The Biggar Independent Volume #114 Issue #36

Vol. 114 No. 36 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 16 pages $1.50

Row upon row we go ... Farmers are fighting the weather, working hard to get their 2023 efforts in the bin. Here’s hoping for a bountiful crop and a safe harvest. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

It was back to school for students and staff at St. Gabriel and Biggar Central schools, Tuesday. For kids, it was a chance to reacquaint themselves with friends and teachers, and get back into the Three R’s. For teachers, it is a great opportunity to work with kids, getting them ready for a new phase of life, worry over their student’s future and celebrate their victories. For all of them, it may be “Back to the Grind” but it is a routine that they will soon charge through, all the while dreaming about summer holidays ...

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment

This past week members handled 50 occurrences throughout the area. These included four reports of mischief, three calls for landlord disputes, one commercial break and enter, and two calls for causing a disturbance. There was a report of about 200 gallons of fuel stolen in the RM of Biggar, and two vehicles stolen before 8 p.m. on Sunday evening in the RM of

On August 29, Premier Scott Moe announced a number of changes to the provincial cabinet.

“The mandate of our new cabinet is to build and protect Saskatchewan - to continue building a strong economy, strong communities and strong families, and to protect all that we have built together from threats like federal intrusion and economic challenges like inflation,” Moe said.

Moose Jaw North MLA

Tim McLeod enters cabinet for the first time as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health. Prince Albert Carlton MLA

Biggar Fire Report

by Erroll Horst, Biggar Fire Department

During the month of August we held four practices.

We worked on aerial

Biggar RCMP report

Eagle Creek. Report of a late night visitor caught on a doorbell cam trying to enter a residence on Fourth Avenue in Biggar. Later, this person was located rummaging through others property at the back of McPhee Street. A 46-year-old was arrested and transported to Royal University Hospital to receive some help.

A 26-year-old from Unity was arrested for driving under the influence after being located all over the road on Highway 14 near Perdue while operating a Buick Rainer with her three young children on board. Eleven other motorists received tickets for various offences under the Traffic Safety Act and eight others received written warnings.

Shaken not stirred...

As we know Highway 51 can deliver even after the patching effort. Yet, two motorists near Springwater missed the fact that MythBusters had already proven it is not less bumpy the faster you go. One was caught at 160 km/h resulting in a $1,022 fine, while the other found themselves at 35 km/h over the posted limit resulting in $538 fine. Another would-be Daytona 500 hopeful was located on Highway 14 near Biggar at 152 km/h resulting in $820 fine.

All this speed should not be taken lightly as one 19-year-old from Saskatoon found out. Seatbelts and airbag systems do save lives after rolling their Ford Fusion along Highway 14 near

Kinley after failing to negotiate the slower traffic that was about to make a left turn. One other collision with a deer just east of Biggar on Highway 14, and two cows collided with a grain hauler in the RM

of Glenside. Don’t forget, this Friday we hope to see as many as possible out for our Community Appreciation Barbecue along with celebrating the 150year Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mount-

ed Police. Come out to the detachment for a burger and a visit. Our Recruitment Unit will also be present for anyone that has questions on taking up a career or changing careers. Take Care out there!

Premier makes cabinet changes

Joe Hargrave re-enters cabinet as Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement.

Six ministers remain in cabinet but take on new responsibilities:

Dustin Duncan becomes Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and Minister responsible for all the major Crowns, including SaskPower, SaskEnergy, SaskTel, SGI and SaskWater, as well as Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission;

Christine Tell becomes Minister of Environment;

Paul Merriman becomes Minister of Corrections, Policing

and Public Safety and Minister responsible for the Firearms Secretariat;

Lori Carr becomes Minister of Highways; Everett Hindley becomes Minister of Health; and

Jeremy Cockrill becomes Minister of Education.

Nine ministers retain their current responsibilities:

Donna Harpauer remains Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance;

Jim Reiter remains Minister of Energy and Resources;

Gordon Wyant remains Minister of Advanced Education;

Biggar Fire Report

and pump operations, completed some equipment maintenance, practised different fire attack techniques used to control and knock down fires, and we also

trained on stabilizing vehicles involved in accidents using extendable struts, blocking and air bags.

Two members travelled to Transcare Rescue in Langham to take a three-day course on Heavy Rescue, learning how to deal with incidents involving large vehicles including buses, tractor trailer units and similar vehicles.

There were a total of seven calls for the month - two vehicle fires, a grass fire, one false alarm, and three STARS calls. Our total calls for the year now sits at 58.

Considering the time of year some people may have plans to do some burning after the harvest is complete. It would be a good idea to have some water close by or even a disc or cultivator just in case things get out of hand. Most importantly please remember to call

Jeremy Harrison remains Minister of Trade and Export Development, Minister of Immigration and Career Training, and Minister responsible for Innovation and Tourism Saskatchewan;

David Marit remains Minister of Agriculture and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, and also becomes Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency;

Don McMorris remains Minister of Government Relations, Minister responsible for First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Provincial Capital

the Fire Safety Control Burn number 1-866404-4911. Without calling to register the burn, if somebody driving by sees smoke and calls 911 you may be on the hook for a bill of $2,000 or more.

False alarm calls from alarm systems are another potential cost. Each resident in rural areas is allowed one false alarm at no charge, after that billing for a false alarm starts.

It is important to make sure the alarm company has up-to-date contact information for you and you should know what will display on your phone when they do call. We had one resident state they didn’t answer the phone because it came in as “unknown caller”.

We hope everybody had a fun and safe summer.

Commission, and also becomes Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, and the Minister responsible for Workers’ Compensation Board;

Bronwyn Eyre remains Minister of Justice and Attorney General;

Gene Makowsky remains Minister of Social Services; and

Laura Ross remains Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and Minister responsible for the Status of Women and the Lotteries and Gaming Corporation.

The overall size of cabinet remains unchanged at 18, including the Premier.

Two members who recently announced they will not be seeking reelection in 2024 - Don Morgan and Dana Skoropad - are leaving cabinet. Morgan becomes Provincial Secretary.

“I want to thank those two members and particularly recognize Don Morgan, who along with Donna Harpauer has been in every cabinet since our government was first elected in 2007, making them the two longest-serving current ministers anywhere in Canada.”

The new cabinet was sworn by Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty.

Premier Moe also named nine Legislative Secretaries:

Terry Dennis, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Trade and Export Development, responsible for Saskatchewan-Ukraine relations;

Alana Ross, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Health;

Daryl Harrison, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Resources;

Jim Lemaigre, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Government Relations;

Terry Jenson, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Immigration and Career Training;

Travis Keisig, Legislative Secretary to the Minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation;

Warren Kaeding, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Environment;

Muhammad Fiaz, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Education; and

Lisa Lambert, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.

All Legislative Secretaries will receive $3,000 in remuneration for their additional responsibilities, below the full remuneration amount designated for Legislative Secretaries.

Bingo Numbers for September 7 B-3 I-26 N-32 G-49 O-68

Seatbelts and air bags do save lives as this speeding motorist found out after following a slowing vehicle about to make a left turn, misjudging the closure distance, narrowly avoiding a collision but hitting the ditch. Emergency Services from fire and police attended the resulting single vehicle rollover off Highway 14 near Kinley, 10 a.m., August 30. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment)

Practice makes perfect, and Biggar Fire Department members have been learning new and perfecting known skills. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Erroll Horst, Biggar Fire Department)

Are paper straws the eco-friendly option we’ve been led to believe?

Troy Media viewpoint

Ah, here we are, giving ourselves standing ovations for finally making an “eco-conscious” choice with paper straws.

But lo and behold, Food Additives and Contaminants comes along and douses our green parade with a bucket of reality. Turns out, our new ecoheroes are not exactly the saviours we’ve been led to believe.

Who knew? Oh wait, probably the scientists we ignored.

So, we swapped the Devil We Know (plastic straws) for the Devil We Just Met (paper straws) in the hopes of being a smidgen less terrible to Planet Earth.

Sounds like a good idea, right? But oh, the irony! We’re not saving the planet; we’re just slurping our green tea frappés through laboratory experiments. Yummy! Apparently, these little cylinders of paper-based virtue signalling come

with their own chemical treatments.

Unfortunately, paper straws are not only bad for the environment. If you’re pregnant or have little Timmy sipping his first apple juice, enjoy the added layer of parental guilt and medical mystery as you nurture your inner eco-warrior. But at least paper straws are recyclable, right?

Ah, the recycling conundrum: one of the great myths of our time. You’d think tossing your paper straw into the recycling bin would give it a second life as, I don’t know, an eco-friendly notebook? Nope. These bad boys will likely end up incinerating their way to air pollution or lounging in a landfill emitting methane gas like it’s a spa day.

Sure, we thought paper straws were an easy fix. We got all excited, patting ourselves on our eco-friendly backs, not realizing we’re still playing checkers while sus-

tainability is 4D chess. Turns out, we might actually have to think a little harder. Stainless steel, silicone, or bamboo straws? Sure, they have upfront costs, but at least they don’t serve a side of guilt with your smoothie.

Thanks to Food Additives and Contaminants, the eco-scales have fallen from our eyes (if not the prime minister’s). Sometimes, the easiest solutions are just placebos for our collective guilt. So the next time you sip your organic, dairy-free, fair-trade latte through a paper straw, remember: being truly eco-conscious might involve a bit more than adopting the trend du jour. But hey, at least it’s a conversation starter at your next virtue-signalling party, right?

Letter to the Editor:

Hi! I’m 78 years young. I was diagnosed with ALS (Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis) in December 2022. It’s amazing to me how many don’t what know ALS is. Often, ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is the most common neurological disease. No history of this disease was in my family, so I was a random pick. I didn’t get angry at God. Why me? We know God has a reason for what he does.

So, what was my reason?

Then one night I had a dream. It was so real.

As you know, there’s no

cure for ALS.

If 10,000 people gave a looney, I’d have 10,000 for the ALS Society.

Now, I don’t claim to know 10,000 people. Between relatives, friends and strangers, a few ideas could work. I have a few ideas. If you have a Jean Friday at work. Put in a looney in your pocket to donate, and have a Jean and Looney Friday. All the children at the school’s could have a Looney Friday or whatever day suits them best. Clubs and bars could have a Looney Day as well. All I’m asking for is a loo-

Shuffle all about the status quo

rapidly aging Saskatchewan government.

Finally, it came after considerable uproar in education that has not only seen the government declare a billboard war on teachers vying for a new contract but also a major shift in social policy related to “gender identification consent”.

important in the last such major shuffle opportunity before an election and after byelections.

It was likely the last cabinet shuffle before the October 2024 election - one that came after two by-election losses in Regina ridings and a less than impressive win in the near rural riding of Lumsden-Morse.

It also came after the longest serving cabinet minister in the Saskatchewan Party government in former Crown corporation minister Don Morgan announced his retirement from this

The government claims the latter move is an issue of “parental rights” but critics say barring third-party experts on sexuality, sex education and sexual assault from talking to children could have an significant negative impact down the road.

A cabinet shuffle is normally an attempt to address such issues - a redefining of government priorities in which a government subtly makes public pronouncements that it has heard the concerns and is listening.

This is especially

But it’s difficult to see how shuffle engineered by Premier Scott Moe really responds to any problems his facing his Sask. Party government. After all, gender identity didn’t seem to problem for anyone outside the Saskatchewan United Party.

It is tough for a 16-year government now losing veteran members to correctly respond. It isn’t as if it has a whole lot of young, dynamic MLAs from which to pick.

But with no new Regina, Saskatoon or rural MLAs added in this shuffle, it’s difficult to understand exactly to see what real problems Moe’s government was attempting to address.

The government problems in a slowing economy do seem obvious.

The Sask. Party lost two by-elections in Regina and Saskatoon lost one cabinet through Morgan’s retirement. (The other member leaving cabinet was Arm River MLA Dana Skoropod who similarly announced he was not running again.)

Yet no other Regina or Saskatoon MLAs were brought into cabinet. Instead, Moe opted to promote Moose Jaw North MLA and lawyer Tim McLeod to Health Minister for mental health, addictions, seniors and rural and remote health and former cabinet minister Prince Albert Carleton MLA Joe Hargraves to the little-mentioned portfolio of SaskBuilds and Procurement.

Given that Prince Albert and especially Moose Jaw have gone without cabinet representation for a considerable period, one can

argue it made sense to appoint ministers from those cities. Shouldn’t we have heard a bigger statement?

After the by-electionand especially after former Regina Coronation Park MLA and former cabinet minister Mark Docherty saying during the by-election campaign he could not think of a single reason for voters in the cities to vote for the Sask. Party - nothing was done to address the message from Regina voters.

In fact, it wasn’t like city MLAs like former health minister Paul Merriman (moved to policing and correction) former corrections minister Christine Tell (moved to environment) received massive promotions.

Why are former and capable like Saskatoon MLA Ken Cheveldayoff or Moosomin Steven

ney.

I chose not to go on the Internet with this like a Go Fund Me page. I don’t want people to think this is just another scam. I think this is why God chose me, so that I can raise money for the ALS Society, for research and a cure. Don’t let me die in vain. “One looney at a time!” Biggar and District Credit Union Box 670 Biggar, Sask. S0K 0M0 (306) 948-3352

Jean Redlich Biggar

Bonk still in the backbenches when the problem for the government right now be the loss of veteran representation?

Perhaps one can’t fault Agriculture Minister David Marit for the drought or Trade and Export Minister Jeremy Harrison for this province having one of the slower job creation records in the country. Wouldn’t more of shake-up have sent a stronger message?

There were no new rural MLAs appointed to cabinet. Jeremy Cockrill was appointed to the education hot seat, but he made it abundantly clear he was there to maintain the status quo direction of what former education minister Dustin Duncan and Moe have already seen saying.

Really, little in this shuffle spoke to renewal.

Murray Mandryk

Provincial Viewpoint

Our discovery of the West

nowadays when a fellow looks out across the local scene and doesn’t see him anymore, we’ve got to admit that however he impressed us then, we sure miss him now!

Clarence was the kind of guy that everybody knew.

Notable Notes

Bob Mason

I’m proud to send this little piece of my memory to The Biggar Independent because so often when people disappear from our countryside and we don’t see them around anymore.

We mourn them for a while. And then we start to forget...

This guy was a little harder to put out of our memories, though, and like I said, I’m proud to mark a few of them down here.

A lot of folks reading this will remember the fellow I write about, and some of the things he did.

Clarence had his failings - don’t we all! - but

As a matter of fact, at one time, I thought that everybody was related to him! He may not always have made the right decisions but at least he made them.

According to some, he didn’t always support the correct political party, but he was an enthusiastic supporter of whatever party he did believe in! And there’s a lot of people who won’t have that said about them!

Enough of this personality stuff!

A few years ago, he called at our place and said, “Look, another guy and I are making a car trip to the coast, and we’d sure like to have you with us. If I pay for everything, will you come along?”

I thought that over for a long time - maybe two or three seconds - before I

replied, “Sure!”

The next day, Clarence and Reg drove into our yard, and we took off. This whole paper isn’t large enough to cover all that we did in the three weeks or so that we were gone. After we got home, I did mark down a lot of it - pages and pagesbut I’m sorry that most of the stuff I wrote was about that trip and not about the man we travelled with.

Clarence was as good as his word - he paid for nearly everything. Early on he had confided, “I can’t keep awake driving if I don’t stop now and then, so keep an eye open for the Legion in any town we happen to pass through!”

I always had my Legion card with me, and as sure as we stopped to “rest” anywhere, Clarence paid for everything.

We stopped at motels all the way out to the coast and up the island to Comox and Courtney, and he paid for everyone. He even made it sound like he was glad

to do it all!

“I never was in the army,” he told me on day, “and I’ve always wanted to take an old soldier on a trip somewhere.”

We travelled in the same car, ate at the same table and slept in the same room for all those weeks, and never had a hard word!

Some of the best memories of that trip, though, were on the way home. I think maybe the feeling had got through to him that he had done his bit and he was a little more ready to relax.

Memories of our trip:

We had just pulled into Comox out on the coast, when Clarence noticed a whole bunch of boats anchored.

“Look at all the boats!” he exclaimed. “Those guys must be well-off to own boats like that!” The fellow with us explained that they were the boats of local fishermen who weren’t allowed to fish anymore!

One night we stopped at a motel in Duncan where the manager took

Why you should book next summer’s dream vacation now

Many of us have exotic, trendy locales like Croatia on our bucket list of places to visit. But accommodations, guides and tickets for the most popular destinations and attractions often sell out months before the actual date or season rolls around.

To have the most memorable time in fashionable spots you need to make your plans well in advance.

The main reason to book early is that, if you don’t, you risk missing out. If you were plan-

ning a holiday stay with your extended family in, say, a Tuscan villa, many of the choicest locations are booked for next summer already.

The most direct and convenient flight times also book up early. Leave it to the last minute and you might have to make multiple stops and catch flights in the wee hours.

Many popular destinations have an annual festival or other event that draws the crowds. The closer to the date you try to book, the less likely you are to secure tickets

to the event. Note also that most European rental cars have a standard transmission. If you or your travelling partner only know how to drive an automatic and you plan to use a car to get around, you’ll want to reserve one as soon as you’ve confirmed your dates.

Another key advantage to booking in advance is that you can often get early-bird discounts. This applies for everything from your flight to event tickets. Some

one look at our license plate and asked if we knew the Coben boys from Tessier! And we missed cousins Wilf and Lizzie Nichols by a few minutes in Victoria!

On the ferry to Tsawassen, Clarence walked up to a uniformed fellow who looked like one of the crew and said, “Can you speed her up a little. It’s getting kind of dark and I don’t driving at night!”

We stayed in Cloverdale that time!

A friend of his fried up a whole bunch of fresh oysters for Clarence and I one night. Clarence claimed he didn’t like oysters and slid his whole plateful onto mine. Oysters might be an aphrodisiac to some people, but they sure didn’t work that way with me!

Yours Truly usually sat in the back seat of the car and was more or less the navigator. After “resting” in the Legion in Drumheller, Alberta, we jumped in the car and took off.

“By Gosh, Clarence,” I said. “I think that we’re going straight south!”

“What makes you think that we’re going south?” sez Clarence over his shoulder.

“For one thing,” I said, “the sun is right in front of us and we’re not in Australia!”

We stopped at the Legion in Biggar to “freshen up” before we headed home for Perdue.

“By Gosh, Mason,” sez Clarence. “You old clown! I’m still gonna find out what your politics are!”

We had spent a lot of time together, slept in the same room and leaned over the same bars as we discussed the world situation, but he never did find out what my politics were!

I think that there’s a lesson in there somewhere!

It’s too bad that the “Good Neighbour” attitude is kind of passé anymore!

hotels will offer discounts for booking early, but if you’re looking to do a home stay for a “live-like-a-local” experience, you’ll want to organize that as soon as possible while there are still choice options available.

Finally, the sooner you are able to confirm all your reservations, the sooner you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that you have a holiday to look forward to. But don’t forget to book time off at work.

… need your First Aid Course certification?

… Need to Re-certify?

… Don’t have time to leave work or tie-up your weekend!

Do it from the comfort of your home... ONLINE!! Call

Croatia: An idyllic summer destination ... In the heart of the Mediterranean, Croatia stands as a jewel of tranquility and rich culture. As the golden sun dances on sparkling blue waters and the scent of lavender lingers in the air, this summer paradise calls on travellers to immerse themselves in its captivating beauty. (Submitted Photo)

Ask The Money Lady

Christine Ibbotson

Dear Money Lady, I have to renew my fixed rate mortgage into a rate that is now four per cent higher, and I was not sure what term to choose. What should I do?

Thanks, Jenn

Dear Jenn, Great question - now is the time to lock up a mortgage renewal into a shorter term to ride things out!

I was driving back from Toronto last week and I was flipping through all

the radio channels, and I came across this guy spouting off mortgage advice to listeners which was so blatantly wrong I started screaming at the radio.

What really got me crazy was that he said to beat the rates all you had to do is take a longer fixed rate term like a seven- or 10-year mortgage to get a lower rate, and then when the rates dropped - just move into a shorter term at that lower rate.

Wrong! Does he really think that can happen?

If you lock into a seven-year rate and then in a year from now you want to break it and go into a two- or three-year rate because the interest rates are lower; well, that’s going to cost you big time.

The banks are in the business to make money, not lose it.

Once you lock into a fixed rate mortgage there will be a penalty to break it. Canadian banks calculate penalties for fixed mortgages based on rate differential - which means they look at the current rates, the rate you locked in at, what discount they gave you at the time and then how much interest they will lose by breaking it. Anyone that has had to break a fixed rate mortgage in the past knows more than the mortgage broker on the radio telling everyone to call him for more details.

Let’s face it, we all overspent when the access to cheap money was easy, and for most Canadians the qualification for a mortgage renewal must now be about affordability and not just the interest rate. Economists predict interest rates will drop once inflation hits the target rate of two

Where does food come from?

the COVID pandemic illustrated that the supply chain can be threatened by unexpected forces.

And, of course there is the cost factor. We all recognize food prices can climb rather quickly - although in terms of what we spend monthly it may still be more reasonable than we think.

Agriculture

Calvin Daniels

by Calvin Daniels

We may need to change how we gather food for our table.

Certainly over the years we have changed from predominantly rural residents growing our own food to urbanites with lawns and asphalt yards so not even a garden.

That change has shifted the source of our food to the grocery store.

In Canada at least, that has generally worked out fine in the sense store shelves are typically well-stocked, although

People point to the cost of going to the grocery store, but rarely is a bag of groceries just about food for supper. Grocery store purchases tend to include everything from disposable razors to laundry soap, to batteries for the smoke detector to cotton swaps so that needs to remembered when thinking about food costs.

That said, food costs are something the consumer needs to watch.

There is also another factor to consider in terms of our food, how it impacts our world as it gets from farmer to table.

For example, there

per cent and we really are not that far off, with inflation at 2.8 per cent (June 2023). Even if we do hit the two per cent target, in my opinion, rates will not drop as quickly as we would all like. It’s going to be a slow decline till interest rates level out around three to five per cent.

Jenn, why not consider a short-term fixed mortgage (two or three years) to ensure you have one less thing to worry about. Grocery prices are up, gas prices are up, and life is expensive. We need to give it time for this economic correction to happen. Economists predict we will not see a significant rate decline until after the U.S. and Canadian elections in 2024.

Good luck and best wishes!

are a lot of fossil fuels involved in transporting food.

A recent television ad promoted a pizza crust that was ‘hand thrown in Italy’. Imagine the process of getting that crust from Italy to a Saskatchewan grocery store.

Of course we grow wheat here, so creating flour and making pizza dough need not be done half a world away and then transported across an ocean to get to our table.

Walk around a grocery store and you will find countless examples of foods processed far from Saskatchewan, and that means diesel for trucking, and plastics or cans for containers that then go to the landfill or through to recycle which has its own costs.

Even consider milk. There were once processors in many communities across the Prairies. Today raw milk can be hauled hundreds of miles to process, then hauled back to a store to be sold. That consumes a lot of resources.

There is a lot of talk about reducing our carbon footprint and reducing consumption of fossil fuels to reduce emissions. Putting added focus of local food sources is certainly a step to being greener.

How we devolve to an earlier time of more backyard gardens, and more local processing could well be important to our planet’s future.

Written by Christine Ibbotson, author, finance writer, national radio host, and now on CTV Morning Live, and CTV News @6. Send your money questions (answered free) through her website at askthemoneylady.ca.

years,

travelling many miles in his own car to work a game. When the opportunity arose, Derek and Cindy Thomson presented him with a sun hat that they had purchased in Newfoundland this summer. They figured “Scoop” could use an East Coast lid. McIver had drove to provincial baseball in Regina recently to do his reporting and that’s where the Thomson’s presented him with his new apparel.

Have you ever found an arrowhead in your field?

by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery

We have an exhibit here in the museum with several arrowheads (also called Projectile Points) in it.

I don’t know much about arrowheads, but I am learning more and more about them.

I am reading a book just published here in Saskatchewan. It is called “Points of View - A guide on Saskatchewan Projectile Points with Indigenous Perspectives” The Saskatchewan Archaeological Society just published this guide, and we have them available in the gift shop in the Biggar Museum and Gallery.

This book has opened my eyes to the science behind creating these arrowheads. There is a chapter in the book from Gabriel LaMarche, a flint napper, someone who knows the skill and the science of creating sharp edged tools from rocks. I had the privilege of watching him create tools in Wanuskewin this summer.

There is also a chapter from Brian Scribe, an archaeologist originally from Norway House, Manitoba. His chapter is

called In-Digenous Situ. He writes about being an archaeologist in the Plains and the difficulties encountered. He also writes about meeting Indigenous elders and their stories of how the landscape has changed over the eras.

This book also goes into detail of the different shapes of arrowheads, some of which we have here in the exhibit.

Do you have arrowheads and need more information on them, this is the guidebook you need!

Points of View ... all about arrowheads found here in Saskatchewan. (Photo for The Independent by the Biggar Museum and Gallery)

McIver recognized for his sports coverage ... Dave “Scoop” McIver has faithfully followed and reported on the Rosetown Angels Senior Baseball Team for

often

McIver’s hard work and dedication continues to impress. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Derek and Cindy Thomson)

One-stop shopping for Biggar activities ... Area residents hit the Biggar Community Hall, August 31, for a Community Information Night. It was a chance to learn or register for the various groups, organizations or activities that our locale has to offer. Gauging by how busy it was, things filled up pretty quick and a lot of interest was shown in all on offer. (Independent

Cozy up to these winter-driving tips

Canadian winters can be so much fun. Until it comes to driving. Snow. Slush. Sleet. Expect to face all that, and more, as you navigate the wet and white roads.

Whether you’re an experienced driver or facing slippery conditions for the first time, these dos and don’ts of winter driving will help. And they can stack the safety odds in your favour, helping you reach your destinations safely and on time, with less stress.

Here’s what to do

Get a pre-winter tune up

In Canada, road conditions can turn icy and slick as early as Thanksgiving - increasingly likely as the holiday months approach. Check that your battery, brakes and other essential systems are ready for winter driving before it arrives. That includes replacing wiper blades, which can leave streaks and affect your visibility.

Switch to winter tires

Maintain better traction on icy roads by switching to winter tires. While they can be a bit pricey, they’re still cheaper than an accident deductible. Plus, most insurers offer a discount on your auto plan if you use winter tires.

Carry refills and safety tools

Always carry an extra jug of de-icer windshield washer fluid - which can prevent you from waiting or walking in cold condi-

tions. And always pack a scraper, a lightweight shovel and an emergency bag with blankets, heat packs, snacks and a first-aid kit.

Insure your recreational vehicles

If you’re an ATV-er or snowmobiler, make sure that you are properly insured. It’s simple and affordable to secure coverage that makes for happy (and safer) trails.

Here’s what not to do

Don’t drive a snow- or ice-covered vehicle

Before you get behind the wheel, always clear snow and ice from your hood, windows and roof to give yourself - and other drivers - an unobstructed view. And don’t forget to clear off your license plate.

Don’t warm your vehicle by idling

With freezing Canadian temperatures, a pretravel vehicle warm-up might seem like a great idea. But that leaves it extremely vulnerable to auto theft - instances of which are steadily increasing across Canada. Bearing the discomfort of cold can save hassle, expenses and the environment.

Don’t travel in extreme conditions

The safest way to travel in extreme conditions is not to travel at all. That holiday feast? That ski or hotel getaway? That kids’ tournament?

Put safety first by delaying or postponing your plans when a storm is in the forecast.

Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

by Trudy and Dale Buxton

After a fabulous stop at Lake Louise we continue north towards Saskatchewan River Crossing, which is the junction of Highway 93 also called “The Icefields Parkway”.

The highway connects Lake Louise with the Town of Jasper, and is called one of the most scenic drives in all of Canada. The Icefields Parkway takes you on spectacular views of the ice fields, high in the mountains. It is connected to Highway 11, often called “The David Thompson Highway”. Named after David Thompson, a British-Canadian fur trader, surveyor and mapmaker that explore the area between Rocky Mountain House and Invermere.

On this day we didn’t go up the ice fields but turned right on Highway 11 towards Rocky Mountain House.

After a very nice scenic drive through

the mountains we come out at the foothills to Nordegg.

Named after Martin Nordegg, the owner of the German Development Company who staked claims in the area later making deals with Canadian Northern Railway which in turn led to the founding of the coal mines in Nordegg.

Of German decent, Martin Nordegg, during the First World War had most of his assets frozen. Nordegg was asked to leave Canada in 1915, but returned in 1921.

The population today is only around 60 people but the community still has services.

Next up we come to the Town of Rocky Mountain House, which is junction of highways 11 and 22, named “The Cowboy Trail”.

Rocky Mountain House is well known as the place “Where Adventure Begins”. The community dates back into 1799 when the first fur trade post was built. For most fur traders, Rocky Mountain House was the launching point into the mountains.

Rocky Mountain House was influenced by the North Saskatchewan River, and in the early days there was a couple of Hudson Bay Company

How About is For A Deal!!

and Northwest Company fur trading posts.

When the two companies merged, the name, ‘Rocky Mountain House’ was retained as the name of the community.

Rocky Mountain House is located on the traditional territory of the Blackfoot and the Cree First Nations, and over the years there have been many disagreements between the two people’s.

Established as a town in 1912, it has a current population of around 6,800 people and is a full service community.

Rocky Mountain House was made up of primarily of people of Scandinavian origin.

The first railway came in 1912 with a second railway company in 1914.

The economy of Rocky Mountain House relies primarily on the oil and gas industries with tourism playing a very important part. The fur trading post is now a national historic site.

If you are looking for a great place to stay, the Tamarack Motor Inn is a great facility with excellent food in the restaurant.

Stay tuned for more adventures of The Saskatchewan Traveller.

4 ways to minimize financial stress

For many Canadians, money worries are a source of stress. And the higher cost of borrowing we are experiencing can make things worse for those who are struggling to pay off their debts. There are no miracle solutions, but here are a few tips that could make a difference:

Create a budget

Making a budget will help you manage your money. It will allow you to identify your income and expenses and prepare you for unexpected situations. Don’t know where to start? Try the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s budget planner, a free and unbiased tool that helps you to create a personalized budget. It gives you tips and guidelines and helps you figure out your next steps with suggestions.

Make a plan to pay off your debt

You can start by making a list of all your current debts and the amount of debt you owe. Then, think about your strategy. Set a payment timeframe that is reasonable and affordable for each. Depending on the type of debt you owe, it may be best to pay off certain debts first. For example, by paying off the debts with the highest interest first, you’ll pay less interest, which will help you be debtfree sooner. Contact your bank to

know more about your mortgage relief options

If you’re experiencing financial stress, contact your financial institution. They may be able to offer mortgage relief. That could include delaying your mortgage payments for a defined period of time or extending your amortization period. Keep in mind that if you make changes to your mortgage contract, you may have to pay fees and you could be paying more interest

in the long run. Take advantage of electronic alerts

Your bank must send you electronic alerts when the balance of your chequing or savings account falls below $100, or another pre-set amount you’ve chosen. These alerts can help you avoid paying costly overdraft fees.

For more information, tools and resources to help you reduce your financial stress, visit canada.ca/money

Harvest activity

Producers are in the full swing of harvest with 33 per cent of the crop off, up from 21 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average of 23 per cent and the 10-year average of 20 per cent, according to the weekly crop report for August 22-28.

The southwest has crossed the halfway point this week and is now 60 per cent complete harvest. The westcentral is close to the halfway point, with 39 per cent of crop off for the year. With some moisture moving into the area this week, the northwest had to pause combining for a few days and is now eight per cent complete.

All crop types are starting to reach maturity in the province, allowing producers to make progress in all crops this week. Fall cereals are nearing completion, with 96 per cent of fall rye and 89 per cent of winter wheat in the bin for the year. Lentils and field peas are leading the way in spring seeded crops, with 80 per cent of each crop harvested. Mustard made signifi-

cant progress this week, with 55 per cent of the crop harvested, ahead of other oilseeds including canola (10 per cent) and flax (seven per cent). Producers are currently focusing on getting their spring cereals harvested and have 48 per cent of durum, 46 per cent of barley, 26 per cent of spring wheat and 19 per cent of oats harvested. Sixty per cent of triticale is harvested, with 56 per cent being used for feed.

The east side of the province generally received moisture this week, with the Bankend area receiving 50 millimetres and the Tisdale area receiving 34 millimetres. Cropland topsoil moisture ratings are improving as recent rains seep into the ground. Currently, cropland is 32 per cent adequate for moisture, 43 per cent short and 24 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land is 22 per cent adequate for moisture, 49 per cent short and 29 per cent very short.

Crop damage this week includes environmental damage such as hail, wind, drought and

localized flooding. Damage from grasshoppers and gophers continues to persist. Geese have returned to the northern fields and are causing damage to crops. Producers are busy combining, desiccating and marketing grain. Others are marketing cattle, hauling water and feed. Some producers have started to move cattle home for the winter. If producers have questions about feed, they are encouraged to call their local regional specialist.

Harvest is a very busy and stressful time for producers. They are reminded to take safety precautions in all the work they do. This includes having fire mitigation resources at the ready and taking precautions when working around powerlines. The Farm Stress Line is available to provide support to producers toll free at 1-800-667-4442. The public is reminded to take extra caution, time and space when encountering machinery on the roads.

23092bs2

Ohtani the A.L. MVP; not as simple in N.L.

Penton on sports

Bruce Penton

The sports world doesn’t yet know the winner of the Most Valuable Player award in the National League. Meanwhile, the presumptive Most Valuable Player award winner in the American League doesn’t know what his future holds.

Let’s start with Part IIthe A.L. MVP.

The 2023 season still has a couple of weeks to go, but Shohei Ohtani of the Angels winning the award will be about as surprising as Connor McDavid cracking the roster of the Oilers. Ohtani, the Japanese phenom who pitches

and hits with the best in baseball, has put up spectacular numbers. At last glance, he led the A.L. in home runs with 44, in the OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) category by an enormous margin, was fourth in batting average (.306) and third in runs-batted-in. On the mound, he was 10-5 with a 3.14 earned-run average (third-best in the AL) and was the only pitcher in the league to limit opponents to a sub.200 batting average.

So, give Shohei the trophy. But hold the massive cheque that he was hoping for as a free agent following this once-ina-lifetime statistical season. Ohtani tore the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow in mid-August, effectively bringing his pitching season to an end. Whether he will undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career remains to be seen, but Ohtani still plans to take a regular turn at the plate as the season winds down with his Los

Angeles Angels out of the playoffs again. That $800 million to $1 billion free-agent contract is now a big question mark. Will teams be paying for a slugging outfielder or a pitcherslugger with a history of arm trouble? Big decision. Expensive decision.

Meanwhile, over in the National League, Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna, Jr., may have to halt construction of the trophy case he’s having built especially for the 2023 MVP trophy. While he was the acknowledged leader, and likely winner, for most of the season, he suddenly has some company in the MVP race. Acuna, Jr., is the first player in MLB history with a 30 home-run, 60-steals season (and likely to hit 70 steals), and the Braves are the runaway leaders in the N.L. East, but Mookie Betts of the Dodgers is making a late charge. Unlike A.L. MVP voters, those casting ballots for the N.L. award will actu-

ally have to put some thought into it. Acuna has a big edge in batting average and steals, but Betts leads his rival in three important categories - OPS, home runs and RBI. Those making a case for Betts also point to his versatility. A regular outfielder, Betts has filled in due to injuries at second base (48 games) and shortstop (16).

A valuable guy to have at manager Dave Roberts’ disposal? You bet. Voters will either pick A or B (Acuna or Betts). The choice is much simpler in the A.L.

• Jack Finarelli, at sportscurmudgeon. com ., quotes Swedish playwright, August Strindberg: “I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven’t got the guts to bite people themselves.”

• Phil Mushnick of the New York Post: “Drunk gamblers are now the most welcomed patrons at sports events as they best fit the officially authorized financial goals. Buy a ticket. Buy

lots of booze. Bet with an official gambling sponsor.”

• Janice Hough, of leftcoastsortsbabe.com :

“The New England Patriots have waived QBs Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham, leaving Mac Jones without a backup.

Wonder if Bill Belichick got an ‘I’m available’ call from Tom Brady?”

• German tennis pro Alexander Zverev on the scent of marijuana at the U.S. Open: “(Court 17) smells like weed. It definitely smells like Snoop Dogg’s living room.”

• Eamon Lynch of golfweek.usatoday.com, on Zach Johnson’s choices for the U.S. Ryder Cup team: “... if it (U.S,. team) loses, the firing squad will be loading muskets before the European guys sober up from the celebrations.”

• Comedy writer Brad Dickson of Omaha, a devoted Nebraska Cornhuskers’ football fan: “Good news, Husker fans, most of the offensive line from last year is back. Bad news, Husker fans, most of the offen-

sive is from last year is back.”

• Comedy writer Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver: “Tough to watch Alek Manoah clowning around in fried chicken commercials while he’s trying to put his career back together in Buffalo.”

• Steve Simmons of Sun Media, on the Braves’ Ronald Acuna, with 60-plus stolen bases, getting married on the day of a game in Los Angeles: “Apparently, no one has ever walked down the aisle faster.”

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “A Galapagos tortoise named Diego has reportedly fathered 800 offspring. It’s been named an official mascot for the NBA.”

• And from the website onelinefun.com: “Today a man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation towards the local swimming pool. I gave him a glass of water.”

Care to comment?

E-mail brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca

The easiest test you’ll ever ace - slow down in school zones

It’s that time of year again! Students are returning to class this week - kicking off a flurry of activity around schools all over the province.

There’s a lot going on in school zones: students walking to and from the building, getting off the bus, being dropped off by a parent, playing in the school yard and crossing at the crosswalk.

That’s why the focus of September’s Traffic

Safety Spotlight is school zones. As kids get ready to resume their studies, drivers have a test to pass too: slow down, obey posted school zone speed limits, avoid distractions and be alert as you drive through these busy areas.

“Reducing your speed gives you more time to react and prevent a collision,” said SGI President and CEO Penny McCune. “Excited kids may not always be pay-

ing attention to vehicle traffic, so expect the unexpected and drive slowly and carefully.”

School zone speed limits and hours differ in each municipality, so drivers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the rules in their community and obey the posted signs.

Speeding in school zones will land drivers a failing grade - and a hefty fine. For example, getting caught driving

20 km/h over the posted limit results in a $310 ticket (and the cost of that ticket increases the faster you go).

Drivers will also receive three demerit points under the Safe Driver Recognition program.

“Police officers all too often see the tragic consequences of driver inattention. As children in our communities return to school, we urge drivers to be alert, follow the rules, slow down

Saskatchewan forecast surplus, continues debt reduction at Q1

Saskatchewan is forecasting a $485.5 million surplus at first quarter, a strong bottom line. The plan to retire up to $1 billion in operating debt remains on track.

The surplus is down $532.0 million from budget, largely due to higher non-cash pension expense and spending to fight wildfires and to safely evacuate those impacted by the fires.

Lower resource revenue is also forecast at Q1 compared to budget.

“Saskatchewan’s finances continue to be in a strong position, with a substantial surplus,” said Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier Donna Harpauer, Thursday.

“The forecast, however, clearly demonstrates the need to be prudent and manage spending carefully, as resource revenue is volatile and fore-

casts can change quickly due to global impacts on prices and production.”

At first quarter, revenue is forecast to be $19.6 billion, down $123.7 million, or 0.6 per cent, from budget. The decrease is largely attributable to a $528.9 million reduction in the Non-Renewable Resources revenue forecast, primarily due to lower potash and oil prices, and lower-thanbudgeted potash and oil sales forecasts.

The resource revenue decrease is largely offset by a combined increase of $405.2 million across all other revenue categories, including Taxation revenue due to ongoing strength in consumption and, as a result, Provincial Sales Tax revenue.

At first quarter, expense is forecast to be $19.1 billion, up $408.2 million, or 2.2 per cent,

from budget. The higher expense forecast is largely due to a combined $317.2 million increase in Education, General Government and Finance Charges, primarily attributable to a non-cash increase in pension expense, related to actuarial adjustments. An $89.0 million increase, largely to fight wildfires and to safely evacuate those impacted by the fires, is also contributing to the higher expense forecast, at first quarter.

“We will continue to pay down operating debt, as planned. We’re able to do so because higher opening cash balances due to a strong year end in 2022-23 have offset the drop in the projected surplus,” said Harpauer.

“Sticking with our debt reduction plan is important, because paying

down up to $1 billion in operating debt this fiscal year, combined with $1.5 billion in debt retirement last fiscal year, is resulting in projected annualized interest savings of $110 millionsavings that go directly into supporting priority programs, services and infrastructure for Saskatchewan people,” Harpauer said. Saskatchewan’s netdebt-to-GDP is projected to be 13.4 per cent at the end of 2023-24 and is currently ranked second-best among the provinces.

According to privatesector forecasters, Saskatchewan’s real GDP is now expected to grow by 1.8 per cent in 2023, second highest among the provinces, and by 1.2 per cent in 2024, third highest among the provinces.

and use extra caution in school zones. Not only will this keep kids safe, it will keep us from having to write you an expensive ticket,” said Regina Police Service Traffic Safety Unit Sgt. Mark Golaiy.

When school buses are stopped with amber lights flashing, drivers should slow down and ensure kids aren’t about to pop out from the bus before passing. Avoid U-turns in school zones; some municipalities have by-laws that prohibit them.

“School divisions ask all communities in the province to pay close attention to safety as our school zones get busier,” said Saskatchewan School Boards Association President Jaimie Smith-Windsor. “We encourage motorists and everyone using roads and walkways to show care for staff and students.”

Help to keep school zones free of congestion; if you’re dropping off or picking up kids, be sure to obey the signs declaring “no stopping” zones.

THURSDAY,

Business & Professional …

ARIES – Mar 21/ Apr 20

Get outside and enjoy as much fresh air and exercise as possible this week, Aries. A weekly outdoors excursion can recharge the batteries and provide some time to reflect.

TAURUS – Apr 21/ May 21

OPTOMETRISTS

dr. kirk Ewen dr. Michelle Skoretz Doctors of Optometry

in BiGGAR

Every Tuesday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. New Location 315b Main Street, Biggar, SK

For appointments…

1-833-948-3331

DENTAL

Rosetown Dental

115 - 1st Avenue West Rosetown, Sask.

OFFICE HOURS

Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Phone:306.882.2123

New Patients Welcome! Dr. Krista Maedel & Associates

HAULING

306.237.7671

Troy May, owner/operator

Fax: 306-237-TROY email: tmay@hotmail.ca

Super B outfits hauling grain and fertilizer in Alberta and Saskatchewan

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.

FOR RENT

BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Housing for families and seniors

Rent based on income

Call: 306•303•7246

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, try to work the room when you are thrust into a social situation. You need to be a diplomat or politician if you want to be in good standing with as many people as possible. Put your best face forward.

VIRGO – Aug 24/

SAGITTARIUS –Nov 23/Dec 21

There is a great opportunity knocking at your door, Sagittarius, so why not seize it? New things can be scary, but you have to dive in right now.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Taurus, it’s not possible to have everyone like you all of the time. Emotionally it can be difficult to accept that not everyone agrees with your point of view. Be who you are.

GEMINI – May 22/ Jun 21

Someone from your past might come back into your life, Gemini. Keep a lookout for someone who seems familiar, as it can be a way to reminisce for a bit.

CANCER – Jun 22/ Jul 22

Cancer, start conversations with all of the people you meet so you can learn about different backgrounds or cultures. You might learn something you didn’t know or try a new food.

Sept 22

You know who you can trust, Virgo. Stay close to those people for the time being. Some difficulties with family members will arise and you may need to pick sides.

LIBRA – Sept 23/

Oct 23

Libra, after a whirlwind adventure, you may be glad to be back home. Vacations are nice and relaxing, but soon enough you may crave the familiarity of your own space.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/ Nov 22

Scorpio, you a calm energy around you this week. You can rest assured that the people you are dealing with have everything handled. They take care of business.

Take stock of where you want to go in the future and start putting those plans together, Capricorn. You don’t have to figure everything out, but try to map out a rough outline.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

You can quickly see when someone is putting on an act, Aquarius. They may say one thing but mean another. This duplicity can be off-putting, but try to get along with others right now.

PISCES – Feb 19/ Mar 20

Pisces, you are in no danger of not being popular right now, so continue to enjoy all of the invitations you receive. You also can be proactive and throw your own party for friends.

COMING

Cindy Hoppe Fibre Artist Open House Weekend

Saturday September 30th and Sunday October 1st 10:00am - 5:00pm

Google the Prairie Art Road Trip website for map and driving details or phone 306-948-7147.

FIBRE ART, JACKETS, KNITWEAR, BOOKMARKS for sale

Save the tax by shopping in person. Everyone is welcome.

DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A NEW PLAY COMING TO THE THEATRE IN THE SPRING?? SSSSSSH!

I CAN’T TELL YOU THE NAME BECAUSE I MAY GET IN TROUBLE, BUT IF YOU PHONE ME I CAN TELL YOU.

ALL NATURAL ORIGINAL GOURMET BAKING

2tsp milk

Directions

Buns combine warm water and yeast, let stand for about 5 minutes add flour, milk, sugar, salt, egg and egg white

mix for 10 minutes

add butter, WATKINS ORGANIC GROUND CINNAMON, currants mix for 5 minutes transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, allow to raise until doubled, place in a warm spot for an hour punch down on floured surface, cover, let rest for 10 minutes shape into dough balls and place in a greased pan, cover and rest in a warm place until doubled, about 35-40 minutes mix egg yolk and water, brush on top of dough balls baked at 375F for 20 minutes, rmove from pan and placed on cooling rack

Frosting

mix together WATKINS ALL NATURAL ORIGINAL GOURMET BAKING VANILLA, milk and powered sugar until smooth place in a piping bag and pipe cross onto each bun

Makes a dozen buns

OBITUARIES

November 4, 1919- August 23, 2023

The family of Elsie Knoll announce her passing at the age of 103 on August 23, 2023.

She was born November 4, 1919, to Swedish immigrant parents on the family farm near Prince, SK. In 1939 she attended Normal School in Saskatoon, becoming a country school teacher before joining the RCAF as an Operations Clerk during WWII. After discharge she returned to teaching, then met and married Peter Knoll in 1946. She stopped teaching to start the family. They moved to Landis in 1951. She returned to teaching grade 5 from 1966-1982 before retiring near North Battleford.

Great memories were made with family and friends every summer at the cabin at Cochin. She loved playing cards. At 103 she still

played Cribbage and usually won! An avid supporter of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, well into her 90’s she still went to hockey rinks.

She travelled much of Canada, went to Sweden, Yukon, California, Hawaii, Mexico, and at 90 went to New York with her daughters.

Predeceased by her husband, parents, siblings, and in-laws, she is survived by her four children Les (Pam), Linda (Garry), Ron, and Sandi (Grant); 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral Service will be Friday, September 15, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. in Saskatoon. Livestreaming will be available. Interment will be at the North Battleford City Cemetery. See www.mourningglory.ca for details.

It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Vivian Yvonne Shipanoff, late of Prince Albert, SK. Vivian passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023 at the age of 84 years. She was at home surrounded by her children and grand-daughter by her side. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK å306-763-3322.

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

by Barbara-Ann deHaan, Biggar Associated Gospel Church

Seventy-one per cent of the earth’s surface is covered by water.

The remaining 29 per cent is not all habitable. Only 43 per cent of the remainder is habitable - approximately 15 billion acres. Those acres are divided among 197 countries.

From the time of the Tower of Babel the earth has been divided. We are divided by geog-

raphy, language and culture. The number of countries and geographical boundaries do not change the fact that there is one truth we all need to hear- the Gospel.

No matter where we live, what language we speak, or what culture we are from, the Good News of the Gospel is for everyone.

Just like geographical boundaries separate us, all those things we say and do that hurt others,

ourselves and God separate us from God and His love. This separation leads to eternal death and judgement.

ing your life over to God.

St.Pauls Anglican Redeemer Lutheran 205 4th Ave. E 319 7th Ave. E SEPTEMBER 1O at ST. PAULS ANGLICAN

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

SEPTEMBER 24 at 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 CHURCH SERVICES

EVERY SUNDAY AT 11:00am

Minister Dale Worrall

EVERYONE WELCOME!!

INQUIRIES CALL CHURCH OFFICE 306-948-2280

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

SATURDAY SERVICES

BIBLE STUDY 10:00a.m. CHURCH SERVICE 11:00a.m. 320 - 6th ave.east contact: 306-948-2481 3 abn www.amazingfacts.org

NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH

“The Lord’s mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness(Lamentations3:22-23)”

You are Invited

But there is a solution.

Jesus, please come into my life and be my Saviour. Please forgive my sins, and give me the gift of eternal life. You will never regret crossing over that boundary. Borscht

September 1, 2023 CALL

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

Jesus bridged that boundary, He chose to take the punishment for your sins. By personally receiving Jesus into your life, trusting Him to forgive your sins, you can cross the bridge separating you from God. It takes only a simple prayer, voluntarily, willingly, consciously turn-

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!

ELSIE KNOLL

VIVIAN YVONNE SHIPANOFF

Get your home winter-ready to avoid insurance claims

Cozying up by the fireplace. Building snow forts in the backyard. Enjoying a movie. There are lots of things to love about spending the Canadian winter tucked in at home.

Filing a home insurance claim isn’t one of those things.

Follow these tips to get your home winter ready so that you can enjoy another snowfilled season at homewithout worrying about the unexpected.

Check, clear and clean

your exterior

Making sure the exterior of your home is well-kept is a key step in preparing for winter.

So, before freezing temperatures become an everyday reality, clear your eaves of leaves and other debris to prevent ice dams from forming. Drain and shut off your exterior water lines to avoid water damage from frozen and burst pipes.

Now’s also a good time to inspect the weatherstripping around your doors and windows.

NEW CHEF IN TOWN

Finding and fixing cracks or openings helps to prevent heat loss, which is good for your utility bill and the integrity of your home. Do an interior safety check-up

Interior fire safety and air quality are important all year long, but adding a check-up to your winterprep list can ensure that everything is in tiptop shape.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working. And, while you’re up on the ladder, make note of each detector’s expiry date. Depending on the model, they should be replaced every five to 10 years.

Next, make sure your fire extinguishers are in good working order and easy to access. If you don’t have fire extinguishers, add them to the top of your shopping list. Be sure to familiarize yourself and other family members with when and how to use them properly.

With safety on the mind, you can also consider getting a long-term radon test kit and detector. Ventilation, entry points, drains and even soil composition can impact your exposure to radon, a potentially cancer-

causing gas created when naturally occurring uranium breaks down. The lowest level of your home is the best place to install a detector. Regularly monitoring it can keep you and your family safe. Inspect your furnace and other heating appliances With winter knocking and cold temperatures on the way, routine checks and maintenance of your furnace are essential to ensure it’s operating efficiently and safely - so you can stay warm and toasty all season.

For a basic DIY inspection, check that the area around the furnace is clear of objects and debris, look at the pipes and fittings for any signs of deterioration and make sure your filters are replaced on the schedule recommended by the manufacturer. An annual inspection and cleaning by a qualified service technician is also recommended.

If you have woodburning heating appliances and fireplaces in your home, you’ll want to hire a certified

chimney inspector to examine and clean them before you start using them. This reduces your risk of a chimney-related fire.

Sam Tourloukis is the new chef at the Westwinds Motor Hotel keeping the name Homestead Restaurant. Sam is a very friendly fellow and comes with a new menu, drop by and check it out. Independent photo by Dale Buxton