Connecting with children through ventriloquism
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
The Rev. Piotr Strzelecki at St. Paul’s United Church has acquired a unique assistant; Pete the puppet is helping Rev. Piotr connect with children. “Pete was in some way a natural evolution of connecting with children,” Rev. Piotr said.
It all started when Rev. Piotr was given two sock monkeys. Every Sunday, the two monkeys would show up to talk to children and speak into the Reverend’s ear. “When the time came to shift things, we had a goodbye for the monkeys with a surprise of something else coming,” he explained. “Even after the monkeys, there was one puppet, then two, before Pete arrived. I decided a boy would be more appropriate because he is indeed much like my inner child.”
Last year in September, when we returned to in person worship, because of restrictions we were not offering children’s time. So I wondered what can we offer for children. My wife said why not do a puppet?” That’s how “Pete’s 10 at 10” began each Sunday when Pete and Rev. Piotr would have a ten-minute chat beginning at 10 o’clock. The pair tell stories, say a prayer or do a craft. Pete helped Rev. Piotr find a way to communicate with children, something he didn’t feel comfortable doing on his own.
Although Rev. Piotr wasn’t a ventriloquist, he began watching a “how to get started” video on You Tube given by American ventriloquist Jeff Dunham and his puppet Peanut. The Rev.’s
endeavours were also influenced by watching the movie “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood,” about the famous Mr. Rogers.
“I keep trying to practice and stay on top of it. It’s easier to do when I’m wearing a mask,” Rev. Piotr joked. He said some of Pete’s body language is borrowed or learned from Jeff Dunham’s puppet Peanut.
Pete has gained quite a following on Facebook and is entertaining people of all ages from near and far. Rev. Piotr said that about half of his chats with Pete are scripted and practiced, but the remaining consists of an impromptu conversation.
While on social media, Rev. Piotr would watch the comments come in.
“I would see a hello from one child or another from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. It has become a tremendous blessing for the church to connect with people we wouldn’t otherwise connect with,” he said.
Pete began to be the recipient of unexpected gifts. “Pete does have a sizeable wardrobe. Some were gifted to him in the past by children. Some children would send Pete cards, which are on the wall in Pete’s little room,” Rev. Piotr said. Although Pete doesn’t usually dress up, one Sunday, he wore a bow tie and made a personal connection with a child who often comes to Sunday service wearing a bow tie.
Both Rev. Piotr and Pete were part of the Goose Festival parade a few weeks ago. “For the parade, I was wearing a collar and preaching tabs. Because Pete is part of the ministry team, he wanted
Piotr Strzelecki and his puppet, Pete.
to get dressed up as a minister,” Rev. Piotr said. “He was complaining he was too hot. It’s a way of engaging with people.”
“One child and his parents gave Pete a toy truck. So Pete had to talk about the truck online,” Rev. Piotr said. Sometimes parents ask Pete to wish their child a “Happy Birthday,” or Pete would visit a child to say “get well.”
Pete took the summer off from his online presence, but he would often make in-person appearances. He would go to the McDonalds drive-thru with Rev. Piotr or tag along on a visit to the Big 10-4 in Leader and strike up conver-
sations. Pete would accompany Rev. Piotr and his wife on their walks and stop to talk to kids.
“When My wife and I go for a walk, I will run into adults and teenagers saying hi to Pete, and I would have no idea who they were. That’s a very humbling experience when the community acknowledges what I do,” Rev. Piotr said. “When kids hear something from Pete, it’s probably more meaningful than hearing from an old geezer like me.”
But we can’t forget that Pete wouldn’t be able to connect with children and adults without the essential help of his partner, Rev. Piotr.
Rev.
The Town of Kerrobert would like to thank Enbridge for their generous donation of $7500.00 towards the front stair restoration of our 101-year-old heritage courthouse building. Thank you, Enbridge, for helping preserve and sustain this beautiful building that showcases the cultural riches we have in our own area through art, literature, and history! This donation towards the Kerrobert Cultural Center stair restoration project was given through their Fueling Futures grant program.
The Town of Kerrobert purchased this building in 1996 to preserve a huge part of our town’s and province’s history and keep it in use for future generations to enjoy. In 1982, knowing its great historical value, Town Council decided that this piece of history needed protection and designated it a municipal heritage property. Over the years since the Town took ownership of the courthouse building, the Kerrobert Museum, the Courtroom Art Gallery and the Wheatland Regional Library have all moved into it, which has successfully repurposed the building into our cultural center. These groups are crucial to the redevelopment of this heritage building through revitalization and enhancing visitor experiences.
The courthouse building has become a beacon for our community and district as a place to converge for business, culture, and history, which everyone can enjoy. Please get in touch with the Town of Kerrobert for more information! Any donation towards the front entrance stair restoration is gratefully accepted. | SUBMITTED
Outlaw motorcycle gangs threaten community safety
Outlaw motorcycle gangs are a serious criminal threat in Saskatchewan. There has been an outlaw motorcycle gang presence in this province for decades, however Saskatchewan has seen an increase in the number of outlaw motorcycle gangs in recent years.
Are all motorcycle clubs outlaw motorcycle gangs?
No. Riding clubs or motorcycle enthusiast clubs are simply people who like to ride motorcycles and are not engaging in criminal activity or support any outlaw motorcycle gang culture. One percent clubs are groups that are engaging in criminal activity. Support clubs may not necessarily engage in criminal activity but do support a 1% club or hold territory for them.
Saskatchewan RCMP investigations have shown that outlaw motorcycle gangs are violent and are involved in numerous criminal activities. They threaten community safety through activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal firearms dealing, intimidation, violence and sex trafficking.
Sometimes these gangs generate some revenue through public events like illegal poker runs and fishing derbies. These events may be charitable in nature. The public should be aware that these events are an attempt to give outlaw motorcycle gangs an appearance of legitimacy within the communities.
What are police doing?
Combatting outlaw motorcycle gangs is a priority for law enforcement throughout Canada. The Saskatchewan RCMP dedicates resources such as intelligence units, combined enforcement units and frontline police officers to
outlaw motorcycle gang enforcement efforts in the province.
What can your community do?
Communities can deter outlaw motorcycle gang presence by not supporting them. This includes not buying support merchandise associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs and not participating in charitable activities organized by them. Charities should also be wary of accepting donations from outlaw motorcycle gangs, as they could be indirectly supporting organized crime. Members of the public are encouraged to minimize contact with gang members and report any suspicious activity concerning outlaw motorcycle gangs to police. Regularly reporting suspicious activity sends a strong message that criminal activities are not welcomed in your community. It also helps police get a clearer picture of organized crime occurring in the area. You can report information to your local police detachment or to Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS.
From September 27th to October 3rd Kindersley RCMP responded to a total of 41 calls for service. Some of these calls for service included 3 mental health calls, 3 Fire Prevention Act and 3 suspicious persons 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 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.
At Eaton School in Eatonia, Spartans learned about, remembered, and took time to honour the Indigenous children who were part of Canada’s Indian Residential School System. Spartans wore orange to show that every child matters and to support truth and reconciliation.
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PHOTO COURTESY EATON SCHOOL FACEBOOK
Eaton School Grade 3/4 students did some soil testing in their outdoor classroom last week. What great opportunities to learn about agriculture in this wonderful setting!
| PHOTO COURTESY EATON SCHOOL FACEBOOK
CHECK IT OUT with Joan Janzen
Hard work reaps benefits
Are you ready for this week’s joke? Question: What’s the problem with unemployment jokes?
Answer: None of them work. Fortunately, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico is reducing their unemployment and finding ways to pull itself out of bankruptcy. The news outlet, Full Measure, dedicated multiple episodes to the subject of this U.S. territory, which has not only been bankrupt for four years, but is also fighting corruption scandals and suffering from hurricane damage. Now several efforts are underway to eliminate their debt, one of which is a renewed interest in medicine
and manufacturing in the town of Aguadilla.
Efforts include the renovation of a 90,000 square foot warehouse which is being transformed into a $200 million hightech bio lab. Usually such an extensive renovation would take three to four years to complete, but in this case, the process has been shortened to 90 days in order to attract pharmaceutical businesses to the island.
Two individuals recently brought two biotech companies to the island, which equals 400 jobs and a $228 million investment. One of the men is originally from Vietnam, the other is
from the Dominican Republic, locations where they would not have been able to develop a successful company. However, in the U.S., the opportunity to acquire an education, along with hard work and perseverance, made it possible. They’re hoping to help, not only themselves, but also Puerto Rico.
They picked this location because of the incentives offered, which enable them to make their product as cheaply as China and India, but retain the gold standard U.S. quality. The incentives offered by Puerto Rico include a government subsidy, a grant to renovate the facility, incentives to hire and train employees and tax credits.
Although Puerto Rico is well known for its bureaucracy and red tape, the mayor of Aguadilla miraculously shortened the clearance process from the customary one year to 24 hours. Why? Because he realized his town needed the employment and money.
Up until 2005, Puerto Rico had a thriving manufacturing sector, but in 2005 Congress reasoned that corporate tax breaks were helping rich corporations. When tax breaks were removed, some pharmaceutical companies cut back, enabling China and India to become dominant producers of medicine.
Meanwhile on the other side of the island, another pharmaceutical company employs 160 people, and expects to double that number within the next two years. The U.S. has realized it cannot continue to depend on foreign countries for its basic drugs, medical devices and healthcare supplies, and it appears Puerto Rico is playing a vital role in providing a solution.
While manufacturing is moving forward in Puerto Rico, tourism is also facing a brighter future. Hotel occupancy is reaching an all time high and tourism revenue is rising. Visitors in June were almost double the usual number, most of which consisted of U.S. citizens who were subjected to travel restrictions.
Manuel Laboy heads up the island’s economic recovery efforts, and observed that the Puerto Rico tourism experience is great, but will become even better. Tourism recovery programs and others like it will allow much improvement to roads, attractions and other assets, within the next two years. Just a thought, but maybe governments in Canada could gain some wisdom by taking a close look at what’s happening in Puerto Rico. It would be very encouraging for Canadians to be rewarded for their perseverance and hard work.
JOAN JANZEN
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
By Madonna Hamel • madonnahamel@hotmail.com
Acouple of ago years I drove from Saskatchewan to BC to pick up my sister and take her back to Val Marie for a week of hiking Grasslands National Park for her birthday present. It was October 2nd and late in the afternoon when we pulled into Swift Current and decided to stop at Humpty’s for their all-day breakfast before turning onto HGHWY 4 and heading south to Val Marie. While our remarkably cheery waitress placed plates heaped with eggs and toast in front of us, I watched the clouds roll in.
A couple of ranchers, sliding into the booth across from us, asked the waitress for coffee to “take the chill off.” I asked them if they could tell me what the weather was like further south.
“Let’s just say,” one of them replied. “I’d finish those eggs and hit the road, if I were you.”
“There’s weather coming up from Montana,” explained the other. “But you might just beat it.”
Around here weather means bad weather. At best it means a sudden change. In October you can pretty much be assured that any sudden change will be bad for drivers and folks stuck out in the elements.
By the time we’d bolted our food the sky was dark, and the wind yanked the car doors from our hands.
But I had good tires and a reasonable heater and we decided that after twelve hours of driving what was another hour and a half? That hour and half turned into nearly three and half hours of crawling along a country highway through blinding snow, high winds and sudden icy patches.
We pulled into the driveway as the snow drifted in behind us, burying the car overnight. My sister spent the week on my couch, reading and sleeping. Occasionally we ventured into the wintry weather, taking short walks around the village and up cem-
etery road. We never made it up to the Grasslands where, just a few days earlier, on a long hike, I’d napped in some tall grass under a warm sun.
Mine is not an unusual story; weather stories are legion on the prairies, made more urgent by the fact of remoteness. It’s one thing to be caught in a storm in downtown Toronto where you can duck into a pub, shop or restaurant. It’s another to realize you wandered too far and didn’t factor a sudden drop in temperature on your return trip. On one such foray I tried to prevent frostbite in two of my fingers by pouring coffee from my thermos over them. I felt nothing until half an hour later. There is nothing like the burn of thawing flesh.
Just last week I was on a road trip with another sister listening to an audio book about the catastrophic storm of 1888 dubbed The Children’s Blizzard. The story reminded me of those about impoverished and imperiled immigrants who came to the West in the hopes of starting a new life of freedom and prosperity, only to discover the paradise promoted on foreign immigration posters was actually a hard, dry, and remote landscape governed by natural forces beyond their ken. In 1888 those forces, in the shape of an extreme weather front, took many remote families and country schools by surprise. As David Laskin writes in his version of The Children’s Blizzard, “In three minutes, the front subtracted eighteen degrees from the air’s temperature. Then evening gathered in, and temperatures kept dropping in the northwest gale. By morning on Friday, January 13, 1888, more than a hundred children lay dead on the Dakota-Nebraska prairie.”
Of course, blizzard stories abound in Canada, from whence the 1888 cold front generated. I recently heard about a schoolteacher in Lac Pelletier who died, along with three children, making their way to an outhouse during a Spring blizzard. The tragic
truth of these events is that very often the teachers were children themselves, often only a year older than their charges. Yet they were forced to make life or death snap decisions. Do we hunker down and burn all the books and desks, hoping the storm passes in time of the wind doesn’t howl down the chimney? Or do we make a break for it, tie the children together with a rope and make a for the nearest farmhouse? The problem was, as any prairie person knows, in blinding snow and dust storms, visibility is nil. One can be within a foot or two of home and pass right by it without knowing it. My father tells a story about being a baby in a carriage caught in a dust storm with his mother as they returned home from a visit with a neighbour living on the next farm. If not for his beloved dog Bruce leading them home, they would have been lost. Or worse.
Whenever I hear these stories of near misses, or being saved by dogs and horses, I feel the urge to pass them on to friends and family younger than I. Here is a reminder that we are not masters of the universe, I say. Despite what Silicon Valley technophiles tell us, despite – and perhaps even because of – a reliance on GPS, wifi, free roaming, heated car seats, etc, creature comforts do not stand a chance against weather. Even when we are safe at home, all it takes is an ice storm, a rogue steer, a high wind, a wild fire, an epic prairie storm to knock out a power grid and with it heat and the electric light.
Last winter we had a few such power outages, prompting me to pull out my camp stove for emergency hot tea. I lit a candle and pulled my quilt around me. I drifted off to sleep with the thought: Weather is at the heart of conversation for a reason. And in the morning, it will be there, like a creature at the foot of my bed, waiting to inform me what it has planned for me today.
Nothing honourable in Wilson’s actions
MURRAY MANDRYK Political Columnist
One could forgive — or perhaps at least understand — a politician making a decision of conscience.
If sincere, it’s might even be something we should honour in a world where far too many decisions are based on what’s popular and will get you re-elected.
But the problem with recent events surrounding Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson — now sitting as independent MLA after being removed from the Saskatchewan Party caucus for “misrepresenting her vaccine status” — is nothing seems particularly honourable or even all that honest.
Let us begin with the misrepresentation — not exactly helpful in a profession where most people feel there’s always a little too much “misrepresentation” going on.
Exactly how the current Saskatchewan Rivers MLA “misrepresented” herself on her COVID-19 shots remains unclear, but it is clear she was sitting in the assembly
last spring masked and wearing a “I stuck it to COVID” sticker, suggesting she had both of her shots.
This is a big issue. If she opposed vaccinations, she should have simply said so. Getting both shots is something that government can’t force you to do, but it’s something government has encouraged all of us to do for some very good reasons.
Since the beginning of September, Saskatchewan has see 14,964 more cases and 123 more deaths in what’s been slightly more than a month-long period.
Even though roughly 70 per cent of those eligible are vaccinated, these are the worst COVID-19 numbers since Saskatche-
wan’s first case in March 2020.
The vast majority of those catching COVID-19 are unvaccinated, including children under 12 years old ineligible for vaccines.
Really the courageous, independent and right stance for a government MLA to take right now would more likely seem to be protesting or resigning from caucus because this Sask. Party government hasn’t done enough to curb the aforementioned rising COVID-19 numbers. Or at least, that’s what the vast majority of people in most Saskatchewan ridings now seem to be saying.
A recent Leger opinion poll taken from Sept. 24 to 26 suggests 74 per cent are dissatisfaction
with Premier Scott Moe’s handling of COVID-19 compared with 24 per cent who said they were satisfied.
This would suggest seem Wilson and all her former Sask. Party caucus mates would be getting most of the heat from voters wanting government to do more in the COVID-19 fight — not necessarily the admittedly vocal anti-mask, anti-vaccine minority.
It is now actually a requirement for everyone who works at the legislature (including reporters) to show proof of vaccination or proof that you have been tested in the past 72 hours.
If this was a personal issue or problem for Wilson, it is clearly something she should have
long ago mentioned to the caucus, the Premier and — most critically — the people that elected.
But we heard nothing from Wilson until after the caucus announcement when she issued the following e-mail:
“I can no longer support the direction of the Saskatchewan Party government or follow the government with true conviction regarding the current health situation.
The desire for a just and fair democratic province has helped shaped my decision to leave and sit as an independent member.”
Just and fair democratic province? So shouldn’t she then honourably resign her seat and let voters decide?
Her decision to leave and sit as an independent? It was actually government caucus that first issued a news release saying she had “misrepresented her status” and was no longer a caucus member. Her questionable explanations don’t stop there.
For example, she told a radio host she wore the sticker because MLAs are always being asked to wear stickers and ribbons to which seemingly doesn’t pay much attention.
That would seem to suggest she is being either unprincipled or something less than forthright … words that now sadly sum up the circumstance of her departure from the Sask. Party caucus.
Community involvement integral to success of first annual Terminator Run
By Mallory Cawthra
September 25, 2021, marked The First Annual 5km Terminator Run for Youth Addiction Awareness for the Town of Leader. In total, 78 participants laced up their sneakers and sponsors from 50 local individuals and businesses contributed to the event’s success.
Organizer Laura Henderson, a resident of Leader and mental health advocate, is eight years sober and credits running with building up her self-confidence. Henderson said her self-esteem was so depleted and the shame and guilt of addiction was so strong, that she felt like she was “living with a shadow.” She felt like everyone could see what she felt, and she was the only one. Still, once she started talking openly to people in the community about her addiction and recovery, she discovered many others related or knew others struggling
too. Three years into her recovery, she started running, and she hasn’t stopped since.
Henderson explained that “Collaboration and community are important and go hand in hand,” and stated that the community helped her through her recovery, and she was inspired to give back. She is also a brain aneurysm survivor, completing a half marathon seven months after having surgery. She said it was emotional due to her addiction and recovery and surviving something.
Henderson was inspired to organize the Terminator Run in Leader after learning about the event online through the Calgary-based not-for-profit Terminator Foundation. She contacted Founder Vanisha Breault and expressed her interest in starting the run in Leader. “Running brings us together,” Henderson said, a sentiment echoed by the Terminator Foundation website: “The annual 5 km run for youth addiction awareness brings our community together to shed light on the pressing issue of addiction and mental health.” The Terminator Foundation website highlights physical exercise and community engagement as integral to strengthening recovery through a continuum of care model.
Henderson said the mental health crisis is everywhere, and she added that more programs are needed, and everyone needs to pull together. She is looking forward to the Terminator Run next year and watching the community come together. She hopes the momentum continues to build, and running is a catalyst in the community to create awareness and open the dialogue for those impacted by addiction.
A Little Bit Western At the Corral - Then and Now
By Tara Mulhern Davidson
Part of what I love about ranch life is the rhythm of seasons. We start out with calving, then move to pairing out for pastures and breeding, and before you know it, fall arrives and we’re looking at weaning and spending a few days (or weeks?) in a corral somewhere.
Over the years, I’ve developed a list for all the bits and bobs necessary to make chute work a little easier. To help streamline prep, I start with an idea of all the supplies we normally need –such as ear tags, pliers, parasite products, vaccines, needles, syringes, and the all-important list of “who’s got a one-way ticket to town this fall.” It was during a review of this list that’s taped to my filing cabinet that I realized the cattle work doesn’t change a lot from year to year, however the humans that make up the work crew perhaps do.
I can now scratch diapers, babysitter, soother, and car seat off my list from yesteryear. Instead, I quickly poll our young students on what they’re working on at school and whether they feel like they understand it fairly well. This is handy information to have when we arbitrarily suspend book-learning and formal school attendance so we can channel our child work force toward the ranch, for a few days anyway, while staying somewhat within societal norms.
Of course, helpers – old and young –need to be fed and watered. There was a time not so long ago that beer and water were the important considerations. Fast forward a few years and I’ve got an entirely different idea of the sustenance required to get us through the day. Do I have Advil? Tums? Ice packs? Hot water bottles? Band-aids? What about the
large band-aids? Tensor bandage? A535? Ok team, let’s do this!
As well, the ration requirements of people have changed. Our family, friends, and neighbours are pretty easy going when it comes to simple food, however the volume of food that our growing youth consume warrants special consideration. You can never pack enough snacks; this is a simple fact. You may have a full cooler when you leave one corral only to find it is completely empty by the time you arrive at the next. Of course, this all happens prior to 9:00am. For this reason, I like to hide snacks and/or ration them throughout the day. Rumen overload may be a livestock issue, but human overload is a thing too.
Another change from the good old days is that we now take a wiser look at how much we can pack into a day. We used to cram three or four long days into one or two, commenting “yeah, we got another hour or two of daylight.”
Then at the end of a long, dark workday, we would go off to meet up with friends and stay out late. The next morning, the alarm would go off, we would jump out of bed without a care in the world, and do it all over again. Don’t get me wrong, we can still put a shift in, but now we spread things out a bit. We allow times for break-downs, unexpected snags, and dwindling daylight and if we happen to be back in the house by a decent time, we can tuck ourselves into bed and be asleep five minutes later.
Whether you are still footloose and fancy free, packing a diaper bag and wrangling little ones, or reaching for the anti-inflammatories, have a safe, productive fall run.
The first trail ride of the season turned out to be a beautiful fall day for Garry and Joan Wagner as they moved one of their smaller groups of cattle. This is an annual event when livestock producers move their cattle from a pasture back to their farms. It was a calm day and a welcome break from the Saskatchewan wind, which had been blowing regularly for the past month. The Wagner’s said they have ridden in every type of weather on their trail rides in previous years, everything from heat, wind, fog, rain and snow. Everything except hail! Saskatchewan is famous for offering a wide assortment of weather during October. The couple’s son-in-law Dustin Grant came to lend a helping hand as he assisted his father-in-law in moving the cattle along a road west of the former Saint John’s Church. Consequently, people in the area call it St. John’s Road, situated between Liebenthal and Fox Valley. This annual ten-mile trek offered the perfect opportunity for these cowboys to get out on horseback. It looks like the first trail ride of the season wasn’t much like work after all.
Announcement
Dr. Nickey Knight is about to enter a new phase of her dental career. After practicing in Kindersley for 21 years, she has sold the Kindersley Dental Clinic to Dr. Justin Hennes. Her last day practicing there will be October 27.
A Message from Dr. Knight:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Kindersley, its many surrounding communities and farms, for their decades of support. It has been my absolute pleasure to provide service to the citizens of the area and an honour that you entrusted me with your dental care.
Also, I would have had little success in my career if it was not for the skilled staff alongside me. I would like to thank them for their excellent work ethic, years of loyalty to the business, and outstanding care to our patients.
In this new chapter of my life, I will be entering semi-retirement. I will now be working two weeks a month, solely out of my Eston Dental Clinic. And during my days off I will be in Kelowna where I have a second home. I plan to continue my love affair with travel and perhaps take up some new activities. Golf anyone?
Clayton Braybrook loves harness racing
JOAN JANZEN joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Folks in Kindersley
may know Clayton Braybrook for his involvement in the music festival and as a music teacher and choir director. However, his skills are not limited to musical exploits; Clayton has been involved in harness racing for as long as he can remember.
“My dad was one of the best trainers there was, and my mom was a trainer too and tried driving as well. I’ve been doing this all my life,” Clayton explained. “When I was 13 or 14, I did all the barn work for my dad.”
Clayton has been driving since 2006. He said obtaining a licence is more involved than getting your driver’s licence. The process begins by learning about safety, equipment and terminology. Next, the applicant does practice drives in a non-betting race, which Clayton said are hard to come by because nobody wants to waste a trip teaching someone how to drive. “I had two friends who let me drive
when every horse had to qualify anyway,” he said. “You have to renew your licence every year.”
According to standardbred.canada.ca, in 2009, Clayton drove to the winner’s circle for the first time at Yorkton Exhibition. At that time, he said, “I’m completely amazed! I started driving on this track for the first time.”
His 2021 season of harness racing in Manitoba went out with a bang on a card full of stakes races and notable accomplishments. The website noted: “Saskatchewan-based horseman
Clayton Braybrook sent out four winners on the day and guided each one to the winner’s circle. On the day, Braybrook sent out six horses and finished in the top three every time.”
On August 14, he earned three wins with his best performance of the day in the second race with Kernel Kelly, a fouryear-old gelding. “I’ve had a spectacular year this year. It’s the best year I’ve ever had,” Clayton said. Horses may not race
until they reach 2 years old and do not race beyond their 15th birthday. Horses are usually contested at speeds averaging 25-30 miles per hour for the mile distance.
Clayton is not only a driver, but he also trains his own horses and keeps his horses close to town. “We have a lovely place between Beadle and Netherhill. It’s a long way from the highway and not too far from town. I have six horses in train-
ing right now.”
Harness racing can go all year long, even during the winter. “One loop is a mile, and it’s a long way around when the wind is blowing on your neck,” Clayton said. “The only time they take a break is usually a six-week break in February or March when the most severe weather is expected. Last year we raced until December 13.”
Typically, Clayton races once a week. He races in Manitoba, Edmonton and Saskatoon. “There’s very few people around who are doing this in Saskatchewan. They’ve all moved on when Covid hit. Almost all the racers say they had a start in Saskatchewan, and some
racers from down east come back to race in Saskatchewan.
There are 20 minutes between races, and it can be chilly in the winter for spectators sitting in the stands. “Before there were casinos, harness racing was the only legal gambling event,” Clayton said, explaining why it has lost its appeal as a gambler’s sport.
“There’s no more racing at Marquis Downs after Thanksgiving. They’re gutting it all. It’s very sad. I don’t think I’ve been on a better track. It’s very user-friendly; my horses love it there,” Clayton said. This was the case once again, as Clayton raced in Saskatoon on the weekend of Sept.
25th and 26th, gaining a fourth place, two thirds, two seconds and a win. Horse racing has been running at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon for the past 50 years, but this will end in mid-October of this year. Currently, Prairieland is exploring how to turn Marquis Downs into a soccer stadium.
Although harness racing will no longer take place in Saskatoon, Clayton plans to continue racing indefinitely. “I plan to race until I can’t. They’ll have to drag me off kicking and screaming. There’s a fellow who won a race the other day, and he’s 86 years old. I want to be that guy,” he concluded.
Clayton Braycook
Sports with Bruce Penton
NHL welcomes Kraken to its family
In one way, the National Hockey League returns to normal this season, with divisions organized by geography rather than the all-Canadian division fans saw last year when Covid-19 dictated emergency policy revisions.
But a totally normal season? Hardly.
The 2021-22 campaign gets under way this week, but there are still a number of question marks hanging over the 32team league which features the arrival of the newest expansion team, the Seattle Kraken.
For instance, the league schedule currently includes a two-week gap from Feb. 5-22 to allow for NHL players to take part in the Olympics in Beijing, China. But here we are, a mere four months from the start of the Games, and the NHL Players’ Association still hasn’t decided officially to take part. Why? Covid, of course.
The NHLPA is leaving its options open. If the Covid situation looks palatable, the players will take part and the NHL schedule will pause for two-plus weeks. If the players decide the health situation in China is going to be a problem, they are reserving the right to
forego the Olympic Games, and stay in their North American confines. The NHL would then rearrange the schedule to fill in that two-week gap.
Meanwhile, the Kraken kick off their official existence with a game in Las Vegas Oct. 12, the first of five straight on the road, and play their home opener Oct. 23 against the Canucks, who are destined to become the new team’s No. 1 rival. Considering the tremendous success the Golden Knights had in their first season, reaching the Stanley Cup final, it won’t be a surprise if the Kraken are competitive right off the hop.
Old, established divisional rivalries resume, which means Toronto, Montreal, Boston and defending Cup champion Tampa Bay will see plenty of each other this year. Winnipeg Jets are back in the same division as St. Louis, Dallas, Nashville and Minnesota, while the Oilers and Flames will do battle once again with the Canucks, Sharks, Kings, Vegas, etc., as well as the Kraken.
Will this be the year Connor McDavid leads the Oilers to Cup glory? Will Cole Caufield continue his blistering playoff pace and become a 50-goal
man for the Habs? Will last year’s rookie of the year, Kirill Kaprizov, become the most explosive player in the game? Can two-time Cup champ Tampa keep rolling? Will Nathan McKinnon and the Avalanche break through? Thanks to Auston Matthews, is this finally the Leafs’ year?
So many questions, with the answers to roll out over the next seven or eight months.
• From Hockey Beast, on Facebook: “After the Boston Bruins won the 1970 Stanley Cup, Wayne Cashman got drunk, stepped out into an intersection, started to direct traffic, got arrested, and used his one phone call to order Chinese food.”
• Golf writer Geoff Shackleford, on the evolution of the PGA Tour: “The PGA Tour, ever desperate to lower the average viewer demographic from 65, became a wannabe lifestyle brand where you come, hold up your phones, get drunk and are as much a part of the action as the players.”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: “The New York Jets and New York Giants are a combined 0-6 to open the season. Fortunately I am sure the New York media will be gentle and understanding about this.”
• Comedy writer Brad Dickson of Omaha: “Snoop Dogg will be the Super Bowl halftime performer. Which answers the age old question: Do the halftime performers need to pass a drug test? No.”
• Steve Simmons of Sun Media: “Money isn’t everything: The Blue Jays paid just $4.1 million this season for (Vladimir) Guerrero, (Bo) Bichette, Jordan Romano, Tim Mayza, Alek Manoah, Danny Jansen, and Alejandro Kirk That could be close to $100 million in the future.”
• Brad Dickson again: “The Fox Sports guy said one of the
Husker receivers ‘has suffered from anxiety and depression.’ So he knows what it’s like to be a Husker fan.”
• Headline at fark.com: “Bears head coach decides kickoff on Sunday night might be the ideal time to decide which of his quarterbacks will start the game.”
• Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “ Cowboys tackle La’el Collins — who missed seven scheduled drug tests — was given a five-game suspension for trying to bribe the NFL collector who came to take his sample, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He was hoping they’d let him off with an illegal-procedure penalty.”
• Retired sportswriter Greg Johns, via Facebook, after Seattle beat the Athletics for the 12th straight time: “Now that the Mariners own the A’s, are they responsible for building a new stadium in Oakland?”
• NFL guru Dan Daly, via Twitter: “Amazing how many NFL teams are trying to develop young QBs with train-wreck offensive lines. Can’t decide if it’s child abuse or just malpractice.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
WE’RE HIRING!
Rocky Mountain Equipment has great opportunities available for the right people. We’re currently hiring a SERVICE SALES MANAGER for our Kindersley location.
Some responsibilities include:
• Direct and delegate effectively to the service staff
• Oversee all planning, administration and general management issues, including day to day supervision of staff
• Oversee work organized by team leaders and direct reports
RME offers competitive wages, a comprehensive benefits package, and a caring and team-oriented work environment.
For more information, visit ROCKYMTN.COM/CAREERS
Klippers battle way through SJHL Showcase week
The three-day Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League showcase proved chock-full of learning lessons for the Kindersley Klippers.
Last weekend – prior to the showcase – the Klippers succumbed to a 5-1 trouncing by the Humboldt Broncos but bounced back in resilient fashion 5-2 against the Melville Millionaires.
The Klippers split their games Tuesday and Wednesday, between the October 4-6 Showcase week, downing Flin Flon 2-1, and falling to the La Ronge Ice Wolves in a tough 5-3 decision.
“The weekend saw us go a bit AWOL and play on our heels. We got the result we deserved against Humboldt, but Sunday was different. We had a better start, but we got those two points,” said Assistant Coach Mitch Topinka.
“Our team needs to come out strong. Everyone can beat everyone in this league, but if the guys go down two-or-three goals, and we aren’t ready to play, we can lose. We need to go right off the hop.”
As the team pushes along through the season, the Klippers still can’t seem to stay out of the penalty box. The trend continued through the SJHL Showcase, which happened in Warman, SK, and saw 200 scouts attending from the NHL, CIS and NCAA.
On Saturday versus the Broncos alone – in a game where the two teams incurred a combined 149 penalty minutes – the Klippers themselves saw Austin Lamotte, Aidan Bangs, Brendan Lee, Mark Snarr, and Cash Arnsten all receive 10-minute misconducts.
Sunday saw Ethan King get another misconduct. In the first period of Wednesday’s final night showcase against La Ronge, Matthew Mazzocchi received 15 minutes in penalties for a 10-minute game misconduct and a check from behind.
“You get on the kill, and you maybe kill it off, but we are constantly going on the penalty kill. We keep losing momentum, and eventually, pucks go in the net. The guys are starting to realize it’s draining,” he said. “It’s been addressed in the last few days, and we can’t punch guys in the back of the head or hook guys.”
Early in the season, a huge bright spot has been the
play of goalie Matthew Pesenti, a consistent force on the ice.
“Matty has been great for us. He’s taken the blame on some losses, and he doesn’t need to at all. We start to go, and our penalties are costing us. It’s early in the year, but there’s a time and place for penalties. When we are taking penalties at stupid times, Matt gets peppered on the powerplay. But he’s keeping us in these games,” said Topinka.
“He’s one of those guys who apologizes at the bench after every goal. We look at him and tell him wild bounces and things like that aren’t on him. He’s an amazing team guy, and it’s at the point where guys are realizing he’s keeping us alive in games.”
Coach Topinka says that the Klippers as a whole are starting to subscribe to a certain amount of accountability on their individual games as well.
“The guys know that we are the highest penalized team, and we’re the smallest team in the league sizewise. It’s not a bad thing to get hit and not retaliate. There’s firepower throughout the league on different teams, and that can cost us,” he said. “It’s a full team effort, and we need to tighten it up.”
Goalie Pesenti says he’s been trying to get the best results this season.
“The first few games didn’t go the way we wanted. But we’re building momentum, we feel good about our game, and we’re trying to figure out how to move forward as a group,” he said.
“I’m happy with my performance. Humboldt wasn’t the performance I wanted, but I was happy with Melville. I think Humboldt was a one-off night, but I feel good. This team is a great group, and we love playing for each other. We work hard and want to get better.”
Pesenti is working on small issues and just trying to strengthen his play all the time. He sees the standard he holds himself to as a good trait.
“Most guys on this team expect a lot from ourselves. As long as you have confidence, I don’t think those high expectations are an issue,” he said.
“My teammates are great. If I have an off night, they’re all there for me, and they aren’t worried. When I play well, they’re supportive. At the end of the day, we all just want to win. We are trying to figure out how to work well together.”
JORDAN PARKER Your Southwest Media Group
A huge bright spot for the Klippers this season has been the play of goalie Matthew Pesenti. | PHOTO COURTESY KINDERSLEY KLIPPERS
Kindersley
Kindersley Denture
LEGAL SECRETARY
Sheppard & Millar Law Office is seeking a full time Legal Secretary.
Experience in a professional office environment with computer and word processing skills, office administration diploma or equivalent experience would be an asset.
Please forward your resume to:
Sheppard & Millar Law Office 113-1st Avenue East
P.O. Box 1510 | Kindersley, Saskatchewan S0L 1S0 email: kindersley.law@sasktel.net or sheppard.law@sasktel.net Fax (306) 463-6133
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19th
AGT COMMUNITY CENTRE
G-Mac’s Ag Team Centennial Hall
6:00 PM Supper
7:00 PM Quick Dick McDick - Rural Life Comedy Beer Gardens all evening
Children 13 years & older are welcome with a parent
Tickets: $40/person; $280/table of 8
Available: Online @ eston.ca or at Town Office SPONSORED BY ESTON 4H CLUB
Good Boys
Sure-Fire Streaming
BY JORDAN PARKER https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/
Available On Netflix
I didn’t quite know what to make of Good Boys when I first heard about it. But then I watched the trailer, and everything changed.
Director and co-writer Gene Stupnitsky – an Emmy nominee for The Office and Hello Ladies –creates an absolutely adorable, yet raucous, comedy.
This smartly written, hilarious film follows a trio of eighth graders who end up having an absolutely insane day together as they try to prepare for a party with their peers.
Starring lauded young actor Jacob Tremblay and hugely talented newcomers Keith L. Williams and Brady Noon, the chemistry between these young leads is incredible.
The talent around them includes names like Will Forte, Molly Gordon, and Lil Rey Howery, but it’s these young teens who truly make the film scene.
You’re going to be slackjawed at some of the things these kids say, but you won’t be able to contain your laughter.
Freedom Writers
Available On Netflix
This little film came out of absolutely nowhere when I was in high school, and it’s stuck with me for years.
Oscar-nominated director Richard LaGravenese takes the reins here and makes an affecting, emotional drama that really sticks the landing.
It follows a young teacher who shows her at-risk students about loving each other and bridging divides. She pushes them to pursue further education and follow their dreams.
Starring multiple Oscar-win-
ner Hilary Swank, Oscar nominee Imelda Staunton, Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey and the incredible Scott Glenn, this is an absolute showcase.
It’s a wonderful film, and guaranteed to bring some well-earned tears to your eyes. So many movies can lose their magic over time, but nearly 15 years on, this one’s still got it.
The Father Available On Prime Video
One of the absolute best films of 2020, The Father is an emotional rollercoaster and one of the best movies I’ve seen in years.
Director Florian Zeller – who won an Oscar for his screenplay adaptation on this one – does an absolutely phenomenal job.
It follows an elderly man with dementia who fights against his daughter as she tries to find the best way to care for him. He won’t leave his home or accept nursing care, and his declining health begins to alienate those around him.
While the argument can be made – and I’ve made it – that Chadwick Boseman deserved a post-humous Oscar last year, it was Anthony Hopkins that took home the statue for his role here.
Oscar winner Olivia Colman, nominated here for her role as the helpless daughter, is fantastic, and Rufus Sewell is also truly fantastic here. Watch for young Imogen Poots to also impress.
This is a beautiful, truly fantastic character piece, and it left me in complete tears.
The Thing Available On Netflix
This is one of my all-time favourite horror films, and it’s a genre entry that is simply unforgettable.
RM of Snipe Lake No. 299 Seeking Proposals for Pound Keeper Services
The R.M. of Snipe Lake No. 259 is seeking proposals for the provision of Pound Keeper Services on an as needed basis.
Responsibilities and duties are as contained in the Stray Animals Act S60, and regulations; a summary of which is available by contacting the R.M. Office. Fees for services are as established by regulations and the R.M. will pay an annual stipend, at an established rate, to the accepted contractor. The appointment is at the will of council and reviewed on an annual basis.
Proposals should be submitted to the R.M. of Snipe Lake No. 259 Box 786, Eston, SK on or before 5:00 p.m., November 12, 2021
Director John Carpenter – a master of suspense – is responsible here for one of the most creative, intelligent films of all time. It follows a research team in a remote facility in Antartica that is pitted against a shape-shifting, ominous alien with murderous intentions.
This is the film that made Kurt Russell, and the supporting performances from Keith Davod, T.K. Carter, Richard Masur and more leave a lasting impression.
This is a thinking person’s horror film, and it’s truly worth rewatches, as you’re bound to catch things you didn’t the first time.
50/50
Available On Prime Video
I guess I have a soft spot for tearjerkers this week. This one is a doozy, and it’s an impeccably written and directed flick.
Director Jonathan Levine – in the news right now for show Nine Perfect Stranger – creates an adorable bromance movie with a soft heart.
The frequent Seth Rogen collaborator puts the comedian in a more serious role here, and the Canadian comic and actor absolutely shines. He plays a man who commits himself to helping and caring for his 27-year-old friend who learns of a cancer diagnosis.
Based on a true story, the performances from Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anna Kendrick all hit home here.
With a supporting cast that includes Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston and Philip Baker Hall, you really can’t go wrong. Funny, sweet and heartbreaking in equal parts, it’s a movie with rich characters you’re bound to fall in love with.
Classifieds Your West Central
RATES (based on 25 words or less). $10.00 plus GST. Additional
CARDS OF THANKS
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In the Estate of Roger Lee Harder, late of Kindersley, in the Province of Saskatchewan, Deceased.
Kinder Kollege Inc. Would like to extend a thank you to Norm Neigum and Darla Dorsett of Good to Go Trucking for the generous donation of their picker service. Thank you for your generosity to the daycare Center.
FOR SALE
ALL CLAIMS against the above Estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 19TH day of OCTOBER, A.D. 2021.
SHEPPARD & MILLAR
Solicitors for the Estate of Roger Lee Harder
Barristers & Solicitors
113 1st Avenue East Box 1510
Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0
Attention: MONTE J. SHEPPARD
FOR SALE: One bedroom condo at CALEB VILLAGE in Kindersley. Main floor unit with 9’ ceilings and gated access to private entrance. New vinyl plank flooring and dishwasher. Large individual storage area included with the unit. Asking price $240,000. Contact Susan 306-4307636 or Glenn 306-4637407 for more details.
IN MEMORIAM
Lyle Leonard Kuntz
December 16, 1940 October 17, 1983
38 years have gone by since God took you.
We still remember that day as if it was yesterday. You left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide, although we cannot see you, you’re always at our side. We still miss and love you dearly!
Evelyn, Glenn Karen and family, Debbie, Ken, Kevin and Kaiden, and Lorna.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In the Estate of Charles Kenneth Wood, late of Kindersley/Alsask, in the Province of Saskatchewan, Deceased.
ALL CLAIMS against the above Estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 29TH day of OCTOBER, A.D. 2021.
SHEPPARD & MILLAR
Solicitors for the Estate of Charles Kenneth Wood
Barristers & Solicitors 113 1st Avenue East Box 1510
Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0
Attention: MONTE J. SHEPPARD
NOTICES
The Kindersley Rotary Club is sad to announce that the Casino and supper event, planned for Oct 23, has been cancelled. Thanks to those who purchased tickets, and to the following generous corporate sponsors: Kindersley Co-op, Great Plains College, Absolutely Eyes, Best Western Hotels, Avenue Fashions, Merle Norman, Murlin Electronics, Sobeys and E&G Welding.
WANTED
CLEAR YOUR CLOSETS. I’ll buy your unwanted Rifles, Shotguns and Handguns - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. I have the permits required. Phone or Text 306-4637756.
Crossword Help? The answers to this puzzle can be found on the next page. Try not to cheat!
Alcoholics Anonymous
Monday: Kindersley AA Meeting
8:00 PM, Legion Hall
Tuesday: Brock AA Meeting
8:00 PM, Vesper Club
Tuesday: Leader AA Meeting
8:00 PM, Leader United Church
Wednesday: Eston AA Meeting
8:00 PM, St. Andrew’s United Church
Thursday: Kindersley AA Meeting
8:00 PM, 401 - 1st Avenue West
Friday: Kindersley AA Meeting
8:00 PM, St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church
Narcotics Anonymous
Tuesday: Kindersley NA Meeting
7:30 PM, 113 Main Street
1 Baghdad's ___ City
5 "Do ya dig?" reply
10 Give ___ on the back
14 Suit to ___
15 Snap, crackle or pop
16 Stubborn beast
17 Metallica or Megadeth fan
19 Use to excess, briefly
20 Guinevere, to Lancelot?
22 Clickable drop down
23 "Aha, just ___ thought"
24 Boo-___! (triumphant cry)
25 Prov. riding rep
27 Spans of 365 "dias"
30 Increases, as the ante
32 See 1-Down
34 One choosing wool over cotton?
39 A lot, to Alfredo
41 Seat of conceit
42 Not ready for the real world
43 Motto of an avid macramé artist?
46 Paperboy's paths: Abbr.
47 Have some down time at Whistler?
48 Numbered how-to part
50 Man. clock setting
51 "Not my typo," in printing
54 CPR expert
56 Onetime newsman Knowlton
58 Had met Americans in Andrew's dukedom?
64 Keep the car running
65 All business
66 Pepper grinder or paper producer
67 For all to see
68 Showed sorrow or joy, in a way
69 Cleary's Ramona, for one
70 "Battling" factions since Adam and Eve
71 Sellout signs, on B'way
1 With 32-Across, comic who said "My life needs editing"
2 ___ ton (pigged out)
3 Military funeral song
4 Use Just For Men again 5 Bummed out
6 -Tremblant, Quebec ski area
7 Maximum setting
8 "___ bad moon rising" (CCR lyric)
9 Becomes cheerier
10 Mine, in Marseille 11 Able to "pinch an inch" on oneself
Lei person's greeting?
Mackenzie King's place, chronologically
(genuine)
Fun run length, for short
Speaks
Primetime times: Abbr.
What's leftover
Able to carry a tune
Geisha girls' garb
Apartment dwellers,
Rose City Memorials Ltd.
Family Owned with Pride since 1961
CHRISTEL
HANKEWICH
Memorial Specialist 306-463-9191
Christel has helped families with their monument needs for over 30 years.
Granite Monument Specialists Dedicated to Quality Craftsmanship and Service
KINDERSLEY COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM
Serving Families Since 1933
Community Owned, Full-Service Funeral Home
• Pre-planning • Monuments • Grief Support • Only crematorium in the west-central area
Eston Branch 615 Main Street S. 306-962-4442
Kindersley 801 - 9th Street West 306-463-2659
Kerrobert Branch 440 Pacific Avenue 306-834-2411
E-mail: kcfh@sasktel.net Fax: 306-463-2650 www.kindersleyfuneralhome.com
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
and
FREE groceries through the
Program
We are excited to tell you about a new program in Kindersley called FoodMesh, a collaboration between Kindersley Christian Fellowship and Buy-Low Foods. This program makes free groceries available to individuals in need by collecting surplus food and groceries from local stores.
Please see the details below on how you can access this program and get free groceries. Everyone is welcome and this program is operating every week.
When: Every week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Christian Fellowship Church (East Door) 800 - 12th Ave. E., Kindersley, SK
Please bring a grocery bag or box with you.
For more information, please contact Kindersley Christian Fellowship at 306-463-6146 or Barb at 306-460-9304.
Irene Jackle
September 1, 1938 ~ September 30, 2021
It is with great sadness that the family of Irene Grace Jackle of Fox Valley, SK., announce her peaceful passing. Her life began on a farmstead near Leader on September 1, 1938 and she was welcomed into the arms of her Lord on September 30, 2021, at the age of 83 years. Her parents were Erwin and Sidonia Wenzel and she was one of nine children. Irene had many memories of her youth and she was very proud of the fact that she attended St. John’s Parochial School, which was near their farm. She could instantly recall the many stories that were inevitably generated by eight vibrant, energetic and sometimes quite mischievous siblings. She dearly loved them all.
Soon after finishing school, she met a young, handsome farmboy from Fox Valley, Sask. They soon developed a love for each other that has been pure, faithful, ever-grow-
ing, honest, complete and a model for us all. She gladly married Harold Jackle on November 30, 1956. Their marriage was blessed with the arrival of Cheryl, Marlan and Kenneth. Harold and Irene supported and loved each other for nearly 65 years.
Through hard work and perseverance, they built a life centered around the farm, their immediate and extended families, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fox Valley and an ever-growing and faithful group of friends. Her family and children were always very important to her. Her faith in God and the church were a big part of her life. She was active in the community and was instrumental in the initiation of the Art Show and Craft Sale in Fox Valley. She enjoyed curling as well as many of the other activities that were available in the community. Any list of Irene’s activities would never be complete because she was constantly using her intelligence and ingenuity to explore new things, new ideas, new skills.
Irene was predeceased by her parents, Erwin and Sidonia Wenzel; her brothers, Arthur, Melvin, Reuben, Merrel and Rodney; her cherished sister, Jean and her beloved daughter, Cheryl.
She will be remembered by her husband Harold; sons, Marlan (children: Daniel,
Sherene and Travis) and Ken (with Phillane and children Tiara and Tenille) and Cheryl’s sons: Robert (Kirstie), Michael and Marlan (with Jenna and great-grandchildren Noah and Charlotte) as well as Cheryl’s extended family of Fred Triskle (children James (with Haley and great-grandchild Serenity) and Nonnien.)
She is also survived by her brothers, Hilbert (Arlene) and Douglas (Dory) as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Irene and Harold were able to travel to many places and they enjoyed every trip. Cypress Hills was always a cherished destination. Memories were gathered from each excursion and were gladly recounted. Playing cards with their neighbors after a good rain was always a great treat and so was dancing at the Fox Valley Hall with friends and neighbors. The Annual Massive Easter Egg Hunt at the farm was a treat for all the family. Each of these family events was always followed by a great meal and lots of desserts, talking and fellowship. Irene was an excellent cook and baker and her experiments with different foods always turned out delicious.
Irene was extremely talented at crafts, quilting and card making. Her quilts will keep her family and friends warm for years and anyone who
received one of her handmade cards will treasure it for its beauty and perfection.
This was written on one of Mom’s ever-present teddy bear notes:
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together,
Keep me in your heart, Ill stay there for ever.”
The family would like to thank River Ridge Retirement Residence for their care for Irene. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and at Irene’s request, a small service for the immediate family will be held. The Celebration of her life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel on Friday, October 8, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Ken Edel officiating. Interment will take place at a later date. Irene’s celebration will be live streamed. Those who cannot attend but wish to experience the chapel service may visit www.cooksouthland.com and select the ‘View Broadcast’ button on the homepage at service time. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland. com). In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene’s memory may be made to the Lutheran Hour radio at www.Lutheranhour. org Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone toll free 403528-6455.
by Barbara Olson
Edwin Rijvers Canada Purple Shield
Norman Fiss Funeral Director
Sara Martin Funeral Director
October land sale is up, but likely doesn’t reflect surge in oil prices
BRIAN ZINCHUK PipelineOnline.CA
The October crown land sale has shown a pickup in interest compared to last year, but bids were put in several weeks ago, it likely does reflect the recent sharp upturn in oil prices. The October public offering of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights was held on Oct. 5 and generated $1,876,807 in revenue for the province.
Land sales are a leading indicator of future activity in the oilpatch.
Overall, the total lease and licence bids covered 14,321 hectares and the average bonus bid was $131 per hectare. Of the total 81 parcels posted, 59 parcels received acceptable bids. A total of 78 leases were posted province-wide, and three exploratory licences. Of those, 58 leases sold, totaling 7,037 hectares for an average of $242 per hectare.
A singular exploration licence, posted in the Estevan area received $171,886, or $23.60 per hectare. It was also the highest bid for a parcel in this offering. This licence is located west of Radville and is prospective for oil in the Bakken Formation. This licence was awarded to Petro-Lin Energy Corporation.
Nearby oil pools include the Freda Lake Ratcliffe Beds Oil Pool, Ceylon Bakken Oil Pool and Hardy South Red River Oil Pool.
That region has seen on-again, off-again interest over the years, with the most recent being Crescent Point buying large tracts of exploratory licenses, prospective for the Lodgepole formation, in 2017.
The highest dollars per hectare received on a lease in this offering is $2,489 per hectare. This 45-hectare lease was awarded to Ferret Energy Limited and is located 14 kilometres southwest of Stoughton, within the Huntoon North Frobisher Oil Pool. It is prospective for oil in the Frobisher Beds of the Madison Group.
Lloydminster area
In the Lloydminster area, the total bonus was $271,996, an average of $224 per hectare. This compares to $426,051, an average of $275 per
hectare at the last offering.
The highest bonus bid received on a parcel in this area was $137,892 or $142 per hectare. This 971-hectare lease was awarded to Prairie Land Investment Services Ltd. and is located three kilometres south of Macklin.
The highest dollars per hectare received on a parcel in this area was $548 per hectare, a total bonus bid of $134,103. This 244.5-hectare lease was awarded to Elk Run Resources Ltd. and is located eight kilometres southwest of Lashburn, near the Buzzard Lloydminster Oil Pool.
Kindersley area
The total bonus received in this area was $88,254, an average of $89 per hectare. This compares to $83,227, an average of $80 per hectare at the last offering.
The highest bonus bid and dollars per hectare received on a parcel in this area was $41,117 or $160 per hectare. This 257-hectare lease was awarded to Synergy Land Services Ltd. and is located 25 kilometres southeast of Elrose, near the Forgan Viking Oil Pool.
Swift Current area
The total bonus received in this area was $159,029, an average of $305 per hectare. There were no parcels posted in the Swift Current area in the last offering.
The highest bonus bid and dollars per hectare received on a par-
cel in this area was $150,164 or $576 per hectare. This 261-hectare lease was awarded to Crescent Point Energy Corp. and is located 24 kilometres west of Swift Current, adjacent to the Beverley Roseray Oil Pool.
Estevan-Weyburn area
The total bonus received in this area was $1,357,527, an average of $117 per hectare. This compares to $2,615,713, an average of $96 per hectare at the last offering.
The Estevan area brought in $1,357,527 for 50 parcels totalling 11,591 hectares.
The highest bonus bid received on a lease is $161,373.56 for a 257-hectare lease in the Estevan area.
Silver Hawk Resources Ltd. acquired this lease that is located five kilometres southwest of Roche Percee, near the Roche Percee Bakken Oil Pool, and is prospective for oil in the Bakken Formation.
The highest dollars per hectare received on a parcel in this area was $2,489 per hectare. This 45-hectare lease was awarded to Ferret Energy Ltd.
This public offering was the fourth of six sales for the current fiscal year. The next oil and gas public offering in Saskatchewan is scheduled for December 7, 2021.
Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online and can be reached at brian.zinchuk@pipelineonline.ca
Land sales are up, but not enormously so.
PHOTO BY BRIAN ZINCHUK