get the idea that theirs is very much different that anybody else’s. We laugh and love, and do our things like little pebbles on big beaches ... although some people prefer it the other way around!

The little pebble whose hand this pen is in right now, knowing that no one else is going to mark down his life and times, has rudely gone ahead and scribbled some of his own, and on checking the index under “W” for windows, found a few

Asquith Council news for January Asquith Town Council held its regular council meeting on January 10.

Attending was Mayor Gail Erhart, DeputyMayor Jackie Stobbe, and Councillors Darcy Stack, Pete Heck, Cecilia Mryglod, Jodi Nehring, and Wade Monks-Janzen. Also attending was C.A.O. Kathy Picketts.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Erhart at 7:02 p.m.

A resolution was made to accept the council minutes from the December 2023, regular

council meeting.

Council made a motion to accept the December 2023 financials and December 2023 bank reconciliation as presented to them at the meeting.

Accounts Paid in the amount of $202,650.38 and Accounts Payable of $100,644.55 was accepted as presented.

The following appointments were made

by Council for 2023 Jensen Stromberg; Fire Chief - Colin Graham; EMO Coordinator - Lois

Walker; Building Inspector - BuildTECH; Board of Revision - Western Municipal Consulting Ltd. Did you know... The Town of Asquith pays a library levy of over $5,000 a year? Anyone living in Asquith can go to Saskatoon to the Wheatland Regional Library and get a library card that will let them access the Wheatland Library and any of its satellite libraries (i.e. in Perdue or Delisle). One can also show their cur-

rent Wheatland card to receive a Saskatoon Public Library card.

There are also many online applications that one can access through the Wheatland Regional Library.

If you have recently changed your phone number, please contact the Asquith Town Office to update.

As of January 1, 2024, all pet licenses and business licenses are due.

entries that normally he’d have forgotten years ago. Stuff like “Jumping through a window at Veen”, “Picture windows and TV”, “That goldarn view!”, “Portholes on the Aquitania”, “Shattered windows in Waaliwyk” and on and on.

It seems to Y.T. as he gets older that a lot of the stuff around him has collected quite a bit of vintage too, Whenever he sees an old house it is not just an old house.

He looks at it and starts

thinking back.

“I wonder how many folks looked out of those busted old windows at their kids playing in the yard and smiled a little bit because they felt that all was well!”

His generation doesn’t know much about nuclear stuff and technical things but it seems clear to him that sometimes those who generate the modern outlook on life, need a few more windows so they can see a little more!

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.

24013BS2 24013BS3

The Majestic Theatre Biggar Í JANUARY WONKA

Genre: / Comedy / Family / Adventure 2023--Time: 1 hr 56 min

Rated:PG

Bob Mason

Windows

Í

Notable Notes

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5

FRIDAY, Jan 19 • 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, Jan 20 • 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, Jan 21 • 2 p.m.

Matinee Admission $5

Ratings from the Saskatchewan Film Classification Board

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

How to manage credit wisely Many paths lead to longterm financial security.

A commitment to saving money, skilful investing and living within one’s means are just some of the ways people can set themselves on the path toward a comfortable and secure financial future. Avoiding debt, particularly consumer debt, is another pathway to long-term financial stability.

Unlike other forms of debt like a mortgage or an auto loan, consumer debt is typically accompanied by high interest rates. For example, it

has been reported that the average credit card APR for individuals with good credit is just over 21 per cent, while those with poor credit can expect to get an APR closer to 28 per cent.

Those figures underscore the importance of using credit wisely, as poor use of credit can quickly land consumers in considerable debt.

With that in mind, consumers can consider these tips to manage credit wisely.

• See credit as a tool to build your financial reputation. Credit cards

have something of a bad reputation, as they’re often noted when discussing the dangers of debt. However, that narrative is different for millions of consumers who have figured out that wise credit usage is a highly effective way to build a strong financial reputation. In fact, using credit cards responsibly is one of the most effective ways to build a strong credit history.

Paying credit card bills on time; paying balances in full each month, and thus avoiding costly interest charges; and

spending only a small percentage of your credit limit are all hallmarks of wise credit usage.

The longer consumers adhere to this strategy, the higher their credit score becomes and the stronger their financial reputation becomes as well.

• Avoid opening too many credit card accounts.

Two to three credit card accounts is enough to maintain a good credit score. Lenders want prospective borrowers to have a credit history that reflects their ability to successfully manage a

wide variety of types of credit, so limiting consumer credit to two to three cards will ensure you are not putting all of your eggs in one basket.

Unfortunately, many consumers have not followed this line of thinking, as a recent report indicates the average consumer has 3.84 credit cards.

• Maintain a low utilization ratio. Credit utilization ratio (CUR) refers to the percentage of credit currently in use.

If your available credit is $2,000 and your balance is $1,000, your CUR is

50 per cent, which lenders would undoubtedly view as excessive. Conventional wisdom governing CUR is to keep it below 30 per cent, though that has shifted in recent years. Nowadays, a CUR closer to 10 per cent may paint consumers in an especially positive light. Recognition of CUR and what qualifies as a consumerfriendly CUR can motivate consumers to stay out of debt and avoid overspending.

Using credit wisely can benefit consumers in the short- and long-term.

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Ask The Money Lady Christine Ibbotson

Dear Money Lady Readers, As we move into a New Year, I have had so many e-mails from people across the country asking about retirement.

Most want to retire in 2024 but are not sure if they can really do it.

This is a weighty decision if you are wanting to cut-out of work earlier than 65.

And why not? For some, the agony of working up to age 65 or older seems like torture.

And I agree; if you have the means to retire ear-

lier, I think you should.

Basically, you need to make sure you have a good plan that will take you well into your 90’s and if you can, try to ensure you have a minimum of three sources of income (CPP, OAS, employee pension plans, investments, stocks/ bonds/MFs, et cetera).

You never want to be forced to return to your old job once you do your hard stop to working.

Personally, I think 2024 is a great time for investing and retiring.

The interest rates are high and will most likely go even higher to double digits. If a repeat in history has any bearing on predicting the future (like it normally does) I believe we will see interest rates staying above five per cent for the next six to eight years.

This is great for fixed income investing but not so good for stocks/secu-

Happy New Year rities.

As you transition your portfolio into more secure investments, take advantage of the fixed rate of returns and break up your portfolio to invest into laddered institutional Triple-A bonds. These products have little to no risk and provide a guaranteed return on maturity with coupon rates currently between five and eight per cent.

Remember, with institutional bonds there are no monthly investment fees, only one transaction fee when you purchase and then again when you redeem. These costs will be known upfront when you buy your bonds and can eliminate the typical drag on your portfolio which comes from added risk, monthly fees and mutual fund MERs (management expense ratios).

Here are some tips

for retirement planning broken up into the three most popular stages.

Stage 1: You have more than 10 years to retirement. In this stage you will want to ensure you have good diversification especially in this market. A general rule would be to invest in index ETFs or index MFs with a DRIP, (dividend reinvestment plan) so that dividends are reinvested automatically and commission free.

Try to set up your contributions on a monthly basis, and when the market goes down, keep investing. This should be viewed as a time to get your stock on sale and increases your portfolio even more.

Stage 2: You are five to eight years from retirement. You still have time on your side in this stage to benefit from future stock market returns, price appreciations and

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024 dividends. This is the time to invest and save as much as you can. You may want to consider a “right-size” move.

Can you downsize your home to eliminate debt or even move to a less expensive area to capitalize on a lower cost of living? Nowadays people can work from home, so why not take advantage of the new norm and move to the home that you could retire in while you’re still working so you can pay it off and be mortgage free.

Stage 3: You want to retire now. Here you need to ensure you have multiple streams of income. Remember, retirement doesn’t have to be the end of your working life. You could continue working at a less demanding job or even part-time. You will need a plan to reach to an age of 95, so set up a budget that you can

stick to. Consider downsizing, renting, getting a boarder, or living and sharing expenses with someone else. If you are asset rich and cash poor should you consider a reverse mortgage? Talk to a financial advisor, tell them what you want and let them help you figure out a plan. Planning is the key to everything that will make you happy, healthy, and wealthy.

Good Luck and Best 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.

Battlefords Gang Task Force find success with SGI program The Battlefords RCMP Gang Task Force are thankful to have received covert surveillance vehicles from SGI, which have proven to be very useful.

After a need for additional surveillance vehicles was identified, the Battlefords Detachment has partnered with SGI

who has provided two vehicles to be used for covert surveillance.

The vehicles are to be used in the targeting of and disruption of serious crimes under the Controlled Drugs and Substances act and the Criminal Code. The vehicles have been used in the recovery of sto-

len vehicles, search warrant executions, arrests of wanted persons, assistance to General duty complaints, apprehension of homicide suspects and surveillance for multiple other offences.

Since the start of the program in May 2023 to December 2023, the

Gang Task Force have used the vehicles to seize and recover the following: • 15 Stolen vehicles $457,000 value of vehicles recovered; • 15 firearms; • 22 weapons; • Over $36,500 of drugs (methamphetamine, Psilocybin mushrooms,

Cocaine, marihuana); • $15,000 Canadian currency - proceeds of crime.

“This partnership and vehicles have given our members additional means to target serious offences and stolen vehicles in our community” said Insp. Gilbert, Officer in Charge of the Bat-

tleford’s RCMP Detachment. “We look forward to continuing this relationship and future success of the program.”

With the cold weather settling in, the Battleford’s Detachment would also like to remind residents to ensure running vehicles are not left unattended and locked.

What were the winters like?

by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery Wow! Didn’t winter make up for lost time last week?! I’ve been here for 15 years and do not remember seeing minus-40 C on the thermometer!

There is a photo in the Biggar Museum and Gallery that makes me smile every time I see it. It is a photo of Mary Dollansky in front of her home in 1914. She has the biggest, proudest smile on her face. She could be in front of a mansion in Beverly Hills, her smile is so broad! We don’t know much about Mary and Alex Dollansky other than from this photo, this could be their first home on the Prairie near Biggar.

I looked up the temperatures for the winter of 1914 near Saskatoon.

January 25 it was minus37.2 C, and on February 3 it was minus-42.8 C. There was no mention of the wind-chill tem-

peratures.

Did the walls of that sod shack keep out those temperatures? Did they have enough wood cut to keep the fire going 24 hours a day for months?

Where did they get firewood? How did they get groceries? What did they do to keep themselves occupied during the dark hours ... 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.? Did they have children? Did they get them ready for school in that house? Did they have running water. Did they have a well? How far did they haul water?

I wonder how many candles they used in the winter.

Its the answers to these questions, and I have so many more, that become the history of Biggar.

I’ll walk home tonight, as fast as I can, with two scarves on, a lightweight parka, and the fur edged hood up. I’m only going a couple of blocks. I’ll get home, and it’ll be warm ... if not, I’ll adjust the dial on the wall. I’ll flick

the switch and the room will light up. I’ll turn a dial on the oven and it will heat up for my meal.

I’ll turn another dial and laundry will begin washing and drying. Then I’ll flick another switch, make myself a cup of hot chocolate, the instant

kind. Then I’ll sit down and turn another switch and the world will be open for me to observe on that box!

Thank you for the families who worked hard, froze all winter, dragged plows over the fields, chopped wood for heat

et cetera, et cetera. It is from those labours that others decided we could do better and created the conveniences we have in our lives now.

Thank you, Mary and Alex and all the early settlers, for your house pride and your determi-

nation to make the Biggar area the home for your families. Thank you for leaving behind what was yours in countries far away and deciding this area was the best place around to create a new world!

Alex and Mary Dollansky’s sod home on Farm 1914 Unknown neighbour on the right side. (Photo for The

Independent by the Biggar Museum and Gallery)

Bonne Annee

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7

Ag research a fundamental key to farm gate success

Agriculture Calvin Daniels

by Calvin Daniels It is that time of year when agriculture gets something of optimism for the future of the sector.

That boost in hope for farming’s future comes from the series of research projects being supported with grants - many of those announcements come as a new year dawns.

If you were following all the announcements one might think great advances will occur virtually overnight, but ultimately research by its nature is a slow process, and there will often be unexpected bumps along the way to overcome.

That means developing just a single new variety of a cereal might take years, and if the research is attempting to do something beyond

yield, better drought or specific disease resistance as examples - it becomes ‘trickier’, and trickier and will typically take more time.

So research is time consuming, and that equates to generally costly too.

A project requires staff effort and resources over a number of years, and that means annual costs that must be paid on the hope the research succeeds. Not every project started is going to result in something farmers will ever grow or use.

So when the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) announces funding for a new pulse-specific research program through the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP), SPG’s investment of over $670,000 was leveraged for a total investment in pulse root rot research of over $4.4 million, it reads like a lot of money - and it sort of is.

But the project is a five-year one, and as noted research does not guarantee success.

And, even when research delivers something new and positive, there may well be a protracted regulatory pro-

cess to move through industry partners, is a before farmers get to good thing. grow or use whatever Whether it’s enough remains a question researchers created.

While the regulatory of course, but at least process is merited in public dollars are being terms of consumer safe- invested in the future of ty, even in terms of what the sector that feeds us, 0$,1 675((7 81,7 526(72:1 6. 6 / 9 impact something newly and that’s a generally .(//< %/2&.Ÿ3$5/ *& &$ ì .(//<%/2&.03 &$ ì Ŧ Ŧ developed might have on positive thing. existing crops, the time element is a factor.

Investors like a positive return as quickly as possible, and research of any kind is simply not quick.

That means a lot of agriculture research is carried out by very large corporations, with very deep pockets financially.

It’s good that the work The Town of Biggar is now accepting applications for the position of: is being done, but such effort does come with a caveat regarding who “Responsible for general office operation, bylaw and policy will own the results of administration, zoning regulations and building permits, and that research - and it assisting with carrying out the operational requirements of the most likely will never be Town in accordance with approved policies and procedures farmers. of the Town of Biggar” That’s why government Able to work collaboratively with Council, CAO, staff, and investment remains so external organizations If You important, the public Experienced with human resources and asset Are have a role in research management Able to interpret legislation, bylaws, and policies funding through federal Able to organize and prioritize work, meeting strict and provincial governdeadlines while maintaining a high degree of accuracy ment grants.

Seeing news recently Urban Standard Certificate in Local Government Experience with municipal governance practices and And that 29 crop science projworking with the public Have ects from researchers at Extensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting the University of Sasprinciples katchewan (USask) have received a total of close We want to hear from you! to $7.5 million from the Governments of Canada Please send resumes to: See the full posting at: and Saskatchewan and cao@townofbiggar.com 1/4 Page more than $2.5 milwww.townofbiggar.com Application Deadline: February 9, 2024 lion in co-funding from

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Assistant Administrator

Frohes Neues Jahr

8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

IS BACK

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

by Trudy and Dale Buxton Let’s take a break this week from our Manitoba trip as I give you a new travelling experience into the Saskatchewan January cold.

No this wasn’t a bike trip but an interesting trip just the same. This was an occasion to travel down to Outlook on a very cold day. We sort of had to go because there was a purchase made and the time to pick up could not be avoided.

We have a pretty good vehicle that can travel the cold Saskatchewan highways and we also made an alternative plan. Besides, we can’t stay cooped up in the house all the time, so off we went.

The highways travelling south to Rosetown are in really good shape and once you come to Highway 15 you hang a left and head east. The highway to Outlook is also in very good shape.

When its cold out and travelling along on the Saskatchewan highways there isn’t a lot of wildlife that is roaming around except a few crows along the highway and the view is a snow covered flatness of farmland that looks untouched and ready for spring.

Travelling by Sovereign you don’t see a lot of movement, I think the community itself is pretty

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

much a ghost town these days. On the population scale it still registerers as a population of 40 people.

Did you know that at one time the community of Milden had a couple of names attached to it: Tisbet and Jordan.

However, the name Milden was eventually accepted to recognize two wives of of early settlers, Mrs. Mills and Mrs. Brayden. These women supplied home-made meals to many early bachelor homesteaders who were in need.

After a brief stay in Outlook to pick up our purchase we continue east past the community of Broderick. Named after Dr. Broderick who was a long-time dentist in the area.

Broderick is also the home of Marion Graham a very important teacher in Saskatchewan. Marion Graham was one of the first in Saskatchewan to work with gifted and slow learners. An Air Force veteran, she was discharged in 1945, later elected to the Saskatoon School Board. Marion Graham has a school named after her, and was the backbone in developing a learning resource centre in every school. A true Saskatchewan pioneer.

After Broderick we hang a left on Highway 219.

Just past the intersection we see a church and pull in for a picture. An old Lutheran Church built in 1916, it doesn’t look like it has been used in quite some time. However, we found out that this was once the area of a small community named Rudy.

Back in the early 1900’s a man by the name of Rudy Nystuen opened a post office which he named after himself.

There was a store six miles north of the present day Outlook and a bit further the old Rudy Ferry that crossed the South Saskatchewan River.

With the coming of the railroad into Outlook in 1908 and the CPR Bridge, the ferry closed and most activity that had happened in Rudy came to a halt for the

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the larger community.

The area turned into the Rural Municipality of Rudy.

The RM of Rudy at one time had one of the largest Norwegian settlements in North America, along with other European peoples from Czechoslovakia, Scotland and England, becoming mostly a farming community.

After a brief stop we continued to Dakota White Cap and the casino for supper.

The Dakota Dunes has a fabulous restaurant - I can tell you that the fish and chips are excellent.

After a short stop we continued our small journey back to Saskatoon and home.

What a nice day trip.

Stay tuned for more on the Saskatchewan Traveller.

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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

Chef Dez on Cooking Egg & Quinoa Power Bowls Do you have a New Year’s resolution of eating healthier? If so, maybe this will help. “Power Bowls” are simple and hearty customizable meals in a bowl that are

packed full of nutrition.

The idea of this meal is to try and keep it as healthy as possible and filling the hunger gap with powerful nutrients.

Because of this I

recommend using extra virgin avocado oil and raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar, but extra virgin olive oil and regular apple cider vinegar can be substituted if desired.

Egg & Quinoa Power Bowls Recipe created by Chef Dez, chefdez.com 2 cups vegetable broth.

1 cup dry quinoa (white, red, or black, or a combination totalling 1 cup).

1/2 teaspoon salt.

Four baby sweet red peppers, sliced (or 2 cups chopped red bell peppers).

540 ml can chickpeas, drained, and rinsed.

2 cups shredded cabbage.

40 grape tomatoes.

Four mini cucumbers, sliced (or 2 cups sliced cucumbers).

Four large, hard-boiled eggs, peeled (sliced in halves or chopped).

Handful of fresh baby spinach leaves, sliced thin.

1/2 small red onion, sliced thin.

1 cup walnut halves.

2 cups fresh blueberries (or thawed, drained from frozen).

Kosher salt (or other pure finishing salt), to season.

Fresh cracked pepper, to season.

Dressing 6 tablespoons extra virgin avocado oil.

1/4 cup raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar.

2 tablespoons whole grain mustard (seed mustard).

1.) Put 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup quinoa, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn down to medium-low heat and cook uncovered until all the broth is gone, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and chill or keep at room temperature.

2.) In four large diameter shallow bowls, arrange equal amounts of the following in each of the four bowls starting with the quinoa and working clockwise: cooked quinoa, sweet red peppers, chickpeas, cabbage, grape tomatoes, and cucumbers. The bottom of the bowl should be completely covered with these ingredients.

3.) Arrange the following ingredients in equal amounts on top of the ingredients from step 2: eggs, spinach, red onion, walnuts, blueberries, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper.

4.) Combine the dressing ingredients (extra virgin avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard) together thoroughly. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of this dressing on each portion.

Makes four large portions Send your food/cooking questions to dez@chefdez.com or P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, B.C., V2T 6R4. Chef Dez is a Food Columnist, Culinary Travel Host and Cookbook Author. Visit him at chefdez.com.

Remember When?

Randy Weekes, MLA

Biggar, SK S0K 0M0

Also, important to note that the blueberries play a key role in providing sweetness to balance the dressing and the overall dish.

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 Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0 Please call with questions or concerns

Biggar �ny tots is doing a new fundraiser.

With MAKE IT SOW, A high-quality Seed shop based out of Canada.

Star�ng January 16th to January 31st you can order online at

h�ps://makeitsow.com/shop/#code-submission group code is BTTPS_2024 or place on order with any of our Tiny Tot parents Thank you for your support! contact Chris�na for any ques�ons 1-306-948-9339

A wee peek back ... An old picture of an older building, this one the train station 20 miles north of Biggar on Highway 4. The one-time residence, now gone, was a former business - a gas station - converted from a train station that sat on the Lett and Porter sub. Converted by the Ken Powell family, the building was a long-time station. (Submitted Photo) 24013TS0 24013TS1

Biggar Tiny Tots Play School Is Partnering with The Oak Tree for our Valen�ne’s donut sale from February 12th -14th Donuts are 3$ each

If you wish to order donuts, please contact Chris�na at 1-306-948-9339, with the number of doughnuts you will need.

I will be happy to help you with arranging a pickup �me and date.

Thank you for your help with our fundraiser!

Please have your orders in by February 1st

Feliz Ano Nuevo

10 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

TOWN OF BIGGAR, SASKATCHEWAN PUBLIC NOTICE ROAD CLOSURE Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the Town of Biggar intends to adopt a bylaw to permanently close and transfer an undeveloped municipal street for the purpose of developing green space. The affected land is shown on the map dashed in black which forms part of this notice.

PUBLIC INSPECTION Any bylaw may be inspected by any person at the Town Office in Biggar, Saskatchewan, Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Copies of the bylaw are available to persons at a cost of $2.00.

PUBLIC HEARING Council will hold a public hearing on the 6th day of February A.D., 2024 at 7:40 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Town Office in Biggar, Saskatchewan to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaw. Council will also consider written comments delivered to the undersigned at the Town Office before 12:00 noon on the 2nd day of February A.D., 2024.

Issued at Biggar, Saskatchewan this 18th day of January, A.D., 2024.

Kristine Brown, Chief Administrative Officer

St. Gabriel support WHL Blades ... Biggar St. Gabriel School students Braylee Ellis (top photo) and Abby Donahue, pose with their winning efforts, prominently displayed before a Saskatoon Blades home start. The Grade 3 and 4 St. Gabe students created advertisements on the rink boards and Braylee and Abby had their efforts displayed right at the players’ bench. Awesome job, girls! (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Chantelle Donahue)

TOWN OF BIGGAR, SASKATCHEWAN PUBLIC NOTICE OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN AMENDMENT BYLAW 24-858 Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the Town of Biggar intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend Bylaw No. 15-762 known as the Official Community Plan Bylaw.

INTENT The proposed bylaw will designate the following land as Green Space.

TOWN OF BIGGAR, SASKATCHEWAN PUBLIC NOTICE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 24-859 Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the Town of Biggar intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend Bylaw No. 15-763 known as The Zoning Bylaw.

INTENT The proposed bylaw will rezone from C1 – Town Centre Commercial District to CS – Community Service District for the Grand Central Park Phase described below as affected lands.

AFFECTED LANDS

AFFECTED LANDS The affected lands are described as MR1 shown on the map dashed in black which forms part of this notice.

The affected land to be rezoned is described as MR1 shown on the map dashed in black which forms part of this notice.

REASON

REASON

The reason for the amendment is to provide for green space development.

The reason for the amendment is to change the zoning for the specific lands from a town centre commercial district to a community service district.

PUBLIC INSPECTION Any bylaw may be inspected by any person at the Town Office in Biggar, Saskatchewan, Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Copies of the bylaw are available to persons at a cost of $2.00.

PUBLIC HEARING Council will hold a public hearing on the 6th day of February A.D., 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Town Office in Biggar, Saskatchewan to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaw. Council will also consider written comments delivered to the undersigned at the Town Office before 12:00 noon on the 2nd day of February A.D., 2024.

Issued at Biggar, Saskatchewan this 18th day of January, A.D., 2024.

PUBLIC INSPECTION Any bylaw may be inspected by any person at the Town Office in Biggar, Saskatchewan, Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Copies of the bylaw are available to persons at a cost of $2.00.

PUBLIC HEARING Council will hold a public hearing on the 6th day of February A.D., 2024 at 7:35 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Town Office in Biggar, Saskatchewan to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaw. Council will also consider written comments delivered to the undersigned at the Town Office before 12:00 noon on the 2nd day of February A.D., 2024.

Issued at Biggar, Saskatchewan this 18th day of January, A.D., 2024.

Kristine Brown, Chief Administrative Officer

Kristine Brown, Chief Administrative Officer

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

Online fun with Ohtani free-agent saga

Penton On Sports Bruce Penton

Twitter, or X, as owner Elon Musk has renamed it, can be wonderful, or it can be an annoyance.

A plethora of crap is displayed on the social media site, but there’s also a lot of valuable information that can be fulfilling. Or useless.

But X really came to life a couple of weeks before Christmas, before Shohei Ohtani had made his decision where to sign his free-agent contract, and when the hottest rumour in baseball had Ohtani perhaps inking a pact with the Toronto Blue Jays, sports fans in Canada couldn’t get enough from Twitter.

Someone in California on that day, Dec. 8, spotted an aviation note from the John Wayne Airport in Anaheim, whereby a private jet was taking off, destined for Toronto. That’s all it took for the Ohtani-tothe-Blue Jays hype to surge into overdrive.

Hookah Doncic tried to put water on the rumour fire, saying: “He lives in Seattle in the offseason.”

Talkin Baseball weighed in: “Shohei Ohtani is travelling to Toronto today. He has

not signed a contract with any team at this time, per @jonmorosi.”

Said Ben Verlander: “The plane from Anaheim to Toronto is currently the most tracked airplane in the world. And not a single soul tracking it has any idea if it’s Shohei or not.”

Alden Gonzales had a submission: “Source: Shohei Ohtani has not made a decision yet.

That’s not to say it won’t ultimately be the Blue Jays; my understanding is that, at this point, that decision has not been made.”

Said Matt: “We all know where he’s going to end up,” as he posted a picture of Ohtani in a Rays’ uniform.

Said John: “He’s going to the Cubs. I talked to him the other day.”

Now it was Etherfuse’s turn: “He’s just trying to decide which Dodger hat he likes the best.”

Some humour from Mike Petriello: “A direct flight from LA to London is about to arrive, indicating Ohtani is about to sign with Arsenal.”

More humour, from Joseph Garino: “Source: Shohei Ohtani will be making his decision at Four Seasons Landscaping later today.”

Clarence Fraser added fuel: “Yusei Kikuchi (Jays’ Japanese pitcher) reserves entire upscale sushi restaurant near Rogers Centre for tonight. Reservation for 50-plus people. Make of it what you will.”

Countered Spencer: “That was a surprise party for his wife. Thanks

Biggar Bowl weekly scores Biggar Bowling Weekly Scores Monday Adult Mixed Ladies High Single - Amanda Flasch 234. Ladies High Triple - Marilyn Miller 503. Mens High Single - Tristan Otterson 296. Mens High Triple Jason Raschke 646.

Tuesday Night Mixed Ladies High Single - Anissa Silbernagel 212. Ladies High Triple - Anissa Silbernagel 485. Mens High Single - Micheal Hebert 218. Mens High Triple Michael Hebert 610.

Thursday Afternoon Seniors Ladies High Single - Cheryl Porier 238. Ladies High Triple - Cheryl Porier 522. Mens High Single - Gerry Besse 157. Mens High Triple - Gerry Besse 408.

YBC Bowlasaurus - Benjamin Olson 72. Pee Wee Single - Harlan Tilsley 123; Double - Harlan Tilsley 191.

Bantam Single - Peter Olson 144; Triple - Peter Olson 332. Junior Single - Dominic Raschke 147; Triple- Dominic Raschke 391. Senior High Single - Noah 268; High Triple - Noah 714.

a lot.”

And then Vancouver humourist Steve Burgess did what he does best: “When out in right field there arose such a clatter; I ran to home base to see what was the matter; When what to my wondering eyes did appear; But Shohei Ohtani in full Blue Jays gear!”

Of course, we now know Ohtani signed a 10-year contract the next day with the Dodgers for $700 million US (almost $1 billion Canadian) and Twitter will be quieter from here on in.

(The plane, by the way, was carrying Canadian millionaire Robert Herjavec, a regular on the TV show, Shark Tank.)

• Jack Finarelli at his sportscurmudgeon.com site, on a TV commercial where Peyton Manning tosses cans of Bud Light to patrons throughout the bar: “Can you imagine the clean-up mess in that bar as about 50 people open cans of Bud Light that have been thrown to them that they caught - presumably on the fly?

That establishment will smell of stale beer for a month after that event.”

• Late night funnyman Jimmy Kimmel, carrying on the public feud with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers: “Rodgers got two A’s on his report card, and they were both in his first name.”

• Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal, on former Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick’s sideline demeanour: “Belichick looked like a grumpy lobster boat captain, grimacing on the New England sideline like

he’s miles from shore in a storm.”

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “Is it time for Jacksonville Jaguars fans to come to the realization that Trevor Lawrence is much closer to being Jon Kitna than John Elway?”

• Another one from Bianchi, on Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and allegations of wrongdoing: “If you believe Harbaugh and his coaching staff are innocent, you probably also believe there are a bunch of crime fighting Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles living in the sewers beneath New York City.”

• Headline at fark. com: “NCAA president: ‘Because we told you Michigan was cheating, that means that they won fair and square.’”

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “While watching team USA win the World Junior Hockey championship at a friend’s, nobody noticed his Labrador eating the Christmas tree trimmings. Now the vet says the dog has tinselitis.”

• Headline at theonion. com: “Bob Kraft: We’re Already Searching Through Insane Asylums For A Possible Belichick Replacement.”

• Headline at fark.com,

after New England owner Robert Kraft promoted linebackers’ coach Jerold Mayo to head coach, replacing Bill Belichick: “Kraft holds the Mayo.”

• Bob Molinaro of pilotonline.com (Hampton, Va.): “While cranky, conspiracyminded Aaron Rodgers should be fit for a tinfoil helmet, his Jets teammates voted him their ‘most inspirational player for 2023.’

Rodgers, you may recall, was on the field for four plays. We’re not expected to understand.”

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

Sask West This Week

by Phil Heilman A very frigid Week 11 in the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL) did see some important games played, but Wilkie continues to lead the league with a perfect 15-0 league, clinching first.

In second place is the Kindersley Sr Klippers at 9-5, followed by the Hafford Hawks at 8-6.

In fourth place is the Biggar Nationals at 6-6-2, with the Macklin Mohawks in fifth with a 5-7-1 record. Rounding out the standings is the Edam 3 Stars at 4-8-1 and the Unity Miners at 1-11-1 On Saturday night, the Biggar Nationals hit the highway to visit the Kindersley Sr Klippers and the Klippers secured

a 4-1 victory, their third in a row.

Lane Gilliss didn’t wait very long, scoring his seventh of the year just 29 seconds into the game. Dylan Haynes tied the game up at 1 with this third of the year just five minutes later, which is how we went into the first intermission.

Tyler Traptow was the lone goal scorer of the second as the Klippers held the 2-1 lead going into the final frame.

Jared Erickson would extend the lead midway through the third, and Kyle Donaldson sealed the victory with an empty net goal.

Brett Matlock took the loss, stopping 41 of 44 shots, while Logan Drackett secured the W, stopping 38 of 39 shots.

The Wilkie Outlaws are absolutely destroying on the power play this year.

As of January 15, they are 25 of 65, good for an 38.5 per cent efficiency.

Only Macklin and Kindersley have scored double digit power play goals this year (both teams have 11).

On the penalty kill side, they currently sit sixth (8 PPG allowed on 44 times short-handed), but they are on the bottom end of the log jam with first to sixth place being separated by six percentage points.

It is also important to note that the Outlaws have been short-handed the second least in all the league. The Klippers lead that category with 73 times short-handed.

12-THe INDePeNDeNT, BIGGAR, SK

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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.

SEED CLEANING wyLie seeD &

ProCessing inC.

Phone:306.882.2123 New Patients Welcome!

Dr. Krista Maedel & Associates

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

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

Advertising

is an investment business.

223 Main Street Biggar Box 580 Biggar, SK SOK OMO

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

BIGGAR Attention: Deanna Stevenot REFRIGERATION SERVICES

Please proof Business & Prof

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

#102 - 9622 - 42 Avenue,

Licensed Journeyman Edmonton, AB T6E 5Ya Adrian de Haan

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

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

BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN

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

DENTURES

Bring Back Your Smile

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

Jrs Flooring and Install Jrs Flooring specializes in all types of flooring.

Over 20 years experience.

Great rates and free estimates.

Call or text Jon 306•230•8949

306-716-4021

DEMOLITION & RESTORATION STUCCO , DRYWALL CONCRETE FINISHING

9

Brett…

w

Price plus g comm

Biggar, Sask.

Than

102 - 3rd Ave. West,

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

PLUMBING & HEATING

948-7457 948-6045

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

fo

Pleas chang email

for all your Cereal and Pulse Cleaning

Bill: Dale:

T 9 9

306-948-9750

excellent Quality at a reasonable Price!

Frayling Denture Clinic Ltd since 1983

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

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

Certified CAll Chance Parenteau @ 306-948-9465 or sarah nagy @ 306-290-9766

Peszko &Watson

in your

OFFICE HOURS

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

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

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist, Credential Asset Management Inc.

LEGAL SERVICES

chicosautoworks@sasktel.net

Landis Office Hours:

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

306-948-2109

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

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

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

(WY %AST "IGGAR

Busse Law

www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca

Biggar Office Hours…

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

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

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

ACCEPT NEW C ING LIE Year R NTS ound

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

Mon - Fri • 8 a.m.-5

FULL MOBILE MECHANICAL

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

Service Truck Full Mechanical Service

Mike Nahorney - Journeyman Red Seal Mechanic

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

Biggar, Sask.

306-948-3389 Mobility scooters, Lift chairs, walkers & more.

Mobility Nowscooters, in stock Lift chairs, walkers & more.

Now in stock Owners/Operators • Dallas Young • Claude Young

Journeymen Plumber, Gas Fitter, & Electrician on staff

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 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

CLEANING SERVICE

…owned and operated

by Brett Barber

- together with -

Healthy Lifestyle Weight Loss Personal Training Fitness Classes

102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

306-948-9750

www.newufitness.ca

• • • • • • • •

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

HAULING

Rockin D Trucking & Cattle 306.237.7671

Troy May, owner/operator

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

SERVICES

GALLARDO Liner

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

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

OPTOMETRISTS

hauling with step-deck Dr. Kirk Ewen or highboy semi-trailers Dr. Michelle Skoretz • also buying and selling Doctors of Optometry 2 col/6 straw and forage • also Machinery Hauling

Dan • 306-948-7843 Biggar, Sask.

Naty/Michael…

In BIGGAR

ARIES – Mar 21/ Apr 20

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

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, if resolutions seem slow-going, give it time to get into a groove and become part of your routine.

You can handle anything when you put your mind to it.

Taurus, there is a lot going on in your life at the moment, and you may need to accept that you can’t do it all alone. Start farming out tasks to people you trust.

GEMINI – May 22/ Jun 21

How will you know if you can do something unless you give it a try, Gemini?

Be adventurous this week, whether it is enjoying a new ethnic cuisine or trying a new activity.

CANCER – Jun 22/ Jul 22

Cancer, you may have a few plans on the horizon but aren’t sure how to get started. Just like walking, take it one step at a time and soon you’ll find that you’re on your way.

Granite Monuments for Less with Laser Engraving

Call: 306-831-8987

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

This is what I worked up for the Business & Professional section in back of New Location

paper, 315b Main Street, Biggar, SK For appointments…

6 month commitment for $161.20 plus gst

Kindersley to Saskatoon & towns in-between

1-833-948-3331

Special Event, Airport Service or Doctorʼs Appointments

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

BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income

Call: 306•303•7246

SUDOKU

(Answers on Page 14)

Leo, you may think you’re being humble and putting others’ needs before your own this week. But if you look a little deeper, you may discover you have room to improve.

Virgo, if you commit to something, follow through this week. Others are counting on you for your portion of the work and letting them down now is not an option.

Health issues may have you taking inventory of your habits, Libra. It’s a new year and the perfect time to start to make changes for the better. Ask for help if you need guidance.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/ Nov 22

You’re not one for being bashful about things, Scorpio. But something could occur this week that leaves you a little red in the face and perhaps wanting to hide in the shadows.

Someone new in your life is causing all types of changes to your schedule, Sagittarius. You’re not quite sure if you enjoy it or not right now. Stay the course and wait to see.

Capricorn, you will not make inroads with family or friends if you continue to play the victim. You must own up to any mistakes you’ve made and start making amends this week.

Sometimes the best defense is remaining quiet and letting others dig themselves into a deeper hole, Aquarius. Others will see your positive efforts for all they are.

PISCES – Feb 19/ Mar 20 Think about planning a getaway in the next month or so, Pisces. It doesn’t have to be a grand voyage. Even a weekend retreat can be a way to rest and recharge right now.

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14-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

email us at tip@sasktel.net

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Tired of running

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE?

out of ink.?

WE CAN HELP JUST SEND US

YOUR DOCUMENTS AND LET US PRINT THEM FOR YOU.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Microgram 4. Where golfers begin 7. Each 8. Warm weather metropolis 10. Coat with sticky substance 12. Girl’s given name 13. Myth (Spanish) 14. Ultrahigh frequency 16. Former NBAer Jeremy 17. Where rockers work 19. Your consciousness of your own identity 20. Soft-finned fishes 21. Localities 25. Paddle 26. Union 27. Member of religious community 29. Small shrill flute 30. Small constellation in the Milky Way 31. They __ 32. College kid on vacation 39. de Armas and Gasteyer are two 41. Part of the human body 42. A progressive grading 43. Sound unit

44. Noise some birds make 45. Abba __, Israeli politician 46. Portuguese city 48. Be extremely, uncritically fond of 49. Resembling old Norse poems 50. Ask for out of extreme need 51. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.)

52. Midway between south and southeast

CLUES DOWN

1. An insane person 2. __ Boothe Luce, American author 3. Buttock muscles 4. Men’s fashion accessory 5. “Hotel California” rockers 6. Electronic communication 8. Magnetomotive force (abbr.)

9. Hostelries 11. A way to resound 14. Exclamation: yuck!

15. A resident of Indiana 18. Exclamation of sur-

prise 19. Make a mistake 20. Boundary 22. Antilles island 23. It’s used to make furniture 24. Clod 27. They indicate where places are 28. Bobby __, NHL champ 29. Prints money 31. Honorable title (Turkish) 32. Appetizers 33. Midway between north and northwest 34. Spanish be 35. Breezed through 36. Grilled dishes 37. In a way, excites 38. Change mind 39. A French abbot 40. Popular candy 44. Partner to cheese 47. Wood or metal bolt

The Blanket Classifieds are a great place to advertise your livestock for sale.

51 local community newspapers Delivered into over 450 communities Circulation of over 450,000 Pricing starts at just $209.00 Reaching the people of Saskatchewan like no other medium can.

306-649-1405 Classified@swna. com www.swna.com

DJ SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS CALL 948-3344

Available at The Biggar Independent

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

E-MAIL us at tip@sasktel.net

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK-15

John CORMIER who passed away, January 19, 2016.

Sweet are the memories that never fade Of the one we loved but could not save; Treasured are the memories ever Of the happy hours we spent together Lovingly remembered by Christine and Family

Former Biggar resident and student makes her debut on television with Etalk

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

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

DID YOU KNOW!!

The Biggar Independent is a

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 28 WORSHIP ST.PAULS FERUARY 11 WORSHIP REDEEMER LUTHERAN FERUARY 25 WORSHIP 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

We can offer you all the great products that you would find at a Staples Store without making the drive, and in most cases can sell to you CHEAPER. Contact us today at 948-3344 Did you know we offer Social Media Advertising?

Former Biggarite hosting Etalk ... Michaella Montana (nee Shannon) formerly of Biggar, made her debut as a host of the popular Etalk show on the CTV network. Michaella was a correspondent on the show and now transitions to hosting duties, making her the show’s first fulltime Indigenous host.

Congratulations, Michaella! (Submitted Photo)

Custom made Business Cards for your Business or Personnal

Only $24.95 for 100

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

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

Biggar Tiny Tots Is partnering with Oak Tree for a Valentine Donut Sale from February 12th - February 14th Contanct Christina for more information.

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

16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Frohes Neues Jahr

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18 , 2024

Local musician part of the Telemiracle 48 lineup ... Caledonia Donahue was chosen to be part of the entertainment for the upcoming Telemiracle 48. Caledonia pre-recorded her segment at a Saskatoon studio this past January 9, calling it an “amazing experience.” Congratulations, Caledonia! (Submitted Photo)

JOIN OUR TEAM! The Town of Biggar is accepting applications for the full-time in-scope union position of:

Public Works

General Operation & Maintenance A working, hands-on position that may operate the garbage truck, gravel truck, mowers, and other equipment as needed; perform general equipment maintenance; and all other duties.

Valid Class 3A Driver’s License Mechanical Aptitude Willingness to Learn Self-Motivation

If You Have

We want to hear from you!

You’ll Receive

On-the-job training Boot/Safety Clothing Allowance Benefits as per the Union Agreement

Send resumes to: cao@townofbiggar.com

See the full posting at:

Application Deadline: January 31, 2024

www.townofbiggar.com

JOIN OUR TEAM! The Town of Biggar is accepting applications for the full-time in-scope union position of:

Utility Operation & Maintenance A working, hands-on position that monitors plants operations, conducts laboratory tests, and makes adjustments to predetermined parameters plus other assigned duties.

Valid Class 5 Driver’s License Willingness to Learn Self-Motivation

If You Have

We want to hear from you!

You’ll Receive

On-the-job training Financial assistance to obtain certifications Boot/Safety Clothing Allowance Benefits as per the Union Agreement

Send resumes to: cao@townofbiggar.com

Application Deadline: January 31, 2024

See the full posting at:

www.townofbiggar.com

Another fantastic weekend of hockey!! Seeing old friends, spring hockey friends and making new friends- topped off with a second tournament win for these boys and girls.

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”

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