Vol. 106 No. 11
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2, 2015
Box 40, 122 Main Street, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
email: tip@sasktel.net
20 pages
Phone: 306-948-3344
$1.25
www.biggarindependent.ca
Saskatchewan winery wins prestigious Peoples’ Choice Awards in Alberta Living Sky’s Rhubarb wine easy favourite of both Edmonton and Calgary Living Sky Winery returned home from Winefest celebrations in Edmonton and Calgary with the honour of their rhubarb wine named the
People’s Choice Award winner in both cities. The highly regarded recognition came in the category of “best port, ice wine, fruit wine or other
Addams Family nearing opening night! . . . New Creation Community Players orchestra members tune-up under the lights of the Majestic Theatre, Sunday. Their upcoming musical comedy offering, ‘The Addams
wine over $25.” “It was really exciting as Winefest was our first real exposure into the Alberta market and the response was so overwhelmingly
positive,” says Sue Echlin, Co-Proprietor of Living Sky Winery, located near Perdue. “As well as winning the Peoples’ Choice Awards in both cities, our rhubarb
Family’ should prove to be a hilarious treat. With opening night coming this Thursday, March 19, tickets are going fast. Get yours from The Independent. (Independent Photo Kevin Brautigam)
A new doctor practises in Heartland Health Region Access to physician care continues to improve for residents in communities all across Saskatchewan. A new family physician is now practising in Davidson, thanks to the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program. Dr. Olamipo Bamigboje joins many other International Medical Graduate (IMG) colleagues already practising in Saskatchewan. SIPPA is a madein-Saskatchewan program that assesses IMGS on their education and clinical ability before allowing them to practise medicine. Since the program began in 2011, more than 160 new family physicians have completed the assessment and have fulfilled or are fulfilling their service commitment to the province. “People across Saskatch-
ewan are benefiting from better access to doctors because of the SIPPA program,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit said. “Internationally-trained doctors play an important role in our health system, and we welcome them and their families to our growing province.” “I recognize the continuing need to have more family physicians serving patients across Saskatchewan, and I am encouraged by the success of the SIPPA graduates,” SIPPA Medical Director for the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Dr. Jon Witt said. “SIPPA is proving to be one valuable avenue we can use to address our need for more family doctors. I am very pleased to be working with our rural communities, saskdocs and the province to provide
IMGs with opportunities to live and work in Saskatchewan.” In addition, a total of 16 new IMGs from the January intake are now completing their clinical field assessments. If successful,
these family physicians will begin practising across the province this spring. “We hope these internationally-educated physicians will sink roots in our communities and find life in Saskatchewan enjoyable
for themselves and their families,” saskdocs’ CEO Dr. Dennis Kendel said. “Our lives are enriched by the diversity they bring to our medical profession.”
and cherry wines were the first two sold out of the onsite Sobey’s store.“ The Peoples’ Choice awards are another in a long list of accolades for the Saskatchewan-based artisan winery, which has won over 16 national and international medals for their wines, the title of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers in 2012, 2013 Bronze Medal Gold Medal Plates, and has been profiled in national media including Canadian Living and WestJet Up! Magazine. Living Sky Winery has also been named among the finalists for the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence f o r 2 0 1 4 . To u r i s m Saskatchewan announced the list of finalists on March 2. The winery was nominated in the category of Service Excellence. The award finalists and recipients will be honoured at the 26th annual Saskatchewan To u r i s m A w a r d s o f Excellence Gala, which will be celebrated on April 16 at the Radisson Hotel Saskatoon Winefest is Alberta’s premier wine event, with over 270 wines from all over the world poured at two events in Edmonton and Calgary. This allinclusive event gives industry and consumers the opportunity to taste new and exciting wines as well as enjoy gourmet food in a casual atmosphere. Since opening late 2010 Living Sky Winery has become one of Canada’s m o s t awa r d w i n n i n g artisan fruit wineries. Operating with a commitment to the Prairies and the environment, the winery produces table and dessert wines from fruit grown on-farm. More information can be found at livingskywinery.com. Skatin’ Irish . . . With St. Patrick’s Day upon us, this wee bit o’ the Irish from the Biggar Skating Club hit the ice at the Jubilee Stadium, Sunday. Waving to the crowd, this skating Leprechaun drew many a laugh. See Page 2 for more. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)