Your West Central Voice

Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan

Ken Francis, MLA Kindersley Constituency

Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0

Phone: 306-463-4446

kfrancismla@gmail.com

Serving Kindersley, Eston, Eatonia, Leader, Kerrobert and surrounding area.

www.yourwestcentral.com

Six per cent of crop seeded in west-central Sask

Seeding is underway in Saskatchewan, with nine per cent of the 2021 crop now in the ground. This is ahead of the ﬁve-year average (2016-2020) of six per cent for this time of year. An abnormally cool spring delayed ﬁeld operations in many parts of the province, but producers have indicated that warmer daily temperatures have allowed for a big push to get seed into the ground.

The southwest region is leading the province, with 19 per cent of the crop seeded. There is 11 per cent seeded in the southeast, six per cent seeded in the west-central, ﬁve percent seeded in the east-central, ﬁve per cent seeded in the

northwest and two per cent seeded in the northeast.

Light precipitation was reported in the past week in many areas of the province. The north-east region received the greatest amount of rainfall, with 22 mm reported in the Porcupine Plain area. Other areas, including the east-central region, received precipitation in the form of snow and rain toward the end of the week that will help with the dry ﬁeld and pasture conditions.

Topsoil moisture for cropland, hay and pasture is below normal levels in most areas of the province, with cropland topsoil moisture rated as one per cent surplus, 41 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 14

per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 27 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and 25 per cent very short.

There have been reports of winterkill on winter wheat, fall rye and other fall seeded crops; producers are busy assessing the damage and determining whether or not to reseed.

The warmer weather throughout parts of the province this week has allowed many producers to get into their ﬁelds and start seeding, spraying or applying fertilizer.

| PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

Pioneer moms passed down a lasting legacy

With Mother’s Day just behind us, I mused about how the role of mothers has changed during the past number of decades? Two senior ladies were willing to share their memories of how their mothers coped while raising children during the Dirty Thirties on the prairies. Kindersley resident Lorna Dunn and Nelda Loppacher, a former Kindersley and Eston resident who now resides in Three Hills, Alberta, shared their memories. Each of them described their mother’s role in their life and how it impacted their own role as a mom later on.

Lorna Dunn was born in 1932 on a farm in Saskatchewan. It was during the Dirty ‘30s, and things were much diﬀerent than they are today. Her mom had been a teacher before she married and was passionate about joining organizations such as the United Farmers Women and a rural poultry club. Later on, she upgraded her university classes and went back to teaching.

“She was also a ﬁrm disciplinarian, and her no meant exactly that,” Lorna said. “She sewed everything, even underwear. But she wasn’t a baker, so if we liked something, we learned how to make it.”

No one ventured too far from home in those days, and school and church attendance were the primary sources of social interaction. “We’d go to town Saturday nights in our old car. Stores stayed open until midnight on Saturdays,” Lorna explained. “We’d play ball, and we all had gloves, but we only had one ball. So If you lost it, you’d have to ﬁnd it. Later on, we had a radio and were able to listen to hockey games.”

Lorna and her siblings learned all about responsibility because they all had chores to do. Lorna had to clean the lamp glass and make sure there was oil in it for night. She also learned how to cook and clean at an early age and iron using a heavy gas iron.

There weren’t a lot of clothes to iron.

“You went to school in your school clothes and came home and changed into work clothes,” Lorna said. “You didn’t run to the doctor for everything either but treated most things at home.”

Nelda Loppacher is 95 years old, and her mother moved to Eston, Sask. from Quebec, with her dad and siblings. “Mother was a mother to her brothers and sisters since her own mom had died from cancer at 37 years of age,” Nelda explained.

Her mom married a farmer from Eston who had a homestead. “They moved into two granaries that they had put together,” Nelda said. “There was no electricity or conveniences. Drinking water was hauled with an old truck from a spring ﬁfteen miles away and stored in a small cistern, and water for washing was brought up in barrels from a dugout.”

During those years of the Great Depression, life went on as usual. Nelda’s mother cooked meals, baked bread, churned the cream into butter, sewed the family’s clothes and made homemade soap for washing clothes. Water for laundry was heated in a boiler on top of the cookstove.

“In the summer, clothes dried on a clothesline; in the winter, they were frozen in the porch and brought in during the week to hang on lines in the kitchen,” Nelda said.

Milk and butter were kept in a pail that was lowered near the cool water in the cistern. Nelda’s mother raised chickens that were canned to provide extra meat. CONTINUED PAGE 5

21053DS0

Photos like this one on display at the Kindersley museum made the chores of a pioneer woman appear to be light work.

JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com

Photo from Pinterest

Stick it to Covid: Second dose administration starting in May

Saskatchewan’s vaccine delivery effort will soon begin administering second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the general population. As most residents over the age of 18 are anticipated to receive their first dose by the end of May, second doses will start to be offered to overlap with the completion of first doses.

As of May 17, anyone who is 85 and older or anyone who received their ﬁrst dose before February 15 can book their second dose. It is anticipated that all Saskatchewan residents will be able to be fully vaccinated with two doses by July 31. Second dose administration will be distributed according to the age-based and priority sequencing of ﬁrst doses.

“There will still be people receiving their ﬁrst doses as we begin to oﬀer second doses to those residents in the order of priority that we started our provincial vaccination program,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said. “But with a reliable vaccine supply and the exceptional capacity we have built in Saskatchewan, we will start booking those second doses and ensure full immunity to every resident who chooses to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination is our path out of the pandemic.”

While the interval between ﬁrst and second doses can be up to 16 weeks, Saskatchewan is starting second doses at an interval of 13 weeks or sooner based on the availability of vaccines distributed by the federal government.

Second dose vaccinations will be available at participating pharmacies across the province, through the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) patient booking system, drive-thru and walk-in clinics as well as through clinics operated by Indigenous Services Canada and the Northern Inter-tribal Health Authority (NITHA).

Notiﬁcation of second dose eligibility will happen through broad public communication including public service announcements, Government of Saskatchewan news releases, the COVID-19 vaccine website, social media posts and additional channels as deemed necessary.

Priority for second doses will be given to those diagnosed with or being treated for cancer and those who have received solid organ transplants. These patients are eligible as of May 17. Patients starting B cell depletion monoclonal antibody therapy (including Rituximab and ocrelizumab) are eligible to receive their second doses with a minimum interval of 28 days. Both of these groups will receive a letter of conﬁrmation in the mail from their physician to present upon vaccination.

Second Dose Administration: How You Can Be Ready

Be ready by knowing the date you received your ﬁrst vaccine. If you do not know the date or have misplaced the wallet card provided at the time of your ﬁrst dose, call 1-833-SaskVax (1-833-727-5829) and they can provide you with that date, or check your Immunization History on your MySaskHealthRecord account.

During your second dose appointment, the clinic or pharmacy will validate the timing and brand of your ﬁrst dose to ensure you are receiving your second dose within the recommended timeframe. The type of vaccine available at each location will be advertised to ensure that you are receiving the same vaccine brand for your second dose.

At this time, public health is planning to offer your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine to match the brand of your first dose. National reviews of the safety and efficacy of interchanging the second dose brand are ongoing and the provincial policy on maintaining the same brand for the second dose may be updated following this review.

Saskatchewan Youth 12+ to be Included in COVID-19 Vaccination Roll-Out

With the approval of Pﬁzer Biontech vaccines for the ages of 12 to 15, the Ministry of Health and Saskatchewan Health Authority are adding Saskatchewan youth 12 years and older to the provincial vaccination program sequencing.

This will expand the provincial population eligible to receive vaccination by approximately 91,000.

Saskatchewan is targeting to have ﬁrst dose administration for eligible youth completed by the end of June with delivery of ﬁrst doses anticipated to occur in school-based programs, pharmacies, or SHA

clinics before the end of the school year. Parental consent will be required prior to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to Saskatchewan youth.

Details on school-based programs, including the parental consent process and eligibility dates, are being ﬁnalized. Prior to the commencement of schoolbased programs and youth eligibility, parents can anticipate a public announcement along with communication from public health and school divisions regarding the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Due to the high amount of Pﬁzer vaccines anticipated in May and June, Saskatchewan’s vaccine delivery system will have suﬃcient capacity for simultaneous delivery of vaccines for youth and second dose delivery for the general population.

Clinically Extremely Vulnerable Ages 12-15 to be Vaccinated Immediately

Individuals 12 to 15 years of age who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable are immediately eligible to receive the Pﬁzer vaccine. Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals ages 16 to 17 have been eligible since April 14.

A list of those conditions is available at www. saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-andprovider- resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novelcoronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/

vaccine-delivery-phases

Parents whose children are eligible as clinically extremely vulnerable, will require a letter for presentation at time of immunization. For youth receiving Rituximab and Ocrelizumab, you need to obtain a letter from your physician and physicians have been provided a template for this use. For youth with a cancer diagnosis or in treatment or have received a solid organ transplant, this letter will come from the Government of Saskatchewan.

With the eligibility letter, appointments for immunization must be booked by calling 1-833-SaskVax (1833- 727-5829). This is to ensure that the appointment will be booked in a clinic oﬀering the Pﬁzer vaccine.

Additional information on how to book your appointment is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/ covid19-vaccine-booking.

Appointments may also be booked at participating pharmacies that are offering the Pfizer vaccine. The list of pharmacies participating in this provincial vaccination program at this time is available at www. saskatchewan.ca/covid19-pharmacies. At the time of booking, ensure that Pfizer is the vaccine that will be provided.

General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com

ATVshow called “Faytene” has been receiving tons of emails and phone calls from people who have tough stories to tell and are desperate to find someone to advocate on their behalf. Faytene Grasseschi, who hosts the show, said these people aren’t expressing any dishonour

OPINION

CHECK IT OUT with Joan Janzen

Canadians tell their stories

to their government leaders, but also acknowledge that their stories need to be heard.

When asked why she advocates for Canadians, she said it’s because government isn’t just about government. The policies that are made by our leaders and are instituted on the ground impact people, like our children and

our moms and dads. She shared a sample of some of these stories, that represent many, many other similar experiences.

Joe McCrae from Melfort, SK shared a story about his son, Joel who was diagnosed with a disease that causes pressure on his brain. Joel had a headache, collapsed and was rushed to Saskatoon where he had

We have a roadmap to re-Re-Open, Saskatchewan.

It seems like a pretty good one, if Premier Scott Moe is right that the key is getting as many vaccines in as many arms as possible.

Moe is likely right that vaccines are critical to success.

While his critics may not like his harping on the success in American states — particularly, neighbouring North Dakota — in reducing their COVID-19 cases, through vaccination there’s little that successfully challenges this argument.

That said, right now, we are seeing a neighbour struggle with COVID-19 … although it’s our neighbour to the west of us rather than our neighbour to the south.

Alberta has just achieved the unfortunate distinction of having the highest active COVID-19 case rate among Canadian provinces and American states.

Regardless of what part of rural or urban Saskatchewan you live in, you don’t need to be reminded how incredibly closely we are connected to Alberta.

It’s where many of our kids, brothers and sisters went to ﬁnd work years or

decades ago.

We go there to visit them. And they came home for Mother’s Day last weekend or will be coming home upcoming May long weekend to camp, ﬁsh or open up the cottage for the ﬁrst time this summer.

Given what we witnessed last summer with the outbreak in La Loche that was contact traced to a workcamp outside Fort McMurray or the outbreak on several Saskatchewan Hutterite colonies traced to a funeral on a colony in Alberta, we learned w freely COVID-19 can travels over provincial borders.

an MRI. Joel required laser surgery which was available in Winnipeg, and performed in 2017. Now he needs to get an MRI every six months to see how his brain is doing, but in May of 2020 his scheduled MRI was cancelled. In October of 2020 he was playing outside at school, collapsed and had another incident. He was supposed to have laser surgery in November in Winnipeg, but it was also cancelled due to Covid. Now he is waiting for another rescheduled laser surgery.

Joe hears from numerous people who thank him for speaking up about situations like these that are very hard on families. He said, although it takes courage and strength to speak up, it’s still worth it, because Canadians have to keep fighting for their families and their rights and freedoms. Joe has set up a go fund me page which raised over $11,000. The funds go towards situations similar to his son’s where financial help is needed.

Barb Elliott from Toronto also shared her story about her attempt to visit her senior-aged mother who lives in her own home in New Brunswick. Three scheduled trips had

For now, though, Moe seem no reason to close the border, arguing the best way to stop the spread is to encourage vaccinations.

That’s what his three-step re-opening road map aims to do.

It begins with Step One that will kick in if at least 70 per cent of Saskatchewan residents 40 years older received at least

been cancelled since April, 2020. Barb recently booked a flight, with intentions to quarantine with her mother and then stay an additional week to celebrate her mom’s birthday. When she landed in New Brunswick at midnight, security officials required her to register online to enter the province. Brenda registered online and visited a customs officer, where she was denied entry into the province. She was told the only way she could enter was if her mother was dying or had died. She was then escorted outside into the parking lot where she had to break the news to her mom who had arrived to pick her up. Brenda spent the night in a motel room where she contacted a constitutional lawyer from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms. This is a non-profit law charity that defends the freedoms of Canadians. The lawyer said, although her constitutional rights had been breached, if she refused to return to Toronto, she would be arrested, sent to jail and fined. All this, in spite of the fact that both she and her mother had received negative test results and were prepared to quarantine.

one vaccination by the end of the month. That we already have about 65-per-cent of that demographic vaccinated as of the writing of this column strongly suggests this will be achieved.

Presuming it is achieved, the Saskatchewan Party government will allow indoor house gatherings of 10 people, restaurant and bars re-openings to tables of six and outdoor events of 150 people.

Next would come Step Two that would end limits on store capacity, dining and fully re-open barber shops and hair salons while allowing as many as 150 people in casinos, bingo halls and theatres. This will all be allowed if we can get 70 per cent of Saskatchewan residents 30 years and older vaccinated by mid- to late-June.

Step Three would see the end to pretty much all existing restricting (perhaps even indoor masking, although that is not existing) by mid- to late July if we

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has received at least 800 similar stories. Brenda has also heard many, many sad stories since she posted her experience on line. She reached out to her premier and other MPP’s, and noted that one MPP called her personally and offered some advice.

Liz Fidey from Ontario shared her story concerning her 24 year old son who has an intellectual disability. He was terminated from his day program when he told the program’s staff he didn’t want to get the vaccine. The day program was his life, teaching him skills and providing him with social interaction with his friends. Even though he was willing to obey all the rules such as masking, sanitizing and social distancing, he was terminated. He had been attending the program full-time for the last three years. Now he is at the bottom of the list to be admitted to another day program, which are all restricted in numbers at the present time.

The stories of these three individuals are not unique. Instead, they are similar to the stories of thousands of Canadians throughout the country.

have 70 per cent of all adults over 18 years vaccinated with at least one shot. Moe and his government are oﬀering a pretty big carrot for all people to go and get vaccinated.

And, somewhat subtly, it’s a bit of stick for those who might procrastinate when it comes to getting their vaccinations and especially those who are balking at vaccines altogether.

“On one side of that fence, people are living. On the other side of that fence, people are dying,” Moe said.

Those who live in smaller communities will be familiar with the power of such peer pressure.

But while vaccines are great, the reopen plan doesn’t really use any other metrics like case numbers, test positivity rates or _ most importantly — hospitalizations or deaths to measure whether the plan should be stopped or can go forward.

And while getting vaccines is clearly the long-term solution, we do have worry about COVID-19 cases from Alberta and elsewhere.

We have a roadmap, but we’re not out of the woods yet.

MURRAY MANDRYK Political Columnist

and involvement business compared to across commuempaid on exencourages volunteer areas of Many opportunities working we volunofbecause but reSynergy this our volunteer hours per target. simorgahave have a Sevcoach commuSome boards workplaces men’s or while their breakkitchwheels, Sisters, with at a continued panvolun-

per teammate. The num-

ber of hours was almost doubled in 2019, with 7,873 volunteer hours accumulated, equaling 39

demic.

Great Plains College plans to continue face-to-face learning this fall

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saskatchewan post-secondary sector has worked together to safeguard its students and staff reat Plains College has developed and implemented plans to continue their programming while supporting the health and safety of their campus communities

istry of Health to ensure that necessary protections are in place to keep people safe s the prov ince continues to battle with the COVID-19 virus, the college will continue to follow all mandatory public health orders and occupational health and safety guidelines

Synergy is able to use a nationally recognized Top Employer logo in all their advertising and social media.

Legacy of Pioneer Women

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“My personal belief is this recognition improves our ability to recruit and retain better talent so we can serve our members and communities better,” Stang said.

There was also a huge garden, and all the harvested produce was canned The root veggies and canned goods were stored in a hole under the kitchen,” Nelda e plained

“We made this happen early in the pandemic when health official directions seemed to change daily, and many of our teammates were experiencing challenges at home, like a spouse losing their job, schools and daycare being closed, loss of eldercare and illness. The day every two

Her parents “did without” in order to send their children to high school There were no school busses in those days, so the teenaged children were put into a boarding home in indersley wor ed for my board with a business in town, she added hen orna unn married and had her own fam ily, she noted that the biggest difference between the life of her parents and that of her own family was the ability to travel easily and having more money on hand ut she also carried forward life lessons her mother had taught her, such as remembering to be proud of yourself and learning to share what you have, whether it s talents or material things

Now she wants to pass all those lessons on to her family as well t s important to share everything, the oy and sadness, wisdom earn to share what you have, and communication is big; I had to learn communication sense of humour is also very import ant, orna concluded hen elda got married, she and her hus band bought her parent s farm y mom went with out so that we could have a new start She left us a powerful legacy, she concluded

“As we look to our 2021-22 academic year, we continue to plan for, at minimum, a 50 per cent in-person learning environment within each program,” says director of programs Kim Lambe e are prepared to adapt and increase the on-campus experience for students as our provincial COVID situation evolves

Health and safety are paramount reat lains College has worked with the Ministry of Advanced Education and the Min-

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“Depending on the program and capacity restrictions in any given location, we will strive to offer additional face-to-face learning experiences for students e have adapt ed through our collective understanding and our staff and students have shown true resilience and success in unprecedented times, says ambe The innovations used to ensure students could continue on their educational journey has moved our institution forward e are able to deliver quality education, whatever the circumstances may be

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

Village of Prelate Notice of Preparation of Assessment Roll

Notice os hereby given that the Assessment Roll for the Village of Prelate for the year of 2021 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following days: Monday - Thursday May 7, 2021 - July 7, 2021

A Bylaw pursuant to Section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required. Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment (or classification) is required to file his or her notice of appeal with: Secretary of the Board of Revision Village of Prelate Box 40 Prelate, SK S0N 2B0 by the 7th day of July 2021

Dated this 7th day of May, 2021

Joan Horne Assessor

This photo from theSask archives shows a realistic image of life on the prairies as a woman hauls water.

Kate’s Green Kleen is ready to do what you don’t want to!

JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com

There’s a new yard cleaning service on the block at 301 - 1st Avenue West in Kindersley. Kate Grimsdale and her business Kate’s Green Kleen is ready and waiting to serve her new customers and provide eﬃcient and prompt service.

Her motto is “Let me do what you don’t want to!” Now that’s an oﬀer no one can turn down because everyone has jobs that they keep putting oﬀ because they don’t care to do them. And there are lots of those kinds of jobs to choose from.

Those jobs include spring yard cleaning, which is happening right now, or keeping your lawn tidy and trimmed regularly. Kate will not only clean up your yard, but she’ll haul away the trash after she’s done.

Maybe you’ve been meaning to paint or stain your fence or deck and never got around to it. Or you’re looking out your windows and realizing they need to be cleaned. And if you’ve got pets, Kate is even willing to pick up your pet’s poop.

“So far, I’ve been busy, and I haven’t oﬃcially started yet,” Kate said. “People are asking if I can do this and that, and I say ‘yes!”

Kate’s not a new face in town since she’s been living in the area, oﬀ and on since 2000, and worked here full-time. But now, she has exchanged full-time

employment for starting her own yard maintenance business.

“I started by doing it for my mom because she needed help, and it got me thinking there’s got to be a lot of people who don’t like doing yard work or can’t do yard work,” Kate said. She also noted that everyone in her family is an entrepreneur, so starting her own business came quite naturally.

“I’ve been working ten-hour days for the past twenty years. This way, I can spend more time with my son.” Kate is looking forward to having a more ﬂexible schedule so she can spend more time with her 11-year-old son. “He goes with me everywhere,” she added.

Kate hopes to keep her service affordable for her customers by bidding by the job and not necessarily the time it will take to get the job done. “I also bought a natural helper to get your lawn to grow greener. It’s made in Medicine Hat, and I tried it on a couple of yards already to see how it works. I’m not a big fan of chemicals,” she explained.

When you head oﬀ to the lake for your summer vacation, Kate’s Green Kleen will be making sure your lawn and garden get watered. “I’m excited! This is something I enjoy doing,” Kate concluded. And next summer, she plans to be back again, oﬀering the same excellent service.

You can contact Kate at kgrimsdale@ hotmail.ca

Loaves and Fishes group is all about caring for people

JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com

Loaves and Fishes is a non-proﬁt group caring for people in Kindersley and the surrounding area since the beginning of 2020. The area covered extends to the communities of Alsask, Smiley and Brock. The group provides homemade soup and bread to anyone in need and uses the commercial kitchen located at 800 - 12th Avenue East in Kindersley.

During the group’s operations, many people have been the recipients of homemade soup and bread. Barbe Dunn, a group member, listed many diﬀerent instances where the group’s services were appreciated.

Among those beneﬁtting are families recovering from mental health issues and families with little children managing on a low income. One of those recipients said, “I felt blessed by it. It was greatly appreciated by myself and my kids. The soup was amazing; I loved my homemade soup! It made me feel even more welcome in the community to know that there is that option out there. The bread was so delicious, and it didn’t last long in my house.”

Food packages have also helped out elderly citizens who have no means to extend their ﬁnances and are forced to choose between purchasing food or medications. There are also single people with health issues who appreciated receiving food packages since they cannot work.

Homemade soup has been given to single men living on a ﬁxed income

The COVID pandemic is not just a global health crisis, it is the biggest shock to the Saskatchewan, Canadian and world economies since the Second World War. This is a significant challenge that requires a significant response. Saskatchewan’s response can best be summarized in three words: Protect. Build. Grow.

The 2021-22 provincial budget protects the health and safety of our people and our economy, builds our province through investments in infrastructure to stimulate economic activity, grows Saskatchewan through various incentives and key investments, and delivers on 14 specific commitments to make life more affordable.

that often leaves little funds for groceries. Many seniors have appreciated the convenience of homemade soup that they can simply heat and serve.

“At Christmas time, we served individuals and couples that were alone. The response has always been very heartfelt,” Barbe said. “People are overwhelmed that someone would care for them. It makes them feel that people are aware of their needs and that they matter. The food packages are usually received with much thanksgiving and no sense of being looked down upon.”

The volunteers in the kitchen make soup based on the ingredients which have been donated, and

sometimes that includes lentils. The varieties of soup also include Hamburger, Chicken Vegetable and Turkey soup after holidays when donations of turkey are received. It’s vital that people in our communities look out for one another. The volunteers at Loaves and Fishes are encouraged to see people in the community becoming aware of the needs of others, and as a result, contacting Loaves and Fishes and delivering food packages to them. This is one of the many acts of kindness that makes rural residents feel appreciated.

If you know of anyone who could beneﬁt from packages of homemade soup and bread phone

Kate Grimsdale has started a new yard care service in Kindersley.

West-central Sask. Arts Tour: It’s time to plan a road trip!

JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com

If you’re ready for a road trip, the River & Rail Art Venture has planned an incredible tour of artisans and artists throughout West Central Saskatchewan. This self-guided tour takes place June 26 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and June 27 from noon until 6 p.m., and what’s even better is it’s absolutely free!

Janet Akre from Outlook said plans for the tour began back in 2019. The lengthy planning stage was worth it because now the tour encompasses ten communities - Outlook, Broderick, Hawarden, Loreburn, Elbow, Davidson, Central Butte, Tugaske, Riverhurst and Macrorie, and fifty artists and artisans. The tour is presented by the Outlook and District Arts Council in conjunction with Tourism Saskatchewan.

The arts council has received some funding, which enabled them to hire a web designer to work with them. “We have an interactive map on our website at riverandrailartventure. ca,” Janet said. The website also includes a biography of

each of the artists. “It has taken some organization, but a lot of it is simply to get the artists’ names out there. We will have signage for the artists, posters, print ads and support in social media. The people involved are getting excited!”

The purpose of the tour is to promote local artists and entrepreneurs who live in the area. “We also want to let people know what’s in the region, to showcase what’s going on here, not just our people but our land.”

“This is our first. We do plan to continue and to expand. It will be worth your while to come meet the artists, talk to them and find out what they do. We have people coming from Moose Jaw and Saskatoon. There is some driving involved, even a ferry ride,” Janet said.

When you get hungry, there are restaurants available along the way at Outlook, Broderick, Elbow and Davidson. For those who will be touring on both days, there is accommodation available at the resort areas in Diefenbaker, Riverhurst and Central Butte, as well as at mo-

tels in various communities.

“One potter will be giving a demonstration and a tour of her new studio,” Janet said, adding that a group of musicians will be entertaining at their venue. And of course, there will be opportunities to purchase merchandise at the venues. “One of our goals is to support our entrepreneurs,” Janet said.

Janet, who lives in Outlook, is one of the 50 entrepreneurs. “I do acrylic painting. I do landscapes, birds. I’ve painted on barn board, and I’ve used liquid acrylic. I will be setting up a couple of tents in my yard,” she said.

Other vendors will also be exhibiting acrylics, making musical instruments and pottery. There will also be cartoonists, authors, metal sculptors, and handcrafted cutting boards, and yard decor will be available. Other venues will showcase alpaca knitting, wood-burned jewellery, handmade soap, baked goods and products made with the help of bees. There will also be watercolours, woodworking, embroidery, soapstone carvings, bone carvings, handmade paper and a quilt display.

SALE BY TENDER

e R.M. of Winslow is accepting O ers For Sale By Tender on the following equipment:

• 2014 Bush Hog Rotary Mower Model 13815

• 2015 Schulte Model FLX1510 Side Arm

Before people head out on the tour, Janet noted there is a draw available on their website for three $50 vouchers which can be used at any of the venues throughout the weekend. The draw will be made on June 23 at 5:00 p.m. As for co-operative weather

during the tour, Janet laughed, “We’re tough in Saskatchewan. Besides, most people have an indoor venue they can use.” In other words, it looks like there’s an opportunity for a road trip coming up soon in west-central Saskatchewan.

Artist Janet Akre from Outlook and her paintings.

The drive-thru Covid vaccination clinic at Eston last Wednesday was busy.

5 tips for taking care of rose bushes

Roses can easily become the star of your garden. While the climbing varieties are tricky to care for, rose bushes present less of a challenge. Here are some tips for taking care of them.

1. WATER THEM SUFFICIENTLY

Roses need to be watered on a regular basis, especially in the spring. Do so early in the morning and apply mulch to help the soil retain moisture. Water the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet.

2. FERTILIZE THEM SPARINGLY

Rose bushes don’t need to be fertilized every year. However, if the soil is lacking in nutrients, you can apply a natural, nitrogenrich fertilizer in the spring to stimulate new growth. In July, opt for a phosphorus mixture to promote flowering.

3. PRUNE THEM ANNUALLY

In spring, remove branches that are diseased,

damaged or growing inward before the buds open. Keep healthy canes, but cut them back by about a third of their length. Always prune just above a bud that’s pointing outward from the plant.

4. REJUVENATE THEM PERIODICALLY

Rose bushes benefit from being severely pruned back every five years or so. This is an effective way to rejuvenate the plant and encourage new growth. Identify a few older canes and cut them just above ground level.

5. CHECK THEM FREQUENTLY

Rose bushes are susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew, rust and black spot. They also attract a number of harmful insects including aphids, caterpillars and beetles. Inspect your plants regularly and treat them as needed.

Find everything you need to care for your rose bushes at your local nursery or garden centre.

Tips for gardening in a shady yard

Even if your yard doesn’t get much sunlight, it’s still possible to grow a beautiful garden. The key is to select shadetolerant species. Here are some suggestions.

PERENNIALS

In addition to hostas, which thrive in shady conditions, many perennials don’t require much sunlight. Consider planting:

• Leopard plants, whose yellow flowers are sure to brighten dim spaces

• Coral bells, which are great for lining the edges of a flower bed

• Undergrowth ferns such as ostrich, lady and wood ferns

• Bugbane, which has spikes of wispy white flowers on tall stems

• Forgetmenots, which have beautiful blue springtime blooms

There are also a number of ground cover plants that are wellsuited for shady conditions such as bugleweed, lily of the valley and creeping dogwood.

SHRUBS

There are several types of ornamental shrubs that can add height and texture to a shady garden, including:

• Holly • Dogwood

• Squirrel corn

• Rhododendrons

• Some hydrangeas

In addition to looking for shadetolerant species, be sure to consider the hardiness zone you live in when selecting plants for your garden.

This summer, consider bringing your houseplants outdoors. Doing so will enhance the appearance of your garden and provide your plants with more light to grow.

In particular, cacti, spurges and succulents will benefit from time spent outside. You can transplant them into flower beds or arrange them in pots.

Hanging plants such as ivy, pothos and spider plants are a great way to adorn a pergola or gazebo. If you have large potted plants, use them as accent pieces for your deck or patio decor.

GIVE THEM TIME

TO ADAPT

Remember that your plants need time to acclimate to outdoor weather conditions before being exposed to the elements full time. Start by placing them outside for a

few hours a day. Make sure the temperature is above 12 C and that they’re protected from wind, rain and direct sunlight.

Gradually, you can increase the time your plants spend outdoors. This process should take about two weeks. However, be sure to wait until overnight temperatures remain above 12 C before you leave your plants outside for the rest of the season.

PLANT INSPECTION

Before you bring your houseplants back inside, check them thoroughly for bugs. Shower them in warm water, including the underside of the leaves, to wash away any unwanted pests. If necessary, repot your plants prior to bringing them indoors.

Habitat loss is one of the main causes of decline in the population of bumblebees and other pollinators. If you want to help protect these vital species, consider growing nectar plants in your yard. This will provide a food source for the insects and birds that pollinate your community’s gardens, orchards and fields.

CHOOSING PLANTS

There are many kinds of flowering species that can beautify your yard while also creating an inviting space for pollinators. Sunflowers, anemones, goldenrods, echinacea and hydrangeas are all great picks. Pollinators are attracted to a number of annuals as well, including borage, centaury and cosmos.

• Grow nectar plants in areas that are sheltered from the wind

• Include white flowers in your garden to attract nocturnal pollinators

• Provide a source of water such as a small fountain or birdbath

• Avoid weeding dandelions, clovers and ivy; they’re rich in nectar

• Plant species with varied bloom times so you have flowers from spring to fall

By following these tips, you’re sure to create a welcoming environment for all kinds of pollinators.

If you prefer to grow food in your garden, consider planting aromatic herbs like oregano, sage and thyme. Fruit trees and plants, such as apple, blueberry and strawberry are a good source of nectar in spring.

ADDITIONAL ADVICE

If you want to attract pollinators to your yard, be sure to:

Sports with Bruce Penton

Guerrero, Jr.’s breakout season arrives

Aballplayer knows he’s in fairly select company when an admiring opponent says it’s fun to watch a “franchise superstar at work.”

Those were the words of Washington’s Josh Bell in an MLB.com story after Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., of the Toronto Blue Jays oﬃcially struck the word ‘potential’ from his career description by slamming three home runs, two of them (including a grand slam) oﬀ three-time Cy Young award

winner Max Scherzer, in a late April game. He ﬁnished with seven RBI.

After four or ﬁve years of speculation and hope, Vlady Guerrero, Jr., has emphatically arrived.

For two years, Guerrero, Jr., has been the face of the Baby Jays, a trio of great young players many observers felt would grow together to lead Jays into a powerhouse. There were signs of stardom in years one and two, but Year 3 appears to be the launching pad to that predicted superstardom.

Scherzer, who was tagged for a home run by Vlady’s daddy 10 years ago, joined a select duo: The only pitchers to give up a home run to Guerrero Sr. and Jr. are him and Ivan Nova, who retired in 2020.

Administrative Assistant looking to volunteer her time.

I would like to volunteer your office setting to brush up on my office skills. for Real Estate Offices/ AB, Community/Senior communities in AB/SK duties in different settings.

What an April for Guerrero, Jr.! The slimmed-down inﬁelder (he lost 30 pounds since last year) ended the month batting .350, with seven homers (two shy of the MLB lead) and an OPS of 1.155, trailing only Mike Trout and Ronald Acuna, Jr.

Are you an oil & gas company, accounting company or a small home-based company that is really busy and needs extra help around the office? pixels303@protonmail.com

Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio, who also had fathers with sterling major league careers, are the other two Baby Jays who appear to be fulﬁlling the hopes of Blue Jays’ fans. Bichette bats in the No. 2 slot for the Jays and is a solid hitter (.260 and seven homers at the end of April) while Biggio has

Administrative Assistant looking to volunteer her time.

I would like to volunteer in your office setting to brush up on my office skills. I have experience in working for Real Estate Offices/Property Management in AB, Community/Senior programs in communities in AB/SK and general office duties in different settings. Are you an oil & gas company, accounting company or a small home-based company that is really busy and needs extra help around the office? Please email me at: pixels303@protonmail.com

Spring Clean Up!

Help us take pride in our community this spring by focusing on clean up! We will be taking care of the town property, and you can help take care of yours. Just like every spring and fall, we will be offering organic only yard waste pick-up. All items will need to be bagged in clear yard bags and placed near the back alley by May 24 or else you could be missed. Our crews will take the next week to pick up the waste and they will not go back if someone fails to put our their waste before the correct time. Larger branches may be placed next to the clear bags and will also be picked up.

We also have a new bylaw officer that will come to Eston. If you have a bylaw concern, please fill out a bylaw concern form on our website at eston.ca/bylaws and submit it to the Town Office.

contact@eston.ca • 306-962-4444 www.eston.ca

struggled in his third year, but deﬁnitely belongs in the bigs.

The Jays went 13-12 through their ﬁrst 25 games and did that without two of their best oﬀensive stars — free-agent acquisition George Springer, and Teoscar Hernandez, who slammed 16 homers in 50 games last year but missed most of April after testing positive for COVID-19. To throw the hard-hitting Springer and Hernandez into a lineup which also includes the red-hot Guerrero, Jr., Bichette and Randall Grichuk will be throwing trepidation into the psyche of opposing pitchers as the 2021 season carries on.

Meanwhile, as the homers ﬂy out and the Jays contend for the American League East pennant, it’s only a matter of time before talk becomes serious about linking Guerrero, Jr., and Most Valuable Player discussion. May as well make this

breakout season of his complete.

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “According to a recent British study, people surrounded by happy, smiling faces tend to lose their feelings of aggression and anger. In a related story, Maple Leafs fans ﬁght a lot.”

• Patti Dawn Swansson, aka the River City Renegade: “Rink Rat Scheifele spent some time in coach Paul Maurice’s pooch palace on Saturday night for, appropriately enough, dogging it.”

• Swansson again: “Hockey Night in Canada was broadcast/streamed in 10 different tongues on Saturday night. It would have been 11 different languages, except Don Cherry was fired a year and a half ago.”

• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “After guest-hosting ‘Jeopardy,” Aaron Rodgers announced he does not want to return to the Green Bay Packers. It seems Aaron grew to like the idea the contestants on ‘Jeopardy’ do not try and sack the guest-host.”

• Headline at Theonion. com: “Terrified Zach Wilson Cuts Off Pinky Finger To Get Out Of Draft That Would Ship Him Off To Jets”

• Bob Molinaro of pilotonline.com: “Now that MLB seven-inning doubleheader games are here to stay, it’s time to get accustomed to the ﬁfth-inning stretch.”

• Jesse Spector of Deadspin.com, via Twitter: “If Aaron Rodgers is going to host ‘Jeopardy!’, then (actor) LeVar Burton should get to be the Packers quarterback. Fair is fair.”

• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com, on CDC guidelines now saying people can be outside without a mask if they’re not in a crowd: “So Marlins fans should be ﬁne.”

• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg, on why TV ratings for the Academy Awards fell 58 per cent: “A list of movie nominees that were more depressing than a New York Jets ﬁlm session.”

welcome your photo submissions! You can email them to kate@yoursouthwest.com or text it to 306-671-0242 with a brief explanation.

• Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “The Milwaukee Bucks offered COVID-19 vaccinations to any fans attending Sunday’s game against Brooklyn — but only the first dose of Pfizer. You’d think a championship-caliber NBA team might have a better shot selection.”

• Young fan’s sign at a Cubs game: “Shhhhhh! I’m remote learning.”

• Field Yates, on Twitter: “The Panthers have taken Deonte Brown in the sixth round, who is large enough to play guard and tackle at the same time.”

Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca

Iawokelate the morning that I write this, perhaps delayed by a vivid dream. My family of siblings was assembled at mother’s place. I was busily occupied with cleaning up the living room. We had reverted to acting like kids again. So blankets needed folding, pillows re-arranged, various items of extra clothing and shoes had been strewn around the room. The room wasn’t a showplace to begin with. There were numerous pots ﬁlled with plants— not ornamental plants— but the beginnings of a beautiful garden for summer. It was home, and it felt comfortable.

Mother had gone to the kitchen to prepare our favourite food. Oh the

feeling! Being with mother provided such a sense of comfort, love, and acceptance ALWAYS!! I bask in that warm memory, sparked by a dream. And other memories insert themselves. My mother was a stoic and said little in the way of rebuke. When I left home to attend school a couple hundred miles away as a teenager we didn’t have computers for e-mail or phones for texting or phoning. Long distance phone calls were expensive and seldom indulged in. The mail man carried our letters. When I was negligent in writing mother the usual weekly letter she accepted that and lapsed as well. When she ﬁnally wrote, the exact words of her wry humour have stayed with me, ”Since

you seemed too busy to write, I thought maybe you were too busy to read.”

Mother has been gone for years—and I miss her. Remembering her gives me a special warmth in my heart—the realization of her constant, never-failing love for me. Sadly my memories are tempered by regrets. She treasured me, but I am sorry that I did not value her as I should, nor tangibly show enough appreciation or aﬀection in my busy life away from her. The thought of that neglect yanks at my heart always when I think of her.

It was at my mother’s knee that I learned about God, learned to pray, listened to Bible stories and memorized Bible verses, and learned of the

ten commandments by which I will be judged. It is one of those commandments that still challenges me, although I can now honour my mother only in memory. It’s the only commandment that pronounces a divine blessing: “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

Dear reader, if your mother is still living, treasure the woman who gave you life and nurtured you—the one whom you call mother. Therein lies a reward for her in your continual aﬀection toward her. And your honouring and caring for her is a sacred privilege that bounces back to you with multiplied blessings.

Kindersley RCMP Focus on Impaired Driving

Kindersley RCMP along with police across the province will be focusing on catching those who choose to drive impaired throughout the month of May. Staﬀ Sergeant Kevin Peterson would like to remind drivers that not only is there a real risk of death or serious injury as a result of driving impaired, but that you can risk possible jail time, a criminal record, having your driver’s licence suspended and hefty ﬁnancial penalties. The RCMP would like to further remind drivers that if you plan on having a drink line up a designated driver or call a sober person in your bubble to pick you up.

In addition to this reminder, Kindersley RCMP responded to a further 43 calls for service during the past week which included, but was not limited to, a possession of a prohibited weapon call, two 911 calls, one identity fraud related call, one theft of motor vehicle call and six suspicious vehicle calls.

If you need to report any suspicious activity in your community, please contact the Kindersley RCMP detachment by calling 306-463-4642 or their local police service. Information can also be provided anonymously through Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-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.

Salute to Graduates

Rose City Memorials Ltd.

Family Owned with Pride since 1961

CHRISTEL HANKEWICH

Memorial Specialist

Christel has helped families with their monument needs for over 30 years.

Granite Monument Specialists Dedicated to Quality Craftsmanship and Service

BINKLEY’S FUNERAL SERVICE

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED

SERVING FAMILIES IN LEADER AND AREA 9 Leader Cr. • Ph: 306-628-3644 • Toll Free 1-800-670-0877

Traditional, Memorial & Cremation Services Monuments & Installation Services

Your West Central

Classiﬁeds

CARDS OF THANKS

The family of Doreen Sunderland would like to express our sincere appreciation for the flowers, food, cards and support we received during our time of loss of our dear mom, gramma and great gramma. Words don’t seem to be enough to thank everyone for their overwhelming support since Glen passed away. It meant so much to all of us when the flowers, food, gift cards, messages, and phone calls filled our days with virtual hugs and love. We also want to thank the EMS staff, Constable Chris Pearson (RCMP), Lorna Hoffman (Coroner), Pam, Brandy, Tom, Jeannie, and Debbie (Community Funeral Home) for their understanding and caring assistance at a time when we needed it the most. - Trudy, Perry (Lore), Dean (Karen), Pam (Keith), Michael (Loralie), Tyron (Kim).

FOR RENT

ROOMS FOR RENT. $500. Includes all utilities. Call Tim Schuh at 306-460-9292. tn

HELP WANTED

KINDERSLEY PACKERS is looking to hire an Industrial Butcher. 3-5 years slaughter house experience, Grade 12 education. Must speak English. Custom cut carcass of beef and pork. Full-time, permanent position. $16.00/hr. Please bring resume to Kindersley Packers or email to: kindersley.packers@gmail.com 306-4633666. Ask for Arnold.

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.

Through care and planning, Binkley’s Funeral Service and Purple Shield can help transform a painful task into an affirming act of affection.

Through care and planning, Binkley’s Funeral Service and FamilySide can help transform a painful task into an affirming act of affection. For the way you want to be remembered

KINDERSLEY COMMUNITY

FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM

4 fantastic outdoor activities for seniors factors to consider buying a magnifying glass

Serving Families Since 1933

Community Owned, Full-Service Funeral Home

• Pre-planning • Monuments • Grief Support

make it easier puzzles or enjoy hobbies. Here are when choomagnification power convex lens curvature. and the grealarger objects only need it read a menu, glass will frequent use

Denture Clinic

3. Portability. A pocket magnifying glass is preferable for use outside the home, as it can easily fit in a pocket or bag. Opt for a folding model, which has the added benefit of protecting the lens when it’s not being used.

4 fantastic outdoor activities for seniors 4 factors to consider when buying a magnifying glass

Spending time in nature has benefits for your mind and body. Here are four outdoor activities that can help you make the most of sunny days.

1. HIKING

Depending on where you live, you can explore trails that wind through forests, wetlands or wide-open meadows. Just make sure the terrain and length of the trail correspond to your capabilities. Confirm if it’s a oneway or round trip before you start.

2. PICNICKING

A magnifying glass can make it easier to read books, solve puzzles or enjoy a variety of other hobbies. Here are four things to consider when choosing one.

1. Lens size. The magnification power of a magnifying glass’ convex lens depends on its size and curvature. The smaller the lens and the greater the curvature, the larger objects

Whether you choose to dine in a park or at the beach, this activity allows you to make the most of nice weather and enjoy a delicious meal in good company. Put together an assortment of salads and sandwiches or get takeout from a local restaurant.

4. Weight. Hand-held magnifying glasses can be difficult to hold for extended periods of time. Be sure

3. CAMPING

Spending time in nature has benefits for your mind and body. Here are four outdoor activities that can help you make the most of sunny days.

1. HIKING

3. CAMPING

Are you getting too old to sleep on the hard ground? With an RV, you can escape to the great outdoors without leaving behind the comforts of home. Spend your days fishing, hiking or sitting on the beach, and relax by the fire in the evening.

2. PICNICKING

4. BIRDWATCHING

It’s easy to take up birding, as it requires very little equipment and can be done almost anywhere. All you need is patience and a keen eye. To make the most of your next excursion, determine where the best birdwatching spots are in your area.

From gardening and golfing to cycling and playing tennis, there’s no shortage of ways to be active outdoors in summer.

Kindersley Denture Clinic

magni-

4. Weight. Hand-held magnifying glasses can be difficult to hold for extended periods of time. Be sure to look for a lightweight model. Furthermore, keep in mind that while a built-in light is a practical feature, it’ll also make your magnifying glass heavier.

To ensure you find a magnifier

Edwin Rijvers Canada Purple Shield

Norman Fiss Funeral Director

Sara Martin Funeral Director

ACROSS

1. Rebuff

5. Branch

8. Out of harm’s way

12. Drain

13. Hawaiian wreath

14. Binds

15. Taverns

16. Beach hue

17. Takes on

18. Part of R and R

19. Proclamation

21. Rower’s need

23. Brawn

27. Circus entertainer

30. Protrude

31. Broadcast 32. Bunny’s motion

33. Sooty dirt

35. ____ se

36. Function 37. Delay 38. Sleighs 40. Healed 42. Deli loaf

43. Compose 45. ____ as a pin

49. Loafer, e.g.

52. Raven’s call 53. Female knight

54. Wolf cry 55. Go ____ over 56. Divisible by two

57. Cheer

58. Supervised 59. Budget item

DOWN

1. Recipe verb 2. Lineup number

3. Coffee servers 4. Give as a gift

5. Change 6. Interpret 7. Least possible

8. ERAs, e.g.

9. Support 10. Nourished 11. Hazardous curve

20. Overly dainty

WEEK OF MAY 2 TO 8, 2021

22. Type of fisherman

THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: ARIES, TAURUS AND GEMINI

24. Cloak

ARIES

25. Told a fib

26. Goes wrong

27. Buddy 28. Meet defeat

29. Doing business

39. Bank, sometimes 41. Live

42. Marry again 44. Cassette

WEEK OF MAY 9 TO 15, 2021

THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: CANCER, LEO AND VIRGO

ARIES

You’ll expand your social circle. You’ll be responsible for organizing a professional or social event that brings together people you care about for an enriching experience.

TAURUS

30. Folk dance

34. Extreme

46. Roofline detail 47. Sermon response

48. Hiker’s shelter 49. Timid 50. Gardening tool 51. Hooting bird

You’ll be able to take action on important projects both at work and at home. You’ll also come up with the down payment you need to buy a property.

GEMINI

You’ll take time to plan your next vacation. You might also want to take advantage of the summer to register in a training program that will advance your career.

CANCER

Now is the time to reflect on what makes you happy and what you dislike. You’ll spend a lot of time weighing pros and cons. Only then will you be able to make the right decision.

LEO

At work, it’s possible that you’ll need to step in to resolve a conflict. Your personality and thoughtfulness will allow you to find concrete solutions that address all the details.

VIRGO

You’ll have a lot of work on your plate, with plenty of details to consider. Before summer, you’ll start a diet that gets quick results. You’ll be quite proud of your hard work.

LIBRA

Allergy season is starting, and you may experience some discomfort. A healthy diet will help minimize your symptoms as well as other ailments like heartburn.

SCORPIO

HOW TO PLAY:

You might find out about a move or birth in the family. If your children have left home, you’ll start to seriously consider selling your house.

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

SAGITTARIUS

You won’t stand idly by if you witness some form of injustice. You won’t hesitate to shout it from the rooftops, and you’ll become actively involved in trying to correct the situation.

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.

Your friends will talk you into going shopping. You’ll also spoil yourself with a therapeutic or relaxation treatment that will dramatically improve your health.

AQUARIUS

If you’ve committed yourself to a longterm project, concrete results will begin to take shape. You’ll put together a team to support you in a personal or professional undertaking.

PISCES

Maintaining your health requires rest. You must do something to relax and let go before taking on anything else. You’ll also need to manage your time better.

You’ll find the financial means to take on an important project. Whether it involves a property or your own business, you’ll be triumphant. Many people will pay attention to the speeches you give.

TAURUS

Don’t forget to make reservations before the summer starts if you want to take a vacation. You’ll be in the mood for an adventure that takes you far from home. Be sure to prepare.

GEMINI

You’ll feel a lot more fatigued. Listen to your body, which will give you signs when it’s time to slow down. Also, remember to get enough sleep so you can regain your energy.

CANCER

ACROSS

1. Expression of regret

5. Heidi’s mountain

26. Secret place

If you’re single, the perfect person will come out of nowhere and sweep you off your feet. You’ll have more time for a social life, but you’ll soon realize you also need some space.

8. Splendor

12. Harness piece

13. Gooey stuff

14. Object of adoration

30. Not he

31. Ran easily

32. Lumberjack’s tool

33. Mixed

LEO You’ll have more responsibilities placed on your shoulders at work. Despite the challenge, this will lead to a better future, and a promotion will soon come your way.

35. Operatic melody

36. Fair

37. Not salty, as water

VIRGO

15. Boring

17. Slangy no 18. Get a bead on

You’ll start organizing a vacation in earnest with friends and family members. There are plenty of adventures to be had, and you won’t want to miss out on any of them.

19. Divided equally

21. Office tables

LIBRA

24. Uproar

25. Applies frosting to

38. Football shirt

41. Disfigure

42. Rewrite text

43. Hair coloring

48. Decorate again

You might spontaneously decide to end your relationship or quit your job. You’ll be driven by feelings of confusion and a desire to be impulsive.

49. Wiggly creature

50. Saturate

SCORPIO

It’s not easy to get people or groups with opposing interests to work together. You’ll figure out the right arguments to ensure everyone gets along.

SAGITTARIUS

You’ll need to clean up your circle of friends, as some of them are just sucking the life out of you. Try to book a therapeutic treatment or schedule at least one day to relax.

CAPRICORN

Confidence is the key to success. All you have to do is believe that you’re capable, and you’ll accomplish great things. As a result, you’ll be quite proud of yourself.

AQUARIUS

You’ll devote a lot of time and energy to your family and life at home. You’ll be inspired to adopt a new outlook on life that allows you to better appreciate the present moment.

PISCES

You won’t bite your tongue, but you’ll need to watch out for indiscretions. Don’t reveal any secrets. You may interact with so me one who doesn’t speak your language.

PUZZLE NO. 816

PUZZLE NO. 817

PUZZLE NO. 818

PUZZLE NO. 819

by Mary Soderstrom

In her book, Concrete: From Ancient Origins to a Problematic Future, author Mary Soderstrom asks us to “[l]ook out the nearest window, then try to imagine what the view would look like without concrete.” Admittedly, before reading this book, I hadn’t given it much thought; once I ﬁnished the book, however, I started to pay attention: a leftover pile next to the trees outside my house, the garage ﬂoor, the sidewalk under my bike—concrete really is everywhere.

Concrete has been used globally in some form or another since about 8700 BCE, which

means that concrete has a fairly substantial history. Soderstrom holds our attention by taking us on a fascinating journey through this history, brieﬂy highlighting concrete structures of note and the issues that surround them. Found in all levels of society, from the super highways in California to the Great Wall in China, Soderstrom conﬁrms that concrete is “a truly egalitarian material.”

So prevalent is concrete’s presence that it has made its way into popular culture. As any good English major would, Soderstrom makes reference to novels by literary greats like John Steinbeck, Wallace Stegner, and William Faulkner whose stories prominently feature concrete in their plots. Musicians like Joan Didion, Woody Guthrie, and George Dor wrote songs about it. Should you want to stay current on all things concrete, you could subscribe to World Cement Magazine. And, if you’re looking for

more concrete education on your next vacation (post COVID-19, of course), you might consider attending the World of Concrete tradeshow held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada.

To further demonstrate the way concrete is built into the foundation of our experiences, Soderstrom draws on her own personal connections to concrete to organize the book. Her memories punctuate the narrative like steel rebar, holding the narrative in place and giving it strength, while providing transitions between space and time. Her conversational writing style is lively and very accessible, unlike more traditional history texts. But the real strength of the book is Soderstrom’s thoughtful consideration of the arguments both for and against the use of concrete.

On the one hand, concrete has created serious environmental consequences for our planet. Deforestation, sand shortage, disrupted

salmon routes, air pollution—these are just a few of the issues we face as we continue to produce and use concrete; in fact, Soderstrom notes that “worldwide cement production is responsible for between 4 to 6 percent of all CO2 emissions.” On the other hand, concrete has allowed us to bring electricity in the form of dams and hydropower to remote towns and cities. Irrigated fields, flood control, skyscrapers, and affordable housing would not have been possible without concrete. If you hadn’t noticed all the concrete around you before reading this book, you will surely notice it after. Because, whether “for good or ill,” “concrete is responsible… for the world we live in today, and not to appreciate it is to ignore both its menace and its beauty.”

TARNES ELECTRIC LTD.

Fighting With My Family – Available On Netﬂix

I have next to no interest in the sport, and yet this comedy yarn about a former wrestler who goes around the country doing smalltime gigs with his family endeared itself to me immediately.

While their father is content with little venues and meager – but passionate – fanbases, his kids Zak and Saraya yearn for more.

So when they get to try out for the WWE, they’re torn between going for their dreams and staying loyal to their dad and his work.

This cast is all-star the whole way through. From Dwayne Johnson to Nick Frost, Game Of Thrones alum Lean Headey, the wonderful lead Florence Pugh, Jack Lowden and a great supporting turn from Vince Vaughn, all of them have perfect comedic timing.

Writer-director Stephen Merchant is known for being a founder of Lip Sync Battles and being the tall, lanky, awkward guy in basically everything.

He gets to heavily ﬂex here, and a hilarious ﬁlm with a heck of a lot of heart is the result.

Poseidon – Available On Netﬂix

A remake of the 1972 Gene Hackman/Ernest Borgnine Oscar winner, this ﬁlm never really got the proper props.

I’ll be entirely honest and say it lacks the prestige of the original, but this action tilt managed to nab an Oscar nom for Best Visual Effects, and for good reason.

This story of a luxury ocean liner that begins to sink on New Years Eve, leaving passengers struggling to survive, is an interesting aﬀair.

Directed by Das Boot helmer Wolfgang Petersen, its biggest asset might be the insanely talented cast.

Headlined by Kurt Russell, Emmy Rossum, Josh Lucas, and legend Richard Dreyfuss, everyone

provides a good performance in a genre that doesn’t require much.

It’s an eﬀects-laden action ﬁlm that does the trick if you don’t put too much weight and pressure on it. Just enjoy it for what it is.

As Good As It Gets – Available On Prime Video

This wonderful James L. Brooks ﬁlm is one of the movies I go directly to when I need a pick-me-up.

It revolves around a waitress and single mother, an author and a young gay artist who all become unlikely friends after a tragic event.

As Good As It Gets is a drama-comedy that will engross you in its story, and while it doesn’t rank among Terms Of Endearment or some of Brooks’ other big hits, it certainly is a crowd-pleaser.

Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt both won Oscars for their turns here, and Greg Kinnear was nominated for his role. It’s a masterclass in acting, and these are highs for everyone involved.

As Good As It Gets is a beautiful, stirring, pretty amazing achievement, and one that simply needs to be seen.

Monster – Available On Netﬂix

This Netﬂix original releases Friday, and it’s a provocative, racially charged ﬁlm that is hugely import-

ant given the political and social landscape right now.

The story of a 17-year-old aspiring ﬁlmmaker from Harlem transforms into a courtroom drama when a fateful incident puts him on trial for murder.

While the tone is uneven and the ﬂashbacks to the events can be jarring, this is also a timely ﬂick that has a social conscience.

The performance are dynamite, and the cast includes Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Hudson, Tim Blake Nelson, and Jharrel Jerome.

It asks important questions about race, how our environments play into our actions, and presumptions of guilt and innocence in a court of law.

It’s not perfect, but it truly is a magniﬁcent character study I couldn’t look away from.

The Craft – Available On Prime Video

As far as 90s guilty pleasures go, this witch ﬂick ranks among the very top for me.

I saw this movie way too early, at 10, and the 1996 horror ﬂick has stuck with me my entire life.

It’s about a new student at a Catholic prep school whose life is turns upside down when she meets three girls into witchraft.

All the girls begin to cast spells on those they dislike, creating turmoil all around them.

Starring ‘it’ girls from the era, Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell and Rachel True are all captivating.

With sterling supporting turns from Skeet Ulrich, Christine Taylor and Breckin Meyer, there’s plenty to love about the young cast.

You’ll really enjoy this little slice of 90s horror, and it’s worth revisiting if it’s been a while since you’ve seen it.

Kelli Brost