Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
Ken Francis, MLA Kindersley Constituency
Alberta Clipper slams Saskatchewan
BY BRIAN ZINCHUK Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SASKATOON – An Alberta clipper storm system walloped southern and central Saskatchewan Jan. 13-14, with roads from North of Maidstone, then Kindersley, Regina, Weyburn and Moosomin, as the storm rolled through the province in a southeasterly direction.
High winds caused damage all over. On Facebook one could find photos of roofs ripped off in Regina, Weyburn and Boundary Dam, south of Estevan. Smashed empty grain bins, torn shingles, missing soffits, fallen trees, damaged campers were common throughout the affected region,
which was really much of southern Saskatchewan.
Terri Lang, Saskatchewan’s meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said from Saskatoon on Thursday afternoon, “It was an Alberta Clipper; fairly typical of how they act, with the exception that we usually get a
| PHOTO BY JENNY HAGAN, BACK ROAD PHOTOGRAPHY
from Wednesday’s storm. Kindersley
Former Eston resident receives appointment by Governor-General
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Dr. Robert Steadward of Edmonton was the sole person appointed this year as a Companion of Canada’s Order of Canada. Though Robert, a disability sports advocate, was honoured with the New Year’s appointment to the Order of Canada, people from Eston may recognize him as someone who grew up in Eston, Saskatchewan.
Robert attended elementary school in Eston and high school until Grade 10, when he finished high school at Luther College in Regina, where he graduated in 1964. He had three sisters and his father was the Post Master in Eston, and his mother was a secretary at the RM of Snipe Lake.
He was athletic throughout his life, participating in baseball, hockey, basketball and track and field, and was on the football team at Luther College, winning athletic awards for his success in multiple sports. He was also on the University of Alberta track team while attending university. All of these activities marked the beginning of Robert’s future endeavours.
The Governor-General said the order recognizes “people whose service shapes our society, whose innovations ignite our imaginations and whose compassion unites our communities.”
“When you receive that kind of connection to the Governor-General, you wonder what I ever did to be considered to receive such an honour in this country,” Robert humbly said. However, he obviously has been very deserv-
ing of this honour.
Robert is instrumental in creating the modern Paralympic Games and served from 1989 to 2001 as the International Paralympic Committee’s founding president. Robert was honoured for his lifelong dedication to propelling the Paralympic movement forward globally, Governor-General Payette explained. He endeavoured to provide equal opportunities for athletes with disabilities, to compete on the world stage along with their Olympian counterparts.
Robert loves to boast about these young athletes’ unbelievable achievements and their ability to change the world. He acknowledged all the volunteers of the Paralympic Movement, along with his wife and family. They have selflessly offered their support during his 50 years of efforts, all of which have resulted in one of the largest sporting movements in the world.
This Professor at the University of Alberta and Director of The Steadward Centre for People with a Disability began a journey that removed barriers and forever changed the world of sport. Robert was both a visionary and a pioneer in this movement.
“When I came to university, I had an opportunity to meet two or three people who were using wheelchairs,” Robert said. They asked Robert if he would help them start up a wheelchair basketball team, and that’s how Robert’s journey began.
Having been a track athlete himself, Robert’s work started in 1967 when he coached several wheelchair sports in
Edmonton and helped organize Canada’s first wheelchair sport national championships in 1968. “I started coaching very early on, and they became my family for the rest of my life,” Robert said. “I saw their struggles and decided to do further study in dealing with disability.”
Robert’s journey encompassed fifty years and consolidated international disability sports organizations in over 200 countries. But Robert had other interests which he was concerned about.
“I was also concerned with third world countries and the challenges they faced dealing with living conditions
and how people with disabilities were treated in those countries,” Robert said. He strived to provide better opportunities so they could lead better lives.
This former resident of Eston still goes back to his home town two or three times a year to visit friends. “That’s an important part of my life,” he says. “My character, personality and values were all established because of my upbringing. That was my foundation.”
“Successful people are always those people who are supported by a team. You can’t leave a legacy by doing it all alone,” Robert concluded.
Dr. Robert Steadward
Clipper system brings severe wind, snow to central and southern Sask.
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
big gush of cold air behind, but we didn’t have at this time around. But it had sort of a warm air ahead of it, freezing rain, it rained even, and then we got the snow in behind and then really, really strong winds.”
She pointed out even lightning was detected in the southwest.
She explained, “They’re called clippers because they move very quickly. They form in Alberta. And off they go quickly, through this one actually did damage on the B.C. coast first, then it hit Alberta, did damage there and then came through Saskatchewan so now it’s just so on its way out of Manitoba.”
It was large enough to affect an area from La Ronge down to the U.S. border, she said. “It was huge. It covered most of Saskatchewan.
The strongest wind gusts were felt at Bratt’s Lake, a weather station north of Regina, where wind gusts reached 143 kilometres per hour. “That puts it the EF1 scale of tornadic winds,” she said.
Peak wind gusts in other areas, in kilometres per hour, were: Yellowgrass, 133; Elbow, 122; Mankota, 120; Estevan, 120 (sensor went off line during the peak of the storm); Moose Jaw, 119 (sensor went off line during the peak of the storm); Eastend Cypress, 111; Swift Current, 109; Rockglen, 106 (sensor went off line during the peak of the storm); Rosetown, 104; Maple Creek, 104; Weyburn, 102 (sensor went off line during the peak of the storm); Indian Head, 102; Val Marie, 102; Leader, 100; and Kindersley, 100.
A number of warm temperature records were broken across Saskatchewan earlier on Wednesday. Record temperatures were recorded in the areas of Outlook, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Uranium City, Watrous, Weyburn, Wynyard and Yorkton.
According to Environment and Climate Change Chanda, “Rain and freezing rain ahead of the system quickly changed to snow and blowing snow as a cold front behind the system advanced eastward. With the passage of the cold
front widespread winds in excess of 100 kilometres per hour were reported, leading to power outages and reports of structural and tree damage across the province. When combined with falling snow, these winds produced whiteout conditions resulting in a number of highway closures.”
Lang pointed out, “There were a number of people trapped in their cars through western Saskatchewan yesterday evening, because the winds hit, and it was snowing so hard, that people couldn’t see to drive. Some of them were in their cars for four to six hours, which is a very scary situation.”
A large swath of highways were closed as the storm progressed across Saskatchewan as a result.
By noon on Thursday, Jan. 14, all highways had re-opened except for Highway 1, from Mortlach to Chaplin, according to Highways Hotline. The Ministry of Highways posted several photos of semis in the ditch, noting, “A portion of Hwy 1 is still closed. There are many semis in the ditch and have snow accumulated around them. Once the semis are removed we will be able to work on clearing the snow and opening up the road. We do not have an ETA (estimated time of arrival) at this time, but be sure to check https://hotline.gov.sk.ca/ mobile/ as any new information will be posted. Although portions of Hwy 1 are reopening, they are still travel no recommended due to icy conditions.”
By Thursday morning, SaskTel was reporting service outages for landlines at Beechy, Herschel, Plenty and Dodsland. Wireless sites around Saskatoon including Lucky Lake, Warman, Meacham, Danielson were without service. Moose Jaw, Estevan and Weyburn saw some MaxTV and internet services down.
SaskPower said its crews are working hard to restore power after extreme winds and snow caused outages across much of Saskatchewan Wednesday and overnight.
“Crews were able to restore power to some customers yester-
day evening, however in many cases roads were impassable and weather conditions were too severe for crews to work safely, meaning repairs had to begin this morning,” SaskPower said in a release.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and our employees,” said SaskPower president and CEO Mike Marsh. “We are doing everything we can to get the lights back on as quickly as possible without jeopardizing the safety of our crews.”
At the time of their release on Thursday morning, SaskPower was aware of approximately 80,000 customers currently without power in more than 100 communities throughout the province.
When conducting repairs SaskPower prioritizes restoring power to essential services such as medical facilities, care homes, and police and fire stations, and then focuses on restoring power to as many customers as possible as quickly as possible. SaskPower said it is working closely with provincial and municipal agencies during the storm response.
“We understand outages are frustrating, and we appreciate your patience as we continue to identify issues and conduct repairs,” Marsh said.
SaskPower also reminded customers never to operate a generator in a house, garage or enclosed building. Doing so will create the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Roads were closed all around the Kindersley area on Wednesday night.
LAND FOR RENT
The following land is available for cash rental. Interested parties may submit bids until February 18, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
Please submit bids to: Steve & Colleen Lee - Box 1445 - Kindersley, Sask. S0L 1S0
RM of Oakdale
Section 3-31-22 W3
S 1/2 11-31-22 W3
E 1/2 9-31-22 W3 SW 4-31-22 W3
Interested parties responsible for their own inspection. Accepted tenders will be notified by February 22, 2021. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.
Farmland For Sale By Tender
RM of Snipe Lake
SE-7-27-20-W3
Any or highest tender not necessarily accepted. Tender closes February 15, 2021. Forward tenders to Scott Reeves at jsreeves65@gmail.com
Farmland for Cash Rent
R.M. of Kindersley #290 - Approx. 450 cultivated acres NE-2-30-22-W3
Conditions of Offers:
SE-2-30-22-W3 SW-1-30-22-W3
1. All offers to be submitted on or before February 18, 2021.
2. Highest or any offers not necessarily accepted.
3. Contract will be cash rent for a period of 3 years. 100% of the rent will be due on or before April 30 of each year.
4. Please forward all bids and inquiries to: Box 1076, Kindersley, SK. S0L 1S0. Call 306-463-7572.
1.
or any tender not necessarily accepted.
2. Tenders must include G.S.T. or any other levies which may be payable by the purchaser.
3. Purchasers must rely on their own research and inspection of the property.
4. All tenders must be accompanied by a certified cheque for 10% of the bid amount.
5. Tenders to purchase must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on February 1, 2021.
6. Tenders should be sent to: Ard Law Office Barrister & Solicitor Box 1898 KINDERSLEY, SK S0L 1S0 and marked with file number R12360
OPINION
CHECK IT OUT with Joan Janzen
CRA registry reveals suprising information
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Amansaid he mistakenly handed his wife a glue stick instead of lip balm and he hasn’t heard a word from her since.
In a similar fashion, since the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) was handed out, Canadians haven’t heard
details about who benefited from it. However, Andrew Johns, of Coastal Front, has unearthed some interesting information.
Coastal Front is a political content producer, based out of Vancouver, B.C., that’s interested in seeking the truth and reporting on facts important to the Canadian pub-
lic. Andrew is the host of the show, and he often speaks with influential leaders about topics that impact Canadians. He also digs into facts to keep our government accountable.
Andrew describes himself as a life long advocate of transparency in government, “because there simply isn’t
Fenough accountability for institutions that take our money and use it to provide everyone with public goods and services.” Those were Andrew’s words. “Wasteful spending and unethical use of taxpayer dollars seems to be a cornerstone of this current Liberal government,” he continued.
The CEWS enabled many businesses to remain in business. Prime Minister Trudeau said, “Because we want this to help as many people as possible, we’re going to put it in place with more flexible rules.”
Andrew Johns reported 1.9 million applications were approved and $64 billion in wages were paid out. He also reported that CEWS wasn’t just a lifeline for small business; it was also a cash grab for Canada’s largest and best financed companies.
Andrew discovered a registry by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in which all the 341,589 companies were listed. He searched the registry for key words, and the results generated were
somewhat surprising; there was a huge number of foreign corporations that received wage subsidies through the CEWS.
He discovered compelling statistics; Canada’s 10 largest companies who accessed the CEWS had a combined market value of $235 billion. Some of the names that appeared in the registry were: The Roman Catholic Church, Toyota, L’Oreal, Philippine Airlines, Nordstrom, Adidas, 3M and Ford.
Andrew listed his top 10 foreign companies who received the CEWB. Here they are:
De Beers, the second largest producer of diamonds in the world.
Victoria’s Secret, which employs the world’s top models.
Air China (partially owned by the Chinese government).
China Southern Airlines (58% owned by the Chinese government).
Royal Jordanian Airlines, which has over a billion dollars in assets, and is majority owned by the Kingdom of Jordan.
United Airlines
Nike, which had over
$2 billion worth of profits in the last 12 months.
Walt Disney Company - with $17.9 billion of cash in their balance sheet.
Bank of China and Industrial Commercial Bank of China, who have combined assets of $8.8 trillion US dollars. It became obvious that millions of Canadian tax dollars are going to foreign corporations to pay their employees to work in Canada.
Andrew Johns suggested that a bill be tabled that will have these wage subsidies paid back to Canadian taxpayers, and that “Trudeau stop his globalist agenda now”.
Contact Joan at joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Moe’s status quo restrictions are a gamble
or the remainder of the month, Saskatchewan will remain under the restrictions that don’t permit you to have visitors to your house or allow you to go out to a restaurant or a bar with more than a couple other people.
The critical question is whether we would have to be under other circumstances.
This is in no way to be take as an endorsement of the nonsense from the anti-mask crowd peddling their idiocy that the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t real or that their personal freedoms are somehow more important that any societal commitment they have not the spread the virus.
The novel coronavirus is all too real, becoming both increasing common and increasingly deadly in this province.
As of the writing of this column, we have seen 18,770 COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan including 3,420 cases and 49 deaths already before the halfway point of this month. Last year, we didn’t see as many cases as we’ve so far seen in January until Nov. 4 and we didn’t see that many deaths until Nov. 12.
Such numbers underscore that not
only our fight with COVID-19 is real and getting harder but is also a fight we may be losing.
So this takes us back to the question: Why did the government not to do more?
At the press conference last week in which Premier Scott Moe and Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab decided to extend current until Jan. 29.
Moe justified by the decision by explaining that Saskatchewan was having success in December before what he describes as a “Christmas bump” and went so far as to suggest the January numbers haven’t been all that bad or much worse than elsewhere.
It’s also now worst than just about anywhere else. We certainly have surpassed Quebec and Ontario in daily per capita cases. And, as it stands now, we are going in the wrong direction, This isn’t what is happening elsewhere.
MURRAY MANDRYK Political Columnist
At least on the latter points, Moe is incorrect.
Again of the writing of this, we are experiencing the highest daily averages, highest hospitalizations and ICU admittance and highest death totals. By all unbiased statistical measures, January 2021 has been the worse.
Manitoba was facing dangerous numbers of 300 to 400 new cases a day — even after Progressive Conservative Premier Brian Pallister issued a severe clamp down that ticketed those attending church services, limited what big box stores could sell to avoid pre-Christmas shopping traffic and stopped people from travelling from one area of the province to another.
The outcry was loud from many sectors of that province and the positive results in Manitoba were not necessarily immediately. The novel coronavirus was rampant in Manitoba nursing homes, which is why deaths in that province have far out-paced deaths here.
But as it stands right now, Manitoba is seeing its daily case numbers below100 and its death toll fall. Sadly, the expect opposite is happening here in Saskatchewan.
For that reason alone, it seems passing strange that Moe would call for more of the same for the next two weeks.
Perhaps the Premier and his health officials will be right that the high numbers of today are just the hangover after Christmas and New Years.
They are certainly right that any such lockdown is hard on business. One surely does sympathize both with struggle businesses are going through and tough choices Moe must make.
But what if doing the same thing isn’t doing enough? If we are experiencing large-scale COVID-19 community spread right now, is it logical to think doing more of the same will actually work?
What if, by the end of this month, we find out that all that’s been accomplished is postponing a necessary clamp down?
Moe and the rest of us are taking chance.
Just
the next morning. I knew that this was not likely to happen, but I contacted Heather at StarPress, and she said that they would extend my deadline. “Perfect!” I thought to myself. I’ll still be able to go home and catch a few hours sleep and get everything done by mid-afternoon at the latest. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Life got in the way on Friday afternoon as it sometimes does when you have three teenagers, and I had to throw my hands in the air and declare that I would not meet my deadline.
I called Heather once again, and she said that they would print my papers first thing Tuesday morning, but I would have to come to Wainwright to pick them up. It wasn’t the ideal situation, but it was the best that I could do on the Thanksgiving long weekend.
It
seems like it has been forever since I wrote my weekly musing. In fact, it has been just shy of a month! I feel that I owe you an explanation. Some may say that I am just making excuses or procrastinating again, leaving things to the last minute, when in reality, I think I’m just getting old and worn out!
Our family spent the holiday at our home in Gull Lake. We have been in the process of doing some renovations to get it ready to sell. I won’t get into too many details here, but renovations are NOT fun! I must admit that part of me was glad to be going back to Kindersley and leaving the renos to Robert.
As most of you know by now, I moved to Kindersley on July 1. I felt fortunate that I was able to find a fully furnished condo for a reasonable price. I signed a six-month lease to the end of 2020. The apartment was only a two-bedroom, which was perfectly fine for my daughter and I, but when it was decided that the rest of the family would be making the move from Gull Lake, we needed to find something to fit three more bodies and a dog.
It was back to work bright and early Tuesday morning. Thankfully the weather was cooperative for my road trip to Wainwright. I headed up through Kerrobert, Luseland and Macklin, where I had to stop at the World’s Largest Bunnock and have a 5-minute nap. My lack of sleep over the past few days was catching up with me. Against my better judgment, I picked up one of those energy drinks at the local gas station and got back on the road.
Luck again appeared to be on my side when a large four-bedroom home came up for rent. It was partially furnished and had a fully fenced back yard. I was able to move in on December 3.
I arrived in Wainwright at around 11:00 a.m. and amazingly found the print shop with no problems. I had never been there before, so Roger Holmes, who owns the business, gave me a tour of the pressroom. The “Voice” was “hot off the press,” as they say, and we got them loaded into my car, and I was on my way once again.
When I graduated from Kindersley Composite School back in 1987, I couldn’t wait to move out on my own. I was heading off to Medicine Hat to attend College, and I was going to be rooming with a girl from High School. As it turned out, her plans changed and I ended up living in the basement of my parents’ acquaintances (2). Not exactly where an 18-year-old wants to be! Thankfully, I met a girl at College that was looking for a roommate. We hit it off immediately, and I am happy to say that we are still great friends to this day. (3)
My roommate moved in with her boyfriend, and I moved to my third place in Medicine Hat - a non-airconditioned, third-floor apartment that faced the west. (4)
Yep, I pulled into an approach and got out my iPhone to take a short video of the birds. They looked like a blanket of snow on the water. I found it quite satisfying to watch and listen to them.
After I graduated from college, I landed a job in Lethbridge. I moved into a dingy basement suite that cost $440 per month, which was fairly expensive back in 1990 when I was making a whopping $8.00 per hour as a Junior Graphic Designer at a print shop. (5)
and that I was on my way back to Kindersley. I told him that I was taking a different route and hoped that I would see some interesting scenery. No sooner did those words come out of my mouth; I saw a country church in the distance. “Gotta go! I’ll talk to you later,” I said to Robert. “I
What a find! I came across St. Anthony’s Church (Grosswerder), which was constructed in 1912. It is located at NW1/4-10-37-27-W3rd in the Rural Municipality of Eye Hill No. 382 and has been formally recognized as a Historic Place in Saskatchewan. The heritage value of St. Anthony’s lies in its association with the local community. The Roman Catholic parish was established for the German Catholics who homesteaded the area between 1906 and 1907. Three church bells, cast in Germany in 1912, are particularly valued for their connection with the parishioners’ Germanic heritage. The bell tower dominates the
Just down the road is the cemetery, which is kept in immaculate condition. What I found different about this cemetery was that not all of the graves were facing east. About half of the graves faced east, while the other half faced west. I would be interested in finding out why this is, although ultimately, what matters most is the life that has been lived, not their final resting place.
I was so glad that I listened to my “inner squirrel” and decided to take a different way home.
applying to different newspapers across Alberta and Saskatchewan when I got a call from The Shaunavon Standard. I moved to Shaunavon in September of 1992. (8) I never thought that my move there would lead to so many life-changing moments.
I lived in a couple of shacks before buying my own house for $5,500! (9, 10, 11) Shortly after, I met Robert, and we purchased a house together, got married and started our family. (12) When we were expecting child number three, we sold our house and moved into a bigger home a few blocks away. (13)
As I travelled further, I could see an elevator in the distance. By this time, only one of my voices was speaking to me. The voice of adventure! The elevator was Cactus Lake! I wasn’t sure how far it was to Marengo, but I thought maybe I would come across Loverna if I kept on this road. The beautiful pavement turned into a grid. I kept going for a while and saw another elevator in the distance. “Maybe that’s Loverna?” I said to myself. I could have gone down Highway 51 (which was paved) towards Major and Kerrobert, but I decided to check out the elevator. Before I got there, I noticed a cemetery. I pulled alongside the road and walked into the sparsely occupied cemetery. A large monument told me where I was. “Dedicated in memory of Fusilier and area pioneers.”
I googled Fusilier and found out that it is now considered a ghost town, but it had quite a storied past.
My day was not finished, but I already had so many things to tell Robert about when we had our nightly text. That’s when autocorrect decided to bring a little fun into our conversation.
I had been running my own business since 2000. I incorporated in 2009, and after three years, our family made a move to Gull Lake to focus on running the Gull Lake Advance newspaper. We didn’t find a place right away in Gull Lake, but after renting an old character home in Shaunavon, (14), Robert was ready to find something and find it quick.
I mentioned Fusilier and that I found information on it through Saskatchewan Ghost Towns. “Churches, cemeteries, elevators, I typed. I actually was looking for Loverboy.”
I never used to think moving was that big of a deal. I was trying to figure out how many times I have moved in my lifetime and ran out of fingers to count. Thankfully I was able to stop counting when I got to my right foot. This last move was number 17. SEVENTEEN! That is a move every three years in my fifty-one years on the planet. Considering that I spent the first eighteen years of my life living on the farm at Glidden (1), that makes it a move about every 22 months. That’s insane.
On my way back, I noticed a huge flock of snow geese on a body of water just to the west of Provost. “I must get back to get the papers delivered,” my inner voice said to me. “Oh, but you really should stop and take a video!” my other inner voice beckoned. (I am a Gemini, so I have two distinct personalities). You must know who won out before I even tell you!
Suddenly my mood changed. I was no longer sleepy. I felt a bit invigorated. I passed the community of Provost and headed back into Saskatchewan through Macklin once again. I was going past the Village of Primate when a sign caught the corner of my eye. There was a road that would lead me to Marengo if I so chose to take it. “I must get back to get the papers delivered,” my inner voice said to me. “Oh, but you really should go back and take that road!” my other inner voice beckoned. You must know who won out before I even tell you!
I hated that apartment. The people upstairs were quite amorous and loud! The shower sucked. It just wasn’t where I wanted to be. I moved across the city to a more expensive two-bedroom apartment and advertised for a roommate. The funny thing was that the girl who responded was also a Saskatchewan girl living in the same apartment building. (6)
I left Lethbridge in 1992 and moved briefly back to Medicine Hat, where I got a job at the Medicine Hat Shopper. (7) I worked the night shift in the composing department. I needed to find a better job. I started
Yep, I found an approach and turned around, turning left onto Highway 317. It was a beautifully paved road. No traffic. Smooth. I called Robert on my hands-free device to let him know that I had made it to Wainwright
We found a house in a great location close to the school, park and skating rink. (15) We have owned that house since 2012 and have just finished doing some renovations to help to sell it this spring, hopefully.
“Who” Robert texted back, probably wondering what I was really up to on my travels.
Autocorrect had changed Loverna to Loverboy, and I just about peed myself, I laughed so hard!
“You better not be looking for Loverboy lol” was Robert’s response.
After I shut down my newspaper in Gull Lake, I rented a couple of different places in Maple Creek while I was the Managing Editor of the Maple Creek News-Times. (16 & 17).
Now wait just a minute. I’m already at 17, and I haven’t counted my move to Kindersley (18 & 19).
I swear that I am never moving again. Well, maybe once more. Then I’ll have run out of toes.
To think that none of this would have happened if I would have made my deadline. I guess my life lesson for this week is when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or better yet, make orange juice and leave the world wondering how you did it.
KATE WINQUIST
kate@yoursouthwest.com
The view from my rental property in Kindersley on the morning of Sunday, January 10.
Great Sandhills Railway improvement benefits Leader community
JOAN JANZEN
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
In August of 2019, the federal government announced funding for the Great Sandhills Railway (GSR) Southern Saskatchewan Corridor Capacity Improvement Plan (SSCCIP).
Aaron Wenzel, general manager of GSR, which has been in operation since 2009, explained, “GSR received a matching contribution from the
Government of Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) to upgrade the track from near Burstall to Swift Current and construct a depot track for staging trains. The total project is valued at $8,871,044.04. The Government of Canada’s contribution through the NTCF is 47% of the project’s eligible expenditures totalling $4,169,390.69.”
The project involved contractors bringing in
Under the provisions of The Alcohol and Gaming Regulations Act, 1997,
Notice is hereby given that Xiao Mei has applied to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) for a Restaurant permit to sell alcohol in the premises known as Mei’s Family Restaurant at 40 Pacific Avenue Kerrobert, SK, S0L 1R0.
Written objections to the granting of the permit may be filed with the SLGA not more than two weeks from the date of publication of this notice.
Every person filing a written objection with SLGA shall state their name, address, and telephone number in printed form, as well as the grounds for the objection(s). Petitions must name a contact person, state grounds, and be legible. Each signatory to the petition and the contact person must provide an address and telephone number. Frivolous, vexatious or competition-based objections within the beverage alcohol industry may not be considered and may be rejected by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Licensing Commission, who may refuse to hold a hearing.
Write to:
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Box 5054 REGINA, SK. S4P 3M3
specialized rail equipment to level the tracks. “We’re talking about a number of tie changeouts that will make a significant difference and that will not only make it safer but will allow us to travel at a higher rate of speed,” Wenzel said.
Wenzel said the project is about 75% complete, with the last of the track upgrades starting in the spring of 2021. Nevertheless, GSR has already increased train frequency by 50% to meet shipper demands and will continue to increase as needed to meet their customer’s needs.
A new locomotive and equipment shop has also been erected in Leader. Wenzel explained that although the equipment shop was not part of the SSCCIP, it was a project GSR had wanted to complete for many years. Now it has finally come to fruition.
The new shop will be used for mechanical repairs and rail car repair services, which are proportionally more difficult during the winter months. “It will primari-
LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER
Sealed tenders will be received by Smith & Hersey Agribusiness Law of Consort and Oyen until the deadline of 4:00 p.m. on February 18, 2021, for the sale of the following Land: 1.
(home ¼ is SE)
• 1,874 total acres - 1,624 of which are cultivated (GPS measurement)
• 180 acres of pasture with very good water
• Yard site contains: 2 homes (1,200 and 800 sq ft); heated barn (30 x 50); heated shop (32 x 48); large machine shed (70 x 120); small machine shed (40 x 60); 38,000 bu of bin space (17,500 bu has aeration)
Land is located 4 miles south of Loverna, SK directly on the AB/SK border.
Tenders on the Land must be accompanied by a certified cheque, bank draft, or electronic transfer in favor of “Smith & Hersey Agribusiness Law” for $20,000.00 as a deposit. The deposit will be returned if the tender is not accepted. If a tender is accepted and the tenderer does not proceed with the sale, the deposit of the tenderer will be forfeited to the owner. The balance of the tender price shall be paid and the sale will close no later than March 19th, 2021. The owner and the successful tenderer will each be responsible for their own legal fees. Each tenderer must understand that a tender is an unconditional offer to purchase the Shares/Land set out in the tender. Tenderers must rely on their own research of the Lands, and Smith & Hersey Agribusiness Law and the owner make no warranties or representations in regard to the Lands.
The Vendor requests bids for a share purchase whereby the Purchaser buys the vendor’s corporation which maintains only the lands and assets listed above. The Home Quarter is personally owned and will be sold as well. Share purchase tenders will be given significant preference over land purchase tenders. Should a potential purchaser require further information or have questions regarding a share sale, please contact the Vendor’s lawyer, Reid Wilkie at the number below.
The owner has complete discretion whether to accept the highest or any tender. Further inquiries, or to arrange viewing the lands, can be made by contacting Reid Wilkie at (403) 577-2539 or reid@smithhersey.com. Tenders may be emailed or sealed in an envelope marked “LAND TENDER” and delivered to:
Smith & Hersey Agribusiness Law
Attention: Reid A. Wilkie
Box 95 Consort, AB, T0C 1B0
Phone: 403.527.5506 or 403.664.2812
Email: reid@smithhersey.com
In person to Reid Wilkie in Consort every Wednesday
In person to Reid Wilkie in Oyen every Thursday
ly house our locomotives when they are not in use. This allows us to limit locomotive idling and reduces our carbon footprint,” Wenzel said.
The equipment shop is a welcome addition for GSR. Prior to its existence, repair staff worked in the elements. “We are thrilled to be able to provide our staff with a state of the art facility to maintain GSR’S equipment. This will better allow GSR to meet the demands of our customers, no matter what the season,” Wenzel said.
The main structure is now complete, with the shop floor, service pit, mezzanine, and office space to be completed in the spring/summer of 2021. Local contractors prepared the site and base of the structure’s floor, and GSR hired a local contractor to perform the electrical installation.
“Since being awarded the SSCCIP, GSR has hired ten full-time employees and plans to hire four more full-time employees in the spring of 2021, and potentially more depending on cus-
tomer demand,” Wenzel said.
“The project’s economic spin-off has also positively impacted 21 companies in the area and throughout western Canada. These companies are in addition to the 70 plus companies GSR purchases from or regularly utilize their services.” Wenzel continued.
The project has resulted in a win/win situation in Leader and throughout western Canada, with economic benefits to the region and a new facility for GSR staff.
Employment Opportunity
Sandhills Insurance Ltd (A Wholly owned Subsidiary of Sandhills Credit Union) is seeking a Full-Time Accountant / Insurance Clerk position to join our team. (Tentative start date March 15, 2021)
The Successful Applicant must:
• Possess strong Customer Service skills.
• Accounting knowledge or certification is preferred.
• Must be reliable, competent, motivated and committed to personal development.
• Must have knowledge of Windows 10.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills, written and verbal.
• Will have to obtain Level 1 Insurance License (CAIB 1 Course April 17-23).
Duties will include:
• Accounting and Bookkeeping for Sandhills Insurance Office.
• Motor vehicle issuing.
• Filing and answering phone, addressing client inquiries.
• Sell Auto Policies, Hail and Travel Insurance, (once license is obtained).
• Develop and maintain knowledge of products sold by the Agency.
Sandhills Insurance Ltd offers training, ongoing support, and a positive environment to assist in personal development.
WE offer an attractive salary for this position, a matching pension plan, variable pay incentive and all benefits (except LTD) are paid by the Insurance Agency.
Resumes can be sent to: Sandhills Insurance Ltd. Attention: Shelley Fuchs, Manager P.O. Box 490, Leader, SK. S0N 1H0 or email: slfuchs@sasktel.net
Applications must be received by end of day Friday, February 5, 2021.
*** Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview. ***
300 - 1st
NHL vs. The Virus: Which will win?
Hockey is to many Canadians as breathing is to the average human, so it’s not surprising that there is great joy across the land now that the National Hockey League has — hold your breath! — returned to a regular (or, more appropriately, irregular) season of league play
It’s a risk, of course, with the coronavirus still raging, and the NHL trying to make a go of it without the protective confines of a bubble, which was used so successfully last summer in two Canadian centres and resulted in the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup.
It won’t be so easy this year. While players, coaches, team executives and media members were
last summer restricted to ‘the bubble,’ with little or no chance of the virus causing infections, there is no such protection this year. The NHL brass has divided the 31 teams into four divisions (each with a forgettable corporate name — the Scotiabank North, for example) and plans to play a 56-game schedule with normal travel between cities. Players will be coming and going from their homes, interacting with wives and children, and almost certainly leading to a number of cases of COVID-19. One player with the virus and not showing symptoms could, in theory, infect his entire team, creating logistical problems of gigantic proportions. Shortly after training camps began, in fact, COVID-19 outbreaks were reported with Dallas Stars and Caroline Hurricanes. On the other hand, it might just work with just a few blips. The NHL has been in regular consultation with the National Football League, which played its 256 games within its planned 17week window, on how to smoothly run a full
schedule while a global pandemic continues to rage. It could work for the NHL. What it will take, though, is millions of dollars for regular testing and contact tracing, and total commitment from players and team officials. A goalie mask takes on a whole new meaning this year.
The NFL wasn’t without its problems. Most teams had minor outbreaks, some more serious than others. The Denver Broncos played one game without a legitimate quarterback, and the Cleveland Browns played their second-last game with all their starting receivers on the sidelines. The NHL is almost certain to experience similar minor breakouts, so schedule flexibility will be important. Could a 56-game schedule be reduced to 48 games? Sure it could. Could the last day of the regular schedule, May 8, suddenly become May 21? Yes, if required. With the COVID-19 vaccine starting to be distributed, there is hope that this global health disaster may fade away in 2021. Navigating the complicated period ahead
for the NHL will be challenging, but not impossible.
• Patti Dawn Swansson, aka the River City Renegade: “It’s going to be weird seeing Zdeno Chara in Washington Capitals garb this winter It’ll be kind of like Pope Francis holding mass in Wrangler jeans, Tony Lama snake skin boots and a Stetson instead of his robe and pointy hat.”
• Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “Thanks to COVID-19, this Dec. 31 in Times Square will mark the first time in 113 years that there won’t be any New Yorkers on hand to witness a ball getting dropped. In other words, no different than a Jets home game in 2020.”
• fark.com, after reports the Yankees were considering signing Yasiel Puig: “Yanks: Y’know, we haven’t signed a fullblown head case since what … A-Rod? Rickey Henderson? Clemens? We’re due.”
• Another one from fark.com: “The NHL announced that each division will have sponsor names this year. NFL expected to follow suit, starting with the Waste Management NFC East.”
Bear lost to the Green Bay Packers 35-16. It was sad when Bears coach, Matt Nagy, called the NFL offices and asked them to find him 20 more points.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “P.K. Subban and Lindsey Vonn have called off their engagement. I doubt PK is the first hockey player to get cold feet.”
SMILE GUARANTEED
• Patti Dawn Swansson again, on the Vonn-Subban split: “Hard to figure. After all, P.K. is one of the NHL’s most notorious divers. And now he’s not willing to take the plunge?”
Kindersley Denture Clinic
David
• Eagles tackle Lane Johnson, to the Pat McAfee Show, on why he probably won’t be watching the NFL wild-card games: “As a football player, it’d be like a cop coming home watching ‘COPS’.”
• Jack Finarelli of SportsCurmudgeon.com, on rumours the moribund Lions might be looking to trade QB Matthew Stafford: “I do not know if (Detroit) fans should be thrilled about that or not, but I think Matthew Stafford should be elated.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
• Headline in the Washington Post, after the Eagles pulled starting QB Jalen Hurts in the final quarter, cementing a win and playoff berth for WFT: “Tanks for everything.”
Kindersley Denture Clinic
David
• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “The Chicago
Students at Rossville School in Coleville have been enjoying the new floor curling games that were purchased by their SRC. The kids have started playing with these in gym class and are loving it! PHOTO SUBMITTED
Elizabeth Middle School students pull off a successful fundraiser
JOAN JANZEN
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
During the Christmas season of 2020, the students at Elizabeth Middle School conducted their annual poinsettia fundraiser, a project that has been successfully running since 2015. The majority of the two hundred and seventy-one students in Elizabeth Middle School voluntarily choose to participate in this event, and people in the community
and friends and family of the students are always excited for the sales to begin.
However, this year the students managed to double the amount they usually raise in previous years! They raised an astonishing amount of $4,100 and sold 360 poinsettias, 94-holiday planters, 99 wreaths, 33 hanging arrangements, and 92 greenery planters. What an achievement!
The fundraiser is put on by the School Community Council, which looks after handling the proceeds. The funds are used to purchase special equipment, such as playground and technology equipment, typically out-
side the school budget.
Before the health regulations were in place, they also used the funds to bring in guest speakers and fun activities for the students, such as laser tag or gym blasts.
When the fundraiser begins, students take home order forms and ask their families and friends if they would like to make a purchase. There was no door to door sales involved, but there was an additional option available this year. People could order directly online from the company website, which may have contributed to increased sales.
When the poinsettias arrived, the school had
a contactless pickup. Everything was picked up within a matter of hours. The process was carried out very smoothly.
Many organizations had put their fundraisers on hold during the Christmas season, offering fewer opportunities for people to support their community, clubs and schools. This may have helped to explain Elizabeth School’s greater than usual success. However, there is no doubt that the poinsettias’ beauty was the perfect way to brighten up people’s homes and provide some cheer during a challenging year. Way to go, kids!
Classifieds Your West Central
RATES (based on 20 words or less). $10.00 plus GST. Additional words are 20¢ each. Deadline is Thursday noon. 306-671-0242 FOR SALE
IN MEMORIAM
Aug.
with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 31st of January 2021.
S0L 1S0
FOR SALE: Medical sheep skin single bed size. Best offer. 306-463-9170. JN18p FOR RENT
ROOMS FOR RENT. $500. Includes all utilities. Call Tim Schuh at 306-460-9292. WANTED
WANTED TO BUY - Hunting Rifles, Shotguns and Ammunition. Have permits. Call 463-7756 (Cell). MR29
Kindersley RCMP respond to 85 calls for service
Between January 4th to January 11th, 2021, Kindersley RCMP responded to 85 calls for service*.
Several of the calls for service included traffic related offences with several reports of speeding in the area and one traffic collision. Some of the other more frequent calls for service included, three family disputes, three Mental Health Act calls and one drug possession charge.
With the wind advisory for the Kindersley area being issued by Environment Canada for tomorrow and Thursday the RCMP would like to remind drivers to slow
Your West Central
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Sheppard &Millar Law
Barristers and Solicitors
down on the roads and if visibility ends up being poor please stay off the roads if you do not need to travel.
Kindersley RCMP would like to thank members of the public who had blue lights on their homes last week to show support for the police and the tragic loss of
a police officer in Calgary. This gesture did not go unnoticed and it was appreciated.
*For more information on the calls to service please contact the Kindersley RCMP detachment.
If you need to report any suspicious activity in your community, please contact the Kindersley RCMP detachment by calling 306-462-4642 or their local police service. Information can also be provided anonymously through Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers by calling 1800-222-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
Joseph Ries
12, 1941 - Jan. 19, 2019
Those that we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. ~ Author unknown
Love Nina, Charles, Bobbi, Gary, Ashton and Shay
WARD - It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of a wonderful husband, father and Papa, Robert, at the age of 62 years on January 7th,2021.
Robert was born March 6th, 1958, the youngest child of the late Art and Gladys Ward of Flaxcombe. Many people were curious as to how he was the only one in the family with red hair and he told everyone it was because seeing as he was the last child born his Dad had rusty pipes! Luckily he passed along that beautiful red hair to some of his grandchildren. He was raised on the family farm north of Flaxcombe.
HEEG - Betty Lou Heeg (nee Marlatt) passed away peacefully in Leader, Sask, on January 5, 2021 at the age of 89. She was predeceased by her parents, Alice Mary (Blair) and Victor Ashton Abraham (“Curly”) Marlatt; her husband, Arthur Walter Heeg; her parents-in-law, Christian and Emma Heeg; her siblings Albert Marlatt, Irene (Marlatt) Strong and Jack Marlatt; brother-inlaw Charlie Strong and sister-in-law Bernice (Heeg) Miller.
Betty Lou was born in Wawanesa, Manitoba but spent most of her youth in Rocanville, Sask, where she graduated High School at the age of 16. Betty Lou attended the University of Saskatchewan for two years and then Normal School in Regina. She began her teaching career as principal of the school at Estuary, Sask. where she met her husband, Art Heeg. They were married on December 28, 1954 in Rocanville and began life together in Sceptre, Sask, where Betty Lou was then teaching. Their first child, Terry, was born in Prelate hospital. After they moved to Estuary, where Art farmed with his father
Robert attended school in Flaxcombe and Marengo, eventually leaving school early to explore life and get an education in his own way. He worked on service and drilling rigs for a few years and eventually settled in Edmonton. He loved mechanics and found a job at “The Auto Spot” where he mentored a 17 year old young man and they became life long friends. After a while he decided to try a different job and bought a tow truck and went to work for the city of Edmonton. During his time doing mechanics he met the love of his life, Kim Martin, who was hairdressing in Edmonton. We quickly started a life together that spanned almost 40 years. Roberts Dad came to Edmonton for a visit and convinced us to move home and go farming with his brothers Roy and Raymond, so he sold the tow truck, I quit my job and we left the big city. What a change for this city girl! The best part of
and brother, Bud, three more children were born in Leader hospital: Jo Ann, Blair and Lisa. In 1962, the family moved to Leader. Lou, as she was known, was very active in the community. She was a devoted member of Leader United Church, an avid curler, a substitute teacher, girls’ softball coach (in fact, the first organizer of girls’ ball in Leader), dedicated bridge player, town librarian and Stats Canada employee for 10 years. Her interests were many and varied. She loved sports, reading, deep discussions and having company over. Lou became an excellent seamstress who sewed annual wardrobes for her children; she was a prolific artist, focused especially on oil painting. Over the years, she saved up for her second act. When the opportunity arose to take over a local women’s clothing store in 1984, she knew that was it. Being the proprietor of Bettylou Boutique fit her outgoing personality and flair for fashion perfectly. In 1986, after Art suffered a stroke that left him unable to farm, Art and Lou moved to Regina where she opened a second store with daughter, Lisa. Reclaiming her full name, Betty Lou relished this next chapter in her life. She joined the Regina Bridge Club and began to earn points toward her Masters designation, which she attained in short order.
Bettylou Boutique became known for fashion shows at the Regina Exhibition and charity events. Betty Lou thrived on challenges and being new to Regina
moving back was the happiness Robert felt farming with his Dad and brothers. We eventually got some cows and chickens and we were off to the races!
We were married in Kindersley on August 11th,1984 and welcomed our first child Christopher in January, 1985. Our second baby bundle Alicia arrived in August 1986 and Nathan completed our family in February 1990. Life was good on the farm. The kids grew up happy and healthy and we as parents didn’t get too many grey hairs.
Robert loved to “bug” people, and he had an infectious laugh that we all loved. He was always trying to pull one over on his grandkids, and they would look at me and say “that’s not true is it Nana?”. So very many people are going to miss his “bugging”.
Robert leaves to mourn his passing his wife Kim, children Chris (Jenna), Alicia (Trevor Becker), Nathan (Jamie), his sweet grand-
did not slow her down in the least. She loved attending Rider football games, walking with friends around Wascana Lake and defending the beauty of her adopted home. At the store, she reconnected with past students and old friends who she was always happy to see.
Art and Betty Lou soon had seven grandchildren who loved to spend time with them. Betty Lou was an exciting ‘Gran’ to be around. Before Art’s death in 2009, the couple enjoyed trips to bridge tournaments in Canada and the U.S, an annual holiday in Las Vegas with friends and family, camping trips, houseboating on Lake Diefenbaker and a memorable trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Betty Lou was intent on having Art enjoy life to the fullest even though his mobility was limited. She kept their life together interesting and fun.
Betty Lou retired in 2003 and enjoyed a few trips without Art, as he was no longer able to travel. She lived in their downtown condo until 2014, when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and made the decision to move to College Park II retirement residence. She enjoyed her time there, meeting new friends and starting a bridge club, (of course!) Her health worsened in December, 2016; subsequently she required more care and was confined to a wheelchair. Sadly, her quality of life declined, but was enriched by visits from her children and grandchildren and the special attention she re-
children Madison, Dexter, Jordynn, Tucker, Kaycee and Piper, his dog Jack and his cat Garfield, brother Richard and family, sisters Eva, Marjorie, and Sharon and their families, the children of Raymond, Roy and Evelyn, many cousins and dear friends, and a large number of Kim’s extended family.
He was predeceased by his parents Art and Gladys, brothers Raymond and Roy, sister Evelyn, nephews Donny, Doug and Gary, nephew David and niece Beverly, father in law Dan Martin and mother in law Dorothy Trickett.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Kindersley Community Funeral Home and Crematorium. A private family service has been held.
Internment will be at a later date. Those wishing to make memorial donations may do so to the Diabetes Association of Saskatchewan or a charity of your choice.
ceived from her friend and caregiver, Halime Turhan. In October, 2020, Betty Lou returned to Leader where she was entrusted to the exceptional care at the Leader and Districted Integrated Health Care Facility. With great compassion, they allowed her children to be there in her final days. We are forever grateful for their kindness.
Left to treasure and honour her memory are: her brother Ernest (Shirley) Marlatt; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bud and Norma Heeg, Ron and Jeanne Heeg; brother-inlaw Bud Miller; sister-inlaw Rose Marlatt; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; her children: Terry Lou Bailey (Art Lecuyer); Jo Ann (Hugh) Williams; Blair Curtis Heeg and Lisa Jane Heeg (Brad Wenzel) and son-in-law, Terry Bailey; her beloved grandchildren: Jessica (Chad) Smith; Barbra Bailey; Julie (Honza) Dvorackova; Christian Clermont (Kelsey Chadwick); Sarah (Cody) Allin; Andrew (Jolene) Bailey and Thomas (Brittany) Williams, along with great-grandchildren: Reese, Payton & Austin Allin; Rhett & Remy Williams; Cecilia & Sylvie Dvorackova; Taylor & Sage Smith; Theodore & June Bailey.
A memorial service in Betty Lou’s honour will be held at a later date. Binkley’s Funeral Services are entrusted with final arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the charity of your choice.
To offer condolences to the family, visit www.binkleysfuneralservice.com
Edwin Rijvers Canada Purple Shield
Sara Martin Funeral Director
THE POWER OF NEWSPAPER ADS IN 2021
Given the proliferation of digital platforms, the rise of geo-targeting and the constant stream of online news, you may be wondering if it’s worth placing ads in your local paper. In fact, the power of newspapers should not be ignored.
Distributed regularly, community newspapers allow you to connect with your target audience in meaningful ways. In fact, studies show that consumers are more likely to be swayed by ads in local newspapers because they view these publications as credible. Indeed, the reputation and good standing of newspapers has enormous influence.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER
Whether published in print or online, local newspapers remain a top source of reliable information for the public, particularly when it comes to issues affecting the community. Without a doubt, local papers are a relevant and in-demand source of news. And, when marketing dollars are spent wisely, they make a real impact.
The takeaway? Make certain to advertise where you’re sure to get real results!
Get started now. We can help you create an ad or build a whole campaign. Contact us today!
robert.winquist@sasktel.net
