Marengo couple wins Home Lottery
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Everybody loves receiving good news. Bev Schmalzbauer from Marengo recently received some very good news from the Saskatoon Home Lottery.
I was at home doing my Christmas crafts when I got the call, Bev explained. Her husband Melvin was busy taking care of their cows, but he was connected in the call as well. “They asked if I was sitting down, and I said I was,” Bev said. That’s when she and her husband received the news that they had won the $1.3 million grand prize show home in Saskatoon plus $50,000 cash!
“It was pretty darn exciting!” Bev said. “Normally, we are not so lucky people, so this was a surprise. We didn’t believe it. We had to stop and process it for a minute. It was good news when we hear lots of not-so-good news.”
Good news spreads quickly, and soon their phone lit up with in-coming calls congratulating them on their big win. One of the calls was from their good friends in Marengo, who were the Home Lottery winners last fall. “They won last year, and we won this year. We’ve known them for years,” Bev said. It won’t be surprising if everyone in Marengo begins buying Home Lottery tickets to see if the string of good luck continues.
“We buy a ticket every year. This spring, when we bought this ticket, I said to Melvin, I’m not putting it in your name because you never win. So this time, I’m going to try mine and see if we can win it,” Bev explained her successful winning strategy.
“We were pretty excited going up to see the house,” Bev said. “It’s beautiful! It’s got new everything! There was so much to take in; it was kind of overwhelming! It’s about 3500 square feet and has three floors. It’s completely furnished - all modern furniture, nothing like the farm furniture we’re used to.”
“I can’t believe how big the car garage is! Melvin was pretty excited about that! If it weren’t for Covid, we could have a real nice party in there!” After viewing the house, they talked about all the features of the house that they had seen on their drive back home.
The house is located on a third of an acre corner lot in Greenbryre Estates, situated on the Greenbryre Golf & Country Club. The yard is beautifully landscaped, although Bev and Melvin won’t fully appreciate that until the snow melts.
“If you were a golfer, you’d be in heaven,” Bev said. “But we’re not golfers. We’re farmers. Melvin is very talented and can do a lot of things, but golfing isn’t one of them.”
The Schmaulzbauers have been too busy farming to have time for golf. “We retired and sold most of our farm, but we still own our home quarter and have cows,” Bev explained. “Melvin likes his farm but has been trying very hard to retire. This will definitely help out.”
This fall, Bev and Melvin moved to Kindersley, but they didn’t anticipate anything like this happening in their future. “We will eventually sell it, but it’s all still pretty new right now. We intend on staying there for a few days and enjoying it. Well, maybe more than a few days,” Bev concluded.
Donations Needed!
Kindersley Mall: December 1st to December 15th (except Sundays) from 12 noon - 4 pm.
Crisis Centre: December 1st to 15th (Monday-Friday business hours)
Salvation Army: December 1st to December 15th (business hours)
FOOD NEEDS: Canned Vegetables & Fruit; Christmas Oranges; Soup, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Rice, Cereals, Peanut Butter, Beans, Canned Meat, Juice, etc.
TOY NEEDS: New (unwrapped) Toys, Books, and Games for children 12 and under MONETARY DONATIONS: (cash or cheque) are also gratefully accepted and may be dropped off at any of the 3 service organizations or at the collection site at the Kindersley Mall. Tax receipts for donations $20 and over will be issued/mailed.
Pick up Day Monday, December 21st, 2020
9:30 a.m. to Noon and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
For information or to volunteer contact: West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre (Misty) - 306-463-6655
Salvation Army 306-463-1717 Kindersley Food Bank - 306-460-7022
Museum of Lights
DRIVE THRU EVENT
December 4th & 5th , December 11th & 12th, December 18th & 19th from 6:00 - 10:00 pm ADMISSION BY DONATION
Bev and Melvin Schmalzbauer sit in their new $1.3 million dollar home that they won in the Saskatoon Home Lottery. The couple intends to eventually sell it, but will enjoy it in the meantime. PHOTO COURTESY SASKATOON HOME LOTTERY
Seniors receive Christmas centrepieces and handcrafted cards
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
For the past six years, seniors in Kindersley have been receiving beautiful Christmas centrepieces thanks to two Kindersley residents’ talented work. Prior to 2020, those gifts have been welcomed by seniors. However, this Christmas, the need to recognize and appreciate our seniors has become even more necessary.
Consequently, seniors will also receive greeting cards handcrafted by children in the community. All the Grade 8 students from Elizabeth Middle School and all the 3-4-year-olds at Kindersley Playschool, and the children attending the I Kids group Thursday evenings, participated in making Christmas cards for seniors in their community.
I was fortunate to gain entrance into the secret workshop of Kindersley’s anonymous centrepiece designers. Each Christmas season, for the past six years or so, these workers have gathered a considerable cache of ornaments, styrofoam, decorative containers, ribbon, acorns, and anything that could be used to create something beautiful. Before the assembly begins, the Scotch pine, cedar and fir arrive, filling the workshop with a sweet aroma.
The workers were busy assembling their wares when I arrived, snipping off pieces of Scotch pine, trimming stems and expertly arranging them in the containers. Each centrepiece is unique, done up in an assortment of holiday colours. The process to complete one centrepiece takes about twenty minutes; however,
the workers make quite a few of these creations. The entire process takes them about an average of three days to complete.
I asked where these secret centrepiece designers acquired their training, and they shrugged their shoulders and claimed to learn by watching others who have made similar creations.
“We decided we’d give it a try, did some for ourselves and friends, and it just grew from there,” they said. “It’s all trial and error,” they assured me, making it sound effortless and straightforward, as they selected bits of ribbon and shiny ornaments to add to each cre-
ation.
They assured me the centrepieces remain fresh and lovely until well after Christmas, and if they are left outside in the freezing weather, they last even longer. But what do they do with their creations once they are finished assembling?
All of their hard work is loaded into their delivery vehicle, where they drop much of their cargo off at Heritage Manor for the seniors and staff to enjoy.
“I don’t think they know it’s us because we zoom in and out,” the secret workers said, “But it’s fun, and everyone loves them!”
“The remaining centrepieces go to our friends and family members,” they explained.
Not only are the gifts beautiful, but it’s obvious the workers are enjoying themselves while making them and giving them away. The children also enjoyed designing their cards and realized the importance of giving to others. At the end of the day, everybody benefits.
Fraud is a cause for concern: Kindersley RCMP
Between November 23rd, to November 30th, 2020, Kindersley RCMP responded to 37 calls for service.
Some of the most frequent calls for service include, but are not limited to, traffic complaints, impaired operation of a motor vehicle and several 911 calls for service.
As frauds and fraudulent activity continue to be a concern the Kindersley RCMP would like to remind residents of the following:
• Educating yourself and loved ones can prevent future fraud.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Purchase items from reputable organizations.
• Never send money on a dating site. If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to your local police service and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at: www.antifraudcenter.ca or by calling: 1-888-495-8501.
OPINION
CHECK IT OUT with Joan Janzen
What happened to old fashioned news reporting?
Sharyl
Attkisson’s book “Slanted’ has just been released, and she has first hand experience with the subject material in her book. “Hard news stories, which are supposedly telling the facts, are filled with conjecture and speculating,” Sharyl said. “CNN, The New York Times and others said they needed to adjust their standards. I argue that there’s never been a more important time to follow our standards and ethics.”
“When I was at CBS News, we had strict standards when using unnamed sources. When we resorted to using sources who wanted to remain anonymous, it had to be a last resort and you had to give the audience the best perception of who these people were without revealing their identity,” she noted. “New York Times kept quoting sources that were repeatedly wrong. That would have violated our standards, but now those sources are invited on again and again as if nothing ever happened.”
In her book, Attkisson takes on the media’s misreporting. “When the facts don’t fit their narrative, the media abandons the facts, not the narrative,” she says. Attkisson is a five time Emmy award winning journalist who worked for CNN and CBS a decade ago, when she went independent with her Sunday evening news report “Full Measure”.
“I tell old fashioned news reporting, the way we used to report things. It’s not shoving viewpoints down your throat; it’s not censoring ideas. I think people find it very refreshing,” Attkisson said, who left the mainstream media when she noticed the industry was changing.
“Some of my best stories were not allowed because they were off-narrative topics they didn’t want us to talk about. I first noticed when covering pharmaceutical stories, when suddenly the media partnered with the drug industry. Once the billions started flowing in, the pharmaceuticals were trying to stop the stories that CBS had been encouraging me to do.” Attkisson said. “I was on the leading edge of censorship. Not many people want to talk about it because you have to be willing to walk away from a very lucrative job. The whole industry is largely a propaganda machine.”
In her latest book, Attkisson says “We invite these special interests to work in our news rooms. There’s misreporting on a topic, the facts are wrong and no one gets fired. It happens over and over. It’s by design. They still accomplish their goal which wasn’t accurate reporting, but it was getting out a narrative to try and save public opinion.”
She says in 2016 fake fact checkers were brought in to save people from what they call “false information” and to control information.
“I call this information ‘the box’,” she says. “The good news is that there are millions of people who are trying to make sure their voices aren’t silenced when they say things ‘outside of the box’. Many people are watching alternative forms of news and are looking for other sources.”
Attkisson is one of the few ‘true’ journalists who says, “I still say there’s a market for a straight news organization. They want a place to go where they’re just getting the facts, instead of being led wherever the reporter wants to lead them. We should be teaching journalists to let go of their own feelings and not try to convince people to think what we’re thinking.”
Yeonmi Park, who escaped from North Korea, said this about our mainstream media, “ I listen to CNN, CBS, ABC ... all tell one story. Why have all these channels if they all have one narrative? They should make it one channel like they do in North Korea; makes it so much easier for people to follow.”
Megyn Kelly, an American journalist and attorney, worked for Fox News and NBC, but now has her own ‘The Megyn Kelly Show’. “Cable news is stressful and dark.” Megyn says. “You don’t feel good when you turn on these shows and you’re not meant to feel good. I love my new world. It’s fun and it’s the future.”
You can contact me at joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Fighting COVID-19 requires more bad medicine
It’s likely time to set aside any notion that this COVID-19 fight will be over soon.
We are still in it for the long haul.
And rather than send out some out false signals than this will all be over soon because vaccines are on the way, it might be better if our politicians were straight with us.
Right now for Premier Scott Moe and his Saskatchewan Party government, that likely means an honest admission that lifting current restrictions on gatherings and events at Christmas would be highly unwise.
Of course, that’s not what anyone wants to hear and politicians are disinclined to tell people what they don’t want to hear.
But this COVID-19 fight tells us that we need to re-assess our priorities. By all measures, it’s getting worse.
Consider the numbers:
In the last Sunday-to-Sunday week (Nov. 22 to 29), Saskatchewan saw a record 1,766 new cases — an average of 252 new cases a day.
During the previous week of Nov. 15 to 22, the province saw 1,472 new cases
— an average of 210 new cases a day.
The previous week (Nov. 8-15) it was 1,104 cases or 158 a day. The week before that (Nov. 1-8), Saskatchewan had 697 new cases or an average of 97 a day.
The gloomy rise in cases is even more troubling when you compare November with October:
During the week Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, the provincial saw 498 new cases or 71 a day.
The week of Oct. 18-25 saw 390 cases or 56 a day, Oct. 11-18 saw 238 cases or an average of 34 a day, Oct. 4-11 saw 133 new cases or 19 a day and September 27-Oct. 4 saw 97 new cases or 12 a day.
of possible scenarios.
The worst case showed a nightmare scenario of 469,000 COVID-19 cases (8,390 a day) in the next six months producing 4,800 deaths — numbers most agreed to be unrealistically high because they represent an infection rate unseen anywhere in the world.
However, the best case scenario suggested we would seen only 4,800 more cases in the next six months if we adhered to stricter mask-wearing everywhere in the province and strict limits on household contacts.
Also, it’s first bill was to make good on its election promise to implement a Saskatchewan Home Renovation Tax Credit — a 10.5-per-cent tax credit on up to $20,000 of eligible home renovation expenses incurred between Oct. 1, 2020 and Dec. 21, 2022.”
One can understand and somewhat respect the determination of Moe to make good on the popular promises that got the Sask. Party re-elected.
One also gets Moe’s determination not to lockdown the province, as has pretty much happened in neighbouring Manitoba.
Moe insists that the incremental measures already taken can stop the spread of the virus. As stated in the throne speech: “We can, and will, do both.”
Accompanying the rising case numbers was a doubling of Saskatchewan deaths in November from the total accumulated in seven months. And with record hospitalizations, more It’s not has if the government wasn’t warned. During a press conference on Nov. 20, it released “modelling numbers”, the government unveiled a series
After Nov. 20, we added about 2,400 cases — half the best case scenario — in just 10 days.
This should have served as a call to action for Moe’s government.
Yet while the government did call the COVID-19 fight its priority in its throne speech last week included a call for SaskPower to “reduce electricity charges by 10 per cent for one year”.
But the simply reality is that what we’re doing right now hasn’t been working.
Right now trying to do both isn’t stopping rising number. Quite likely, we are going to have to do a lot more of what we don’t like.
We have to be realistic.
MURRAY MANDRYK Political Columnist
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Just a gal from Glidden ...
KATE WINQUIST
kate@yoursouthwest.com
Iposted the photo of six-year-old me as my Facebook cover this week, hoping to add a little Christmas joy to what has quickly become a year to forget for most people.
My sister, Carrie was quick to reply, “Back when you were still cute ;)” Sadly, I can’t disagree with her. Christmases at the farm when I was a little girl were magical. I think they were extra special for me being the youngest of the Drummond clan. We had certain traditions, as most families do. Mom and Dad would get up early so Mom could put the gigantic turkey in the oven and start making Grandma Maclennan’s famous Christmas pudding sauce. Mom and Dad slept upstairs, and all of us kids were in the basement. I vaguely remember sharing the biggest bedroom with my sisters Valarie, Kristine and Carrie. Pam was the oldest, so she had her room, and Garth was the only boy and had his bedroom.
We weren’t allowed to come upstairs until we got the okay from Dad, who would send a cheery, “Ho, Ho Ho” over our Radio Shack intercom system. It isn’t like any of us were still sleeping. Christmas Eve night always seemed to be the longest night. The anticipation of what Santa may have left in our stockings was always too much for me to get a good night’s rest.
We would all clammer up the stairs and wish Mom and Dad a Merry Christmas before seeing what was in our sock.
I don’t remember when I figured out when there was no Santa Claus, but I do remember when I still believed. My favourite gift from Santa was a wind-up bathtub toy. It was a blue and white dolphin. Its little nose would spin round, allowing it to move in the water. I’m not entirely sure which of my siblings wound it up and stuck it in my hair, making a small bald spot.
We would gather around the tree, and one by one, from youngest to oldest, we would open up gifts. Dad would sit on the ottoman beside the tree and hand them out, while Mom would have her coffee and a notepad, making sure she knew who received what from whom. We always were expected to write thank you notes for gifts received from aunties, uncles and Grandma Drummond.
After the gifts were opened and the wrapping paper gathered up and put away, we would enjoy homemade egg-McMuffins. We were then allowed to graze on whatever we wanted during the day until turkey supper was ready. Grandma and Grandpa Maclennan and my Uncle Doug would drive to our farm from Elrose to celebrate with us. A
table, which I believe was our ping-pong table on sawhorses, filled up the dining room. We used Mom’s good china and silverware. We opened Christmas crackers that had a small gift and a riddle inside. Everyone was expected to wear the tissue crowns, however goofy you may have looked! The adults had wine, while the younger ones would have non-alcoholic eggnog that my sister Valarie would be in charge of making.
We all took turns doing our share of dishes, except for Mom, who would put her feet up and finish the bottle of wine (sorry, Mom) after a long day in the kitchen.
Our evening would conclude with a rousing game of Hearts or another game. Those so inclined would head to the living room in hopes that Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas was on.
I came across a post on Facebook the other day that inspired this week’s musing. I wanted to share it all with you.
***
I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit Grandma on the day my brother dropped the bomb: “There is no Santa Claus,” he jeered. “Even dummies know that!”
My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and
I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her “world-famous” cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. “No Santa Claus?” she snorted, “Ridiculous! Don’t believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let’s go.”
“Go? Go where, Grandma?” I asked. I hadn’t even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. “Where” turned out to be Kirby’s General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. “Take this money,” she said, “and buy something for someone who needs it. I’ll wait for you in the car.”
Then she turned and walked out of Kirby’s. I was only eight years old. I’d often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.
For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth
to buy it for.
I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.
I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s gradetwo class. Bobby Decker didn’t have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn’t have a cough; he didn’t have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.
“Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. “Yes, ma’am,” I replied shyly. “It’s for Bobby.” The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn’t get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.
That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, “To Bobby, From Santa Claus” on it.
Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker’s house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa’s helpers.
Grandma parked down the street from Bobby’s house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. “All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, “get going.”
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.
Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.
Fifty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker’s bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.
I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.
May you always have love to share, health to spare and friends that care ... and may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!
Cuteness overload! Little Katie Drummond in our basement at the farm.
Land of living skies
Kindersley Chamber of Commerce receives funding
for Training Employment Network
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has developed the Training & Employment Network (TEN) to provide support to communities and companies to integrate Indigenous, immigrant, youth and women workers into the local workforce.
RELEASE – For Immediate Release
7, 2020
seen in a very long time,” said Rick Miller, president of the Kindersley Chamber of Commerce.
chambers of commerce, we are in a unique position to bring together efforts, align growth and work towards a common goal. With the Training & Employment Network, we will connect people to employers and training based on skills,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
other chambers participating in the TEN include Battlefords, Estevan, Humboldt, Lloydminster, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Prairie Sky (Warman & Martensville), Prince Albert, Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
Chamber of Commerce Announces Training & Employment Network
The TEN is funded through Western Economic Diversification (WED) and administered by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC). Through the
TEN, participating chambers receive up to $10,000 in funding to develop and implement a Community Action Plan that identifies gaps in regional labour markets and create opportunities for employers and workers. The intent of the TEN is to provide clear and locally coordinated pathways for workers to be identified, as well as to present learning opportunities to enhance skills using a combination of existing and new training for employers.
Regina, SK – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has developed the Training & Employment Network (TEN) to provide support to communities and companies to integrate Indigenous, immigrant, youth and women workers into the local workforce.
“This is the best program I have
“There is no question that Saskatchewan businesses and our workforce have been severely impacted by COVID-19. As
The TEN is funded through Western Economic Diversification (WED) and administered by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC). Through the TEN, participating chambers receive up to $10,000 in funding to develop and implement a Community Action Plan that identifies gaps in regional labour markets and create opportunities for employers and workers. The intent of the TEN is to provide clear and locally coordinated pathways for workers to be identified, as well as to present learning opportunities to enhance skills using a combination of existing and new training for employers.
“We are thankful to Western Economic Diversification’s support in launching this important program.”
In addition to the Kindersley Chamber of Commerce,
As part of the TEN, a Training & Employment Network Directory can be found on our Training and Employment Network webpage.
Visit www. kindersleychamber. com for more information.
“There is no question that Saskatchewan businesses and our workforce have been severely impacted by COVID-19. As chambers of commerce, we are in a unique position to bring together efforts, align growth and work towards a common goal. With the Training & Employment Network, we will connect people to employers and training based on skills,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. “We are thankful to Western Economic Diversification’s support in launching this important program.”
Thanks for the good article on the Kindersley Screen Arts in the November 23 issue.
local theatre
Later, Judy and her group took over.
Chambers participating in the TEN include Battlefords, Estevan, Humboldt, Kindersley, Lloydminster, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Prairie Sky (Warman & Martensville), Prince Albert, Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
As part of the TEN, a Training & Employment Network Directory can be found on our Training and Employment Network webpage
Visit our website for more information. -30-
Contact:
Steve McLellan
CEO, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
Cell: 306-533-7686
Email: smclellan@saskchamber.com
Since sometimes members of the Kindersley & District Arts Council still get called for movie information, I just wanted to clarify that the Toronto International Film Festival originally contacted KDAC to show some of their films in Kindersley. We happily agreed. At that time, movies were on big screen reels so it presented some extra transportation problems and costs. However, we showed a lot of excellent movies at the theatre, then owned by Deanna Milner.
So, thanks to Shane Sawatsky, now owner of the theatre, sponsor Nikki Knight and the Kinder-
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce serves as the voice of business and represents the interests of over 10,000 individual businesses, industry associations, and local chambers across the province through its chamber network. Information on the provincial election strategy and all other business issues can be found at saskchamber.com or @SaskChamber on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn
sley
Arts,
Gladys McCarthy Member, KDAC
Letter to the Editor Enjoying excellent movies at our
A beautful sunrise provides the backdrop for Kindersley Composite School last Tuesday morning.
| PHOTO BY KATE WINQUIST
CFL eyes post-pandemic return
It’s not really a surprise that the Canadian Football League, which operates on a virtual shoestring, was one of the few professional sports leagues in North America to not operate in 2020 due to COVID-19.
But while some fans worried the one-year hiatus may have marked the beginning of a spiral downward to non-existence, CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie has confirmed the league plans full operation in 2021. In fact, a schedule has been released.
In most of the nine Canadian cities, the CFL is an important aspect of the sports fabric. It’s a huge deal in Regina, a close second to NHL teams in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Ottawa, a distant second to the Canucks in Vancouver, a pretty big deal in Hamilton, gaining fans in Montreal and not very important at all in Toronto, where the Leafs, the Blue Jays, the Raptors and FC Toronto rank ahead of the Argonauts in terms of fan affection.
So the blackest mark of all — no season — will be in the past and the CFL is scheduled to carry on as normal in 2021. Training camps will hopefully
be held in May, the Bombers and Ti-Cats will meet June 10 in the season opener (a replay of the most recent Grey Cup game) and TSN can have a weekly basket of games to provide to fans across the country instead of a steady diet of ‘classics’ from the past that fans were fed during the past year.
The league may look different when it resumes, though.
Some players, some of the better ones, may have moved on, since reports of bare-bones salaries seems to carry weight.
The league’s current collective bargaining agreement runs until the spring of 2022, and it includes a team salary cap of $5.35 million. League officials have indicated, however, that the salary cap ‘floor’ — $4.75 million per team — will be the goal of most teams. The nine CFL teams, of course, operated for a full season with barely a trickle of revenue, and still paid salaries to a handful of personnel, but no players. Many teams operate in red figures as it is. It’s been reported that collectively, the nine CFL teams lose between $10 million and $20 million per season.
One big change fans will notice when the league re-
sumes in 2021 is the name of the Edmonton franchise. ‘Eskimos’ has been tossed into the garbage bin, and team officials have been asking the public for suggestions on a new moniker. It has to start with ‘E’, they say, to allow the continued use of the team’s ‘EE’ logo. ‘Excited’ doesn’t work for a team name, but it certainly describes the feeling CFL fans have about the planned resumption of play.
• Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “What an apt surname for an NFL defender: Jets linebacker Tarell Basham.”
• Patriots QB Cam Newton, to reporters, on his dietary habits: “Just because I’m vegan doesn’t mean I just go outside
and pick up grass and, you know, put ranch on it. … I still love good food.”
• Charles Barkley, on trying hypnotism to help correct his funky, hitchy golf swing: “All I got was a good nap. I woke up with the same crappy swing.”
• Bob Molinaro of pilotonline.com (Hampton, Va.): “When people said at the beginning of the season that the Ravens would lead the AFC North, who could have imagined it would be in positive COVID tests.”
• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg, re: the Roy Jones (age 51) vs. Mike Tyson (54) exhibition bout: “This fight is tricky. Whoever wins could face charges of elder abuse.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “Don Cherry once told the Toronto Sun the material he buys for his suits is probably curtain fabric. Instead of Grapes, should we be calling him Drapes?”
• fark.com: “With Joe Burrow out for the season and no other viable quarterback available, if Colin Kaepernick’s phone doesn’t ring now, it never will. Spoiler alert: It never will.”
• fark.com again: “Toronto Star investigates why Jeopardy contestants fumbled easy sports questions so often, with exasperated hockey fan Alex Trebek looking on, unable to say what he really thought.”
• Dwight Perry again: “Veteran NBA forward Trevor Ariza got traded from Portland to Houston to Detroit to Oklahoma City in three separate deals in barely two days after this year’s draft. The Thunder is listing Ariza as day-to-day with severe jet lag.”
• Vancouver’s Torben Rolfsen, on Twitter, musing about Tom Brady’s occasional struggles in Tampa Bay: “Who holds the CFL rights to Tom Brady?”
• Actor George Takei, on Twitter “Breaking: Professional sports fall into disarray as concerns mount over whether losing teams will concede to winning ones despite what the scoreboard says.”
• Sign in front of a church in Winnipeg: “Wear a mask. It’s not like we’re asking you to wear a Riders’ jersey.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Classifieds Your West Central
RATES (based on 20 words or less). $8.95 plus GST. Additional words are 20¢ each. Deadline is Thursday noon. 306-671-0242
On November 23, 2020 Kindersley RCMP were notified of a Break and Enter that occurred at a car wash in Kindersley. The break and enter/theft occurred between November 22 at 6:00 a.m. and November 23, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. Suspect(s) were able to gain entry into the car wash bays and several items were either stolen or damaged.
If you have any information about this or any other crime, please contact the Kindersley RCMP detachment by calling 306-462-4642 or your local police service. Information can also be provided anonymously through Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers by calling 1800-222-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
RCMP NEWS
FATALITY
Warman RCMP respond to four vehicle collision on Highway 7 between Delisle and Laura, SK
On December 1, 2020, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Warman RCMP along with the Delisle Fire Department and Saskatoon EMS responded to a four-vehicle collision along Highway 7 between Delisle and Laura, Saskatchewan. An RCMP Collision Reconstructionist also attended.
One adult male was declared deceased at the scene. A second adult male was transported to the Royal University Hospital by STARS and was reported to be in serious condition. There were no additional injuries.
Road conditions were icy at the time of the collision. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure attended before the highway was reopened to sand sections of the highway due to road icy conditions.
FOR RENT
ROOMS FOR RENT. $500. Includes all utilities. Call Tim Schuh at 306-460-9292.
WANTED
SATURDAY SNOW REMOVAL wanted at the Kindersley LIbrary. kindersley.library@wheatland.sk.ca or call 306-463-4141. DC7
WANTED TO BUY - Hunting Rifles, Shotguns and Ammunition. Have permits. Call 463-7756 (Cell). MR29
GRIMES - Aurelia Grimes (Owens) died peacefully on November 30, 2020 at the age of 98.
She was born on July 25, 1922 in Eston, Saskatchewan to William Levi and Jane (Jennie) Owens, pioneers who travelled by horsedrawn wagon to their homestead in 1907. Aurelia was the second youngest of ten children, all of whom lived to thriving adulthood despite the dust bowl, the great depression and the other challenges of prairie farm life.
After a year of teacher training at Normal School in Saskatoon Aurelia returned to Eston where, in 1942, she married her beloved husband and partner in life, Joseph (Joe) Grimes. Aurelia and Joe proudly raised four daughters, Carolynn (Garry Drabble), Kathrynn (Terry Baker), Joanne (Marvin Nagel) and Tamara (Bruce Buckwold), giving each of them every
Heartwarming donation from Eston boy
As President of Eston 95 Lions this year, I wanted to get out the message of our Christmas Hamper program. We, as a club, collect monetary donations with any donation $20 or more is tax deductible. The donations are divided among the nominations of individuals & families in need this Christmas season in Eston & area. The hampers consist of gift cards to our local Co-op grocery store & this year, due to Covid, we felt the need might be greater for these families , so we are adding a gift to each child in the program.
This week I received a special donation that I wanted to share with you and your newspaper. Jett Mason of Eston, age 7, handmade Christmas ornaments and sold them at a local craft fair. He raised $116 and donated the money to The Christmas Hamper fund. Attached is a photo of myself receiving the cash from Jett.
Gwen Etter
Eston 95 Lions Club 2020/21 President
Animals in Town
Town
•
A license can be purchased for a one-time fee of $5 at the Town Office.
• No dog or cat may run at large in Town.
• No person shall own or harbour an animal which creates a disturbance to the annoyance or discomfort of another person.
• All defecation that occurs on public or private property must be removed immediately.
The Town contracts a Bylaw Enforcement Officer who follows up on all complaints received. Should no resolution to bylaw violations be found, fines ranging from $50 to $300 may be issued. Fees for items such as impoundment and pickup may also apply.
A list of prohibited animals is available at the Town Office.
Restricted animals require an application to, and approval from, Town Council before being permitted in the community. Upon approval from Council, a license would be issued. An annual licensing fee of $100 must be paid for all restricted animals.
opportunity that their hard work and unfailing support could offer.
Aurelia was also a caring grandmother and great-grandmother to Rodney Drabble (Julia and children Matthew and Meghan), Rory Drabble, Kimberley Baker (Simon Corti and sons Devin, Kohen, Tyson and Ethan), Neil Baker (CeriAnne Smith), Ben Buckwold (Laurie Magnan and daughter Leonie) and Adam Buckwold (daughter Bryanna and wife Marianne).
Like her pioneering parents, Aurelia was a person who believed that if something had to be done you just did it. And if it was worth doing, it was worth doing well. Together with Joe, she brought that strength, determination and devotion to family, church and community.
Aurelia was deeply involved in the work and life of St. Andrew’s United Church in Eston, serving in Mission Band, United Church Women, Canadian Girls in Training and Presbytery among other activities. She worked to establish a Community Clinic in Eston, was a committed supporter of the CCF/NDP and the Co-op, and a volunteer for many community undertakings. In 1994 Aurelia and Joe moved to McClure Place in Saskatoon where Aurelia was active in the McClure Place community and supported McClure United Church. As her health declined she moved to Amy McClure House care home in 2013 and then to Diamond House in Warman in
September 2019, where she passed away.
Aurelia kept an immaculate home, gardened, cooked and canned, travelled, learned to ride a bike as an adult and almost learned to swim, and will especially be remembered for the many beautiful things she sewed, knitted and crocheted for her children, grandchildren and others. In a final gift to the world, Aurelia chose to bequeath her body to the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan for teaching and research.
Aurelia is survived by sisters Gladys Sweitzer and Betty Fry. She was sadly predeceased by her husband, Joe (1995) and by sons-in-law Marvin Nagel (2018) and Garry Drabble (2019).
Aurelia’s family is profoundly grateful to Dr. Dan Dattani for his years of compassionate care, to Marg Petty whose workout sessions brightened Mom’s days and strengthened her legs, to the relatives, neighbours and staff who offered Mom care and companionship during her years at McClure Place and Amy McClure House, and especially to the dedicated staff at Diamond House, where her needs were never neglected in spite of the enormous demands of caring for the vulnerable through a pandemic.
A celebration of Aurelia’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to ALS Saskatchewan or the charity of your choice.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Obituary
A salute to safety
We’re proud to salute O.J. Pipelines, Banister Pipelines, and SA Energy Group for their exemplary safety and environmental performance during our Line 3 pipeline replacement project. Overall, the project logged more than 11.2 million person-hours, covering almost 1,100 kilometres in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Recognizing that our crews were guests on the landowners’ property and in communities near the project right of way, we also want to congratulate our contractors for representing Enbridge so well to our neighbours.
The replacement of Line 3 was a landmark, safety-driven undertaking that has made a safe pipeline even safer, thanks in no small part to contractors O.J., Banister and SA, who share Enbridge’s dedication to achieving zero injuries, protecting the environment and communities, and ensuring top-notch quality and workmanship.
To learn more, visit enbridge.com/salutetosafety
