Your West Central Voice - April 11, 2022

Why is Easter such a big deal?

The greatest event in history is being re-told and celebrated this weekend. “Whether you regularly attend church or not, this is the best opportunity to come out with your family and discover why Easter is such a big deal,” noted Pastor Kelly Froese from New Life Church in Kindersley.

Pastor Kelly noted that the Easter story answers many questions people may have. Questions such as why did God create us, is God relevant, does God care, and why is Jesus considered the most influential person in all of history? All the churches in Kindersley extend a big welcome to everyone this Easter week.

On Good Friday, April 15th, five churches are joining together at a service beginning at 10:00 am at New Life Church in Kindersley. The five churches include: New Life, Kindersley Christian Fellowship, Kindersley Alliance, Clearview Brethren In Christ, and St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church.

Rev. Scott Kopperude from St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church will be the guest speaker for this service. New Life is located at 401 - 4th Avenue West. Everyone is invited to stay for a lunch of buns and cheese after the service.

St. Paul’s United Church welcomes everyone to join in Communion and enjoy pizza on Holy Thursday, April 14th, at 6:00 pm. Their Good Friday service will be held on April 15th at 11:00 am, and their Easter Sunday service also

begins at 11:00 am. St. Paul’s United Church is located at 502 Main Street. New Life Community Church will celebrate its Easter Sunday service at 11:00 am with a “muffin morning” starting at 10:30 am. Kindersley Christian Fellowship will be hosting their Easter Sunday and baptismal service beginning at 10:30 am at 800 - 12th Avenue East.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kindersley will be holding Mass throughout Holy Week. Services will be held on Holy Thursday, April 13th at 9:00 am; Good Friday, April 14th at 3:00 pm; Saturday, April 15th at 8:00 pm; and Easter Sunday at 11:00 am. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church is located at 600 - 4th Avenue West.

Redemption Baptist Church will be holding their Easter Sunday celebration at 11:00 am at 419 - 5th Avenue West, in Kindersley. Clearview Community Church, located at 819 Main St., will be hosting a continental breakfast at 9:30 am. Easter Sunday. A service will follow at 10:45 am with guest speaker Bobby Verona.

St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church, at 8083rd St. West, will celebrate Easter Sunday at 4:00 pm. Kindersley Alliance Church will be hosting coffee time on Easter Sunday morning from 10:00 am to 10:30 am before their Easter service begins, Pastor Peter Ralph speaking. The Alliance Church is located at 73 West Road.

So come on out and find out why Easter is such a big deal for yourself.

Some of the ladies at Eatonia Oasis Living got a bit messy with some non traditional ways of dyeing Easter eggs. They had a few fails BUT ... had lots of laughs and in the end a few beauties, like in the picture on the right.

Ernie Krepps awarded medal for volunteerism

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Volunteers play a vitally important role in our communities, but not many receive a medal of recognition. However, Ernie Krepps is an exception, as he was recently awarded a Sovereign Volunteer’s Medal at the Kindersley Legion’s special recognition night on March 26.

The Sovereign medal for volunteers is awarded, on behalf of the federal government, in recognition of the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country, in a wide range of fields. It pays tribute to the dedication and commitment of volunteers, who embody the caring country we aspire to build. Ernie received both a medal and a framed certificate.

“I was quite surprised to get the award, and I was trying to find out who had put all the work in for me. You have to apply to the Governor General’s office,” he explained. Before long, he discovered that his friend, Dave Burke had nominated him for the award.

“Without Ernie, this branch would have never kept going; he has been the backbone,” Dave explained, adding that Ernie had worked tirelessly for that medal.

Ernie has held numerous positions at the Le-

gion during his lifetime membership. “They like me!” Ernie chuckled. His fellow Legion members like and appreciate his willingness to step into whatever role that needs to be filled. He’s been President, secretary-treasurer, service officer, war officer, treasurer, poppy chair, sergeant major, and padre.

When I came to Kindersley in 1996, they were short of a padre, so I filled in for a while,” he explained. Ernie enjoyed a lengthy military career, which extended from 1960 until his retirement in 1992. His last position before retiring was in Manitoba, after which he moved to Kindersley.

“In the military you don’t have much time to volunteer,” he said. However, while he was stationed in Alsask, he joined the Legion and began helping with activities. Today, Ernie still holds the position of treasurer for the Kindersley branch.

The Kindersley Legion Branch 57 has 65 members, but they could always use more. “Our members are from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island, and others have left but still give their monies to our Legion Branch,” Ernie said. Anyone who is a Canadian citizen is welcome to become a member of the Legion.

Ernie Krepps holds the Sovereign Medal

Kindersley RCMP Arrest 2 for Rural Break and Enters

As a result of a theft of gas complaint two residents of Alberta were arrested and charged for multiple offences on March 29th. Kindersley RCMP members were provided details of the vehicle that was involved in the gas theft and spotted it a short time later. Upon approaching the vehicle, and attempting to arrest the driver, a struggle ensued whereby the suspect began driving off creating a dangerous situation for the police and the public at which time police disengaged. The licence plate was obtained prior to attempting to arrest the suspects and the truck was found to be stolen. The truck and its occupants had also been involved in two recent break and enters at two separate rural locations. The two occupants were arrested later that evening after trying again to flee from police and getting stuck in a field. The following charges were laid:

• Carrington Hager and Spencer Black were charged with Break and Enter under section 348(1)(C) of the Criminal Code, Possession of an Instrument Suitable for the Purpose of Breaking into a Place under section 351(1) of the

Criminal Code and Mischief under section 430(3) of the Criminal Code, Possession of Stolen Property over $5000 under section 355(A) of the Criminal Code and Possession of Stolen Property under $5000 under section 355(B) of the Criminal Code

• Spencer Black had additional charges of Resisting Arrest under section 129 (A) of the Criminal Code, Operate a Motor Vehicle while being pursued by a Peace Officer under the Criminal Code, Being an Occupant of a Motor Vehicle in which he knew there was a Firearm under section 94 of the Criminal Code as well as several breaching court imposed conditions charges under the Criminal Code.

Both parties were remanded into custody in Saskatoon to await court.

Want to help your local RCMP investigate crimes and keep your community safe? Voluntarily register your business or home security camera at: saskcapturecw.ca.

*For more information on the calls to service please contact the Kindersley RCMP detachment.

Letters to the Editor are most welcome!

kate@yoursouthwest.com or mail to P.O. Box 727

Kindersley, Sask S0L 1S0

Officers are issuing positive tickets

If you are approached by an RCMP officer or municipal enforcement officer, you may receive a ticket ... a positive ticket. The Town of Kindersley has announced their Positive Ticketing Program 2022, where citizens are ticketed for good behaviour. Not only is the program designed to reinforce good behaviour, but it will promote a positive relationship between authorities and citizens.

Municipal Enforcement Officer, Perry Lewin, said they are looking to interact with citizens of all ages. Consequently, they will have two pools of rewards - one for youth and another for teens or adults.

Citizens need not be intimidated by the professionally printed tickets,

which will be filled out by participating officers. Because the fine print will provide the receiver with directions on how to claim their reward.

“We are looking to have several major sponsors that will donate a bit larger of an item or service for a final draw awarded during Goose Festival,” Lewin said. Businesses can participate by donating items, goodie bags, gift cards or ShopKindersley gift cards.

As well as providing instructions regarding where donated items can be picked up, tickets will also include advertising for participating businesses. Positive ticketing is sure to be a win-win program, reinforcing good behaviour and positive relationships, while promoting local businesses.

Often, private security cameras capture images that can help police solve crime.

When police officers have access to these images quickly, they have a better chance of solving crime, finding missing persons and locating stolen property.

With the CAPTURE registry, officers can quickly consult a map of registered security cameras to see if there is one in the area where a crime took place. If there is a registered camera in that area, the RCMP investigator will contact the owner of that camera and ask them if they are interested in sharing their footage of a specific date and time.

protect your property, your family and your community:

REGISTER YOUR CAMERAS

Share with Kindersley RCMP the location of your cameras and your contact information at: www.saskcapturecw.ca 306-463-4642 Registering your cameras with CAPTURE is free.

All cameras in the urban and rural areas served by Kindersley RCMP, Kerrobert RCMP and Eston RCMP can be registered.

The CAPTURE registry takes steps to protect your privacy. It is: • voluntary,

confidential,

for outdoor images only,

easy to cancel at any time,

does not give police access to your camera,

does not oblige you to provide images when asked.

The question asked was, “How do we know China has free speech?” The answer: “No one says otherwise.”

Throughout history, leaders acknowledged the value and benefits of free speech. John G. Diefenbaker once said, “Freedom includes the right to say what others may object to and resent ... The essence of citizenship is to be tolerant of strong and provocative words.” He was the

OPINION

CHECK IT OUT with Joan Janzen

Freedom is our heritage

Prime Minister of Canada from 1957-1963.

MP Pierre Poilievre said, “Time and time again I have new immigrants come up to me, and say this is not the country I wanted to come to. One of them even told me that he fled from the kinds of control that he now sees imposed here in this country.”

Former Premier Brad Wall said, “Giving a voice to provinces and First Nations that have

historically felt alienated within the federation, will provide lasting benefits for our country.”

We now live in an era where everybody (not just politicians and the elite) has the opportunity to have their voice heard via social media. So it’s not surprising that Bill C-11, an Internet Censorship Bill is being pushed forward. Viva Frei, a Canadian lawyer and popular YouTuber, said “It clearly intends

to suppress and govern the alternatives to state funded media.”

While Bill C-11 is being reviewed, Canadians are being punished for speaking freely. A 29-year-old teacher in Ontario, who made comments in a private teacher’s group, is experiencing the limits to allowed speech.

investigation, with her teaching licence at stake, all because she voiced one well-meaning comment.

When asked how she felt about the investigation, she said, “It’s disappointing that this is being investigated. To me it doesn’t have any merit; we just have a difference of opinion. Living in a free society means the right to speak openly and freely; regardless if we agree or disagree, we should be allowed to speak.”

Rex Murphy said in an article in the National Post, “As an ideal, free expression has been ever present as a guiding star to the proper operation of any democracy.” In 2022 that guiding star is hidden behind a cloud of censorship.

She simply said, “Kids aren’t in school to be indoctrinated with critical race theory (CRT). Schools should be non partisan. They should focus on modelling kindness to everyone, and speak out against any form of discrimination you see. This includes the discrimination brought on by anti racist movements. In some places, it is now illegal to teach CRT without offering a balanced, opposing view.” She provided a link to a video clip from parliament in Britain, which gave evidence to her claim.

by a Liberal-NDP coalition; it was imposed upon them.

Sixty years ago a Canadian Prime Minister said, “I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”

A few teachers submitted a complaint about her comments, which resulted in a month long investigation. She was also suspended for a week without pay. A full year later, the complaint has escalated. She is currently under further

Meanwhile, in 2022, Canadians did not choose to be governed

Diefenbaker also said, “We must vigilantly stand on guard within our borders for human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are our proud heritage ... we cannot take for granted the continuance and maintenance of those rights and freedoms.” Six decades later we are seeing what happens when people take those freedoms for granted.

As we near this Easter holiday, many will choose to celebrate by gathering with a family of believers. I pray we don’t take this freedom for granted, and more importantly we don’t take our Saviour and advocate for freedom, for granted. Have an awesome Easter, everyone!

Pop89

TIt’s easy to be well-behaved when things are going smoothly. When people and events behave according to my hopes and schemes, I tend to treat everyone with equanimity. But when plans fall through and the promise of reward after a full day’s work vanishes into thin air, I find it’s handy to have a code of conduct to coerce, if not force me into a relative state of clarity and calmness, to settle into acceptance and adapt to things not going my way. But it better be handy. And it better be easy to use. And well-tested. Because I can’t make up a code on the spot. Not one that will sail me through my tantrums and resentments with style and humour.

Thankfully, most cultures have codes of conduct handed down from the ancients and followed by thousands of others who came before us. Christianity, for all its bad press and superficial handlers, comes with a code of commandments that basically asks us to keep our hands to ourselves. If you prefer Buddha’s approach and vocabulary, there’s The Precepts to guide you. If you want to clean yourself of the fog of addiction there’s the twelve steps with its reminder to place Principles above Personalities and practice Love and Tolerance toward all.

he word refugee first appears in 1680 and is defined as “one who flees to a refuge or shelter or place of safety; one who in times of persecution or political disorder flees to another country for safety,” It comes from the Old French refuge “hiding place.” In English, the word was first applied to French Huguenots, also known as Protestants, who fled persecution in their home country. The word meant “one seeking asylum” until 1914 when it evolved to mean “one fleeing home.” It was first applied in this sense to civilians in Flanders heading west to escape fighting in World War I. I am sitting here reading about natives of Ukraine running away from home. I think about how I have always known, my entire life, that my parents and my siblings would be happy to see me if I ran back home to nurse my wounds. My sisters would have a clean towel, laying nicely folded on the end of a warm bed with clean sheets. My brother would set me up in his library to sleep among his books. Maybe even a mason jar full of lilacs, if it were Spring, on a shelf next to my cot. I can still feel the ache of my shoulders from an allnight drive, my jaw clenched, or my eyes burning from tears. I remember lamps by the bed

There are also codes of civility and etiquette that do not

T

withstand the tests of time and soul evolution. As my invented character Maude Wilde says: “If I accepted the code as outlined by my mother and the rules of polite society, I’d still be in England. Going to tea parties in prickly clothing and forced to listen to gossip all afternoon. If I stuck to the code as outlined by my father’s congregation, I’d be less concerned with wonder and kindness and more concerned with towing the line to secure my place in heaven.”

and extra blankets on the chair. “Would you like the window left open,” they would say to me, tucking me in, as I’d be drifting off safe in the arms of home. I’d wake to the scent of coffee in the morning.

In his touching narrative poem “Death of a Hired Man,” Robert Frost writes about a hired farm worker who appears for a while to help with the haying, makes just enough money for pocket money, and tobacco then disappears. The situation is a familiar one around here. Although the hired men here are not the aged fellow in Frost’s poem, but hale and hearty young fellows, often from Europe, who are saving to bring wives and children to Canada.

In my story, Maude lives in the late 1800s, a recent arrival to The Territories on the edge of the prairie, “where the heavens take up nine-tenths of the view.” She uses the word “heavens” because her religious upbringing gave her that word to describe the sky. Soon she will hear the term Father Sky and will take the time to learn the language of the people who named it so and inhabited The Territories long, long, long before her arrival.

In the poem the wife of the farmer informs her husband, just returned from town, that Silas, last year’s hired man, has returned, looking for help. And we are not turning him away, she warns her husband. Yes, I know, he says: “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, /They have to take you in.” To which the wife replies: “I should have called it/Something you somehow haven’t to deserve.”

tions for being a member of the Imperialist Conquerors. As a Canadian living in the American South, I was accused of being a Yankee. As an artist, I’ve been dismissed as a drag on the economy.

Safely at home

The Code

By Madonna Hamel • madonnahamel@hotmail.com

By Madonna Hamel • madonnahamel@hotmail.com

“I suppose a code is the same as an oath,” a doctor friend once said. “As in, the Hippocratic oath. While not all doctors who take the Hippocratic oath are hypocrites, all hypocrites are poseurs, pretenders playing virtuous. But who regulates the hypocrite? I am expected to catch myself breaking my own oaths and vows.”

farmer’s wife says: home is not something you “deserve” or “earn”; it is our birth right.

For all the vaunting of the benefits of globalism, all the talk about being global citizens sharing the same planet, it’s baffling how, when it comes to giving refuge to our fellow one-world inhabitants, we seem to think we have the right to reject their pleas. And yet, these are not people who wanted to leave their homes; these are people running for their lives, with a few things thrown in a bag and no hope at all except what they’ve placed in the rest of humanity, in us.

dependent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power. Is constructive, tolerant, but never careless. Is self-controlled, patient, always respectful of his readers, yet always unafraid. Is quickly indignant at injustice; is not swayed by the appeal of privilege or the clamour of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance.”

We all do our best, as far as possible, to get along with each other. But we all have our blind spots. Every culture has its snobberies and prejudices. I’ve been sneered at as an intellectual elite as often as I’ve rolled my eyes at nonreaders, and as far as I’m concerned, that makes us both snobs. As an Anglophone in Quebec, I received my share of maledic-

ing freelance, making documentaries for Inside the Music, a music show on Radio2. I would make just enough money then drive down to be with my man. At one point in those crazy days, I toured with him as a backup singer in his blues band. It was life without a net. I had, in effect, been living hand-to-mouth, moment by moment. If it weren’t for my sister opening up her home to me, letting me sleep in her loft, I would not have been able to maintain my lifestyle. She homed me, fed me, took me to concerts and made space for me whenever I landed back in TO.

One year, I left my apartment in Quebec and moved to Toronto to be closer to my beau living in Michigan. I was work-

I too, can always manage to find someone toward whom I can pull rank and behave in a superior manner. Without my code of conduct outlining the manner in which I receive and deliver information, I can create a great deal of tension, even start a few fights, and maybe lose a few friends. And nowadays, with contentious, suspicious, artificial, unintelligent, fearmongering, superfluous, specious, fatuous information flying all around us, I personally need to take the time to pause, count to ten, and recite my code to myself before speaking.

According to Robert Louis Stevenson, even pirates have a code. It’s concerned mostly with keeping clean weapons and divvying up the bootie. And one must never steal from another pirate. Honour among thieves. And a pirate is ‘never to meddle with a prudent woman without her consent. I can hear Maude Wilde saying: “I imagine a pirate’s perception of consent might be a bit cloudy. One can only really yield when one has the power to decline.”

fort of my home, 82.4 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are 26.4 million refugees, around 42 per cent of whom are under the age of 18. There are also millions of stateless people who have been denied a nationality and lack access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement. (UN)

And I had friends too, who cleared spaces for me, welcomed me in on a moment’s notice when they certainly didn’t have to. But, like the

Pogroms - violent mob attacks on Jewish neighbourhoods involving rape, injury, murder, looting and destruction - began in the Russian Empire in 1881. At that time, Jews fled Eastern Europe to many places, including Saskatchewan. The myth of the hardy pioneer forging a new life on the prairie denies the truth about displacement. Many of Canada’s new settlers were running for their lives; they were not striking out for new adventures on farms of their own as much as looking for safety. And in doing so, the refugees were displacing indigenous Canadians who were removed years earlier from their homes.

As I write this in the com-

Miss Wilde makes friends with a journalist on her journey across the ocean. Mr. Russell was one of the first reporters to enter the Age of The Newspaper. The newspaper was a 19th-century invention that expanded human perception of the wide world as irrevocably as did the steam engine. Mr. Russell, on their last night aboard ship, after imbibing much wine, recited his journalist’s creed, which goes like this: “A journalist is stoutly in-

The truth is we are all easily displaced. It’s been suggested to me, more than once, that the building in which I live may be up for sale, which would mean I would not be able to live here any longer. That may be why I had a dream last night I was sleeping on a couch in a hotel lobby. Or perhaps I had looked at another of thousands of photographs of Ukrainian refugees as they stare in shock at their homes in ruins. I look out my window with the late afternoon light streaming in and try to imagine the room suddenly crashing in and the floor sprayed with glass. While we get caught up in political debates, children sit crying on curbs, traumatized for life, incapable of understanding how their world came to an end. We can offer something, anything, to remind them - and ourselves - that they belong. That this world is their home.

Frankly, as a former reporter, I find it hard to believe anybody in the profession lived up to such a code of conduct, as “pride of opinion” and “greed of power” seem to be the driving forces behind most news productions. In fact, it’s hard to find straight-up news anywhere these days. What we get are “news shows,” onehour segments hosted by wellcoiffed and obscenely paid “news” personalities counted upon to stir up trouble and share their opinions. They are in a club of their own, distanced from the travails of the poor upon whom they occasionally report but among whom I highly doubt they would ever live. On my worst fear-driven days when I have to be right, not only are those who do not agree with me, wrong, they are stupid. On my best days, I am fascinated by the myriad ways people navigate their own fears and dreams and lives. Letting curiosity trump contempt becomes my best code of the moment.

NDP haunted by hospital closures

Moe badly off his game in COVID-19 response

Premier Scott Moe appears to believe there’s overwhelming support for how he’s handling the current COVID-19 fight.

he list of all the problems the NDP has in rural Saskatchewan is too long for just one column.

But its biggest problem boils down to one of credibility — specifically, credibility in accounting for its past and providing solutions for the future.

He’s read the situation incorrectly.

While there is an extremely vocal minority protesting vaccines and any return to masking orders and maybe a larger minority that might be slightly sympathetic or fearful of Saskatchewan returning to restrictions, the vast majority of people here are doing whatever we all must do to get through this pandemic as safely as we can.

We were reminded of this again last week when NDP leadership hopeful and Regina Lakeview MLA Carla Beck — one of now two people vying to replace Ryan Meili along with Saskatoon lawyer and community Kaitlyn Harvey — raised the issue of emergency care in rural Saskatchewan closing on weekends because of lack of staffing.

Yes, minority rights have to be respected in a democracy, but those minority’s right end about where the majority’s right begin.

For Moe to cater this group — presumably, because it is vocal and, arguably politically influential — is simply wrong.

“We’re not going back to widespread public health orders and restrictions that we once had in place,” Moe said

(One supposes that on this list of NDP problems would be the reality that the NDP has not had an elected leader representing a seat outside Regina or Saskatoon since Woodrow Lloyd a half-century ago. By contrast, the Saskatchewan Party has never had a leader from Regina or Saskatoon.)

It wasn’t as if Beck’s points in the assembly weren’t good ones.

In fact, they were the very concerns raised to her by rural municipal leaders, which is saying something.

at press conference earlier this month. “That would be grossly unfair to the vast majority of Saskatchewan residents who have made the right decision and have went out and got themselves vaccinated.”

But the vast majority of Saskatchewan residents who made the right decision did so because it was right thing to do personally and the right thing to do for the betterment of all of us. We all just want to get through this pandemic as quickly as possible.

Such is the Sask. Party’s stranglehold in most of Saskatchewan that many people — even elected municipal leaders — are afraid to speak up.

If rural people are complaining about something this Saskatchewan Party government is or isn’t doing, you know it’s got to be a problem.

Why Moe and his Sask. Party haven’t understood this is puzzling.

Moreover, it’s not just rural residents fearing a health care disaster that is frustrated by the lack of emergency services issues.

MURRAY MANDRYK Political Columnist

take so much as a dent.

Beck was also tapped into sentiments of “tired, burned out” health care workers feeling “disrespected.”

A recent internal poll by the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses suggested that three in five have said they have considered quitting the profession.

Moe has remained one of the most popular premiers in Canada since first being chosen for the job in January 2018 by being able to relate to voters’ concerns and by showing remarkable political instincts. It is this skill set that guided him to a massive fourth-term win last October where the Sask. Party massive majority he inherited from Brad Wall didn’t

But both those instincts and that ability to relate have been badly off the mark of late.

But the first problem for Beck and the NDP is what they would actually do that is different to address these issues.

They surely weren’t evident as Moe has sat mum during this provincial election campaign when a Saskatchewan Premier wouldn’t respond to shots from Justin Trudeau at Saskatchewan’s recent handling of COVID-19.

They surely weren’t present this summer when Moe was

Asked about this after question period, Beck called for more intensive recruitment of doctors and nurses — pretty much the same approach Health Minister Paul Merriman had cited moments earlier and the certainly what Harpauer talked about in the March

ignoring the rising case counts and choose to seen at golfing event.

presentation of the 2022-23 budget.

Doctor and nursing shortages have been a problem for years — and have worsened in the past five years.

It sure isn’t evident when he seemed to be under the impression that Saskatchewan people sick of COVID-19 wouldn’t accept some reinstated of restrictions like indoor masking.

But the Sask. Party government is not wrong in saying that there is still far more of both since it came to power in 2007.

Moreover, the Sask. Party eagerly cites the 36-per-cent raise it gave the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses in 2008 and the creation of STARZ ambulances in response to rural emergency situations.

And, most crucially, any political instinct or basic common sense that has been Moe’s brand has been loss in his refusal to responde to those record COVID-19 case counts — more than 500 cases in one single day including more than 100 little kids under 12 years not eligible for vaccines.

As Beck suggested, it’s still not enough to address the rural health care problems.

But she and the NDP should surely have to come to the legislature with solutions to problems like this.

To this Moe has responded the problem is those not willing to get vaccinated? Yes, they are a problem, but what about little kids getting sick as they go back to school? What about the reality that the Sask. Party government message has been that adults who are refusing to get vaccinated are simply exercising their freedom of choice?

How is the current situa-

In fact, it’s critical for the NDP to do this, given that a big contributing factor to all this was the decision of the last NDP government’s momentous decision 29 years ago

tion in which the unvaccinated taking up ICU beds otherwise needed for those having heart attacks or accidents fair to the vaccinated?

to close 52 rural hospitals and the Plains Health Centre on the outskirts of Regina.

Why aren’t we pushing vaccine passports to make life difficult for those choosing not to get vaccinated?

How bad does the Saskatchewan government look when it appears to be waiting until Alberta — reputed to have the worst COVID-19 strategy in the country — takes the lead?

“I expected when I asked the question today that would be the retort from the minister,” Beck later told reporters. “I understand that plays in the legislature, but it doesn’t play (for those) who drive up to their local emergency room experiencing symptoms of a heart attack and find out they have to reverse course and go down the road to another emergency care room that is open.”

No, it is not just an issue in the legislature. But rural people know the reason they must drive further for emergency or any other care because there are less rural hospitals.

Perhaps it’s simply because Moe got caught up the notion of being the first to re-open — a notion that was initially popular. Maybe he read the political winds wrong or just didn’t want to make a move until after the federal election for fear of ramifications on federal Conservatives.

Whatever the reason, Moe has badly read the situation we are now in.

New Democrats can argue closing costly hospitals was a needed financial choice at the time, but they can’t just argue that problem is the rural hospitals are gone.

The NDP’s problem? They need to propose better alternatives.

Political Columnist

Look closely for verticillium stripe in 2022

By Clint Jurke

Verticillium stripe caused yield loss in some canola fields in 2020 and 2021, and probably will again in 2022. The disease can be confused with blackleg, sclerotinia stem rot and lodging, and – unlike these other common problems – verticillium stripe tends to be worse in dry conditions.

Verticillium stripe, caused by the pathogen Verticillium longisporum, was first detected in canola Manitoba in 2014, and surveys in 2015 found the pathogen’s DNA all across the Prairies. It seems to be getting worse – likely because it is still establishing itself. The bottom line: It’s here and we want people to know about it. That is why SaskCanola held a verticillium workshop in February. A video record-

ing of the workshop is posted at www.youtube. com/canolacouncil.

Identification Symptoms are easiest to see at harvest. Look for brittle stems with a peeling outer layer. Some stems may be lodged or broken. Tiny specks called microsclerotia form under the peeling skin.

Verticillium stripe, like blackleg, will cause discolouration inside the stem. Blackleg stem infection tends to be darker and moderate levels of infection cause distinct wedge shapes of black. (Severe blackleg will leave the stem completely black and dead.) Verticillium stripe tends to cause grey discolouration throughout the stem cross section, getting continually darker as micro-

sclerotia build up. At the workshop, Yixiao Wang, a University of Alberta PhD student researching verticillium stripe, shared another way to distinguish blackleg from verticillium. Blackleg stem infection is concentrated in the crown – the point at ground level where root and stem meet. Verticillium darkening can extend well up the stem. Using a knife to split stems longitudinally, Wang discovered she could distinguish the two diseases based on how far the darkening extended up the stem.

Management

We don’t have a fungicide option, so management comes down to genetics and rotation. Unfortunately we don’t have confirmed recommendations for either of

Notice of Preparation of Assessment Rol

Village of Dodsland

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Village of Dodsland for the year 2022 has been prepared and is open for inspection in the office of the assessor from 8:30 a.m. t 4:00 p.m. on the following days:

Thursday to Tuesday - April 7 to May 10, 2022

A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

A notice of appeal, accompanied by a $200 appeal fee which will be returned if the appeal is successful, must be filed with the Secretary of the Board of Revision Western Municipal Consulting Ltd. P.O. Box 149, Meota, SK S0M 1X0 by the 10th day of May, 2022.

Any person who wishes to discuss the notice of assessment or potential appeal may contact the assessor at the Village of Dodsland Box 400, Dodsland, SK S0L 0V0

Dated this 7th day of April, 2022

Amy Sittler

Assessor

those options. All four presenters at the workshop are researching genetics, and they have found clear differences. Some canola breeding lines are quite resistant. Some are very susceptible. But we don’t know the level of resistance in commercial cultivars in Canada, and we don’t have an official method to rate this resistance.

For rotation, anecdotal evidence suggests that longer breaks between canola crops may help to reduce disease severity. It certainly works for blackleg and clubroot. We need more research to tell us how long a break will provide an effective reduction in soil inoculum levels of the verticillium pathogen.

The good news is that research continues in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. These studies will help us learn more about the pathogen and the disease. The Canola Research Hub at canolaresearch.ca has updates for ongoing and completed projects. Enter “verticillium” in the keyword search.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for verticillium stripe in your canola in 2022. For more images, identification tips and a lifecycle graphic, please see the verticillium stripe chapter in the Diseases section at canolaencyclopedia.ca.

Clint Jurke is agronomy director for the Canola Council of Canada. Email jurkec@canolacouncil.org.

VILLAGE OF NETHERHILL EQUIPMENT TENDER

1. The Village of Netherhill will be accepting tenders for a 1996 Flaman Ram-Helix Snow Blower with an 8’ cut and 540 pto.

2. Tenders can be submitted in an envelope marked “Snowblower Tender” and mailed to Box 4, Netherhill, SK, S0L 2M0. Tenders may also be sent via email to netherhill@outlook.com

All tenders must be received by April 18th, 2022

All enquiries can be forwarded to Bruce Campbell at 306-463-9753

The municipality reserves the right to refuse to accept any or all tenders.

Verticillium stripe symptoms are easiest to see at harvest. Look for brittle stems with a peeling outer layer. Some stems may be lodged or broken. Tiny dark specks called microsclerotia form under the peeling skin. Credit: CCC

We welcome submissions to the newspaper!

• Sports Score • Photos • Story Idea 306-463-2211 or email: kate@yoursouthwest.com

SEASONAL OPERATOR

R.M. of Deer Forks No. 232

Operator with duties to start immediately.

The R.M. offers a comprehensive benefits package including Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Municipal Employees Pension Plan and Health & Dental. The R.M. offers competitive wages.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operate a grader to complete road maintenance & grading

• Operate a tractor and mower, pick rocks, spraying, general labour

• Ensure roads are maintained and repaired (culverts) on a priority basis and ability to repair machinery and attachments

• Manage all duties given by Foreman & Council, & log work on provided sheets daily

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective working relationships with council, staff, contractors and rate payers

• Other duties as prescribed

The Successful Applicant Should Possess:

• Experience is an asset in maintenance and operation of a tractor, mower and heavy equipment, but training can be provided

• Willingness to be supervised and take direction from Foreman

• Great communication and documentation skills

• Valid driver’s license

Your Resume Should Include:

• Past and present work experience

• Education and skills

• Two references

• Expected salary

Please have resumes submitted by May 2nd, 2022 to:

Rural Municipality of Deer Forks No. 232

P.O. Box 250, Burstall, Saskatchewan S0N 0H0 Email: rm232@sasktel.net

Verticillium stripe, like blackleg, will cause discolouration inside the stem. Blackleg infection (centre) tends to be darker with distinct wedge shapes. Verticillium stripe tends to cause grey discolouration throughout the stem cross section (left). Credit: CCC

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The month of April brings in the start of spring, fitting that Sexual Assault Awareness Month also happens in April. This annual campaign started in 2001 and aims to raise public awareness about sexual assault, educate on prevention in communities, and address the misconceptions behind sexual assault.

While the movement wasn’t recognized until 2001, its roots started in 1976, with the “Take Back the Night” in response to sexual violence women experience while walking alone at night. In 1990 “The Clothesline Project” consisted of t-shirts created by survivors of

sexual assault, serving as a visual reminder of statistics. “Walk a Mile” is an international men’s march designed to raise awareness, and “Denim Day” serves as a symbol of protest around the misconceptions of sexual assault.

It’s important to have conversations and continue to educate our communities, especially in Saskatchewan. A 2020 study with the University of Saskatchewan with Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan found that while the national average of sexual assault cases nationally is 60 per 100,000, the rate nearly doubled in Saskatchewan, to 104 per 100,000.

Ninety percent of those victims were women.

It is also important to note that those numbers increased markedly during the pandemic and has been coined the “Shadow Pandemic.”

Sexual and gender-based violence, according to the Canadian Red Cross, has increased in Canada by 20-30 percent during the pandemic. Crisis and support centres nation-wide are seeing these increases, and the west-central area is no exception.

Sarah Pashovitz from the West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre states, “Statistics show an increase in these events during the pandemic, and we’ve seen that here

as well.” Sexual assault, though statistically more common for women, is not exclusive to the gender, and “we’ve seen an increase in male population reporting sexual violence.”

It highlights the importance of these services in our community. West Central Crisis Centre offers a 24/7 Traumatic Events Response Service that handles a wide variety of traumatic events, including Sexual Assault. Sarah states, “Someone will always answer the emergency line and offers victims of sexual assault access to support services immediately. The response team will help victims make the choice to report or not report and help them through the whole process, offering immediate and continued support.

Reporting and talking about sexual violence is a difficult process for many victims. Victims often feel shame for a situation that is not their fault and is out of their control. This means that many sexual assault cases go unreported. It’s estimated that sexual assault statistics represent only 20 percent of actual cases, a stark reminder of how far we have to go. Organizations across the nation are working hard

to change the narrative, policies, and education behind sexual assault to a victim-centred approach to make the process as minimally traumatic as possible.

It’s an approach the RCMP takes as well. Staff Sergeant Kevin Peterson of the Kindersley RCMP states, “Sexual assault is a very personal, traumatic experience,” which makes it difficult to talk about and can make the process of reporting intimidating. Policies have been put in place to address the challenges, and officers are trained to take a trauma-informed approach to reduce the stress and trauma victims experience in reporting these crimes.

The support offered to victims doesn’t end with the reporting process. The RCMP has a comprehensive Victim Services Program designed to lessen the impact of crime and trauma on victims and their families and to assist in their recovery. It’s highly important these crimes are reported and appropriately investigated. Every report is taken very seriously, and there’s a lot of oversight to ensure these crimes are handled correctly, and victims are supported.

Statistics show only six in 100 cases of sexu-

al assault are reported to police, and only 1-2 percent of date rape cases are reported. It’s also been revealed that 80 percent of sexual assault victims are female, and 1 in 4 will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Sexual assault stats make up approximately 20 percent of actual cases, and 60 percent of sexual assault victims are under the age of 17.

We have made progress in the awareness and education of sexual assault, but as the conversation continues, we can see we still have a long way to go. Staff Sergeant Peterson also notes that there’s always room for improvement in addressing challenges. It’s why conversations like these are so important within the community in raising awareness and implementing a policy that will hopefully reduce the risk of future generations experiencing these traumatic events and improving our approach to dealing with these crimes.

West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at 116 - 1st Ave. W. In Kindersley, or can be contacted by calling 306-463-6655. To access the 24-hour emergency line, call 306-4631860.

How to attract great volunteers

April is National Volunteer Month. This annual campaign celebrates the contributions of millions of Americans who donate their time and energy to making their communities better places to live.

Most non-profit organizations depend on volunteers to survive. However, finding enthusiastic and dependable people who want to contribute can be a struggle. Here are some strategies that can help.

DEFINE ROLES AND SKILLS

Determine what tasks you need your volunteers to perform. You may require help for an upcoming event or need assistance with aspects of your day-to-day tasks.

You should also think about what abilities you want your volunteers to possess. This may include computer, driving or construction skills. Knowing what you’re looking for will make finding the right candidates easier.

DESIGNATE A COORDINATOR

Assign one or two staff members to oversee the recruitment process. You’ll need someone to make decisions and keep things on track.

IDENTIFY POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS

Target your recruitment campaign by determining where your volunteers are most likely to work and go to school. You should also look to your donor list; it consists of people who’ve already shown support.

CHOOSE RECRUITMENT TACTICS

Decide how to get your message to the public. Several online volunteer recruitment platforms connect organizations with volunteers. You can also use social media channels and email campaigns to reach potential candidates. Or send a recruiter to a community event or college campus.

After your volunteer drive is over, review your recruitment strategy to determine what you can do better next time.

Sports with Bruce Penton

Homer-Happy Jays have high hopes

After being pushed around by the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays since last winning the American League pennant in 2015, the homer-happy Toronto Blue Jays plan to be the neighbourhood bullies in 2022.

For Canadian baseball fans, it could be an enjoyable season.

All the tangible assets are in place, such as a lineup featuring young and talented players such as first baseman Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., and shortstop Bo Bichette, and a strong pitching staff bolstered by free agent acquisition Kevin Gausman, who won 12 games for San Francisco Giants in 2021 and finished sixth in Cy Young award voting. Gausman will help to offset the loss of Robbie Ray, who won the A.L. Cy Young last year and then promptly cashed in with a huge free-agent contract with Seattle. Gausman joins Jose Berrios, Alex Manoah and Hyun-Jin Rhu in a Jays’ rotation that’s not spectacular, but certainly solid.

Many intangibles are also lining up in favour of the Jays, particularly the fact that the team will have a post-Covid home base for the full season. Two years ago, the Jays played their home games in Buffalo,

while last year, they started the season in Dunedin, Fla., moved to Buffalo for a good chunk of the spring, and were finally allowed to play at Rogers Centre in Toronto from July 1 on.

Of course, when you’re talking about intangibles, the injury factor is always a concern, but if the Jays can avoid any serious, long-term absences by any of its starters, the 2022 season could be one to remember.

Guerrero, Jr., is coming off a campaign where he slammed 48 home runs, and was runner-up to Shohel Ohtani as most valuable player in the American League. At only 23 years of age, there is no reason to suspect he’ll hit fewer homers.

The Jays could score an astronomical number of runs this year and be one of the most entertaining teams in MLB as a result. With centerfielder George Springer finally healthy and leading off, followed by Bichette, who hits for both power (29 homers last year) and average (.298), it is conceivable that Guerrero, Jr., will often approach the plate with either Springer or Bichette, or both, already on base. With sluggers Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes

Gurriel and newly acquired Matt Chapman (27 homers last year with Oakland) following in the 4-5-6 positions, opposing pitchers are going to have sleepless nights before facing Toronto.

It says here that the Blue Jays will threaten the Major League Baseball record for most homers hit by one team — 307 by the 2019 Minnesota Twins — and round the bases laughing to the A.L. East Division title.

• Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune, on Bucs QB Tom Brady’s unretirement: “Brady obviously loves his kids, but after two months of seeing too much of him, Gisele told Tommy to go spend more time with much larger children.”

• NOTSportsCentre, on Twitter: “BREAKING: After watching Will Smith assault Chris Rock on live TV, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to a 7-year, $400 million deal with Will Smith to be their new hard hitting safety.”

• Speedy receiver Tyreek Hill, on his departure from Kansas City to sign with Miami: “It’s tough. But when someone comes to you with a lot of money, feelings change a bit.”

• Vancouver comedy writer Steve Burgess, on Twitter: “Might be time for the Canucks to replace their postgame song from Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.’”

• Jack Finarelli, at sportscurmudgeon.com, after Tampa Bay Bucs coach Bruce Arians quit: “Memo to TV network execs: Please take pity on your audience and resist any and all temptations to hire Bruce Arians as a colour commentator. He did that for one season, and he was as bad on the microphone as he was good on the sidelines.”

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “Bruce Arians, head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has retired. At least for

the next 40 days.”

• Headline at theonion. com: “NFL Satisfies Outraged Fans With New Overtime Rule That Both Teams Win”

• Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “Let’s hear it for the Seattle Kraken’s DJ, who, upon seeing a first-period fight last week, immediately spooled up the theme song to Will Smith’s ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.’”

• Nick Canepa of The San Diego Union-Tribune, on the Browns giving QB Deshaun Watson the thumbs-up despite 22 sexual-assault charges against him: “Seems Deshaun’s baggage got lost on its way to Cleveland.”

• Tim Hunter of Everett’s KRKO Radio, with a sign you’re a lousy golfer: “The people playing in front of you are wearing helmets.”

• Charle Gay of Seattle: “It’s obvious we need to add one more metric for Oscar nominees: slugging percentage.”

• Comedy writer Paul Lander, via Twitter: “Next year’s Oscars host has to be Michael Buffer!”

Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca

22043PS0

BY BRIAN ZINCHUK

REGINA – Saskatchewan Energy Minister Bronwyn Eyre was sitting front and centre on March 28 at the Hotel Saskatchewan for the announcement that Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta were moving forward on the next step of advancing small modular reactors for electrical power generation. But something else was on the minister’s mind – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent announcement that Canada would add 300,000 barrels of oil per day to our production totals, in response to the war in Ukraine.

For the Saskatchewan minister, it was a lot of talk from a federal government that has done everything it can to stymie oil production in this country. It’s a battle she’s been fighting daily with the feds since 2018, when she was appointed Minister of Energy and Resources. And the frustration was palpable.

Pipeline Online spoke to Eyre after the press conference.

Asked about how we can respond to the federal call for more oil production, Eyre replied, “The reality is that companies can only do so much. We don’t have nationalized oil or a command economy in Canada.”

A command economy is one where the government tells businesses what to do, and they do it. Think the Soviet Union, or Communist China. In Canada, governments regulate, but they don’t dictate.

Eyre said of the end of the oil downturn, “It’s different this rebound round, because of the headwinds we’ve faced since the last one. So, we have many more regulatory constraints on us. We have a looming federal Fuel Standard. We have Bill C-69 in place. And it’s had a real impact – the Saguenay facility, for example. Yes, it was Quebec, but there was also a Bill C-69 factor that killed it. And that would have been one of the great solutions. We could have used Saguenay LNG to send overseas.”

Energie Saguenay was a liquified natural gas project that was killed last summer by the Quebec government, followed up by the federal government doing the same this last Feb. 7, 17 days before the Ukraine War started.

Eyre continued, “And so, we’ve got to turn on a dime. Even taking the Ukraine thing out of it, and the tragedy of all that, and all it represents, even so, it was

difficult coming out of COVID and the perfect storm of 2020, with the OPEC+ price war and everything else. You’ve got companies which are still in quite a lot of debt, they’re paying down debt. They there’s the labour problem. No wonder there’s a skittishness among once-energy workers to come back, on-pause energy workers (thinking), ‘Is this for real this time?’”

She said part of it is a good problem. The Accelerated Site Closure Program was meant to get the service sector back to work, which it did in large part, and that sector is now, with oil rebounding, somewhat overstretched.

Share buybacks instead of drilling

In recent months, nearly every oil company’s earnings calls have stressed their focus on dividends and share buybacks, but that has meant less money for capital development, and thus, less drilling. On that, Eyre said, “You’ve got the dividend and the share buyback issue, which, a few months ago, before all the geopolitical upheaval and the price explosion, was much more of an issue.

“But you also have a lot of capital allocation on hold, because of the perfect storm we’ve seen these last few years. Now, we’re going into this situation, and there’s pressure to increase output. But, whatever’s been proposed by the federal government, kind of eking out 200,000 to 300,000 more barrels per day – it really should be two million, and could have been, but for all we’ve come to be facing over these last years. No egress. Keystone, dead. Energy East, dead. Northern Gateway, dead. TMX, to be determined? All of it.

“And we can’t do it by dictum, certainly provincially. And then you have the interprovincial issue. We can’t just tell companies what to do.”

She continued, “It’s interesting that, when the federal government weighs in, after just a few months ago talking about capping production, now they’re talking about increasing production. And all they can basically come up with is about 200 to 300,000 more, because that’s really all that we can get out, right now.”

And, true to form, the very next day after this interview, Trudeau, Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced massive

OnThe Saskatchewan Traveller

BY TRUDY & DALE BUXTON

Kindersley is a full service community and the largest in the area.

The leases picked up in southwest Saskatchewan are just south of these wells, west of Frontier. Yes, that speck on the horizon is your dog running away for the third day. | PHOTO BY

this new trip we decided to speed a weekend and travel into Alberta with some friends. The end destination is Medicine Hat but to travel there we take and stop at some different points along the way.

BRIAN ZINCHUK

April Oil and Gas Public Offering Raises $19.3 Million

Saskatchewan’s April public offering of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights, held on Tuesday, April 5, has generated $19,307,203.94 in revenue for the province, more than ten times the revenue generated by the April 2021 offering.

The April sale is the first of six oil and gas public offerings scheduled for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The previous five sales raised $6.1 million in February 2022, $1.4 million in December, $1.9 million in October, $3.1 million in August, and $0.5 million in June 2021. With this result, public offerings for the 2022-23 fiscal year have already exceeded 202122’s total of $14,988,127.34.

Of the 208 parcels offered, 169 parcels received acceptable bids, representing over 23,000 total hectares. Four parcels received bids that were rejected as unacceptable after a technical review, and no bids were submitted for the remaining 35 parcels. The average bonus bid was $816.80 per hectare with the

highest acceptable bid at $24,318.44 per hectare.

The Estevan area produced the highest interest, bringing in $17,111,929.83 for 142 parcels totalling 11,890.306 hectares. Seventeen of those parcels alone received total bonus bids of $12,193,442.53.

Kindersley-Kerrobert

Only two leases were posted in west central Saskatchewan, and both sold. Those leases totaled 487 hectares, and sold for $171,955, or $353 per hectare.

The highest bonus bid and dollars per hectare received on a lease in this area was $115,471 or $509 per hectare. This 227 hectare lease was awarded to Teine Energy Ltd. and is located 15 kilometres southeast of Plenty, adjacent to the Dodsland Viking Oil Pool.

The next sale of the current 2022-23 fiscal year is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

Energy Minister continued

greenhouse gas emissions cuts for the oil and gas sector, and dramatic increases in the requirement for zero-emissions vehicles sales in the next four and eight years. The announcement came just days after a call to increase oil production by 300,000 barrels per day.

Eyre noted the threat to democracy caused by the Ukraine War, as well as “the issue of supply, the issue of demand, the issue of energy independence decisions that European countries have made.”

She said she feels companies are feeling the pressure and are aware of the issue, and that they’ve been approached to work with such requests.

“(For) companies, it is finally an issue of capital decisions and their shareholders. They have to deal with this emerging reality as private companies and, you know, TC energy does not want to restart Energy East. Kinder Morgan walked away from TMX. Why? We know why, because finally, you can only go so many rounds, it becomes incredibly expensive to their bottom lines.”

Eyre said if peace talks are not successful and the war escalates, “It seems to me the federal government could only directly intervene in our economy under some form of emergency measures, under peace, order and good government. Saskatchewan can’t act alone in this. We can have conversations, and we do, with companies about how this could look. Some companies have been approached, which led to the announcement last week by Wilkinson. But otherwise, we don’t really have a lot more egress possibilities. We’re already going at full throttle, here.”

By 2014, Saskatchewan had enough crude-by-rail facilities built to theoretically ship nearly every barrel we produce by rail, which would give use some capacity to send oil to the east. Most of those facilities have gone stagnant over the last seven years. But they do exist. To that end, Eyre said “It would have to be federally mandated through some emergency measures structure. We can’t command CN or CP to do anything right now.”

And this is where Eyre’s frustration was apparent, noting that the province has been at odds with the federal government on many of these policies long before the Ukraine War started. “We have been so, so hampered by these policies.

“Imagine we’re talking about an increase in the carbon tax and the impact on real people and businesses carbon tax, increasing April 1. Do you see the Feds saying they’re going to pause the federal Fuel Standard? I don’t. And on and on and on it goes. Bill C-69. Pipelines. So, it’s easy to say as the federal government, let’s get things rolling. But there’s only so much we can do at this point, especially when you go ahead and kill LNG at Saguenay. I mean, they should start right there, get that thing going again.”

Eyre noted some of the ironies of the situation. She noted that Germany, for example, had a “uniquely windless year last year. Now, Germany is ramping up coal, Canada is exporting coal, China’s funding coal, and we’re mandated to transition away from coal.

“Also, this dependency now that they have on Russia, in some of these European countries, it’s a dire situation. Everything’s got to change.”

It’s a beautiful morning when we leave Biggar as we head west on highway 51 towards Kerrobert.

Did you know that there was a train station in Ruthilda? Yup in 1912 the rails were laid and the station was built, at the same time the post office was officially established.

Ruthilda is named after the 2 daughters of Alex Goodwin, who was an early pioneer, the daughters names were Ruth and Hilda.

Did you know that in Ruthilda, the community had 3 grain elevators and was a thriving community; there were as many as 114 residents, in 1931, that called Ruthilda home.

Also in 1925, despite the community being small, Ruthilda fielded one of the provinces most formidable baseball teams and were crowned Saskatchewan Champions.

Like most small communities in Saskatchewan the rail line was shut down and the school was closed. Today there only lives a handful of people in the community.

Did you know that there was 2 sawmills in Kelfield, as well as a hotel, butcher shop and other business within the small hamlet?

Continuing on through Kerrobert we head south on highway 21 towards Kindersley.

Kindersley has a population of around 4500 people and is rich in natural resources of oil and gas as well as the large farming economy that surrounds this community.

Kindersley once hosted the world junior baseball championship in 1984. It was the first championship hosted outside the USA. The team from Cuba won the gold medal, while the USA took silver and Taiwan took bronze.

Kindersley is a large sporting community with hockey as one of the premier sports and baseball in the summer.

Kindersley got its name from Sir Robert Kindersley who was a large stockholder with the Canadian National Railway and later the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Kindersley was once inhabited by the Blackfoot as they followed the large bison herds but as settlers began migrated to the area the Blackfoot moved out. Many early settlers mention of the bison bones found on the land when they had arrived.

Near Kindersley you will find the Addison Sod House Historic Site, which lays memory to most settlers who lived in sod houses on the prairie. Sod houses were well suited to the climate of the area.

If you have the time the museum in Kindersley offers a good insight to the large bison herds and the native peoples that roamed the area.

A couple of well know people to come out of Kindersley was Bill Baker who played 11 seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and inducted into the hall of fame and Bob Bourne who had excelled in both hockey and baseball. Bob was a part of the New York Islanders team that would win 4 Stanley Cups in a row, leading the team in playoff scoring in 1983.

Stay tuned for more adventures!

Ruthilda Ball Team 1925

Addison Sod House

Smoked salmon eggs Benedict

Start to finish: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

• 3 tablespoons warm water

• 3 egg yolks

• 3/4 cup melted butter

• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

• 8 eggs

• 4 bagels, sliced in half

• 2 cups fresh baby spinach

• 200 grams smoked salmon, cut into slices

• 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped

• Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a double boiler combine the white wine vinegar, water and egg yolks to make the hollandaise sauce. Whisk constantly for about 10 minutes or until the mixture is thick and frothy.

2. Remove the inner bowl from the pot of boiling water and slowly drizzle in the melted butter, whisking constantly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place plastic wrap directly on top of the hollandaise sauce and set aside.

3. Fill a large pot with water and add the white vinegar. Bring to a boil. Break each egg into a small ramekin. Reduce heat and carefully pour eggs from the 4 ramekins into the boiling water one at a time. Let the eggs cook for about 3 minutes, and then carefully place them on a paper towel using a skimmer. Repeat for the remaining 4 eggs.

4. Toast the bagels. Layer each bagel slice with a small spoonful of sauce, a few leaves of baby spinach, 25 grams of smoked salmon and a poached egg. Spoon a dollop of sauce over each egg, garnish with parsley and season with salt and pepper. Serve 2 prepared bagel slices on each plate over a bed of baby spinach.

How to decorate your table for Easter

If you’re bringing family and friends together for an Easter meal, here are a few tips to help you decorate your table for the occasion.

TABLE LINENS

Find a pastel tablecloth or one with a chick, rabbit, egg or floral pattern. If you opt for a busy pattern, decorate minimally to prevent the table from looking overcrowded. If you choose a plain tablecloth, experiment with a colourful table runner or napkins. If you’re good with your hands, try folding the napkins to look like rabbit ears.

CENTREPIECE

Spring flowers like tulips and daffodils make great centrepieces. You could also place a few coloured eggs around the table or in small baskets. Don’t forget to put a chocolate at each place setting and decorate the table with candles and greenery.

DISHWARE

Easter is the perfect time to dust off your festive glasses and plates. Dishware with polka dots

and flowers or glasses with hand-painted landscapes and animals are ideal. If you have plates and bowls in a variety of bright colours, feel free to mix and match.

To find the perfect Easter decor, visit your local shops.

5 Easter gifts that aren’t chocolate

Do you want to spoil your loved ones for Easter? If chocolate isn’t the ideal option, here are five gift ideas to consider.

1. A BOOK

Give your little one a collection of Easter stories or a book starring a bunny. If you want to buy a gift for someone who loves baking, a cookbook is a great option.

2. A BOARD GAME

Pick out a board game that features rabbits, chickens or eggs. A game with an egg-hunting or seek-and-find concept is also suitable.

3. TABLEWARE

Easter-themed tableware is sure to please. For example, you could give your loved one a cute rabbit mug or a set of pastel egg cups.

4. A DECORATIVE OBJECT

Hen, chick and rabbit figurines and stuffed animals are great gifts for little ones. Additionally, these trinkets can be incorporated into your Easter decor.

5. FLOWERS

Bouquets of flowers and potted plants are simple gifts that show you care. Tulips, lilies, daffodils and hyacinth flowers are classic Easter blooms.

Find these and other great gifts by visiting your local stores.

Fashion tips for Easter

Traditionally, wearing new clothes on Easter is believed to bring good luck. Here are some tips to help you pick out an outfit for the occasion.

WHAT TO AVOID

Easter is the perfect time to dress up and wear fun clothing and accessories. Consequently, you should avoid putting on basic jeans, joggers and leggings or wearing dark and drab colours like black, grey and brown. Moreover, avoid layers of heavy clothing and bulky jewelry. After all, Easter and spring are all about lightness.

WHAT TO WEAR

Wear cheerful colours like blue, pink, purple and yellow. Pick out something playful yet stylish. For example, a dress, pleated trousers or a fitted suit are all great options. You may also want to consider wearing a floral-print shirt, tunic, skirt or silk scarf. If you decide to wear casual attire, make sure you look well put together.

Whether you’re having dinner at a restaurant, brunch at home or participating in an egg hunt outdoors, choose an outfit that’s suitable for the celebration planned.

To find the perfect outfit for Easter, visit your local boutiques.

Are you looking for a unique beverage to serve on Easter? This decadent hot cocoa with a subtle hint of rose is sure to wow your guests.

Start to finish: 10 minutes

Servings: 1

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 cups very hot whole milk, divided 1 tablespoon dried rose petals, divided

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

3 tablespoons white sugar

1 pinch of salt

1 tablespoon hot water

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon hot whipping cream

12 small pink marshmallows

DIRECTIONS

1. Pour 1/2 cup of hot milk and 1/2 tablespoon of rose petals into a small bowl. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, salt and hot water. Mix well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 2 minutes.

3. Add the remaining cup of hot milk, stir and remove from heat. Add the vanilla and hot cream. Set aside.

4. Strain the bowl of hot milk to remove the rose petals. Using a milk frother, create a light foam.

5. In a cup, pour the hot chocolate and top with the foam, remaining rose petals and marshmallows.

Ruby chocolate puffed rice squares

These crispy, chocolatey treats are sure to delight your Easter guests.

Start to finish: 30 minutes

Servings: 12

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup salted butter

2 cups marshmallows

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

7 cups puffed rice cereal

1 cup ruby chocolate chips

2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

1/2 cup decorative candy

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter, marshmallows and vanilla extract over low heat until smooth.

2. Remove from heat and using a spatula, gently fold in the puffed rice cereal.

3. In a large greased rectangular pan, spoon in the mixture. Let cool to room temperature.

4. In a double boiler, melt the ruby chocolate chips and vegetable shortening. Allow the chocolate to temper.

5. Cut the puffed rice mixture into squares and remove them from the pan.

6. Carefully dip the top of each square in the ruby chocolate mixture or drizzle it on with a spoon. Garnish with decorative candies.

Easter brunch and eggs Benedict go hand in hand. This version with smoked salmon is a real treat.

Rose hot cocoa

2022 Sand Hills Music Festival

The 2022 Sand Hills Music Festival will take place on Monday, April 11th, at the Leader Community Centre: spectators are welcome! This one-day live District Music Festival will include morning and afternoon sessions, with Speech Arts (Poetry, Public Speaking, Prose, Choral) starting at 9:00 a.m., and Music (Percussion, Piano) starting at 1:00 p.m.; The festival showcases performances by soloists, duets, trios and ensembles aged 18 and under in various classes. Additionally, there will be a silver collection at the door.

The provincial Syllabus (which provides information on the types of classes) for the festival is provided by The Saskatchewan Music Festival Association (SMFA, established in 1908); the festival also provides the opportunity for competitors to receive scholarships and awards. Carol Donhauser, SMFA’s Executive Director, said that, “Music festivals promote excellence, provide important goals, and offer students feedback from first-rate adjudicators.”

To elaborate further, the Sand Hills Music Festival provides youth with the opportunity to demonstrate their musical abilities and to practice their public speaking skills. A guest adjudicator (a qualified, professional musician) will provide feedback and marks to the competitors based on their execution. Afterwards, the adjudicator will meet and discuss with impartial volunteers to decide who will receive the scholarships and awards. The District Festival competitions are held annually in 47 locations throughout Saskatchewan, with over 17,000 musicians taking part. The Sand Hills Music Festival would not be a success without the help of volunteers and sponsors of the scholarships and awards, in addition to support provided by the Leader Youth Committee and the Sand Hills Music Festival Association.

The SMFA’s website explains that in order to qualify for scholarships and awards, the competitors must perform in two classes of the same discipline. There is an “annual Open Centenni-

al Legacy Award open to those performing works by Saskatchewan authors and/or composers. This award is made possible through funding from the 2009 Building Pride Grant.” This grant program is provided through the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, and is designed to help support creative and innovative initiatives that leave a legacy for future generations.

The Grand Concert will be held at the Leader Community Centre on the evening of Wednesday, April 13th at 7:00 p.m., whereby a number of performers are invited to perform their pieces once-again in front of teachers, parents, family, friends and spectators. Scholarships and awards will be announced and presented on this evening as well.

The 2022 Provincial Finals Competition will be held the week of June 2nd to 5th at the University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon. At this competition, the various district winners compete provincially for scholarships and awards.

Sale of former Leader hospital to be finalized

JOAN JANZEN

Your Southwest Media Group

The old Leader Union Hospital building has been vacant since the opening of the Leader and District Integrated Healthcare facility in 2018. However, the Town of Leader is anticipating the sale of the building will be finalized in a couple of weeks.

Erin Romanuik, Administrator for the Town of Leader, said, “We are negotiating the sale to a business from Surrey, B.C. The company name is Hyde Investments. They plan on renovating the interior of the building and using it to grow medical marijuana.”

Erin noted the facility would accommodate the entire growing cycle, but once harvested, the plants would be transported to a different facility for processing.

“In addition to the purchase of the hospital, they will be purchasing the former medical clinic, which will serve as a head office for the facilities operating in our corner of the province,” she

stated

Before the sale could be finalized, the property needed to be re-zoned. Two public meetings were held where residents voiced their concerns and had their questions answered. Re-zoning of the property was completed in 2021, when it was zoned as Neighbourhood Commercial District (NC).

“If all goes according to plan, we can expect to see work being done to the buildings this fall,” Erin said. Hyde Industries intends to start their operations by the end of 2022. “We are still working on the sale of the former hospital, but are hopeful that within the next few weeks, the subdivision will be complete and the sale papers can be signed.”

In addition to the sale of the hospital building, the Town is in the process of selling the former ambulance buildings on the east side of the property. This property will be the future home of a current business serving Leader and area, and the new owner will be taking possession in the next couple of weeks.

New Marketplace coming to Leader

JOAN JANZEN

A new marketplace venture is taking shape in Leader on 1st Avenue, across from the post office. Sandhills Credit Union has purchased the naming rights for the Marketplace for a 10year contract for $10,000.

Becky Ellis, Chief Executive Officer at Sandhills Credit Union, explained that the funds will be

used for the cost of building and operating the Marketplace.

“This is new,” Becky said. “An outdoor farmer’s market with six booths, a seating area and gazebo, which could eventually run from Thursday to Sunday during spring, summer and fall. It sounds like it will really come alive, to be something great for the community.”

Lee Elsasser, from the Leader Chamber of Commerce is leading the way in making this venture come alive in the community. She said the supplies needed to construct the booths have arrived. “The booths will be made out of galvanized steel, almost like a dugout appearance,” Lee explained. There will be six selfserve, covered booths, which will be equipped with electrical, as well as a picnic area where customers can sit and enjoy coffee and snacks.

“My vision is we do an evening ribbon-cutting,” she said, although the date of opening has not yet been determined. The Marketplace will start off by opening every Thursday. Lee already has some great vendors lined up and has some exciting ideas for the near future.

Those ideas include musical performances, pop-up shops for teens and kids who want to try out their entrepreneur skills, the sale of homemade delicacies, and providing a venue for homebased businesses and food trailers. She also envisions the Marketplace providing a place where people can sit and enjoy coffee, snacks and food provided by local businesses.

“I’m excited about it!” Lee concluded. She looks forward to the community joining her in the excitement.

A group of 27 children had fun at Bouncy Castle Night at iKids in Kindersley on Thursday, April 7.

|

PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

Your Southwest Media Group

Proposed design of a Marketplace Booth in Leader.

tianity, for all its bad press and superficial handlers, comes with a code of commandments that basically asks us to keep our hands to ourselves. If you prefer Buddha’s approach and vocabulary, there’s The Precepts to guide you. If you want to clean yourself of the fog of addiction there’s the twelve steps with its reminder to place Principles above Personalities and practice Love and Tolerance toward all.

There are also codes of civility and etiquette that do not Sky

learn the language of the people who named it so and inhabited The Territories long, long, long before her arrival. We all do our best, as far as possible, to get along with each other. But we all have our blind spots. Every culture has its snobberies and prejudices.

I’ve been sneered at as an intellectual elite as often as I’ve rolled my eyes at nonreaders, and as far as I’m concerned, that makes us both snobs. As an Anglophone in Quebec, I received my share of maledic-

What you should know about hematomas in the elderly

my code of conduct outlining the manner in which I receive and deliver information, I can create a great deal of tension, even start a few fights, and maybe lose a few friends. And nowadays, with contentious, suspicious, artificial, unintelligent, fearmongering, superfluous, specious, fatuous information flying all around us, I personally need to take the time to pause, count to ten, and recite my code to myself before speaking.

to decline.”

3 tips for finding love after you retire

Have you recently retired? Are you looking for someone to share your life with? Fortunately, falling in love has no age limit. Here are three tips to help you find that special someone.

1. ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS

As you get older, love can manifest in unanticipated ways. Indeed, what you want and value in a relationship is likely to change. Therefore, make sure you adjust your expectations. Your new relationship is likely to be different from prior ones.

2. KEEP AN OPEN MIND

Miss Wilde makes friends with a journalist on her journey across the ocean. Mr. Russell was one of the first reporters to enter the Age of The Newspaper. The newspaper was a 19th-century invention that expanded human perception of the wide world as irrevocably as did the steam engine. Mr. Russell, on their last night aboard ship, after imbibing much wine, recited his journalist’s creed, which goes like this: “A journalist is stoutly in-

Whether you live alone or in a retirement home, the key to finding a romantic partner is to stay open to meeting new people. For instance, when running errands, be willing to strike up a conversation with a stranger.

in a club of their own, distanced from the travails of the poor upon whom they occasionally report but among whom I highly doubt they would ever live. On my worst fear-driven days when I have to be right, not only are those who do not agree with me, wrong, they are stupid. On my best days, I am fascinated by the myriad ways people navigate their own fears and dreams and lives. Letting curiosity trump contempt becomes my best code of the moment.

Moe badly off his game in COVID-19 response

Premier Scott Moe appears to believe there’s overwhelming support for how he’s handling the current COVID-19 fight.

3. STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Hematomas, more commonly referred to as bruises, are skin lesions that are often accompanied by a purplish mark. They mainly occur on the arms and legs and are common in older people. This is because as you age, your skin thins and the blood vessels become more fragile. Here’s what you need to know.

CAUSES

He’s read the situation incorrectly.

Hematomas are mainly caused by physical shocks like falling or banging into an object. Other factors that can contribute to bruising include da maged blood vessels, blood-thinning medications, excessive sun exposure, certain diseases and vitamin deficiencies.

TREATMENT

While there is an extremely vocal minority protesting vaccines and any return to masking orders and maybe a larger minority that might be slightly sympathetic or fearful of Saskatchewan returning to restrictions, the vast majority of people here are doing whatever we all must do to get through this pandemic as safely as we can.

at press conference earlier this month. “That would be grossly unfair to the vast majority of Saskatchewan residents who have made the right decision and have went out and got themselves vaccinated.”

Immediately after a shock, apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the af fected area to reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor or pharmacist may also recommend medication to relieve your discomfort.

PREVENTION

There are several changes you can make to your home to reduce the risk of falling. For example, remove clutter to make it easier to move around, improve the lighting and install grab bars in places like the bathroom.

Do you often get bruises for no obvious reason? Are your bruises painful and won’t go away, even after several weeks? If so, consult your doctor immediately.

Yes, minority rights have to be respected in a democracy, but those minority’s right end about where the majority’s right begin.

For Moe to cater this group — presumably, because it is vocal and, arguably politically influential — is simply wrong.

But the vast majority of Saskatchewan residents who made the right decision did so because it was right thing to do personally and the right thing to do for the betterment of all of us. We all just want to get through this pandemic as quickly as possible.

Why Moe and his Sask. Party haven’t understood this is puzzling.

“We’re not going back to widespread public health orders and restrictions that we once had in place,” Moe said

Moe has remained one of the most popular premiers in Canada since first being chosen for the job in January 2018 by being able to relate to voters’ concerns and by showing remarkable political instincts. It is this skill set that guided him to a massive fourth-term win last October where the Sask. Party massive majority he inherited from Brad Wall didn’t

Don’t be afraid to use a dating site, consult a marriage agency or attend organized activities and outings for people in your age group. This will make it easier to find a potential partner who shares the same passions and interests as you.

ignoring the rising case counts and choose to seen at golfing event.

To take the first steps toward finding love, look for seniors’ events in your area.

It sure isn’t evident when he seemed to be under the impression that Saskatchewan people sick of COVID-19 wouldn’t accept some reinstated of restrictions like indoor masking.

Bridge:

tion in which the unvaccinated taking up ICU beds otherwise needed for those having heart attacks or accidents fair to the vaccinated?

a great pastime

Bridge is a card game that’s played with four players divided into two teams. Each team must try to find a contract that allows them to score the most points. This is determined by bidding, which consists of establishing the denomination, with or without a trump suit, and the bid or number of tricks for the contract. The team with the highest bid then wins the number of tricks announced.

Playing bridge has a host of benefits. It’s an inexpensive pastime that can allow you to

take so much as a dent.

But both those instincts and that ability to relate have been badly off the mark of late.

They surely weren’t evident as Moe has sat mum during this provincial election campaign when a Saskatchewan Premier wouldn’t respond to shots from Justin Trudeau at Saskatchewan’s recent handling of COVID-19. They surely weren’t present this summer when Moe was

And, most crucially, any political instinct or basic common sense that has been Moe’s brand has been loss in his refusal to responde to those record COVID-19 case counts — more than 500 cases in one single day including more than 100 little kids under 12 years not eligible for vaccines.

Why aren’t we pushing vaccine passports to make life difficult for those choosing not to get vaccinated?

maintain a stimulating social life and meet new people. It also helps improve your memory and concentration.

Bridge isn’t a game of chance. It’s a strategy game that requires reasoning, mental calculation, creativity and decision-making skills. It’s a real mental exercise and may even help prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

How bad does the Saskatchewan government look when it appears to be waiting until Alberta — reputed to have the worst COVID-19 strategy in the country — takes the lead?

If you want to give this card game a try, look for a bridge club in your area.

To this Moe has responded the problem is those not willing to get vaccinated? Yes, they are a problem, but what about little kids getting sick as they go back to school? What about the reality that the Sask. Party government message has been that adults who are refusing to get vaccinated are simply exercising their freedom of choice?

Perhaps it’s simply because Moe got caught up the notion of being the first to re-open — a notion that was initially popular. Maybe he read the political winds wrong or just didn’t want to make a move until after the federal election for fear of ramifications on federal Conservatives.

Whatever the reason, Moe has badly read the situation we are now in.

How is the current situa-

MURRAY MANDRYK Political Columnist

Legion Award

David Burke, representing the Kindersley Legion Branch #57 stopped in to Your Southwest Media Group’s office on Friday afternoon to present publsiher Kate Winquist a plaque in recognition of Your West Central Voice’s efforts in promoting Remembrance Day and Legion events. A Legion Award ceremony was held on March 26 with several awards being presented. Your West Central Voice, along with West Central Online were two organizations recognized.

BY JORDAN PARKER https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/

franchise or Marvel property that they don’t take chances.

3 talented siblings perform at Kindersley

The Fitzgeralds are entertaining at the Norman Ritchie Centre on Wednesday, April 13th at 7:30 p.m. You won’t want to miss these three talented siblings, Tom, Kerry and Julie Fitzgerald, 3-time Canadian Grandmaster Fiddle and Step Dance champions.

Their performance includes Celtic fiddle pieces, high-energy step dancing, original compositions and arrangements, audience interaction, and a genuine sibling connection. That family connection resonates with audiences of all ages and sets this group apart.

Julie Fitzgerald commented in an online interview, saying, “I think there is a down home feel to our music. The music is simply happy.” This may help to explain why the Fitzgeralds went viral on Facebook with over 7 million views of their original choreographed dance routine.

The Wedding Year is a funny little romantic-comedy – and though it has more than a few flaws, it’ll make you chuckle a time or two.

It follows Mara, a 27-year-old terrified of love and commitment, and the changes she goes through when she meets and falls for Jake. The two form a bond almost immediately.

When they realize they have to attend seven weddings in a year, their relationship will be put to the ultimate test.

Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland and Everybody Hates Chris star Tyler James Williams are great together, and Jenna Dewan, the adorable Matt Shively, Anna Camp, Wanda Sykes, Patrick Warburton and Keith David make a great ensemble.

Directed by Robert Luketic – the man behind Legally Blonde, Killers and The Ugly Truth – this one is an adorable showcase for its leads.

Mile 22

Available On Netflix

This movie got torn apart by critics and audiences when it first came out, but it had ahold of me from the first frame.

It follows a team of American Intelligence officers tasked with smuggling a police officer with a wealth of secrets out of Indonesia. But there are plenty of people on their tail who want the man dead.

Director Peter Berg – Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day – and Mark Wahlberg team up again, and though Wahlberg’s grizzled cop is a bit of a cliché, the actor does it right.

Lauren Cohan, the incredible Iko Uwais, John Malkovich, and Ronda Rousey make up an allstar cast.

In the end, it doesn’t break any new ground, but it’s a rousing thriller that you won’t be able to look away from.

Moonfall

Available On Prime Video

I need to lead off by telling you this sci-fi savethe-world drama is stupendously, ridiculously dumb.

If you’re looking for heartfelt, smart cinema, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for The Day After Tomorrow? Good news, Roland Emmerich directed both of them.

While I didn’t absolutely love Moonfall, movies like this just aren’t made these days. Studios are so risk-averse to any action movie that isn’t a

Moonfall may have been a box-office bomb, but it was a glorious-looking one. It follows three astronauts who try to stop the moon – knocked from its orbit by a mysterious force – from hitting the earth.

It’s so, so silly, but stars Patrick Wilson and Halle Berry breeze through the affair, despite some bad dialogue. Chief among the reasons to see it, though, is the performance from Game Of Thrones alum John Bradley.

This isn’t incredible cinema, but it’s a big-budget blockbuster that is a fun diversion for a Sunday afternoon.

House Of 1,000 Corpses

Available On Netflix

One of the crudest, most difficult horror films to come out in the 2000s is this little thrill-ride that will make your eyes pop out of your head.

An exercise in macabre and gore, shock rocker Rob Zombie made his feature directorial debut with this terrifying display.

It’s definitely not for everyone, but gorehounds were delighted by the little indie genre picture. It follows two couples who become prisoners of a family of murderers in backwoods Texas.

The cast – including the incredible Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri-Moon Zombie and Karen Black – are all memorable and delightfully twisted.

It’s a weird, whacky film, but Zombie’s take inspired enough faith in him to spawn a trilogy.

Begin Again

Available On Prime Video

This is one of my absolute favourite movies of the 2000s, and it always manages to put me in a fantastic mood.

It’s a movie that plays with the idea that it’s never too late to change your trajectory, and is a tale of second chances.

It follows heavy-drinking, failing music executive Dan, and his discovery of young songstress Gretta. She can be his path to a renewed career, but he can also find himself and the man he used to be through their friendship.

Starring Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Maroon 5 crooner Adam Levine, Katherine Keener, and Hailee Steinfield, it’s an incredible ensemble showcase.

Filled with fantastic music – including an Oscar-nominated song – writer-director John Carney creates a lovable vision everyone should see.

Oyen

The Wedding Year

Available On Netflix

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) The Lamb loves to be surrounded by flocks of admirers. But be careful that someone doesn’t take his or her admiration too far. Use your persuasive skills to let him or her down easily.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) This is a good time to begin setting far-reaching goals and connecting with new contacts. Aspects also favor strengthening old relationships -- personal and/or professional.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A personal disappointment should be viewed as a valuable learning experience. Go over what went wrong and see where a change in tactics might have led to a more positive outcome.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Don’t leave projects unfinished or personal obligations unresolved, or you might find yourself tripping over all those loose ends later on. A relative has important news.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Expect a challenge to the usual way you do things. Although you might prefer the triedand-true, once you take a good look at this new idea, you might feel more receptive to it.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Much work has yet to be done to polish a still-rough idea into something with significant potential. Expect to encounter some initial rejection, but stick with it nonetheless.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) There still might be some communication problems in the workplace, but they should be resolved soon. Meanwhile, that “tip” from a friend should be checked out.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A new relationship appears to need more from you than you might be willing to give right now. Best advice: Resist making promises you might not be able to keep.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) That restless feeling encourages you to gallop off into a new venture. But remember to keep hold of the reins so you can switch paths when necessary.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A demanding work schedule keeps the high-spirited Goat from kicking up his or her heels. But playtime beckons by the week’s end. Have fun. You earned it.

1. FOOD & DRINK: What was the first food eaten in space?

2. LITERATURE: A character named Piggy is featured in which 20th-century novel?

3. GEOGRAPHY: What are the residents of Cyprus called?

4. MEASUREMENTS: How many pounds are in a stone?

5. LANGUAGE: What does Ph.D stand for?

6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the color of a giraffe’s tongue?

7. MEDICAL: What is the common name for onychocryptosis?

8. HISTORY: What is a more common name for the 19th-century killer known as the “Whitechapel Murderer”?

9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the color of “black boxes” used to record flight data on aircraft?

10. SCIENCE: What is considered to be the ideal “room temperature”? © 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You’re beginning to come out from under those heavy responsibilities you took on. Use this freed-up time to enjoy some much-deserved fun with people close to you.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Before you get swept away by a tidal wave of conflicting priorities, take time to come up for air, and reassess the situation. You might be surprised by what you’ll find.

BORN THIS WEEK: Your leadership qualities are enhanced by a practical sense of purpose that keeps you focused on your goals.

Trivia Test Answerst

1. In 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin ate pureed meat and then chocolate sauce.; 2. “Lord of the Flies”; 3. Cypriots; 4. 14; 5. Doctor of

Philosophy; 6. Blue, black or purple; 7. Ingrown nail; 8. Jack the Ripper;

9. Bright orange to aid in recovery; 10. 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit

Classifieds

FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

LESLIE SCRIBNER

April 27, 1927February 28, 2021

There will be a funeral service for the late Leslie Scribner of Kindersley on Saturday, April 23rd at 2:30 pm at St. Paul’s United Church in Kindersley.

ACREAGE FOR SALE

$189,000. One mile west of Eston. 13.6 acres, 1 1/2 storey house. 3 bedrooms up, one on main. 2 three piece bathrooms. Finished basement with 1/2 bath, family room, den, work shop. 40x60 Archrib Quonset power and gas to building. 6000 gallon cistern. For more details call 306-4308155.

COMING EVENTS

OYEN & DISTRICT

CURLING CLUB AGM Monday, April 25, 2022 at 7:00 PM. Members are encouraged to attend.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

FOREFRONT INSUR-

ANCE is hiring external brokers and processors/ data entry positions. Broker partnership opportunities for the right candidates. Call / email Michael 403-501-8013 / mhollinda@excelrisk.ca

Hiring Care Companion for resident living in Long Term Care facility

in Oyen. This is a contracted position with the Community Access for Persons in Continuing Care (CAPCC) program. Care Companion will assist resident to access their community and provide opportunities for meaningful social interaction. For full job description and details call the CAPCC Coordinator, Adele @ (403) 526-5742 or email a.dieterle@redi.ca

FARM MACHINERY

Bindloss, Alberta

8” x 41’ Sakundiak self propelled auger with drag. Very good condition. 8” x 60’ Farm King side swing auger. Very good condition.

78 IHC 3-Ton, 392, steel box. Very good condition.

99 Dodge 3/4 Ton, 360, manual, 4 new tires 2640 Haybuster bale processor, left hand discharge Keulker feed wagon 6 x 18 stock trailer Grain roller, new rolls 1966 706 IHC gas tractor 24 ft. Frigstad cultivator. gfowlie4444@msn.com 403-664-7145

IN MEMORIAM

Remembering Owen Ball Feb 13, 1977 - Apr 10, 1990 I believe that tears can heal; That memories can comfort; That love lives on forever. - Anonymous

DID YOU KNOW?

When you place a classified ad with us, it goes in all three of our community newspapers for ONE LOW PRICE! Call Kate at 306-463-2211 kate@yoursouthwest.com WEST CENTRAL VOICE THE CHRONICLE THE OYEN ECHO

Saskatchewan Spring Runoff Report April Update

The Water Security Agency (WSA) provided an update to its spring runoff report today highlighting higher than expected runoff, which is helping to refill many of the reservoirs that were very low following last summer’s extended period of high heat and very little precipitation.

The runoff began in mid-March in the southwest corner of the province and is progressing eastwards and northwards. A slower melting period with below freezing temperatures at night and cool daytime temperatures is helping keep runoff in channels with a low risk for flooding expected.

Higher than expected runoff in the Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Old Wives’ basins has helped replenish water supply reservoirs. Runoff in the Maple Creek, Battle, Frenchman and Lodge Creek basins, while below normal, is higher than expected, but the Bigstick Basin is still below normal.

On the Qu’Appelle system, ice in the channel is causing higher than expected water levels throughout the system. Ice jamming remains a possibility and WSA continues to monitor this situation. Diversions into Last Mountain Lake are challenging due to the ice and some flow is being passed downstream on the Qu’Appelle River to prevent flooding upstream of Craven. With the exception of Last Mountain Lake, WSA expects all the lakes in the Qu’Appelle system to reach desirable summer levels.

While the slow melt is reducing the runoff potential in areas where there is snow, a rapid melt could produce higher than expected runoff in some areas.

With still higher than normal alpine snowpack, WSA expects strong flows along the South Saskatchewan River and will help bring levels at Lake Diefenbaker up to desirable levels for summer, improving conditions for irrigation, recreation and hydro generation.

Further north, spring melt and runoff are in the early stages and WSA does not expect significant changes to the March forecast unless conditions change dramatically due to rapidly warmer temperatures.

WSA will continue to monitor spring runoff as it occurs and provide updates as conditions change.

SE 35-29-20 W3rd 136 Cultivated Acres, $192,500 Total

Tenders close April 14,

West Central Crisis Centre saves lives

In 1979, before the Trans Canada Highway was twinned between Medicine Hat and Calgary, we lost my 28-year-old father in a horrid car accident caused by a drunk driver, I was 7 at the time.

This was the start of my journey with my mental health.

During these last 43 years, I have met with many different councilors and mental health professionals off and on to deal with numerous issues I have survived in my life. I have learned through these professionals how to deal with the pain and loss not just of my father’s untimely death, but of many situations I have had to cope with throughout my life’s journey, including the death of my first step-father in an oil patch accident in 1983.

My journey hasn’t been an easy one, and I have learned to recognize the signs that it is time to talk to someone I know I can trust. However, I have not been sitting in someone’s chair every week for those 43 years.

To me, mental health is just as important as going to a doctor when you have health issues or a dentist when you have a toothache. When you need someone who allows you to truly feel your feelings without judgment, is impartial to your issues, and shows you respect...you see a mental health professional.

These people help you look at your situation from a different perspective you may have never thought of and they have learned to say things in a caring, compassionate way where you don’t become defensive or hide from the life experiences you have endured.

The stigma of Mental Health is so prevalent in our society that many people are still dying because of it. They refuse to see someone because they are scared of what their family or friends are going to say or think. We plaster a smile on our faces to show the world we are okay. We should be able to “suck it up”, and in the end, many people have killed themselves because they believe we don’t need help to get better from mental health issues.

It is a false narrative that we feed ourselves. Society needs to learn that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength to put ourselves out

We

there to someone who can help us cope with life.

Sometimes we can’t just suck it up, sometimes we need a guide to help us through the crapload of b.s. we are telling ourselves every minute of the day; things we are unwilling to tell our family and friends. From topics on how we are going to deal with bills, how we are raising our children, help with our relationships is a big one, and the negative thinking we foist upon ourselves, like the one I always get in my head, “I am not worth helping”. We sometimes need that guide to show us the way and there is absolutely no shame in asking for that help when we need it.

The great thing about receiving counseling is that it is like talking to your doctor, it is confidential. No one needs to know you are getting help unless you trust them enough to tell them yourself.

I am sharing part of my story because I believe in recognizing those people who put themselves out there every day to help us with our mental health and because I believe the more each of us opens up about Mental Health the more people will understand that it is okay to say “I need help”.

Off and on for the last several years, I have been receiving this help from some very incredible people from a non-profit organization here in West Central Saskatchewan.

I am alive today because one person took the time to listen and help me cope with the overloading stress that I had found myself in. It shouldn’t have gotten to that point, I knew better. I saw the signs that I needed help for a while, but I kept putting it off because I didn’t want to “bother” these busy people or bother my family with the negative thoughts that I couldn’t seem to “get over”.

While this wasn’t the first time I have had suicidal thoughts in my life, I am pretty sure it will be the last time with the help I receive through them. I am finding my way because of these amazing people, I am getting my life back.

Kindersley Denture Clinic

David

I will get to spend time watching my grandchildren grow and my children prosper because an amazing person took the time to listen and help me think of things differently. I am learning new techniques on how to cope with my mental health issues because of the people and the programs they run. I am also learning how I truly deserve to be treated by others and recognizing that I am allowed to have boundaries in all my relationships and that those boundaries need to be respected.

West Central Crisis is an amazing non-profit organization here in West Central Saskatchewan. They offer different types of counseling from family and individual counseling to couples counseling and group therapy as well as other worthwhile programs. They know how to help us when we are at our lowest points, in a safe environment. The people who work there have made it their life’s passion to help other people learn to be the best version of themselves.

Thank you for helping me take back my life, for teaching me how to cope with the crap life is throwing at me, and for teaching me to enjoy the little things in life again. Your hearts show your desire to help others, you are a blessing to this community and to me. Thank you for helping me work on becoming the best version of myself.

Alana Brown Dodsland

West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre Inc.

HZN.kindersleyshared@hubinternational.com

Spring Migration

It’s always worthwhile to take the road less travelled! These photos were taken last Wednesday afternoon southeast of Netherhill. | PHOTOS BY KATE WINQUIST

BROCK

Saturday, April 23

- Brock Bandits Hockey “Steak & Shrimp Supper” at the Brock Hall. $35/plate. Cocktails 5:00 pm. Supper starts 6:30 pm. Silent Auction. Social after supper. Proceeds to the Brock Rink. Advance tickets only by April 20, Call or text Corbin St. John 306-460-7361. In town delivery by request.

EATONIA

Saturday, May 28

- Eatonia Chamber of Commerce Community Garage Sale 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Friday, June 17

- Prairie Oasis Fitness Club presents An Evening With Mitch Larock 5:00 pm Eatonia Community Hall. Beer Gardens and BBQ. Silver collection at the gate.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 1-3

- Eatonia Centennial (1920-2020). Visit eatonia2020. com for information and to purchase tickets.

Saturday, July 2

- Show & Shine 11:30 am - 4:00 pm Main Street. Prizes & Trophies. $15 entry fee. For more information call 306-460-7767.

ESTON

Friday, April 29

- Community Clean-Up Day starting at 10:00 am

Saturday, April 30

- Eston 95 Lions Ladies Night Out

Thursday, May 26

- Prairie West Historical Society opening day tea 2:00 pm

- The Heritage Gallery at PWHS has our elevator photo collection by photographer Jack Mah on display. The showing will be available for viewing from May 26 to June 11 when the museum is open for the season. Artwork from Holly Wallace and Christine Code will be on display as well.

Friday, June 10 - Sunday, June 12

- Summer Kick-Off 2022. Slo-Pitch Tournament, beer gardens, kids activities, food trucks, pancake breakfast, music and much more.

Sunday, June 12

- Eston Market 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Eston AGT Community Centre.

Saturday, June 25

- Come and Go Reception for Connie (Etter) McConnell artshow, in the Heritage Gallery at PWHS; June 25th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, and will be open to viewing on July 1st.

Friday, July 1

- PWHS is hosting their annual July 1st celebration, complete with lunch, including cake and ice cream, and music! Lunch will be served starting at 11:30 am. This year we will be hosting a car show as well.

LEADER

Monday, April 11

- 2022 Sand Hills Music Festival

Tuesday, April 12

- Leader COVID Immunization Clinics 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Leader Integrated Health Care Facility. Please book your Pfizer of Moderna appointment online at www. saskhealthauthority.ca or by calling 1-833-727-5829. Walk-ins will also be accepted.

Saturday, April 16

- Community Easter Egg Hunt (Toddler - Grade 5) 10:30 am at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Wednesday, April 27

- Leader COVID Immunization Clinics 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Leader Integrated Health Care Facility. Please book your Pfizer of Moderna appointment online at www. saskhealthauthority.ca or by calling 1-833-727-5829. Walk-ins will also be accepted.

Saturday, April 30

- St. John Babysitting Course 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Leader Community Centre. Call Rochelle to register or for more information.

May 7

- Sandhills Boxing Club 2nd Annual South Saskatchewan Classic in Leader

May 14

- Donut Dash 2022 fundraiser for the Leader Walking Trail.

* Pickleball every Sunday from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at LCS Gymnasium

* Leader and Surrounding Communities Food Bank - 3rd Thursday of each month 3:00 - 5:00 pm at Leader Alliance Church. Call 306-628-4320 or 306-628-3977 for more information.

* Community Badminton Sunday evenings 6:00 - 8:00 pm LCS Gymnasium (Use Student Parking Lot Door). $2/Sunday. Rackets and shuttles available.

LUSELAND

Monday, April 11

- Pie-n-Ice Cream 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Luseland Pioneers Club. Pie, Ice Cream & Coffee $5.00. Everyone welcome.

Saturday, May 7

- Luseland Community Garage Sale 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Maps and BBQ available at the Legion Hall.

- Farmers Market at the Luseland Salvador Hall

KERROBERT

April 11 - 14

- Kerrobert Music Festival at the PCC (Mon & Tues) and the Kerrobert Courthouse Gallery (Wed) with the Festival of Stars on April 14 7:30 pm at Prairieland Community Centre.

Wednesday, April 13

- Parent & Tot - Library

- Spring Fling Bingo at KCS

Tuesday, April 19

- Pioneer’s Haven Soup & Sandwich Day 11:30 am1:00 pm. $10.00 for soup, sandwich, drink and dessert. Everyone welcome.

Wednesday, April 20

- Kerrobert Seniors Pie & Coffee Social 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Saturday, April 23

- Wildlife Supper & Banquet Night

Saturday, April 30

- Fire Department Hockey Draft

Wednesday, April 27

- Parent & Tot & Storyteller Reading 2:30 pm at the Library

Sunday, May 1

- Sieben’s School of Dance

Monday, May 2

- Hunter Safety Registration

Sunday, May 14

- Kerrobert Town Wide Garage Sale

Wednesday, May 18

- Kerrobert Seniors Pie & Coffee Social 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Thursday, May 26

- SWG Author Reading - Library

Saturday, May 28

- Minor Ball Day

Tuesday, May 31

- Kerrobert & District Agriculture Society 4H Days

Wednesday, June 1

- Kerrobert & District Agriculture Society 4H Days

Friday, June 3

- Kerrobert Outdoor Market 3:00 - 8:00 pm at the poolside park

- Pool Opening

Wednesday, June 15

- Kerrobert Seniors Pie & Coffee Social 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Thursday, June 30

- KCS Graduation

KINDERSLEY

April 1 - 30

- Kindersley Composite School SLC Toy Drive to help Kinley Hildebrandt in her quest to collect toys for the children’s hospital! There will be a box in the lobby for students and staff to drop off NEW toy donations. Donations will be given to Kinley to deliver to JPCH in Saskatoon.

Wednesday, April 13

- Kindersley & District Arts Council presents “The Fitzgeralds 7:30 pm at the Norman Richie Centre. Adult $25; Age 6-18 $10; Age 5 & under free.

Tuesday, April 19 - Saturday, April 23

- The Kindersley Aquatric Centre is holding the National Lifeguard certification. Course length is a minimum 40 hours and runs from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. Call 306-463-2082 for more information.

Saturday, April 30

- Spring Fling 8:30 am - 1:00 pm at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Hall. Breakfast & lunch served. Homemade desserts, Frozen Perogies / Cabbage Rolls for sale, Bake Table, Raffles, Garage Sale items, Clothing. May 14

- Bike Rodeo 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The Town of Kindersley has partnered with local RCMP for an afternoon of learning and fun at the West Central Events Centre. Parents must be in attendance for children under 12.