The Biggar Independent Volume115 Issue51

Vol. 115 No. 51

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

36 pages

$1.50

Christmas Sweater Skaters ... Biggar Skating Club’s, Kabrie Metz, centre, along with Chloe Evans, left, and Adriana Alzate Sanchez, hit the Jubilee Stadium for the club’s Christmas performance, Friday. The kids put on a wonderful show, taking the holiday theme onto the ice for an evening performance. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Please Take Note: There will be no Independent Next Week (Thursday, December 26)

High-Arc Electric Ltd

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

2 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

BCS2000 opened their doors, Dec. 12 for their Holiday Festival, a fun evening of celebration this Christmas time. The event had teachers and staff filling out passports as kids and parents went from event to event, having a load of fun. People could donate cash or perishable food items, or winter clothing for those in need - a classy move during this time of giving! For everyone involved, you truly are Santa’s little helpers! Happy Holidays!

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Santa comes to Biggar ... The Biggar Legion’s ever popular Santa Day hit the Majestic Theatre’s Bielby Hall, Saturday, shortly after the theatre’s Christmas movie. A photo with Santa, a bag of treats ... what could be better as we near the big day! (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Biggar RCMP Report

Still below normal, but conditions improved over last year Province releases conditions at Freeze-Up Report

The Water Security Agency (WSA) is releasing this year’s Conditions at Freeze-up Report.

This report summarizes conditions during the late fall/early winter period.

Current conditions, in combination with the winter snowpack, become the initial conditions for the spring snowmelt runoff.

This report gives an early indication of areas that are more vulnerable to potentially above or below normal runoff during the spring period.

It is important to note that this report is not a spring runoff report.

The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held December 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.

• 7:08 p.m. Councillors

Conditions can change quickly with timely spring rains or significant amounts of snow throughout the season.

“Even though conditions are somewhat drier than normal, this year is still an improvement from last year when moderate to extreme drought conditions were being observed across the province in October 2023,” Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Daryl Harrison said.

Despite the general low snowmelt runoff in spring 2024, May and June rains resulted in most large water sup-

ply reservoirs being near or at normal levels throughout the year and they remain this way moving into the winter.

With the dry two months leading up to freeze-up, most of central, northern and southeastern Saskatchewan went into freeze-up with drier than normal soil moisture conditions. Two snowstorms occurred mid-November that brought 10 to 80 centimetres of snow to Saskatchewan, with east central regions receiving the most snow.

This snowfall could result in two outcomes: • Insulating the soil and

reducing frost penetration, increasing infiltration in the spring, which may reduce runoff.

• Creating frozen topsoil due to partial melting and refreezing, reducing infiltration and increasing runoff.

At this time, there are no areas where WSA believes that there is a heightened risk of above normal spring runoff in 2024.

WSA will continue to monitor conditions throughout the 202425 winter. Beginning in early February, Spring Runoff Outlooks will be released on wsask.ca.

by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment This past week the detachment had 14 occurrences reported.

Traffic was moving considerably slower with the weather and only three drivers needed safety reminders. One grey Ford Focus met with a deer on Highway 14 outside of Biggar. The driver was okay.

With the weather turning briefly warmer on the weekend, a group of night prowlers were out moving vehicles around the area. A pickup truck was stolen from Perdue, went on a joyride then returned to the area after running low on gas. A white Audi, stolen out of Saskatoon and colour changed to black, was left in a ditch in the RM of Biggar, but not before suspects stole a 3500 Dodge Ram to try and get it out before abandoning the idea.

The 3500 was later recovered abandoned outside of Asquith, leaving Asquith with an outstanding missing vehicle as the night prowlers most likely retuned back to the city.

Council minute highlights

McNicholls and I. Young left the meeting.

Ratepayer Mrs. Violet McCarty attended this portion of the meeting along with a representative of Rental Housing Saskatchewan, Mr. Cameron Choquette, to discuss current utility billing procedures for property landlords.

• 7:27 p.m. Councillors McNicholls and I. Young returned to the meeting.

Duperow Co-op Interim General Manager, Chad Baker, brought an update to Council for informational purposes.

Council resolved that the following reports from and Administration and Council Committees

be accepted as presented: Committee Meeting Minutes November 26, 2024.

Acting Chief Administrative Officer’s Report. Recreation Director’s Report November 2024.

Council resolved that the following correspondence be accepted and filed: RCMP Report November 25, 2024. RCMP Report

December 2, 2024. SHA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2024.

Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of $28,479.95 including payment numbers 19392 to 19436, payroll deposit numbers 6600 to 6627, and online payments totalling $59,001.33, and the list of accounts for approval in the amount of $35,246.14 including payment numbers 19418 to 19431, 12/2024-01 to 12/2024-13, and CC no.

27 to 29 be approved as submitted.

Council resolved that the Town of BIggar approve a 50 per cent discount on the Jubilee Stadium rental for the Biggar Old Time Dance Festival for their June 2025 event.

A discussion was held regarding the Town of Biggar’s financial commitment to Farm in the Dell.

Complaint about vehicle noise on Avenue N in Perdue, ongoing neighbour dispute where one believes the other has too much traffic coming over. Report of a bad break-up and now the fight is on about the cat.

Members triaged about a half dozen calls from angry customers complaining about fraud on a small engine repair business that has attempted to relocate from Warman to Biggar. From social media chatter, this may not be a long-term issue, consumer beware.

A search warrant was executed in the RM of Biggar at SE 24-34-17 W3 and stolen property was recovered on a couple of property thefts outside our area.

Charges remain pending at this time as the investigation continues.

Take care out there!

Council resolved that the Western Municipal Consulting Agreement for 2025 be approved as presented.

Council resolved that the Request for Proposals for the Biggar Curling Rink demolition project be approved as presented with a submission deadline of January 13, 2025.

Council resolved that the Memorial Bench request received from Josip Knezevic in honour of Sophie Gurel be approved, and further that the Mr. Knezevic may build the bench himself and place it along the Sandra Schmirler walking path.

Council resolved that Progress Certificate No. 055-109-P3, payable to JDL Underground in the amount of $37,113.76 be approved for payment.

• Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Bingo Numbers for

Grinch comes to BCS ... Biggar and District Credit Union used some their considerable pull to bring in the Grinch (and Cindy Lou Who!) to Biggar Central School Grade 1 and Kindergarten students, December 12. The classic Dr. Seuss characters posed for picture and read some stories to the very eager kids. (Inde-

pendent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

DECEMBER 19

B-7 N-34 N-44 O-66 O-74

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Opinions

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

GST holiday a band-aid fix for Canadians starving for real solutions

by Sylvain Charlebois, Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University The GST holiday, set to begin on December 14, is framed as relief for Canadians grappling with rising food prices. Yet economists specializing in food policy warn it may fail to deliver meaningful assistance and could even exacerbate challenges for consumers and the broader economy.

Insights from the recently released 2025 Canada’s Food Price Report, a collaborative effort by researchers at Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of British Columbia, reveal why this policy might backfire.

The report anticipates food price increases of three to five per cent in the coming year, with some categories, like meat, potentially rising as much as six per cent and vegetables by five per cent. These escalating costs are occurring against a backdrop of record food insecurity, which affects more than 22.9 per cent of Canadian households.

The GST holiday also risks encouraging opportunistic pricing

by major grocers, many of whom have faced scrutiny for their pricing strategies. Retailers like Loblaws, Metro, and Sobeys may subtly raise prices during the holiday to protect margins - not only on taxable products but also on non-taxable foods. This could create a ripple effect, lifting prices across the board and undermining any expected savings for consumers.

Other factors contributing to rising food costs include recycling fees that manufacturers must pay in Ontario and other provinces.

These fees, intended to shift waste management costs from municipalities to producers, are often passed on to consumers. These costs, combined with pressures such as labour shortages in agriculture, logistical bottlenecks, and climate-related production challenges, make it difficult to achieve meaningful price relief for Canadian families.

For households experiencing food insecurity, the GST holiday offers little tangible benefit.

Vulnerable families prioritizing basic staples over discretionary spending will see negligible savings. In March 2024 alone, food

banks across Canada recorded two million visits, according to Food Banks Canada’s Hunger Count. These alarming figures underscore the inadequacy of temporary tax relief in addressing the deepseated issues of affordability.

Critics also highlight the inefficiency of temporary tax holidays.

Politically convenient but economically ineffective, such measures fail to tackle the systemic issues driving food price inflation.

Resources allocated to implementing a GST holiday could be better spent on long-term solutions, such as strengthening local food supply chains, providing targeted subsidies for vulnerable populations, fostering agricultural innovation, and addressing industrywide cost pressures like recycling fees.

Temporary measures, like government-issued cheques aimed at “buying support with people’s own money,” further complicate the landscape. These onetime payments offer fleeting relief while failing to address root causes. Critics argue such initiatives are little more than political band-aids, giving the illusion of support while

DEADLINE MONDAY 5 P.M. ultimately recycling taxpayer funds.

A permanent elimination of the GST on food sold in grocery stores would have been a far better approach. The GST is a regressive tax that disproportionately affects lower-income Canadians, who spend a larger share of their income on basic necessities like food. Removing this tax entirely would provide meaningful, lasting relief without the temporary distortions or potential for abuse that a limited holiday or one-time payments bring. This structural reform would

better support vulnerable households while simplifying the system and rebuilding trust in food pricing.

The GST holiday, despite its appeal as a quick-fix solution, risks worsening the very problems it aims to solve. While Canadians may initially feel relief at the checkout counter, the broader impact could include rising prices, frustration, and missed opportunities for meaningful reform.

The 2025 Canada’s Food Price Report emphasizes the need for policies that build resilience and trust in the

food system, advocating for sustainable solutions over temporary fixes.

As former U.S. president Ronald Reagan famously said, “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

Temporary fiscal measures like the GST holiday exemplify this, offering political convenience at the expense of real solutions. To truly address food affordability, Canada must focus on structural reforms that provide lasting relief for families and ensure transparency and trust in the food system.

One Night at Eddy’s

Frank Cox

Humble Opinion

by Frank Cox Yeah, so we’re sittin’ there, the lot of us, warming our hands on cups of bad coffee, when in come these three guys.

Not the usual type, mind you. These fellas looked out of place, even in a joint like Eddy’s.

the

They had fancy robes on, looked expensive. I nudge Jerry, who’s got his feet up on a stool, and nod toward them.

“You see that?” I say under my breath.

Jerry raises an eyebrow, takes a sip from his mug, and grunts.

“Yeah. You’d think they’d be freezin’ their tails off out there dressed like that.”

The three of ‘em come up to the bar. One of ‘em, a tall guy with a beard that looks like it would glow in the dark, leans in toward Eddy. Eddy doesn’t even flinch, still looking half-dead like always.

“Help you gents?” he mutters.

The guy clears his throat.

“We’re looking for Bethlehem,” he says.

“Got word there’s something special happening there.”

I glance at Jerry, who shrugs like he doesn’t care. But I’m curious.

It’s not every day you see three guys wanderin’ around lookin’ for directions in the middle of the night, dressed like they belong in some fancy painting.

Eddy points toward me.

“That guy knows the way,” he says. Thanks a lot, Eddy.

I stand up, pushing my chair back, and walk over.

“Bethlehem, huh?”

I ask. “What’s goin’ on there?”

The tallest one, the guy with the beard, gives me a look like he’s deciding if I’m trustworthy.

“A child is born,” he says. “A king, they say.

We’ve been following a star.”

Well, that explains the fancy robes.

“A king, huh?” I scratch my head. “Never heard of Bethlehem being a spot for kings. You sure about that? There’s been a lot of folks headin’ that way lately. Heard it’s hard to find a room though - some big census or shindig goin’ on.”

The guy nods like he expected that.

“We’ve heard that. But we do need to get there.

Do you know the way?”

“Yeah, I know the way.

Hang on.”

I grab my coat and motion for them to follow. Jerry and the others stay put, watchin’ us go.

We step outside, and sure enough, there’s that star they’ve been talkin’ about. It’s big and bright, right above where Bethlehem’s gotta be.

“There’s your sign,” I say, pointing. “Just follow that star and keep straight. You’ll hit Bethlehem in a couple of hours, maybe less.”

They thank me, give a polite nod, and head off. I watch them walk away, robes swaying in

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the wind. They’re real serious about this king business.

As I’m about to head back inside, I hear something - like a soft drumbeat. I turn, and there’s this kid, couldn’t be more than 10, walkin’ by. He’s got a little drum strapped to him and he’s beatin’ it as he walks, like he’s part of a parade only he knows about.

He gives me a wave and keeps walkin’. I stand there for a second, watchin’ him head in the same direction as the wise men.

“Strange night,” I mutter to myself, before going back inside to the warmth.

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Notable Notes

It’s a pretty sure thing that these guys will never have a line written about them anywhere. As far as that goes, maybe they wouldn’t want to while they were living.

In the cemetery, things are a bit different.

One doesn’t have to look at too many tombstones to find one inscribed, “Life Well Lived,” et cetera. Perhaps a little unnecessary these lines about folks that we’ll never see again. But most people, while they are still around, seem to be content just to get along with their lives with out the notoriety that a few lines are apt to bring!

It becomes kind of plain, though, when after perusing some of the local history books, hoping to recreate some of the past, that very few of these “drifter” types are ever mentioned.

Drifter

community, left a bit of a mark in the memories of younger types like myself, and then moved on.

Carl was another one of these guys. I think he had been an acquaintance of the folks somewhere in the past but from our earliest childhood, Carl was a man who walked into our lives every couple of years, stopped for a few days, and then moved on.

Tall, lean and sometimes with quite a beard, he showed up to be welcomed by everybody and became, at least to us younger ones, a type of mystery man. I think the last time was in 1934, then we moved away and we never saw him again.

Looking back, though, Carl sure wasn’t a pillar of society, but he was there and he was part of it. And because none of the local histories ever mention him, Y.T. feels called on to make a record of him here.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of younger people justifiably asked what a drifter was, and my dictionary sure isn’t much help.

According to it, a drifter is someone who drifts. According to my memory (which is sometimes kind of suspect!) a drifter is a person, like mentioned, who never

stays in one place too long.

I suppose a fellow could add that a lot of “places,” especially in the 1930’s weren’t a bit conducive to making a person want to stay very long, as far as that goes!

Back in those years, the West was full of drifters, maybe the whole country was, and many, many men rode the railway boxcars in search of some stability that they never seemed to find.

Len was one of those fellows. I don’t know where all the places he had been in his travels, but his stories of “hobo jungles” on the edge of most towns, and winters in British Columbia inspired our young ambitions to become bums when we grew up!

Some folks seem to think I’m still that way!

But every now and then Len got a letter from England, hence the stamp collection that someone stole years later, which was always followed by a trip to the local bank.

Young, carefree and not seeming to have a worry in the world, Len drifted into and out of our lives, leaving only a memory of ever having been there!

On the other hand, Leo was a real son of hard times. Coming from a busted-up family in a

busted-up part of the world, Leo was quiet and kind. He often spoke of the mother he was supporting way off across the river somewhere.

In remembering Leo, sometimes the desperation of those days becomes so apparent that one wonders how he forced himself to so cheerfully face up to it all.

The debilitating affluence of today, although seemingly accepted all over, is to me a kind of strangulating scourge of personality that the world’s future will later inherit. There may not have been very much in their world as the above-mentioned people drifted by. But they did get out there and

fend for themselves and developed an outlook on life that few of us have today.

I read a chapter in a book one time that told of the desperation of those times, of drifters classed as rebels in a society that they eventually died for! I could name a couple who were beat up by police in the ‘30s, but were killed on the Second World War beaches of Normandy on D-Day! Our dedication to the betterment of society seems so shallow today!

If Charlie, Carl, Leo and Len were to drift past our places right now, I wonder if they would think we’re running things right!

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There must have been thousands of these guys in the West. Young men who drifted into communities, becoming part of our young lives (we were all young then!) and then left, often never to be seen or heard of again.

The very fact that Y.T. (Yours Truly) sends these little pieces in to The Independent, serves to prove that often times we want people to remember us, and I don’t feel a darn bit bad about scrawling these not too legible lines about some of those drifters.

I often think about Charlie, and I’m quite sure that very few people ever even got to know him.

It seemed to me Charlie didn’t want very much out of life. A kind of a Renaissance man who had left a fine home in England in an effort to get away from it all, maybe because of money or family, or maybe just to get away from a life that had been planned for him since he was born. I don’t know.

Charlie drifted into our part of the country in the late ‘20s, stayed for a few years and then left.

But I still remember him!

Like I mentioned before, there were quite a few of these kind of folks who came into a

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The Puppy and the Christmas Tree

Keith Schell

Remember When The first Christmas we ever had with our brand new puppy was certainly a memorable one.

A friend of ours had a dog that had just given birth to a litter of mixedbreed puppies that summer and when she was giving the puppies away, she asked our family if we wanted one. We decided to say ‘yes’.

The new addition to our family was happy and rambunctious, filled with wags, happy licks, and the endearing doggy enthusiasm for everything about life that any growing puppy normally has. Everything about our family and our home was new and exciting

and interesting to her.

Because she was so happy and energetic, she had a tendency to get into everything. We had to spend a considerable amount of time in her early years saving our puppy from herself, doing everything we could to puppy-proof the house as best we could.

But she still loved to get into things that she knew she shouldn’t have.

She was a very bright dog. When she got hold of something she knew she shouldn’t have had in the first place, like a facecloth from the bathroom cabinet or a wristwatch from a bedroom night stand (or God forbid, the remote control for the TV), she would make sure that everybody saw what she had so we would all have to chase her around the house just to retrieve the item that she filched.

She was never happier than when she was playing ‘the chase game’, running around the house with a forbidden item in her mouth, tail wagging, with a bunch

of people chasing after her to get the item back.

It was just a game to her, and she was happy in the knowledge that she had finally found a way to get everyone in the house to pay attention to her at that particular moment.

When we finally caught her, we would usually have a vigourous tug-ofwar on our hands just to get the item back from the dog. Sometimes we would have to trade her for a treat just to get the filched item back, which did not exactly set a good precedent for the future, if you know what I mean. But being an innocent puppy, you really couldn’t get mad at her, even though she could be quite exasperating at times!

Only when we began to physically block off access to open cupboards, cabinets, assorted tables and rooms, and keep other things up out of her reach, did her behaviour finally stop.

Eliminate the source, and hopefully, you eliminate the problem.

But with Christmas coming, we knew that our young dog could be very rambunctious. We were concerned about what might happen to our Christmas tree.

We were afraid the dog might harm herself if she took a decoration off the tree and ran around with it in her mouth or might innocently pull the tree over or chew on the gifts while she was playing.

We were at a bit of a loss at that moment to figure out how to get the dog to leave our Christmas tree alone.

We knew that our puppy might possibly see the new tree in the living room as a doggie toy to be enjoyed and chewed on and played with.

But then our Mother had an inspired idea.

Just before we brought our artificial Christmas tree up from the basement to be unboxed, assembled and trimmed, our Mother dug our big old childhood playpen out of storage, unfolded it and set it up in the living room where our

Christmas tree would normally be placed every year. A gift from our Grandma when Mom and Dad first got married, our old wooden playpen was still in very usable condition after being used to safeguard us three growing boys back in the day.

Now ready for the Christmas tree, we brought our tree up from the basement and set it up and trimmed it in the newly assembled playpen to safeguard the tree from the dog. The dog wouldn’t be able to disturb the tree and we wouldn’t have to play ‘the chase game’ again over the holidays with our Christmas tree decorations or our gifts. The dog was now big enough and the wooden bars on the old playpen were close enough together so that the dog was not able to disturb the tree in the playpen.

We placed our gifts inside the playpen around the bottom of the tree, now secure in the knowledge that the dog would have to leave

both the tree and the gifts alone. And to make sure the dog couldn’t possibly get into anything that might harm her, we only trimmed the top half of our tree in the playpen that year to eliminate the possibility that the dog might innocently get hold of and chew on a decoration on the bottom half of the tree that might bring her harm.

That Christmas was a special memory for our family, all of us gathered in the living room around our half-trimmed Christmas tree in its wooden prison with our furry new family member on Christmas morning.

But it was a happy Christmas, as it always was, as we welcomed the newest member into our family for her very first Christmas.

And because the puppy was now a full-fledged member of our family, there was a Christmas gift for her under the tree that morning as well!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Christine Ibbotson

Ask The Money Lady Dear Money Lady, I always find it difficult over the holidays to keep the costs down.

Have you got any tips for making it through Christmas without spending too much?

Thanks, Lilly Great question Lilly!

December is the “eat and spend too much” month and January is the “go on a diet and try to pay off your debt” month.

Why do we do this to ourselves every year even though we know we shouldn’t overindulge?

Well, overeating and preparing tasty foods is a symbolic social activity and an integral part of many cultures at Christmas. Plus, spending more during December always tends to happen due to more parties, more social events and more entertaining.

It is not unusual for most Canadians to feel financially anxious during the months of December and January.

Of course, the obvious solution is to stick to a

budget. But I must say, that for those of you that generally stick to a savings routine all year and also try to eat right - I don’t think there’s too much harm in you letting lose a little at the end of the year.

Many people constantly deny themselves small simple pleasures and feel great shame about spending money on themselves or others.

Buying too much or eating too much over the holidays are both fixable by getting back into your routine once the New Year comes along.

But for those of you still stressing, here are some money saving tips to keep in mind this Christmas season!

It is best to make a list, determine a budget for each gift and stick to it. If you can’t find a gift for your price point - then opt for gift cards so that they can be used after Christmas in all the retail sales events, in stores or on-line.

Why not consider “teaming-up” and go in on gifts with others to limit costs and maintain your budget. Set expectations with family so that everyone plans to spend specific amounts on gift giving. You could also choose to have an adult name draw or Secret Santa.

Why not consider buying everything online this year, especially through your local

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024 businesses who really need our support. Take advantage of BlackFriday sales and have it delivered right to your home - or better yet to the home of the person you’re buying for.

It’s like your own little valet service. Also, don’t forget the Dollar Stores, they are great for Christmas stocking stuffers, wrappings, cards, and decorations.

Who says you have to spend a lot to get into the Holiday Spirit!

Ways to reduce the cost on holiday meals could be to delegate the dishes or opt for a potluck dinner. Everyone should have a specialty that they could bring if asked and it is up to you as the hostess to coordinate the meal and tell people what to bring.

Don’t forget to tell your guests to also bring their own alcohol. If you are hosting an event at your home, you still shouldn’t be expected to foot the bill for all the drinks. Instead have a Christmas Punch and let everyone BTOB. It really is not hard to be gracious this season.

A thoughtful Christmas message in a handmade card, or a letter of devotion and love, can be cherished more than any store-bought item.

Be kind to one another, watch your manners, forget the grudges and enjoy your family (or at least pretend to).

Remember, happiness isn’t defined by how much you spend, it is what you do, how much you love, how caring and supportive you are, and above all your true compassion for your family and others.

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Merry Christmas to everyone! Good luck and best wishes!

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Science advances ag for the better

Calvin Daniels

Agriculture

by Calvin Daniels Everyday I find myself amazed by one online post, or another detailing the advancements science makes every day.

One post details how Mercedes-Benz is developing a new type of solar paint. The photovoltaic coating can apparently generate enough energy to power a car for up to 12,000 kilometres annually under ideal conditions.

This sort of development could be a major game changer in terms of electric vehicles, as it would reduce the need to plug in to recharge.

Imagine pulling into an average parking lot, and the sun basically recharging your vehicle as you shop.

And, it is not difficult to see uses on the farm.

Another post is a video on Google introducing self-driving bikes in Amsterdam.

The video footage is amazing, a bicycle that is essentially self-driving.

It’s something one finds difficult to comprehend, a bike not just tipping over sans a rider, but it is equally easy to appreciate what such a tech/ science break through can mean.

Then in Milan the exterior of a high-rise building has been transformed into a platform for trees - basically growing on balconies at every level. It was suggested in the video the plant life growing on the building’s exterior equalled three hectares of forests.

Imagine what a forward-thinking city might look like in the years ahead if such a design were mandatory on new builds.

In terms of food production it could be huge.

And there are regular drops on the Internet about advancements in robotics.

The units shown are again amazing, but what is really interesting is to think about the next generation robots

already in development, but unseen by the public, and what is on the drawing board as new advancements push to potential of creation.

On the farm robots are certainly part of the sector’s future.

Now some of course will throw an exclamation mark of concern on developments - worrying they go to far, or seeing nefarious uses for the advancements.

Certainly we need caution, but not necessarily in the science as it merely opens doors to new possibilities.

It will not be the scientists that take new developments down darker paths.

The splitting of the atom opened many positive doors, and of course led to the eventual creation of the atomic bombs that devastated to civilian populations of two Japanese cities.

But it was the military complex which took the initial science down that darker path, the science simply existing for humankind to develop as it sees fit.

Ultimately science is simply discovery, and if there is a fear associated with such discoveries, it comes from human-

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

ELIZA MARY DOYLE

ity’s willingness to use it in ways which are not always positive.

But still the wonder of each new advancement is about how it may

make our future better, and fosters a hope of what is to come.

Merry Christmas

PRECISION AUTOBODY 2326 Avenue C North Saskatoon 306-664-4156

customerservice@precisionautobody.ca

We are out in Biggar every Wednesday at Spyder Autobody

I-Car Gold Class and OEM Certified Technicians Consumer Choice Award Winners 12 Years Running Certified Aluminum Repair Hail Repair Experts

Christmas Season Services

ST. GABRIEL’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, BIGGAR ~ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24... 5:00 p.m.

Christmas Vigil Liturgy WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25... 11:00 a.m.

Christmas Service

BIGGAR UNITED CHURCH ~ TUESDAY DECEMBER 24… 3:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service

BIGGAR ASSOCIATED GOSPEL CHURCH ~ SUNDAY DECEMBER 22… 10:30 a.m.

Christmas Service with Children’s Program TUESDAY, DEC. 24… 7:00 p.m., Come join us for: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

PALS COMMUNITY CHURCH ~

FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2025

TUESDAY DECEMBER 24… 7:00 p.m., Christmas Eve Service at St. Paul’s Anglican

7:30 P.M. The Majestic Theatre

PERDUE UNITED CHURCH ~

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

OUR LADY OF FATIMA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, LANDIS ~

Donor’s Choice

TUESDAY DECEMBER 24…7:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24… 7:30 p.m., Christmas Vigil Liturgy

The Biggar and District Ministerial Association wishes you all the joy and blessings of the Christmas Season.

8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024 The Saskatchewan Traveller ... Nova Scotia Edition

by Trudy and Dale Buxton We are heading out of the predominantly French district and on our way into Yarmouth.

Just before Yarmouth lies a small community of

Manager of Lending Administration We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented, and results-driven Manager of Lending Administration to lead our Lending Administration team at Biggar & District Credit Union.

The role will involve overseeing a team of lending administrative professionals, ensuring HI¿FLHQW DQG DFFXUDWH DGPLQLVWUDWLYH VXSSRUW IRU RXU ORDQ RSHUDWLRQV 7KH LGHDO FDQGLGDWH ZLOO have a strong background in administrative functions, with a solid managerial skill set. An understanding of lending processes and regulations will be an asset.

As the Manager of Lending Administration, you will be responsible for providing leadership, direction, and training to ensure that all loan documentation, records, and administrative functions are managed effectively. This role will work closely with the VP of Credit Services and play a key role in streamlining lending operations to provide exceptional service to our members.

Your Key Responsibilities will be: Team Leadership & Management: Supervise, train, and support a team of lending administrative staff, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.

Administrative Oversight: Oversee all aspects of lending documentation and compliance, HQVXULQJ WKDW ORDQ ¿OHV DUH FRPSOHWH DFFXUDWH DQG SURFHVVHG RQ WLPH Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve administrative processes, ZRUNÀRZV DQG V\VWHPV WR LQFUHDVH HI¿FLHQF\ DQG HQVXUH DGKHUHQFH WR FUHGLW XQLRQ SROLFLHV and regulations.

Collaboration: Work closely with the VP of Credit Services and others in the lending department to ensure alignment in lending operations and to address any issues related to lending support.

Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all loan administration practices meet regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards.

Member Experience: Assist in providing a seamless and positive member experience by addressing administrative issues promptly.

Reporting & Documentation: Maintain accurate reports and documentation for auditing and regulatory purposes.

Port Maitland and small population of around 500.

Port Maitland was originally named Green Cove before being renamed in honour of Sir Peregrine Maitland in 1869.

Port Maitland is mostly of English origin and is heavily influenced in the Baptist movement of the late 18th century, which is in contrast to the large French Catholic communities that are right next door.

Port Maitland is home to a Provincial Park that has a large sandy beach and shaded picnic area. The beach in the summer time has lifeguards on duty.

Next up on the old Number 1 highway is Yarmouth.

Yarmouth is located on the southwest portion of the Bay of Fundy, sort of where the bay meets the ocean.

This region was original inhabited by the Mi’kmaq and they called this region Keespongwitk, which means Lands End, because it is at the end of the Nova Scotia peninsula.

Yarmouth was first visited by Samuel de Champlain in the very early 1600’s before he moved up the coast and settled in Port Royal.

The first Europeans to make a settlement on the banks of Yarmouth came along in the mid 1600’s, and the original name was Tebouque with a small population of around 100.

During the wars in the mid 1700’s the New England Planters settled

Beach at Port Maitland, Nova Scotia (Independent Photos by Dale Buxton)

in the area in what is now as the Township of Yarmouth.

These planters came across from Yarmouth, Massachusetts and requested that the new settlement be named for their former home.

In the early years Yarmouth was a major centre for shipbuilding.

It was the second largest only to St. John, New Brunswick, as the largest port of registry in Canada.

Ships built in Yarmouth could be found in most major ports around the world.

Because of it’s location, Yarmouth was and still is a major connection with the United States with modern day ferries carrying travellers to and from the USA via Bar Harbor Maine. In the late 1990’s, Bay Ferries, who operate the ferry service across the channel, introduced the first high speed catamaran to the passenger/vehicle service. The Cat, which is its nickname, skips along the water at a speed of 65 kilometres per hour, cutting the time down to only about 3.5 hours across the channel. That speed doesn’t seem to fast

but when your dealing with this kind of water at the mouth of the Atlantic that is quite rapid.

The mainstay of the Yarmouth economy today is still fishing with many a large fleet in port at Yarmouth.

Yarmouth is a hub of history from its vast selection Victorian style houses and museums that are open to the public.

InthesummerYarmouth is home to the annual seven-day Seafest that has been going on since the late ‘70s. Yarmouth is also credited for catching a record Mako Shark just off the coast coming in at an amazing 1,082 pounds. It has also been said that the American composer Meredith Willson came up with a catchy jingle while staying in Yarmouth, called “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”, which is certainly sung every Christmas season.

Yarmouth is certainly a fabulous place to stay and always great to revisit on future travels.

Stay tuned next week as we continue our travels into Nova Scotia.

4XDOL¿FDWLRQV 6NLOOV At least one year of post-secondary education plus four to six years of job-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Excellent leadership and team management skills. Exceptional organizational and time-management abilities. Ability to analyze and improve business processes. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally. Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and compliance. :K\ ZRUN KHUH" We offer a very competitive compensation structure, 8% matched superannuation, DQG FRPSUHKHQVLYH JURXS EHQH¿WV ZLWK D +HDOWK &DUH 6SHQGLQJ $OORZDQFH <RX ZRXOG ZRUN with a committed team in a challenging, rewarding, and fun environment. Our workplace offers opportunities for advancement, all-expense-paid continuing education, valuable networking in the credit union/cooperative system, and ongoing personal and professional development. %LJJDU 'LVWULFW &UHGLW 8QLRQ LV D JURZLQJ DXWRQRPRXV IXOO VHUYLFH ¿QDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQ Our organization has branches and insurance agencies in Biggar, Landis and Perdue, and DQ DFFRXQWLQJ ¿UP LQ %LJJDU /RFDWHG NP ZHVW RI 6DVNDWRRQ DQG NP VRXWK RI 1RUWK %DWWOHIRUG %LJJDU LV D SURJUHVVLYH IDPLO\ RULHQWHG FRPPXQLW\ RI DSSUR[LPDWHO\ citizens, offering a hospital, parks, sports, arts, and two school divisions; its economy is mainly focused on agriculture.

Biggar & District Credit Union proudly supports the communities we serve, and it is our people that make this happen. If you would like to be part of our team, please submit your UHVXPH E\ -DQXDU\ WR KXPDQUHVRXUFHV#ELJJDUFX FD

Yarmouth Fishing Boats, Nova Scotia

Merry Christmas from the Sask Travellers Find their adventures on our website biggarindependent.ca

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK 3-col/6 9

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

2024 Legion Contest school winners

Biggar Legion has selected winners from Biggar schools for this

year’s Legion Poster Contest.

The winners were as

follows: Elementary Grade 1-3, St. Gabriel School, Grade

Biggar Central School winners.

1: 1st Emersyn Rowlette; 2nd Johnny Affleck; 3rd Gemma Donahue. Grade 2: Rhema Tuico; 2nd Regan Silvernagle; 3rd Mila McKinley. Grade 3: Meredith Wheaton; 2nd Sinthia Becotte; 3rd Marren Brione.

BCS: 1st Laken L’Hoir; 2nd Chloe Dalisay; 3rd Rhaya Scott.

Junior Essay: Abby Donahue.

Intermediate Poem: 1st Camryn McKinley (St. Gabriel); Miles Danychuk (BCS).

Junior Grade 4-6, Colour Poster: 1st Loreen Trinidad (St. Gabriel); Avaya Silvernagle (BCS); 3rd Heidi Lektoman (BCS). Black and White: 1st Julie Cempron (St. Gabriel); 2nd Jetlan Latrunus (St. Gabriel); 3rd Shalaine Lefsrud (BCS).

Intermeidate Grade 7-9 Colour Poster: 1st Klieve Sarto (St. Gabriel); 2nd Sarah Drapak (BCS); 3rd Rowan Taylor (BCS). Black and White: 1st Yehveniia Taranukha (BCS); 2nd Misha Mariuhnich (BCS); 3rd Maya Achkar (St. Gabriel).

Senior Grade 10-12 Colour Poster: 1st Ayden Owens-Nahorney (BCS); 2nd Caledonia Donahue (BCS); 3rd Haley Mantyka (BCS). Black and White: 1st Vlademir Villanueva (BCS); 2nd Dausha Ilyasov (BCS); 3rd Korina Medancic (BCS).

Congratulations winners!

Chase The Ace

Tickets available at Westwinds and The Independent Tickets only $5.00 Next Draw Date DECEMBER 19,2024 (THURSDAY) $651.00 +30% of Sales

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY !!!

39 CARDS REMAIN

LAND FOR SALE BY ONGOING TENDER R.M. OF GLENSIDE NO. 377 Land Descriptions:

NE-01-39-14-W3 Ext 0 -

SE-01-39-14-W3 Ext 2

Land located approximately 18 miles south-east of Cando, Saskatchewan, near Lizard Lake.

All land is adjoining and totals approximately acres.

R NE-01-39-14-W3 Ext 0 has approximately 158.85 acres.

R SE-01-39-14-W3 Ext 2 has approximately 45.32 acres.

Conditions: 1. Highest or any Offer not necessarily accepted.

2. Bidding will be conducted by ongoing tender. Once all qualifying bids are received, all bidders will be informed of the highest bid on each quarter they have bid on. Bidders will then be provided the opportunity to declare their bid final or to increase their bid at least 2% above the last highest bid. Once all bidders have declared their final bid the bidders shall be informed of the Vendor’s decision.

3. All bids must be in writing and accompanied by certified payment in the amount of $10,000 per quarter bid on payable to Battle River Law in Trust. Payment will be returned without interest if offer is not accepted.

4. Possession Date: March 26, 2025.

5. Balance of purchase price for the successful offer, plus GST (if applicable), to be paid to Battle River Law in Trust on or before the Possession Date or the deposit will be forfeited.

6. All 2024 property taxes payable by Vendor. 2025 property taxes payable by Purchaser.

7. Successful offeror(s) to enter formal purchase agreement following tender.

8. Land to be sold as one package or as individual quarters (bids on any number of quarters will be considered). The Vendor retains the right to select to sell one or any number of quarters to a package offeror. Package bids must specify price offered for each quarter.

9. Property sold “as is”.

INDEPENDE

the

St. Gabriel School winners (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

For more information contact: Michelle Spence, 306-445-6177, michelle@battleriverlaw.ca

Offers must be received no later than 12:00p.m. February 12, 2025. All Tenders must be placed in a sealed envelope marked “Do Not Open: Kanz Land” to: Battle River Law, #201, 1291 – 102nd Street (Box 905), North Battleford, SK, S9A 2Z3, Attention: Michelle Spence.

Merry Christmas What do you call a moose with no name?

Anonymoose

Hope you’ll be “Rockin Around The Christmas Tree” and doing the “Jingle Bell Rock” right into

the New Year.

Merry Christmas

306-951-7700

NOW OPEN Liquor Store

Biggar Esso 904 Main St Biggar Sk. 948-3600

Northland Painting & Sandblasting Painting, Sandblasting, Welding & Spray Foam Insulation

Cody Parenteau 306-948-6944 northland83@sasktel.net

Enjoy the Friendly Service and all the products that we offer

D

TH

10 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Business & Professional …

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

AUTOMOTIVE

ACCOUNTING

SERVICES

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

306-948-3996

201B 2nd Avenue West, Biggar

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

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

ACCEPT NEW C ING LIE Year R NTS ound

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

(New Horizons Bldg) Biggar

INSURANCE

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

Biggar Office Hours…

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

304 Main St., Biggar Phone: 306-948-2204 Toll Free: 1-855-948-2204

“We’ll getcha covered”

Landis Office Hours:

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

Thursday CLOSED

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

Perdue Office Hours

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

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

INVESTMENTS

Open Monday-Friday Mike Nahorney - Journeyman Red Seal Mechanic

HEAVY TRUCK AUTO TIRES BOATS & RVs

Mon - Fri • 8 a.m.-5

p.m. phone: Chris

FULL MOBILE MECHANICAL SGI Safety INSPECTION

306-948-3376

3 col/6

306-948-5077 Biggar, SK.

** TION A LOC

chicosautoworks@sasktel.net

S0K 0M0

MECHANIC SHOP

DIESEL & GAS 317 MAIN STREET (Formally Chico’s) Call Tamas 306-303-3676

NOW OPEN

CAR CARE

Basic Car Wash Vehicle Detailing Call Jane 604-338-8976

DENTAL

Rosetown Dental

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

(WY %AST "IGGAR

BIGGAR

306-948-2109

Attention: Deanna Stevenot REFRIGERATION

SERVICES

SEED CLEANING

wyLie seeD &

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

“CASH PAID” on the Spot

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

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

Cari Perih REAlToR®

ProCessing inC.

Cell: 306-948-7995

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

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

seeds Canada authorized

www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca

OFFICE HOURS

Phone:306.882.2123

LEGAL SERVICES Busse Law

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

306-948-3346 …serving your community since 1972

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

excellent Quality at a reasonable Price!

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

306-948-5352 or 306-244-9865

Acres of Expertise.

Bill: 948-7457 Dale: 948-6045

HAULING

Dave Molberg

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

Rockin D Trucking & Cattle • Cattle Hauling with 21 ft. gooseneck trailer • Grain Hauling • round and large square bale hauling with step-deck or highboy semi-trailers • also buying and selling straw and forage • also Machinery Hauling

Dan • 306-948-7843 Biggar, Sask.

Peszko &Watson

is a full service law office that practices…

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

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

for all your Cereal and Pulse Cleaning

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

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

Te 9 9

fo

9

Shoreline Realty

115 - 1st Avenue West Rosetown, Sask.

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

306-716-4021

306-948-2183

Chico’s Auto Works

DEADLINE

DEMOLITION & RESTORATION STUCCO , DRYWALL CONCRETE FINISHING

Box 580 Biggar, SK SOK OMO

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

Dr. Krista Maedel & Associates

• 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

Serving Your “EnTIRE” Needs

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

223 Main Street Biggar

Jennifer:

New Patients Welcome!

Métis Owned Aboriginal Owned

Service Truck Full Mechanical Service

PLUMBING & HEATING

wi

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Business & Professional … THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

CLEANING SERVICE

• • • • • • • •

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

Dr. Kirk Ewen Dr. Michelle Skoretz Doctors of Optometry

- together with In BIGGAR

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

New Location

315b Main Street, Biggar, SK

For appointments…

1-833-948-3331

Tired of running out of ink.?

WE CAN HELP JUST SEND US

YOUR DOCUMENTS AND LET US PRINT THEM FOR YOU.

Advertising

is an investment

HEALTH/WELLNESS

in your

ROSETOWN ROSETOWN NATURAL HEALTH NATURAL HEALTH

healthy, naturally!

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

Mail Orders Welcome.

Monday – Saturday 9:00 – 6:00 Monday306-882-2220 – Saturday 9:00 – 6:00 2 col/6 rosetownnatural@sasktel.net 306-882-2220 www.rosetownnaturalhealth.com rosetownnatural@sasktel.net Naty/Michael…

SERVICES BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN

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

Brett…

GALLARDO Liner

commitment.

Macklin to Saskatoon & towns in-between

Kindersley to Saskatoon & towns in-between

306-948-9750 Biggar, Sask.

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

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

2 col/6

This is what I worked up for the Business & Professional section in back of Passenger Services paper, Price… 2.5 inches = $201.50 122 Depotprepaid plusMain gst St. per- Biggar 6-month 6 month commitment for $161.20 plus gst

Special Event, Please get Airport backService to meor with Doctorʼs Appointments by return changes/corrections

102 - 3rd Ave. West,

business.

email this morning.

Co-Ed Fitness Centre Healthy Lifestyle Weight Loss Personal Training Fitness Classes

…owned and operated

by Brett Barber

102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

306-948-9750

www.newufitness.ca

BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income

Call: 306•303•7246

12- THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

email us at tip@sasktel.net

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, a special person in your life deserves all of your attention. Romance might be on your mind, and you’ll look forward to all of the time you can spend together.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

You may feel artistically inspired this week, Taurus.

Explore projects like home improvements or crafting.

There are many things to try.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Your attendance at a wedding or another special event could have your thoughts moving in a romantic direction, Gemini.

Maybe you’re thinking of taking your relationship to another level?

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, forge ahead in your efforts if you aspire to learn a new skill or take on a different project. This might involve meeting new and interesting people. Expand your social network.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Family and friends will have a difficult time changing your mind once you have taken a stance, Libra.

You have dug in your heels on this topic.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Leo, it is important to put others first this week, particularly your spouse or romantic partner. You don’t want any hurt feelings circulating right now.

Scorpio, new work assignments or additional business may complicate matters in the days ahead. That can be great during times of year when spending can get out of control.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21

An unexpected visitor might come your way in the next few days, Virgo.

This could require overhauling your schedule and even space in your home to make room.

–

As you prepare for the colder temperatures, holistic arts, acupuncture, herbs, and therapies might be on your mind, Sagittarius. You don’t want to be sick this go-around.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, you will try to meet the demands of your need for information this week. Chances are you’ll be reading the newspaper and news outlets as much as you can.

You cannot gain traction right now, Aquarius. Perhaps you haven’t met the right people yet? Keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

TOM MUC

CORINNE HERZBERG

Forever Remembered Mom, Clayton, Amy, Jerry, Brent, Brenda

Sunday Mass.......9:00a.m.

Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans

St.Pauls Anglican Redeemer Lutheran Worship - 10:30 a.m.

205 4th Ave. E 319 7th Ave. E

DECEMBER 22 10:30am Regular Worship DECEMBER 24 7:00pm Christmas Eve Worship (St. Pauls Anglican Church)

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.

Pisces, if a career change has been on your mind, the new year might be a chance to get those gears moving in the right direction.

IN LOVING MEMORY

Your life was a blessing Your memory a treasure You are loved beyond words And missed beyond measure

our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

IN LOVING MEMORY November 26, 1959 - December 23, 2005

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

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

All are welcome to come and join us

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

January 9, 1970 - December 18, 1985 Time slips by and life goes on but from our hearts you are never gone.

We think about you always, we talk about you too.

We have so many memories, but we wish we still had you.

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

Forever loved and missed by Mom, Dad, Charla, Steven, our families and the dear friends of Corinne

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

You are Invited

How the Grinch Did Not Steal Christmas

Fr. Edward Gibney I am writing this message on Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy, celebrated by many Christian denominations on the Third Sunday of Advent. This is the midpoint of our Advent preparation for the coming of Jesus into the world at Christmas, and because that great celebration is almost upon us, we are filled with joy.

Joy is not the same thing as happiness, for happiness is something which is dependent on the external conditions and situations of one’s life. Joy is not like that. Joy can persist even in the saddest times.

Theologian Henri Nouwen wrote that joy is something deeper. It is “the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing; sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death, can take that love away.” At Christmas, we find happiness in getting the gift we want, or in overeating, or even in getting a kiss under the mistletoe.

But these things only give us happiness. Joy comes from something deeper.

That said, this year, on Gaudete Sunday, I noticed that many CBC television stations chose this day to

televise the 1960’s cartoon, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” You know the story! The Grinch ‘tries to stop Christmas from coming,’ and he does so by taking away from the people in ‘Whoville,’ all the gifts, and the games, and even the ‘roast beast.’ He thought that by taking away these things, Christmas would not happen. But He was wrong. Even without all the gifts and other things that brought the ‘Whos’ happiness at Christmas, they were still filled with the joy of Christmas, because to them Christmas had a deeper meaning. This is why the Grinch failed to steal Christmas. This story is about how the true celebration of Christmas is about the spiritual joy of being with others who love us and who share our faith, not about the happiness we experience when we get the gift we want or when we eat a great meal.

Our world stresses the purchased things that they say will bring us happiness, but that is not what is truly important. In our belief in the fact that God sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world, that He was born in Bethlehem, and that Jesus became one of us so that we could share eternal life with Him, we can face any difficulty, struggle or sadness in the joy that comes from knowing God loves us. The world can take away the things that give us happiness, but it can never take away the joy that we get in our relationship with God. May God Bless you and protect you

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Fun ways to make Christmas Eve even more special for kids

Parents know that nothing quite matches the excitement young children feel on Christmas Eve. On the day before Christmas, youngsters anxiously anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus that evening, and are perhaps even more excited by the prospects of the following morning, when they’ll race into the living room and discover all that the jolly old elf left behind.

Christmas Eve seems to have some built-in magical components,

but there are a handful of ways parents can make the day even more special for children.

• Track the big guy’s movements online.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), has tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve flight for more than 60 years. Beginning on Christmas Eve, families can track Santa’s movements across the

Have a groovy holiday season from Ray and Staff

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globe at Noradsanta. lie Wood as the adororg. Kids can visit able “Susan Walker” the site to see where and Edmund Gwenn Santa is at any given as “Kris Kringle,” or moment on Christmas go with something Eve, growing more more recent, such as excited as the big fella “The Grinch,” the gets closer and closer 2018 adaptation of to their own region. the Dr. Seuss book • Create a Christmas How the Grinch Stole Eve craft. Gather Christmas. children and their • Take a nighttime cousins and/or friends stroll or drive to see to create a special the lights. Lighting Christmas Eve craft or displays are another decoration that can be component that makes displayed next year. the holiday season so This is a great way to special. After Christchannel youngsters’ 1/4mas PageEve dinner, take nervous Christmas a stroll through your Eve energy into some- neighborhood to see thing productive, and the lighting displays it can make for a great or climb into the car tradition families can to take in a different continue even after neighborhood’s offerkids are grown. ings if you’re already • Watch a favorite familiar with those in Christmas movie. your own neck of the Hollywood has woods. never shied away Christmas Eve is from holiday fare, so a magical day for there’s no shortage of youngsters and their festive films to enjoy parents. Some simple with youngsters on ideas can make the Christmas Eve. Enjoy day even more meana classic like the 1947 ingful for children and film “Miracle on 34th their families.

Street” starring Nata-

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 13

God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen

The holiday season is steeped in tradition, and some traditions have a lengthier history than others. Fans of the Christmas carol “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” may be happy to hear that the

Thank you for your support this year.

Wishing you a season full of light and laughter.

song’s history dates back several hundred years.

The carol dates all the way back to the 1650s and is even briefly alluded to in Charles Dickens’ beloved novella “A Christmas Carol.”

“God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day To save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heav’nly Father a blessed angel came and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same; how that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.

“Fear not,” then said the angel, “Let nothing you affright; this day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright, to free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s pow’r and might.”

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.

Merry thethe INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT Christmas and a Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place, and with true love and brotherhood each other new embrace; this holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Lyrics courtesy of Hymnary.org.

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14-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Best of the best from 2024

Bruce Penton

Penton on Sports A selection of the best quips and quotes from January through June, 2024. (Part II next week).

• Hockey broadcaster John Shannon in pregame chat when Connor Bedard met Connor McDavid in Edmonton for the first meeting between the two NHL superstars: “It’s 97 vs.

98 in a city made famous by 99.”

• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “Is Easton Stick a starting quarterback with the Los Angeles Chargers or is it in my garage, beside my frozen hockey bag?”

• Headline in The Beaverton, after freeagent Shohei Ohtani shunned the Blue Jays and signed with the Dodgers: “Inspiring: This man isn’t locked into a long, expensive contract with Rogers.”

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “North Pole police have finally cleared Santa’s head elf of charges of careless use of a firearm. Authorities admit mistakes were made after finding a cartridge in a pear tree.”

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

• Super 70s Sports, in the aftermath of the $700 million Shohei Ohtani signing by the Dodgers, ran a picture of actor Lee Majors and said: “The Dodgers could’ve built 116 bionic men instead.”

• Late night funny-man 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.”

• 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?”

• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe. com: “Miami TE Cam McCormick, due to various injuries, COVID, and transferring, was just granted his ninth year of eligibility for college football. Maybe it will improve Cam’s draft stock. How many rookies reduce their team’s costs by being eligible for Medicare?”

• Another one from Currie: “At the Aussie Open, American Coco Gauff will open the tournament in a onesided affair.

She’s up against Slovak Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, whom she trails 23 characters to nine.”

• Nora Berry: “Anyone who thinks women talk too much has never sat through a six-hour Super Bowl pregame show.”

• Pro golfer Tommy Fleetwood, quoted on @PGATour on X, after reportedly turning down $75 million to sign with LIV: “My future is too bright to just throw it away. I don’t want to ruin my reputation ... my name is Tommy Fleetwood, not Cam Smith.”

• RJ Currie again: “I imagine it must be tough for Saskatchewan curling

fans to cheer Mike McEwen, longtime archrival from Manitoba, suddenly skipping a Saskatoon-based team in 2024. Call it sweeping with the enemy.”

• Super 70s Sports again: “One of the absolute best baseball stats is that father and son Cecil Fielder and Prince Fielder are tied on the all-time home run list with 319 dingers apiece.”

• Will Knights of Fried Egg Golf, on the spectacular putting display of Wyndham Clark during his round of 60 at Pebble Beach: “At times it felt like he was putting into a hole the size of Phil Mickelson’s ego.”

• Mike Bianchi again: “A 16-ounce can of beer at the big game in Vegas cost $18.90. The only people who can afford those kinds of prices are Taylor Swift, LIV golfers and Georgia football recruits.”

• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “At one point 200 million people watched the Super Bowl.

Imagine how many it would have been if they weren’t airing a curling game at the same time?”

• Headline at theonion. com: “Chiefs Walk Six Miles To Game After Bus Driver Refuses To Pay $125 For Stadium Parking.”

• Jim Trotter of The Athletic, after the Waste Management Open in Phoenix turned into a drunken debacle: “The Waste Management now resembles the Wasted Management.”

• Another one from Alex Kaseberg, after Canadian swimmer Betty Brussel set records in the 100-to104-year-old age class in Saanich, B.C at the age of 99 (turning 100 in July): “This beats the previous record of drowning.”

• RJ Currie again: “Five reasons why TV ratings

for the Brier rose 13 per cent and why TSN says it’s one of their most popular sporting events: 5.) Curling is a good draw; 4.) The Brier does well in the sweeps; 3.)

It’s great with takeout; 2.) The game has a peel; 1.) The action is end to end.”

• Retired NBA great Shaquille O’Neal: “I don’t believe in pressure.

Pressure is when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from.”

• Another one from Super 70s Sports: “On this day in 1994, the Penguins score a big win on ‘Davy Crockett Coonskin Cap Night’ - hang on, being told that’s just Jaromir Jagr’s hair.”

• Sean McIndoe of The Athletic, in a story about some of hockey’s unwritten rules: “Unwritten rule No. 14: When somebody shoots the puck over the glass, everyone has to stop and wave their arms around like first-graders who just realized they have to go potty.”

• From someone named Jeff on X: “Welcome back to SportsCenter presented by ESPN Bet. For more on the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling situation we go to our FanDuel MLB Insider Jeff Passan at our DraftKings Studio in Los Angeles brought to you by Caesar’s Sportsbook. Jeff, how could something like this happen?”

• RJ Currie again: “Team Canada beat Team Switzerland to win the women’s curling championship. Just for the day, they should change the national anthem to ‘O Canada, our Homan native land.’

• Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley, saying the 12th hole will never be lengthened, as suggested by 2000 champ Vijay Singh:

“That’s almost like asking, you know, can we touch up the Mona Lisa a little bit.”

• One more from RJ Currie: “Tiger Woods says if everything comes together, he believes he can win another Masters. He got me so fired up I sent another set of marriage proposals to Ann Hathaway, Margot Robbie and Gal Godot.”

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

• Steve Burgess again, being vindictive: “The Leafs are out. The Jays are losing. Drake’s beef is not going well. Sucks to be you, Toronto.”

• Canada’s satirical website, the Beaverton, after coach Sheldon Keefe was fired: “Maple Leafs begin search for

new scapegoat.”

• From a British football humour site: “At a recent World Cup of soccer, the English team visited an orphanage: ‘It was heartbreaking to see their sad little faces with no hope,’ said João, age 6.”

• R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports, on the rebuilding Los Angeles Angels: “Unfortunately, they are a few years away from being a few years away.”

• Bob Molinaro of pilotonline.com (Hampton, Va.): “For those competing in the July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest, the banishment of multiple champion Joey Chestnut for endorsing plantbased dogs doesn’t change the nature of the gluttonous competition.

It’s still wiener take all.”

• Care to comment?

E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca.

Biggar Bowl weekly scores Monday Adult Mixed Ladies High Single - Yvonne Markewich 211.

Ladies High Triple - Marilyn Miller 550. Mens High Single - Jason Raschke 220. Mens High Triple - Gord Misener 483.

Tuesday Night Mixed Ladies High Single - Melissa Raschke 186.

Ladies High Triple - Melissa Raschke 454. Mens High Single - Mat Harrabek 157. Mens High Triple - Mat Harrabek 425.

Thursday Afternoon Seniors Ladies High Single - Lorna Goring 177. Ladies High Triple - Lorna Goring 449. Mens High Single - Walter Fernets 180. Mens High Triple - Walter Fernets 500.

YBC Pee Wee Single - Blake Foster 86; Double - Ashton Kramer 168. Bantam Single - Kaysen Sauntry 126; Triple - Kaysen Sauntry 302. Junior Single Xander Hebert 189; Triple - Xander Hebert 485.

Senior High Single - Hanna Keefe 212; High Triple - Hanna Keefe 461.

Sask West This Week

by Phil Heilman A busy weekend in the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL), and with it came some tightening up in the standings.

The Wilkie Outlaws sit on top with a 5-1 record, followed by the Kindersley Sr Klippers with a 4-1 record and the Macklin Mohawks at 4-2.

The Hafford Hawks sit in fourth with a 3-1 record.

The Edam 3 Stars hold fifth with 2-3 record, with the Biggar Nationals with a 1-5-1 record. In the rear is the Unity Miners with a 0-4-1 record.

On Sunday night, the Biggar Nationals travelled south to Kindersley for a matchup against the Klippers, with the Klippers coming away with the 6-3 win.

Troy Boisjoli fired the only goal of the opening frame, giving Kindersley the 1-0 after 20 minutes.

Carson Grolla (on the

power play) and Shayne Neigum extended that lead to 3-0 before Taylor Bucsis and Brett Novak responded to cut the lead to 3-2. The Klippers came out flying in the third, with Boisjoli, Brody Ryberg and Tyler Traptow all scoring and extending the lead to 6-2. Dallon Becotte of the Nats would round out scoring.

Brett Matlock took the loss, stopping 48 of 54 shots, while Logan Drackett took the win, stopping 22 of 25 shots.

On Saturday night, the Unity Miners travelled east to Wilkie to play the Outlaws, with Wilkie coming away with the big 9-2 win.

Ryne Keller opened the scoring just four minutes into the game, and followed it up with his second of the night and the year just four minutes later.

Rory

Gregoire would add to the lead with his second of the year before Davis Chorny would score to cut the lead to 3-1. Rick Cey would also score to extend the lead to 4-1.

It was all Outlaws in the middle frame as Rob Cey, Kyler Lorenz, Will Rathje and Brett Schell would all score, giving Wilkie the commanding 8-1 lead after 40 minutes.

Brayden Schultz and Blake Young would trade goals in the third to tie a bow on things.

Brett Vanderveer took the loss, stopping 27 of 36 shots, while Jared Herle took the win, stopping 20 of 21 shots in two periods of action. Curtis Sander came in for the third, stopping 11 of 12 shots.

Also on Saturday, the Edam 3 Stars hosted the Kindersley Sr Klippers, with the Klippers coming away with the 5-3 win.

Brent Weber would

give the home team the early 1-0 lead, but Brody Ryberg would reply on the power play. Trayton Troesch would give Edam the 2-1 lead, however Gage Misskey would tie it right back up by two, which is how it stood after 20 minutes. The Klippers took over in the second, with Dylan Georget and Shayne Neigum would give Kindersley the 4-2 lead. Georget and Josh LaClare would trade goals in the third to round out scoring.

Logan Drackett secured the win, stopping 46 of 49 shots, while Taryn Kotchorek took the loss, stopping 40 of 45 shots.

In another game on Saturday, the Biggar Nationals headed west to play the Macklin Mohawks, with the home team coming away with the 5-3 victory.

Hunter Steinhubel and Jonathan Redlick would

trade goals in the opening frame for a 1-1 tie. Tyler Kunz and Carson Pickett would score in the second to give Macklin the 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. Hunter would score to add to the lead, but Taylor Bucsis would cut the lead down to 4-2. Hunter then would get his hat-trick goal to once again get the threegoal lead. Redlick scored his eighth of the year to round out scoring.

Josh Hawkins took the loss, stopping 36 of 41 shots, while Trevor Martin secured the win, stopping 34 of 37 shots On Friday night, The Hafford Hawks hosted the Edam 3 Stars, with the hometown team coming away with the 4-1 victory.

Paul Cubbon opened the scoring at the 12:13 mark of the first period, in the only marker of the opening frame. Scoring

was quiet until the early stages of the third, when Kyle Ireland fired his first of the year to double the lead. Quinton Cubbon extended the lead to 3-0, but Trayton Troesch cut the deficit down to 3-1.

Kyle Litchenwald would add the icing to the victory with his third of the year.

Taryn Kotchorek took the loss, stopping 42 of 46 shots, while Joel Gryzbowski took the win, stopping 28 of 29 shots.

Five games are on the docket for the weekend before the holiday season. Three games on Friday as Wilkie hosts Macklin, Unity hosting Kindersley, and Biggar travelling to Hafford.

Sunday sees two games with Kindersley hosting Hafford and Macklin hosting Wilkie.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 15 Changing of the Guard…Installation of officers was held at the Masonic Lodge #100 this past Tuesday December 10. The new officers will take their place for the 2025 year. Master of the Lodge entered is Dale Buxton, Senior Warden is Jeff Bala and Junior Warden is Steven Carter.

Independent photo by Dale Buxton “Enriching Our Community Through the Arts”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Biggar & District Arts Council Thank you for your continued support

This will be a sign for you...

... you ^PSS ÄUK H JOPSK ^YHWWLK PU IHUKZ VM JSV[O HUK S`PUN in a manger.

Luke 2:12

INDEPENDENT

Rosetown this past December 10. Lunch was served along with donuts and a the special made cake to to cap off the event. Industry Reps were in attendance A Time to Celebrate…It was the Snow Blower event at All West Sales in

along with local radio and newspaper media. It was a great turnout for the event, well done Daryl for the planning. Independent photo by Dale Buxton

Merry Christmas!

Art by Piper at Georges Vanier Catholic Fine Arts School

enjoy ing you ove p o h ’s e l Her tions of ly r o p s u genero h fami hter wit he g u a l d t an nds for and frie e of your urs main co s season! a Christm

INDEPENDENT

the

It’s Almost Time…

… to wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Here’s hoping your New Year delivers it all!

Thank you for dropping in this year.

Hannigan‛s Hamburgers & Pizza

INDEPENDENT

Hannigan‛s Hamburgers & Pizza

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THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40 Thanks for your prompt attention and participation BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 telephone: 306-948-3344

Troy, Kerry and everyone at… fax: 306-948-2133 e-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca

A Tr

16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

3 col/6

Thank you and best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

It’s been a pleasure serving you.

Happy Holidays

from the lawyers and staff at

Credit Union hit the Secret Santa workshop ... Jo Angelopoulos, centre, of Secret Santa, is flanked by Biggar and District Credit Union - now Santa’s Helpers, Sara Haynes and Jennifer Quessy.

The Credit Union lend a hand in supplying some presents for kids with the very worthwhile Secret Santa project in Biggar. Well done! (Independent

PESZKO LEGAL

Jason Peszko Nancy Farenick Amanda Morao

Bailee Massett Sarah Roesler

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Biggar Professional Building 223 Main Street, Biggar 306-948-5352 306-244-9865

Heartfelt Greetings and Best Wishes To Our Valued Customers and Friends at this Special Time Of Year

Photo by Dale Buxton)

Happy New Year and sincere thanks to each and every one of you.

We look forward to seeing you again in the new year.

Santa helps with 95th b-day celebration ...

Biggar’s Beth Young, centre, gets a hug from the “Man in Red”. Santa came to the Come and Go Tea for Beth at the New Horizons on Saturday, as the Biggar local celebrated in style. Congratulations, Beth, Happy Birthday and many more! (Independent Photo by Dale Buxton)

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OWNER/PUBLISHER THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40 BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 telephone: 306-948-3344 fax: 306-948-2133 e-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca

BENJO!NJETBTL DB

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 17

Snowbirds: Consider adding travel insurance to your packing list

If you got the groove, just go ahead and dance it out! ... Biggar Music Teachers and their students hit the Majestic Theatre, Sunday for their annual Christmas Recital. The students of Amy Zhao, Peggy L’Hoir, Michelle Danychuk, Joan Motz and Janelle Carr did not disappoint, getting one and all into the Christmas Spirit. (Independent Photo by Daryl Hasein)

As Canadians start planning their winter vacations, a recent survey revealed that despite rising costs and economic pressures, many Canadians surveyed are still planning to travel for pleasure in the next 12 months, but a third of them are not purchasing travel insurance for their trip.

In fact, only 32 per cent of Canadians surveyed planning to travel intend to purchase emergency travel medical as well as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, yet 40 per cent of Canadians surveyed who plan to travel do not feel they have the financial means to cover unexpectedout-of-pocket costs: some could only cover up to $300 of outof-pocket expenses and others say they would not be able to manage any unanticipated expenses without assistance if something were to happen.

“It’s easy to understand why skipping travel insurance is tempting for those looking to find ways to cut costs, but that could pose risks,” says Annie Campoli, vice president of distribution, life and health at TD Insurance. “If you have the right policy in place to meet your needs, travel insurance can help

should the unforeseen happen - from emergency medical bills to expenses like travel interruptions and cancellations due to an unexpected event that’s covered by your policy.”

For Canadians planning to travel for pleasure or business in the next 12 months, there are many instances where you may need to rely on travel insurance. More than half of Gen Zers who travel have experienced a disrupted trip, having to either shorten or cancel a trip or manage a serious injury that required medical attention. Those who have experienced travel disruptions incurred unexpected expenses averaging over $2,600.

“No matter how diligent we are when it comes to planning our trips, from checking the weather and ensuring we have all the necessary documents to creating a list of things to do and see unplanned cancellations or medical emergencies can happen. Having the right emergency travel medical coverage, along with trip cancellation and interruption insurance, can help you travel confidently and focus on how much fun you’ll have on your vacation,” says Campoli.

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18 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Christmas Reflection Biggar United Church

by Pastor Dale Worrell, Biggar United Church “Shepherds quake, at the sight,” ring the familiar words.

We don’t know exactly what happened. Luke is a little sketchy on the details. However, Luke does tell us the shepherds were terrified and then something happened.

“Don’t be afraid,” said the angel.

The Angel connected with those shepherds and made them feel safe. At least safe enough to stay around and listen. Luke then shows us the image of a vulnerable baby wrapped up in a warm blanket.

Why this story? Why was this important to Luke and important to us? Why fear?

Perhaps, when we are fearful, like the shepherds, we just need someone or something to connect with us to make us feel safe. In fact, Luke’s story tells

us what came out of that connection and safety, was pure joy. It’s Jesus’ message we will hear again and again as he walks the roads of Galilee.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here with you, I want you to feel as safe as a baby wrapped up in a warm blanket.”

On this day, I find myself wondering: Do I linger with the shepherds in fear? Or do I choose to be one of the wondrous lights of connection creating safe places that bring joy to those caught in a fearful world.

We need to be a people and a church that remembers to figure out where people are in their fears and where we are in our own fears. Then,

to remember our faith calls us to say, “Don’t be afraid. I bring you glad tidings of great joy!”

We were born to make manifest, the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

So, believe the good news: God’s goodness, presence, strength, and love are all around us and in us. Glories streaming, angels singing, shepherds quaking and spontaneous wonderful Joy. It must be Christmas!

Seventh-day Adventist Church The best Christmas ever

by Marjorie Fortney, Seventh-day Adventist Church The story of Christmas is an amazing and incredible story, full of intrigue.

Mary, a young Jewish virgin was informed by the angel Gabriel that she would conceive and give birth to a son. She questioned the angel Gabriel as to how that could possibly be as she had never been with a man.

However, God speaks and it is done. And it came to pass as the angel had said. She was to call her son Jesus as He would save people from their sins.

Joseph, her husband to be was very troubled when Mary shared the news with him. She could be stoned for such behaviour, getting pregnant outside of marriage. An angel also spoke to Joseph telling him that this pregnancy was from God. However, not everyone believed this, and at times it caused much suffering for the young couple.

Prophecies in the Old Testament foretold

this event. Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

This birth was to take place in Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2, “But thou Bethlehem, Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

There was a decree

by Caesar Agustus that everyone in the Roman Empire should be taxed, and everyone had to go to their place of birth to be counted. Mary was great with child when she and Joseph made the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. And the night they arrived Jesus was born. The city was so full of people that they couldn’t find a place to stay and ended up in an animal shed.

Mary wrapped her son in swaddling clothes and placed him in a manger.

On the hills just outside of Bethlehem, shepherds were watching over their flocks. They were aware

that according to the scripture the time was at hand for the birth of the Messiah.

There was a prophecy in Daniel 9:25-27 regarding the arrival of the Messiah. As the shepherds were probably sitting around a fire visiting, suddenly, Gabriel appeared with an amazing announcement, “Fear not for behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:10-14.

It all happened as God had planned. Thank God for Christmas. His birth was a path to Calvary, which provided salvation for all humanity!!

Whosoever will may come.

Biggar Associated Gospel Church The sign of the Fish

by Warren Charlton, Biggar Associated Gospel Church “Ixthus” is the Greek word for fish.

First century Christians used this word to signify their faith in Jesus Christ by using each letter to tell the story of the gospel: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour. That is the good news of Christmas.

Joseph was instructed

by God to name Mary’s son, “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

The angel told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of Bethlehem a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

John records Jesus’s

explanation of why God sent him into the world, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

After witnessing Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the apostles went preaching everywhere saying, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

It was to a jailer who had asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” that the apostles replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household.”

It was as he reflected on how he had been

by Rev. Daphne Bender, PALs “In those days a decree when out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.” (Luke 2:1) How could something so little - so helpless - have such a great impact?

This question would not have occurred to the people heading back to their hometowns for the census on the first Christmas Eve. One more baby born in a stable meant nothing.

But this was not the case for Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds that long-ago evening in Bethlehem.

Instead, they may have thought, “How could this baby - this tiny, helpless being - take my breath away like this?”

He arrived in such inconvenient unusual circumstances. A virgin gave birth. A peasant carpenter was tasked with step-parenting.

Shepherds, out-of-sight, out-of-mind workhands, were called by an angel to be the first witnesses to the arrival of the Messiah. This baby rearranged everything about their lives that they considered routine.

They knew then that a small, helpless being could turn the world upside down - could

rearrange the lives of everyone who knew Him - because this little one was born the Son of God. From then on, the little ones would be lifted up; the poor ones would be counted as worthy; the insignificant ones would be given greatness.

Everywhere He went and everything He did, threw into question the common assumptions that were in place.

Instead of sending the children away from him, He knelt down and gathered them around Himself. When everyone was ready to stone the woman caught in adultery, Jesus stopped them and gave her a new beginning.

When the sick and demon-possessed were considered unworthy of attention, Jesus stopped to give them His full attention. The generallyconsidered insignificant ones, were specifically granted His utmost consideration. Even in His dying he overturned assumed grief with joy; humility with victory; death with life.

This little helpless baby is born into our lives once again this Christmas. He comes to take our breath away with awe and surprise.

He amazes us with His simple greatness, His quiet upheaval in our

PALs

shown mercy by God even though he was once a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man that Paul wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst.”

Christmas is all about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour. This is good news of great joy for all of us without exception because each of us is a sinner in God’s sight.

We all need the salvation that Jesus secured for all who would believe in him.

Do you celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, my Saviour? Look to Jesus for he is willing and able to save you.

lives. His birth whispers that we shout out His arrival with joy.

And our lives are never the same again.

This baby born into our lives calls us to stand up for the underprivileged, to work to improve living conditions and employment opportunities for refugees, immigrants, indigenous peoples.

While all around us the big and the loud get the most attention, we are called to look closer and see the little ones. When the baby Jesus enters our lives to reshape and redirect us, we enter into our neighbours’ lives to lift up, strengthen and bring new life.

The first Christmas Eve may have gone unnoticed by the majority of the world, but to Mary and Joseph, to the angels and the shepherds, the greatest event ever took place. A little child was born who claimed their hearts and lives forever.

A little child born into a lowly family, in an out-of-the-way place, and adored by simple shepherds, continues to claim the hearts and lives of all who see strength in weakness, beauty in simplicity, possibilities in the seemingly impossible.

Come, Lord Jesus, be born in us today!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 19

Christmas Reflections Biggar/Landis Roman Catholic Church

by Father Edward Gibney, Biggar/Landis Roman Catholic Church At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, as one of us. Like the Angels in Bethlehem we joyfully sing Hallelujah at the birth of the Son of God, who became, for us, a human being.

The mystery of the Incarnation is at the very heart of the Christian faith. The Christian believes that God became man; that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This is one of the greatest moments in the history of humanity, for in it, God has expressed a special relationship between the human and the divine, and so, in itself, there is ample reason to celebrate. He is the great gift, from God to humanity, and therefore he is the reason we still maintain the tradition of giving gifts to each other in this Blessed Season of Christmas.

Many of the traditions

our secular world has adopted came from the Christian celebration of the birth of God into our world. Besides the giving of gifts as a remembrance of the gift of Jesus, Christians also brought about the Christmas tree as a remembrance of the wood of the cross, and even the secular tradition of putting out a plastic Santa, reindeer and snowmen can be seen as being influenced by the placing of Nativity Scenes inside and outside of Churches.

And for that matter, the very idea of Santa Claus grew out of Christian roots, for the idea of a good and charitable man who gave gifts to the less fortunate, can be traced back to a monk by the name of Saint Nicholas, who lived in Turkey around 280 AD. But Jesus’ birth is not simply another tradition.

It is not just something we do each year!

It is so much more.

Jesus’ birth has given

humanity its dignity, for God would not have become one of us if humanity did not have a spark of goodness within it. And so, Christ is born, that by his birth he might restore our nature to the greatness he had originally planned. God supports humanity so that humanity might no longer fall.

The theologian, Saint Peter Chrysologus, who lived around the year 400 AD, wrote, “Why then, man, are you so worthless in your own eyes and yet so precious to God? Why render yourself such dishonour when you are honoured by him? Why do you ask how you were created and do not seek to know why you were made?”

This Christmas, give yourself the gift of recognizing how special: how important, you are in the eyes of God, and thank him for making you so Blessed, through the birth of Jesus as one of us.

Biggar Church of God

by Rev. Bev Dyck, Biggar Church of God When I was a little girl, I did not know about Santa Claus until I went to School. I also didn’t realize that other people had beautiful Christmas trees in their homes.

I had always loved Christmas but Christmas to our family was about the Christmas Eve program at church where we children recited verses, held candles and got candy bags. Then we came home and set our plates out on the table, for our Christmas gifts that would be there the next morning.

I did not want to miss out. I meant to jingle some bells in the night so that at least my brothers and sisters would think that Santa had come. However, I slept through the night, so that didn’t happen. I talked to the neighbours who went to their land up north and brought back a Christmas tree for themselves and got them to bring a tree for us. That way we could be ordinary and like other people.

The tree that the neighbours brought back for us was a lovely tall evergreen and it nearly touched the ceiling.

My siblings and I made

many decorations: stars, and coloured chains and we cut foil into tinsel. We were like other people, having such a beautiful adorned tree.

However, my parents still kept their tradition of putting out our Christmas gifts on our place at the table, and the gifts were limited to one or two things.

Underneath the tree looked so bare without gifts.

I had begun in summertime making little gifts for each family member. I even packaged them in plastic bags with a label and I stroked out the price at the top, so that they would appear store-bought. And then I would gift wrap them.

However, the gifts that I had been making looked very inadequate under that big tree.

I enlisted my sister’s help and together we collected blocks of wood.

My father had been doing some building and the ends of the 2x4’s were a nice size to draw pictures on. My sister and I drew many pictures with our wax crayons on these blocks and then used newspaper and wrapped these blocks for Christmas gifts. Finally our pile of gifts under the tree was sufficient and

Christmas came. It was surprising to me how quickly all of these gifts were unwrapped and the mess was cleaned up.

Scripture says in Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonder Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Christians have celebrated Christmas as a time to remember the birth of Christ and all that Christ Jesus means to us as our Saviour. It is a time of praise and worship to the King of Kings for His great gift to mankind.

As a child, I was caught up in the trappings of commercial Christmas.

I was caught up in being like everyone else.

Sometimes, we as adults are still doing what I was doing as a child trying to keep up with the ‘Jones’s. Christmas can become a burden financially and in the many activities we might attend.

What is the real reason for the season? It is to worship the Lord of Lords for our great salvation and to show love to one another.

Perdue United Church

by Pastor Ken Davidson, Perdue United Church I love the Christmas season!

I love the carols, the street lights, the Santa Claus’s and their “Ho! Ho! Ho’s!”. I even enjoy the coldness in the air, the over-decorated houses, the Christmas feel-good movies, and listening to the different renditions of our favourite Christmas carols on the radio. I love all the fresh baking, the hams and turkeys.

I know that there are those who think all this hype takes away from the real meaning of Christmas.

However, I am one of those suckers that enjoys the celebration!

There is magic in the air at Christmas that is not there the rest of the year. People say, “Hello!

How are you doing?” and wait to hear your response. At this time of the year, people actually seem to cope.

I enjoy hearing, “Merry Christmas!” and I enjoy saying it.

At Christmas, we are given free rein to allow our imaginations to soar, and our spirits celebrate.

In the midst of all the Christmas sparkle, even those who may not follow our belief in Christ, their hearts seem to soften towards each other and are warmed by the goodness of others.

Christmas, in the true spirit, acknowledges

that Jesus is the reason for the season!

“The Lord makes the sun to shine on the good and the bad alike,” and His mercy and kindness are shown in the face of the Christ child, and are for all people, whether they know Him or not.

His gift of love is available to all at all times. But it seems easier to share at Christmas.

Whether we acknowledge it or not, our world is alive with the presence of He who came, who has come, He who is with us, and He who will come again to bring His peace to the earth forever more.

Thank You, Jesus!

New Beginnings Church

by Philip Watson, New Beginnings Church An Instagram friend just posted some photographs the other day. He is currently on holiday in South Africa and made the comment on the post, “It feels so weird putting Christmas music on a summer photo dump.”

Yes, his pictures are about beaches, lighthouses on the sandy shore, people in shorts and t-shirts, gathering at the ice cream shop for a refreshing break from the heat of the sun.

Here we are preparing for our traditional Christmas, shovelling out the driveway, again!

Wondering if we bought a large enough turkey, and having nightmares that we bought too much turkey and we will have leftovers till “Ground Hog Day.” I am wondering about how recent immigrants to Saskatchewan will view this holiday season. Christmas is a mix of many different traditions these days, stories of St. Nicholas, of flying reindeer, of a sleigh filled with toys, to family dinners serving the traditional foods that we grew up with. We celebrate with Christmas Trees decorated in all sorts of ways, decorating our houses with hundreds of light bulbs burning late

into the night.

But with the many different traditions and cultural practices my favourite is about a baby born in a stable (a friend of mine likened this to sleeping in the parking garage of the local hotel), to a carpenter and his wife, of a little child who had no crib in which he could sleep so they laid him in a manger (the feeding trough for the animals).

This baby had no appearance of being special and yet prophets spoke of his birth 400 years before it happened, His mother was anointed

by God, Angels lit up the sky at His birth and that Wise men from a distant land would come and pay homage to Him. At this time of the year one of my favourite songs get lots of airtime.

The song goes like this.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy Has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you Mary, did you know that your baby boy Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby You kiss the face of God Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear The dead will live again The lame will leap, the dumb will speak The praises of the Lamb Mary, did you know that your baby boy Is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?

That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am Mary, did you know?

(Mary, did you know?)

Mary, did you know?

(Mary, did you know?)

Mary, did you know?

Oh.

20 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

‘Puerto Rican eggnog’ could be a hit for the holidays

Merry Christmas from the staff at

Tradition reigns supreme during the holiday season. Putting up Christmas trees, stringing lights, sing-

ing carols, and filling stockings with trinkets are just a few of the season’s many cherished traditions. However,

INDEPENDENT

East Breeze theLiquidation

802 Main Street, Biggar

Tidings of Comfort & Joy

Wishing you a warm and cozy Christmas filled with family, friends and all the comforts of home.

We thank you for giving us such a warm welcome in the community.

Happy Holidays!

‘Almost Home’ Care Home

114 - 4th Ave. W., Biggar Management, staff & residents

Atttention: Sandra

May the Christmas Season ILOO \RXU KRPH ZLWK /RYH DQG \RXU OLIH ZLWK /DXJKWHU 6LQFHUHO\ WKDQN \RX IRU \RXU SDWURQDJH DQG ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG WR EULJKWHU GD\V IRU RXU )DPLOLHV )ULHQGV &RPPXQLW\ DQG WR VHUYLQJ \RX LQ

Traditional Coquito 1 can of condensed milk 1 can of evaporated milk 1 can of cream of coconut (most Puerto Ricans prefer Coco López) 1⁄2 cup white rum (preferably Don Q or Bacardí) 1⁄2 teaspoon of vanilla extract 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (add more to taste) In a blender, add evaporated milk, cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, rum, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Blend on high until mixture is well combined, 1 to 2 minutes.

Transfer mixture into glass bottles and chill in the refrigerator until cold. To serve, pour coquito into small serving glasses and garnish with ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick.

Note: This is traditional Coquito. Individuals can experiment with different flavors, like chocolate, guava or even mango coquito if they desire.

I am attaching your Christmas Greeting @ $94.50 plus gst and New Year’s for 1/2 price FREE colour (changed content but same size)

amid the typical holiday hustle and bustle, there also are traditions that are unique to various cultures and ethnicities — particularly those pertaining to foods and beverages. From minced pies in England to kutia in Ukraine to spiced hot chocolate in Peru, many different foods and beverages are savored this time of year around the world.

Individuals of Puerto Rican descent might enjoy whipping up batches of coquito around the holidays. Coquito, which means “small coconut,” is made in batches with recipes passed down through families. It is similar to traditional eggnog, but Puerto Ricans will tell you it’s even better. The beverage is served throughout Navidad, or starting after Thanksgiving and ending in mid-January with the celebration of Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián.

Those interested in making homemade coquito can follow this “Traditional Coquito” recipe, courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico.

Deadline approval/changes is by return email or by November 30 please Thanks for your prompt attention.

From: Rick, Gerry and Staff

ROSETOWN, SK.

Closed Christmas Day & New Years Day

Merry Christmas Happy Year DALENew BUXTON

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OWNER/PUBLISHER from: THE Karen and the Gang BIGGAR INDEPENDENT 102 - 3 AVENUE Landis.

Sk. WEST P. O. BOX 40 306-658-2052 BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 RD

Thanking our customers for their business in 2024. Wishing everyone the gifts of the season – Peace, Joy, Hope.

telephone: 306-948-3344 fax: 306-948-2133 e-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca

May the holiday spirit be with you today, and throughout the New Year.

To those that are missing someone special and grieving over the holidays, take comfort knowing that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Merry Christmas Happy New Year

~LANDIS 306-658-2002 ~

from all of us at

Don, Cole, Robert, and Rochelle

BIGGAR 306-948-2669 WILKIE 306-843-2222 UNITY 306-228-448 CUT KNIFE 306-398-2469

www.gereinfuneralservice.com

Atttention: Mike/Andrea

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the THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 21

Away In a Manger

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

“Away In a Manger” is a popular Christmas carol that has endured for well over a century. One of the first known appearances of the song was in the journal The Christian Cynosure in 1882, which indicates it is

now more than 140 years old. That publication titled the hymn ”Luther’s Cradle Song,” and a brief description of the song preceding the lyrics indicates it was written by the German religious reformer Mar-

tin Luther. However, the University Libraries at The Ohio State University note that historians have since dispelled that notion, with some suggesting the song was written to commemorate the 400th anniversary

Hopeyourholidayistrimmedwitheveryhappiness.

of Luther’s birth (the reformer was born in 1483).

Regardless of its authorship, the song remains a popular and moving hymn that can be heard far and wide during the holiday season.

Thanks for hanging with us all year!

Merry Christmas!

M & N Repair

“Away In a Manger”

Mike, Darlene and staff

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

Lyrics courtesy of LyricsforChristmas.com

701-4th Ave. E, Truck Route East,

Biggar • 306-948-3996

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Wishing You a Merry Attention Darlene/Mike Christmas

I am attaching your Christmas Greeting from last year (updated picture) @ $84.00 plus gst; and again for New Year’s (same size, different content if desired) for half price FREE colour $42.00.

Deadline approval/changes is by return emailMay ortheby November 30 please. peace and happiness of the Christmas season carry you and your family through the new year and beyond. Thank you for your patronage.

Thanks for your prompt attention and participation

Spyder AutoBody 306-948-2044

)UHG 3DWV\ 7HDJRQ %U\RU

Attention Patti/Fred...

Merry Christmas Happy New Year

EPENDENT We are open for Christmas and New Years !

We thank you for your generous support and look forward to serving you again.

From the Management and Staff at

Hwy #4, Biggar, • 306-948-1753

Located in Leipzig WE CAN HELP Call 1•888•519•4445

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM I am attaching your Christmas Greeting from TRUSTY TIDYING TRUSTY TIDYING last year @CLEANING $114.50 plus SERVICE gst; and again for N Year’s (same size, different content if desired CLEANING •SERVICES Washing Baseboards for half price FREE colour • Washing Walls $57.25.

• Cupboard Cleaning 639-480-8439 (TIDY) Deadline •approval/changes Oven Cleaning is by return ema Ask fororKaty Sharon

by November 30Cleaning please.

• orFridge trustytidying@ gmail.ca • Light Fixtures Thanks for your prompt attention and participation Urla

• Washing Baseboards • Washing Walls • Cupboard Cleaning • Oven Cleaning • Fridge Cleaning • Light Fixtures • Carpet Cleaning • Organizing of closets

• •

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

Thankful to clean for Biggar regularly Tuesdays-Thursdays

22 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Up on the Housetop

Season's Greetings from

The beloved Christmas song “Up on the Housetop” is believed to have been inspired by another popular piece of holiday writing. Written

by American composer Benjamin Hanby in 1864, “Up on the Housetop” was at least in part inspired by Clement C. Moore’s 1822 poem, “A

Visit From St. Nicholas” (now more widely referred to as “The Night Before Christmas”). Since Hanby wrote the song nearly two centuries ago, it has been performed by countless artists. Two of the more notable renditions were performed by famed singing cowboy Gene Autry in 1953 and

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306-948-7685

martinsexcavating@outlook.com Box 1392 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0

The Foundation wishes to thank all who have assisted with their monetary donations. Without your help, we could not support many local organizations with their projects.

May this Christmas season remind all of us of the joy in our lives and of the joy given to others due to your support.

Biggar & District Community Foundation extends to all a Joyful Christmas and Happy New Year!

Box 489, Biggar, SK S0K 0M0

Atttention: Board Members/Marty Baroni

“Up on the Housetop”

Up on the housetop reindeer paws, out jumps good old Santa Claus Down through the chimney with lots of toys All for the little ones, Christmas joys Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn’t go?

Ho,ho ho! Who wouldn’t go?

Up on the housetop, click, click, click Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick First comes the stocking of little Nell Oh, dear Santa fill it well Give her a dolly that laughs and cries One that can open and shut her eyes Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?

Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?

Up on the housetop, click, click, click Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick Look in the stocking of little Bill Oh, just see what a glorious fill Here’s a hammer and lots of tacks Whistling ball and a whip that cracks Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn’t go?

1/4 Page Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?

Up on the housetop, click, click, click Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick Lyrics courtesy of Lyrics.com

I am attaching your Christmas Greeting from last year @ $126.00 plus gst and New Year’s for 1/2 price FREE colour (changed content but same size) We are asking if you would like to run the same ad or change it up for this year.

Deadline approval/changes is by return email or by November 29 please Thanks for your prompt attention.

Thank you for your business

and we look forward to serving you in 202 Corner of Main Street and 6th Ave. Biggar, Sk. 948-5494

Open Daily 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.

television personality Kimberley Locke in 2005.

That those two renditions were performed more than half a century apart is a testament to the enduring popularity of “Up on the Housetop,” which can be heard in department stores and at holiday parties throughout December.

DALE BUXTON

OWNER/PUBLISHER THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40 BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 telephone: 306-948-3344 fax: 306-948-2133 e-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 23

Top tips to improve your health This is a time when many of us start to think about our goals for the coming year. For some, taking care of our health is a key priority. Building in healthy habits where possible is important to our health.

Here are four ways you can get healthier this year.

Eat well It’s not easy to change a habit. Eating habits are no exception.

There are many different factors that make changing your eating habits difficult.

But over time and with small steps you can be well on your way.

You can make healthy eating habits easier to maintain over the long term by finding options that fit your daily routine. Eating a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods, and protein foods as well as

Warm holiday wishes this christmas -Melissa, Jason and Staff Biggar Bowl

making water your drink possible. Getting enough talk to your doctor about things that might trigger of choice can help you good quality sleep can the right timing for these a craving, and consider maintain your overall benefit from consistent check-ups based on your using quit aids, such as health. bed and wake-up times. individual health needs. nicotine gum or patches, Remember that Book a check-up Quit smoking to get through them. everyone’s health goals To quote an old saying, Quitting smoking is Finally, reach out for and individual needs an ounce of prevention one of the best things support when needed. differ. It is important to is worth a pound of you can do to improve Free quit-smoking find healthy food choices cure. Regular oral and your overall health, support services are and habits that are right medical check-ups are and you’ll start noticing available across the for you. an important part of your positive impacts almost country. You can chat Reduce sedentary time with a quit coach by overall health and can immediately.

The Canadian 24-hour uncover potential issues Start by creating a phone, online or text. movement guidelines before they become quit plan that includes Find more resources to 1/4 major Page issues. have been developed for the reasons you want to help you quit smoking, all age groups to provide As we age, there quit and lists the tools including a quit smoking Canadians with guidance are certain tests we and coping mechanisms planner at canada.ca/ about how much physical should take, including you will use to manage quit-smoking. activity, sedentary time mammograms and cravings.

Pizza Good Vibes and sleep is needed in a colonoscopies. Be sureHave be awareGood of the to aNext, groovy 24-hour day. holiday season Some physical activity from Ray and Staff is better than none, and getting started is easier than you think. Making choices like walking to the store instead of driving or taking the stairs instead of the elevator all contribute towards a healthy 24 hours.

Try to limit sedentary time to eight hours or Ray’s less and break up long Vinyls periods of sitting where

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119 1 Ave, East 306-948-2255

.FSϬZ ˱SJTUNBT Thanks for your Business 948-4800

From Our Hearth To Yours

Just a little note to say…

We hope you have a great holiday!

When it comes to Christmas, we’ve got you covered with our warm wishes and heartfelt thanks.

Thanks for making this community such an inviting place to do business! We really appreciate your patronage.

Thanks for choosing us We appreciate your business!!

4HPU :[ )PNNHY ࠮3HUKPZ ࠮7LYK\L

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805 Main Street, Biggar 306-948-2248

805 Main Street, Biggar 306-948-2248

Attention Dennis/Kim… I am attaching a Christmas Greeting for your perusal for this year @ $86.00 plus gst; and run again for New Year’s (same size, different content if desired) for half price FREE colour $43.00.

MERRY CHRISTMAS We hope your holiday season is filled to the brim with happiness and good fortune!!

Westwinds Motor Hotel “Experience the Westwinds Difference” Dayna,Trent and staff

306-948-3301

Happy New Year

Thank you for filling our year with so many memories.

DALE BUXTON We areOWNER/PUBLISHER grateful for the THEthe BIGGAR INDEPENDENT all fantastic friends 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST and customersP. like you O. BOX 40

Happy New Year!

BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 Wishing all of our customers and friends a happy, heal telephone: 306-948-3344 and festive New Year! fax: 306-948-2133 We look forward to sharing more good times with you “Experience the Westwinds Difference” e-mail: tip@sasktel.net 2023, so please stay safe and celebrate responsibly.

Dayna, Trent and staff www.biggarindependent.ca

Westwinds Motor Hotel 306-948-3301

INDEPENDENT

the

24-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Welcome The Season!

There may be a chill in the air at the holiday season, But we’re filled with much warmth and you are the reason.

So to our many good friends both far and near,

Top tips to avoid cancer Welcome The Season!

According to Statistics out how to avoid them, mammograms for breast cutting cancer, the PSA test for Canada, there are nearly progressively 250,000 new cancer back on the number of prostate cancer and a cases diagnosed every cigarettes you use daily colonoscopy to look for year and almost 90,000 and using cessation aids pre-cancerous polyps or Canadians die from it such as nicotine gums or colorectal cancer. every year. patches.

Practice safe While many cancers If you do smoke, do it woodworking Whether you’re a are hereditary, there outdoors so you don’t are a number of other impact the indoor air- contractor who regularly factors that can increase quality of your home and cuts lumber on the your risk of developing put your family members job, or a woodworking There may risk of second-hand hobbyist, you should the “Big C”. Here are be aatchill in the air at the be aware of the risks smoke. four ways to reduce your holiday season, airborne sawdust poses risk.

But we’re filledGet withchecked Depending on your age to your health. Beyond Quit smoking much warmth and are the reason. and other factors, such as eye and throat irritation, This first oneyou should So to our be a no-brainer.

Butmanya family history of cancer, wood dust is a known good is friends there are several cancer carcinogen linked to nicotine addiction a both far and near, programs nasal, throat and lung powerful habit many screening We bid a most available.

Taking part cancers, among others. struggle to quit. joyous Quitting Christmas starts with having a in routine screenings as Whenever possible, use and a Happy a dust collection system recommended by your plan. This can New include Year. when cutting with being aware Thank of the you to healthcare provider will things that trigger your help ensure cancer is power tools. You should our customers their support.

1-866-934-6675/306-934-6675 detected in earlier stages also wear a fitted dusk cravings and for figuring when it is usually much mask to avoid inhaling easier to treat. Common airborne particles. cancer screenings include Test your home for

INDEPENDENT

We bid a most joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.

the

Thank you to our customers for their support.

1-866-934-6675/306-934-6675

Atttention:Chris

Atttention: Dwayne

Start Your Engines…

IChristmas am attaching youris Christmas Greeting from 20 @ $105.00 plus gst I am attaching your ChristComing!

radon Radon is an invisible, naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil. In enclosed spaces, such as your home, it can build up to dangerous levels.

It’s the number one cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and causes over 3,000 deaths in Canada every year. All homes have some level of radon.

The only way to know if you have a problem is to test for it. You can buy a DIY testing kit online or hire a certified radon expert to conduct the test for you. If elevated levels are detected, there are relatively easy and affordable ways to fix it.

Find radon testing kits and info on professional remediation services at takeactiononradon.ca.

and New Year’s for 1/2 price FREEAs colour (may change content but same size) mas Greeting @ $126.00 we gear up for another holiday season, plus gst like email to sendor you byour November 30 please Deadline approval/changes is by we’d return and New Years for 1/2 price best wishes for a very FREE colour Merry Christmas and Thanks for your prompt attention. a Happy New Year!

I just need updated names DALE BUXTON Thanks for your trust in OWNER/PUBLISHER please. THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT us. We look forward to serving your again soon.

Excell Tire

operating under Integra Tire Auto Centre

306-948-3376

Chris, Raelynn, Ron, Don, -RKQ Damon, Logan, Shawn, Tyrelle

102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40 BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0

Deadline approval/changes is by return email by telephone:or 306-948-3344 fax: 306-948-2133 November 30 e-mail: please tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca

Thanks for your prompt attention.

INDEPENDENT

the

LET’S CELEBRATE!

THANKS FOR GIVING US SO MUCH TO BE EXCITED ABOUT IN THE NEW YEAR. YOUR TRUST MEANS THE WORLD TO US!

Excell Tire

operating under Integra Tire Auto Centre

306-948-3376

Chris, Raelynn, Ron, Don Damon, Logan, Shawn, Tyrelle, -RKQ

DALE BUXTON

OWNER/PUBLISHER THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40 BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0

THE DIRECTORS OF THE BIGGAR & DISTRICT telephone: 306-948-3344 HEALTH SERVICE FOUNDATION WISH TO THANK fax: 306-948-2133 THE RESIDENTS OF BIGGAR & AREA FOR YOUR e-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca GENEROUS SUPPORT THIS PAST 13 YEARS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE SUPPORT OF HEALTH SERVICES IN BIGGAR ON YOUR BEHALF. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND WE WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2024

Biggar & District Health Services Foundation Inc. Box 1003, Biggar, SK S0K 0M0

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Boxing Day is celebrated between Christmas and New Year’s Day. It is an official public holiday when banks, offices and schools are closed. When Boxing Day happens to be on a Saturday or Sunday, the holi-

day is observed on the following Monday. Some believe the name is derived from the tradition of opening alms boxes that were placed in churches to gather donations for the poor. Others theorize the name comes

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 25

Did you know?

from boxes of gifts given to employees on the day after Christmas, seeing as servants traditionally had to work on Christmas and December 26th was their day to enjoy time off with family. Although Boxing Day is known across the United Kingdom and British Commonwealth nations like Canada, it is not observed in the United States. Activ-

ities like shopping Boxing Day sales, participating in po-

INDEPENDENT

the

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lar plunges, watching sporting events, and gathering with

friends are customary on Boxing Day.

Celebrating the Epiphany

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The holiday season is full of faith and celebration. Even though people may believe this important time begins at the start of December, for millions of the Christians, the Twelve Days of Christmas begin with the birth of Baby Jesus on December 25 and continue through the Epiphany on January 6.

The Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Atttention: Ryan Day, is a Christian feast day that “celebrates the revelation I am attaching your Christmas Greetof God in His Son ing last year @ $105.00 plus gst as human in Jesus Christ,” says The Naand again for New Year’s (same size, tional Shrine of Saint different content) for 1/2 price FREEJude. The Epiphany is celebrated on Janucolour ary 6 each year and To another great year of gets its name from the enjoyment with movies, concerts, Deadline approval/changes musicals and all the talent is by re-Greek word meaning “to reveal, or manifesour community. turn showcased email or from

by November 30 please tation,” a nod to the idea that this was the … from the Board and Volunteers …

Thanks for your prompt attention. day Jesus was revealed to the world.

322 Main On the Epiphany, St., Biggar For ALL shows, events and times, check our three Magi visited the website: majestictheatre.ca Christ child to pay

homage. These wise consider it as impormen were the first to tant as Christmas Day. greet Jesus after his Within these nations parents. The Magi fol- Día de los Reyes lowed a star to Bethle- (Three Kings Day) hem, having faith that is a time for serving the Child’s location Rosca de Reyes, an would be accurate. oval-shaped treat that The unlikely royal has a small doll inside visitors bestowed gifts to represent Baby Jeof gold, frankincense sus. The figurine symand myrrh. These bolizes the hiding of herbs are typically the infant Jesus from used in burial ceremo- King Herod’s troops. nies, and their offerChildren also receive ing may have potenthe majority of their tially foreshadowed gifts on Three Kings Jesus’ destiny.

Day. It is customary According to Father for kids to place their Hezekias Carnazzo, old shoes with a wish a Melkite Catholic list on them for the priest and founding Three Kings. On the executive director of morning of January the Virginia-based 6, the shoes are filled Institute of Catholic with toys and gifts.

Culture, the Feast of the Epiphany is one of DALE BUXTON the earliest feasts and OWNER/PUBLISHER actually predates the THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT RD 102 3 celebration of Christ- AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40 mas.

BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 Although the Epiphany is an importanttelephone: 306-948-3344 date for Christians fax: 306-948-2133 and many celebrate e-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca it, celebrants in Spain and Latin America

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the

The Epiphany is celebrated in various ways around the world. In the Czech Republic, people swim in the freezing cold Vltava River and men dress up as the Magi before riding camels through Prague’s city center.

Three Kings Bread, similar to the Rosca de Reyes and called Dreikönigskuchen, is prepared and consumed in Germany and Switzerland.

Christmas fanfare does not cease when the calendar turns from December 25 to 26. The Epiphany on January 6 also is an important day of celebration.

INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT the

the

Reel Merry

Thank you for joining us this past year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Your visits and your trust mean so much to us, and we look forward to serving you this holiday season and for many more to come, Merry Chritmas to you!

Leslie’s Drugstore

Tina, Baylee, Ashlyn, $VKOH\, $QQD, &KULVWLQD,

… from the Board and Volunteers … $PEHU, .DUHQ, (YD & .HQGUD

306-948-3397

For ALLwww.lesliesdrugstore shows, events and@sasktel.net times, check our website: majestictheatre.ca

Attention Majestic Theatre Board/Cheryl

There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays!

I am attaching your Christmas Greeting WITH THE VERY BEST OF WISHES Attention Tina… from last year @ $94.50 plus gst.

FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS We also offer a New Years ad for 1/2 Iprice, am attaching a Christmas Greeting free color for your perusal @ $94.50 plus gst; and Deadline approval/changes is by return run foror New (same29size, differemail

by Year’s November please. ent content if desired) for half price Thanks for your prompt attention and participation FREE colour $47.25.

Sunshine Family

DALE BUXTON

Care Home

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Thanks for your prompt attention participation THEand BIGGAR INDEPENDENT Shannon Urla 122 MAIN STREET and Vince Morgan

P. O. BOX 40 :M[QLMV\[ IVL ;\I‫ٺ‬ BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 telephone: 306-948-3344 fax: 306-948-2133 May your home be blessed with peace, love, joy and contentment throughout the Yuletide season. e-mail: tip@sasktel.net We feel blessed to have such wonderful friends and neighbours like you. Thanks! www.biggarindependent.ca

306-948-9301

26-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

How to avoid food poisoning over the holidays

If you’re hosting family and friends for a meal or two over the holidays, you definitely don’t want to be responsible for making everyone sick.

Here are four essential tips to avoid accidental food poisoning.

Keep it clean When it comes to food safety, the first step is cleanliness.

Before chopping, wash your hands first and then rinse all fruits and veggies under running water to remove any dirt and bacteria that may be clinging to the surface.

This includes things that have skin that you won’t be eating, like cantaloupes or avocados.

The skin could be covered in microscopic bacteria.

“When you slice it with your knife, guess what goes into the interior of your melon on the blade of your knife? Bacteria,” says Health Canada microbiologist Dr. Sandeep Tamber. “That is why we recommend washing your produce.”

On the other hand, contrary to some opinions, you should not

wash raw meat before you cook it. Washing meat increases the risk of contaminating your sink and other kitchen surfaces with bacteria.

Separate for safety It’s essential to keep raw foods separated, particularly produce from proteins like chicken or pork. In fact, many people have separate cutting boards for produce and meat.

Any dishes or cutlery that have come in contact with raw meat should be cleaned before being used again.

Cook properly You should use a digital food thermometer to verify that your food has reached a safe internal temperature.

Insert the thermometer into

Frohes Neues Jahr

the thickest part of the meat - such as the breast on a turkey - without touching any bones. Test in at least a couple of different areas to make sure you get an accurate reading.

Storage smarts Perishable groceries should be packed away in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible.

Leftovers should also be stored soon after a meal is done. You want to ensure that food temperatures don’t drop into the “danger zone” of 4°C (40°F) to 60°C (140°F), where bacteria can thrive. Anything that has been left out for two hours or more should be tossed out.

Find more tips at canada.ca/foodsafety.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

How long can you eat those leftovers?

There’s nothing quite like a nice home-cooked meal. Well, except maybe for the leftovers.

Who doesn’t love a turkey sandwich in the days after a holiday meal? And some dishes, like chilis and stews, just taste better after the flavours have had time to mingle. But how long after cooking can you safely consume leftovers? Here are tips on how to avoid getting sick from leftovers.

Safety first While it may be tempting to move from the dinner table to the sofa to watch TV or catch a quick nap after a big meal, you should take care of the leftovers first. You want to make sure that the food temperatures don’t drop into the “danger zone” of 4°C (40°F) to 60°C (140°F) where bacteria can thrive.

You can’t rely on smell, sight or even taste to determine if something is contaminated. Anything that has been left out for two hours or more should be tossed out.

Cool in the fridge Any cooked food that

will be eaten over the next few days should be stored in the fridge.

Pack items into storage containers but leave them uncovered at first.

Only seal the lid once the food has fully cooled down.

Very hot items can be left at room temperature to cool down, but move them to the fridge or freezer once they stop steaming.

Defrosting advice Never defrost leftovers in the sink or on the counter. If you have time to plan ahead, defrost them in the fridge. Place items on a lower shelf to avoid any leakage contaminating other food. If you don’t have time to defrost

in the fridge, use your microwave’s defrost setting.

Track the time Leftovers stored in the fridge should be consumed within three to four days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them. However, once fully defrosted and reheated, leftovers should be consumed immediately and never refrozen.

Depending on the type of food, cooked dishes can be safely frozen for two to six months. To help keep track, label containers with the type of food stored in them and the date they were frozen.

Find more tips at canada.ca/foodsafety.

24123GE1

Buon anno

27 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023

Majestic Theatre has brought us entertaining for over 100 years by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery I have been so thoroughly entertained at the Majestic Theatre lately, I just had to go investigate the history of our theatre.

I made it to Castwell and Co’s play “Dracula, a Comedy of Terror”.

Then I saw “Cinderella” directed by Janelle Carr followed by the NCCP Youth doing “Seussical, The Musical”! Watching the students from BCS singing carols during a lunch break just warmed my heart!

Why do I always cry when I see the students I am familiar with on stage?

The theatre was built in 1911, and in 1914 the Shepherd Brothers bought it. That’s when the movies started being played in the theatre.

Then the amateur dramatics began. I do not have a list of all the plays that were performed there until the mid 1980’s. That was when the New Creation

Community Players (NCCP) banded together.

They got the restoration

The month of December can be a busy time of year. Social engagements related to the holiday season can run the gamut from office parties to school pageants to dinners with extended family.

Despite the hectic pace of the holiday season, millions of people still find time to celebrate their faith. For adherents to Catholicism, that includes celebrating the season of Advent.

on the Advent wreath is lit.

of the theatre done and then Biggarites got to be entertained by musicals

every year for close of 40 years!

We found some pictures

in our photo inventory, and I will share them with you now: The theatre as it looked in 1914 after the Shepherds bought it.

This view is looking east on Fourth Avenue.(left)

(Photo for The Independent by the Biggar Museum and Gallery) (Inset) In 1935

Davidson’s Grocery and Confectionary was attached to the theatre. Eventually Mr. Shepherd opened his own concession booth in the theatre.

The Shepherds redesigned the front.

Later the neon sign was attached. Does anyone have any idea where it went? Circa 1929 (below)

The basics of Advent

What is Advent?

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reports that Advent is a time of preparation for practicing Catholics, who use the four-week season to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ and for the celebration of the birth of Christ, which is commemorated on Christmas Day. What does “Advent” mean?

The Catholic News Agency indicates that the word “Advent” is derived from the Latin “ad” and “venire,” which loosely translates to “to come” or “to come toward.”

Why is one Advent wreath candle a different color than the others?

Three of the four candles on an Advent wreath are purple. The candle lit on the third Sunday of Advent is pink, and priests even wear pink vestments on this day. The USCCB notes that the third Sunday of Advent is known as “Gaudete Sunday.”

The word “Gaudete” means “rejoice,” and the unique color of the candle lit on Gaudete Sunday commemorates that the season of Advent is halfway through.

What is the significance of the Advent calendar?

Advent calendars are among the more notable symbols of the holiday season for Catholics,

and Christianity.com notes this tradition can be traced back to the mid-nineteenth century.

Advent calendars typically feature 24 doors or boxes to open (one for each day between December 1 and Christmas Eve), and they are used by families counting down the days until the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Many families with small children utilize Advent calendars to teach youngsters about their faith, which can help to redirect adults’ and children’s focus to the true meaning of the season during a period when it’s easy to grow distracted by other things.

Advent is a season of celebration for millions of individuals who want to emphasize their faith during a joyous time of year.

Cast members of the Tinpaniums (Google has no idea what Tinpaniums are ... was it a play, was it the name of an actors’ troupe?) in 1935.

When does Advent begin?

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas.

In 2024, the celebration of the season of Advent begins on Sunday, December 1 and continues until Tuesday, December 24.

What is the significance of Advent wreaths?

The Catholic News Agency notes that Advent wreaths have been in use since the Middle Ages. The evergreen wreaths remind Catholics of the eternal life in Jesus Christ. Each Sunday during Advent, one of the four candles

Inside a mural was painted by Mr. Porteous, the town’s sign maker and artist.

Circa 1920.

Happy New Year

These colorful cookies are tailor-made for family baking sessions Baking during the cherished family time This holiday season, Christmas Biscuits holiday season is a and delicious, indul- hosts can involve their Makes approximately 24 cookies 28 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

tradition in many households across the globe. Family baking sessions provide a perfect holiday season bonding activity, and the payoff is both

gent foods once the items are ready to eat.

Holiday hosts know they’ll need to feed their guests over the course of their stay, and that includes snacks.

guests in family baking sessions and whip up a batch of these delicious and colorful “Christmas Biscuits” from Lines+Angles.

Merry Christmas from the staff at

201B 2nd Ave W Biggar, SK 306•948•3558 info@biggaraccounting.ca

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Now Serving You at Biggar Jubilee Stadium!!

Come on down for some great food.

Flora Dalisay and Family cucinaniflora@gmail.com Biggar, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023

For the dough: 11⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting 11⁄3 cups confectioner’s sugar, plus extra for dusting 3⁄4 cup almond meal 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1 large egg yolk 1 tablespoon cold water 1⁄2 teaspoon fine salt For the icing and decoration: 4 cups confectioner’s sugar 3 tablespoons meringue powder 7 tablespoons warm water, combined with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, assorted food color (e. g., red, pink and turquoise), assorted colored sugar crystals (e. g., red, pink and white) 1. For the dough: Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and line two large baking sheetswith parchment paper.

2. Combine flour, confectioner’s sugar and almond meal in a large mixing bowl. Stir well to mix.

3. Add butter, egg yolk, water, and salt, and mix well with an electric mixer with spiral attachments until mixture starts to come together as a dough.

4. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead briefly until even. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

5. After chilling, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 0.25” thickness.

6. Use assorted star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out approximately 23 variably sized star shapes. Arrange between prepared sheets, spaced apart.

7. From remaining dough, cut out one teardrop and two semi-circles of dough, using appropriate cutters or working freehand with a paring knife. Arrange on one of the baking sheets.

8. Bake cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden and dry to the touch. Remove to cooling racks to cool.

9. For the icing and decoration: Thoroughly stir together confectioner’s sugar and meringue powder in a large mixing bowl.

10. Gradually beat in warm water and vanilla extract mixture using an electric mixer until icing is smooth and of a flooding consistency; you may not need all of the water.

11. Divide icing between three bowls. Color two bowls pink and red, respectively, by beating in enough pink and red coloring to achieve uniform colors. Leave the third bowl uncolored.

12. Spoon pink and red icing into separate piping bags fitted with small, round-tip nozzles.

13. To ice the cookies, pipe around their perimeters with the icings to create borders.

Fill in middle of cookies with more icing; you can use a damp, warm offset palette knife to spread out icing to an even finish.

14. Carefully transfer iced cookies to cooling racks, decorating with the sugar crystals in festive patterns.

15. Using same technique as in steps 13 and 14, ice teardrop cookie with red and white icing for Santa’s hat and beard, respectively. Ice the two semi-circle cookies with white icing.

16. Before icings have set, carefully attach semi-circle cookies to teardrop cookie to fashion Santa’s mustache. Color any remaining white icing with turquoise coloring and then dab onto teardrop cookie for Santa’s eyes. Pipe some pink icing below eyes for his nose.

17. Let cookies set and harden before serving.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

New Mechanic Shop & Car Detailing Shop 317 Main Street 306-303-3676

INDEPE

the THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 29

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Have A Jolly Holiday Wishing all of you a most Merry Christmas, and Best Wishes for the New Year.

PRAIRIE BRANCHES

~ Board, Management, Staff and Participants

Local Youth Bowlers compete at Challenge ... Youth Challenge Zone rounds took place on November 29 with Biggar, Lashburn and Cut Knife bowlers hitting the lanes in Lashburn, while Rosetown participated virtually. There will be a good mix of athletes representing our zone at Provincials in Regina on January 12.

Pictured is all those that attended Zone Playoffs from Biggar: Jesse Bourke, Xander Hebert, Hanna Keefe, Bentley McNaughton, Dominic Raschke, Tegan McLeod, Parker Schweder and Carson Oesch. Moving on are five bowlers from Biggar, one from Lashburn, two from Cut Knife and seven from Rosetown.

Congratulations and good luck to all in Regina! (Submitted Photo)

Ter-Shel Construction Renovations & Construction Licensed Journeyman Biggar, Saskatchewan 306-948-6882 306-948-5320

INDEPENDENT

the

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Terry, Ryan and Derek

~ and ~

Atttention: Ross I am attaching your Christmas Greeting from last year @ $94.50 plus gst and again for New Year’s (same size, different content if desired) for 1/2 price FREE colour $47.25 Here’s to a season of Love, Health and Harmony approval/changes is by return From all of Deadline us, Brett Barber and staff email or by November 30 please Thanks for your prompt attention.

Owned and operated by Brett Barber

102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar, Sask. 306-948-9750 WWW NEWUFITNESS CA s WWW BEAUTIFUL U CA

We wouldn’t be here without the generous support of friends and neighbors like all of you and we wish you all the very best at the holidays and always

de Jewellers NewMoissac year,New you?

New U Fitness &

Ross, Melissa, Elena, Sue Karen and Owned Pam and operated by B 217 Main St., Biggar

102 - 306-948-2452 3rd Ave. West, Biggar, S

WWW NEWUFITNESS CA s WWW

Merry Christmas

DALE BUXTON

Saskatchewan’s Ag Real Estate Professionals

Dave Molberg (306) 948-4478 Biggar

Dave.Molberg@HammondRealty.ca 113 3rd Ave W Biggar SK (306) 948-5052

HammondRealty.ca

…

OWNER/PUBLISHER THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40 BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 telephone: 306-948-3344 fax: 306-948-2133 e-mail: tip@sasktel.net Gravel Supply www.biggarindependent.ca Basement Development Trucking General Excavating

PHONE TRENT at 948-7200

30-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

How to protect yourself from scammers

Merry Christmas Christmas has always meant UHÁHFWLQJ XSRQ RQH·V EOHVVLQJV +HUH·V KRSLQJ WKH KROLGD\ VHDVRQ EULQJV DOO RI \RXU ZLVKHV WR OLIH

BUSSE LAW OFFICE Barristers and Solicitors 302 Main Street 948-3346 Biggar Saskatchewan Teena, Heather, /DUU\ DQG 6WXDUW

Scams are more frequent than ever. If scammers gain access to your personal information or your log-in credentials, they can steal your money, open new accounts or change your credit card information.

This could damage your credit score and make it difficult to get loans, buy a car or rent an apartment. Scammers can also fraudulently apply for benefit and credit payments through the Canada Revenue Agency, and apply for loans or credit cards in your name.

Follow these tips to help you keep your money where it belongs: When you aren’t sure

who’s sending you a message, double-check.

Get a call-back number from the caller to make sure they’re who they say they are.

Check an organization’s official web page for contact information (never use the links or phone numbers contained in a message).

Take a minute to ask yourself why you are being contacted. It’s okay to ask questions and say no.

Remember, businesses and government agencies rarely ask for personal or financial information through e-mail or text.

Don’t reuse logins and passwords across accounts.

Reused

passwords can increase the risk of scammers stealing credentials and gaining access to multiple services.

If you think you are being scammed, you may feel embarrassed. But it’s important that you get help immediately by calling your local police or the Canadian Anti-

A firsthand account of living with severe eczema

Kyle has had moderate Now, as a young adult, eczema flare-ups were to severe eczema across he’s speaking out about so bad that he says, “I most of his body since he his experience to help couldn’t concentrate due was an infant. support others going to my lack of sleep and Throughout his life, through the same the constant itch.” he’s faced a mix of thing, and he’s raising He tried homediscomfort, debilitating awareness about the schooling but found the pain and social stigma. Attention: experience too isolating. impact of the condition.

Erika “As a parent, witnessing “When I started high school, my eczema Kyle’s journey with Iworsened am attaching Greethas shown me froma Christmas the eczema ing that advertised in The Inde- the emotional firsthand stress and the polyester and physical toll it can uniform newspaper I had to pendent in Biggar, wear,” says Kyle. “My take,” says his mother, Sask. lastdidn’t yearseem @ $126.00 plus teachers to Jenn. gst FREE colour; Desperate to find understand what was solutions, she found happening, and they and, we offer that… you may run thought I could just get an Eczema Society of again size for New Year’s (ESC) event Canada over it same because, to them, (different content if desired) for was in high it was just a rash. But I when Kyle school. couldn’t it is so much half price FREE colour $63.00.

“Suddenly, I felt a sense more than a rash.”

Eczema, the most of relief because I had a common form of which is atopic dermatitis, is characterized by skin inflammation that causes skin rash with intense REFORD TERMINAL itch. The skin can crack, Hwy 14, south of Wilkie, Sask. ooze, and bleed; eczema commonly disrupts 1-306-800-6874 sleep. In Kyle’s case, the

INDEPENDENT

the

At the holidays more than ever, we appreciate how much joy friends like you bring to each day.

Thank you and Merry Christmas

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whole family of people from around the world who knew exactly what I was going through.”

Kyle has now graduated high school and is in college and working. “I never thought I’d be able to do that,” he says.

Kyle now volunteers with ESC. “I’m sharing my story because I want others struggling with eczema to know they’re not alone,” says Kyle. “I also want to help break the stigma and advocate for better care and treatments.”

Learn more about the condition and treatment options at eczemahelp. ca.

Deadline approval/changes is by return email November 29, 2019 please.

Thank You for your prompt attention and participation.

Happy Holidays from

1/

We’re thrilled to be ringing in another year with great folks like you. Thanks and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

May the Holiday Season fill your home withREFORD TERMINAL DALE BUXTON Hwy 14, south of Wilkie, Sask. warmth, your heart with 1-306-800-6874 love and your life with Highway 14 West 306-948-9465 laughter!

306-290-9766

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Chance Parenteau @ or Sarah Nagy @

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

MERRY CHRISTMAS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 31

Craft an edible holiday classic from the comforts of home Symbolism features prominently throughout the holiday season.

When walking around in December, or even

earlier, individuals can’t help but notice lighting displays, decked out Christmas trees in town centers and other sym-

bols that are synonymous with the holiday season.

Gingerbread houses may or may not be on

public display, but these impressive constructions are yet another notable sign that the holiday season has

arrived. As families prepare to celebrate the holiday season, they can work together to create this impressive, and

edible, “Gingerbread House” courtesy of Lines+Angles.

Gingerbread House

Makes 8 servings or 1 house For the house: For the frosting: 31⁄4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra as 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus extra as needed needed 3 tablespoons cornstarch 11⁄2 tablespoons meringue powder 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water 3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3⁄4 teaspoon salt To decorate: 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature Assorted colorful candies, sugared choco3⁄4 cup molasses, warmed late candies, round peppermint candies, candy 1 teaspoon vanilla extract canes, etc.

1. For the gingerbread: Combine the flour, cornstarch, spices, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir well and set aside.

2. Beat the softened butter with the molasses and vanilla in a separate mixing bowl until pale and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Beat in the flour mixture in 4 additions, mixing well between additions until you have a rough dough; add more flour as needed to form a stiff dough.

4. Turn out and knead briefly. Shape into a round, wrap in parchment paper, and chill for 2 hours.

5. After chilling, preheat the oven to 325 F. Grease and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

6. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Roll out to about 0.333” thickness on a lightly floured surface.

7. Cut out two rectangles approximately 4.5” x 4” for the roof. Cut out 2 pointed rectangles approximately 5” at their tallest points and 3.5” wide at the base; these will be the front and back of the house as per the image. Make sure that one side has a round window cut out.

8. Using some of the remaining dough, cut out the 2 rectangles to be the sides of the house, approximately 3” x 4” in diameter. Use the remaining dough to cut out 4 even rectangles, approximately 2” x 1.5”, to shape the chimney.

9. Arrange the pieces across the baking sheets. Bake for about 25 minutes until browned and dry to the touch. Remove to cooling racks to cool.

10. For the frosting: Combine the confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder and 2 tablespoons warm water in a large mixing bowl.

11. Beat with an electric mixer until the frosting is thick and glossy, about 4 to 5 minutes; beat in more confectioners’ sugar if too thin and more water if too thick.

12. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a thin, round nozzle. Chill for 15 minutes.

13. To decorate: Using the frosting as ‘glue,’ assemble the chimney using the 4 even rectangles of gingerbread. Let dry and set.

14. Start to assemble the rest of the house by glueing the pieces together as per the image, attaching the front and back of the house to the sides before attaching the roof in place. Let set dry and set at each building interval.

15. Once the sections are dry, pipe more frosting onto the edges of the roof and down their sides, shaped as icicles.

16. When the chimney is set, attach it to the top, cutting the pieces to fit if necessary, and decorating the outside with frosting.

17. To decorate: Attach the assorted candies to the house, decorating the roof with a tiled pattern using the frosting.

18. Let the house dry and set until ready to serve.

Biggar

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PENDENT Preparation time: 2 hours Cooling time: 2 hours, 15 minutes Total time: 4 hours, 15 minutes Difficulty: Difficult

Diane Akister deaz.beadz@hotmail.com Biggar, SK

Sending Our Best

Greetings of the Season May peace, joy, harmony and contentment visit your home during this special time of year.

We are sincerely grateful and look forward to your continued friendship.

at the Holidays

Here’s hoping your holiday delivers a bundle of joy and good cheer.

Merry Christmas!

Parrish & Heimbecker Limited Hanover Junction Biggar, Sask.

306-948-1990

233 - 1st Ave. West, Biggar 306-948-2700 Jack, Carolyn, Daniel and families

www.parrishandheimbecker.com

A Toast To You At The New Year

As we lift our glasses,we’re filled with cheer; As we recall the good friends we’ve made this year!

May your good days be many, and your troubles few, That’s our New Year’s wish for you!

PLUMBING & HEATING

Biggar, Sask.

306-948-3389

py Parrish & Heimbecker Hap ear Y Limited New

Journeymen Plumber & Gas Fitter

Authorized Dealers for Continental Furnaces hristmas Greeting and Logix Water Softeners 00 plus gst; Merry Christmas (same size, differ- and for half priceHappy FREE New Year

anges is by return

Hanover Junction Biggar, Sask.

306-948-1990

www.parrishandheimbecker.com

10 Industrial Drive Biggar, SK. 306-948-2706 duperowco-op.crs

We are sincerely grateful for your

Att adv

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32 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Notable Christmas celebrations around the world

It’s beginning to look dine on seafood feasts ended up giving birth a lot like Christmas and spend Christmas to Jesus in a manger all over the world. outdoors camping or at surrounded by aniIt’s time for holiday Christmas celebrations the beach. mals. In celebration of fun and gathering include various time• Krampus parade: that journey, people in the family together to share a warm, honored traditions that Some Christmas elves Mexico and Guatemala wonderful celebrants hold near are not so jolly. Just celebrate Las Posadas, Christmas Season. and dear to their hearts. ask residents of the a procession representWe hope the holidays bring Depending on where Austrian, German and ing Mary and Joseph’s It’s time for holiday fun and gathering the family everything you someone lives, their Hungarian Alps.

Each journey and their together to share a warm, wonderful festivity. We want!

Christmas traditionshope theyear in this region, a struggle holidays bring everything you want! to find lodging. may look quite differtrue “Bad Santa” is the • La Befana: In Italian We wish you and yours the best We wishtalk youof and yoursVillagers the best season ever. La Befana is a ent from those in other town. folklore, season ever. parts of the globe. believed that Krampus, witch-like old woman Management & Staff who, like Santa, delivIt can enjoyable to a half-man, half-goat Management & Staff learn how Christmas is creature with a legion ers gifts to children AGI Envirotank celebrated elsewhere of ill-tempered elves, throughout Italy. In401 Hwy #4 South, Biggar • 306-948-5262 401 Hwy #4 South, Biggar • 306-948-5262 and perhaps even roamed the mounstead of this gift-giving incorporate a few new tains wreaking havoc. taking place on Christtraditions into your celKrampusSwas said to mas, La Befana hands EASON REETINGS ERRY HRISTMAS Atttention: Shanon ebrations.

Take a peek abduct miscreants and out gifts on the EpiphaThe wreaths and the trees and the parties The wreaths and the trees and the parties Aren’t what we need to convey at these customs near set unruly youth Aren’t what we needorto conveyny Eve in a similar way It’s the birth of our Saviour, Jesus the birth of our Saviour, Jesus and far. evenIt’s intoxicated adults to how the Three Magi I am attaching your Christmas Greeting @ $67.50 plus gst • Seafood and beachstraight.

Today, Krambrought presents to The real reason for this holiday.

The real reason for this holiday. and New Years for 1/2 price FREE sidecolour celebrations: pus is more the “bad Baby Jesus. Le Befana Australia is located cop” to Santa’s “good also is believed to fly in the southern hemicop” persona. Kramthrough We wish to We wish to the night sky or by November 30 please Deadline approval/changes is by return email thank our loyalaway all the sphere, which means pus is celebrated as an thank to our sweep loyal customers, Aussies are enjoying antihero at parades and troubles of the old year customers, and wish you the peak of their sumother events. and clear the way for a Thanks for your promptand attention. wish the best in mer come December • Las Posadas: Accord- fresh you the best 2023.start. in 202 25. A white Christmas ing to scripture, Joseph • Move over reindeer: is unlikely, unless the and Mary had to make “white” refers to white, an arduous journey sandy beaches. Santa from their DALE hometown to BUXTON is probably swapping Bethlehem for census OWNER/PUBLISHER THE BIGGAR his thick coat for a purposes while Mary INDEPENDENT 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST pair of board shorts, was pregnant. When P. O. BOX 40 and heavy, roast-laden the couple arrived, they SK. S0K 0M0 BIGGAR, Biggar Refrigeration Services meals are unlikely to found lodgings were Adrian and Barbara de Haan, Lyle Zbeeshko 306-948-5291 make it on to the menu. nonexistent, and telephone: Mary 306-948-3344 fax: 306-948-2133 Instead, Australians Adrian and Barb deHaan e-mail: tip@sasktel.net

Happy New Year

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the

M

AGI Envirotank

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…

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!

Although reindeer often garner fanfare this time of year, the Yule goat is a Christmas symbol and tradition in Scandinavia and northern Europe. Each year in towns throughout Sweden and other areas, large statues of Yule goats are built on the first day of Advent and stand throughout the holiday season. This tradition dates back to ancient Pagan festivals, and some believe the goat is connected to the Norse god Thor, who rode in the sky in a chariot pulled by two goats.

Holiday traditions differ considerably in various regions of the world. Celebrants may want to consider incorporating foreign traditions into their own Christmas celebrations this year. into your celebrations.

www.biggarindependent.ca

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Atttention: Adrian/Barbara

May the joy of this holiday season lift your spirits and I am attaching your Christmas Greeting last year @ $105.00 plus gst ÀOO \RX ZLWK KDSSLQHVV

and New Year’s from last year for 1/2 price FREE colour 52.50

y Christma r r e M s

Deadline approval/changes is by return email or by November 29 please Thanks for your prompt attention.

Thanks to all of the members DQG IULHQGV ZKR KDYH OWNER/PUBLISHER kept us going strong this past THE BIGGAR \HDU RD INDEPENDENT 102 in - 3202 AVENUE WEST

See you

DALE BUXTON

P. O. BOX 40 PUMP UP0M0 THE CHEER!!

BIGGAR, SK. S0K

Diamond Gym

telephone: 306-948-3344 Laurie, Cliff and staff • 306-948-5600 fax: 306-948-2133 e-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca

Have a Happy Holiday Season From All the Staff

and a h SASKATOON

ap p y New Year SWIFT CURRENT

PERDUE

Laurie/Cliff…

•Overstock•Returns•Slightly Used• Price: $126.00 plus gst for publication on Thursday, December 12 ChristFrom a BIG BIG Major Box Store! mas Edition.

521 Main Street Biggar, SK We also offer a New Year’s ad with same content or change it up for 1/2 306-948-1313 price of your Christmas Ad. Free color on both ads.

Thank You for Shopping Local

Deadline for approval /changes is by November 29, 2019

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 33

AS K I N - STO R E F O R D E TA I LS

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34 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

INDEPE

the THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Some holiday tunes are catchier than others, and the Christmas carol “Deck the Halls” certainly qualifies as a song that’s hard to stop humming once it’s heard. The

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 35

Deck the Halls

song’s familiar “Fa la la la la” refrain has been making holiday celebrants hum for several hundred years. According to the University Libraries at The Ohio State

University, the famous chorus of “Deck the Halls” may predate the song’s lyrics, which were written

by Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant in the early 1860s. The

chorus may go all the way back to the medieval era, which is something to keep in mind when humming the familiar refrain this December.

Jim Reiter, M.L.A.

“Deck the Halls”

Rosetown-%FMJTMF Constituency

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Toll the ancient Yule tide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Strike the harp and join the chorus.

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

While I tell of Yule tide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Sing we joyous, all together, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

306-882-4105, toll free 1-855-762-2233 jimreitermla@sasktel.net Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

215 Main Street, Rosetown

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Our wish is for a holiday season filled with enough warmth and happiness to fill every heart with gladness. May your Holiday Season be everything you’re wishing for and more!

All of us here are wishing you a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

All the best in the New Year!

VILLAGE OF PERDUE

Mayor Terry Fyson; Councillors, Graham Bindle, Jason Zbeeshko, Kerry Donahue, Jim Nicholls and staff

English lyrics written by Thomas Oliphant Lyrics courtesy of LyricsforChristmas.com

Merry Christmas Wishing you and your family peace, health, happiness and prosperity this holiday season and in the coming New Year!

Village of Landis Council and staff

Attention Andrea/Perdue Village Council..

<.8-.3, >4: & I am attaching your Christmas Greeting fro

last year @ $105.00 plus gst; and again for 2*77> (-7.892&8 Year’s (same size, different content if desir for half price FREE colour $52.50.

Deadline approval/changes is by return em or by November 29 please.

1:0*

Thanks for your prompt attention and participation

Wishing your family all the best with the holidays and looking forward to serving you in 2025

Kim Gartner, MLA

Kindersley - Biggar Constituency Unit #5 1001 Main Street Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0 Phone: 1-306-463-4446 Fax: 1-306-463-4449 Toll Free: 1-833-463-4446 kgartnermla@outlook.com

KELLY BLOCK

CARLTON TRAIL—EAGLE CREEK kellyblockmp.ca

MP

36 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

In this season of reflection and gratitude, we take time to celebrate the many individuals, families, organizations, and businesses who share time, talents, and resources all year round, making our community Biggar and better - together.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

-The Town of Biggar Staff, Mayor, and Council

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It has been a joy to serve the citizens of Biggar and District and we wish you all good health and happiness for 2025 Merry Christmas from all of us at the Biggar Detachment

May you and yours revel in the splendor of the season.

R.M. of Biggar #347 Council and staff 306-948-2422