The Biggar Independent Volume 115 Issue 8

Vol. 115 No. 8

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

16 pages

$1.50

Silly String trumps pie ... St. Gabriel School teacher Mrs. Porter silly strings student Rylan Silvernagle after being pied, February 15.

Students raised some money for their RAK Club (Random Acts of Kindness), and several teachers and staff received the obligatory pastry dessert, much to the delight of the assembled students. (Independent

Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

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2 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

The high-flying Acronaires from Burman University of Lacombe, Alberta, gave a thrilling performance, Thursday at Biggar Central School. A preview performance for the kids set the tone for an evening main show as the gymnastic magic of the troupe, in their 50th year, had many holding their breath, and some kids, teachers and residents joining in. An incredible show and an incredible display of athleticism and trust!

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Andrew Collins Trio to hit the Majestic March 1 Acoustic roots music comes to the Biggar Majestic Theatre this Friday, March 1 for the sixth concert of the season.

Mandolin maestro Andrew Collins finds himself - through no actual fault of his own - at the epicentre of Canada’s burgeoning acoustic/roots music scene. He didn’t invent it - but he’s certainly been a contributor, having co-founded seriously noteworthy Canadian bands like the Creaking Tree String Quartet, the Foggy Hogtown Boys and, more recently, his namesake Trio.

That’s not to mention the fact that this prolific, robust performer - comfortable on mandolin, fiddle, guitar, mandola and mandocello - composes, produces, arranges, writes and teaches across multiple genres, including a popular collision of folk, jazz, bluegrass, celtic, and classical.

As Collins gathers up innumerable JUNO nominations (five) and Canadian Folk Music Awards (seven) won by his various ensembles, he’s zeroing in on the work he does with Triomates: fellow string guru Mike Mezzatesta, whose versatility shines through on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and mandola, and in-the-pocket James McEleney holding it down on the bass, mandocello and vocals.

Showcasing a dizzying number of styles and instruments on stage, Collins and Co. appear to live by the old adage, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop”, likely keeping them just ahead of his grasp. Bending and blending genres, these musical shape shifters land somewhere between the re-imagined worlds of Béla Fleck and Newgrass invader, David Grisman.

They just released a new double album, grafting 11 vocal cuts

(tongues) to 11 instrumentals (grooves) to create a seamless finish with their cleverly monikered double album, Tongue & Groove. Each

cut is milled to perfection and represents a back-to-basics visitation on what the band does best - spontaneity of the stage and rapid-

fire, improvisational exchanges.

The Andrew Collins Trio plays the Majestic Theatre, all part of the Biggar and District Arts

Council concert season, Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now from de Moissac Jewellers or from ticketpro.ca.

The Andrew Collins Trio comes to the Majestic Theatre this March 1 for the next Biggar and District Arts Council concert. (Submitted Photo)

Council minute highlights The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held January 23 at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Rickwood, Councillors Alan Boyle, Dakota Ekman, Nicole Hoppe, Kevin McNicholls, Edward Young, and Ivan Young.

Council resolved that this meeting be recessed at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a public hearing to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the Order to Remedy issued by the Town of Biggar on December 23, 2023 regarding Lots 1-3 Block 16 Plan D4770. As no verbal or written comments were received, Mayor Rickwood closed the public hearing and reconvened the regular council meeting at 7:32

p.m.

Council resolved that Bylaw No. 24-858, being a bylaw to Amend the Official Community Plan Bylaw be introduced and read a first time.

Council resolved that Bylaw No. 24-859, being a bylaw to Amend the Zoning Bylaw be introduced and read a first time.

Council resolved that Bylaw No. 24-860, being a bylaw respecting the Closing and Selling of a Road or Street be introduced and read a first time.

Council resolved that the Town Foreman’s request for him and the Assistant Town Foreman to attend the Saskatchewan Public Works Association’s Annual Conference at the Saskatoon Inn from February 27- 29, 2024 be

approved.”

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

Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of $81,860.10 and the General Accounts Payable in the amount of $102,330.31 be approved.

Council resolved that the following correspondence be accepted for Council’s information and filed: Bylaw Enforcement - January 10, 2024 Report. Bylaw Enforcement - January 16, 2024 Report. Revitalization Grants - Storefront Incentive. Community Planning - Certificate of Approval.

Council resolved that

the EcoCentre Agreement between the Town of Biggar and the Saskatchewan Association for Resource Recovery Corporation (SARRC) be approved as presented.

Council resolved that the 2024 Main Street Weeding Partnership proposal submitted by the Biggar and District Family Centre be received and further be it resolved that Council direct Administration to advertise for expressions of interest for Main Street weeding for the 2024 season.

Council resolved that the request from the Saskatoon Prairie Blaze Female Hockey Team, which includes Kolby Haynes from Biggar, to have the ice rental fee waived for their January 28, 2024 game to be played in Biggar in sup-

port of female hockey throughout Saskatchewan be accepted for this game and that future charges for ice rental

for this team will be at the current rate for local hockey teams.

• Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

RCMP Report Biggar RCMP report

by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment It was a busy time in traffic this past week, the provincial traffic unit spent some time in the area and had a couple of drivers wishing they were somewhere else.

Thirteen tickets were issued with a couple of more serious fines that found a 2013 black Chev Impala travelling at more than 35 kilometres above the posted limit on Highway 14 for a $708 fine, and on Highway 4 south a 2022 white Dodge Ram received a $720 fine for the same.

Nineteen written warnings were issued for other various infractions of the Traffic Safety Act. However, in between their quest for Safety they stopped to assist with a broken-down school bus on Highway 4 south.

Multiple reports were received over the weekend for a red Dakota

truck that was starving for attention.

Travis Shutiak was arrested and charged for failing to follow the conditions of his release order and has been remanded back to court for a bail hearing.

Report of a suspicious vehicle scouting out farm yards. This little silver, black bottomed hatchback has now been painted red with black trim on the bottom.

Thanks to rural property owners being diligent in watching and reporting on activity forced the suspect to make a change, but not to worry this car will not go unnoticed.

School is on a break this week, hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the week getting those last few winter activities in.

The rest of us will be looking forward to seeing those plus temperatures by the end of the week again. Stay Safe!

Take Care out there!

Bingo Numbers for Blessing Bags to frontline helpers ... Biggar’s RCMP, EMS and Fire will have a few extra tools in their quiver as St. Gabriel School’s RAK Club (Random Acts of Kindness), through a SaskEnergy grant, put together kits to be distributed to those in need during difficult times. Each bag features toiletry items for anyone who may be in need, and who better to distribute those items than our local RCMP, Fire and EMS. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

February 22

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Opinions

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Letter to the Editor: Listening to our teachers plight in the classrooms these days, I think back to witnessing a school shooting.

Two children were hit. It was talked about for days. The student suspect was grabbed and made to pick up the paper wad, and hit rubber band was confiscated! And he probably got a spanking from his dad when he got home.

Imagine being caught chewing bubble gum or something!

Well, times have changed, haven’t they. Teachers today are afraid of the kids and their mothers instead of the other way around. Kids today don’t have to learn if they don’t want to. Can’t fail them, that might hurt their feelings. They don’t have to obey rules if they don’t want to. They don’t have to behave if they don’t want to. And if they don’t get their own way, they have temper tantrums.

But they can’t read, They can’t write. And they couldn’t subtract two from four.

I walked into a Tims a while back, and the computers were down. I ordered a large coffee ... $1.95 then ... and gave the young lade a five dollar bill. Well, she played with her hair for a while and her earring. Finally, I had to tell her what change to give me!

But this isn’t the kids fault. Look at some of these mothers out there pink hair, half a pound of scrap metal hanging off their face, drugs, pot...

No clue how to raise a child.

But their mothers had no clue either!

At a rally in Saskatoon, one young bimbo held a sign: “Parents do NOT own their kids”.

That just happens to be No. Four on the Marxists list of ideology/agenda.

“It’s the teachers responsibility to raise my kids, not mine!” says the Marxist mothers these days.

You say where are the fathers in this? Are you kidding? Fathers?

Oh well! Let’s just throw more money at it. That will fix everything! No it won’t!

I know what should be done, but that would be deemed “radical”.

Interesting that the problems in our schools seemed to have started the day they outlawed the Lord’s Prayer, and the crosses of Christ. Just a coincidence, I guess.

Or is it?

Ross Hingston, Landis

Poll suggests a tighter election race It won’t be a shocking upset ... although it’s shaping up to be a lot closer.

It should be closer than the last three Saskatchewan general elections in 2011, 2016 and 2020.

It might even be closer than 2007 when the Saskatchewan first came to power under Brad Wall.

But for as much trouble as the Premier Scott Moe’s Saskatchewan Party has found itself in of late and for as surprising close as recent polling suggests it is right now, it seems highly unlikely the Sask. Party will lose.

Before we get into why, let us talk about what’s driving the election buzz and why we will be seeing a very different Sask.

Party when that election is called.

the

Four key veteran ministers all announced they would not be running the general election in October: Finance Minister Donna Harpauer; Government Relations Minister Don McMorris (both of whom were first elected in 1999 in Sask. Party’s first election); Crown Investment Corporation Minister Dustin Duncan (first elected in a 2006 byelection when the NDP were still in opposition), and; Advance Education Minister Gord Wyant (first elected in a 2010 byelection during the Sask.

Party government’s first term).

With the retirement of former justice, labour and CIC minister Don Morgan and with Speaker Randy Weekes losing the Sask. Party nomina-

tion in Kindersley-Biggar, the Sask. Party has severed ties to its days in opposition.

Also the retirement of Wyant, gone is anyone with past ties to the Liberals in this party that was originally former as a Progressive-Conservative-Liberal coalition.

Seemingly in preparation of an upcoming campaign, this is party that has been moving towards a significant re-branding, as seemed evident with its emphasis on social conservativism that we saw in the introduction of Bill 137 to address parental consent of students’ name and pronoun use in schools - an issue that would was always of minimal significance at best. Yet we dedicated an entire two-week fall

sitting and evoked the notwithstanding clause to address the matter.

This is a party that’s significantly different from the one that took over the province in 2007 and even different that when Moe took over the premier’s office in 2018 or when he won re-election in 2020.

Much of it seems to stem from the events in 2022 when Moe became the first to succumb to pressures from the far right, those who don’t under the medical science and those who were sincerely impacted or frustrated by COVID-19 restrictions they wanted removed.

Since then, the hallmark of the Moe government has been to favour whatever rightwing populist sentiment

becomes the chapter and ignore expertise in favour of whatever it is that unpopular.

It is with this new approach/outlook that the Sask. Party is preparing to enter an election fight. It was even possible the call might come earlier than expected ... although recent polling is likely to pour cold water on that situation.

An Insightrix poll is showing that the NDP are at 49 per cent province wide support have creeped past the Sask.

Party now at 47 per cent.

An upset in the making? It still seems unlikely.

The poll also shows the Sask. Party remains rock solid in its rural base with virtually all the NDP gains coming in

INDEPENDENT

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Regina and Saskatoon.

It’s bad news for Sask.

Party urban candidates including those running in Prince Albert and Moose Jaw. But some will hang on. And with the 29 solid rural Sask.

Party seats, a change seems unlikely.

Moreover, this all seems driven by the teachers’ dispute where, according to the poll, 68 per cent province wide support the teachers.

It’s 95 per cent teachers’ support among NDP voters and even among Sask. Party support it’s divided.

But expect this labour dispute to be settled by the time of the election.

And expect the Sask.

Party to hold on.

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Online - $35+gst Pickup - $40+gst Delivery within 40 miles $45+gst Delivery Outside 40 miles - $50+gst P. O. Box 40 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0

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

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

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Report from the front pew

Notable Notes Bob Mason

I hope that no one feels called on to give me the dickens for writing this so-called revelation of our time.

This stuff isn’t marked down for those fellows and ladies - who know that they’re not much different than the rest of us, but for that “rest of us” who think that they are!

Over the years ... I just “turned” 18 last spring! ... my own personal observances of them have led me to believe that many of our religious leaders are almost human!

With so many of the small ruts that a lot of us follow as we

Ask The Money Lady Christine Ibbotson

Dear Money Lady Readers...

Online gambling in Canada is way up in popularity among the Gen-Z’s and Millennial’s.

Originally thought of to be popular with those aged 45-plus, now gambling online is something our 14 and 15 year olds do in the growing digital savvy population of Canada’s youth. Not to mention that we now see the endorsements from big sports stars like the great Wayne Gretzky.

In 2023 the online gambling industry was worth $3.96 billion in Canada alone, projected to be worth $5.46 billion by 2028. The highest grossing provinces for gambling revenue include Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.

Gambling is only sanctioned under provincial authority.

However, there are more and more powerhouse websites offering casino and sports betting in Canada that exist offshore beyond the provincial jurisdictions.

This is the great “grey area to gambling.” These popular sportsbooks (example: betway.com), held their licenses in Britain, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Mexico, Spain or even Sweden and Canada has been losing a $14 billion dollar revenue stream annually to offshore and unregulated betting

steer down life’s road, it is kind of refreshing to find a fellow traveller whose standards of right and wrong haven’t been influenced in some way by the confusion that has often gone on around them! As time went by - and believe me there has been plenty of it - of course we have made contact with a lot of these types, and while checking in my old ledger, a lot of little stories about them showed up.

Bits like “Friesoythe Burning” or under M, “Muslim for a Day” or “Padre” that The Independent has been kind enough to print. But there have been quite a few more, often times very revealing of what goes on in the lives of some of these people. I don’t expect many people to be interested but if you are, read on.

Right after the war I happened to meet up with a minister who had spent some time in the Royal Air Force (RAF).

“We were stationed in this little town in Eng-

websites.

The reality is, it’s all fine with these offshore sites, until you have a problem settling a dispute or getting your winnings, and the CGA (Canadian Gambling Association) is helpless. Last year in June of 2023, the Canadian Senate introduced two sports betting bills: Bill S-268 (allows Indigenous First Nations to offer retail and online sports betting on reserves) and Bill S-269 which provides a national framework for sports and betting ads across Canada.

Most people who bet on sports don’t consider themselves to be gamblers. These are gamers that never go to casinos but choose to bet on sports they religiously follow and know.

But gambling whether sitting at home in private on your phone or sitting at a casino table is the same thing. Gambling stimulates the brain’s reward system much like drugs or alcohol and can lead to addictive behaviour if it becomes compulsive.

You don’t need me to tell you that excess gambling could ruin your life, so instead I have included some of the signs to watch out for.

Remember gambling is a “game.” So, treat it as such.

This is not the way to build your retirement future or a way for you to improve your situation. You are the only one that can make this happen, slowly over time, doing the right things, striving to better yourself and consistently saving for your future.

Here are some gambling traits that indicate you may have a problem.

land,” he told me one time, “that had a river running through it, and a lot of the pilots got their kicks by flying under the bridge that went over the river just when they came in to land. The day I tried it, though, an Air Marshal [a rank equivalent to a Lieutenant General] happened to be crossing the bridge at the same time and got my number... I flew a lot of Lancasters [bombers] after that!”

Tut, tut! Whoever thought that a minister would fly a Spitfire [fighter] under a bridge?! We always knew that they never did things like that!

Not being able to make a million dollars at his job, one of the local preachers did a bit of moonlighting by working for the statistics people. One day he called at our place.

“You know a lot of country north of the river, Bob,” he asked.

“Would you mind coming with me as a guide?

I have to make a survey

1.) Are you preoccupied with gambling; wanting to play more and get more money to do so.

2.) Are your gambling bets increasing. Do you need to increase the amount of the bet to get the same thrill.

3.) Do you feel restless or irritable if you miss a gambling opportunity.

4.) Do you chase past losses by gambling more.

5.) Do you lie to family and friends to hide your gambling.

6.) Do you need to ask others for money to bail you out when you lose money gambling.

These questions are just the start. If you or someone you care about has a gambling problem, please seek help from a professional.

There are ways to treat this problem and it is especially important if you are young. Gambling during your teenage years increases the risk of developing compulsive habits as you age.

Those that have OCD or ADHD (obsessivecompulsive disorder or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) may find it easier to slip into a gambling habit.

If you feel that you are craving a gambling high, try to go “cold turkey” for three months or more and remove yourself from all places where gambling occurs.

Remember, this is an addiction to some, and it indeed will be hard to break this compulsive behaviour once your brain has established it as a “feel-good” drug.

Compulsive gambling will destroy your future, guaranteed.

Good Luck and Best Wishes!

Written by Christine Ibbotson, author, finance writer, national

up there.”

Of course I said “Okay” and we took off. We drove into a farmyard way up north and, little black satchel in hand, my friend knocked at the door. A middle aged lady came, answering his knock at the door, took one look at us and said, “No spik Englis!”

Her husband and a couple of kids came up behind her and stared at us kind of blankly like they had no idea what we were saying.

After a moment or two I thought I’d better say something. After all, my friend figured I knew the country.

“You’re Mary, aren’t you?” I said. “Remember me? We went to school together!” (Mary had been the smartest in our class!)

“Bobby Mason!” she replied in better English than I spoke. “What in the world are you doing back up here?”

I explained that the Reverend and I were making a statistics survey.

radio host, and now on CTV Morning Live, and CTV News @6, syndicated across Canada.

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

“Oh that!” she exclaimed. “When we saw you carrying that little black satchel we thought you were some kind of a tax investigator ... come on in!”

Moral: You can’t tell a minister by his little black satchel!

I’m not an Anglican myself, but that is besides the point. A few years ago I met Bishop Steer at a Legion convention in the Bessborough. The Bishop was with a Legion big shot and they were heading toward the elevators when he stopped to talk.

The big shot kept on walking and stood by the elevator impatiently waiting. Everybody, including him, knew that Bob Mason wasn’t very darn important. And some guys went out of their way to make sure that Bob knew it!

“Come on Bishop,” says the B.S. (big shot ... hey, that’s quite an abbrevia-

tion, eh!) “We’re going to have lunch up in my room!”

“Go on ahead,” the Bishop replied. “I’ll be up in a few minutes!”

Then in an aside to me, “I”m not going up to his room just because he yelled, and leave you here all alone!”

I felt so good that I would have recommended him for Sainthood, but I’m afraid someone else beat me to it!

A lot of these contacts that we have made with these people over the years have only helped to prove that they are special - and are especially human!

After all, these folks, representatives of our many religions, are just ordinary people doing their best to influence our thoughts toward doing the right thing.

And what other approach could be more effective than being one of us?

BIGGAR & DISTRICT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC. The Foundation is pleased to announce that funds are available for grants from the Community Fund.

To apply, your group must have a charitable registration number.

Applications may be obtained from Kathy Sarvas at the Town Office.

The deadline for applications is March 8, 2024.

BIGGAR MUSIC FESTIVAL invites you to...

•Piano Performances - Monday & Tuesday March 4th and 5th (Duet Night - Evening of Monday March 4th) •Vocal Performances - Wednesday & Thursday March 6th and 7th (Musical Theatre - Wednesday and Thursday Evening) •Band / Instrumental Performances - Friday March 8th

All above Performances Start at 9:00a.m. each day

Performers Concert & Awards Night Saturday March 9 at 7:00p.m.

All Performances at the Biggar Majestic Theatre

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

TAX ENFORCEMENT LIST Town of Biggar

Notice is hereby given under The Tax Enforcement Act that unless the arrears and costs appearing opposite the land and title number described in the following list are fully paid before the 23rd day of April, 2024, an interest based on a tax lien will be registered against the land.

NOTE: A sum for costs in an amount required by subsection 4(3) of The Tax Enforcement Act is included in the amount shown against each parcel.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Remembering When

Kathy

The Workplace Hockey Pool

$440.00 plus 22.00 gst = $462.00

for publication on Thursday, February 22, 2024

Remember When Keith Schell

Dated this 20th day of February, 2024

Kristine Brown, C.A.O.

by Keith Schel When I started working at my new job in the big city in the late 1980’s, the shift I was assigned to had a gentleman who ran a hockey pool.

The pool was based on the Saturday night Toronto Maple Leaf games and the winner was the person whose randomly selected pool numbers matched the final score of the Maple Leaf hockey game.

So I joined the shift hockey pool and, of course, I never won. But one Saturday night we happened to be working and nobody’s numbers matched the final score of the game that night.

That meant the pot was carried over for the next Saturday night and be double the size it would normally be.

Come the next Saturday night, I had the weekend off and was home watching that game with great interest.

I distinctly remember it was a Detroit-Toronto game and the score was tied going into the third period.

With time winding down in the third period, Detroit scored to take a one goal lead.

And with that goal, it suddenly dawned on me: I now had the winning score in the workplace hockey pool! The possibility now existed that I could win the doublesized pot that night!

And in that unprecedented moment, with the clock winding down and the possibility of me winning a doublesized hockey pool within my grasp, for the first time in my life I did the unthinkable as a diehard Toronto Maple Leafs fan: I STARTED CHEERING AGAINST THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS! Sure, I felt like a traitor, but hey, I had a chance to win a doublesized hockey pool! And after the lifetime of losing the Leafs have given me, you’d think that for once I could use it to my advantage.

Near the end of the game when play went back down into the Detroit end, Toronto pulled their goalie and the thoughts of me winning the double-sized hockey pool started to evaporate before my

eyes as the Leafs mounted their desperation last-gasp attack on the Detroit goal.

Down by one goal with under a minute to play, Wendel Clark was left all alone in the slot when the puck came right to him! With the game on his stick, he teed up the puck to fire one of his blistering wrist shots point-blank at the Detroit net.

Horrified at the thought of losing the doublesized hockey pot, I sat on the edge of the couch and yelled “NOOOO!” at the TV and prayed a silent prayer that one of my all-time favourite Leaf players wouldn’t score!

Wendel Clark fired the puck; AND WENDEL CLARK MISSED THE NET! My relief was palpable as the puck sailed wide of the top corner of the goal and bounced off the glass.

And after what seemed like an eternity, the clock finally ticked down to zero with neither team scoring and, wonder of wonders, I won the double-sized workplace hockey pool!

Surprisingly, at the end of the game I felt as much relief as I would have as if I had watched the end of a playoff game! It’s surprising how much more emotionally involved you become in a game when there’s money on the line.

And that night I learned something about myself as a devout Leaf fan I never believed was possible: When there was money on the line, I could be bought if the price was right. And my price was double the regular pot of the workplace hockey pool. Not really that much when you think about it.

As animated character Fred Flintstone once said in a Flintstones TV episode, “It’s not winning the game that counts, it’s collecting the dough!” And he was certainly right about that!

When we got back to work on the following Monday evening, first thing I did was seek out the organizer of the pool to collect my money.

Work be darned, I had to get the important stuff done first! It was only about eighty bucks, but it certainly felt nice to win one for a change.

It was the only pot I ever won over all the years of working there, and doubtless I gave it all back and then some on all the subsequent workplace hockey pools I lost down the road.

It was just a fun way to make the Saturday night hockey games a little more interesting, especially on the Saturday nights you had to work.

Just a little icing on the cake, as it were.

But the icing was usually the sweetest part!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Ag machinery more Star Trek than Green Acres

Agriculture Calvin Daniels

by Calvin Daniels There are of course a number of visions for the future of farming, none of the visions likely to be completely right, but if you wanted one aspect that will be part of that future it is autonomous technology.

One increasing barrier to farming is finding staff. The modern tractor, or combine, or sprayer is a technological marvel with amazing capacity to collect data and cover ground. Sit in a modern combine cab and it reminds more of a spaceship than the tractors of my youth.

Overlay that with the investment in a large piece of equipment, a four-wheel drive trac-

tor or new combine will chew through near $1 million, and you need a highly skilled operator.

That translates into a situation of finding qualified operators and then affording those with the requisite skills is a challenge.

So producers must be watching the emergence of autonomous technology.

The idea of an operator-less tractor isn’t new, but as with any emerging technology gains are being made quickly. The autonomous tractor of five years ago will be a ‘Model T-equivalent’ to what rolls out a mere decade from now.

The ability of sensor technology to grow allowing for ever greater uses for autonomous units will open the door to broader on-farm usage.

Initially the greatest usage may come from high value, high intensive farms, such as those growing vegetables, but a tractor that can pull a cultivator over a field essentially 24-hours a day without an on-board operator has to intrigue big acre grain farmers.

Of course the autonomous units might also

be powered by non-fossil fuels, which depending on one’s view will be an added bonus, or a waste of effort.

That said politically the push again from fossil fuels is real, so that will be an overlay of a ‘complimentary-technology’ on autonomous units.

Unless our world regresses - and you might create a doom and gloom vision out of a more virulent COVIDlike bug, or the threat of a third world war with the likes of Vladimir Putin out there - farming will most certainly continue to become more technological.

Of course evolving tech has always been at the heart of farming - the horse to steam tractor to diesels to the autonomous electrics of today an obvious example.

New technology has always allowed farmers to cover more acres, raise better crops, deal more effectively with weeds and pests, and one should expect that will continue.

And one should expect the autonomous power unit - they will be more than a tractor - will be at the vanguard of the next generation of tech.

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SALES, SERVICE & PARTS 306-882-2623 Toll Free 877-882-2610 Regalmotorsltd.com

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7

0$,1 675((7 81,7 526(72:1 6. 6 / 9 .(//< %/2&.Ÿ3$5/ *& &$ ì .(//<%/2&.03 &$ ì Ŧ Ŧ

PRECISION AUTOBODY WRITING SGI ESTIMATES IN BIGGAR!

We’ve been working with Fred & Patsy at Spyder Autobody for the past 3 years, and will continue servicing the Biggar community with mobile SGI appraisals I-Car Gold Class and OEM Certified Technicians Consumer Choice Award Winners 12 Years Running Certified Aluminum Repair / Hail Repair Experts • Courtesy cars available • Free pickup and delivery

2326 Avenue C North Saskatoon 306-664-4156

customerservice@precisionautobody.ca

Wednesdays at Spyder Autobody in Biggar

1/4 Pag

8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Jim Reiter, MLA

Rosetown-Elrose Constituency 215 Mainhouse Street, Rosetown

by Trudy and Dale school for the the Monday – Friday, 9:00area.

– 5:00 The Buxton children in the Tel: 306-882-4105 Continuing on heading community itself became east on Highway 5, we are partFax: of 306-882-4108 the RM of Roblin Toll free; heading for Dauphin. and is 1-855-762-2233 now basically a jimreitermla@sasktel.net Not much on the E-mail: ghost town.

Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0 highway for settlements Onward down the Please call with questions or concerns

on this stretch. We do go by what once was community of Shevlin.

The community used to have a grain elevator near the Canadian National rail line, which was closed and removed by 1971, and a one-room

highway we come to Gilbert Plains.

Gilbert Plains was named after Gilbert Ross, a Metis man that lived in the area when the first European, Glenlyon Campbell a Scottish Hudson Bay

Jim Reiter, MLA

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

Chas e the Ace

Come out and support our team

1/2 & 1/2

Next Home Game PROVINCIALS

Saturday February 24th @8:00pm vs: Wilkie Outlaws

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 Trader, arrived on the scene back in 1884.

Back in those days you could get ahead by trading goods and services. This case was no exception as Campbell traded a horse to Ross for a house where he then started a small acreage and homesteaded.

Rail was completed through the area in 1900 and the community was born. The first telephone Attention: Kathie was in 1906 but the I gave you a get few variations to look at. community couldn’t restaurant. any power until almost What you a nice Please let me know which preferarea by to 1950 travel through. email and Gilbert return Plains, a we can get this ad started Continuing on east we November 24. registeredThursday, town, gave up come to our destination its status and joined with for the day in Dauphin. $35.28 plus gst per week the RM ofPrice: Gilbert Plains A city of around 8,400 to become Gilbert Plains people, the city was Talk servicing to you later, Municipality, a named for the nearby Urla Tyler, Advertising Consultant greater area.

Lake Dauphin.

The Gilbert Plains The name comes from Municipality is located an early explorer in 1741, in the valley between “Pierre Gaultier de La Riding Mountains and Verendrye” in honour of Duck Mountains. the Dauphin of France, Gilbert Plains was the heir to the French once featured on a CBC throne. program of Still Standing Settlers began to in 2017. arrive in the area in Today, the community the late 1800’s and at has a population of the time there was two around 360 people and communities built, is home to “Gilbert the Gartmore and Old Golf Ball,” an 11-foot Dauphin. But when the tall mascot on the edge railroad came and was of town. Shaped like built between the two, a golf ball, “Gilbert” residents eventually holds a hockey stick to settled onto one side, represent all that is good settling for the name, in the area in the way of Dauphin. sports.

First incorporated The Gilbert Plains Golf and Country Club is a very well groomed nine-hole golf course with some very scenic and challenging hole placements. After a round of golf you can relax in the licensed

The Biggar Skating Club presents…

“Broadway” Friday, Mar 8, 6:30 pm Biggar Jubilee Stadium

Admission $5, 10 yrs & under Free

Big Raffle Table Tickets for Large Prize Draws 50/50

Old Church in Gilbert Plains

“Gilbert the Golf Ball,” an 11-foot tall mascot as a village in 1896, it was only in 1998 that it became a city.

Stay tuned next week as we continue our trip into Manitoba.

24024PS1 24031PS0

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

DEADLINE MONDAY 5 P.M. Randy Weekes, MLA

Biggar - Sask Valley Constituency Office 106- 3rd Ave. West, Box 1413 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0 Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm

Attention: Janet

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

Please proof and get b email.

Thanks, Urla

Over 30 Years in Business

306-882-2283 www.allwestsales.ca Highway 7 West Rosetown )V_ ࠮ : 3 =

Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm

Feature of the Week

6500 BUSHELL VALE PORTABLE BIN

Spring is in the Air

Get Ready with some New or Good Used Equipment. Call Daryl for a Great Deal!!

CALL DARYL FOR A GREAT DEAL

A star has arrived… local musician, Caledonia Donahue performed with Donny Parenteau at the winter Metis festival on February 10th in Biggar. Caledonia will be live streamed on Telemiracle’s pre-show on the Telemiracle website on Saturday February 24th at around 7:54 pm, please tune in for her performance.

(Photo for the Independent by S&K Photography)

Come on down and check out some amazing sales on all of our new and used farm equipment. ࠮ ࠮ -!

Contact the knowledgeable staff at All West Sales

Thank you to the Biggar Bakers…

Together we made 168 pies, and we sold every last one of them!!

Because of your generosity, the Biggar Museum & Gallery can continue to bring our community together for art, culture and history.

Our gallery can be rented out for family events or meetings.

Our students like coming here, because there is always something happening at the Biggar Museum & Gallery!

Did you know we offer Social Media Advertising?

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

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

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

Contact Dale at The Independent for pricing or inquiries!

1IPOF t &NBJM UJQ!TBTLUFM OFU

10 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Silvernagle becomes Hall of Fame member

Team Sherry Anderson (from left, Anita Silvernagle, Brenda Goertzen, Patty Hersikorn and Sherry Anderson) along with Amy Nixon are being inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame. (Team Anderson photo: World Curling/Logan Hannigan-Downs)

Biggar’s Anita Silvernagle will add “Hall of Fame” to an already impressive curling resume.

Recently announce, Silvernagle, as part of the Sherry Anderson rink, were inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame along with Brenda Goertzen, Patty Hersikorn and Amy Nixon.

Winning five backto-back Canadian senior women’s championships, the team has set a high standard, not only for following Canadian teams, but any world hopefuls.

The won their first national in 2017 at

Fredericton, following that with Stratford, Ontario in 2018, Chilliwack, B.C. in 2019, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. in 2021, and Yarmouth, N.S. in 2022. If not for COVID, it could have been six in 2020.

Add to that three World Senior Curling Championship gold medals - 2018 in Ostersund, Sweden, 2019 in Stavanger, Norway, and last year in Gangneung, South Korea.

They will be inducted during an on-ice ceremony in Regina at the 2024 Brier in Regina, March 1-10.

U18 Nats advance in Prov B ... The National Outlaws hit the ice for Game 2 in their Provincial B tilt versus the Shellbrook Elks, Friday at the Jubilee.

Nat Outlaws took Game 1, 6-1 following it up with a 8-5 win to advance and face the Aberdeen Flames. (Independent Photo by Dale Buxton)

U11 Nats versus Nats ... U11 Nationals hit the ice to face their rival counterparts ... a Team Black versus Team White affair. Team Black won the game, but these hockey stars of tomorrow had a great time as the season slowly comes to a close.

(Photo for The Independent courtesy of Bobbi-Jo Wolfe)

Kernohan, Cey win prestigious awards It is with great honour that the Sask West Hockey League announced on Wednesday, February

9 that the Harvey Somerville Memorial Award has been won

by Biggar Nationals

SWHL President Joe Cey, left, awards Ken Kernohan the Harvey Somerville Memorial Award. (Submitted Photo)

manager Ken Kernohan and the Bill Cey Memorial Award was handed to Wilkie Outlaws forward Rick Cey. Since 2006, the Somerville award has been given out in recognition of years of service to Senior Hockey and the SWHL. This award is dedicated in memory of the late Mr. Harvey Somerville, who was a long-time supporter of the Eatonia Huskies and the SWHL. “Senior hockey in towns is very important,” says the nomination form for Ken. “Fans having a team to watch, players having a place to play and for local minor hockey kids to have something to look forward to.

Keeping a team together and finding players to compete in a very competitive league takes time and dedication.

Ken has been involved with the team for many years and will give the time and effort to keep Senior hockey going in Biggar.”

“It is an honour. It’s just a great feeling to work alongside and be a part of a good group of people who support their communities and make things happen,” said Kernohan.

“I have a tremendous group of volunteers in Biggar and get to meet and work with many more from other communities.”

The other nominations were Kindersley Sr Klippers executive member Reid McBride, Edam 3 Stars forward Mitch Wall, Wilkie Outlaws executive member Bill Sittler, current SWHL president Joe Cey, and Biggar Nationals trainer Kaleb Carter.

Created in 2023 and continuing for the next 10 years, the Cey award is given to an individual deemed the hardest working local player in the SWHL. This award is dedicated to Bill Cey, a long-time supporter of local hockey in Wilkie. “[The] Wilkie Outlaws would like to nominate Ricky Cey as our hardest working local,” read the nomination form for Rick.

“He is an absolute integral part of our team, and by far the hardest working player we have ever seen. So much so that he annoys the opposition! He also coaches minor hockey and is the president of the minor hockey association. We couldn’t think of a more deserving player, especially as his senior hockey career starts to wind down.”

“Well, it’s an honour

to win it, being a league award and in my grandpa’s memory,” said Cey in a text message conversation.

“There were lots of good nominations this year from all the teams so just to be in the nominations with those guys was nice. Hard work has always been the biggest part of my game so it’s nice to be recognized for it.”

His dad, Gerry, had the honour of presenting the award, with many of his uncles and aunts looking on.

The other nominations were Macklin Mohawks captain Cody McKinnon, Hafford Hawks’ Kobe Kindrachuk, Alex David of the Unity Miners, Joel Blaquiere of the Edam 3 Stars, Biggar Nationals’ captain and assistant coach Derek Argue, and Kindersley Sr Klippers’ Jarrett Reichert.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Penton On Sports Bruce Penton

It’s the month for St. Patrick’s Day, so perhaps wearing Saskatchewan green and the luck of the Irish will mean a Brier championship for Mike O’McEwen.

He’s changed provinces regularly, so why can’t he change his name, too? - from McEwen to O’McEwen, just to heighten his chances of expanding his luck quotient to win the biggest prize in Canadian men’s curling.

No skip has ever represented three different provinces in the Brier, until McEwen this year, so maybe third time will be lucky. He won the Manitoba title four times, and represented Manitoba, his home province, on three other occasions as a wildcard entry. Last year, he joined forces with an Ontario rink featuring Ryan Fry, Joey Hart and Brent Laing, and they won that province, losing in a three versus four Page playoff game at the Brier.

But when Laing, Fry and Hart went their separate ways at the end of the season, McEwen was a loose free agent, looking for a strong team that needed an experienced and proven skip.

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

Will wearing green be lucky for McEwen?

It didn’t take long for that curling marriage to happen. Colton Flasch of Saskatchewan has long been a contender on the men’s curling circuit, but he lost his third, Catlin Schneider, following the 2022-23 season. The dichotomy was perfect - McEwen available; Flasch with one missing piece. Flasch moved down to play third and the team clicked almost immediately.

Wearing green for the first time in his life, McEwen led his team of Flasch and the Marsh twins, Dan and Kevin, to the Saskatchewan championship, running off seven straight wins to earn a spot in the 2024 Brier which, as fate would have it, is being played in Regina starting March 1. The pressure will be ramped up threefold: Playing in front of a home crowd; being a first-year skip with the Flasch squad; and trying to break a long Brier drought for teams from Saskatchewan. The most recent Brier title for the Wheat Province came in 1980, 44 years ago, when Rick Folk was the winner.

While McEwen r e p r e s e n t i n g Saskatchewan may be the feel-good story of the week, Canada’s best curlers won’t be coming to Regina to play secondary roles. Fivetime (and defending) champ Brad Gushue of Newfoundland will be among the favourites, as will last year’s runnerup, Brendan Bottcher

of Alberta. Perennial contenders Matt Dunstone, Kevin Koe, and Reid Carruthers (whose rink is skipped

by Northern Ontario veteran Brad Jacobs), will also have strong opportunities to win.

In the round-robin, Regina fans’ eyes will be focusing on the B.C.Saskatchewan matchup because the former Flasch third, Schneider, moved to B.C. and won his new province’s championship.

Ideally, B.C. vs.

Saskatchewan would be a terrific Brier final, too, with McEwen trying to write a fairytale finish to his vagabond curling tale.

• Comedy writer Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver: “The Blue Jays are trying to cash in on mascots popularity. They signed Justin Turner, the baseball player that mostly closely resembles

Gritty and Youppi!”

• Headline on Page 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle the day after the 49ers fell 25-22 to Kansas City in the Super Bowl: “LOSS VEGAS”.

• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, on the shooting in Kansas City during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade: “What if Patrick Mahomes had been hit in the spray of bullets? Would that have gotten America’s attention?

Because nothing else has as our national plague of gun violence and mass shootings goes on and on.”

• Cote again, after Patrick Mahomes’ outstanding play in the Super Bowl led the Chiefs to victory: “The G.O.A.T. corral has a new member.”

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “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.”

• From Bianchi’s column in the Sentinel: “Best pre-Super Bowl Sunday meme: ‘I hear Taylor Swift’s boyfriend will be attending the Usher concert this weekend.’”

• Headline at Canadian parody website The Beaverton: “Saskatchewan residents furious over local sports network’s decision to air Super Bowl instead of 2013 Grey Cup replay.”

• 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?”

• 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 Kaseberg: “Sarah Thomas was the first ever female ref in a Super Bowl. That explains why that one player was called for Unsatisfactory Feelings Sharing.”

• Comedy guy Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver: “The Vegas Golden Knights ended the Edmonton Oilers winning streak at 16 games, which is usually around when casino security steps in.”

• Headline at theonion. com: “Chiefs Pour Vat Of Hot Fryer Grease Over Andy Reid”.

• Another onion.com offering: “Chiefs Walk Six Miles To Game After Bus Driver Refuses To Pay $125 For Stadium Parking”.

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

Pirates season comes to a close ... The Perdue Pirates had their season come to an end, Saturday, as they hosted the Macklin Mohawks in Provincial D. Losing Game 1, 13-1, the home start in Perdue wasn’t much better as they fell 10-3. (Independent Photo by Dale Buxton)

Biggar Bowl weekly scores Monday Adult Mixed Ladies High Single - Marilyn Miller 208. Ladies High Triple - Marilyn Miller 532. Mens High Single Jason Raschke 240. Mens High Triple - Tristan Otterson 640.

Tuesday Night Mixed Ladies High Single - Melissa Raschke 201. Ladies High Triple - Melissa Raschke 506. Mens High Single Jason Raschke 251. Mens High Triple - Jason Raschke 638.

Thursday Afternoon Seniors Ladies High Single - Winnie Rolleston 186. Ladies High Triple - Nina Carruthers 484. Mens High Single Greg Love 202. Mens High Triple - Greg Love 535.

YBC Bowlasaurus - Alex Friesen 84. Pee Wee Single - Owen Smith 118; Double - Owen Smith 207. Bantam Single - Peter Olson 154; Triple - Peter Olson 385. Junior Single - Xander Hebert 181; Triple - Bentley McNaughton 466. Senior High Single - Kiersten Raschke 263; High Triple - Noah 667.

12-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Business & Professional …

AUTOMOTIVE

ACCOUNTING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

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

Open Monday-Friday HEAVY TRUCK AUTO TIRES BOATS & RVs

SGI Safety INSPECTION

117 - 3

rd

Ave. West,

(New Horizons Bldg) Biggar

INSURANCE

p.m. phone: Chris

306-948-3376 Serving Your “EnTIRE” Needs

3 col/6

Jennifer:

Chico’s Auto Works

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

“We’ll getcha covered”

CorPoration Barristers & Please get back to me by 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb 4 Solicitors Thanks, Urla Shoreline Realty Stuart A. Busse, KC Larry A. Kirk, LL.B.

Cari Perih REAlToR®

302 Main Street, Biggar, SK

Cell: 306-948-7995

306-948-3346

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

…serving your community since 1972

Acres of Expertise.

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

Dave Molberg

Thursday CLOSED

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

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

Perdue Office Hours

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

INVESTMENTS For all your investment needs, Visit…

DENTAL

Rosetown Dental

115 - 1 Avenue West Rosetown, Sask. st

Lyndsey Poole PFP

Pamela Eaton PFP

Investment Advisor Credential Securities Inc.

Jennifer Quessy

Ashley Booker CFP

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist Credential Asset Management Inc.

Investment Advisor Credential Securities Inc.

Located at the Biggar & District Credit Union 302 Main Street, Biggar, SK • 306-948-3352 Mutual funds are offered through Credential Asset Management Inc., and mutual funds and other securities are offered through Credential Securities Inc. ®Credential is a registered mark owned

by Credential Financial Inc. and is used under license.

SEED CLEANING wyLie seeD &

ProCessing inC.

Phone:306.882.2123 New Patients Welcome!

Dr. Krista Maedel & Associates

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

is a full service law office that practices…

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

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

306-948-5352 or 306-244-9865

Advertising

is an investment business.

223 Main Street Biggar Box 580 Biggar, SK SOK OMO

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

BIGGAR Attention: Deanna Stevenot REFRIGERATION SERVICES

Please proof Business & Prof

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

#102 - 9622 - 42 Avenue,

Licensed Journeyman Edmonton, AB T6E 5Ya Adrian de Haan

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

Rebel Landscaping

948-2879, evenings 948-7207, daytime Ed Kolenosky s $RIVEWAYS s 3OD s #ONCRETE s 0ATIO s 'ARAGE 0ADS "LOCKS s 0RUNING s 3NOW s 0LANTING 2EMOVAL s 4OPSOIL s &ENCES s ,AWN #ARE xAND s ,EVELING MUCH MORE

BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN

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

DENTURES

Bring Back Your Smile

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

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

Over 20 years experience.

Great rates and free estimates.

Call or text Jon 306•230•8949

306-716-4021

DEMOLITION & RESTORATION STUCCO , DRYWALL CONCRETE FINISHING

9

Brett…

w

Price plus g comm

Biggar, Sask.

Than

102 - 3rd Ave. West,

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

PLUMBING & HEATING

948-7457 948-6045

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

fo

Pleas chang email

for all your Cereal and Pulse Cleaning

Bill: Dale:

T 9 9

306-948-9750

excellent Quality at a reasonable Price!

Frayling Denture Clinic Ltd since 1983

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

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

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

Peszko &Watson

in your

OFFICE HOURS

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

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

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist, Credential Asset Management Inc.

LEGAL SERVICES

chicosautoworks@sasktel.net

Landis Office Hours:

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

306-948-2109

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

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

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

(WY %AST "IGGAR

Busse Law

www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca

Biggar Office Hours…

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

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

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

ACCEPT NEW C ING LIE Year R NTS ound

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

Mon - Fri • 8 a.m.-5

FULL MOBILE MECHANICAL

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

Service Truck Full Mechanical Service

Mike Nahorney - Journeyman Red Seal Mechanic

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

Biggar, Sask.

306-948-3389 Owners/Operators • Dallas Young • Claude Young

Journeymen Plumber, Gas Fitter, & Electrician on staff

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

HEALTH/WELLNESS

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

ROSETOWN NATURAL HEALTH

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

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

Co-Ed Fitness Centre

CLEANING SERVICE

…owned and operated

by Brett Barber

- together with -

Healthy Lifestyle Weight Loss Personal Training Fitness Classes

102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

306-948-9750

www.newufitness.ca

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Creativity may prove elusive this week, Aries. You want to get into a crafty project but you simply can’t find traction just yet. Don’t give up too soon.

Taurus, a distracted friend or loved one may not be good company over the next few days. Reach out and offer to be a sounding board to help this person re-center their focus.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Are you feeling preoccupied, Gemini? You can’t seem to focus on one thing or another and friends will start to notice when you are in their company.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Romantic matters are going very well right now, Cancer, even if you may not feel entirely confident.

The person who cares for you will not notice your insecurities.

HAULING

Rockin D Trucking & Cattle 306.237.7671

Troy May, owner/operator

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

SERVICES

GALLARDO Liner

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

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

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

6 month commitment for $161.20 plus gst

1-833-948-3331

Bring Back Your Smile

Frayling Denture Clinic Ltd since 1983 PHONE......306-951-0078 or Hampton Circle, Saskatoon (Westside) 35-102 306-951-0098 306-382-7767 Website: fraylingdenture.com

New Dentures - Partial Dentures - Denture Relines - Repairs - Complimentary Consultations

BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income

Call: 306•303•7246

In BIGGAR

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

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

Special Event, Airport Service or Doctorʼs Appointments

(Answers on Page 14) PICKLES IS ON 14 OR 15

SUDOKU

Virgo, there is so much to do around the house that you may not know where to start. Spring cleaning comes a month or two early. Ask for help if you’re feeling frazzled.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

You may be in the mood to expand your knowledge on one or more subjects, Libra. Visit the library or a bookstore and pick up something that piques your interest.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, you may pick up on some vibes when hanging out with others that just don’t fit in with your line of thinking. Give it some time 1/4 Page before you cut any ties. You may be misinterpreting.

OPTOMETRISTS

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

Dan • 306-948-7843 Biggar, Sask.

Naty/Michael…

The more challenging path may prove the best one to take as your work on a certain task, Leo. Dig in and start figuring a way out to the other side.

High-Arc Electric Ltd

MID - YEAR SPECIAL Try a subscription for only $15.00 plus GST and get it in your mailbox for the rest of the year Check out the ““NEW WEBSITE”” for on-line options

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

Granite Monuments for Less with Laser Engraving

Call: 306-831-8987

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21

–

There has been a lot going on in your life, Sagittarius.

You may be experiencing some apprehension about the future. Take every concern individually and give it thought.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Information coming to you could have you feeling nervous about your financial security, Capricorn. If this is outside your area of expertise, you may want to sit down with a planner.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Confusing messages from work may find you reconsidering plans that you already put into motion, Aquarius. Get more information before modifying your plans.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, your mind is all over the place right now, so it could be difficult to focus on mundane things like chores or other activities right now. However, don’t push them off.

DJ SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS CALL 948-3344

email us at tip@sasktel.net

14-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

FURNITURE FOR SALE NEW small wooden table and two chairs.

NEVER USED Medium brown colour Call 948-3611 in Biggar LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

HORSESHOE E CHAROLAIS

Annual Bull Sale

CLUES ACROSS 1. Golf scores 5. Shock therapy 8. Ballplayer’s tool 11. Quench one’s thirst 13. Female relatives of American war vets (abbr.)

14. Every one of two or more things 15. Member of Muslim people 16. Play 17. Type of cheese 18. Type of lounge chair 20. __ King Cole, musician 21. Fellows 22. North, Central and South 25. In an early way 30. Foes 31. Georgia rockers 32. Cryptocurrency 33. Narrow path along a slope 38. Disallow 41. Joyousness 43. Inaccessible 45. Evoke emotions 47. Ancient kingdom near Dead Sea 49. Boston Celtic punk rockers (abbr.)

50. Sword 55. Actor Idris 56. Affirmative (slang) 57. Afflicted 59. One point north of northeast 60. Born of 61. Arabic name 62. Traumatic brain injury

(abbr.)

63. Extremity 64. Post

CLUES DOWN 1. Pacific Standard Time 2. Protruding ridge on nematodes 3. Indian king 4. Type of milk 5. One who brings home the bacon 6. More comprehensible 7. Connected with sense of touch 8. Red mineral 9. Breezed through 10. Therefore 12. Supplement with difficulty 14. Early kingdom of Syria 19. Satisfy 23. They confuse doctors (abbr.)

24. Brass instrument 25. Domesticated animal 26. Ribonucleic acid 27. Snakelike fish 28. Woman (French) 29. Economically-minded aircraft 34. When you hope to get somewhere 35. Tease 36. Actress Gretchen 37. Midway between northeast and east 39. Inoffensive 40. Yellowish cotton cloth 41. Consume

42. Does not tell the truth 44. Improved something 45. Spiritual leader 46. Abba __, Israeli politician 47. Fix 48. Evergreen tree genus 51. Swiss river 52. Prejudice 53. Major C. European river 54. Long, narrow strap 58. Male parent

At the Ranch, near Kenaston, SK. Saturday, March 9th, 2:00pm Selling 50 yearling bulls and 20 two year olds.

Semen tested.

Call Layne or Paula Evans 306-252-2246.

Layne (306)561-7147 Catalogue, videos, and online bidding will be on DLMS.ca

21042AL0

DJ SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS CALL 948-3344

LENTEN LUNCHES FEBRUARY 23 MARCH 1 MARCH 8 MARCH 15 MARCH 22

Starts at 12:05pm Biggar New Horizons Sponsored By The Ministerial

Show off the best side of your business!

Don’t be faceless, give them something to recognize!

ADVERTISE Biggar Independent 306-948-3344

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Do it from the comfort of your home... ONLINE!! $130 for Certified Red Cross Course $150 done on YOUR TIME! CALL: DALE BUXTON or Call Dale Buxton 951-7700 for more information CASSIDY BURTON 713-0021

I S

INDEPENDENT SAFETY SERVICES

306-951-7700

tip@sasktel.net

Custom made Business Cards for your Business or Personnal

Only $24.95 for 100

24

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

E-MAIL us at tip@sasktel.net

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK-15

OBITUARIES ETHEL LISKA

Everyone Welcome!

December 6, 1934 - February 16, 2024 Ethel Liska, 89, of Biggar Saskatchewan, died peacefully th on February 16 at the Biggar Long-term Care. th, She was born on December 6 1934 to Ben and Ann Riley of the Wilson Lake area.

Ethel attended teacher’s college in Saskatoon in 1955, and for the next 4 years taught school near Sovereign and Zealandia, and at Howard Powell.

She married Tony Liska on July nd 2 , 1959 and they had 3 children, Tim, Marc and Arla.

Ethel and Tony farmed in the Bear Hills area between Biggar and Rosetown until 1997. They were active members of the Britton Community and the Ruthilda Square Dance Club, which they enjoyed for many years. Ethel later became a Board Director for the Biggar Arts Counsel and was honoured in 2017 with a Lifetime Membership Award by the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Counsels (OSAC).

Throughout her life, Ethel enjoyed farm-life, sewing, dancing, and the arts. Ethel, Tony and their children enjoyed many family gatherings with sister Mildred and family, for traveling, camping, countless meals and endless games of cards. Ethel and Tony enjoyed travel to Padre

Island, Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica, Arizona, and Hawaii. Ethel lived her life with humility. She was dependable, resilient, principled, hard-working, kind, and the glue of our family.

Ethel is survived by her children: Tim (Karen); Marc; and Arla (Jim) Pritchard; grandchildren: Jasmine (Mark); Levi; Tegan (Nick) Derksen; Kailly (Graham) Zimmer; and Miranda; step grandchildren: Sheena (Micah) Chartrand; and Dylan Pritchard; sisters: Mildred Fast; Aaron (Kathy); Barry (Jodi); and Carmen (Larry) Krawec; and June Riley, John (Nerrissa) Shewfelt; and Heather Slater; sister-in-law Gwen Riley; Aaron (Jill); and numerous great-grandchildren, greatnieces and great-nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Tony, her youngest sister Carolyn, her brother Delmer, and brothers-in-law George Fast and Al Harluk.

A Celebration of Ethel’s life will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 at 2:00PM at Deano’s Place (127 1st Avenue East, Biggar, SK) Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.

REFLECTIONS

by Becky Ramsay, New Beginnings Church Biggar What do you do when you receive disturbing news? When the doctor’s report brings fear, when your family member or friends suffer, when another war breaks out...

For those of us who love Jesus, there are a number of examples in the Bible for us learn from.

Let’s look at Nehemiah.

He was captured by an enemy, sent off to a foreign country and placed in the service of the king who had ordered his people’s destruction.

When he finally heard of the condition of his home and people, he went straight to God

first, with repentance in fasting and prayer to seek the Lord’s heart for the matter, and second, to receive His plan for what to do.

Nehemiah spent about four months doing this before making any other move.

You may be familiar with the story but if not, let me summarize it for you. Nehemiah gets leave from the king to return to his country, rouse the remaining (very discouraged) people and rebuild. The barriers they faced were extreme including daily attacks to prevent their project from completing but God is able and He saw them through victoriously in a miraculous amount of time.

Over again, we read in this book about Nehemiah praying for God’s help and His glory to be shown and God comes through for His people.

Then in chapter 8, the people learn how they have been sinning against this wonderful Saviour and respond with repentance. In this section is a well know verse, “... the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The people were mourning because of new understanding over how they had disobeyed the Lord but, in this moment, they are encouraged to look to Him, rejoicing that He had brought them through and shown them how they must live before Him. Mourn-

ing over their sin would come later but at this time (vs 10), they are told to celebrate, “do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

I would encourage you with this, no matter what you’re facing, be it exciting, intimidating or even overwhelming, set your eyes to Jesus, lean in, and rejoice in Him. How has He provided for you in the past? Since He hasn’t changed (Heb. 13:8), you can trust Him even in this and “do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

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

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

our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis Sunday Mass.......9:00a.m.

Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans

St.Pauls Anglican 205 4th Ave. E

Redeemer Lutheran 319 7th Ave. E

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

FERUARY 25 WORSHIP REDEEMER LUTHERAN MARCH 10, ST.PAULS ANGLICAN

Rev. Daphne Bender Pastor’s cellular Phone: 1-306-621-9559 Office Phone: 306-948-3731 (Messages are forwarded to Pastor’s phone immediately)

Biggar associated gospel church 312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

All are welcome to come and join us

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

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SATURDAY SERVICES BIBLE STUDY 10:00a.m.

CHURCH SERVICE 11:00a.m.

320 - 6th ave.east contact: 306-951-8445 3 abn

www.amazingfacts.org

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

You are Invited

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

Biggar Music Festival March 4th - 9th Majestic Theatre

He is gone, but not forgotten And, as dawns another year, In my lonely hours of thinking, Thoughts of him are always near, Days of sadness will come o’er me, Friends may think the wound is healed, But they little know the sorrow, That lies within the heart concealed.

From Dee Dee Love Always & Forever

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

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

Deadline for Classifieds is Monday at 5 p.m.

All Subscriptions have Expired

If you haven’t renewed your Subsription

NOW IS THE TIME!

before you are cut off.

If you have never had a subscriptiongive us a call

948-3344

16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 , 2024

PASSPORT PHOTO’S Available at The Independent 948-3344 No Reservation Needed

NEED A DOCUMENT NOTARIZED? Contact DALE BUXTON at The Independent 948-3344

Junior Blazers end season ... The Biggar Central School Junior Girls Blazers finished the season with a second place at District playoffs, completing a great year of basketball. This group of ladies fought hard winning two tournaments (Rosetown in December and Wilkie/Biggar in January) and placing second at Districts in Kenaston on February 14. They improved so much, and the coaching staff is pretty proud of how well they worked together as a team! At Districts this year, it was Kenaston, Rosetown, Kindersley and Biggar. Biggar had to play Kindersley to decide who would advance to the gold medal match and who would play for third. Biggar won against Kindersley where they then had to face Kenaston in the finals. It was a tough match against the strong Kenaston team, but they are still happy with their second place finish. Back row, left to right: Coach Tacy Bartusek, Laryn Neugebauer, Emily Hatzel-Love, Chloe Evans, Coach Jennelle Minish. Middle: Adriana Alzate Sanchez, Lara Meszaros, Isabelle Hoffman, Korina Medancic. Front: Chloe Bartusek, 1/4 Page Jaryn Doell. (Submitted Photo)

No Reservation Needed

Come check out new stuff for sale at THE INDEPENDENT keeping in touch with Biggar

We Do Laminating