Dracula comedy will be nonstop laughs ... Castwell and Company’s upcoming offering, ‘Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors’. Set for the end of this month, October 25-27, the Biggar-based troupe will offer three shows. Here, Tiffani McBee in the title role of the bloodsucking icon, Dracula, goes over her role during rehearsals at the Majestic, Saturday. McBee with fellow cast member, Jarrett Moore as Jonathan Harker (below, left), Jorinda Cheraine Smith as Mina Harker with Stephen Hadden as Lucy Westenra, and of course, Bryan Smith, complete with straitjacket in the role of Renfield. Tickets are on sale at the door or at castwell.ca
(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
The Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) and the Biggar and District Arts Council brought in Jess Dance, a one-day residency for Biggar Central School 2000 and St. Gabriel School students. Held at BCS, the kids bust out some slick dance moves as instructor, Tyler Layton-Olson - a Nipawin dancer now in British Columbia - alongside program creator, Jess Dexter, ran kids through some fun, engaging dances, developing self-worth, self-expression, and connection to one’s body and each other. They also provided some healthy role models, inspiring those who may have been marginalized or never thought they would do anything but trip over their own feet. The kids had a blast! (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
Biggar RCMP Report
by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment
This past week Biggar Detachment had 38 calls for service. Traffic related offences had 12 drivers receiving education and safety tips.
The most significant speed was over 35 km/h of the posted limit on Highway 4 had a grey Alberta 2020 Cadillac XT6 receiving a fine of $578, and a 31-year-old found speeding in their Black 2019 Honda Civic on Highway 51 receiving a three-day licence suspension for driving under the influence of marihuana. On Highway 14 a black 2014 Chev Equinox collided with a deer, and an escaped cow was reported being on the south side of Highway 14 near Perdue.
A business in town reporting an attempted trailer theft - hitch lock was broken off by the suspect vehicle resulting in them leaving the right corner of their bumper behind. A break and enter into KRF resulting in a theft of vehicle from the location as well. The vehicle has since been recovered and the incident remains under investigation. Complaint of young kids fighting at the bouncy castle set up; complaint of a neighbour having a large fire in their backyard; and Heichman’s reporting they are missing a few cows in the RM of Perdue, but after a weekend excursion the wandering beef have returned. Take care out there!
Council minute highlights
Real People Reporting Real News
Celebrating Nation -
al Newspaper Week, October 6-12
It’s no secret that thousands of news stories are published in Canada each day. From local community features to national breaking news stories, the real people reporting real news in your community work tirelessly to ensure readers have access to credible news they can trust. But who exactly are the real people reporting the news? It could be the person sitting next to you at your favourite coffee shop or the spectator who cheers on your local little league each week; it’s someone in the community just like you! And just like you, these real journalists care deeply about their community - so much so that they’ve made it their life’s work to keep citizens informed and connected. At the core of every newspaper is a team of real people committed to telling real stories that impact the lives of those in their community.
tors who keep their newsrooms buzzing with opportunities to ensure that community stories make it beyond local borders. Or cartoonists who help readers interpret these same stories visually.
Champions of the truth come in many forms. It could be journalists and photographers who are on the ground capturing these stories as they happen - using the power of words and imagery to make change. It could be publishers and edi-
There are a handful of powerhouses behind every story who all have one common goal: keeping our democracy thriving through vibrant, independent and local news media.
Each National Newspaper Week, we celebrate the real people reporting real news for their ongoing commitment to keeping communities connected and our democracy thriving
through credible reporting. While they might be people in your community, they are also champions of the truth.
Trusted newspaper content is more important than ever in today’s world, where disinformation travels faster than the truth. Journalists, not AI, power Canadian newspapers - the most credible source of information that remains written by humans, for humans.
Learn more about National Newspaper Week at nationalnewspaperweek.ca or ChampionsoftheTruth.ca
The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held September 3 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.
Council resolved that Bylaw No. 24-868, being a bylaw of the Town of Biggar to Licence, Regulate, and Control the Ownership and Possession of Domestic Animals within municipal limits be read three times and adopted.
Council resolved that the following reports from Administration and Council Committees be accepted as presented: Chief Administrative Officer; Deputy Administrator; Recreation Director.
Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of $460,320.96 including payment numbers 19111 to 19122, payroll deposit, and online payments totalling $27,150.87, and the list of accounts for approval in the amount of $72,931.05 including payment numbers 19123 to 19145, be approved as submitted.
Council resolved that the following correspondence be accepted and filed: RCMP Report August 19, 2024; RCMP Report August 26, 2024; RCMP Report September 2, 2024; West Central Crisis Centre Re: Event Invitation; Letter of Concern Re: Animal
Control Bylaw.
Council resolved that the Program Advertising request received from Castwell and Company Performing Arts for their 2024 production of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, be approved in the total amount of $100.
Council resolved that the Community Development Officer be directed to submit an Expression of Interest to SEDA to become a host community for their 2025 West Central Rural Workshop. Further, Council resolved that if the Town of Biggar is the successful host community that this event be supported with a $5,000 sponsorship given to the town by The Rack for Business Development. And further be it resolved that the town of Biggar incur the expense of $5,000 if The Rack funds cannot be allocated to the workshop.
Council resolved that the Town of Biggar’s Business License fee schedule be amended for Contractors only to include a half-year license option of $100, with the cost of the full year license to remain at $200.
Council resolved that the regular meeting be recessed and we enter in to an in-camera session at 9:02 p.m. to discuss confidential matters in accordance with Section 120 (2) of the Municipalities Act. • Meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.
Keep those legs moving ... A junior Biggar Blazer ekes out some extra yards as a visiting Kindersley Lion goes for the tackle at the Rec Complex, October 2. A hard-fought game, the Blazers put in a great effort but came up short, 46-30. (Independent
Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Not a great day on the gridiron ... Biggar Central School QB, Heath Trayhorne gets tangled up with a pack of Rosetown Royals at the Recreation Complex, October 3. It just wasn’t the Green and Gold’s day as a very strong Royals thumped the Blazers, 48-0. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Opinions
Bill C-293 is a threat to Canada’s agri-food sector
by Sylvain Charlebois, Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University
It is almost inconceivable that Bill C-293 remains largely unknown among Canadians, given its potential to significantly expand governmental powers in response to future pandemics.
A detailed examination of the bill does more than sow confusion about its intentions; it reveals a troubling spirit at its core.
Bill C-293, a private member’s bill that recently advanced through the House of Commons with little resistance, purports to bolster Canada’s pandemic preparedness. Yet, a deeper analysis exposes provisions that could disastrously impact the agriculture and agri-food sectors, which are vital to our national economy and food security.
Under Bill C-293, public health officials will have the authority to close facilities they consider “high-risk,” such as meatpacking plants, during pandemics and even “mandate” the consumption of vegetable proteins by Canadians - measures that border on the absurd. It’s hardly surprising that the private member who introduced Bill C-293 is Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, known for his vegan lifestyle.
The ease with which this legislation passed highlights a disconcerting disconnection and dysfunction within our Parliament, where normally, proposals of such magnitude would undergo extensive debate and scrutiny.
Currently, the Senate, which is now reviewing Bill C-293, is inundated with over 120 letters daily from concerned groups and citizens, all apprehensive about the bill’s broad regulatory reach and its implications.
One of the most alarming aspects of Bill C-293 is the discretionary power it would grant officials to
shut down agricultural facilities without clear, objective criteria. Such arbitrary actions could disrupt not only meat supply chains but also the wider agricultural operations linked to them, including feed production. This threatens to destabilize related sectors and could trigger cascading effects throughout the entire food system.
Moreover, legislating the consumption of vegetable proteins represents an unprecedented governmental intrusion into personal dietary choices and market dynamics. This could severely disrupt the economic balance of the agri-food sector, adversely affecting everyone from livestock producers to participants in traditional protein markets.
The proposed changes also seek to regulate and possibly phase out certain farming practices considered high-risk for pandemic propagation. They could abruptly alter farming operations, affect liveli hoods, and hinder the economic stability of numerous producers, making a transition to purportedly safer prac tices impractical.
Farming is woven into the fabric of our national identity, with modern livestock agri culture playing an indispensable role. Bill C-293, however, goes
so far as to pick winners and losers within the agricultural sector, sidelining segments that have made substantial contributions to our economy.
While promoting alternative proteins may align with global moves toward more sustainable food systems, the directive approach of Bill C-293 risks stifling innovation. Predetermining market winners and imposing dietary changes in the name of overly cautious risk management could impair the ability of Canada’s agri-food industries to adapt to market demands and consumer preferences.
As it currently stands, Bill C-293 presents considerable risks to the stability and sustainability of Canada’s crucial agricultural and agri-food sector. The Senate must decisively reject this bill.
Beyond its implications for food policy,
DEADLINE
MONDAY 5 P.M.
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
A long time ago, when radios were the modern thing, there was a program called “Fibber McGee and Mollie” that entertained us every week during the winter.
Humour was the main attraction on most of the radio shows, and we always laughed when Fibber absentmindedly opened his closet door and everything came tumbling out.
One of his weekly entertainers always came on the program with lines like: “Most people call me Jack Smith, but sometimes mother calls me ‘Late For Dinner!’” And it was lines like
Today’s video games are absolutely amazing. The digital detail, the graphics, the story lines and the intensity of play. While they are very impressive today, they are also so common nowadays that they are largely taken for granted.
But not so in the beginning. When video games first came out in the early-mid 1980’s, they were an entirely new and ground-breaking entertainment technology.
And one of my favourite video games that emerged from that time was: DUCK HUNT!
Low-tech, cheesy, and absolutely hilarious, Duck Hunt was state-ofthe-art in every way for video games of the time. It was probably the first video game I ever played and the first one I ever fell in love with because it was such a hoot to play!
When video games first came out in the 1980’s,
these that more or less reminded me to write this article!
“Not very funny!” you say? Well, maybe it was because there sure wasn’t much to smile about in those days, but we laughed anyway!
I think Y.T. (Yours Truly) wrote a piece on nicknames one time many years ago, so there’s not much point in mentioning them again. But all of us have answered to some pretty far-out names in the past, including me, and maybe I should jot an account of some of them!
It never failed to make me feel young all over again, when being greeted by some old-timer who knew my folks, and being called “Bobby”. I suppose “Bobby” does have a kind of “Sonny Boy” ring to it. But as a G.G. (Great-Grandfather), who is really trying to impress who about their lack of annular rings?
I met an old acquaintance of mine on the street the other day.
“Hello, John!” I greeted. “I haven’t seen you
You called
around for a long time. How ya doin’?
I sure hadn’t counted on him changing that much over the years, but he glared at me and said accusingly, “You look like one of them rundown, dirty old farmers!” and walked past.
Actually, to console myself, I took his statement to be a compliment, but I don’t think he meant it as one!
One time down at the mine, as a half-cast mechanic, I was bleeding the brakes under an old truck when the young chap who was in the cab hollered, “Hey you!” (he sure didn’t call be “Sir”!) “Come on up here!”
Y.T. rolled sideways, crawled out and went up.
“Which pedal is the brake?” says the kid, who obviously had a broken leg or he would have climbed out of the cab and come back to ask me!
“The one of the right,” says the H.C.M. (halfcast mechanic) and made his way back under again knowing darn well how much respect went
into that “Hey you” bit! Grrrr!
In the army a fellow meets all kinds of different guys, and has to learn a whole different procedure as far as addressing people goes. I wasn’t in very long when I met an old friend who had become a sergeant.
“Hello, Bill!” I yelled. He gave me a stoney look that was reserved for N.C.O.s who don’t want to be called, “Bill”. “Look, Private!” he said. “Out here on the parade square in front of all these guys, you don’t call be Bill. You call me Sergeant!”
Of course that was before I came to realize that sergeants thought they were in the same class as the Almighty!
More than once during those years, Y.T. heard himself described as “That Big Argyle,” though at slightly under six-feet tall and weighing in at a modest 170 pounds or so, that “big” bit always seemed kind of undeserved. But on looking through “Black Yesterdays,” the regimental history, on page
356 he found what other fellows saw:
“One guy with a radio on his back tripped as he was running back down the dike, and somersaulted two or three times. A great big fellow, six-foot or more.”
As far as I know, Lt. Perkins and I were the only two who ever got up that dike, and I never saw any six-foot guy up there! My ribs still hurt, though!
Names are kind of personal, and people like it that way. But for statistics sake, in the army, one had to submit to a numerical thing much of the time: “L105485, Sir!”
Of course, we also got used to a lot of other monikers, like “S.O.B.” I never did find out what that meant!
However, the “Great Unpleasantness” was finally over and we came home and started to work again.
Many times on entering the bar room at the Outlook Hotel, I would hear a muffled, hollow voice paging me.
“Paging Sir Robert Mason... Paging Mr.
Mason ... you are wanted down at the bar!”
On looking around a bit, we always saw a fellow sitting at a table all by himself, cupping his hands over his mouth, and knew it was Keith Talbot! Keith was quite slim at the time - he must have started eating better when he began auctioneering!
When Y.T. was looking after the staff cars down at the mine, every time he went by the guardhouse gate, the man in charge held up a coffee cup and Bob would go in. As there were quite a few cars, a cupful was way too much, and so he took a lot less.
Long after I had retired, one of those guards, on his way past, rapped on our door.
“Is ‘Half-A-Cup’ in?” he asked.
It was Bent Coben, one of the guards, and it took a moment for Phyllis to catch on!
Final Moral: For all this name-calling bit, next time we meet on the street, just call me ‘Bob,’ eh!”
An all-time favourite video game
they were very expensive in relation to the average wage of the day. They were very certainly beyond the financial resources of our family at the time. And because they were not a necessity and we had more important things to spend our money on, our family never really got on board with the video game phenomenon until they were much more affordable down the road.
But that did not mean we never got to play any of the new video games when they first came out.
Our family always did our weekly shopping in our small town to meet most of our basic needs. But every two or three weeks or so we would make a pilgrimage out of town and go half an hour south to one of the larger cities in our area for a bit of variety and a little shopping spree to get things that were at times not readily available in our own little town.
The city we journeyed to back then was large enough to have its own freshly-built shopping mall on the outskirts of the city. New and exciting back in the day, it was a big deal for the local people when that
fashionable new mall opened in 1975. And one of the anchor stores in that newly-built shopping mall was a Kmart, a prominent retailer at the time, and having such a fashionable store featured in our newlybuilt mall back then was a very big deal for us local shoppers.
We always did a bit of shopping at the Kmart when we were at the mall and we kids certainly made a point to sneak off and check out the toy department while we were there!
And there, in that Kmart toy department, at the end of the electronics aisle, was the first home video game I ever saw. It was a Nintendo demonstrator set that had a sign on it inviting people to try it, and the game featured on the screen at that time was ‘Duck Hunt’.
My two younger brothers had already beaten me to it and were playing it, and when I approached them they waved me over with a chuckle and urged me to give it a try.
I took the orange plastic gun in my hand and began shooting ducks on the screen as fast as the hunting dog could flush them out.
Of course, there was a learning curve when you first played the game, learning how to lead the ducks properly with your gun in order to hit the target.
I usually missed more ducks than I hit, and every time that happened the dang hunting dog would turn to face me and point and start laughing at me!
Of course, when the dog started laughing at me as I was missing the ducks, I couldn’t help but start laughing myself, but I couldn’t take that insult laying down! So I unsuccessfully tried to shoot the dog several times, all the time laughing as I did so. I only found out much later that in the original version of the game you couldn’t shoot the dog as you played the game, no matter how hard you tried. But in some later versions of the game, rumour has it that you finally got the opportunity to shoot the dog at the end of the game if you won, a little reward from the programmers for all the humiliation the dog heaped upon you as you played the game. But never having won the game myself, I never got that opportunity.
I cannot tell you how
much happy time we kids wasted in our youth in the toy department of that Kmart playing the Duck Hunt demonstrator game at the end of the video game aisle. Obviously, not as much time as we would have liked, because we would just begin to get into the game when our Mother, annoyed that we had snuck off and left her, would finally track us down to the end of the video game aisle and tell us to “Come on, we have other places to go” (“AW, MOM!”). And so
off we would go to other parts of the mall to pick up a few more things. And any time after that, when our Mother couldn’t find her kids in the Kmart, she always knew where to look. We would always be in the toy department, laughing and happily wasting time at the end of the video game aisle, playing on the store demonstrator unit, and enjoying what became one of my favourite video games of all time:
DUCK HUNT!
Bob Mason
Notable Notes
Keith Schell Remember When
Christine Ibbotson
Ask
The Money Lady
Dear Money Lady, My adult daughter and her husband just moved back home to save money and pay off their debt. I was then blind-sided when they told me they were both quitting their jobs to go back to school. I don’t know what to do here - some of my friends also have their adult kids still living at home. Suggestions?
Grace C. I feel for you Grace - as do many other parents like you! Unfortunately, we have done this to ourselves. Parents of millennials are still not able to stop the “helicopter parent syndrome” even for their adult children. Canadian parents are struggling to save and stay on track to becoming financially comfortable, but then are side-tracked with worry about their adult children. Many believe their adult kids are not going to attain the same level of comfort just on their own resources and will need continuous assistance. Obviously, the demands now on parents are dramatically different than they were in the 60’s and 70s. Our parents would never have dreamed of doing what todays parents do
for their children.
Many are willing to sacrifice all to financially support their adult children in what is believed to be an economic environment where young adults face higher unemployment rates, high housing costs and large student debt. Millennials today are now the smartest and most technically advanced generation of all time, yet feel they have more uncertainty, more stress and have more anxiety and depression than their parents ever did.
This may indeed be true and could account for some of the reasons why so many parents are putting their retirement plans on hold to keep working.
While helping our children is something we expect to do as parents, at least until they are
Chef Dez on Cooking What is Comfort Food?
We have all heard of the term “comfort food” ... we in fact have all craved it, smelled the aromas from it in anticipation, and of course eaten it. What is “comfort food” though, exactly? Is it only big bowls of stewish type foods on a cold winter day that one eats while wearing pants with a stretchy waistband? Does it exist in climates where it is warm yearround? Comfort food can be, and is, whatever you want it to be by what it means to you. That’s the beauty of it; if by eating it, it gives you a level of comfort, be it physical or emotional, then it can be considered comfort food.
The physical contentment from eating comfort foods would be the warmth felt by the temperature of the dish, or the spiciness of it, and/ or even the mouth feel of the richness about it. However, pairing these physical sensations with the psychological satisfaction from eating something considered to be a comfort food, is where I think the true definition lies within people and where the pleasure really comes from.
Comfort food can be a dish that stirs up sentimental feelings for example. Maybe a certain aroma and corresponding flavour is linked to a memory of a place once visited, a special time or celebration in one’s life, or of a beloved person. For example, when I smell turkey and stuffing cooking, my mind always takes me back in times to when I was a boy and
would come in the house from playing outside on a crisp autumn Thanksgiving Day. The warm aromas of sage and turkey blanketing every nook and cranny of our old house revealed to me my mom’s selfless efforts made by her that morning. Smell is a huge part of the enjoyment of eating and tasting and it has been scientifically proven that our sense of smell is directly linked to memory. This is also the reason we are turned off by some foods or dishes, because the aromas and related tastes are linked to times of unhappiness or ill feelings.
Recipes of a nostalgic nature may also contribute to be classified as comfort foods. Foods from a certain time period or specific culture that trigger emotions may be enough to sanction it into this classification. For instance, on the 17th of March when our table is filled with classic Irish dishes, it not only feels more fitting, but also fulfilling ... or comforting. This is just one example of many celebrations that could include, but not limited to, Asian delights on Chinese New Year, incredible Indian food on Dwali, or haggis on Robbie Burns Day ... yes, there are people that consider even haggis to be comfort food. For those of you not in the Scottish culinary loop, haggis can be defined as a savoury pudding containing a sheep’s organs (heart, liver, and lungs for example) and combined with onion, oatmeal, and spices traditionally encased in the
financially independent, it is important to realize the long-term cost this can have on our own futures. Many parents still have their adult children still living at home with no costs, free rent and the fridge full. Be careful parents! At some point you will need to tighten up the spending and this should not be at the end when the day-today finances becomes unsustainable. Adult children must realize that they can no longer rely on the financial support of their parents due to the inevitable limited resources and amount of time left for parents in their working years.
Sometimes whether it is forced, planned or necessary, young adults need to experience things that allow them to handle challenges. This
will help them build life skills and become more resilient in ways that financial support alone cannot provide. Although you may feel you are providing financial support out of love, most adult children don’t see it the same way, but rather expect it now as something you’re obligated to do as their parent. Tell me something ... were you financially supported when you were their age?
Why not create a longterm strategy, or at least have a frank discussion about financial circumstances on both sides? To your children, they may believe that you should support them financially forever, and that you as their parents, are well set for the future. Remind them of your goals and also get them to create
some of their own goals. Create realistic timelines, budgets and let your children know you want them to get a good foothold on lifebut that doesn’t mean subsidizing their current adult lifestyle. As parents, we need to be independent and retire with dignity, and that means we need money to do so. Do not give what you cannot afford to be without later, when you retire. Remember, love is not something you buy. Good luck and best wishes!
Written by Christine Ibbotson, author, finance writer, national radio host, and now on CTV Morning Live, and BNN, syndicated across Canada. Send your money questions (answered free) through her website at askthemoneylady.ca
4 ways to be an eco-friendly pet parent
sheep’s stomach and simmered for hours. I am actually quite fond of it myself on occasion as long as it is served warm; once it gets cold, I find the texture loses its appeal.
The feel-good sensation of comfort food can also be obtained by simply just loving the taste of something, maybe by that of your favourite type of food or favourite recipe; which literally could translate into almost anything for any one individual.
Basically foods that make you feel good because you are consuming something you love to eat. The act of doing so would bring on positive emotions and help to suppress negative feelings, and that alone could be enough to be considered comfort food.
Now if this was a column on dietary pros and cons and examining how food addictions can alter lifestyles in a negative way, we would then discuss moderation, balanced diets, and portion control. However, for the sake of the love of the culinary arts, we will end it here on a positive note instead.
So, in conclusion, comfort food can be, and is, anything you want it to be, as long as it makes you happy for one reason or another ... even if it is just temporary. 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
There are many simple steps that you can take to reduce your carbon footprint - and that of your pet. That’s right - pets can also help to make a positive impact on the environment by reducing their carbon “pawprint.”
Here are four tips to start you on your journey to being an eco-friendly pet parent.
Skip the car ride and take a walk: Start off simple with an option that is good for Mother Earth, the health of you and your pup, and also your wallet. Choosing to leave the car at home and walk more often will offer benefits in spades. Not only are you helping to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions but you’re also supporting physical and mental wellness.
Repurpose household materials into pet toys: There are an increasing number of fun and ecofriendly pet toys that are sure to keep pups engaged, but you can also create your own dog toys using upcycled materials from around the house. For example, cut up an old shirt into strips of fabric, then tie and braid the strips together to create a new tug toy.
Choose recyclable packaging: You may not know that the pet food industry generates millions of pounds of plastic packaging each year. One way that pet parents can make a difference is to support companies that use sustainable packaging which has committed to transitioning its packaging to recyclable by 2025.
Invest in eco-friendly dishes: Opting for ceramic or stainlesssteel dishes over plastic is not only an ecofriendlier option, it’s also better for the health of your canine companion. Some plastic bowls can contain toxins like Bisphenol A (BPA) and can be harder to keep germ-free. Don’t forget to also pick-up a collapsible BPA-free dish to use when you’re on-the-go. Sustainable, convenient and easy to use. Winwin-win.
Remember that every step you take on your journey to sustainability makes an impact. Set a goal for you and your fur family members and feel good knowing the difference that you are making together.
Fuel Good Day 2024 raises record amount for communities across Western Canada
Co-op is pleased to announce that we raised a record-breaking total of more than $700,000 on Fuel Good Day 2024. This surpasses the $685,000 raised in 2019. As always, all funds raised will go directly back into communities across Western Canada.
Fuel Good Day is held each year in September, when participating local Co-ops donate a minimum of five cents per litre to a local charity or non-profit organization in their community. Since 2017, more than $5 million has been raised, supporting more than 1,000 local organizations.
On behalf of Co-op, we
sincerely appreciate your support of this year’s event, and for helping make a difference in communities across Western Canada.
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), based in Saskatoon, is focused on providing more than 160 local Co-ops across Western Canada with strategy and leadership, wholesaling, manufacturing, logistics, operational support, business-enabling services and marketing support. Together, FCL and those local co-operatives form the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS). The CRS serves our members and commu-
nities with products and services that help grow, build, feed and fuel individuals and communities from Vancouver Island to northwestern Ontario. Our total workforce of over 26,400 employees serve more than two million active individual members and many more non-member customers at 1,600-plus retail locations in more than 650 communities. We are a different kind of business - we are locally invested, community-minded, care for the environment and offer lifetime membership benefits including patronage refunds, quality products, quality service and fair prices.
What is agriculture’s core market?
ince is anything which adds value to on-farm commodity production. It is an idea which certainly works for her as the couple grows triticale which becomes whisky and gin.
Calvin Daniels Agriculture
by Calvin Daniels
When it comes to economic development in Saskatchewan there are some core principles which should generally be followed.
While there are always exceptions to the rules in business, in Saskatchewan there are a couple of general precepts which are at least worth considering.
The first was noted by Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote cofounder, co-owner and CEO of Black Fox Farm and Distillery, in a media scrum before her recent presentation at the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce business dinner.
Stefanyshyn-Cote, who along with husband John Cote, operate the distillery just outside Saskatoon, said something that remains an important business consideration in the prov-
It’s a concept which is certainly familiar to Yorkton, a city which has become something of a hub in terms of value-added processing of farm products. The processing includes a major oat processor turning that cereal grain into the familiar rolled oats many of us enjoy as breakfast porridge, or maybe more so in raisin/oatmeal cookies.
Then there are the two major canola crushers which turns canola seed into containers of oil and meal for export.
A locally-owned facility crushes flax seed for its oil here too. And, soon a pea crusher will be added to the local mix here.
Now ideally we might want to see the basic processed products produced here; oils, meal, rolled oats, be utilize here rather than shipped to markets across North America and the world, producing bio-diesel, or
cookies et cetera here, but that would probably never make sense economically.
Back to StefanyshynCote, who told those at the dinner how the couple once farmed near Leask, but rather than expand acres, chose to look to a smaller land base, producing things they could market direct to consumers; vegetables, flowers, and ultimately whisky. That meant moving from the Leask area and a community of a few hundred to the outskirts of Saskatoon, and its much larger population.
It is often important in the production of products to be close to where people are to reduce transportation costs. That is particularly important with perishable, or light and bulky products.
Regionally, many in the agriculture field might recall an effort at Kelvington to produce ‘peaola’ chips for the snack food market.
The problem though is that even filling a semi with bags of ‘chips’ means you are shipping very little product, so the cost of that trans-
3 gifts that empower children
The nation has been affected by a cost-ofliving crisis. Now more than ever, we are conscious of the impact of every dollar we spend.
In fact, new research by Canadian charity Children Believe reveals that most Canadians (89 per cent) agree that in the current economic climate, every cent they spend counts.
The holidays offer a time of reflection, and the research shows that Canadians know giving back to those in need is more meaningful than gifting material items. Going online to purchase a gift that gives back can also help to ease holiday stress; 57 per cent of Canadians say they preferred to buy gifts online.
Wondering where to start? Here are three gift ideas that will empower young learners and provide opportunities for them to feel safe, valued and confident in their future:
Fill a backpack ($50)
Research shows that parents want to make sure their children have what they need to succeed, including refresh-
ing their school supplies and buying new clothing or uniforms. Materials that may seem minor to Canadians, like pencils and paper, can be a barrier to education for children around the world. When all students are prepared to learn with the necessary tools for success, they are confident and ready to take on the school year with pride.
Gift a gardening kit ($50)
With a few seeds and much-needed tools, planting fruits and veggies will help developing communities thrive. Nutrition is critical for educational success. Not only will students have more energy to learn and grow, but they can also spend less time travelling long distances for
much-needed resources. Unfortunately, school meals may be a child’s only proper meal of the day, which makes giving a nutritious gift worthwhile.
Send a girl to school for a year ($100)
When given the opportunity, girls have the power to achieve their dreams and excel in the classroom. Unfortunately, many are affected by social and economic barriers that prevent them from seeing their full potential. This gift will enable a girl to stay in education and empower the next generation of young learners. Find more inspiring gifts and learn how you can help empower children with education at childrenbelieve.ca
portation impacts every bag bought too much while watching a football game. It was not an ideal formula for success
based a long way from any significant population base.
So while value-added is foundationally impor-
tant on the Prairies, it needs to be remembered where the population you are marketing to is to be successful.
Support your mental health this year
The holiday seasonand heading into a new year, while often joyful, can also bring heightened stress, anxiety and even feelings of loss or exhaustion. It’s a time when the support of others can make all the difference.
Here are a few tips to safeguard your mental health and extend care to those around you during this busy season and beyond.
Move your body. Exercise, even when it feels like the last thing you want to do, can be a powerful tool for boosting your mood. Just 15 minutes of aerobic activity - whether it’s a brisk walk, a dance session in your living room or a quick jog - can release endorphins that help alleviate stress.
Seek professional help. If the holiday blues become overwhelming, professional support is just a call away. The
Government of Canada’s 211 hotline provides 24/7 access to mental health professionals who can offer immediate help and connect you with local resources tailored to your needs.
Reach out to someone you trust. Don’t underestimate the power of connection. Confide in a trusted friend, neighbour, co-worker or family member about how you’re feeling. A simple coffee date, a video chat or even a phone call can make a world of difference. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there to listen can lift a heavy burden. Give back to make a difference. The simple act of giving, especially to those in need, can quickly help shift your mood to feeling more positive. It only takes seconds to give, and your gift could be multiplied many times, so $15 that feeds a child for
one month could grow to $105. Turning hunger into hope will help anyone feel better. Practice mindfulness and self-compassion. During the hustle and bustle of everyday life, take moments to slow down and focus on the present. Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or meditation, can help reduce stress. Remember to be kind to yourself; it’s okay to take breaks and set boundaries to protect your wellbeing.
Practice gratitude. Taking time to acknowledge what you’re grateful for can shift your perspective and improve mental health. Whether it’s a small daily practice or a heartfelt thank you to someone who’s made a difference in your life, focusing on gratitude can foster resilience and a sense of peace.
4 wellness tips for you and your furry BFF
Part of living a happy and healthy life requires investing in wellness and self-care.
Like people, our precious pets also benefit from having more than just their basic needs met. From exercise to pampering, there are several simple things you and your pet can do together to improve overall wellness and quality of life.
Check out some ideas below:
Practice self-care together: Pamper yourself and your pup at the same time by planning an in-home spa day. A facial for you and a “pawdicure” for your dog is a fun way to unwind while also getting some essential grooming done. Don’t forget to put on a movie or some soothing music and throw on your comfiest clothes.
Get active: Exercise can be one of the most enjoyable ways to spend time with your pooch. Start the day off with a hike together or plan to incorporate some interactive playtime with
games, such as fetch or hide-and-seek, into your daily routine. Physical activity is a great way to keep both you and your pet mentally stimulated while also decreasing stress and improving mood and sleep, among many other benefits.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet: It might seem obvious, but diet is key to maintaining overall wellness. There are a variety of healthy snacks you can share with your pup like carrots, blueberries and other nutrient-dense fruits and veggies. For pets specifically, consider choosing a pet food that offers a complete and balanced diet.
Go green: Taking care
of ourselves also means taking care of our planet and making small changes that reduce our carbon pawprints. Being a sustainable pet parent doesn’t have to be complicated. Think simple: upcycling old clothing into new pet accessories or tug toys, choosing to walk or bike more and drive less, or purchasing pet food made with recyclable packaging. Just remember, it’s never too late to start improving your health and wellness habits. By integrating some or all of these wellness tips into your daily routine, you can directly contribute to a happier and healthier life for you and your pet.
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This election, more revenue streams are necessary for municipalities: SUMA
With the responsibility for over 60 per cent of public infrastructure, and few revenue streams, urban municipalities find it more difficult each year to run balanced budgets and provide their residents with the resources they need.
Municipalities have been feeling this monetary pinch for some time, whether it’s through PST on construction, or dated property assessment procedures unsupportive of proper taxation. In this provincial election, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipality Association (SUMA) wants to see future governments increase and create new revenue streams for urban municipalities.
The 2017 removal of the PST exemption on construction labour costs municipalities approximately $29 million annually. This is in addition to the PST amounts already being paid on construction materials. Based on data gathered by SUMA, medium-sized cities in
Saskatchewan returned 24-39 per cent of their total Municipal Revenue Sharing grant back to the province in the form of PST on construction projects (labour and materials) in 2021.
The City of Yorkton paid approximately $1 million in PST on their infrastructure projects, and for the City of Prince Albert, the total was $2.8 million.
Through Municipal Revenue Sharing, the cities received $3.2 million and $ 7.1 million, respectively.
“Does it count as revenue when for each dollar received, the province claws back a percentage?”
asked President Randy Goulden. “We’re left questioning who these PST expansions truly help. Each time the answer is, not the residents in our communities; they aren’t seeing this money returned to them in any way. Municipal governments face the same daunting dilemma each year: do we move
forward and improve communities, or do we maintain the public infrastructure we have?
We must run balanced budgets, and we should not have to choose between one or the other.”
SUMA appreciates that Saskatchewan has a Municipal Revenue Sharing program, and understands we are fortunate to have it. But infrastructure costs have increased significantly over the last decade due to inflation and the imposition of taxes from the province and the federal government through the carbon tax. These challenges are further complicated by limitations on municipal revenue streams and a complicated and slowmoving property tax assessment system in Saskatchewan.
Despite their reliance on property taxes for revenue, municipalities have very little control over the assessments. The rules and regulations are set by SAMA, a provincial government
agency, which has itself been challenged by underfunding from the provincial government. It would benefit taxpayers and municipalities to simplify the assessment system, undertake more frequent assessments of properties, and properly fund SAMA, enabling them to better meet sector needs.
“Whichever way you look at it, municipalities are losing out. As the government closest to the people, municipalities’ infrastructure and services are the most frequently accessed by residents, but we have the least revenue to support them. For Saskatchewan to thrive, a change needs to happen, and soon,” said Goulden.
Future governments must address the inequity communities feel by making policy changes that will increase and create more municipal revenue streams. Doing so will go a long way to helping Saskatchewan and its residents work toward economic growth.
Invest in your fave companies for less with partial shares
Are you someone who spends $5 every morning on a coffee and thinks, “I’m here so often I should own a part of this business!”
If you did actually look into it, you might find that the share price for your favourite chain is out of your price range.
With partial shares, high-priced stocks are no longer out of reach. Every investor now has the opportunity to invest in their favourite companies, no matter the share price.
“Investing should be straightforward and within reach for Canadians,” said Scott Ignall, senior vice president, TD Direct Investing and Wealth Delivery. “With partial shares, Canadians can invest in the companies they want, regardless of the share price or how much they have to invest.”
What are partial shares?
Partial shares are fractions of a company’s stock or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This means instead of buying a whole share, you’re only buying a part, or a fraction, of a share.
What are the benefits of partial shares?
Partial shares can make investing in high-
priced stocks and ETFs more affordable, without needing deep pockets.
Partial shares open doors for all investors, regardless of how much they have to invest, letting them start investing with as little as $5. It allows clients to own a small part of a stock or ETF based on the dollar amount they want to invest. With partial shares, you can also engage in real-time trading. Do partial shares pay dividends?
Yes. If a stock pays dividends to shareholders, owners of partial shares will receive proportional cash dividend payments as well.
What else should I know?
Partial shares offer less investment or dividend income than full shares. And, as with any stock or ETF, there’s never any guarantee that the investment will be profitable.
No matter what you’re investing in, it’s important to do your homework first. You can limit your risk by thoroughly researching the costs and potential benefits of a fractional share before deciding to buy it.
Festive foods for your dog to enjoy (or avoid)
The holiday season is quickly approaching. Bring on the list-making, gift-giving, party-going time of year.
But what would the holidays be without delicious dishes to keep everyone feeling merry and bright? And by everyone, that includes our canine companions, of course.
Check out this list of pup and pet-parentapproved festive foods, as well as those to avoid: Enjoy pumpkin: Can you even call it a holiday feast without pumpkin?
Good news for pupspumpkin is not off the table for them to enjoy. In fact, pumpkins are a superfood and are full of nutrients. Feeding dogs cooked or plain canned pumpkin can also be beneficial for their digestion because pumpkin contains fibre - just be sure to serve it free of sugar and spices. Avoid chocolate: There’s no way to sugarcoat it - chocolate is a no-go for dogs. The presence of both caffeine and a chemical called theobromine make
chocolate toxic to dogs because they aren’t able to metabolize them the way that humans can. If ingested, chocolate can lead to a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, seizures and more. Pet parents should then monitor their pup closely and check with a veterinarian. Enjoy fresh meats: When cooked, fresh meat such as chicken, turkey, pork or beef, can satisfy cravings while also offering pups
a nutritious meal that is easy to digest. Pet parents can also choose a kibble made with fresh meats as a convenient option that supports dogs’ overall wellness. Avoid table scraps: For many reasons, it’s best to skip the table scraps. Not only could an allergen or toxin be present that pet parents may not be aware of, there are several other health risks associated with feeding dogs table scraps, such as digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea, and even more
serious problems like pancreatitis. Plus, giving dogs caloric-dense food can contribute to obesity.
Just like their pet
parents, pups deserve to indulge a little over the holidays. But it’s important to ensure that what they eat leaves them feeling great.
The Saskatchewan Traveller ... Nova Scotia Edition by Trudy and Dale Buxton
Have you ever heard of Oak Island? Or the curse of Oak Island? Well, the next stop on the journey is in fact the mysterious island.
Privately owned, it is one of several tree covered islands located in the Mahone Bay region, and is best known for tales of buried treasure.
Originally known as Smith’s Island when back in the mid 1700’s it was subdivided into 32 four-acre lots. This was a time when the British were in a rush to localize the area.
Around 1780 the locals started calling it Oak Island, mainly due to the large red oak trees that once stood vigil. The oak trees would eventually die due to an infestation of ants.
There has been adventurers looking for buried treasure since the late 1700’s when rumours began circulating that the famous pirate, Captain
Kidd, had secreted his treasure on Oak Island. Today you drive onto Oak Island with the help of a causeway. And the treasure seekers are still looking for buried riches.
Oak Island is a tourism dream with several companies cashing in on the popularity of the island. The island is still a private property, but public access is granted to those who take the tours.
Next up is what I have always called one of the most beautiful places in Canada, Mahone Bay. With a current day population of around 1,100 people, Mahone Bay mainly relies on fishing and tourism.
The name Mahone Bay comes from a French word “mahonne”, meaning barge or long low boats used by pirates who had frequented the area. In the mid 1700’s shipbuilding was the main industry of the Bay until the mid-1800’s when the community relied on other forms of manufacturing.
The Mi’kmaq peoples have a deep history in
this area, having been part of the landscape for over 13,500 years. There are still many Mi’kmaq peoples living in and around Mahone Bay.
One of the most iconic pictures of Mahone Bay is of three churches. The first of the three churches in itas present location was the St. John’s Lutheran Church built way back in 1869, next was St. James Anglican Church and finally the Presbyterian Church, which was changed to Trinity United.
These three churches were first featured on postcards around 1900, and by the 1930’s Mahone Bay had already set up a tourism association. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1919, and over the years the population has gone above 1,250, and has been no lower that 850 while still maintaining most services in the community.
Mahone Bay is also noted for all the islands just offshore and within easy boat distance. These islands have come to protect the area during stormy weather that hits off the Atlantic Ocean.
As said before one of my most favourite place to visit!
Stay tuned until next week when we travel to one of the hubs of the area, Lunenburg.
WESK Connect, hosted by Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK), is a networking event designed to connect business owners from your community. Their aim is to provide a platform for sharing insights, stories, and knowledge, fostering meaningful connections and community. Also, registration, appetizers, a beverage of your choice, and entry to win a door prize are all free! This event is designed to celebrate, connect, and elevate leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. WESK Connect embodies the spirit of WESK’s successful Uncorked and Shaken with a Twist series but with a fresh look and feel.
Register today by scanning the QR code above or visiting www.wesk.ca/events/rural-wesk-connectbiggar/ Thank you, For more information you can contact Lisa Haynes at 306-951-7350
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
Churches at Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia (Photos by Dale Buxton)
Left to right, first row - Alasdair Russell, Alicia Besse, Clark McNulty, Cliff Forsyth, Daniele Demanenko, Second row - Elliott Cline, Erroll Horst, Garett Yaroshko, Jamie Olynyk, Third Row, Jordan Horst, Kelly Dorosh, Ken Markewich, Marvin Evans, RJ Mathews, Fourth Row, Ross Toner, Ryan Metz, Stephanie Moore MISSING: Sean Russell & Blaine Walter
Captains: Ryan Metz Jordan Horst Cliff Forsyth
Officers: Chief - Kelly Dorosh Deputy ChiefErroll Horst
Two local artists now exhibiting in the Biggar Credit Union
by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Arts Group
The Biggar Art Group is proud to announce that they have hung two new art displays in the Biggar and District Credit Union. Its is so exciting to discover local talent ... and Biggar is full of talented creators.
The two artists are Rhonda Heather and Cindy Edwards.
Rhonda creates wool from her sheep. You can’t get much local for your wool than four miles down the road! Cindy’s whimsy and excellence in creating eye appealing art with her brush and recycling is outstanding. Both these exhibits are on display during the working hours of the Credit Union. Please look.
Rhonda Heather ... Knotty Girl CrochetFlock Heather in the showcases
I am a mom, a library clerk and a shepherdess. I love making things from scratch and fibre arts are my favourite! We moved to our farm just west of Biggar in the summer of 2014, I started my small flock of fibre sheep with six animals in 2017. They have since multiplied to 20 critters. They are lovingly cared for and spoiled by myself and my kids - we love their next-to-skin soft wool.
I’ve always been fascinated by colours and textures; fibre arts have given me a creative outlet to express the way the world inspires me through items that are unique and one of a kind. I love using wool with its many practical
characteristics, it is a natural, renewable resource and using it is one way we do our part to care for our environment.
Handcrafts like spinning, felting, weaving and knitting are as old as time and often passed from generation to generation. There is a growing appreciation for these skills and I find it is gratifying to be a part of it.
Cindy Edwards ... Art in the Hallways and the Community Room. I was born and raised on the Prairies where I discovered that nature and art is what I enjoy
the most.
I am primarily a selftaught artist with some mainly acrylic art classes over the past 15 years.
Recently I started experimenting with recycled paper and scraps of wood I have come to love incorporating in my work. Recycling has become a big focus in most of our lives and I hope to continue with this.
Cindy Edwards has brought her talents to the Biggar and District Credit Union. (Submitted Photos)
Rhonda Heather’s wool and products are now on display at the Credit Union.
Big-name quarterbacks in the National Football League are taking a back seat to some lower regarded passers and the best example through the first five weeks of the 2024 season is Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings.
Darnold, a 27-year-old in his seventh season in the NFL after a stellar college career with the USC Trojans, set the league on fire in the early going. But the only reason he’s been allowed to step on the field is because first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy - the Vikings’ hope to fill the shoes of the departed Kirk Cousins - suffered a pre-season knee injury and won’t play at all this year.
Rejuvenated Darnold sparks NFL Vikings
Big deal, as it turns out, because Darnold, signed by the Vikings strictly as an insurance policy, has stepped in and resembled Tom Brady. Talk about a career renaissance. Through the first five games, Arnold had guided the Vikings to a 5-0 record and among NFL leaders in touchdown passes with 11, against only four interceptions.
Darnold is on his fourth team in his seventh season in the league after being the third player chosen in the first round by the New York Jets in 2018. He didn’t set the world on fire with New York, who were desperate to find a Broadway Sam, but instead had to settle for an Average Joe. He posted a 12-25 won-loss record, throwing 36 TD passes in the first two seasons, but slumped to only nine in his third year and the Jets traded him Carolina for a passel of draft picks. After two mediocre seasons with the Panthers, he was signed by San Francisco
49ers as a free agent last year to back up Brock Purdy, seeing limited action, and signed as a free agent with the Vikings in the offseason.
Fate then took over, with McCarthy getting injured, Darnold getting thrown into the fire and now his name is being tossed around in Most Valuable Player discussions through the first month or so. His completion record is almost 70 per cent and his quarterback rating is among the best in the NFL.
“In anything whether it’s football ... or any occupation where you start at a young age, you get better and you learn from experiences that you have,” Darnold told The Mirror US Sport. “I would say that’s the exact same in what we do, and I feel like every single year I’ve continued to learn and grow as a player. It’s no different here.”
Playing in London, England on Oct. 6 against the team that drafted him, the Jets, Darnold
came back to earth with a mediocre outing, but it was enough to win 2317.
Thanks to his quick start, his career path is no longer a question mark. He’ll either be a hot commodity on the trade of free-agent market, or he’ll be a solid fixture with the Vikings.
• Eamon Lynch of golfweek.com, on the regular beatings the U.S. gives the Internationals in the President’s Cup: “The last time (the Internationals were victorious (1998), R. Kelly was No. 1 in the Billboard charts and not inmate No. 09627-035 at a Federal Correctional Institution in North Carolina.”
• Another one from Eamon Lynch: “LIV wound down its season with a now-familiar whimper, its finale awarding Jon Rahm $18 million, or 200 bucks for every viewer watching.”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen: “Oreo cookies are the Maple Leafs’ new helmet sponsor. I was hoping
How to prep your vehicle for winter
As winter approaches, preparing your car for the colder months is essential to help ensure safety and reliability on the road.
Here are some key tips to get your vehicle winter-ready: Winter tires are crucial for maintaining traction on icy and snowy roads. Switch to winter tires before the first snowfall and regularly check their
tread depth to ensure optimal performance. Remote start systems offer convenience, but they should be used safely. Always start your car in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide buildup, and never leave it running unattended in a garage. Your windshield wipers and fluid are vital for clear visibility. Replace wipers if they’re
worn, and regularly fill up with winter-grade windshield washer fluid that won’t freeze in colder temperatures. De-icing your car safely is important. Use a proper ice scraper and de-icer spray, and avoid using hot water, which can crack your windshield. To prevent frost buildup, park your car in a garage or use a windshield cover.
Preparing your car for winter will help ensure you stay safe and avoid any winter-related vehicle issues. Take the time to familiarize yourself with what your auto insurance covers, making sure that your coverage fits your needs. Insurance providers offer roadside assistance, which can add peace of mind for all your winter driving.
Skincare issues seniors should be aware of
As we age, our immune system weakens, making it more likely that we’ll suffer from various ailments. Some of these negative health impacts can affect our skin.
Skin conditions can range from skin tone and texture changes to skin lesions, skin cancer, and skin conditions like eczema. We spoke with dermatologist Dr. Aaron Drucker about common skin challenges seniors face.
Skin cancer
“With a lifetime of exposure to sunlight, seniors should take extra care to monitor their skin for new and changing lesions. Changes to moles - such as changes in colour, shape or size should be reported to your healthcare provider
right away,” says Dr. Drucker. “You can check yourself in a full-length mirror and get assistance to check your back and other areas that are hard to see.”
Shingles
“Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that produces chickenpox. Symptoms of shingles can include a painful skin rash. If you had chickenpox earlier in life, the virus stays in your body and can reactivate later in life as a painful shingles rash on your body,” says Dr. Drucker.
Adult-onset eczema
“While many people might associate the skin condition eczema with babies and children, it can also develop later in life,” Dr. Drucker shares.
“At any age, eczema causes rash, itch and pain, which can lead to intense scratching and disruptive sleep. We see many people with adultonset atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema. The good news is that a healthcare provider can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life for eczema sufferers of all ages.”
Stasis dermatitis
“Stasis dermatitis,
also known as venous eczema, can occur when there is poor blood circulation leading to swelling in the lower legs,” says Dr. Drucker. “Symptoms include skin discolouration, dryness and itching. If you do detect these symptoms, see your healthcare provider.”
Find more information on eczema, including treatment options, at eczemahelp.ca
for ‘I can’t believe they’re not better.’
• Jayson Stark of The Athletic, on the late Pete Rose, who died Sept. 30: “The hits, the hustle, the records, the indelible moments, the laughs, the fun that flowed from watching the Hit King play baseball - I’m not banning those for life.”
• Jay Onrait of TSN, giving highlights of an NHL exhibition game between Calgary and Winnipeg: “... and Justin Kirkland bangs it in for the Flames. Kirkland, who wears all that Costco stuff, made no mistake.”
• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, on the death of Pete Rose: “I don’t know what his family might put on his tombstone, but a fitting epitaph comes to mind: ‘They never forgave him.’ And Cote continued: “It would be cruel of baseball to welcome him to Cooperstown posthumously. But no more cruel than denying him for the past 35 years.”
• Canada’s parody website The Beaverton: “NHL fans excited to watch their team’s five remaining uninjured players when regular season begins.”
• Phil Mushnick of the New York Post, after Braves’ manager Brian Snitker pulled starter Spencer Schellenbach after only 94 pitches (and a 3-1 lead) in the eighth inning of the crucial Braves-Mets playoff game on the last day of the MLB season: “Was Snitker saving him for an intrasquad spring training scrimmage?”
• Headline at fark.com after a stray bullet struck an Ohio golfer in the leg: “Golfer with two leg gets a hole in one.”
• Care to comment?
E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca
• Humorist Steve Burgess of Vancouver: “RIP Pete Rose. Pretty soon it will be legal to bet on whether he makes the Hall of Fame.”
Biggar Bowl weekly scores
Monday Adult Mixed
Tuesday Night Mixed
Thursday Afternoon Seniors
YBC
Ladies High Single - Marilyn Miller 187. Ladies High Triple - Marilyn Miller 516. Mens High Single - Mat Harrabek 273. Mens High TripleMat Harrabek 564.
Ladies High Single - Jeannie Stewart 134. Ladies High Triple - Jeannie Stewart 366. Mens High Single - Mat Harrabek 192. Mens High TripleMat Harrabek 499.
Ladies High Single - Carol Lemon 184. Ladies High Triple - Nina Carruthers 472. Mens High Single - Walter Fernets 209. Mens High TripleWalter Fernets 579.
Pee Wee Single - Blake Foster 90; DoubleBlake Foster 155. Bantam Single - Dawson Hislop 132; Triple - Dawson Hislop 301. Junior SingleXander Hebert 216; Triple - Xander Hebert 486. Senior High Single - Tegan McLeod 274; High Triple - Noah 617.
Bruce Penton Penton on Sports
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ARIES –
Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, you might have been thinking about making changes for a very long time. One of the biggest changes could be moving home base. Look at real estate.
TAURUS –
Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, even if you’re not sure what to do this week, you may have to make a decision quickly. Take an innovative approach when mulling your options if need be.
GEMINI –
May 22/Jun 21
Nothing but pleasant energy will surround you this week, Gemini. Use it to your advantage to get a lot of things done at your own pace. Then you can enjoy a night or two out this week.
CANCER –
Jun 22/Jul 22
Don’t let a cranky beginning to the week ruin the rest of it. There are plenty of days to recover and have a good time with friends and family.
LEO –
Jul 23/Aug 23
SUDOKU
Leo, typically you enjoy being the center of attention and being gregarious with others. This week you might want to step back and enjoy some quiet time at home.
VIRGO –
Aug 24/Sept 22
Just when you thought you wouldn’t hear back from someone you thought was out of your life, he or she turns up again, Virgo. You are not sure how to feel about this.
LIBRA –
Sept 23/Oct 23
This week could prove to be all about the unexpected, Libra. Some things may not go according to plan, but it can be fun to be on a little bit of an adventure.
SCORPIO –
Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, you are in a homedriven mood, with plans for renovation on your mind. While you are full of inspiration, the only thing holding you back is the budget.
SAGITTARIUS –
Nov 23/Dec 21
Sagittarius, if someone had predicted last year where you’d be right now, you might not have believed it. But just look at how far you have come in such a short amount of time.
CAPRICORN –
Dec 22/Jan 20
You might be walking on shaky ground, Capricorn. Certain variables are shifting, and you need to plan for a way to navigate the new situation. Trust your gut.
AQUARIUS –
Jan 21/Feb 18
You are always there for other people when they need you no matter how inconvenient that can be for you, Aquarius. This week someone else steps up and take the weight off you.
PISCES –
Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, you are in a dreamy mood and everything seems like you are looking through rose-colored glasses. Have fun while it lasts, but don’t venture too far away from reality.
IN LOVING MEMORY
JOYCE HELEN MONCRIEF
February 10, 1946 - September 29, 2024
Joyce passed away on September 29, 2024 in Biggar, SK. Joyce is lovingly remembered by her husband of 58 years, Harvey; daughter Kami (Robin); grandchildren Brody (Tayler), Cade (Maddie), Kaleigh, Kierra and great-grandson Oliver. Brother Ray (Karen), nephew Brent and niece Lianne (Mike); brothers-in-law Bill (Fran), Brian (Bonnye) and sister-in-law Joanna; along with numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Joyce was predeceased by her parents August and Natalie; brother Len and brother-in-law Lorne.
Please join the family for a celebration of Joyce's life that will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 2:00PM at New Horizons in Biggar, SK. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Biggar Museum and Gallery, and STARS Air Ambulance.
Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.
OBITUARY NOTICE
LINDA BRUVOLD
October 2, 2024
On behalf of the Bruvold family, we announce the passing of Linda Bruvold. Linda passed away on October 2, 2024 at the Cold Lake Health Centre at the age of 75 years.
A funeral service for Linda will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Perdue United Church in Perdue, Saskatchewan.
For more information please visit: Gregory’s Funeral Home inc. www.gregorysfuneralhomes.com
FLECTIONS
by Philip Watson, New Beginnings Church, Biggar
I was reading my daily devotional “Days of Praise” and was meditating on the on it, thinking that some people believe that Jesus was an historical figure, but just a wise Prophet of God.
Others do not believe that He existed at all, that He was a story figure created to control people. Jesus is not only mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, but He is mentioned in other historical writings by 1.) Tacitus (ca. AD 116); 2.) Josephus (ca. AD 93); 3.) Suetonius (ca. AD 120); 4.) Pliny the Younger (ca. AD 112); 5.) Mara Bar Serapion (ca. AD 73); 6.) Lucian of Samosata (ca. AD 166); 7.) Celsus (ca. 175 AD); 8.) Thallus (ca. AD 55); 9.) Phlegon (ca. AD 140); 10.) Early Christian Writers (ca. 50-157). But in my devotional reading, the writer of the Gospel of John portrays Jesus in a different light.
I quote the reading
“John’s Creator/Saviour [John 1:1-3 NLT] 1.) In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2.) He existed in the beginning with God. 3.) God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.”
It is remarkable how many names and titles are associated with Jesus Christ (meaning “anointed
Saviour”) in the first chapter of John’s Gospel. In verse 9, he is called “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” He is “the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” in verse 14. And “the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father” in verse 18. John the Bap tist called Him “the Lord” in verse 23, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” in verse 29, and “the Son of God” in verse 34. The disciples then called Him “Master” in verse 38 “Messias” in verse 41, as well as “Jesus of Nazareth” in verse 45. Nathanael acknowledged Him as “King of Israel” in verse 49, and Jesus called Himself “the son of man” in verse 51.
But the very first title ascribed to Him by John, as he introduced his gospel, was simply “the Word” (v. 1) from a word hard to translate in its fullness. In the New Testament, it is rendered “word,” “reason,” “communication,” “doctrine,” “speech,” and many others. With reference to Christ, it tells us that He is always the One who reveals, speaks for, manifests, explains, and incarnates the heavenly Father.
John 1:1, one even takes us back before Genesis 1:1, where we learn that the preincarnate Christ created all things (cf. Colossians 1:16). “In the beginning” He was, before He created! All things were made by Him. “By the word of the Lord where the heavens made; and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:16).
As the eternal, omnipotent Word of God, the preincarnate Christ spoke all things into being. Jesus Christ is the Word: and the Word is God!” By Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.
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
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Biggar Bowl Ltd. is owned and operated by Melissa and Jason Raschke since 2019.
Open by reservation, this is a fun, family-oriented, fully licensed sporting facility, which offers affordable local location for leagues, birthday, anniversary, team building, reunion, friend and family get-togethers.
The Bowling Alley has six wood lanes and updated scoring system, regular or glow options plus customized music solutions. Three bowling assists ramps and two assist sticks for delivering the ball down the lanes for younger persons or those with limited mobility or pain. Access ramps make all areas of the alley accessible so anyone can be included in the activities.
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The Importance of Canadian News Media in the Age of Misinformation
Celebrating National Newspaper Week, October 6-12
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Sr. Lady Blazers having great season ... The Biggar Central School Blazers Senior ‘A’ Girls Volleyball Team placed first in their tournament in Marengo defeating Kindersley in the final on September 28. The girls have been competing hard and playing tournaments every weekend. They have played in Loreburn, Kerrobert (where they placed second in the tournament), Delisle, Marengo (first place), and this past weekend they were in Rosetown where they placed fourth out of 10 teams. We are looking forward to a break with Thanksgiving weekend! However, the Senior ‘A’ team is very excited about our home tournament that will be happening on October 18-19. The Biggar Senior ‘B’ team will also be there so we would love to see some people come and cheer on the Blazers! (Submitted Photo)
