former resident of Coleville, Saskatchewan, Michelle Knorr, better known to her students as Ms.Knorr, felt the impact of Kamloops and its ripple effect to the core of her teaching profession. Using her Arts Education program to represent a small community and its students, was the least she could do to honour the 215 children who were taken way too soon. Three Junior High grades were included in this conglomeration and making this mini-billboard. Every student coloured multiple shoes to represent every unique child who was taken and later buried too young in Kamloops, BC. The poster has 430 shoes in total, which reflects 215 children. The poster now resides in the Neilburg Composite School library.
RE-OPENING ROADMAP
The Government of Saskatchewan has updated the Re-Opening Roadmap to include a vaccination threshold for the removal of all remaining public health restrictions, including mandatory masking and limits on gathering sizes.
The threshold for the removal of those public health orders will occur three weeks after 70 per cent of people age 12 and above have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with at least three weeks having passed since the beginning of Step Two. This means that all restrictions could be lifted as early as July 11, if that threshold is reached by June 20.
“It’s really up to Saskatchewan people and how many of us make the choice to protect ourselves and those around us and get vaccinated,” Premier Scott Moe said. “Because that’s really what this is all about. The goal isn’t just to meet some target number we have set. The goal is to protect Saskatchewan people, so we can re-open safely.”
Saskatchewan. We have had public health orders in place now for 445 days. They could all be removed in a little over a month from now, if enough of us get vaccinated.”
The expected timelines for lifting restrictions are being provided well in advance to allow for the planning of larger public events and family gatherings like weddings. While all public health restrictions may be removed as early as July 11, everyone will have their own level of comfort with these changes.
Masking
Although masking requirements will no longer be required under the public health order, some people may still wish to wear masks based on their own risk assessment and comfort level depending on the circumstances. Masking requirements may also still be in effect in certain workplaces at the discretion of owners or operators.
Gatherings/Events
If you are organizing a larger gathering or event for later in the summer, there are some guidelines to assist in planning.
The original Step Three threshold of the Re-Opening Roadmap remains in effect. After 70 per cent of people 18 and older have received their first dose of vaccine and three weeks since the beginning of Step Two, most of the remaining public health restrictions will be lifted, such as those on restaurants, sports and recreation. Mandatory masking and gathering size limits would remain in effect until 70 per cent of people ages 12 and above have received their first dose.
Currently, 66 per cent of those over the age of 18 have received their first dose, while 62 per cent of people 12+ in Saskatchewan have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
“Our path back to normal continues to be through our vaccinations and I want to thank all the residents of Saskatchewan who have chosen to keep themselves and their friends, families and communities safe,” Moe said. “And to everyone who hasn’t been vaccinated yet, now is the time. Let’s get this done,
Although physical distancing will no longer be required, consider spacing and separation for those attending through messaging or crowd control barriers. All washrooms and commonly touched surfaces should continue to receive enhanced cleaning and disinfection. Employees and volunteers should be aware of public health prevention practices, such as proper sanitization, guest interaction etiquette and emergency response protocol.
A
Better together initiative coming to Kindersley
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
In 2018, two gals from North Battleford, Deb McNabb and Allysa Woodrow put their heads together and started the Better Together t-shirt project. It had been a challenging year when the community had experienced numerous losses due to suicide.
“So many people were hurting. It was a time of hopelessness,” Deb said. As a pastor of a local church, she knew first hand about all the hurting people. Together with Alyssa, a grade 12 student, the pair met together to figure out a way to connect the generations.
Deb said people are surprised to hear that the loneliest people aren’t seniors but people between the ages of 15-20. “People in that age group have followers on social media, but they don’t have people who know and love them as friends,” Deb said. “People are better together. It’s an old message, but it’s fresh today.”
One year later, Alyssa and Deb launched the Better Together t-shirt project. There are four logos to choose from: salt and pepper, milk and cookies, bacon and eggs, peanut butter, and jam - all foods that are better together.
“We did a pilot project of seniors and young people, and North Battleford had 9,000 people wearing Better Together t-shirts on Tuesday,” Deb explained. “Our businesses and schools got on board because of the importance of not being alone. It was about loneliness more than about suicide.”
The goal is to find someone wearing a matching t-shirt and say hello or chat. Deb recalls the first time she wore her t-shirt on a Tuesday in 2019. “I went in the local Co-op, and a little granny was wearing a salt and pepper shirt like mine. She came over and kissed me on my cheek, and we got to know each other. I started visiting her every Monday, and we had tea.”
That was in 2019, and then Covid hit in 2020. “Now we’re all over Canada, and it’s especially spreading across communities in Saskatchewan,” Deb said. “Loneliness is an ugly word because it makes you feel like you’re not good at making friends, which is
a lie.” Deb firmly believes a connected community is a healthy community, and we’re truly better together. It’s about connecting all ages and all cultures.
After a very tough year of conducting funerals of suicide victims, Deb decided to take a one-year leave from her pastoral duties. “I knew that was vital for my mental health,” she explained. But she is very busy as an ambassador for “Better Together.”
“G-Macs AgTeam throughout Saskatchewan is on board, as well as Kindersley Christian Fellowship in Kindersley. And the schools are also looking to come on board,” Deb said. G-Macs AgTeam has generously offered to purchase t-shirts for the high school students at Kindersley Composite School.
“I meet with 110 students once a month, and they get all the mayors on board. The young people are the ambassadors in their community. They’re challenging all generations to be involved. I didn’t think seniors would wear the shirts, but they will wear them to keep the kids alive. They want to be part of something. They have heart and something to share with the younger generations,” Deb said.
All Out Graphics in North Battleford produces the t-shirts and hoodies, and they are available on their website at alloutgd.com, or you can call and make an order.
“I knew the message was going to be a long-term message. So I’m raising up ambassadors in each community to talk to people because there’s no way I can do this myself,” Deb concluded.
She’s hoping, in the very near future, to see people of all ages wearing Better Together t-shirts in Kindersley on Tuesdays. More importantly, she hopes to see people connecting with one another and effectively eliminating loneliness. After all, we are and always will be better together.
Founders of Better Together T-Shirt Project: L-R: Deb McNabb and Allysa Woodrow.
OPINION
CHECK IT OUT with Joan Janzen
Canadian comedian doesn’t attract politically correct audiences
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Russell Peters is a Canadian standup comedian who is on the list of the world’s highest paid comedians, which means people think he’s funny. He said one of the happiest times in his childhood was when their family finally got a car that had
air conditioning, but his dad wouldn’t turn it on because it cut down gas mileage.
Comedians often say the things people are thinking, but don’t say out loud. Russell said it’s a sign of a healthy society when Canadians are accepting of comedians. Russell fills arenas and stadiums, and is
known as a comedian who brings in some of the largest audiences, speaking to tens of thousands of people. However he said he won’t go to university campuses to perform. “I don’t need to be policed by somebody who doesn’t really understand the world. I just say no thank you to university requests.”
Will that be one dose or two?
Well, if you want to freely move about, sit in a full Mosaic Stadium to watch a ‘Rider game and get rid of those masks once and for all, a lot more of us need one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
You need it, you and friends need it and the crazy old guy that lives at the edge of town and talks to himself needs it.
Right now, convincing everyone in Saskatchewan they need that first dose remains Premier Scott Moe’s biggest challenge … although it my soon be exceeded by the challenge not too far down the road of getting us that second dose.
Both these challenges stand in the way of the Premier’s bold new goals he set out last week.
At his weekly press conference, Moe updated his re-opening plan with some slightly more ambitious vaccination goals and some very ambitious re-opening plans so that we can “return to normal”.
The slightly tougher goals are an addition to his three-stage plan announced
early last month and call on Saskatchewan to have 70 per cent of everyone in this province 12 years and older get at least one dose of vaccine.
If that goal is met, come July 11, Saskatchewan people can stop wearing their masks and we can all return to large gatherings like weddings or sporting events.
In order to make this happen we will have to meet that 70-per-cent threshold by June 20th, so Moe is calling on people to get out and get that first dose as quickly as possible.
During his performance he insults one ethnic group after another, yet everyone seems to be waiting their turn to be insulted. Russell says he gets away with it because his talking points are from the other person’s perspective. How does he know their perspective? “I just pay attention when I travel around. I go to malls and ask local people simple questions, like how different people are treated,” he says. Russell’s unique technique gives people the freedom to laugh at themselves.
Russel said he knows right away by a person’s body language, which way they’re taking the information he’s giving. “It’s usually younger guys who have an attitude. That’s when I use my fatherly instinct and tell them something like ‘Shut up, I’m talking now’,” he said.
However, not everyone is permitted to speak out boldly, as Russell Peters does. Recently a Canadian family doctor in British Columbia wrote a letter to the Provincial Health Officer. He wrote, “In our small community, we have one person dead and three people who
look as though they will be permanently disabled, following their first dose of the vaccine.” He also mentioned “numerous” allergic reactions.
Following his letter, he is no longer allowed to work in the ER department, although he still can work in his private practice. This has resulted in his income being slashed in half.
A statement by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and the First Nations Health Authority said his statements contradict public health orders and guidance, and are thus confusing and potentially harmful to patients. But wasn’t this doctor simply reporting medical results?
In another instance, Father Altman from Wisconsin has been asked to resign by his superior (bishop) because he told his parishioners “If you’re a Catholic you can’t be a Democrat.” Although it’s been publicly stated that Democrats can’t be prolife, this priest was accused of being “divisive and ineffective”. Nevertheless people are coming from all over the country to see him.
received at least one dose of vaccine. To meet the new goal, we need 75,000 more people who haven’t been vaccinated to get that first dose.
Notwithstanding, a slowing down in certain age brackets after the initial rush to get vaccines, we are well on our way. As Moe noted, people of all ages have been coming in for their first vaccinations long after their age group became eligible to do so.
“It’s really up to us, the people of Saskatchewan, and how many of us make the choice to protect ourselves, protect those around us, take the time and go out and get vaccinated,” Moe said.
It is doable.
As of the day Moe made his latest announcement, 66 per cent of all adults and 62 per cent of those 12 and older had
In his big push, Moe further noted that his province’s vaccination rate has moved ahead of that of the United States — at least, when it comes to getting a first dose. In the U.S., we are now seeing stadiums and arenas open up for baseball, basketball and hockey.
However, the U.S. is far ahead of us when it comes to people getting that second dose — what everyone, including Moe, insists is required to be completely safe.
When people come to hear Russell Peters he says, “I get more complaints from people when I don’t talk about them. You shouldn’t be at a show if you can’t laugh at yourself.”
Russell’s dad, who moved to Canada from India, said “Son, I bought a barbecue. I’m inviting the neighbours over and when they eat our food they’ll think I’m Canadian.” Russel replied, “When they eat our food they’ll know you’re not Canadian. Our food has flavour.”
Comedians are rewarded with laughter and approval when they speak the truth, unlike the Canadian doctor and Father Altman, who are being punished.
You can contact me at joanjanzen@yahoo.com
“COVID is not going away,” the Premier said, noting Saskatoon remains a hotspot. “We’re going to continue to have COVID outbreaks and COVID spread far after we reopen this province.”
This leaves the Premier and the province with a bit of a delicate balancing act.
It is undoubtedly a priority for more people get that first dose. There is even legitimate reason to question whether the re-open plan’s 70-per-cent threshold shouldn’t be higher.
That the plan does not have any second-dose threshold requirement is also troubling to many who wonder whether people will see second doses as less of priority once things open up.
Already, many seniors have become frustrated by not being able to book appointments for that second dose.
Further complicating matters is people getting second doses is less of a priority than people getting their first dose.
Moe has a bold plan that depends on something he can’t fully control — us going out and getting vaccinated.
MURRAY MANDRYK Political Columnist
Local and Provincial RCMP Reports
Kindersley RCMP respond to 30 calls for service
Between May 24th to May 30th, 2021, Kindersley RCMP responded to 30 calls for service*.
Kindersley RCMP had a relatively calm week to round out the month of May. The RCMP would like to remind drivers to keep an eye on their speeds in both school zones and residential areas. With the warm weather expected this week more children will be playing in and around roadways and higher speeds make for longer braking times for kids that may show up unexpectedly on the road.
If you need to report any suspicious activity in your community, please contact the Kindersley RCMP detachment by calling 306-4634642 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.
Online Crime Reporting can be accessed at: https://ocre-sielc. rcmp-grc.gc.ca/saskatchewan.
*For more information on the calls to service please contact the Kindersley RCMP detachment.
Shaunavon RCMP respond to drowning of 21-year-old man
On Sunday, May 30, 2021 around 5 p.m, Shaunavon RCMP was called to a recreation area near the hamlet of Simmie, SK, where an adult male swimmer was reported to be in distress.
Initial investigation determined that a 21-year-old man had been swimming in the Swift Current Creek with friends. He had jumped off a bridge, went underwater and failed to resurface.
RCMP officers, the Swift Current Fire Department and Ministry of Environment Conservation Officers searched for the male using boats. At 7:15 p.m., the body of the male was located and recovered. The deceased is from Alberta and his family has been notified.
The Saskatchewan Coroners Service is now investigating.
Theft of Aeration Systems from Grain Bins
On the 20th of May, 2021, the Ponteix RCMP received information relating to the theft of 3 Aeration Systems that had been removed from inside 3 metal grain bins. The Aeration Systems had been purchased from Switzer Auctions North of Ponteix at an abandoned farm yard. The systems are valued at $3000.00.
Described as: 8 Foot aluminum perforated pipe with Styrofoam at the bottom.
This item assists in the drying process for agriculture products, such as grain, wheat etc.
If anyone has any information regarding this or any other Criminal matters within South Western Saskatchewan, please contact the Ponteix RCMP at 1-306-625-6400 or 310-RCMP or if you choose to
Culligan is Water…
remain anonymous you may call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477, or submit an online tip at www.saskcrimestoppers.com
Battleford RCMP respond to 543 calls for service last week
These included:
• 8 of Missing Persons Reports, 3 are still active.
- Dale Baptiste, 39, reported missing on the 26th of May. Last confirmed seen by family on the 17th of May on St Laurent Drive in North Battleford. Investigation has indicated there have been some unconfirmed sighting in and near City of North Battleford in the last two weeks.
- UPDATE: Skyler Tinker, 13 and Aliya Natomagan, 13 are still missing. Monty Littlewolfe and Dawson Nakohoot were located in Saskatoon earlier this week. Tinker and Natomagan are also believed to currently be in the City of Saskatoon.
• 36 Assault investigations.
• 5 Break and Enters.
• Break and Enter to a business in industrial area of North Battleford shortly after midnight on the 29th of May. The vehicle was later located and seized by members.
• A Break and Enter to a residence was reported shortly after 3 am on the 28th of May on the 800 block of 111th Street. Several individuals were reported to be attempting to gain entry to a residence. A 21 year old male and 21 year old female were arrested a short time later and are facing charges of Break and Enter, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous purpose, and Mischief. The investigation is ongoing.
• 8 Stolen Vehicles.
• 2007 White Chevrolet Aveo with Saskatchewan License 320LTE reported stolen from residence south of Battleford on the 27th of May.
• 2009 White Chevrolet Impala LS with Saskatchewan License 249LWH reported stolen from Railway Avenue East in North Battleford on the early evening of May 31st.
• 2003 Red GMC Envoy with Saskatchewan License 392MED reported stolen from the Cochin area on the evening of May 26th.
• 2011 Grey GMC Sierra with Saskatchewan License 5R561 reported stolen for the 1600 block of 106th Street in North Battleford in the early morning of May 26th.
• 2020 Red Dodge Ram with Saskatchewan License 378MBF reported stolen from the 100 block of Battleford on the evening of May 30th.
• 22 Mental Health Act investigations.
• 6 Health/COVID violation investigations.
Anyone with information on any incident is urged to call the North Battleford RCMP at (306)446-1720 or Saskatchewan Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
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Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean!
Estate yard sale donates $4000 to Kerrobert Hospital
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
The family of the late Bill Bullied of Coleville held a yard sale on the weekend of May 28-30, when they sold Bill’s household belongings. Shortly before Bill passed away on March 11, 2021, he told his son Larry that he would give a million dollars to the Kerrobert Hospital if he won the lottery.
Although Bill did have a ticket, he didn’t win a million. His son Larry was in charge of his dad’s estate, which included a house jammed full of stuff, so the family decided to have a yard sale. Not only did they manage to get rid of ev-
erything, but they were able to raise $4,000 at their yard sale and presented the donation to the Kerrobert Hospital in memory of his dad.
Larry would like to give thanks to everyone who helped to make his
Maximum Hearing is helping people communicate
Dad’s sale a success: Tommy & Dawn Kitchen, Joan & Bev Kitchen Estate, Betty Lou Schultz, Lynn Kuehn and Art Trace, Janet Bayford, Cory Bullied, Billy Gutenberg, Donnie & Carol Dillabough, LA Ranger Trucking (René Ranger), Clarence, and to everyone that contributed in some way. A special mention to the Legion for making Dad’s funeral something memorable.
“People were so generous and kept dropping off monetary donations,” Larry said. It may not have been a million-dollar donation, but Larry was confident his dad would have been pleased that $4,000 was given to the Kerrobert Hospital.
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I’m thrilled to announce my involvement with WESK as an ambassador of the official Woman-Owned Saskatchewan Business brand identity! Through this initiative, local majority woman-owned businesses can now loudly and proudly be identified, making it so much easier to support woman entrepreneurs. Now, it’s your turn! If you’re a majority woman-owned business, you can become an official woman-owned Saskatchewan Business too! Learn more here: https://wesk.ca/ about-wesk/advocacy/women-owned-business-about/
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Ayear ago, Maxine Williams-Herbert expanded her business at Three Hills, Alberta, to include services at Hanna, Alberta. Her company, Maximum Hearing’s Hanna office, is open every Thursday and Friday. Clients can book appointments at Hanna by phoning the Three Hills location Monday to Friday. Unfortunately, she is unable to accommodate walk-ins at this time.
Maxine is a Registered Hearing Aid Practitioner, Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences, with over 30 years of experience. Although Maxine resides in Three Hills, she works at both locations, providing hearing services in a relaxed and friendly environment. The Hanna office is located at 119 - 2nd Avenue West.
Plans to open the Hanna office began after Maxine had a client from Hanna come to see her. Maxine discovered only one company came to that town once a month to provide hearing services.
“The problem with that is, if you have a problem with your hearing aids and it’s the day after the other company has been there, then you have to wait until they return, or make a twohour trip one way to get it fixed. When it comes to hearing aids, so many people rely on them working to communicate, and to be without anything for any time is a huge concern,” Maxine said.
Having worked in the industry for over 30 years, she has seen plen-
ty of changes. “When I started, we would use small screwdrivers and lambswool to help to adjust the sound of the hearing aid,” she explained. “Now everything we do is programmed through different software programs, and you can not only connect your hearing aids to your phone through Bluetooth, but you can download an app that will allow you to adjust the volume and help with overall sound quality.”
She also clarified the common misconception that hearing aids help you “hear” better. “Most people can always hear the sounds; it’s understanding what is being said that is a struggle. Hearing aids should actually be thought of
as communication aids as they are being worn more and more to help provide clarity and understanding,” she said. To help with that process, Maxine offers a program that helps to train your brain to hear sounds better. “The ears are the pathway, but the brain is actually what does the hearing,” she said. In conjunction with hearing aids, this program can help clients relearn how to hear, especially in difficult environments. “It is a self-directed program that the user can use at their own pace. Hearing aids have come a long way, but they can’t do everything. I try to use as many tools as possible to help people regain their ability to communicate.”
Larry Bullied
The Avonlea Badlands:
A Saskatchewan
road trip you don’t want to miss!
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
One of Saskatchewan’s best-kept secrets are the Avonlea Badlands, located four kilometres outside of Avonlea, Sask. You may be asking, “Where is Avonlea?” It is a village located 82 kilometres southwest of Regina. Its beautiful badlands are situated on private property, which is only accessible via guided tours offered by the Avonlea Heritage Museum.
Tanner Stevens has been conducting tours in the area for over six years, taking visitors through native prairie pasture and into the base of the Badlands, where he says the scenery never fails to disappoint him. “The initial view of the badlands unsuspectedly appearing out of a sea of grass continues to impress me,” he said. “The Avonlea Badlands cover about one square kilometre of land. Since we take only guided tours, we can take groups right into the badlands, where they can walk right up to the formations and be completely immersed in this unique landscape.”
The Badlands are only accessible by foot and are so well hidden on private property that even some locals have never ventured out to see them. Tours, which began in 2013, help to manage visitors and protect the landscape.
The tours for 2021 are taking place all summer long, every day, at several times each day. Tours are approximately an hour and a half in length. Morning tours offer an enjoyable hike before the heat of the day, however, photographers may prefer the evening tour when the sunset casts an orange hue over the landscape.
The hike is challenging enough, but not too hard that it makes for a nice walk while taking pictures and enjoying the outdoors,” Tanner noted. “Our experienced guides show guests the
iconic features of the Badlands while talking about the local geology, archeology and paleontology, as well as the native plants and animals.”
The Badlands area is home to many animals, including rabbits, deer and antelope, and is used as pasture for cattle and horses for the majority of the summer. “The main feature is the birds we see,” Tanner explained. “Depending on the time of day, we are certainly going to see some sparrows, wrens and hawks, as well as many other common and uncommon species.”
Tanner said there is evidence of the presence of First Nations tribes in the area. For example, a buffalo jump located one kilometre from the Badlands revealed many weapon points found during excavation, including the first Avonlea Arrowhead.
The Avonlea Badlands contain sedimentary deposits laid down years ago when a large inland sea covered this area. More recently, the land was shaped by glaciers that scoured the surface and meltwater that caused further erosion.
While you’re in the area, you can also visit the Avonlea Museum located at the end of Main Street. The original 1912 CN Train Station houses an impressive collection of artifacts. Visitors can also explore a 1918 cook sleeper and supply car, the St. David’s Anglican Church and a pioneer display building filled with murals done by a local artist. The most recent addition is an agriculture display building.
Suppose you want to extend your visit further. In that case, you could check out the Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site, located 13.2 kilometres from Avonlea or the picturesque Wakamow Valley, just 53 kilometres from Avonlea.
This is definitely a Saskatchewan road trip you don’t want to miss.
Sagebrush Studios has something for everyone
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Decades have passed since Fran and Dean Francis created Sagebrush Studios, located twelve miles east of Empress, Alberta, near the southern Alberta border. Their twenty acres of land is situated close to the ravines and river valleys that Dean has been painting for 43 years. Each year he creates close to 80 prairie landscapes, which are displayed at Sagebrush Studios.
“We usually have new paintings up and older ones that are favourites because we have a lot of space,” Dean said. They have 100 paintings on display, which is more than Dean can paint in a year. “A lot of the paintings will be from last year because we had small crowds. Besides, people only seem to come every few years, so it’s new to them when they come.”
The paintings adorn the walls of historic church buildings - the Mantario Gallery and the Mendham Gallery, and there’s one working studio, the Pinkham Studio. Although the church buildings have moved to a different location, their original beauty has been preserved.
The galleries include an assortment of greeting cards and birding books, and Bill Wardill’s books,
which are all for sale.
Last year Fran and Dean added handcrafted furniture from Aaron Steinley of Empress. It takes Aaron about 100 hours to make a larger piece of his willow furniture, but you can be assured it will be able to be passed on to one’s grandchildren.
Aaron takes a weekly trip to the South Saskatchewan and Red Deer rivers, where he finds the sandbar variety of willow used to bind the larger diamond variety of willow that grows in clumps. He then strips the dead diamond willow of its bark and polishes and stains it.
Outside, the church galleries are surrounded by walkways and water features, and there are acres of prairie gardens to explore. “We have over 50 species and 10,000 trees planted. Planting trees offers new places for native
species of birds to nest. It expands the population,” Dean said. “There are tons of birds, and we get a lot of bird watchers going on road trips.”
Fran and Dean do all the yard work themselves. “We have a lot of projects on the go. We’ll be busy whether there are people here or not,” Dean said. But they love to have people come and visit. “Last year, most of our visitors were from Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Saskatoon, rather than locals.”
Fran and Dean will be taking appointments this year with everyone staggered. “Generally, when we used to have the open house, we had between 1000 to 1200 visitors. Now it’s less than half of that,” Dean noted. When Fran and Dean aren’t doing maintenance, yard work, or entertaining guests, they are busy with their grandkids. “They’re quite young, so when they’re here, we don’t get much done. It’s fun, but your work just stops,” Dean said.
Nevertheless, this year Dean has another project on the go. He is painting a new mural on the Eatonia Rink, which he hopes to complete during June, weather permitting.
Dean Francis
Sports with Bruce Penton
Oilers’ great expectations fall short
‘Great Expectations’ has already been taken as a book title, but perhaps the Edmonton Oilers can use it as a subtitle to their reflections on an abbreviated 2020-21 National Hockey League season.
With the best player in the world in their lineup, and perhaps the second-best player in the NHL skating beside him, the Oilers were not expected to be swept out of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. The Jets are a quality team, and the Oilers were certainly not assured of victory, but to lose four in a row was not showing up in anyone’s crystal ball.
So now Connor McDavid, closing in on his prime, has been shunted to the playoff sidelines in Round 1 four consecutive years. Edmontonians have had the Great Gretzky and now McDavid leading their NHL franchise, and today they’re wondering why McDavid can’t produce Stanley Cups as 99 did back in the 1980s. For one thing, Gretzky’s supporting cast was far superior to the one currently aiding McDavid and his superstar sidekick, Leon Draisaitl. If Gretzky was resting on the bench, the likes of Mark Messier, Jari Kurri,
Glenn Anderson and Paul Coffey could take over, and dominate. Today’s Oilers have McDavid, Draisaitl and a plethora of ‘pretty goods” — Jesse Puljujarvi, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Darnell Nurse — but no obvious Hall-of-Famers.
Expectations were high for the Oilers this year after a second-place finish in the North Division (35-19-2), a solid nine points better than the Jets. But the better-balanced Winnipeg team got exceptional goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck and used overtime magic (the last three wins were in OT) to send McDavid and Co. scurrying to the GolfNow website.
General manager Ken Holland has a busy summer ahead of him as he attempts to fill in some of the holes on the roster. He will have salary cap space on his side, and he knows what he’s doing, as evidenced by his Stanley Cup history in Detroit. The Wings won two Stanley Cups in the late 1990s, after three or four “disappointments,” said Holland, and he told Terry Jones of the Edmonton Journal that those disappointments in Detroit are similar to what the Oilers have been going through lately.
Meanwhile, the Jets are cur-
rently playing in the Canadian division championship and the managerial wheels are turning in Edmonton, determined to find a talented supporting cast for McDavid and turn those great expectations into positive results.
• Patti Dawn Swansson, on Twitter: “In the end, the Winnipeg Jets out-Connored the Edmonton Oilers. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was the deciding factor in the playoff sweep, and Kyle Connor scored the winning goal in triple OT in Game 4, after Connor McDavid coughed up the puck.”
• Headline on fark.com: “Ha-Ha Clinton Dix is trying out for the Texans, and that’s no laughing matter.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “New Detroit Lions bench boss, Dan Campbell, told team ownership he wants a pet lion roaming at practice to motivate the team. Another statement from the coach to give us paws.”
• Headline in theonion. com: “‘We’re So Screwed,’ Says Detroit Lions Fan After Seeing They Got Matched Up Against Other Teams Again”
• Omaha comedy writer Brad Dickson, via Twitter, after miraculously no one was hurt when two small planes collided over Denver: “Meanwhile, every year at least one major-league baseball player misses half the season after injuring himself with a can opener or dental floss.”
• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: “Bigger cloud over NFL offseason: Aaron Rodgers wanting divorce from Green Bay? Or Deshaun Watson legal mess in Houston? Close call.”
• Ron Green Jr., of Global Golf Post, on Phil Mickelson’s tenuous lead going into the final round of the PGA: “Mickelson started the final round one stroke ahead of Brooks Koepka and two ahead of Louis Oosthuizen, the equivalent of being tailgated at 150 mph.”
• Swansson again, on TNT signing Wayne Gretzky to a $3 million contract to serve as an analyst next year: “Memo to TNT: Gretzky is known as The Great One, not The Glib One.”
• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, on Twitter, after a fan dumped popcorn on Washington’s Russell Westbrook: “The fan has been identified as Orville Redenbacher.”
• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “In a TMZ video, Aaron Rodgers is in Hawaii wearing a man-bun and singing and playing guitar to movie stars. Somewhere the ghost of Johnny Unitas just shed a single, broken-hearted tear.”
• RJ Currie again: “LeBron James was once fined $5,000 for flopping against the Pacers. That was one minute, seven seconds pay he never got back.”
• From fark.com: “Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson to release video catalogue of cheating pitchers. Next week news: Josh Donaldson’s lifeless body found submerged in trashcan of liquid horse steroids.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Saskatchewan Kids return to play!
Thanks to the strong number of people in Saskatchewan getting vaccinated against COVID-19, Saskatchewan residents will once again be able to participate in outdoor team sports and activities as part of Step 1 of the Re-opening Roadmap.
Sport participants must continue to abide by current public health restrictions such as capacity limitations for outdoor gatherings. Coaches, officials, umpires, referees and players who are not on the field are not required to wear masks under the public health order. Individuals who are not feeling well should not attend or participate.
“This is a great step toward getting back to normal and it is encouraging that we will be able to see our children back participating in the outdoor team sports and activities they are so passionate about,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. “With the Active Families Benefit, children’s sports and activities will be more affordable for families across Saskatchewan. Participation in sports and recreational activities is a key part of building communities and developing Saskatchewan youth.”
The Active Families Benefit will provide families with an annual income of less than $60,000 up to $150 per year, per child or $200 per year, per child for children who are eligible for the federal Child Disability Tax Credit. This benefit helps with the costs associated with enrolling children in sport and recreation activities.
This investment is part of the 2021-22 Budget and will be retroactive to January 1, 2021. Parents who enroll their children in sport, culture and recreation activities in the 2021 calendar year are therefore reminded to keep their receipts so they may claim the benefit with their 2021 tax filings.
As Saskatchewan residents continue to Stick it to Covid, children and young adults will be able to enjoy their favourite outdoor sport leagues, contributing to their overall health, wellness and quality of life. Organized indoor sports and recreational activities will begin with Step 2 of the Re-Open Roadmap, which is scheduled to start on June 20.
Saskatchewan residents who have not done so are encouraged to get their COVID-19 vaccine and to get their second dose when they are eligible.
For more information on the Active Families Benefit visit the frequently asked questions at https://saskatchewan.ca/residents/ parks-culture-heritage-and-sport/sport-and-recreation/programs-andsupports or call 306-798-9043.
For more information on the re-opening of sports and recreation and guidelines involved, visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/ government/health-care-administration-and-providerresources/ treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/reopen-saskatchewan-plan/guidelines/outdoor-sports-and-activities-guidelines.
Kindersley Soccer returned to action this week. Players prcaticed hard in the heat on Wednesday, June 3. The Kindersley Beavers and Royals had fun learning the basics in the Rally Cap League. | PHOTOS BY KATE WINQUIST
Local businesses make KMS project possible
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Six new batting cages were recently erected in Kindersley, thanks to the generous donations of supplies and services from local businesses and volunteers. All their efforts were joined together to help out Kindersley Minor Sports.
Dennis’ Welding welded the frames made of pipe and connectors that ISH Energy and D-now had contributed. Once the welding was completed, Big Rack Vac came out to wash the newly constructed batting cage frames. TKC Trucking and Picker Ser-
vice came with their picker and set cages in position at Supreme Source for Sports Field and Flanagan Field. Other work was made possible with the help of Crossfire Directional Drilling, who came out with their picker and truck and trailer unit. They picked up and set in place cement blocks so that the shale containment could be moved to its new location. KCG Concrete generously donated the cement blocks. Next, the frames also needed to be painted, filled with shale and nets, which was no small endeavour. The Kinders-
ley Co-op donated the chain, quick links and snap links for each of the net’s 60 separate hanging locations, after which a crew of volunteers came in to hang the netting and place the batters’ box mats and the Z screens in the cages. The Z screen is a great invention that can be used for both softball and baseball pitching. Its reversible “Z” shape accommodates both left and right-handed throwers.
Many of the volunteers who offered to help didn’t have Minor Ball volunteer hours to work off or had already worked off their volunteer hours for the season and were putting in extra volunteer hours. It indeed was a dedicated crew of volunteers.
Apex Distribution brought their skid steer in to clear the loose dirt from the area at Lynco Hot Oilers Field and Longhorn Oil and Gas Field and then started the process of filling the cages with shale. The Town of Kindersley brought in their grader and sloped the area.
All these local businesses pulled together and made this project possible by donating their services and equipment. After the work was completed, total donations coming in towards this project ranged somewhere between $40,000 to $50,000!
Umpire Mentoring Program is up and running
makes a call, accept that it’s just part of the game.”
Thanks to a lot of hard work, Kindersley Minor Ball has its umpire mentoring program up and running. Chad Miller, president of Kindersley Minor Ball, played a big part in getting the program off the ground after at least five years of concentrated effort.
“We always had a history of a low number of umpires,” Chad noted. “Kids were signing up to referee, but not to umpire.” After taking a look at the situation, he realized why. “When you’re refereeing, you’re just in the rink, and you’re not involved with every play or strike. It’s easier, and it’s more comfortable. You can’t hear the fans.”
However, the fans are up close on the ball field, which can be intimidating for an umpire, especially if the umpire is a young person. Consequently, Kindersley Minor Ball decided to make a few adjustments.
Kids who play ball have a coach and practice, but umpires don’t have practices, and they don’t have coaches. The best way to build their confidence is to have an umpire mentorship program. Over the last few years, Rick Miller and Dave Burke have taken the top end of the mentoring program. In a short time, two additional mentors joined the program.
Every time a manager books a certified umpire, they notify the mentors, and if they’re free, they show up and work with the umpires. “Ball has a lot of rules and can be confusing, so you don’t want to overwhelm the umpires with too much information,” Chad said. “Our zone 7 umpire is also quite involved in our program and occasionally does field sessions.”
Not only does the mentorship program help to build confidence in
the umpires, but Chad is hoping parents will realize being an umpire isn’t as intimidating as they may have thought. “We only have parents umpiring when we don’t have enough umpires, but we would rather have the kids sign up to umpire,” Chad said.
He listed several benefits to umpiring. It creates confidence and teaches kids life skills. Umpires also make better ballplayers when they understand that aspect of the game. Chad and the mentors are hoping the program will generate an influx of umpires into the system.
Having a certified umpire out there makes everything better for the players and fans and the game’s integrity. Dave Burke, one of the senior mentors, said, “I can tell you from my side of the fence if I didn’t have mentors, I would not be able to do what I did. I hope this program keeps going.”
Sask.
First of all, they raised the pay for umpires, paying them even more than the provincial standard, which they hope will encourage kids who play ball to sign up as umpires. Secondly, they encouraged players and fans to accept the umpire’s call and not argue. “It had become the standard for people to argue with the umpire,” Chad said. “Most of the calls are judgement calls. Umpires are going to make mistakes, especially when they’re kids. If an umpire
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
The Kindersley Stallions and the Kindersley Midget Royals squared off in an Exhibition game on Thursday, June 3. | PHOTO BY KATE WINQUIST
July 1st FIREWORKS!
Thanks to local resident, Lenard Ward, for organizing and fundraising for a July 1st Fireworks display in Eston! Lenard has done this for a number of years. ALL THE SUPPORT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
PLANNED POWER OUTAGE
JUNE 16TH
SaskPower will have a planned power outage on June 16th from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm for Eston and area.
Happy Birthday, Dave Erickson, from all of your family and friends back home in Saskatchewan!
In Loving Memory Of
Darren Leonard Kuntz
June 12, 1969 - June 19, 2016
5 years have passed since you left us
Life just hasn’t been the same.
Our hearts still ache for you, Nothing on earth can take your place
The love for family and friends, The dedication for your work shone through every day.
Your face lit up every time you brought your Harley out. Fond memories linger everyday. They walk beside us, unseen unheard.
Remembering keeps you near us.
Kevin and son Kaiden would like to share some memories of Uncle Darren. They spent a lot of time on the farm helping with all the projects. Kaiden loved to ride with Uncle from the age of 5 or younger pushing snow for hours, riding in the semi, combining and unloading into the auger with the help of dad. Kaiden remembers uncle making homemade pizza for the family, the rides on the Harley and skidooing. We cherish our many memories.
Love Always Mom - your best friend Glenn, Karen & family Debbie, Ken, Kevin & Kaiden Lorna & family
Sweet little Addison was determined that she could blow some bubbles at the Kindersley Spray Park last Wednesday. She tried with all her might, but eventually decided to get some help from her Mom & Dad.
| PHOTO BY KATE WINQUIST
Classifieds Your West Central
CARDS OF THANKS
A friend to all, genuine, kind and honest. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to Jim’s family with thoughts and prayers, messages of sympathy, hope and inspiration through cards, visits, phone calls, flowers, gifts, food and meals and those precious hugs. The presence of friends and family, wonderful stories and kind words of Jim have made this time of sadness much easier. Thank you all for honoring Jim’s life and memory. We dearly miss him now and always. - Joan, Darren & Sherri, Leslie MacRae, Art & Connie MacRae-Bosch and families.
COMING EVENTS
JUNE 12: Prairie West Historical Society (aka Eston Museum) invites you to the “Opening Tea”. We will be hosting two sittings at our picnic tables on the front lawn - the first at 2:00 and the second at 3:00 p.m. Please feel free to bring your own lawn chairs. We will also be holding a garage sale from 2 until 4 on June 12. These are museum fundraisers. Thank you for your support. Contact Shari at (306) 430-8730 or Lee at (306) 402-7170.
FOR RENT
ROOMS FOR RENT. $500. Includes all utilities. Call Tim Schuh at 306-460-9292.
HELP WANTED
The Great Sandhills Museum in Sceptre, Sk. is looking for an artist to restore a mural on the west end of the building. For more information email: gshs@sasktel. net or call: 306-623-4327.
WANTED
CLEAR YOUR CLOSETS. I’ll buy your unwanted Rifles & Shotguns - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. I have the permits required. Phone or Text 306-463-7756.
DID THIS AD CATCH YOUR EYE?
Then imagine the MONSTROUS number of other readers that noticed it too!
Advertise your products and services in our newspaper and get noticed! Call 306-463-2211
ACROSS
1. Naught 4. “Green ____ and Ham”
8. Trim
12. Fruit cooler
13. Uh-huh
14. Thought 15. Foolishness
17. Plushy
18. Singing voice
33. Snow vehicles 35. Hawaiian keepsake
36. Flight path
38. British sport 40. Hoed
42. Building wing
43. Golf clubs
45. Poems
49. ____ tie
52. Optimistic
DOWN
1. Grandmother
2. Adored person
3. Advanced, as money 4. Look at 5. Refined 6. Long cut 7. Transparent
8. Revolver 9. Fuss
24. Pout
WEEK OF MAY 30 TO JUNE 5, 2021
THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: ARIES, TAURUS AND GEMINI
ARIES
25. Forest filler
26. Barbecue stick
27. Stash away
WEEK OF JUNE 6 TO 12, 2021
THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: CANCER, LEO AND VIRGO
ARIES
Rest is a must this week. You’ll need a second cup of coffee to clear your head and stay productive at work. You’ll also be creative and have great instincts.
28. Skin opening
29. Kimono, e.g.
41. Snow White’s pal 44. Bossa ____ 46. Plunge 47. See no ____
Edge line
TAURUS
30. Kind of room
34. Bedroom piece
37. Fools
39. Lump
Insect 50. ____-man band
Plans could change at the last minute. A loved one might bail on an activity that you organized. Fortunately, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy some alone time instead.
51. Aglow 53. Motel
GEMINI
At work, you’ll need to organize some type of large gathering. You’ll also successfully plan a housewarming or birthday party. Your prospects in love will greatly improve.
CANCER
You’ll come across important in formation about a course or training program that could bolster your career. You need to broaden your horizons.
LEO
If you have young children, you may have concerns about their summer activities as the season approaches. Take the time to carefully choose a day camp, for example.
VIRGO
You’ll keep certain feelings to yourself, but sometimes talking things out can be very liberating. This is how you’ll manage to ease your anxiety and improve your wellbeing.
TAURUS
Double check your invoices. You might notice a big mistake that will help you save money later on or even allow you to negotiate better services in the future.
GEMINI
Even if you have plenty of ideas and solutions in mind, you won’t be able to satisfy everyone. There will be times when you simply have to make a decision to keep things moving forward.
CANCER
ACROSS
1. Overly curious
You’ll need a second cup of coffee on a few occasions this week to help you remain focused and complete your todo list. Confusion will be a recurring feeling.
32. Manner
33. Society miss 35. Coil
36. Damp
HOW
TO
19. Robbery
PLAY:
54. Squadron
Fill
21. Bambi’s mom, e.g.
23. Perches
27. Misting device
31. Lap
32. Moreover
10. TKO caller
55. Parallel
56. Passing through
57. Receives
58. Tall tale
59. Nightmare street
11. Wolf down 16. Cream or baking
20. Dinosaur bone, e.g.
22. Pearl’s place
You’ll be successful at work after taking the time to negotiate, ask questions and close deals. Things will improve between members of your household once order is restored.
LIBRA
Regardless of the project, you must take the time to sort out minute details and complete the necessary preparations to accomplish something that makes people take notice.
SCORPIO
HOW TO PLAY:
You’ll manage to stand out and be admired in some way. By adopting a new look for the summer, for example, you’ll turn heads like never before.
SAGITTARIUS
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
If you plan to move soon, you’ll need to redecorate. You might also hear about a birth in the family. Continuing your education will help you with professional development.
CAPRICORN
Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.
You’ll be told things in confidence simply because people know that you’re trustworthy and discreet. Someone will reveal a secret that leaves you perplexed.
AQUARIUS
Running errands will take longer than expected. You might also have to drive your loved ones around several times. Be sure to use a GPS app and get detailed directions.
PISCES
If you need to make major purchases, take a few days to mull things over before you seal the deal. This reflection period may also help you get a better price.
5. Contend (with)
LEO
9. Car fuel
12. Initial stake
13. Healthy
You’ll be feeling a lot of stress this week. All the more reason to unwind with a trip to the spa or your massage therapist. Bring a loved one along and just relax.
14. Mouth edge
15. Ring
VIRGO
16. A long way off
17. Verse type
18. Ship’s pole
38. Pie ____: 3 wds.
40. Wedding routes
42. Presently 43. Taken wrongfully
46. Blemish
You’ll be in charge of an important meeting at work. It’ll be a huge success, and you’ll demonstrate skills that put you in the running for a promotion and a salary increase.
20. Barked shrilly
LIBRA
22. Fire residue
24. Showy flowers
26. Iced
The summer holidays are almost here, at least for your young children. This will allow you to slow down, shake off certain responsibilities and enjoy the present moment.
28. Talks wildly
SCORPIO
48. Loiter 49. Miss 51. Comedians 54. Building section
Levee 56. Exude 57. Little 58. Slipped
You’ll spend more time than expected financing a project that’s dear to you. A conflict could arise between you and your significant other regarding your relationship.
SAGITTARIUS
Thanks to your negotiation skills, you’ll sign some very satisfying agreements with new clients. Salespeople will dread negotiating with you, as you give them very little leeway.
CAPRICORN
You’ll be working a lot of overtime, which will help you save up for your next vacation, despite the extra pressure it puts on you at work.
AQUARIUS
You’ll be making some important decisions about your career and your health. Adopting lifestyle habits more in line with your goals will produce fairly quick results.
PISCES
A family member will make you proud. One of your children may take their first steps or achieve something at school. An upcoming move will be a source of stress.
PUZZLE
PUZZLE
PUZZLE
I’ve long wanted to experience
“The Camino”. The Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) is a weeks-long, thousand-yearold, on-foot pilgrimage that often begins in Saint-JeanPied-de-Port, France, crosses the Pyrenees, and continues across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, where the disciple St. James’ remains are entombed in the cathedral named for him. Many people undertake the arduous expedition for religious reasons, while others wish to physically challenge themselves, enjoy the Basque-country landscape, or learn more about themselves and humanity.
Camino Francés, described above, is the 800-kilometre route writer and environmentalist Lyndon Penner undertook. In his wonderfully entertaining The Way of the Gardener: Lost in the Weeds along the Camino de Santiago, the Saskatoon-based author hadn’t even heard of the trek before he’d agreed to embark on it, and the gardener/plant tour guide walked up to three hours a day with “a heavy backpack” to train.
There’s much literature about the Camino, and it’s been the setting for movies (ie: “The Way”), but Penner’s memoir examines it via a unique lens. “I happen to see the world through plants and trees and flowers,” he writes, and his book is indeed an engaging commentary on the flora and fauna experienced on his six-week journey, but it’s also punctuated with delightful anecdotes about albergues (hostels) and fellow pilgrims, meal commentary, and legends, plus spiritual and philosophical introspection. It’s often hilarious. I brought this book along on a kayak-camping weekend and read it aloud with friends: hysterical laughter ensued.
Penner’s an introvert, and the Camino swarms with people. Raised “in a very Christian household,” he no longer identifies as “religious,” and says that on the Camino he experienced “ancient forests of oak and chestnut that were more beautiful than any of the cathedrals meant to house the presence of God.” Unlike other peregrinos, he wasn’t moved by the “Cruz de Fierro” (“the iron cross”), and found the “gold-drenched cathedral at Burgos” frightening, but he adored and writes both eloquently and conversationally about Spain’s diverse trees, omnipresent flowers (“I couldn’t live in a world without lilacs”), vegetables (“Pumpkins in particular incite in me a kind of rapturous, profound joy that I cannot explain”), vines, moss, birds (“What a terrible world it would be without them”), and stone bridges. One can almost smell the flowers, hear the “gentle ringing” of cowbells, and taste the figs and almonds as he eats and describes them. When he stops to consume grapes that had fallen onto a dusty road, I also sampled the “grape-flavoured dirt”.
There’s much poetry: “In the azure sky above us, great dark birds swirled and circled like immense black snowflakes,” he writes. There’s comedy galore. Imagine trying to sleep in an albergue where a clutch of French women were “moving in and out like apparitions,” and an Australian pastor “sat up in bed, reached into what was evidently the loudest and crinkliest plastic bag ever made, and began eating peanuts”. Dang.
This book’s a gem, every step of the way. Please read it.
THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM
“The Way of the Gardener: Lost in the Weeds along the Camino de Santiago” by Lyndon Penner Published by University of Regina Press Review by Shelley A. Leedahl
c: 306-604-0293 f: 306-463-6003
doug.odnokon@hubinternational.com
Sure-Fire Streaming:
Hardball – Available On Netflix
There are few sports movies that will tug at your heart the way Hardball has for me all these years.
Keanu Reeves stars as a boozing gambler who needs a bridge loan. His friend offers him one, but in return he wants him to coach a Little League team from Cabrini Green housing project in Chicago.
This sports tilt is adorable, hilarious and has a big beating emotional core. It’s chalk full of real, genuine moments.
Reeves, Diane Lane, John Hawkes and a young Michael B. Jordan all turn in great performances, and this is one for the books.
The Mustang – Available On Netflix
This story of redemption and justice was one of the most affecting movies to come out of 2019.
It centres on a rehabilitating inmate who tries to deal with his violent predilections by doing a program training wild mustangs.
As Roman connects with the horse, he begins to find some soothing for the pain inside.
Director Laure de Clermont-Tonnere creates an evocative, truly beautiful film, and it’s a sight to behold.
Matthias Schoenaerts is absolutely fantastic in the lead role, allowing us to become sympathetic to the character.
With Bruce Dern, Jason Mitchell and Gideon Adlon all supporting, it’s a wonderful gem of a film.
Hard Eight – Available On Prime Video
I can’t even believe I hadn’t seen
this film before last weekend. Paul Thomas Anderson’s early work in on par with even his best, including There Will Be Blood.
It revolves around professional gambler Sydney, who picks up young John outside a restaurant and teaches him about cards.
But when John falls for downon-her-luck cocktail waitress Clementine, both of their lives begin to spiral out of control.
The performances – across the board – are stunning. Philip Baker Hall gives a career-defining turn, a young Samuel L. Jackson is terrifying, Gwyneth Paltrow shows unfamiliar range, and John C. Reilly is far from the jokester he plays with Will Ferrell.
It’s a taut, slow-burn thriller that absolutely hits the mark.
Air Force One – Available On Netflix
One of my favourite action movies of all time, Air Force One is an absolute classic.
Harrison Ford – playing the U.S. President – is pitted against
terrorists on Air Force One when they take hostages and control of the plane.
It’s a slam-bang genre film with a ton of brains, propelled by some really great set-pieces and fun one-liners.
The cast is, in a word, exquisite. Ford, with Gary Oldman as the baddie, and Glenn Close as the Vice President working from the ground, take hold of this film.
It will draw you in start to finish, and you’ll love every second you spend.
American Animals – Available On Prime Video
This little indie flick came out of nowhere and made my day.
Four guys at a prestigious university decide to pool together and pull off a huge heist of rare books, but things don’t go according to plan.
This is a real-life story of men who thought they were smarter than the institutions and government, and they fought the law and lost.
Interviews with family, friends, and with the real-life perpetrators themselves are used documentary-style to provide more evocative storytelling, and it actually works really well.
The cast, led by young actors Evan Peters, Blake Jenner, Barry Keoghan and Jared Abrahamson is top notch. Ann Dowd also makes an appearance, and she’s consistently fantastic.
It’s a bit out there as far as heist movies go, but you’ll have no trouble getting wrapped up in it.
Kate Winquist Publisher / Sales Robert Winquist Circulation
