-- On Jan. 14, as Spaniards gathered for the Official Carnival Groups Competition in Cadiz, 12 men dressed as scientist Stephen Hawking performed a choreographed musical number in motorized wheelchairs, the New York Post reported. The men were wearing wigs and outfits typical of the disabled genius, who died in 2018 of ALS, as they performed. “Don’t be offended, this is just for laughs,” said Miguel Angel Llull, who wrote the lyrics to their songs. After the competition, the group planned to donate the dozen wheelchairs to ALS patients in need. “They are real chairs that cost us 400 euros each,” Llull said.
Fail to the Bus Driver
-- Bus passengers traveling from New York City to Washington, D.C., had a memorable ride on Jan. 19, Fairfax Now reported. The driver was supposed to take passengers from Penn Station to Union Station and Dupont Circle, but instead, he dropped everyone at the Vienna Metro station after police intervened. One passenger said the driver was going really fast and wouldn’t listen to reason; “he screamed that he doesn’t get paid enough and is refusing,” the passenger said. When representatives of the bus company tried to call him, he repeatedly hung up and told passengers he “has family to go home to and doesn’t have time to stop in D.C.” “I’m the captain of this ship,” he said. Passengers stranded at the Metro station were picked up by another bus and refunded their bus fare.
Savvy Screen Time
-- Spending too much time staring at your phone? Olivia Yokubonis would like a word, the Associated Press reported on Jan. 18. Using her screen name, Olivia Unplugged, Yokubonis urges people to stop their mindless use of social media. “People will comment and they’ll be like, ‘Oh, it’s ironic that you’re posting.’ And I’m like, ‘Where else am I supposed to find you, Kyle? Outside? You’re not outside. You’re here,’” she said. Yokubonis actually works for a screen time app called Opal, which people use to “reclaim their focus.” “It’s a fine line and a balance of finding a way to be able to cut through that noise but also not adding to the noise,” she added.
Criminal Captain
-- As a boat captain in the Florida Keys, Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, is well-placed to (allegedly) find huge amounts of cocaine just floating in the sea. So it was no surprise that Picariello had the goods; his mistake was in selling a kilogram to an undercover officer from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. According to CBS12-TV, Picariello was arrested on Jan. 19 after meeting with the cop, whom he told to bring a cooler to “make it look like he was getting fish.” He also bragged he had another 100 pounds of cocaine for future buys. Officers also found $8,000 in cash and a handgun. Picariello faces three felony counts.
Why do the French eat snails? They don’t like fast food.
Why do cows have hooves instead of feet?
Because they lactose.
What do you call shaving a crazy sheep?
Shear madness.
What do you call 2 octopuses that look exactly the same? Itenticle.
Where do animals go when they lose a tail?
To the retail store.
Why is a bee’s hair always sticky? Because it uses a honey comb.
Why are fish so good at watching their weight?
Because they have lots of scales.
Who makes dinosaur clothes? A dino-sewer.
Why don’t bears wear shoes? What’s the use? They’d still have bear feet.
What do fish take to stay healthy? Vitamin sea.
Why are giraffes so slow to apologize? It takes them a long time to swallow their pride.
What do you call a cow in a tornado? A milkshake.
How does a dog stop a video? He presses the paws button.
Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl going to the bathroom?
Because the “P” is silent.
What do you call an angry carrot? A steamed veggie.
Why do cows wear bells? Because their horns don’t work.
What do sprinters eat before they race?
Nothing. They fast.
We’re always glad to help
That said, we do have a couple of great options for non-profit groups:
1) Upcoming Events Listing (no charge):
We offer a basic non-profit listing on our Upcoming Events page. We keep it short (about 20 words) — the what / when / where plus a contact number (no pricing or extra details).
2) Discounted Non-Profit Advertising:
If you’re looking for more visibility, we also offer a reduced non-profit advertising rate, and we’re happy to work with almost any budget (even a small one) to get you the best reach possible.
Send us the event details and your deadline — and let us know whether you’d like the free Upcoming Events listing, an ad option, or a mix of both! We are happy to help!
What do sea monsters eat?
Fish and ships.
Why shouldn’t you tell secrets in a cornfield? Too many ears.
Why couldn’t the bad sailor learn the alphabet?
Because he always got lost at “C.”
Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field.
We’re a small, locally owned newspaper, and advertising is what keeps the paper going each week. It helps cover printing, delivery, and the work that goes into keeping local news and community updates in front of people. For that reason, we aren’t able to provide free advertising by request — if we did, we simply couldn’t stay in business. Call
ALSASK
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
• Cornhole Tournament at the Alsask Rec Centre 6 PM start. Call Wonona 306-460-4489 to register or for more info.
COLEVILLE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
• Coleville Licensed Daycare Committee presents Wild West Night in Dodge at the Coleville Hall featuring Cole Patton and the Blackjacks. Supper, Silent Auction, Band. For tickets and more info call the Village Office 306-965-2281.
EATONIA
- Every Thursday from 11:30 AM -1:30 PM come to the Eatonia Library for puzzles, visiting and grab your books for the week!
- Check out our TOPS Chapter … it’s free to try! Every Wednesday. Weigh in: 5:45 PM. Meeting: 6:00 PM at Corcoran Place. Contact Cora Knuttila 306-460-9047.
- The Lions Club meets on the last Tuesday of each month.
KERROBERT
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
• Kerrobert Kinettes are hosting a Valentines Banger Bingo - Ladies Night Out at the PCC. Doors open at 8 PM. E-transfer: kerrobertkinettes1@gmail.com or contact a Kinette member.
- MS Support Group at Kerrobert Health Centre Meeting Room every 3rd Saturday 2:004:00 PM. Contact Gail Wiebe for more information 306-834-7068.
- Walk This Way Group Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30-11:30 AM
- Walk This Way with Lao Thursdays at the PCC from 10:30 - 11:30 AM. Everyone is welcome and it’s FREE.
- Shuffle Club Mondays at the PCC 1:30-3:00 PM
- The Rec Board meets the second Monday of each month 7:00 PM at the Town Office.
- Town Council meet the second Tuesday of each month 7:00 PM at the Town Office.
HOOSIER
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 & 14
• Hoosier Rec Board presents 23rd Annual Outdoor Curling “Hoosier Tournament of Hearts” Open, Mens, Ladies or Mixed. All skill levels welcome. Call / text Christy 306-460-9190 or Kregan 306-460-6896.
- Winter Wear Drive ongoing until March. Drop off at the Seniors Hall Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30-11:00 AM. Contact Yvonne at 306-834-8292 if you need an item.
- Make sure to check the Kerrobert Memorial Arena schedule for upcoming games.
KINDERSLEY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5
• Kindersley and District Arts Council presents: Americana/Alternative Country Artist Kyle McKearney 7:30 PM Norman Ritchie Community Arts Centre.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
• Kindersley Screen Arts presents “Rental Family” 4:00 PM at Sunset Theatre. $10 cash at the door. Wine and beer available for purchase. Sponsored by Speedy Auto Glass.
- Parkinson’s Support Group Meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month 1:30 PM at 401 - 4th Ave West (New Life Church). Everyone welcome! For more info call Nancy at 306-4634514.
- Monday Night Jam Sessions at the Norman Ritchie Community Centre. Doors open at 6:30 to set-up, then the fun begins at 7-11 PM. Call Keith 306-460-8633.
- Interested in a support group for weight management? TOPS meetings; every Monday at 6:00 PM in the Kindersley Senior Centre OR contact Jill at 306-463-4210.
- Pickleball meets Sunday & Wednesday evenings 7:00 PM at Elizabeth School for the indoor season. Cost is $50 for the season or $5 drop in. Our club is a part of Pathway To Wellness. More info call Teresa Knight 306460-7304.
- Fit Fighter Group Class. Helping individuals with Parkinson Disease, Fibromyalgia, MS, Arthritis and mobility issues. Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:00 PM at Anytime Fitness. Call Karen 463-3607 for more info.
- 365 Kindersley Air Cadets meet Thursday evenings at the Kindersley Museum. No charge to be a member, youth ages 12-18, must be a Canadian resident. Contact Ian Kehrer via text at 306-460-0057 or Sheila Kehrer via text 306604-9044. Come Fly With Us!
• Every Tuesday: Community Badminton 6:30 - 9:00 PM at Westberry School. Everybody welcome.
LEADER
- Sunday Service Hoosier Community Church 10:30 am at the Community Hall. Contact Joel Hamm 306-460-7056.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
• Kindersley Wildlife Federation Awards Banquet at the Elks Hall. Door Prizes, Raffle Prizes, Silent Auction. For tickets / info call Ray 306-831-9920 or Lori 306-460-7638.
- Community Walking Club Monday - Thursday 7:00-8:00 PM at Leader Composite School.Must pre-register at the Town Office.
- Community Badminton SUNDAY evenings 6:00-8:00 PM. $2/Sunday at the LCS Gymnasium. Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Racquets and shuttles available.
KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, 300 W. STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY
Welcome Home!
CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. CELEBRITY EXTRA #12345_20260202
Are you new to Kindersley? Would you like the Welcome Wagon to visit your home?
Contact Marge Bailey with Better Together at 306-500-1173
RELEASE FEB. 2, 2026
Jackson
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Prime
Caption: Stana Katic in “Absentia”
Celebrity EXTRA
Q:I watch reruns of the old TV series “Castle” on the Lifetime Channel. I know that the actor who plays Castle, Nathan Fillion, is also in “The Rookie,” but what happened to the actress who played Kate Beckett? Has she retired from acting? — M.D.
A:“Castle” was a detective-dramedy series that aired on ABC from 2009-2016 and starred Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic. Fillion went on to star in another ABC series called “The Rookie,” which is currently in its eighth season. Last year, he also appeared as the Green Lantern in both the blockbuster hit movie “Superman” and the HBO series “Peacemaker.”
Katic’s career is still going strong, but she’s starring in projects that have less of a profile. Most notably, she starred in the Amazon series “Absentia,” where she played an FBI agent who was once declared dead but returns to find herself as the prime suspect in a murder. The mystery-thriller ran for three seasons before concluding in 2020, but you can find the entire series on Netflix now.
Katic will star in a series that is currently in development called “Entangled,” which is about married CIA agents. But it hasn’t started filming, nor has it found a network or a streamer to pick it up once it’s been completed.
***
Q:
When is the Nicole Kidman series coming out that is supposed to be based on the Patricia Cornwell mysteries? Where will it air? — D.N.
A:“Scarpetta,” starring Nicole Kidman as a forensic pathologist, will debut on Amazon Prime Video beginning March 11. Dr. Kay Scarpetta is the protagonist in almost 30 bestselling novels by Patricia Cornwell. As if the new series based on the books didn’t have enough star power with Kidman as the lead, it will also star another Oscar winner — Jamie Lee Curtis — as Kay’s sister.
***
Q:
Who is the actress with the curly hair in the new Peacock
By Dana Jackson
series “Ponies”? I know one of the main actresses was in “Game of Thrones,” but I don’t recognize the other one. I love the show, though. — F.N.
A:Yes,
that’s Emilia Clarke who you recognized; she played Daenerys Targaryen in the epic series “Game of Thrones.” But her co-star in “Ponies” is also worthy of recognition. Haley Lu Richardson is probably best known for her role as Portia, who was Jennifer Coolidge’s character’s assistant in season two of “The White Lotus” — a show where, as a cast member, you’re almost guaranteed an Emmy nomination. While she didn’t get an Emmy nod, she did win an Actor Award for being a part of the ensemble cast of “The White Lotus” in 2023.
Back in 2019, she starred opposite Cole Sprouse (“Riverdale”) in the coming-of-age film “Five Feet Apart,” which was directed by Justin Baldoni (“It Ends with Us”). While a second season for “Ponies” hasn’t been announced yet, the show’s creators have high expectations that it will have more stories planned for the fun ’70s Russian spy series.
CAPTION: Daum designed many with flowers molded from ground vase like this looks like a bouquet own, and the flowers still look fresh about a hundred years.
Pate-de-verre
The Daum glass factory of Nancy, France, is famous for its cameo glass, but that isn’t the only kind it made. When Jean Daum founded the factory in 1875, he made cut and enameled glass. His sons Auguste and Antonin started an art glass department in 1885, adapting to the art glass movement and art nouveau style of the time. The company started making more ornate types of glass like cameo glass and pate-de-verre. These were very old techniques, but newly popular as they experienced a resurgence in the 19th century. Pate-de-verre was made in ancient Egypt. The term means “glass paste.” It is made by combining ground glass with an adhesive and molding this mixture into forms. It proved to be a good fit for the art nouveau period, when designs drew inspiration from the natural world, especially flowers and plants.
Glassworks like Daum made patede-verre pieces with three-dimensional flowers. They are often valuable today. This Daum vase made to look like a bunch of daffodils sold for $2,125 at Heritage Auctions.
* * *
Q:Ihave a collection of Beanie Baby bears that would like a new home. How can I find them a good one?
A:The
resale market for Beanie Babies has been ongoing since the fad exploded in the 1990s. It is still active, although prices are not as high as they were during the original craze. Social media websites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist can help you find Beanie Babies collector clubs that may be interested in your bears. They may also sell at estate sales or toy auctions. Websites like eBay and Etsy are also popular places to sell; but if you use them, remember that asking prices are not the same as sold prices. You will see Beanie Babies listed for thousands of dollars on these sites, but that is what the seller is asking, not necessarily what buyers are paying. To see more accurate values on eBay, check “Sold Items” under Advanced Search. There are also several websites spe-
Daum designed many vases with flowers molded from ground glass. A vase like this looks like a bouquet on its own, and the flowers still look fresh after about a hundred years.
cifically for Beanie Baby collectors, like tycollector.com and beaniebabies priceguide.com, that can help you find the value of your bears. Of course, if you are looking to donate your Beanie Babies and they are in excellent condition, you should contact local charity groups or local hospital.
* * *
TIP: If you like vases of fresh flowers, buy custom-cut pieces of glass to protect wooden table and chest tops from water stains.
* * *
CURRENT PRICES
World’s Fair, banner, 1876, Philadelphia International Exhibition, Centennial, George Washington portrait, multicolor, jacquard, blue fringe, silk, 10 1/2 x 7 inches, $160.
Trunk, nagamochi, lift lid, lacquer, gilt armorial devices, scrolling leaves, latch closure, handle, paper lining, Japan, late 1800s, 14 x 29 x 17 inches, pair, $500.
Rug, soumak, six medallions, blue field, red, orange, brown, ivory, stylized flower border, Uzbekistan, 9 feet 6 inches x 5 feet 7 inches, $745.
For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com
* On Feb. 16, 1959, Fidel Castro was sworn in as Cuba’s prime minister after leading a guerrilla campaign that forced right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile. Castro, who became commander in chief of Cuba’s armed forces after Batista was ousted on Jan. 1, replaced the more moderate Miro Cardona as head of the country’s new provisional government.
* On Feb. 17, 1972, the 15,007,034th Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the assembly line and broke a world car-production record held for more than 40 years by the Ford Motor Company’s Model T, which was manufactured from 1908 to 1927.
* On Feb. 19, 1473, Nicolaus Copernicus, regarded as the father of modern astronomy, was born in Torun, a city in north-central Poland on the Vistula River. He would become the first modern European scientist to propose that Earth and other planets revolve around the sun.
* On Feb. 20, 1977, an episode of the TV sitcom “Seinfeld” titled “The Pothole” debuted, with the inclusion of a storyline in which the eccentric character Kramer adopted a stretch of the fictional Arthur Burghardt Expressway via the real-life Adopt-A-Highway program.
* On Feb. 18, 1930, Elm Farm Ollie earned the remarkable distinction of becoming the first cow to fly -- and be milked -- in an airplane. Her milk was then boxed and parachuted to waiting spectators on the ground.
* On Feb. 21, 2016, quadruple amputee Kyle Maynard reached the summit of Mount Aconcagua, South America’s tallest mountain, after bear-crawling up the nearly 23,000-foot peak without the use of his prosthetics. Four years earlier, he’d climbed Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro in the same manner.
* On Feb. 22, 1983, Arthur Bicknell’s play “Moose Murders” made its Broadway debut at New York’s Eugene O’Neill Theater, and closed the very same night, earning it the unfortunate description by The New York Times as “the standard of awfulness against which all Broadway flops are judged.” After the curtain fell on cue, there was no applause, leading one cast member to remark that “I don’t think there ever was a show in the history of Broadway where you took a bow to silence.”
BY BRIAN ZINCHUK
February is historically the busiest time of the year for drilling rigs, so here’s a snapshot of what’s happening in the field on Feb. 2: Across Saskatchewan, there were 39 rigs working.
Starting in northwest Saskatchewan, there were nine rigs working in the region (using Macklin as the dividing line between northwest and west central). Cenovus employed Precision Drilling rig 197 at Spruce Lake and Pd Rig 198 south of Paradise Hill. Two rigs is a relatively low number for Saskatchewan’s largest oil producer.
Strathcona Resources had Pd Rig 188 at Meota and Ensign Rig 651 at Winter, southwest of Cut Knife.
Durham Creek Energy had PD Rig 148 working just south of Neilburg, an area that hasn’t seen a lot of attention for years.
West Lake had Bonanza Rig 3 drilling southwest of Lashburn. Baytex Energy had PD Rig 155 south of Maidstone.
Just north of Macklin, Savanna Drilling Rig 418 was making hole for Longshore, while just south of Macklin, Surge was drilling with Savanna Rig 414.
Eleven rigs were working in west central Saskatchewan. Strathcona had another rig, Bonanza Rig 1, along Highway 51 between Kerrobert and Kelfield. They also had Akita Drilling Rig 6 and PD Rig 297 near Cactus Lake.
West of Coleville, Ish Energy had Edge Drilling Rig 6 working. Teine Energy had Ensign Rig 7 at Hoosier, Ensign Rig 350 northeast of Kindersley, Ensign Rig 351 and Savanna Rig 419 southwest of Plenty.
Woodcote, a company Pipeline Online has not seen before on these reports, was drilling with Bonanza Rig 11 at Eatonia, an area that also hasn’t seen much attention. South of Elrose, Whitecap Resources had PD Rig 288 making hole.
Using the South Saskatchewan River as the dividing line between west central and south-
west Saskatchewan, we find North American Helium drilling within spitting distance of Lake Diefenbaker, northeast of Stewart Valley. Savanna Rig 629 was the one drilling.
There was a whole lot of nothing happening in southwest Saskatchewan other than Shell Canada working with Akita Drilling Rig 35 at Harptree, southeast of Willowbunch. And that could conceivably be considered southeast Saskatchewan.
At Disley, Buffalo Potash has been drilling its first well just north of Highway 11, using Stampede Drilling Rig 22.
Over in the southeast, there was effectively no drilling activity west of Estevan, including nothing going on in the Weyburn or Torquay areas.
There were however two major cluster of rigs – one smaller one near Warmley, and a large one near Lampman.
At Warmley, Panther Drilling Rigs 2 and 3 were working for Whitecap. Ensign Rig 808 was drilling for Saturn. A little to the west at Creelman, Stampede Drilling Rig 8 was drilling for Saturn.
Eight rigs were drilling in that Lampman cluster, stretching from Benson to Willmar. They included Alliance Drilling rig 2 for Midale Petroleums at Benson, Ensign Rig 423 eight miles to the east of Benson for Whitecap, and Stampede Rig 7 drilling for Whitecap northwest of Browning. Just west of Lampman, Stampede Rig 17 was drilling for Whitecap, and southeast of the town, Stampede Rig 2 was drilling for Surge.
Tundra Oil and Gas showed up northeast of Steelman with Stampede Rig 16. Betts Drilling Rig 2 was working for Triland Energy.
There were four outliers in the areas. North of Parkman, Stampede Rig 19 was drilling for Pemoco. Woodland Development Corp had Stampede Rig 3 south of Carievale. Stampeded Rig 1 was drilling for Saturn at Northgate. And finally, Stampede Rig 4 was drilling for Tundra at Roche Percee.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A gracious Lamb can learn more about a problem-filled situation than one who is openly suspicious of what could be happening. A friend might offer some well-directed advice.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Getting adjusted to an unexpected change might be difficult for the Bovine, who prefers things to go according to plan. But help could come from a most welcome source.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) This could be a good time to get a head start on some career-related plans. The sooner you check out the pluses and minuses, the sooner you can act on your information.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A personal situation that you thought would no longer present a problem could suddenly produce some surprises. Try to sort things out with the help of your trusted colleagues.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) An upcoming move holds both anticipation and anxiety for Leos and Leonas who have some big decisions to make. Advice is plentiful, but it’s up to you to decide which way you want to go.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Someone from a previous project could provide valuable guidance on how to handle a current problem, especially where it might involve a legal matter.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A business situation presents some unexpected complications. But rather than trying to handle them all at once, it would be best to deal with them one at a time.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You just might get what you want despite the odds against it. In any event, be sure to thank all the people involved who believed in you and went to bat for you.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Before you even hint at an accusation, remember that you’ll have to prove what you say. So, be sure that you have what you need to back up your comments.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A romantic situation takes an unexpected turn that favors some Sea Goats but causes others to reassess how they’ve been handling the relationship.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A surprise turn of events could unsettle the Water Bearer. But it might also help to open up an entirely different way of working out an important matter.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A smoothly running operation could bump up against an obstacle. This is where your ability to assess situations and make adjustments can restore things to normal.
Owens & Sweitzer (1972) Ltd. in Eston, Saskatchewan is looking to fill the following positions: SALES PERSON
Primary focus to cover on road sales and territory management of areas including and surrounding but not limited to: Rosetown, Milden, Elrose, Kyle, Dodsland.
PARTS COUNTER PERSON
Retail parts sales, ordering and customer service within the dealership.
SERVICE TECHNICIAN
Minimum 3rd year apprentice to service all of our brands.
Owens & Sweitzer offers the benefits of working for a locally owned, in house management group that is community and family oriented. Wages and salaries that meet or exceed industry averages, comprehensive benefits plan.
If you think you have something to offer our team, are energetic, and ready to help us grow our business, apply to: Cordell Goheen at 124 Railway Ave in Eston, SK cordell@owensandsweitzer.com
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
* Actor Paul Newman once said he was tired of people asking him to remove his sunglasses so they could see his famous blue eyes, confessing that his stock response was, “I would take off my sunglasses, madam, but my pants would fall down.”
* Six million pounds of space dust settle on Earth every year.
* The Bahamas once boasted an undersea post office, Sea Floor Bahamas, established in 1939, which allowed mail to be posted with a unique “Sea Floor” postmark, which became a hit with stamp collectors until the office closed in 1942.
* Many birds’ feathers weigh more than their bones.
* A hill in New Zealand is named Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
* Astronauts on Mars won’t just make plans based on temperature, but will also need to consider tau, the level of particulate matter in
the atmosphere. High tau levels will block sunlight to solar-powered rovers.
* A coyote can hear a mouse moving under a foot of snow.
* Since 1971, Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, has issued permits to unicorn hunters.
* The 1967 Outer Space Treaty forbids any nation from trying to own the moon.
* Pelé is the only soccer player to ever be a part of three different World Cup winning teams.
* “Beauty and the Beast” was the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture. It lost to “The Silence of the Lambs.”
* Wisconsin is known as the Badger State because the area’s lead miners used to spend winters in tunnels burrowed into hills -- like badgers.
* Honey hunters in Mozambique use special calls to recruit the services of birds known as honeyguides, which lead the hunters to bees’ nests.
Thought for the Day: “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”
- Marilyn Monroe
When Meat Is Optional: A High-Protein Pantry Dinner
You don’t have to serve meat at every meal for it to be healthy, filling or high in protein. Lentils, rice and other plant-based proteins have fed generations of families around the world for millennia, quietly and affordably. When you understand how to combine them, they create meals that are satisfying, flexible and surprisingly substantial.
TVP, or textured vegetable protein, isn’t new or exotic. It’s been used for decades as an inexpensive way to stretch ground meat or replace it entirely. Made from defatted soy flour, it’s similar in texture to ground meat once rehydrated. It’s shelf-stable, high in protein, neutral in flavor and absorbs whatever seasonings you give it. For budget-conscious cooks, it’s a useful ingredient that adds substance without adding much cost.
If you’ve ever eaten canned or frozen chili, burritos or meatballs, there’s a good chance you’ve already eaten it. You can find TVP in the bulk section of the grocery store, sometimes labeled textured soy protein. If not, check near dry soup mixes or ask an employee.
WARM SPICE LENTIL RICE BOWLS
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Total Time: 40 mins.
ing costs low. Cooked in broth with onion and warm spices, it creates a hearty base that can be served as-is or customized with vegetables, sauces or toppings depending on what you have on hand. Each serving contains about 18 grams of protein.
6 cups water, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup brown lentils
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon white or brown sugar
1 teaspoon coconut aminos, optional 1 cup long-grain white rice
1 cup textured vegetable protein (TVP)
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon vegetable or chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Black pepper to taste
Topping ideas: plain yogurt, sauteed greens, roasted carrot or sweet potato, pickled onions, green onions, fresh herbs, cucumber, or sliced lemon or lime.
a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, allowing it to soften and caramelize, about 10 minutes. After the first 5 minutes, add the sugar and, if using, the coconut aminos to deepen the flavor.
Once the onions are golden and fragrant, add the rice and stir to coat the grains in the flavorful oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then transfer the onions and rice to the saucepan.
Add the remaining 3 cups water, TVP, parsley, bouillon, curry powder and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring to a vigorous boil, then remove from heat, cover and let stand undisturbed for 20 minutes.
Fluff with a fork, season with black pepper and serve.
Think of this as a grain-bowl style meal and let everyone customize their own bowl. Try topping it with chopped fresh herbs for brightness, roasted veggies bring sweetness, garlicky greens for depth and a dollop of yogurt, tahini or another simple sauce. A spoonful of something pickled or spicy adds contrast and keeps the dish lively from bite to bite. Knowing how to prepare satisfying meals without relying on meat is a useful skill, especially when food prices feel unpredictable. Dishes like this are about flexibility, resilience and feeding yourself well with what’s affordable and available. That kind of confidence in the kitchen is always worth having.
A customizable bowl of lentils, rice and warm spices makes an easy, high-protein pantry dinner.
Bring 3 cups of water and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the lentils and reduce heat to low, simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
These warm spice lentil rice bowls use TVP to boost protein while keep-
BIRTHDAY CAKE VOUCHERS can be picked up at the Kindersley Co-op Food Store Bakery Department.
Posting Date February 2, 2026
Catherine Mccormac Torres
Bake Valentine’s Dog Treats
Much to the disappointment of my snack-starved son, who had just bounded into the house after a 5-mile run, the note on the kitchen counter by the metal cooling rack read: “Dog biscuits! Sorry, not for you. — Mom.” The tempting treats may have looked and smelled like peanut-butter cookies, but they were hard as a rock and ready for our canine friends to enjoy.
Bake a batch of these crunchy dog biscuits with your kids for Valentine’s Day doggie gifts. This simple recipe goes together in minutes, and young kids will have an easy and satisfying time rolling out or patting down the pliable dough to create shapes with cute cookie cutters. You’ll need:
— 2 cups whole-wheat flour
— 1 tablespoon baking powder
— 1 cup peanut butter at room temperature
— 1 cup whole milk — 1/2 teaspoon salt
— All-purpose flour for rolling the dough
After you set the oven to 375 F, here’s how to get the kids involved: Let one child measure and combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Another child may measure and stir the peanut butter and milk together in a smaller mixing bowl. It will take 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth.
Slowly pour it into the dry ingredients and stir until well-combined.
Sprinkle flour on the counter. Knead the dough a few times until it is easy to roll out into a 1/4-inch rectangle with a lightly floured rolling pin. Cut with cookie cutters in fun shapes such as a fire hydrant, a bone, a kitty, a heart, or X’s and O’s. Then transfer to greased (or parchment-paper-covered) cookie sheets.
Bake 20 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool. Divide into gift bags, tie with red ribbon and a Valentine tag, and deliver to neighborhood dog friends on Valentine’s Day.
Cook’s Note: A 1-1/2-inch, heartshaped cookie cutter makes six dozen Valentine biscuits.
“The Grandkids Are Coming!” Tip: If you have preschool grandkids, make the dough in advance of their arrival. When it’s time to shape and bake, sprinkle flour on the counter, give each child a chunk of dough, and show them how to pat the portions flat with their clean hands. Cut out shapes with the cookie cutters and set them on the cookie sheets for you to bake.
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Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com.
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