Moose Jaw Express, January 28, 2026

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MOOSE JAW’S HOMEGROWN NEWSPAPER

A long-running community fundraiser that blends childhood magic with local health care support is set to return this spring, as the Little Princess Ball prepares to mark its 15th year in Moose Jaw.

The Little Princess Ball will take place Saturday, April 18, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Temple Gardens Centre, with proceeds supporting the Moose Jaw Health Foundation (MJHF) and patient care at the Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and are available exclusively through SaskTix or in person at the Temple Gardens Centre box office.

“We’ve had (tickets) on sale before Christmas for those wishing to gift the experience to the little people in their life,” said Kate Szeles, co-ordinator of the Little Princess Ball, adding that ticket sales are still ongoing.

This year’s event will be held on a single day — a change from previous years when the ball was hosted over two days on the event weekend.

“So we do have a bit of a change this year. In the past, we hosted it over two days, and this year we’ve consolidated it into one day,” Szeles said. “If you want to participate and have your little one experience the joy of the Little Princess Ball, I would head on over and grab your tickets as soon as you can.”

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

The one-day format includes 400 total tickets, reflecting shifting economic realities for families.

“We know that things are always changing with the economy right now, and people are feeling it a little bit with their extra spending,” she said. “So, we just limited (the event) to one day this year.”

True to tradition, the event’s theme is being kept under wraps, but organizers have confirmed that the 2026 ball aligns with two milestone anniversaries.

“If you are a Disney fanatic, you would know that this is the 70th anniversary of Disney, so they’re celebrating big time at all of the Disney parks and (elsewhere) over the next year. We’re kind of incorporating that into our event,” Szeles said. “This is also the 15th Little Princess Ball in Moose Jaw, so

we thought, why not celebrate that in a big way?”

She said families attending this year can expect a particularly memorable experience.

“If you’ve been curious about checking it out, I would say that this is the year that you’ll want to come,” she said. “If your little person has a favourite princess, I can almost guarantee that we’ll have them there.”

Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will be directed toward the future purchase of a new birthing bed for the Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital’s maternal care unit, according to Szeles.

Tickets for the Little Princess Ball are priced at a flat rate of $85 this year, a slight reduction from previous years to help keep the event affordable and inclusive.

“This event is now in its 15th year, so it has been really cherished by our community,” Szeles said. “It’s just nice to see the community come out and support health care.”

In addition to ticket sales, organizers are also seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Those interested in getting involved can contact the Little Princess Ball through its Facebook page, “The Little Princess Ball,” or by email at MJPrincessBall@ gmail.com.

Tickets and additional event information are available through SaskTix.ca or in person at the Temple Gardens Centre box office, located at 110 First

Medical trip to Guatemala always a humbling time, Moose Jaw doc says

Dr. Mark Brown has travelled with a Moose Jaw-based team to Guatemala four times to support the poorest people there and is always humbled by the joy those residents express afterward.

Brown and more than 30 other health practitioners with the Moose Jaw International Medical Mission (MJIMM) team will fly to the Central American country on Thursday, Jan. 29, while they will begin working in the village of Patzun on Jan. 31 and conclude on Feb. 6.

One team will perform surgeries and address issues such as hernias and hysterectomies. A second team will install wood-burning stoves and water filtration systems in rural homes.

Brown, who works at Hillcrest Health and has lived in Moose Jaw for 26 years, said he began travelling to Guatemala years ago because he knew organizer Jackie Wilson, a nurse at the hospital, who wanted to pursue such a medical mission.

They initially discussed going to Africa in 2016, but an outbreak of the

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

Ebola virus eliminated that location, so Wilson decided they should travel to Guatemala after hearing that a team was needed there, he continued.

This will be Brown’s fifth time travelling with the group, while he attempts to go every second year. He said that most people in the First World don’t understand how difficult life is for people in the Third World.

“There are some of the poorest people in the world (in Guatemala) and they have very little … medical infrastructure to provide health care for their people,” he said. “So this is an opportunity to give back (and serve those residents).”

Brown pointed out that many fruits and vegetables in Canadian stores were picked by “super poor people” in Guatemala, a place that is nearly worse than Africa. Moreover, these people deal with hernias, which makes harvesting food difficult.

“We always say that we probably get a lot more out of (the trip) than they do,” he said.

Continuing, he said residents in Pat-

zun and rural indigenous Mayans end up blessing the medical team because, even though they possess very little and are “super poor,” they are exceptionally joyful and help the Canadians appreciate what they have.

“It’s an attitude adjustment for us that I think most of us need, because we tend to be whiners, especially in the middle of winter in Canada … ,” Brown stated. “And you come back from there, and you say, ‘I’m not complaining anymore.’

“But it’s great fun to be there.”

The week-long trip wouldn’t be possible without the support of Guatemalans, who interpret for the Canadians, arrange transportation and help to ensure the mission’s overall success, he said.

The physician said he has acquired many memories, while the overall theme is the joy residents express after receiving life-saving help. He noted that some seniors are thrilled to see again after receiving reading glasses, while labourers appreciate their hernia repairs so they

can continue to support their families. Brown will help install wood stoves and water filtration systems in rural homes, while he will assist other doctors during house calls to assess issues like diabetes.

All MJIMM members raise their own money to travel to Guatemala, while the group’s overall budget is roughly $100,000, Brown said. Each member must also take a large tote filled with supplies like medications, dental supplies, hygiene items and knitted stuffed toys.

“We are so thankful for the community’s generosity … ,” he added. “It’s (also) such a blessing (to travel south). We try our hardest to provide for people in Guatemala, but they really change our worldview.”

To support the Moose Jaw International Medical Mission, visit its Facebook page.

Jason Antonio can be reached at Harvard Media at 306 690-5965.

Editor’s Note

JOAN RITCHIEMoose Jaw Express EDITOR

It’s interesting how society tries to fit people into boxes…using many different methods and criteria, such as determining what kind of a person an individual is by their handwriting, by the books they read, their body language or whatever. Another thing is, determining what diet or food choices someone makes. A friend was recently sharing about how great they feel on the diet where you eat according to your blood type. I’ve tried many different diets but have never tried that one yet.

I know enough about myself and the books I choose to know that I am not drawn to fiction or fantasy books. My preference is psychology-related topics of interest; therefore, to me, the books I choose to read are usually non-fiction, trying to understand the human psyche and why we are the way we are. Now,

that’s such a deep subject that it’s hard to try and analyze someone else when it’s almost impossible to figure oneself out and what makes us tick. The good thing is, no matter what, we need to love ourselves and get along with others in the playground of life. Variety is the spice of life, they say!

So, in all my curiosity I thought I would explore what people can tell about us by the music we listen to and the books we choose to read. I am sure there are some anomalies for sure but it’s rather fun just to learn what the gurus say.

So here it is, right from the horse’s mouth…

The music we listen to and the books we read are not random choices—they are reflections of how we think, feel, and see the world. They reveal personality traits, emotional needs, life experiences, curiosity, and even unresolved questions. If you pay attention, taste in music and reading habits can tell you more about a person than a résumé ever could.

Music often connects directly to emotion. Some people gravitate toward

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

rock, hip-hop, or metal because they value intensity, energy, and raw honesty. Others prefer classical, jazz, or instrumental music because they seek complexity, structure, or calm. Country and folk often attract people who value storytelling and relatability, while pop appeals to those who enjoy connection, trends, and shared cultural moments. What draws us to certain music is usually a mix of personality, upbringing, memories, and mood. A song can act like a time machine, pulling us back to moments of joy, heartbreak, rebellion, or peace.

Developing an appreciation for other styles of music requires curiosity and humility. It means listening without judgment, understanding the history and culture behind a genre, and allowing yourself to feel rather than analyze. Often, appreciation grows when you connect music to its context—learning why jazz improvisation matters, why blues sounds the way it does, or why electronic music resonates with modern life. Exposure plus openness is what expands taste.

Books reveal a different layer of

identity. The books people choose often reflect their questions about life. Fiction readers are usually drawn to stories because they want to explore emotions, relationships, and alternate realities. Fiction allows people to live other lives, understand human nature, and escape the limits of their own experience. It builds empathy and imagination.

Non-fiction readers, on the other hand, are often motivated by problemsolving, learning, or self-improvement. They may choose books on history, science, business, health, or philosophy because they want clarity, control, or deeper understanding of how the world works. Some people read to feel; others read to know.

Ultimately, music and books are mirrors. They show us who we are, who we’ve been, and sometimes who we want to become. Taste evolves as life changes. A person’s playlist and bookshelf are not just entertainment— they are a quiet autobiography written without words.

So, there you have it in a nutshell and maybe you learnt something about yourself you didn’t know…

Multicultural Council seeks furniture donations to help newcomers settle in Moose Jaw

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

The Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC) is asking residents to consider donating gently used furniture to help newly arrived refugee families settle into their new homes in the community.

The donation drive is being organized through MJMC’s Resettlement Assistance Program, which supports government-sponsored refugees as they transition from temporary accommodations into permanent housing.

“In our program, we help resettle government-sponsored refugees in the community,” said Monica Chowns, team lead for MJMC’s Resettlement Assistance Program and Settlement Program. “We often use other community sources to look for furniture donations or (affordable) furniture for our clients.”

The need for furniture has increased following a higher-than-usual number of arrivals late last year. According to Chowns, MJMC supported nine single individuals and six small families or

couples during that period, most with household sizes of four people or fewer.

“We had a big influx of refugee arrivals in November and December,” she said. “Because it was a large group (arriving) at once, the process of finding donations for them kind of bottlenecked. It’s hard to get things going for all of the families and single individuals.”

The organization is currently seeking larger furniture items, including couches or loveseats, dining room tables and chairs, coffee and end tables, nightstands, dressers, TV stands and freestanding lamps. Beds and mattresses cannot be accepted.

“Most of our clients want couches or loveseats and dining room tables with chairs,” Chowns said. “They have houseware stuff, like pots and pans and dishes. They’re just looking for the big items.”

She added that donated furniture helps reduce financial strain for new-

comers who are often working within limited budgets.

“It really just makes our clients feel at home, and it sets the basis for them to get established in our community,” Chowns said. “They are in a home now, and they have the basic things, but they don’t have these big furniture items to live a normal life.”

Chowns emphasized that residents have consistently shown strong support in times of need.

“Our clients are so thankful for it when we are able to find items for them, and it relieves the financial burden for them to have to find inexpensive things for themselves. It can be a real challenge,” she said. “We’re just so happy to be in a community like Moose Jaw. As soon as we put a call out, we get nonstop calls from people wanting to help.”

Residents interested in donating furniture are asked to contact MJMC’s hotel and housing co-ordinator, Jodie

Mussel, at 306-690-5823 to arrange pickup or drop-off. Donations can be co-ordinated Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

In addition to the furniture drive, MJMC is also continuing a separate hygiene product donation drive through its Community Connections program. The drive supports newcomers during their first days in Moose Jaw by providing welcome packages with essential items such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and other personal care products.

Hygiene donations can be dropped off year-round at the Newcomer Welcome Centre, 432 Main Street North, or at MJMC’s office at the Town ’N’ Country Mall during regular business hours. Residents seeking more information can visit MJNWC.ca or contact MJMC at 306-692-6892.

Simpson Seeds CEO named Pulse Promoter of the Year

A local business leader whose work has helped advance Saskatchewan’s pulse crop sector has been recognized with a provincial industry award for the 2025 calendar year.

Elyce Simpson, CEO of Simpson Seeds Inc., was named Pulse Promoter of the Year by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, an honour presented during the organization’s January annual general meeting.

The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to supporting growers, strengthening the pulse industry, and advancing the sector’s long-term growth in Saskatchewan. Simpson said the award came as “a bit of a surprise.”

“I wasn’t really expecting it, but I’m certainly honoured to be recognized in a space that we’ve been operating in for 46 years,” she said. “It’s always nice to be recognized for doing something you enjoy.”

The honour is awarded annually through a nomination process overseen by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers’ board, though Simpson said the full reasons behind her selection were not disclosed.

Simpson emphasized that the recognition extends well beyond a single year or indi-

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

vidual, highlighting decades of foundational work in Saskatchewan’s pulse sector.

“This highlights the years and years of work that are behind us, so one year is a very small snapshot in time,” she said. “There was a lot of foundational work that was done by my family and other people in the industry who really believed in the initial vision of pulse crops for Saskatchewan.”

Founded more than four decades ago, Simpson Seeds

has grown into a key player in the pulse crop industry, with lentils forming the core of its operations. Simpson said the award reflects the broader success of Saskatchewan’s pulse sector and its global reach.

“I think it’s really a recognition of what our region and our province have done to grow pulse crops, export them globally, and increase their value,” she said. “It reflects the work being done with growers and everyone along the value chain

SNAPSHOT: Stitched with care

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

SNAPSHOT: A simple act of kindness is bringing warmth, comfort, and a sense of home to community members this winter. During the week of Jan. 19, Square One Community Inc. received a donation of handmade quilts from Colleen Oshowy, each thoughtfully stitched together for the organization’s supportive housing clients. Square One said the quilts were created and gifted with care, noting that “there is nothing that says home like a cozy quilt to wrap up in.” The organization added that the love sewn into each quilt carries meaning beyond physical warmth, writing, “We trust that love will give added warmth to our clients’ hearts too,” as they continue their transition into stable housing. Photo by: Square One Community Inc.

to make it a crop that’s good for the environment, good for farming, and good for the economy.”

In addition to its established seed operations, Simpson Seeds has recently expanded further into value-added processing with the opening of a new pulse flour mill on Aug. 29, 2025.

“It’s a lot of work and it’s breaking new ground for us, but there’s been a lot of good interest. The trend toward incorporating more protein into our diets, and doing that in as many different ways as possible, really lends itself to that broader shift in how pulse crops are viewed globally and the added value they bring,” Simpson said.

The current focus is on making pulse ingredients more accessible to a wide range of consumers.

“There’s more value that

can be had by incorporating them in different ways … and making them palatable and enjoyable for every age and ethnicity,” she said. “We’re trying to get (pulse ingredients) into everyone’s diet in a more meaningful way.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Simpson said the company’s priority is on strengthening existing operations rather than rapid expansion.

“We’re really focused on running what we have and doing it well, supporting our staff, growing our team, and expanding the market,” she said. “That’s going to take a lot of our effort in 2026.”

Simpson Seeds Inc. is located at 1170 North Service Road and can be reached at 306-693-2132. For more information about the local familyrun business, visit SimpsonSeeds.com.

Holy Trinity returning champions at Optimist Club’s ‘Name That Tune’ fundraiser

The Friendly City Optimist Club’s annual “Name That Tune” fundraiser returned this month with lively competition in a nearly full house — and a familiar result, as the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, represented by Cherie and Stu Esson, claimed top honours for a second straight year.

The musical trivia fundraiser was held Jan. 21 at the Moose Jaw Public Library theatre and featured six community-based teams competing to identify songs performed live on the piano. The Moose Jaw Centre for Arts & Culture finished as runner-up following a closely contested final round.

“It was a success and, of course, everybody had a great time,” said Gayle Jones, an Optimist Club member and the event chairperson.

While fundraising totals are still being tallied, Jones said she’s confident the event met its goal.

“Our target was just over $2,000,” she said. “You could say we reached our goal.”

organizations involved added another layer of enjoyment.

“They can have a bit of fun as well as earn some money too,” she said.

The final matchup brought together two returning champion teams, creating what Jones described as one of the strongest showdowns the event has seen.

“They were return champions, but the runners-up were also previous winners. These are probably the best teams that we’ve ever had in ‘Name That Tune,’” she said. “We’ve never had those two top teams play off against each other, and they are both extremely good.”

For the second year in a row, proceeds from the fundraiser will support Hunger in Moose Jaw and the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank, both of which also fielded teams during the competition.

Jones said having the beneficiary

The full list of competing teams included the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, Moose Jaw Centre for Arts & Culture, Hunger in Moose Jaw, the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank, the Moose Jaw Wakamow Rotary Club, and Dr. Michael Prestie’s dental office.

Live music throughout the evening was once again provided by Optimist Club member Greg Gower, whose piano performances are a staple of the fundraiser, while Glenn Hagel returned as MC.

Attendance remained consistent with previous years, despite winter conditions that created travel challenges for some. One participant who spoke off the record said they were filling in last-minute for the backup player, who, along with the original contestant, couldn’t make it due to the weather.

“One of the contestants got stormstayed in Regina, and a couple of them couldn’t get in from Buffalo Pound,” Jones added. “Even in spite of the bad weather, there was still a good crowd.”

Despite a few last-minute travel disruptions, the atmosphere inside the theatre remained upbeat and positive throughout the evening.

“Whether you knew anything about the music or not, everybody had a good time,” she said.

Looking back, Jones described the evening as “entertaining with lots of fun and good music.”

The fundraiser was co-sponsored by the Moose Jaw Express and the Moose Jaw Co-op, and Jones said the Optimist Club expects “Name That Tune” to return

same venue in 2027.

The Friendly City Optimist Club is a youth-focused service organization dedicated to “Bringing out the best in kids” through a variety of community projects and fundraisers held throughout the year.

For more information, visit “Friendly City Optimist Club of Moose Jaw” on Facebook or MooseJawOptimistClub. WordPress.com.

DANUBE SYMPHONY

to

9 DAY RIVER CRUISE

9 DAY RIVER CRUISE MUNICH TO BUDAPEST

October 9–17, 2026

• CAT A: $7,458 per person*

• CAT P: $7,494 per person*

Special savings offer of $550 and free pre paid gratuities.* *Prices are based on double occupancy, CAD, and include all taxes & port charges. Travel insurance, extra nights, airport transfers and airfare are additional. Please inquire. Deposit amount is $250 per person and non-refundable. Final Payment due on May 23, 2026.

Three friends who work in film and television are so passionate about the industry that they have launched a festival in Moose Jaw to celebrate their provincial colleagues’ accomplishments.

The Moose Jaw Film Festival is set for Saturday, Feb. 28, in the Mae Wilson Theatre, with the first film being screened at 10 a.m. and the awards ceremony concluding the day at 8 p.m.

Tickets — including a day pass — will be available to the public through the Centre for Arts and Culture.

Experience your Danube River cruise from Germany to Hungary your way with two nights in Munich before your cruise. Enjoy a full-day guided tour to Neuschwanstein Castle—home of King Ludwig—and enjoy plenty of free time to explore Munich before your cruise. Board your Suite Ship® in Vilshofen, Germany, and sail to the lovely city of Linz. Here, enjoy a guided sightseeing or a visit to St. Florian Monastery. Explore Ybbs on a guided tour of its romantic old town; sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Krems and explore the small village—seemingly untouched by the modern world. Next, sail to Vienna—the “City of Music.” Marvel at the sights with a guided city tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks—including the Imperial Palace, the worldfamous opera house, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit Bratislava, Slovakia, on your Danube River cruise to explore the quaint streets of Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral. You may decide to join your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to the castle above! Continue your European vacation your way with one night in Budapest after your cruise. Explore the “Pearl of the Danube”—Hungary’s captivating capital city.

Moose Javians Jeremy Ratzlaff, Timothy Lenko and Nick Lamb are the driving forces behind the event, along with Regina’s Karla Weber, who is organizing a vertically shot shortfilm challenge for youths and new filmmakers to create projects using their smartphones.

Ratzlaff is a well-known filmmaker and director of photography, Lenko is an emerging filmmaker, and Lamb worked on “Corner Gas” and now operates cameras at hockey games.

Ratzlaff explained that Lenko and Lamb began discussing launching a film festival in November 2025, before approaching him. He thought it was a great idea since it had also been on his mind, while he had heard from others across Saskatchewan about creating something similar.

While there are other film festivals throughout the province, those feature projects from across Canada and don’t strictly celebrate Saskatchewan, he noted.

Moose Jaw friends launch festival to honour province’s film industry

“I am very excited (for this event). This has been the most fun I’ve had working on a project in a long time,” said Ratzlaff. “… it’s something we’re excited to expand and grow in future years.”

Lenko said he loves film and the province’s film community, while Moose Jaw is a “vibrant centre of the arts,” which people may not expect because of the city’s size. Yet, it has a long-standing tradition of people caring about the arts, including film.

Continuing, he said there have been feature-length movies shot in The Friendly City, smaller episodic series and “a bottomless buffet of short films that have been interesting and provocative.”

So, creating this event to recognize the work of provincial colleagues is exciting, while hosting it at the Mae Wilson Theatre showcases the venue’s beauty and history, Lenko noted. He

Experience your Danube River cruise from Germany to Hungary your way with two nights in Munich before your cruise. Enjoy a full-day guided tour to Neuschwanstein Castle—home of King Ludwig—and enjoy plenty of free time to explore Munich before your cruise. Board your Suite Ship® in Vilshofen, Germany, and sail to the lovely city of Linz. Here, enjoy a guided sightseeing or a visit to St. Florian Monastery. Explore Ybbs on a guided tour of its romantic old town; sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Krems and explore the small village—seemingly untouched by the modern world. Next, sail to Vienna—the “City of Music.” Marvel at the sights with a guided city tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks—including the Imperial Palace, the worldfamous opera house, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit Bratislava, Slovakia, on your Danube River cruise to explore the quaint streets of Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral. You may decide to join your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to the castle above! Continue your European vacation your way with one night in Budapest after your cruise. Explore the “Pearl of the Danube”—Hungary’s captivating capital city.

Pete Kolopenuk, an award-winning Aboriginal filmmaker from the Peguis reserve.

Chuckling, Ratzlaff said he will not submit any of his projects since that would be a conflict, while he is focused on organizing the event. He also noted that his career is now about being a director of photography for other filmmakers’ projects.

untouched of Music.” gilded landmarks—including famous opera Bratislava, the quaint may decide castle above! one night

is also excited about the enthusiasm and support that local and provincial businesses, artists and filmmakers have shown.

The inaugural Moose Jaw Film Festival is one day, but the trio hopes it becomes a two-day event. The day will be split into four sections, with a featurelength project shown first, followed by shorter films and documentaries shown across the three slots.

A jury comprised of nonSaskatchewan people will determine who wins awards, which Ratzlaff said was important to ensure nonbiased decisions. Two notable industry veterans will be jurors, including Jeff Beesley, a former Moose Javian, and

Experience your Danube River cruise from Germany your way with two nights in Munich before your cruise. full-day guided tour to Neuschwanstein Castle—home Ludwig—and enjoy plenty of free time to explore Munich your cruise. Board your Suite Ship® in Vilshofen, Germany, sail to the lovely city of Linz. Here, enjoy a guided a visit to St. Florian Monastery. Explore Ybbs on a of its romantic old town; sail through the picturesque Valley to Krems and explore the small village—seemingly untouched by the modern world. Next, sail to Vienna—the of Music.” Marvel at the sights with a guided city tour gilded landmarks—including the Imperial Palace, famous opera house, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Bratislava, Slovakia, on your Danube River cruise the quaint streets of Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral. may decide to join your Avalon Adventure Host on castle above! Continue your European vacation your one night in Budapest after your cruise. Explore the Danube”—Hungary’s captivating capital city.

The film veteran said one motive he wanted to support the festival is that winter is a slow time in the industry and seasonal depression can hit people since they never know where or when their next project will come.

“So that was a big reason I wanted to help organize this, so that there was … a bright light in the middle of a dark winter and a reason to lift each other up and encourage each other and celebrate the projects we’ve worked on for the past two years,” added Ratzlaff.

Organizers expect the festival to attract hundreds of people from Saskatoon and Regina, who will make the trip a holiday, the filmmaker said. Visitors will receive discounts at the Grant Hall Hotel and Temple Gardens Spa, while people will likely visit the tunnels.

Ratzlaff also expressed appreciation for the partnership with the Mae Wilson Theatre, which can seat over 400 people, is “a gorgeous, historical theatre,” and contains a state-of-the-art projector, high-end sound system and world-class screen.

Visit www.moosejawfilmfestival. com for more information.

Jason Antonio can be reached at Harvard Media at 306 690-5965.

Danube”—Hungary’s

Growing Sprouts

Now that winter has finally come, gardeners tend to crave a couple of things. Growing something that is useful.... and usually edible, and looking for that wonder of growth beginning. Well, do I have a wonderful idea for you!

Let’s grow sprouts! Home-grown sprouts are a healthy addition to a salad, a sandwich or just about anything else. It is also a great way to get that gardening fix that we are beginning to crave. Growing sprouts is inexpensive, nutritious and easy. One could go so far to say that pound for pound, sprouts are perhaps the most nutritious food there is from the dollar value perspective. Sprouts are the most concentrated and truly natural sources of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids known. Better yet, they can be grown indoors in any climate and are ready to eat in only a few days. These tiny, easy-todigest plants are at their peak of nutri-

tional value, as the seed releases all of its stored nutrients in a burst of vitality in the journey to becoming a full sized plant.

You could look at sprouts as a powerful battery of nutrients that can rival citrus fruits in vitamin C and beef in protein and actually surpass almost any other known food source in completeness! Just one more positive thing is these squiggly little vegetables are delicious, economical and an ideal food for weight watchers as one fully packed cup of mung, alfalfa or radish shoots contains under 20 calories.

The challenge of growing sprouts is pretty low. It is easy for almost anyone who wishes to enjoy fresh and natural food year round. If you have a spot where you are living that is comfortable for you, a good source of clean water - then you will be a successful sprout grower. You just need to attend to your babies twice each day.

There are many sources for the seeds that are suitable for sprouters. For example - “seed quality” beans are better than “ food quality” beans as the seed quality will always show a better germination rate which is important for those wanting to see sprouts grow. My favourite source for seeds to sprout has and will likely always be Mumm’s (https://sprouting.com/) as they are a local business that is totally dedicated to selling a quality product and have

superb selection. They are located in Parkside Saskatchewan, and are a great example of a successful rural business. However, you may also purchase sprout seeds in health-food stores, specialty shops and many other mail-order houses and shops.

A basic sprouting system is simply any receptacle that is large enough to hold the finished sprouts, but not made of wood or metal. If you happen to be using pottery, then it is important to use a high-fired stoneware that will not contain toxic lead sulphate in the glaze. Containers of plastic, china, enamel, and unglazed pottery are excellent choices. Since the sprouting container must be kept covered, anything that comes with its own lid is a good choice, including bean pots, crocks, canisters, coffeepots, fondue pots, cookie jars, chafing dishes, large plastic storage containers (Tupperware, Rubbermaid), and plastic ice-cream boxes. However, you can also purchase a little grow unit from many of our seed supply houses,

including Mumm’s.

The instructions for growing are simple. Simply find a jar or other receptacle, a bit of fine netting, a rubber band, clean fresh water and of course some seeds to germinate. Use about a cup of water to every teaspoon of seed. If you have chosen to sprout in a jar you can soak the seed in the same jar. If not, any sterile container will do. Use about one cup of water to every tablespoon of seed. Soak the seeds for a short time to get that germination started and then rinse and drain your seeds two to three times daily. I like to invert the jar on an angle in a small bowl to allow the excess water to drain. Last but not least, enjoy! Swirl the finished sprouts in clean water to separate the hulls and rinse the sprouts gently. Drain and allow to dry for a few hours and store in the fridge until consumed.

Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at www.orchidhort.com; by email at growyourfuture@gmail.com on facebook @orchidhort and on instagram at #orchidhort.

Tune into GROW Live on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ orchidhort or check out the Youtube channel GROW… https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCzkiUpkvyv2e2H Horticulturist Orchid Horticulture info@orchidhort.com www.orchidhort.com

‘Endless’

exhibit explores prairie landscapes through shared plein air practice

The current art exhibition at the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture (MJCAC) is highlighting prairie landscapes through the long-standing collaborative practice of three local artists.

Endless, featuring works by Pat Aldred, Lynne Howes, and Wendy Parsons, opened earlier this month and remains on display through Feb. 27. The exhibition brings together mixed-media paintings created through a shared plein air practice developed over several years in the area.

Curated by writer and watercolour painter Dianne Warren, the exhibition is accompanied by an essay that outlines how Aldred, Howes, and Parsons have been painting outdoors together since 2019. According to Warren’s essay, the three meet weekly to work in the open air among the natural landscape, approaching their practice as both art-

conversation with one another. As Warren wrote, the artists speak of “the never-ending range of opportunities for art making that present themselves in the search for a personal connection to a shared space.”

Endless also reflects the longstanding friendship behind the work. According to the essay, the trio have known each other for more than 50 years, developing a level of trust that supports open exchange and continued evolution in their collaborative practice. Each artist brings a long history of study and practice to the exhibition. Pat Aldred has been drawing since childhood and studied fine arts at the University of Regina. She maintains a local studio, with watercolour and en plein air painting now central to her work.

making and active observation of nature.

“Weekly, these three artists become participant observers of nature as they face the challenge of trying to capture ‘vast’ in two dimensions,” Warren wrote.

The essay frames en plein air painting as an evolving process shaped by repeated visits to shared locations, where observation, memory, and response guide each artist’s interpretation of the prairie landscape. The practice is shaped by shifting light, weather, and scale, encouraging immediacy and decisionmaking that influence both process and final composition.

“Painting en plein air has become for them an immersive experience,” Warren wrote, noting that the practice

has deepened the artists’ relationship with the environment, “especially the landscape around Moose Jaw.”

While the three artists paint side by side in shared locations, each brings a distinct visual approach. Howes is often drawn to open fields and simplified land forms, with patterns of colour influenced by a childhood spent on the farm. Aldred works with a quieter palette, reflecting the tranquility she finds in nature and allowing for a less formal interpretation of landscape, while Parsons is attracted to bold colour and works quickly in response to constantly changing light.

Despite these differences, the exhibition reflects how the artists’ practices continue to develop in

Lynne Howes studied at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and graduated from the Vancouver School of Art. After returning to Saskatchewan in 1996, she continued her studio practice, with en plein air painting becoming a central focus in recent years.

Wendy Parsons holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan and a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of Leicester. She is a former education coordinator at the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery and is now a co-owner of Parsons Dietrich Pottery.

For those who missed the Jan. 7 artists’ reception, Endless will remain on display until Feb. 27 at the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture, located at 217 Main Street North.

Tickets for always-popular Chinese New Year banquet sell out in hours

Moose Jaw’s annual Chinese New Year banquet is always a well-liked event featuring delicious food and entertaining cultural activities, but it was so popular this year that tickets sold out within hours.

The 2026 Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, Feb. 17, but the Moose Jaw Chinese Community Network is holding its annual banquet on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Jade Garden Restaurant. The event — people are encouraged to wear red for luck — will feature eight different dishes, musical entertainment and the Lion Dance.

The banquet will be celebrating the Year of the Horse, which occurred in the years 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 and now 2026.

In Chinese culture, the horse is known for its energetic and dynamic nature, while it symbolizes vitality, speed, and perseverance.

According to Chinese astrology, people born under this astrological sign are confident, agreeable and responsible, although they dislike being reined in by others. They’re also fit and intelligent, adoring physical and mental exertion, while they’re decisive but also easily swayed and impatient.

president. So, he was thrilled with the “overwhelming support” the community showed.

Continuing, he said there are several reasons why people snapped up the tickets so quickly.

One reason is the banquet — featuring good food and entertainment — is an annual tradition people know is coming, and that they want to celebrate with their family and friends, Hu remarked. Moreover, it gives Chinese seniors a chance to reconnect with long-time friends.

“And as a matter of fact, many people contacted Jade Garden (Restaurant) about the event well before we began promoting it,” he noted.

A second reason is that last year’s event was a big success that featured the reintroduction of the Lion Dance and a performance by a three-man band, the MJCCN president said.

In their zodiac year, Horses experience highs and lows in love, work, and health. Breakthroughs are possible through persistence, while balanced self-care and steady finances ensure long-term success.

“Most horses love to be in a crowd, and they can usually be seen on such occasions as concerts, theatre performances, meetings, sporting events, and parties,” says chinahighlights.com. “They are generally sociable, friendly, and possess good communication skills. Usually, they can easily make friends with their warm and open nature.”

Famous people born under the Horse include Isaac Newton, Neil Armstrong, James Cameron and Max Planck.

The Moose Jaw Chinese Community Network (MJCCN) has been supporting The Friendly City’s ethnic community for over 140 years. Its goal is to promote culture, assist newcomers with integration and provide social opportunities to unite young and old ethnic Chinese.

Seeing the tickets sell out within hours of going on sale was “quite a pleasant surprise,” since it usually takes a month, said Kelvin Hu, the MJCCN’s

The banquet also always receives strong support from the business community, such as the Moose Jaw Express, Carpere Valley Development Corporation and Pioneer Thinking Capital Corporation, Hu continued. He appreciated their support, since it contributed to the overall success of the event.

Hu noted that, during this year’s banquet, a father-son duo will be performing several songs. These two individuals recently arrived in Moose Jaw, heard about the event and were eager to participate.

“Our focus is always on making the evening smooth, welcoming and enjoyable for both long-time attendees and first-time guests … ,” he added. “The people and energy make each year unique.”

Hu, who was born in the Year of the Monkey, said the Year of the Horse will encourage people to act on their careers, finances, and in building community, especially since economic uncertainty has clouded the past few years and many are eager for something positive to happen.

Hu added that he hoped the Year of the Horse would encourage people to build momentum in taking those actions.

Visit https://moosejawchinese.com for further information.

Jason Antonio can be reached at Harvard Media at 306 690-5965.

Parks Canada to unveil plaque in Moose Jaw honouring Chinese immigrant

Parks Canada plans to unveil a plaque this year that recognizes an early 20th-century Chinese immigrant who legally challenged provincial legislation that prevented him from hiring white women for his restaurant.

Kelvin Hu, president of the Moose Jaw Chinese Community Network, said the federal agency contacted him recently to have him review the wording on a plaque that commemorated the Quong Wing Legal Challenge of 1912 to 1914.

In 2024, the agency designated this situation as a national historic event, saying its historical importance “exemplified the tireless efforts of Chinese Canadians to fight racial discrimination in the courts during the early 20th century.”

After Hu submitted his feedback about the plaque’s contents, Parks Canada said it would install the bronze display in Moose Jaw — four locations are possible — during a ceremony sometime in 2026.

“It’s a great honour (to review the plaque’s wording),” Hu said. “Because it’s a legal challenge, (and) it took place in Moose Jaw, it has both historical and cultural importance.”

Continuing, the network president said he was pleased that Parks Canada thought to ask his organization to support the project, along with possible locations to hang the plaque.

Based on instructions from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Hu was unable to provide information on what the plaque says until the organization officially

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

approved the inscription.

According to Parks Canada, the Quong Wing Legal Challenge (1912 to 1914) exemplified the tireless efforts of Chinese Canadians to fight racial discrimination in the courts during the early 20th century.

Specifically, Quong Wing challenged his conviction under An Act to Prevent the Employment of Female Labour in Certain Capacities (1912) in Saskatchewan, which prohibited him from employing white women at his restaurant.

“In the end, the courts affirmed the constitutionality of the Act, revealing the limitations of the judicial system in the face of institutional racism,” Parks Canada’s website says.

In 1912, Saskatchewan introduced An Act to Prevent the Employment of Female Labour in Certain Capacities, the federal agency said. The Act prohibited any Asian from providing employment or lodgings to white women or girls, with fines up to $100 or two months’ imprisonment for non-compliance.

Similar legislation was passed in Manitoba (1913–1940), Ontario (1914–1947), and British Columbia (1919–1968).

Saskatchewan amended its law in 1913 to apply only to Chinese people, “which reflected widely held sexist and racist beliefs that working-class white women needed protection from Chinese men,” Parks Canada said.

This attitude also led the federal and provincial governments to exclude and limit the rights and freedoms of Chinese-descent people

in the early 20th century, the agency continued.

Soon after the 1912 Act took effect, police charged Quong Wing for employing Nellie Lane and Mabel Hopham as servers at his CER Restaurant — Connect Café — on the corner of Main Street and Manitoba Street, prompting him to appeal his conviction.

Defence counsel argued that the Act could not be enforced because it did not provide clear definitions, calling into question the popular assumption that racialized identities were biological, immutable, and easily identifiable, the website said. The city’s police magistrate rejected that argument, uncritically accepting Quong Wing as “Chinese” and therefore subject to the Act.

Quong Wing fought his conviction, with support from the Chinese community, but the Supreme Court of Saskatchewan upheld the

decision in 1913, as well as the Supreme Court of Canada in 1914, the federal agency noted.

Later in 1914, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England refused to hear any further appeal. However, following diplomatic pressure from China and opposition from the Chinese community, Saskatchewan removed explicit reference to the racialized identity of employers in 1919, when it required restaurants and laundries to obtain a special licence to hire white women.

The provincial government later replaced the law with An Act respecting the Employment of Female Labour in 1926, which gave municipalities authority to grant or refuse licences for any reason, the website added. This new law was amended several times but was not repealed until 1969.

From The Kitchen

By Joyce Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Pioneer homemakers used simple recipes to feed their families. Recipes were brought to North America from countries of origin or were developed to accommodate available ingredients.

Recipes became more sophisticated as desired ingredients became available in pioneer stores or through catalogue shopping.

This week’s recipes come from the pioneer section of a cookbook that was published in 1954.

PIONEER COFFEE CAKE

Batter:

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 cups flour

2 tsps. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sour milk

Topping:

1/2 cup chopped cherries

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Pioneer cooks used initiative in preparing meals

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Set aside a bit of flour to mix in with topping ingredients.

To make the batter, cream shortening, sugar and eggs. Add dry ingredients alternately with sour milk and mix thoroughly.

To make the topping, mix cherries, nuts, brown sugar and cinnamon with the flour that was set aside.

Grease a 9 inch square pan. Put in half the batter then sprinkle with half the topping. Add remaining batter then the remaining topping mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees F for about 55 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.

•

CORN BREAD

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups cream

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Beat eggs then beat in remainder of ingredients. Pour into a hot, buttered 8x11 inch pan. Bake

City Set To Change Zoning Rules

A new proposed amendment to Zoning Bylaw #5346 will have any developers of supportive housing in much of the Downtown require Council’s approval.

The City has issued a notice of intent to change the Bylaw after a motion by Council at their December 1, 2025 meeting.

The motion read:

“THAT Administration be directed to update Bylaw No. 5346, Zoning Bylaw of the City of Moose Jaw to amend the Community Service Institutions use in the C2 – High Density Commercial

The zones BEFORE requiring a discretionary use permit on the left and the zones that will require a discretionary use permit AFTER the proposed bylaw amendment.

By Robert Thomas

District from permitted to discretionary.”

Being discretionary does not mean any proposed community service institution - such as assisted living, drop-in centres or food (meal) centres amongst others - will not be allowed.

It means as discretionary use they need an application to Council and a vote in favour of the project.

The proposed bylaw amendment comes after heated debate about the Province moving the Willow Lodge co - ed adult emergency shelter from 83 Ominica Street West to so far an undecided new location.

A proposed location that has been bandied about is the former Canaday’s manufacturing plant located at 115 Coronation Drive.

Additionally the new location for Hope Ministries for their meals and drop-in centre at 27 Hochelaga Street West drew loud protests for and against

at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Cut in squares and serve hot with butter and syrup.

PIONEER GINGER BREAD

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup molasses

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsps. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. each cinnamon and ginger

1/2 tsp. cloves

1 cup hot water

Cream shortening until light and fluffy then beat in sugar. Add egg and beat well and then stir in molasses.

Sift together all dry ingredients. Add to creamed mixture.

Add hot water last and beat until smooth. Pour batter into a well-greased 9 inch square pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve with a lemon sauce or whipped cream.

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

the location.

The proposed amendments do allow community service organizations to set up shop in zone CS and C3 without filing a discretionary use permit.

One area the proposed Bylaw amendment does not touch is the CS zone - where most of the surplus schools on South Hill are located on.

If the amendments are passed anyone can still buy one of the four surplus schools on South Hill and convert them to supportive living or other institutions without having to make a discretionary use application.

Anyone who would like to voice their opinion may do so by contacting the City’s Planning and Development Branch by 10 am Tuesday January 27th.

The Bylaw amendments are set to

be dealt with by Council at 4:30 pm on January 27th.

https://www.mjindependent.com/newblog/2026/1/19/wbvewsj1gtcyn6j5spxig3jbkfjwik

PRAIRIE SOUTH SCHOOL DIVISION

THE NEXT PSSD BOARD MEETING IS TUESDAY, FEB 10, 2026

Raising kids can be a difficult job, but Prairie South School Division is offering a 12-week program — it includes free suppers — that provides parents with extra tools to manage their offspring.

“The Incredible Years” is for moms and dads with kids aged five to 12 who may struggle with emotional regulation, intense emotions, difficulty making decisions, outbursts, aggression, impulsivity and defiance.

Each week focuses on a new topic that participants can share, discuss and explore to support their children’s growth, development, behaviour and school success.

The group meets at Lindale School on Thursdays — Jan. 22 and 29, Feb. 5, 12 and 26, March 5, 12, 19 and 26, and April 2, 16 and 23 — with supper happening from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by the weekly topic; child-care is provided.

The first six weeks focus on parents building relationships with their kids, while the second half focuses on building parents as leaders in their households.

Jennifer Montague is the student support services co-ordinator for Prairie South, while Lorelei Rendall and Nadine Elder are advocacy and behaviour consultants; Rendall and Elder are leading the program.

Supper to help parents bond during skills-building support group

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

The school division has been offering this program for five years, but this is the first time it is offering supper, which is exciting, said Montague.

Rendall agreed, saying the program’s creators intended for parents to have supper first before diving into the weekly session. It is great that PSSD is now offering that meal and being authentic.

Continuing, she said suppers build community, which is important since many parents are isolated as they lead their families and don’t always have grandparents or relatives for support.

“And really, we do better at parenting when we have community and … people we can talk to,” Rendall remarked.

Prairie South offered this program in the fall in Central Butte and received positive feedback, with facilitators speaking highly of the supper experience, said Montague. Facilitators connected with parents over food and reinforced the previous week’s topic, while they praised parents for using the skills they were learning.

Children who attend also bonded with the other kids during the supervised playtime, she added.

“When we think of parenting, it’s the hardest job we have. Kids never praise us for being good parents … ,” stated Rendall. “And typically, people are pretty critical of parents.”

People may blame parents without realizing that some children have diagnoses that cause behavioural issues, with parents feeling the problems are their fault, she said. This is why parents need extra tools for their metaphorical toolbox.

Therefore, it’s the facilitators’ job to “fill up” parents’ emotional cups and then build community so the latter can fill others’ cups, Rendall added.

The Incredible Years program is structured like

a pyramid, with the sessions laying a foundation of parenting skills and strategies that focus on developing relationships with children and playing with them, said Rendall. This is important since many parents think they must use the top skills — consequences — first.

The ascending five-level pyramid includes:

• Base: Empathy, attention and involvement, play, problem-solving, listening and talking (used regularly)

• Coaching, praise and encouragement; rewards and celebrations (used regularly)

• Clear limits, household rules and consistent follow-through

• Ignoring, distracting and redirecting

• Top: Consequences (used selectively)

This program helps adults switch their focus from reactive to proactive parenting and helps them see what their

kids are doing well, since most children simply want attention, said Rendall.

Continuing, she said parents should spend 15 minutes a day with each child and let them lead activities. That builds a routine and ensures kids have their parents’ full attention, while parents model compliance for their kids.

The biggest issue parents say they face is children not obeying their instructions, so the program will help them see when their tykes are listening and following orders, which leads to a change in mindset, Rendall said.

Rendall added that some children may no longer need medications for their behaviour since what they really needed was more attention from mom and dad.

For more information, email rendall.lorelei@prairiesouth.ca or elder.nadine@prairiesouth.ca.

Jason Antonio can be reached at Harvard Media at 306 690-5965.

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Indigenous voices take centre stage in province-wide virtual storytelling series

Residents will be able to take part in a province-wide celebration of Indigenous voices, culture, and teachings this February as Saskatchewan Indigenous Storytelling Month returns from Feb. 2 to 28, with most events available to attend virtually.

The annual initiative, co-ordinated by Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples (LSSAP), features 117 storytelling events in 73 locations across the province, including livestreamed readings, performances, discussions, and workshops that can be accessed online from the comfort of home.

The month officially launches Monday, Feb. 2, with a live-streamed opening event hosted by the University of Regina’s Dr. John Archer Library and Archives. The one-hour program, running from 6 to 7 p.m., will include opening remarks from Lori Campbell and storytelling by Randy Morin and Dickie Yuzicapi. While the launch takes place in Regina, the event will be streamed live on Zoom, allowing Moose Jaw residents to participate.

Over the past 23 years, LSSAP has worked with libraries, schools, and community organizations to bring Indigenous storytelling to communities throughout Saskatchewan. While elders have traditionally led much of that work, the program has increasingly featured younger storytellers.

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Saskatchewan Indigenous Storytelling Month returns Feb. 2, with most province-wide events available to residents through virtual programming. Photo by: Supplied

“It’s a really powerful shift because there’s a strength growing from the Seventh Generation, as predicted by the elders,” said writer, poet, musician, and podcaster Kealy Cheyenne. “It’s creating strong leaders and stronger youth.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the series continues with storyteller Randy Morin presenting Creation Stories and Personal Healing from 7 to 8 p.m. in a virtual session focused on sacred stories passed down through family and community, alongside his personal

healing journey. Morin is a language keeper from Big River First Nation and an assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan.

Midday virtual programming continues Wednesday, Feb. 4, when the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild presents The Making of First Nations University with Blair Stonechild from noon to 1 p.m. Stonechild, the first faculty member hired at what is now First Nations University of Canada, will reflect on the institution’s history and development.

Other virtual highlights during the first week include a Feb. 5 performance by the pwatisimo Dance Troupe, featuring Indigenous youth dancers from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, and a Feb. 6 daytime presentation on learning, unlearning, and artistic collaboration led by University of Calgary professor Melanie Kloetzel.

The month-long schedule also includes virtual storytelling sessions with Harmony Johnson-Harder on Feb. 11, comedian and writer Cheyenna (Shy) Sapp on Feb. 18, Dickie Yuzicapi on the Seven Grandfather Teachings on Feb. 19, and a closing webinar with Kealy Cheyenne on Feb. 25 titled Tapwewin. Saskatchewan Indigenous Storytelling Month is supported by the Community Initiatives Fund, SaskCulture, Sask Arts, the Government of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Library Association, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), and SaskTel.

No live events are scheduled to take place in Moose Jaw, but residents can participate in Saskatchewan Indigenous Storytelling Month through a wide range of virtual programming. An online calendar with full event details and access information is expected to be posted shortly at LSSAP.ca/storytelling, and while most virtual events are free to attend, advance registration may be required for webinar-style sessions.

Magic Variety Show returns Jan. 27 in support of MJFD Burn Fund

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Families are invited to enjoy an evening of comedy and illusion while supporting a good cause when The Magic Variety Show returns to Moose Jaw this month in support of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Burn Fund.

The fundraiser will take place Tuesday, Jan. 27, starting at 7 p.m. at A. E. Peacock Collegiate and is being presented by the Moose Jaw Fire Department (MJFD).

This year’s show will feature Magic Ben, a Canada’s Got Talent semi-finalist and Las Vegas-based magician, alongside performer Patton Guillen. The program promises a mix of comedy, magic illusions, and family-friendly entertainment designed for all ages. Tickets are now available, with individual admission priced at $20 and family passes available for $55. Proceeds from the event will support the Moose Jaw Firefighters Burn Fund, which assists burn victims through charitable programming and ongoing community support initiatives.

“We donate to other local charitable causes throughout our community, and then we also make a fairly generous (annual) donation to the Provincial Burn Fund, and we work closely with (that organization),” said Cody Rosnes, chair of the MJFD charity fund in an earlier interview.

For more information about the Saskatchewan Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Burn Fund, visit SPFFPABurn.com.

A. E. Peacock Collegiate is located at 145 Ross Street East.

Moose Jaw Humane Society launches $5M capital campaign for new shelter

The Moose Jaw Humane Society (MJHS) has officially launched a new capital campaign aimed at building a modern facility to better serve animals, staff, and the community for decades to come.

The campaign was publicly unveiled Jan. 23 with the installation of a new sign in front of the existing shelter, marking the beginning of what executive director Dana Haukaas described as a long-planned but necessary next step for the organization.

“We unveiled our sign that’s just in front of the shelter. It shows the launch of our capital campaign for a new building,” Haukaas said. “This building has been here for 40 years, and we’re at a point where we can’t put any more Band-Aids on it to keep it going.”

The MJHS capital campaign fund, titled Our Next Chapter Begins, carries a fundraising goal of $5 million. According to Haukaas, $2 million has already been secured and is currently collecting interest, leaving $3 million still to be raised.

“We’re just launching the campaign now, and we are going to be relying on the community of Moose Jaw to take us to the finish line on this one,” she said. “We are very blessed to live in a community that values pets as much as Moose Jaw does.”

The MJHS has operated since 1966, while the current shelter building has been in use for approximately 40 of those years. Haukaas said the aging facility can no longer meet modern animal-care standards.

“We do have to upgrade to a better facility that has a proper HVAC system to help reduce the spread of illness for the animals, and also to create more space,” she said.

While the new shelter will nearly double in size — from about 4,400 square

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

feet (409 square metres) to 8,000 square feet (743 square metres) — Haukaas said the focus is on improving animal comfort rather than significantly increasing intake. She added that expanding capacity also requires additional trained staff and higher operating costs, and the organization has designed the project to remain financially sustainable.

The new building is expected to include more natural light, improved kennel layouts, and a large multi-purpose room that can be

The new shelter will be built immediately west of the current facility, in front of the recently constructed crematorium. Plans also include heated vehicle garages and an indoor dog run with

direct outdoor access, helping staff save time and focus more on animal care.

The board has set a target to move into the new facility by fall 2028, with a grand opening planned to coincide with the shelter’s annual 4 Paws Radiothon in November of that year.

The Stray Dogs, a local classic rock cover band from Moose Jaw, will headline a live music fundraiser at The Crushed Can Rec Room & Bar on March 14, with MJHS encouraging residents to watch for staff-led fundraising efforts rolling out over the next two years.

Residents wishing to support the capital campaign directly can donate through the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation at SaskFoundation.ca, with a link available on Facebook under “Moose Jaw Humane Society,” or through MJHS.ca by clicking the “Donate” tab. Donors should indicate that their contribution is intended for the new building.

The Moose Jaw Humane Society is located at 1755 Stadacona Street West and can be reached at 306-692-1517.

Reflective Moments

By Joyce Walter - for Moose Jaw Express

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the

author,

and

do

not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

Signs politely tell drivers where to go

I apologize to the home owners along a stretch of street on which my vehicle travels likely on a daily basis.

If the owners see my vehicle slow down and stare at their driveway and home, I don’t mean to be rude, but you have something on your property that I think we should install near where we live.

From what I’ve discerned during my occasional stop-and-snoop visit, the signs on either side of their private driveway seem to be doing the trick and therefore, once spring comes, there could be similar signs going up near our driveway.

The signs very politely show there is a driveway between the signs, just in case the driver is so intent on an empty parking spot that it doesn’t dawn on him/ her that blocking the driveway is not the way to make new friends.

In addition, the homeowner asks

politely that drivers not park their vehicles between the signs. If they do miss the signage and park between the two, they are blocking the drive and penalties are required.

I was so amazed when I saw the signs, that I had to pull over to make sure I was reading them correctly. The next time Housemate was a passenger, I again slowed and drew the signs to his attention. He agreed they might work for our driveway as well.

On our street we have a church and a school, which means it is a high traffic area during the school season, and on high holidays and other occasions such as funerals, weddings, graduations and other events that take place in those two buildings.

We love our neighbourhood and are happy we decided to live on this avenue — except when visitors to the street seem to be unaware that we have

NOTICE OF PREPERATION OF 2026 ASSESSMENT ROLL VILLAGE OF MORTLACH

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Village of Mortlach for the year 2026 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the o ce of the assessor from 2 pm – 8 pm Mondays and 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Tuesday –Thursday, January 26th – March 3rd, 2026.

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 is required to le his or her notice of appeal with: Village of Mortlach PO Box 10

Mortlach SK SOH 1E0

By the 3rd day of March 2026

Dated this 26th day of January 2026

Anggy Ladner

Assessor

a driveway that is there to accommodate our vehicles, but not vehicles that don’t belong to us. A very public roadway runs in front of the house and provides ample opportunities for drivers to politely park their vehicles so they don’t impede entrance or exit from our driveway.

In non-winter months, the white lines on the boulevard stop some of the encroachment, although some driv ers park, look at the white line then at the house before scurrying to get out of sight before one of us can point out to them what a driveway means to us. It is private property: if you want to park there, be prepared to be towed. At the very least you might receive a polite note pointing out your sin and asking you not to repeat it.

White lines do not help when the snow flies and is piled up beside the driveway. Most people understand the concept, but some do not understand

nor do they care that because they have their car’s nose sniffing into the private space, it makes it difficult, if not impossible to get my SUV out onto the street and turn closely to avoid hitting the car on the other side of the driveway or the one across from the drive.

This all sounds very complicated but it isn’t: I don’t block your drive so please don’t block mine. Don’t pretend

The Moose Jaw Express will now be delivered on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Copies will be available in our front box starting Tuesdays at 5 p.m. To stay up to date on delivery information, please follow us on Facebook.

Mayor hopeful federal grants will offset city’s potential debt increase

Mayor James Murdock hopes his trip to Ottawa last fall will lead to the federal government giving Moose Jaw grant money to pursue major infrastructure projects that would otherwise require debt funding.

Murdock discussed the importance of those initiatives — especially the Crescent View Lift Station replacement — during a recent interview about city council’s efforts to increase the municipality’s debt limit to $135 million from $95 million.

The current debt level is just under $70 million.

Provincial approval

The possibility exists that Moose Jaw’s debt limit could be increased by $40 million, but that decision rests with the Saskatchewan Municipal Board, Murdock said. The board may approve the full increase, a partial increase, or no increase.

Yet, the finance department needs that increase so the city has the extra $30 million to construct the $66.1-million Crescent View Headworks venue beginning this year, he noted.

Continuing, the mayor said city hall hopes Ottawa provides grant money so it doesn’t have to use debt. However, if that money doesn’t arrive, then municipal officials are at least engaging with the province about the fiscal responsibility Moose Jaw has toward its projects.

“It’s not a guarantee. But I do like the possibility or the chances that we do have for that federal-provincial grant,” Murdock remarked.

Federal trip

Murdock, members of council, provincial mayors

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

and other politicians visited Ottawa in early October to lobby ministers and secure a renewed cost-shared infrastructure program since the previous program, the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), was fully used.

The mayor said federal politicians understood the important need municipalities have for more infrastructure dollars, considering almost every community lacks resources to replace every pipe or treatment plant. He pointed to the recent water pipe break in Calgary as one example of crumbling infrastructure.

“So … I think that that message was communicated. So, fingers crossed,” Murdock remarked.

Continuing, he said there was a “strong willingness to work together,” which MPs recognized. Furthermore, he thought a good foundation had been laid for the province to continue that dialogue with the feds “in continuing to amp up these programs for the key infrastructure.”

The mayor noted that it’s always worthwhile to phone federal ministers to remind them that “we’re still here.” Moreover, he felt “very positive” that Moose Jaw had developed a good relationship with federal ministers, which would benefit the community in 2026.

Concerns with debt

Increasing the debt so the city can build new infrastructure projects would help Moose Jaw continue to develop and grow, considering the Crescent View Lift Station affects the entire city and potential residential and commercial growth, said Murdock.

Murdock noted that he didn’t like being in debt and knew others didn’t, either. However, he pointed out that taking on debt sometimes allows organizations to get ahead for future growth. He was also confident that administration would provide the best possible knowledge and guidance.

Debt build-up

Research shows that Moose Jaw had zero debt nearly two decades ago and paid for projects when it had the money, likely a legacy from when the city went bankrupt in 1937.

Asked what he thought of accumulating potentially $135 million in debt over 20 years, Murdock said it’s necessary to address “the desperate, dire need of the state of our infrastructure.” He pointed out that crumbling streets and pipes didn’t just happen overnight, but began many decades ago and probably weren’t highlighted like today.

Continuing, the mayor said the Crescent View project’s cost doubled over the past three years, which stemmed from post-pandemic inflation and an increase in materials. He wasn’t around during that time, but said it’s now council’s responsibility to address these issues.

Population growth

The populations of Saskatoon and Regina have boomed over the past several decades, allowing those municipalities to take on more debt. Conversely, data shows that Moose Jaw’s population has stayed relatively stagnant.

Asked whether he was concerned about increasing debt with little population

growth, Murdock pointed back to the Crescent View project as something that is required so builders can develop new neighbourhoods; the lift station currently has no capacity to support such a development.

The mayor acknowledged that Saskatoon and Regina have larger populations, but pointed out that they can also attract the head offices of bigger corporations, while they also have better access to provincial and federal funding.

Particulars:

• All acreages are approximate.

Jason Antonio can be reached at Harvard Media at 306 6905965.

• The land is for sale by owner: Dustin Fredrick Hawkins and Twila Laurette Hawkins

• The owner makes no representations or warranties regarding the suitability and fitness of the land and property for any purpose. All lands, buildings, and other miscellanea are sold in “as is, where is” condition.

Conditions:

• All Bids must be submitted to Kanuka Thuringer LLP in accordance with the Land Tender Information Package, along with a Deposit of 3% of the Total Bid Price, and must be received on or before 12:00PM on February 18, 2026.

• The highest or any Bid will not necessarily be accepted.

• Bids must be for individual parcels only, subject to the tied parcels Bidders may submit a Bid on any number of individual parcels.

• No Bid subject to financing or any other conditions will be accepted.

• Bidders must rely on their own research and inspection of the property, confirming acres, assessments, and all particulars. The land is for sale “as is,” with no warranties or representations by the owner, express or implied.

• All Bids and bidders are subject to the terms and conditions of the Land Tender Information Package.

If you are interested in submitting a bid, please contact Kanuka Thuringer LLP to request a Land Tender Information Package at: Kanuka Thuringer LLP

Attention: Lindsay A. Gates 522-350 Cheadle St. W. Swift Current, SK S9H 4G3 (306) 773-4800

Email: lgates@kanuka.ca

Restaurant sector is on the ropes

A friend whose job was uncertain years ago was nonchalant about her situation.

If worst comes to worst, she said, she could open up a burger joint and earn a living. She was a good cook.

Her attitude shows how competitive the restaurant business is and has always been.

There isn’t much investment to open up a small burger joint. Good food attracts people to the strangest locations.

A manager for the biggest fast food chain once told me you can make it selling poor quality food as long as you are consistent.

That has been the restaurant field for generations until the Covid 19 pandemic. Restaurants were closed. Employees were unable to work, takeout only was allowed and sales dropped. The country’s 98,000 restaurants accounted for four per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

OPINION EDITORIAL: TRADING THOUGHTS

By Ron WalterFor Moose Jaw Express

During the first year of Covid 19 sales declined by $2.5 billion.

After Covid most restaurants surveyed expected a time before profitability was restored.

Four years since the Covid pandemic ended the restaurant business is still struggling. High input costs, high rent and labour cost increases have hurt.

So has a drop in the temporary immigrant labour supply.

Taxes on restaurant food cause visitors to scale back visits.

How bad is the situation?

Restaurant margins, similar to groceries, have never been high. Profit margins in 2023 averaged 3.6 per cent, down from four per cent.

An Agri-food Analytics study out of Dalhousie University indicates 41 per cent of restaurants are operating at a loss or break even.

The study estimates 7,000 restaurants closed in 2025 and another 4,000 are expected to shutter their doors in 2026.

In 2021 Canada had 97,000 restaurant and bar operations.

The Dalhousie study found customer satisfaction with restaurants averaged 29.5 per cent, and ranged from a high of 42 per cent in Quebec to a low of 15 per cent in Manitoba.

Saskatchewan consumer satisfaction was the second lowest in Canada at 17.5 per cent.

Seventy-seven per cent of Canadians are more selective about where to dine out, opting for more affordable outlets.

Four in five have noticed menu price changes or smaller portion servings. Eight per cent no longer dine out.

And 83 per cent dine out less often than they used to because of higher prices.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

The restaurant business is no longer the relatively stable sector it once was.

High costs make profits unattainable. Resistance to higher prices causes operators to eat input price increases.

Higher prices have reduced alcohol sales in restaurants by 10.6 per cent.

One item could help boost restaurant visits and income — removal of the GST and PST taxes on restaurant meals.

Saskatchewan added the PST to restaurant meals in 2017 to afford an income tax cut and also increased the PST to six per cent from five per cent.

Immediately the price of a $16 meal rose by almost a dollar. Include the GST and the $16 meal was $17.60.

Removal of these taxes would help maintain sector sales and employment. Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

First responder hygiene drive delivers practical support to students

Donations collected through Moose Jaw’s second annual First Responders Hygiene Drive are now reaching local schools, providing discreet and practical support to students who may temporarily lack consistent access to basic personal care items.

The citywide drive, which ran from Dec. 8, 2025, to Jan. 15, was a joint initiative involving the Moose Jaw Police Service, Moose Jaw Fire Department, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Medavie Health Services West, and the Saskatchewan Conservation Officer Service. Unopened hygiene products were collected at multiple first responder locations and later distributed to schools across both divisions.

Riverview Collegiate was among the schools that received items following the conclusion of the drive. Amy Craig, a student support teacher at the high school, confirmed the donation was delivered on or around Jan. 20 and included a wide range of everyday essentials.

“We received our donation yesterday, and we got various personal hygiene items,” she said. “We received shampoo, body wash, soap, feminine hygiene prod-

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Hygiene products donated to Riverview Collegiate through the Moose Jaw First Responders Hygiene Drive are pictured. The donated items will help ensure students have access to essential personal care supplies. Photo by: Riverview Collegiate School Community/Facebook

ucts, hairbrushes, and razors — a lot of different products.”

Craig said access to hygiene supplies is a common and ongoing need among students, stemming from a variety of circumstances.

“We notice at our school that hygiene needs come up for our students for many different reasons — family transitions, financial pressures, housing instability, or even if they forget items,” she said. “So having these supplies available for the kids is really important to them and helps

avoid feelings of embarrassment or not wanting to come to class.”

Craig said the supplies are made available in a quiet and respectful way, allowing students to access what they need without drawing attention to themselves or their current circumstances.

“We discreetly have them available for students for whatever they need, so that there’s no unwanted attention or stigma associated with it,” she said. “I think the kids really appreciate having access to these items if they don’t necessarily have access to them at home.”

Distribution at Riverview is handled through informal and supportive channels, Craig added.

“Kids know they can go to any teacher in the building and request items that they need,” she said. “Or sometimes, depending on the relationships that we have with students, we know where there might be an unmet need, and we can address that privately with them.”

Craig noted the need for hygiene supplies is widespread across grade levels.

“There are multiple students in every grade, I would say, who for different

reasons have different needs for (these products),” she said. “It’s a very common need, I think, in all the high schools right now.”

She expressed appreciation to the first responders and community members who supported the drive.

“The donation is definitely something that we appreciate, because we are always trying to provide this for our students,” she said. “I just think it really shows the importance of coming together as a community to support students. This donation shows the community (how our) first responders step up to help our students.”

Riverview was not the only school to benefit, as items from the drive were also distributed to other elementary and high schools, including Peacock Collegiate, extending the initiative’s reach across the city.

Residents who missed the First Responders Hygiene Drive can still support local youth by donating unopened items through the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council. For more information, visit MJMCInc.ca or call 306-693-4677.

Proposed landfill favours ‘urban convenience’ over rural concerns, farmer says

The proposed annexation of nearly 1,000 acres of prime farmland for a new landfill prioritizes “urban convenience” over protecting agriculture and disregards regional co-operation, a farmer says.

Building a new solid waste management venue on roughly 400 hectares north of the City of Moose Jaw is a “very short-sighted approach” to deal with waste, since alternative options exist, landowner Gordon Knox said during the recent public hearing at the Temple Gardens Centre.

“Advanced, (cost-efficient and cleaner) environmentally responsible technologies (are) in operation today that provide better solutions to deal with

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

planning, he continued.

Furthermore, the management of litter will be an issue at the new landfill, a problem that urban and rural residents have mentioned to city hall regularly about the current venue, the fourth-generation grain farmer noted.

“For a farmer, wind-blown plastic and grease are not just eyesores; they are hazards to livestock and machinery,” Knox added. “The possibility of fire is also a very worrisome issue.”

Meanwhile, the city has not demonstrated the ability to maintain existing infrastructure, so increasing traffic on Highway 2 north will accelerate the deterioration of rural roads and interfere with producers’ ability to move their equipment, Knox said.

Farmers practice sustainable land husbandry and are concerned about potential contamination of soil and above- and belowground water, which would affect crops and livestock, he continued. Also, all the issues mentioned above also concern him as a city property owner.

has watched the city develop the area in ways that don’t always benefit rural residents.

Speaking for herself and others, she said they are “extremely, strongly opposed” to the proposed sites and are disappointed the city would take prime land “to pollute and burden.” She noted that this land is their livelihood and they work to sustain, respect and care for it.

Continuing, Mealing said rural roads face regular challenges due to

massive area businesses, while ditches and crops are full of beer cans, garbage, food containers, industrial debris and people’s belongings. Moreover, motorists ignore stop signs, which puts at risk families, kids, school buses and farm equipment.

“We’ve seen accidents after accidents, countless near misses, and (issues) that never made the news,” she said. “These roads were never built for this heavy-duty industrial traffic, and yet, what keeps getting added, and we continue to be ignored.

“The dump will make things worse.”

Wind-blown waste, leaking leachate, air pollution, and soil and water damage “are not abstract risks,” since they affect how people live and the food they grow, the third-generation farmer added.

Jason Antonio can be reached at Harvard Media at 306 690-5965.

the waste we generate,” he stated.

Covering top-quality growing soil with a landfill will permanently remove that arable land from the food production system, Knox said. Moreover, the United Nations says 285 acres of farmland are lost every five minutes due to urban expansion, soil mismanagement and soil degradation.

“At a time when food security, soil preservation, and responsible land stewardship are becoming increasingly urgent priorities, converting some of the region’s best farmland to a garbage dump is a step backwards,” he remarked.

Annexing or expropriating highly valuable and highly productive tracts of farmland creates uncertainty, devalues the land within and adjacent to the boundaries and disrupts farm succession

“To put a new landfill adjacent to one of the major gateways to our beautiful city will tarnish the city and surrounding landscapes,” Knox stated.

The city has known for decades that it needed a new waste management strategy, but has been “foot-dragging on this issue,” Knox noted. Therefore, the urgency to find that solution should not fall on rural landowners as part of a “knee-jerk solution.”

Knox said he’s been farming for 50 years on a family farm that’s been around for over 100 years. Over the century, the farm has faced many challenges, but it has survived and carried on.

“It seems … criminal that a group unknown to us can just eye up our farmland and try to take it away with a stroke of a pen,” he added.

Community concerns

Karen Mealing, a mother of two, has lived on the farm her entire life and

Homestand ’25 donation gives Ross Wells Ballpark room to plan next upgrades

From home runs to live concert performances by Trick Ryder, Streetheart, Fred Penner, and more, Ross Wells Ballpark continues to benefit from its role as the home venue for Homestand, with proceeds from last year’s concert providing the volunteer-run board with new flexibility as it prepares for facility improvements in 2026.

River Street Promotions (RSP), the organization behind Homestand, presented a $20,000 cheque to the ballpark board on Jan. 22 as part of the $100,000 raised through Homestand ’25, which also included $80,000 directed to Prairie South School Division and Holy Trinity Catholic School Division for a shared student wellness fund.

For Charlie Meacher, president of Ross Wells Baseball Inc., the donation provides both practical support and another sign of a strong partnership built around an event that draws thousands into the park after the baseball season has concluded.

“It’s always great to work with this group of people,” Meacher said about RSP. “We’ve done a lot of good things together.”

Meacher said the board hasn’t locked in a specific use for this year’s donation yet, but noted that several projects are on the horizon.

“We are getting upgrades to our washroom facilities in the next year, and we’ll maybe put some of this money into that,” he said. “The other thing that the ballpark needs is a revamped grass infield.”

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Meacher said last year’s Homestand-related support helped the board tackle behind-the-scenes work tied to operating a public facility, including upgrades to bring key areas up to standard.

“Last year, we put a fair amount of money into the kitchen facilities, bringing the concession stand up to code. That one’s all done,” he said, adding that any future updates in this area would be addressed as part of regular health and safety inspections.

Several nearby residents have raised concerns about fly balls leaving the park, noting that sections of the protec-

tive safety netting contain holes. While Homestand proceeds support general improvements at the facility, the City of Moose Jaw is responsible for the netting and said in a September 2025 email that it is assessing its condition with the venue operator, with any major repairs subject to the city’s budget process.

As Ross Wells Park continues to

host Homestand, Meacher said the concert’s value goes beyond fundraising, helping introduce the venue to residents who may not otherwise attend baseball games. He added that the funds are consistently directed toward needed projects “to help keep the place up and make it look good.”

Built in the 1950s, Ross Wells Park has long been a hub for baseball in Moose Jaw and is home to the Moose Jaw Miller Express of the Western Canadian Baseball League, a collegiate summer team that draws players from across Canada and the United States. In recent years, the historic ballpark has also served as a venue for major community events, including Homestand since the event’s inception in 2021.

While Ross Wells Park will not host Homestand in 2026, RSP has confirmed the pause is part of a planned reset, with the outdoor concert scheduled to return to the venue in 2027 and beyond.

Ross Wells Park is located at the intersection of Caribou Street East and Ross Crescent.

To learn more about the work done by RSP, visit RiverStreetPromotions.com. For details about the Moose Jaw Miller Express and the upcoming 2026 season at Ross Wells Park, visit MillerExpress.ca.

Homestand ’25 raises $100K for youth wellness, ballpark upgrades

Proceeds from Homestand ’25 are now being distributed back into the community, with River Street Promotions (RSP) presenting a total of $100,000 to support youth wellness initiatives and ongoing improvements at Ross Wells Ballpark.

During a cheque presentation held Jan. 22 at The Ballad & Bard lounge inside the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture, RSP announced that $80,000 from the concert was donated to Prairie South School Division (PSSD) and Holy Trinity Catholic School Division (HTCSD), with $20,000 of the total directed to Ross Wells Ballpark, the long-time host venue for the annual fundraiser.

“A lot of money is being donated to two very worthy groups,” said Laurie Kosior-Pappenfoot, chair of the Homestand committee with RSP. “All of the things we do wouldn’t be possible without the support we receive from the community.”

The funds directed to the school divisions are added to RSP’s Youth Mental Wellness Fund, a shared pool of funding that schools across both divisions can access to support student well-being. Projects supported through the fund vary by school and are selected based on identified needs, with a broad focus on

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

wellness programming for children and youth.

“(The fund is used for) youth wellness,” Kosior-Pappenfoot clarified. “It may be used for new playground equipment and maybe isn’t for mental wellness (per se), but it’s definitely for child wellness. Physical fitness is as important as mental fitness, especially to keep kids busy and active.”

Officials from PSSD and HTCSD also expressed appreciation for the con-

tinued partnership.

“We thank you for all that you do for youth mental health in southern Saskatchewan. All of the initiatives that take place individually in Prairie South and Holy Trinity schools, the keynote speakers we bring in, and the wonderful opportunities we’re able to offer would not be possible without this support. So thank you very much,” said Amanda Olson, superintendent with PSSD. Kosior-Pappenfoot said the outdoor

concert once again succeeded in bringing families together while supporting valuable priorities in the community.

“Our numbers were down a bit, but other than that, everybody had a great time. It went off gangbusters, as it always does. We get a lot of support from people in Moose Jaw — they bring their kids and have a great time,” she said. “(The amount we raised is) still an outstanding number for a city of this size.”

The donation builds on a strong track record of community impact from the annual concert. In 2024, Homestand returned $150,000 to the community, with $130,000 directed to the shared Youth Mental Wellness Fund and $20,000 allocated to maintenance and upgrades at Ross Wells Ballpark. Since its launch in 2021, the fundraiser has now generated more than $600,000.

RSP is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that raises funds for youth mental wellness and education in southern Saskatchewan through live music and community events, including the Homestand concert.

For more information or to learn how to get involved, visit RiverStreetPromotions.com or email Info@RiverStreetPromotions.com.

Homestand concert shifts indoors for 2026, plans outdoor return in 2027

As River Street Promotions (RSP) looks ahead to the future of Homestand, the annual outdoor concert will take a planned pause in 2026 while organizers reassess the event’s format, with an indoor holiday-themed show slated to replace it ahead of a return in 2027.

Laurie Kosior-Pappenfoot, chair of the Homestand committee, confirmed the organization is intentionally taking a pause from the outdoor format in 2026 as it evaluates how to grow the event moving forward.

“Representing the team of volunteers at River Street Promotions, we are embracing this opportunity to pause and find even better ways to connect our audience with some of our favourite musicians, while helping our city be an even better place,” she said. “This past year was five years of Homestand. Let’s take

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

speaks during a Jan. 22 update outlining plans for an indoor event in 2026 and the return of Homestand in 2027.

some time and really dig into (the concert plans) … Where can we really improve on this?”

She emphasized that the pause does not signal an end to Homestand, but rather a strategic reset.

“We are planning for 2027, 2028, and beyond for the outdoor show,” she confirmed. “We’ve got some pretty fun artists excited about it if we can get the dates locked down.”

As part of the planning year, RSP will replace the outdoor festival with an indoor event in 2026.

“We’ve got a bit of a pivot in ’26 — we are looking to host a holiday show here at the Mae (Wilson Theatre). We are just settling on artists and an exact date,” Kosior-Pappenfoot said. “We haven’t done a holiday show … and we thought, ‘Let’s just take a beat.’ How can

we expand? How can we grow? How can we make Homestand ’27 that much better?”

The indoor event is intended to maintain momentum while planning continues for the outdoor festival’s return.

According to RSP, Homestand will return to Ross Wells Ballpark on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2027, “refreshed and reimagined for a new generation of Moose Javians.”

Details about the proposed 2026 indoor holiday show, including artists and ticket information, will be announced once dates are finalized.

To learn more about River Street Promotions, visit RiverStreetPromotions.com.

Prince Albert Raiders overcome solid effort by Moose Jaw Warriors to take shootout win

Raiders take early 2-0 lead, Moose Jaw comes back to tie game in second before dropping 3-2 overtime decision

The Moose Jaw Warriors turned in an impressive effort against the Prince Albert Raiders in Western Hockey League action on Thursday night January 22, becoming one of the few teams in recent contests to take a point off the Eastern Conference leaders.

In the end, Aiden Oiring would score the lone goal of the shootout and the Raiders would go on to take a 3-2 victory out of Temple Gardens Centre in Moose Jaw.

The Warriors improve to 17-22-32 and now have points in three straight games while moving three points clear of Regina and Red Deer for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Conference. Prince Albert is now 33-6-4-0, have won five straight and are now a point ahead of Medicine Hat for top spot in the Conference with two games in hand.

The Warriors didn’t get off to the start they were hoping for, taking a penalty in the first couple minutes of the game and giving up the game’s opening goal moments later.

Braeden Cootes finished off a quick two-on-one in the Warriors zone with Brandon Gorzynski by beating his man to the net and tapping home a crossecrease pass for the opening goal 1:24 into the proceedings.

Another penalty immediately after that goal gave the Raiders a chance to extend their lead, but the Warriors would successfully kill off the man advantage.

They wouldn’t be able to hold off Prince Albert for long, though, as Gorzynski finished off a wrap-around attempt by Aiden Oiring at the 10:11 mark for his 20th goal of the season and a 2-0 edge.

Moose Jaw was able to create a couple of scoring chances as the period progressed, but the Raiders would carry the play and end up with a 17-4 advantage on the shot clock after the opening frame.

Warriors goaltender Chase Wutzke had to be sharp to start the second period, with Prince Albert getting a cou-

ple of first-class scoring chances in the opening five minutes, but it would remain a two-goal contest.

Moose Jaw received their first power play midway through the second, and they’d get on the board. Pavel McKenzie got off a shot from the point and Ethan Semeniuk would be in the right spot in front of the net to tuck home a backhand to make it a 2-1 game with 7:53 to play in the period.

The Raiders ran into some penalty trouble not long after, and the Warriors would end up with a five-on-three power

play for a full minute with just over five minutes left in the frame. Prince Albert’s penalty killers would come up big, though, and they’d hold their lead.

Moose Jaw would break through with the tying goal with 2:03 to play in the period, with Colt Carter finishing off a give-and-go with Steven Sterenka by putting a shot from the right faceoff circle low glove side.

That’s where things would wrap up after the second period, and the Warriors would get off to a great start to open the third, creating a trio of odd-man rushes in the first few minutes but being foiled by goaltender Michal Orsulak each time. Orsulak would make a couple more big stops as the period progressed, including a breakaway save on Sterenka with just over seven minutes to play. Wutzke would get the job done at the other end of the ice, and for the third game in a row, the Warriors were off to overtime.

There, Orsulak would make breakaway saves on Riley Thorpe and McKenzie to preserve the tie, and the contest was off to a shootout.

Oiring would score on the first shot for Prince Albert and that would be the only goal in the shootout, giving the Raiders the 3-2 win.

Wutzke finished with 36 saves in the losing effort, Orsulak capped his night with 23 stops.

Victoria Royals score lone goal of third period, go on to take win over Moose Jaw Warriors

Reggie Newman scores pair, including game winner, as Royals take 3-2 victory in second last game of East Division swing Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

The Moose Jaw Warriors and Victoria Royals found themselves in a goaltending battle on Friday night January 23, and in the end the visitors would get the one extra save they’d need to find the win column.

Reggie Newman scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the third period, and the Royals would go on to a 3-2 victory in Western Hockey League action on Friday night at Temple Gardens Centre.

Moose Jaw falls to 17-23-3-2 and remains in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, three points up on Red Deer and Regina for the final playoff spot. Victoria improves to 19-17-5-3 and are tied for seventh in the Western Conference with Portland.

Both Victoria netminder Ethan Eskit and Warriors goaltender Chase Wutzke put on a show during the contest, making a handful of big saves at key moments and going on to be named the game’s second and third stars, respectively.

After Eskit made a couple of stops to keep things scoreless early, Newman would open scoring at the 12:07 mark,

The Moose Jaw Warriors threw plenty of bodies at the net on this scoring chance in the second period. Nick Pettigrew

finishing off an odd-man rush by taking a pass to the high slot from Nolan Stewart and putting a shot upstairs.

That would stand as the only goal of the first period, but the next marker in the contest was a spectacular one.

Warriors forward Riley Thorpe

SNAPSHOT: Chasing

dreams on open ice

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

SNAPSHOT: Young goaltenders gathered at the Rink of Dreams on Buffalo Pound Lake on Jan. 17 for a free outdoor goaltender skill workshop. Held at the South Lake Resort, the session was led by Dakota Kuntz and his son, goaltender Tripp Kuntz, alongside Kolter Mealing of The Blue Line Hockey Shop. The workshop focused on goalie development in a relaxed outdoor setting and wrapped up with a lighthearted goalie game, with organizers thanking the athletes and parents who took part. To learn more about the Rink of Dreams, call or text Dakota Kuntz at 306-630-4600.

Photo by: Dakota Kuntz

midway through the period, initially just missing on the go-ahead goal on a goalmouth scramble before Ethan Semeniuk sent a pass back to the point for Aiden Ziprick and his shot would find its way past a screen in front and in. The goal came with 11:58 gone in the frame.

The lead wouldn’t last the period, though, as Henry Peterson’s seeing-eyed shot from the point would tie the game 2-2 with 5:44 left in the second.

That’s where things would stand until the 10:13 mark of the final period, when Newman finished off a slick passing play with Nolan Stewart and Owen McCarthy for his 10th goal of the season and the game-winner.

Moose Jaw would have a couple of decent scoring chances in the final 10 minutes, but Eskit found the saves he needed, and the Royals had their narrow victory.

would break up ice, split his way through a pair of defenders and put a backband from the top of the crease top shelf on Eskit to tie the game 2:53 into the frame.

The goal would end up as the WHL’s Highlight of the Night.

The Warriors then took a 2-1 lead

Wutzke finished with 29 saves on the night, Eskit turned aside 32.

The Warriors are now off until Tuesday when they host the Prince Albert Raiders. Game time is 7 p.m. at Temple Gardens Centre.

Moose Jaw &

The Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for its 2026 induction class, inviting the public to help recognize athletes, builders, and teams who have made lasting contributions to sport in the community.

Nominations opened Jan. 15 and will be accepted until April 30. Nomination forms are available for download at MJDSHF.com, in both Word and PDF formats.

Founded to preserve local sports history and celebrate excellence, the Hall of Fame serves as a permanent tribute to the people and teams who have helped define Moose Jaw’s athletic culture. Those selected for induction are formally honoured each year, with their stories and photographs added to the display on the McCaig Mezzanine overlooking the east entrance interior of the Temple Gardens Centre.

Athletes are eligible if they were Moose Jaw natives or residents when they represented their sport with distinction. Builders must have contributed to one or more sports for at least 10 years, while teams must have achieved success at the provincial level or higher. All nominations are reviewed by an induction committee before final approval is granted by the Hall of Fame’s board of directors.

The call for nominations follows a

District Sports Hall of Fame opens nominations for 2026 induction class

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

milestone year for the organization in 2025, when the Hall of Fame unveiled its largest-ever induction class. The announcement of eight athletes and builders, representing multiple decades and disciplines, underscored the depth and diversity of Moose Jaw’s sporting history ahead of the Sept. 26, 2025, induction ceremony.

The 2025 induction class featured Lorraine Arguin, Norm Balderston, Ron Friesen, Verna Kergan, Jim Large, Len Nielsen, Jim Runzer, and Cliff Wiens.

profit organization in 2014, the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame has recognized 42 athletes, builders, and

teams representing 19 different sports. The organization is an affiliate member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and continues to operate with the support of volunteers, sponsors, and community donors.

In addition to nominations, the Hall of Fame continues to seek financial and in-kind support to help sustain its annual operations, induction ceremonies, and display space. Sponsorship opportunities range from bronze to gold levels, with charitable tax receipts issued by the City of Moose Jaw.

Residents with questions about the nomination process or sponsorship opportunities can contact the Hall of Fame by email at Info@MJDSHF.com or by phone at 306-692-2211. For more information, visit MJDSHF.com. The Temple Gardens Centre is located at 110 First Avenue Northwest.

Jorah takes the spotlight

Since its incorporation as a non-

SNAPSHOT: Jorah Maier was recognized as January’s WINMAR Moose Jaw Warriors Special Olympics Moose Jaw Athlete of the Month during a presentation at Temple Gardens Centre on or around Jan. 23, celebrating their participation and dedication in the organization’s bowling and bocce programs. The monthly award highlights athletes who demonstrate commitment, sportsmanship, and a positive attitude within Special Olympics Moose Jaw programming. Jorah follows this hockey season’s previous Athlete of the Month recipients Rhyley in October 2025, Justin in November 2025, and Shauna in December 2025. For more information, contact community manager Stephen Lewry at CEC@MJSpecialOlympics.org or visit SpecialOlympics.ca. Photo by: Moose Jaw Special Olympics

After the first quarter the Peacock Toilers senior girls basketball team held a small two-point lead over the Vanier Spirits.

But the Spirits battled back.

And unfortunately for the Toilers, basketball is a four-quarter game and the Spirits were able to battle back for a 47 - 39 win.

For Vanier Spirits head coach Miguel Cruz the win was the result of a tough fought game.

To supplement their numbers the Spirits called up a pair of players from the junior team.

Cruise is a coach that believes in strong defence is what wins basketball games and he said on Tuesday evening, there was no exception for the Spirits’ victory.

Morale is not a problem for the Spirits.

“We have such good morale. Every-

Spirits Battle Back For Victory

by Robert Thomas

one is proud of everyone’s accomplishments. It’s really great.”

“I think we’ve been progressing really well. We are learning new things every day. We practice hard and it’s showing.”

About the battle with the Central Cyclones Cruz said she felt the Spirits were right up their in the other cross town rivalry.

For the rest of the season, she is looking forward to more tournaments and league games.

“We gave a lot more things to learn.”

Toilers grade 10 student Scarlett Zoerb said despite the loss the team played a strong game.

“I thought it was pretty good. We ran our plays really well and we passed the ball on the court really well,” Zoerb said.

Despite the loss she described the

morale for the Toilers as “amazing.”

Peacock Toilers assistant coach Caitlyn Kitts said despite the loss she’s happy with the Toilers’ play.

“I’m so proud of the girls. I’m so

proud to see how far they’ve come. Now that we have played the first time we played at the beginning of the season and we came within eight points,” Kitts said.

She said the first game against the Spirits was not a good showing for the Toilers but Tuesday evening was a big night for the team Kitts said.

I’m really happy with their ability to work cohesively. We’ve really been working on setting a balance with running set place and just playing basketball. We’re playing basketball like cutting, passin“g and making good individual decisions. That was something we struggled with at the beginning of the year, but we’re much better at.”

https://www.mjindependent.com/sports /2026/1/21/47dgs9fwa0b0es99zr8pujxd h3s2jk

Toilers Take Advantage Of Vikings’ Lapses

The Peacock Toilers senior boys basketball team have never been so intense as they were Tuesday evening, January 20. It was a bench that wouldn’t sit down as they motivated their playing brethren as loud as an elephant on a charge.

Unfortunately for the Vanier Vikings they were right in the path of the Peacock elephant with no mice to release.

At the end of the night the Toilers defeated the Vikings 94 - 53.

The Vikings had a strong first quarter. The second quarter the Vikings hung in there but by the third quarter the Vikings seemed to have no response.

Hard work is the solution.

The problems at the Vanier Gymnasium should not have affected the level of practice because there were still backboards.

The Vanier Gym has not been able to host any games over the last few weeks because a staff member attempted to tighten up the backboard and it shat-

By Robert Thomas

tered and they are still waiting for a replacement backboard.

It’s all about following what’s being taught at practice,

“Right now, they have to be attentive and taking all the instructions we give them at practice. All the stuff we’ve been telling them they need to be pre-

pared for…it’s just matter of them following what we teach them,” coach Tardif said.

Peacock Coach Troy Setter said he was happy with the team’s play.

“Yeah, the boys put together a full game tonight. They worked together on both ends of the court so that was nice to see,” Setter said.

“This was the most intensity brought to a game. It was good to see. that they’re slowly starting to buy into what we’re trying to get them to do so that’s good,” he said.

Practice wise he said the team is moving right along. Despite a pair of recent losses, the team’s development continues to advance

Setter said there is no difference in coaching any game.

“To me there’s no coaching easy games. If you’re up 40, we are down 40 or a single you have to stay engaged.”

By Top Scorers Peacock Toilers

Caleb Artavin - 20 points

Roque Spaan-Murray - 14 points

Nate Measner - 10 points

Vanier Vikings

Van - 21 points

https://www.mjindependent.com/ sports/2026/1/21/toilers-take-advantage-of-vikings-lapses

Moose Jaw Minor Baseball opens registration, sets evaluations for 2026 season

Registration is now open for the 2026 season with the Moose Jaw Minor Baseball Association (MJMBA), as planning continues for the upcoming year and evaluation dates are confirmed for several age divisions.

Players who have not yet been placed on a team are asked to register in the AA division. Online registration is available through the association’s RAMP registration system at MJMinorBall.RampRegistrations.com.

MJMBA is affiliated with Baseball Saskatchewan under the umbrella of Baseball Canada and the Western Canada Baseball Association. According to the association, teams are formed through evaluations and are grouped based on similar skill levels and commitment. Once assigned, teams remain together for the duration of the season, as MJMBA does not form all-star teams for post-season play.

Evaluation sessions will be held at the Yara Centre for several divisions. For 15U teams, evaluations are scheduled for Jan. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Feb. 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. Evaluations for 13U teams will take place Feb. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. and Feb. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. For 11U teams, evaluations are set for March 6 from 5

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

to 7 p.m. and March 8 from 4 to 6 p.m.

In addition to player registration, MJMBA is also issuing a call for coaches for the 2026 season. Applications are being accepted for Rally Cap, 11U, 13U, and 15U teams. Coaching selections are overseen by the as-

Moose Jaw Running Festival sets 2026

Runners are being encouraged to mark their calendars, as the returning Moose Jaw Running Festival has officially announced the dates for this year’s charitable races.

Race director Andrea Amiot confirmed the annual Moose Jaw Running Festival will take place June 13 and 14, continuing the event’s multi-day format and bringing back what she described as “all the races you love.” The date announcement was shared online last week as an early look ahead, with additional details released this week following the official launch with event partners and sponsors.

In addition to the summer festival, organizers also revealed a new seasonal event on the calendar last week: a Halloween Fun Run scheduled for Oct. 25. The Halloween-themed event is being promoted as a run centred around “costumes, community, and a whole lot of fun.”

Amiot said the current announcement is intentionally limited, as organizers finalize logistics with partners and sponsors.

“We’re just getting that excitement out and launching our race schedule. That’s all I can say right now,”

dates,

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

she said.

The Moose Jaw Running Festival has grown steadily in recent years, evolving from the long-running Moose Jawg Charity Road Race into a multi-day festival that attracts participants from across Saskatchewan and beyond. The event is organized in partnership with 321 Go Running, a Saskatchewan-based company that

sociation in accordance with its operating guidelines, which can be read in full online at MooseJawMinorBaseball.com.

Payment for registration can be made by credit card, subject to a three per cent processing fee, or by e-transfer. The association allows up to three e-transfer payments, provided registration fees are paid in full by March 31. MJMBA noted that refunds are only issued if a player does not have a team to play on or at the discretion of the board, and that once a player is named to a roster, refunds are not issued.

The association also shared information about financial assistance options available to families, including Canadian Tire Jumpstart’s individual child grant program and Baseball Canada’s Challenger Baseball program, with links provided on the association’s website home page.

To register or learn more, visit MooseJawMinorBaseball.com. Questions can be directed to Admin@ MooseJawMinorBaseball.com.

The Yara Centre is located at 1220 High Street West.

teases new fall event

operates charity runs throughout the province.

The festival has also maintained a strong charitable focus, with proceeds traditionally supporting the Moose Jaw Health Foundation and pediatric rehabilitation services at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital. Amiot said that charitable component will continue this summer.

“We’re looking forward to growing (the race) and we’re giving back to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation and the pediatric rehabilitation department again,” Amiot said.

For now, Amiot said the goal is to build anticipation and encourage residents to save the dates.

“Save the dates, mark your calendars, and be sure to check out all the races 321 Go Running is bringing to you this year,” she shared online. “This running community just keeps getting better.”

For more information, visit “Moose Jaw Running Festival” on Facebook, email MooseJawgRace@ gmail.com, or call 306-690-4814. To learn more about 321 Go Running, visit 321GoRunning.ca. Look for further details in the next edition of the Moose Jaw Express.

Pense to host regional figure skating competition drawing hundreds to community rink

A small Saskatchewan community is preparing to welcome hundreds of visitors next month as the Pense Skate Club hosts a major regional figure skating competition at the Pense Memorial Rink.

The Skate Saskatchewan Regional 2–5 event will take place Saturday, Feb. 7, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — tentatively — at the rink located at 335 Manitoba Street. Spectator admission is free, and members of the public are welcome to drop in throughout the weekend.

“These regional events only happen once a year, and each year a bid opens up for clubs to apply to be the host of that particular year, and we were lucky enough to have been chosen this year,” said Vanessa Chastko, a representative of the Pense Skate Club.

The event brings together skaters from Skate Saskatchewan regions 2, 3, 4 and 5, following a shift away from hosting smaller, region-specific competitions.

“These events used to be held in each region specifically, but by combining neighbouring regions together, they are able to be even more robust and give the skaters an opportunity to compete in a wider range of events,” she said.

More than 200 skaters are registered for the competition, ranging in age from six to 30, with both male and female athletes competing across Star 1 to Gold

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Pense Skate Club figure skater Paisley Templeton, who will not be competing at the upcoming Saskatchewan Winter Games, recently earned a bronze medal in the Pre-Juvenile U13 Freeskate and placed fifth in Star 6 Freeskate, representing the local club at a recent competition. Photo by: Pense Skate Club/Facebook

levels. That number includes individual skaters as well as those participating in team events.

“We anticipate that the number of skaters and family members that will be coming through our rink doors will be 400-plus,” Chastko said.

While Pense regularly hosts hockey games and tournaments, she said the scale of this competition will bring a noticeable increase in visitors to the community.

“A competition this size is sure to bring in more visitors than has been in the community in quite some time,” she said.

She added that planning has involved co-ordination with rink staff, local businesses, and the broader community.

“An event this size also includes making sure the town is aware of the increased traffic on our streets and that local business owners can expect to see

more visitors than usual,” she said.

Spectators can expect a full weekend of skating rather than a single headline performance, as the schedule is focused on accommodating the large number of competitors.

“Because of the wide range of skill levels and the amount of skaters registered, we do not have any guest skaters or special performances scheduled during the event,” Chastko said. “We encourage everyone to come cheer on both the young and old skaters over the weekend.”

The club will also host a raffle throughout the weekend, along with flower sales for skaters and a small number of vendors on site. Flash photography is not permitted while skaters are on the ice.

The Pense Skate Club is a registered Skate Canada non-profit organization offering Learn-to-Skate, figure skating, and adult skating programs in a “fun and positive environment,” with classes held Wednesdays and Saturdays from October to March.

“We can feel the excitement from everyone for the event to take place,” Chastko added.

To learn more about the Pense Skate Club, visit “Pense Skate Club” on Facebook or email PenseSkateClub@gmail. com. For more details about Skate Saskatchewan, visit SkateCanadaSaskatchewan.com.

Young Canadian travelling country filming veterans’ untold war stories

Zach Dunn never knew his grandfather served in the Second World War, but finding a box of the veteran’s memorabilia prompted the young man to seek out other veterans’ stories to preserve.

Dunn was helping clean out his parents’ home in 2021 when he found a box that belonged to his grandfather, John L. Williams. Inside, he saw the man’s Second World War medals and photos from Africa and Europe.

Dunn, then 21, learned from his mother that Williams had served, but rarely talked about his experiences. Through conversations with other relatives and digging online, the young man discovered that his grandpa had been a British paratrooper who — among other things — jumped on D-Day on June 6, 1944.

Continuing, Williams’ grandson said it was unfortunate that “this incredible man” had never shared his “incredible story” with anyone — born in London, England, fought in the war, then moved to Canada and had eight kids — and that it had been almost forgotten.

Williams, born in 1921, died in 2003 at age 82, when Dunn was three years old. Only pictures and videos survive, showing the two interacting. The grandson noted that his grandfather was a humble and quiet man, typical of men from “the greatest generation.”

His grandfather’s past led Dunn to seek out a Second World War veteran with whom to speak. He met his first vet in Lakefield, Ont., north of Peterborough, which spiralled into the now26-year-old travelling across Canada monthly, talking to veterans and pre-

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

serving stories on film.

“And a lot of the veterans I meet have never shared their story before … and even sometimes the families don’t know,” said Dunn, noting his nanny and his two uncles also served in the Second World War — something the family never knew until they died.

Since November 2021, Dunn has spoken with nearly 170 veterans from the Second World War, Korean War and Vietnam War, with most from Canada and some from the United States and 15 other countries.

“So, it’s been a great journey so far,” he added.

Dunn’s first encounter with a ’Nam vet was random, since he had called a Legion looking for Second World War veterans and learned the president had served in Southeast Asia.

The director/producer said he didn’t know Canadians had served in Vietnam, with the Legion president saying he had “jumped the border” to join the U.S. Army. That story prompted Dunn to seek out other Canadians who had either been drafted while living in America or had crossed the border.

Dunn explained that

he finds veterans by contacting Legions, museums and news reporters, while he also has a big social media presence that attracts youths. He then provides schools and non-profits with the interviews he records; veterans’ families also receive a copy.

I think it’s important to share this history with the next generation. I think there is a large … gap of knowledge … . These stories weren’t being shared,” he said, noting that he had only one history class in high school.

One notable veteran Dunn has interviewed was Jack C. Thomas, a 102-yearold veteran who was a tail gunner in a bomber that dropped supplies to the underground resistance in Western Europe.

Dunn recalled that Thomas flew missions on D-Day and during a battle in September 1944 in the Netherlands. It was during the second mission that his bomber was shot down and he bailed out. However, he broke his back and became a prisoner of war for eight months.

Thomas had never shared his story with anyone, so his interview was “very emotional,” said Dunn, making it one of his best conversations last year.

Dunn pointed out that there are roughly 3,000 Canadian Second World War veterans living, so if he could interview even one per cent, “it would be my honour.” He has interviewed only one such veteran in Saskatchewan; that man was from Hubbard.

Another veteran Dunn spoke to was Joseph Hammond, the last World War II vet in Ghana. Due to the time difference, the director/ producer interviewed the 100-year-old online at 5:30 a.m. and learned Hammond fought the Japanese in the jungles of Burma.

That was “an incredible” story, one that few Canadians have ever heard about, Dunn stated.

For veterans who have been married for 70 years, their advice has been to never go to

bed angry and to smile and laugh daily, said Dunn. For those over 100 years old, the advice has been to exercise and keep an active mind.

Dunn said he would love to visit Saskatchewan to interview veterans of any war, although he can also schedule online conversations. He would also partner with an organization or a Legion and speak to schools as a presenter. Visit https://globalveteranstories. com to contact Dunn and to watch interviews with veterans.

Jason Antonio can be reached at Harvard Media at 306 690-5965.

‘Unsilenced’ exhibit opens Feb. 6 at MJMAG, exploring mental health through art

The Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery (MJMAG) will open two new exhibitions next month, marking a major winter programming launch with a joint opening reception on Feb. 6.

One of the exhibitions, Unsilenced, will be featured in the art gallery space and will bring together the work of five Canadian artists whose practices explore mental health through personal and collective experience. A second exhibition, Môso-tâpiskan: Indigenous Living Heritage, will open the same evening in the adjacent Heritage Gallery.

“It’s kind of unusual for us to have a launch within the gallery and museum at the same time, so Feb. 6 is going to be quite a celebration for us,” said MJMAG director and curator Jennifer McRorie.

The evening will begin with the launch of Môso-tâpiskan: Indigenous Living Heritage, curated by Indigenous curator and artist Sadi-Rose Vaxvick. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the exhibit launch taking place at 7 p.m. Following that launch, the opening reception and artist talk for Unsilenced will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the theatre.

Unsilenced is a group exhibition featuring work by Richard Boulet, Ruth Cuthand, Derek Pho, Amy Snider, and Moose Jaw artist Peter Tucker. The exhibition runs from Feb. 6 to May 3.

“All of the artists have made work that explores mental health, basically, from their personal or collective experiences,” McRorie said.

The exhibition includes painting, sculpture, beadwork, fibre-based art, and ceramic installations. While mental health is the unifying theme, McRorie said each artist approaches the subject through different lived experiences and concerns.

“Through their work, the artists are making commentary on various mental health issues, which include anxiety, depression … (and) different issues that create anxiety,” she said.

One example is Amy Snider’s work, which addresses climate anxiety.

“(Snider’s) work is based around climate anxiety and poses questions

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

about what our footprint is on the environment, and how to process and deal with that anxiety,” McRorie said.

McRorie said the idea for Unsilenced began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when conversations around mental health became more visible.

“I think a lot of people really became aware of how the anxiety we were dealing with during the pandemic was affecting our mental health,” she explained. “For me, it meant being really conscious about keeping my staff safe, maintaining a safe public space, and protecting vulnerable members of my own family. I was living with high levels of anxiety for a long period of time, and I wanted to put together a show that creates a safe and supportive space to talk about mental health, address stigma, and create dialogue around it.”

All participating artists will be in attendance for the Feb. 6 artist talk.

“I always encourage questions throughout the discussion, so that everyone feels like they’re part of the conversation,” McRorie added.

MJMAG is creating a designated quiet space within the gallery for visitors who may wish to step away and reflect while engaging with the exhibition’s themes.

“It’s a place to relax, but it will also be a place for people who want to do a

are interested in ongoing engagement beyond the gallery walls so viewers are not left “sitting with (their) anxiety.” The three-month exhibition will also invite further potential programming on the topic of community conversations on mental health matters.

The Feb. 6 opening reception is free to attend and will include food, refreshments, and opportunities to engage with artists and curators.

“We just hope people come out and help us celebrate the opening of these new exhibitions,” McRorie said.

The new exhibitions follow the conclusion of Jody Greenman-Barber: Flow and Winds of Change, which wrapped up Jan. 4 after several months on display.

bit more research into the artist’s work,” McRorie said.

Visitors will be invited to leave written comments for the artists. McRorie said some artists, including Snider,

The Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery is located at 461 Langdon Crescent and can be reached at 306692-4471. For more information, visit MJMAG.ca.

THIS WEEKS FLYERS

*Full Circulation means every home & paper should have this yer. If you are missing call us @306-694-1322. *Selected Areas means only selected areas were chosen by the business or agency (please call the business).

BIZWORLD

By Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Saskatchewan isn’t known much for gold mining, although some older mines have opened and closed.

The only operating gold mine left is the Seabee Mine in the LaRonge Gold District.

This Bizworld column discusses three early and advanced gold explorers in the province worth watching.

Fortune Bay Mines is redeveloping the Box Mine near Uranium City. The Box and Athena open pit deposits were discovered in 1859. The open pit operated for three years until 1942 when the war effort closed most good mines in the country.

Fortune Bay had a preliminary evaluation done last year showing a 99,000 ounce per year gold mine with a 14-year life.

All-in cost per ounce is estimated at $1,330 US, a quite reasonable cost.

Three Sask. gold explorers worth watching

Estimated capital cost is $301 million, reduced by the existence of old infrastructure.

Fortune Bay still has to upgrade resources of 896,000 ounces to proven status by infill drilling — a job that could take a few years.

Gold showings in the area indicate potential for finding more deposits

Trident Resources, an advanced project, has about 500,000 acres of lease in the LaRonge gold district.

Low grade resources of about two million ounces spread over five zones must still be upgraded from indicated and inferred to proven.

An interesting aspect of the project near the former Contact Lake Mine is results from deeper drilling.

The grade improves by three fold at the 1,000 foot level. Grades

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

from three holes were between 4.13 grams per tonne to 9.43 grams. This project holds potential for a strong underground mine.

Fortune Bay also has the Knife Lake polymetallic deposit with 12 million tonnes containing low grade copper, cobalt, gold, silver and zinc.

Arya Resources has a project on the north end of the La Ronge gold district. The Wedge Lake deposit lies near the old Golden Heart Mine.

Previous work on the claims outlined 675,000 ounces of gold on site.

Arya is the least advanced of the three explorers and has considerable drilling to upgrade resources and then must finance the mine and most likely a mill.

Trident Resources stock trades around $3.19 with a jump from 86 cents in recent months.

Arya trades around 33 cents with a high of 47 cents in the past year.

Fortune Bay trades around 86 cents with a stiff increase in the last year.

All three have relatively low numbers of shares outstanding, which offers them opportunity to finance projects by sale of new shares.

These are highly speculative stocks and should only be bought if the investor can afford losses.

CAUTION: Remember when investing, consult your adviser and do your homework before buying any security. Bizworld does not recommend investments.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Pay Later!

22,

Sudoku #5 - Challenging

4 3 1 9 5 2 8 7 3 8 9 2 7 4 6 3 9 7 5 4 6 2 8 6 3

ACROSS

1. Confer happiness on

50. Consumes food

51. Automatic response

Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.

ABSURD, ARRIVE, BEER, COMBINATION, COMPLETION, DARE, EMPTY, FINISH, FOREST, GENERAL, HOWEVER, HUNTRESS, INTELLIGENT, LAKES LEFT, LINE, MILES, MODIFY, MONTHLY, OUTDOOR, PANT, PLACE, REGION ROBOT, SOME, STILL, STORY, SUDDENLY, TARIFF, THERE, TITLE, TOGETHER, TOTAL, WARNING

12. A small island 1

3. Add up

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

6. Flying mammals

54. Miami basketball team

10. Expectorate

14. Consumed

15. Affirm

16. Celestial bear

56. Angle between leaf and branch

If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.

57. School principal

63. Banquet

21. Drama set to classical music

25. In place of

26. Balm ingredient

27. Anthracite

Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck.

17. Red Sea peninsula

18. Old stories

19. Tumbled

20. Springy gym item

22. Sense

23. Didn’t dillydally

24. More than enough

26. Passed with flying colors

30. Before, in poetry

31. Mister

32. Hubs

33. Disposes

35. Keen

39. Rower

41. Destructive sea wave

43. Wash out with a solvent

44. Assist illegally

46. Fleece

47. Anger

49. Avenue (abbrev.)

64. Ammunition

65. Product of combustion

66. Winglike

67. Teller of untruths

68. Undersides

69. Depend upon

70. Celtic language

71. Cast out DOWN

1. Superlative 2. Den

3. Europe’s highest volcano

4. Crease

5. Clips

6. Danseuse

7. Averted

8. Ripped

9. Brooms

10. Toleration

11. Primp

28. Beige

29. Alcohol factory

34. Dockworker

36. Big bash

37. Broadcast

38. Tears

40. Nothing more than

42. Water vapor

45. Islands north of Cuba

48. Breathe out

51. Radiolocation

52. Banishment

53. Last

55. Thigh armor

58. Arab ruler

59. Dirty air

60. Lacquered metalware

61. Anagram of “Seek”

62. Repose

205 WANTED

Looking To Rent - Garage/warehouse/ or unused semi-trailer unit. Prefer downtown area. Will consider other options. Can be reached at 306-313-3439.

210 SERVICES

Moving jobs done reasonably: appliances, furniture, dump runs. Call to do it all. $45.00 a load. 306-630-2268

Need work done? Contact Bill at 306-630-2268 . Interior/exterior, renovations, formwork, framing, finishing, tiling, painting and all construction, roofing/siding- no job too big or small. Reasonable rates, 30 years experience. Cleaner with 20 years experience. Carpet cleaning also available. Please call Rebecca at 306-990-0387.

Will pick up, move, haul, and

CLASSIFIED ADS

deliver any appliances, tvs, furniture, or anything large in and around Moose Jaw, $45 and up. Junk to the dump $60/load. 45-gallon plastic barrels, great for rainwater, $25 each. 1000 Litre plastic totes - $50. 45-gallon metal barrels, $15 each. 306681-8749

Seniors ... need help with cleaning, decluttering, organizing, or small chores? Reasonable rates. Please call 306-313-8122.

160 MISCELLANEOUS

44CC RAPALA 8” Ice Auger extension in wooden boxes, used a couple of times. Asking $400. AQUA VU715 Camera with remote. $250 OBO. 306-692-0669.

188 HEALTH & BEAUTY SUPPLIES

Mobility Scooter for Sale: The Express Element – Range 50 km,

tubeless tires, LED lights, horn, speed up to 25/km, rear basket, under seat storage, and bag hook. BRAND NEW $3995.00. Call 306-694-1322 for more information.

105 AUTOS

FOR SALE: 2013 Chev Impala, 250,000 km, very good condition,

Costs, revenues squeeze farm profits

The trade deal with China to remove most of the tariffs from canola seed and canola meal exports from Canada was great news for farmers.

Even with an expected bump in canola price farmers are being squeezed by high input costs and lower commodity prices.

A study by Manitoba Agriculture shows farm input costs have doubled general inflation rates in the last five years.

The Consumer Price Index increased by 20 per cent in five years.

Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

The Saskatchewan crop planning guide shows a profit on only a few smaller acreage crops - flax, sunflowers, Desi chickpeas, Kabuki chickpeas, and large green lentils,

Losses after all expenses on major crops are canola, $160 an acre; hard red spring wheat, $112 an acre; durum, $88 an acre.

fresh safety, 4 door, white, automatic. $8500. Please call 306313-4772.

FOR SALE: 2004 Jeep Cherokee Larado - 4-wheel drive, trailer towing package in-line, 6 cyl. Call only - 306-313-4772.

200

LOST & FOUND

FOUND: Ladies watch in Princess Crescent area. Please call 306-630-2242 with a description to claim.

Growing spring wheat costs are up 48 per cent in that time while canola growing costs are up 50 per cent and corn growing costs are up 52 per cent

“Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second.”

-- Mattie Stepanek --

Equipment prices and rental rates are also up about 50 per cent. A $10,000 tractor in 2020 is double that amount

The planning guide assumes good yields.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Refreshing Moments A Devotional by Alex Allan

Printed with Permission

Pastor Alex Allan is a Moose Jaw retired credentialed minister in the Church of God in Western Canada and has served as a hospital chaplain and is an experienced pastoral counsellor. He has an extensive background in communications, having worked in radio, television and print media.

Cheerful Giving Lifts Our Spirits

Do you ever grow tired of giving? I’m sure we’ve been there on more occasions than we would like to remember.

In the world many people give to get. However, biblically speaking, we are to give to bless.

Galatians 6:9 offers words of encouragement to keep on blessing others. The Apostle Paul writes: So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

The secret to not growing weary when giving is to give from the heart. A heart committed to serving Christ and motivated by Holy Spirit. A heart that understands and has experienced God’s faithfulness.

Several years ago, we pastored a small congregation with a tremendous spirit for giving. We often held special events to raise monies for various mission projects. That was wonderful. However, what I remember most was the support the congregation provided to a pastor and his wife in a smaller community.

Our church family would often take the initiative to fill the cupboards and freezer with food for this pastoral couple. What a blessing it was to see ministry continue in that community through the faithfulness of this couple to serve. And for me as a pastor, my heart was blessed as I ob- served the joy our church family experienced through

this kindness of sharing and caring.

I am reminded of what Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:7. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully”.

Be encouraged today to give from your heart. Give to bless others and discover how God blesses those who give cheerfully. Learn to be prompted by the Holy Spirit so that you give prayer-fully and responsibly.

We can give in many ways. Through a kind word or a listening ear. By encouraging those strug- gling or pushing to reach a goal. We can share our material goods and resources. But

we must always give with a cheerful heart because in giving we do so as unto the Lord.

When we give, we serve in Jesus’ Name. When we give, we remember the Lord’s faithfulness in our lives. And when we give, we grow in our Christian Walk.

Find a way to share a little love today. You’ll be happy you did.

The excerpt above was extracted from a devotional book that was written to encourage individuals in their daily walk with Christ to provide practical guidance and encouragement. If you are interested in purchasing the book, please email RefreshingMoments@outlook.com

Rev. Dr. John Kreutzwieser is a retired pastor from Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Moose Jaw, SK. He graduated with a doctorate degree in 2006 from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Florida.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

Hello

I came across an article on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) webpage the other day that focused on the word hello. I do not use the word hello much anymore. When we had a land line for our telephone, I usually picked up the receiver and answered with hello. Since we got rid of the land line and use cell phones only, I can see who is calling me and often say, “Hi (insert name).” When texting I never use the word hello. But, what is its history?

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On January 18, 1826, 200 years ago, hello made the earliest recorded appearance on the printed page. A Connecticut newspaper called The Norwich Courier printed in an article, “Hello, Jim!” It was an unpretentious debut for a word that would go on to be used in much of the modern world.

Many think that hello came from Old High German, hala, a cry used to hail the ferryman. Others mention halloo (or hullo, hillo, and holla), a hunting call used in England to urge hounds to run faster. Some think hello derived from the 15th century French word hol, an exclamation meaning whoa or stop. The Oxford English Dictionary lists the earliest form of hello as hollo

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) used hullo in his writings. The artful Dodger greets Oliver, “Hullo, my covey! What’s the row?” in The Adventures of Oliver Twist (chapter 8).

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) utilized halloo, but reasoned that ahoy would be a great telephone greeting.

Thomas Edison (1847-1931) supported hello, believing it would clearly carry over even the worst phone line. Since then hello has been the English language’s most famous greeting.

Hello has also been used in another sense. When someone says hello, with a stretched final vowel, helloooo can mean ‘are you paying attention?’ “Helloooo, you must be kidding” implies questioning what the other person just said.

Over the past decades, texting and social media has replaced hello with an emoji, usually a wave.

use, “Konnichiwa.” “Konbanwa” is said in the evening. In Tibet a 9th century king named Lang Darma, who killed his older brother, suppressed Buddhism, and was eventually assassinated. He was known for having a black tongue, so monks began sticking out their tongues in greeting to show they came in peace and they were not any reincarnation of Lang Darma. Today, however, this Tibetan practice is uncommon and considered impolite, unless someone greets you this way first.

Khashm-makh is a common greeting between men across the Persian Gulf countries. Noses are bumped together, sometimes following a handshake, always with the right hand. Women may do it, but it tends to be in private and only to other women. One does not initiate this with anyone that is not well known.

In Greenland, the kunik, the Inuit tradition of placing your nose and upper lip against someone’s cheek or forehead and sniffing, is limited to very close relationships.

In most English speaking countries, hello still remains the most straightforward and widely understood way to greet someone or start a conversation. With the absence of land line phones hello is heard a lot less in many homes today

Columnist John Kreutzwieser loves to research words and writes this weekly Word Wisdom column for Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. He has an interest in the usage, origin, and relevance of words for society today. Greek and Latin form the basis of many words, with ancient Hebrew shedding light on word usage.

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694-0373

In English hello can be used at any time of day or night. In Japan there are three different phrases that correspond to hello. In the morning you say, “Ohayoo gozimasu.” If you greet someone in the afternoon you

John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to wordwisdom2021@gmail.com . Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.

I actually thought that it would be a little confusing during the same period of your life to be in one meeting when you’re trying to make money, and then go to another meeting where you’re giving it away. I mean is it gonna erode your ability, you know, to make money? Are you gonna somehow get confused about what you’re trying to do? -- Bill Gates --

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Going

Second ‘Senior Moose Jobs’ event targets employment opportunities for older adults

Older adults seeking employment opportunities will once again have the chance to connect face-to-face with local employers when the “Senior Moose Jobs” networking event returns this March.

The second iteration of the community-focused hiring event will take place March 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Temple Gardens Centre, bringing together retirees and seniors aged 55-plus with businesses offering part-time, casual, seasonal, and short-term employment opportunities.

The event is hosted by the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce through its year-round Senior Moose Jobs employment-pairing program for older adults.

“There will be (space for) around 20 to 25 businesses to attend and speak to seniors and retirees who are looking for different categories of work,” said Barry Watson, program co-ordinator for Senior Moose Jobs.

The networking format allows job seekers to speak directly with employers, learn about available work opportunities, submit resumes with assistance available if needed, and potentially arrange follow-up conversations or interviews onsite.

The event follows a successful inaugural year, which saw measurable employment outcomes for participants who attended the first launch on Feb. 13, 2025.

“By the time May (2025) rolled around, there were 22 individuals who landed an opportunity from their visibility at the show,” Watson said. “So it was quite successful.”

Watson said he continues to follow up with seniors who secured work through the program. “A lot of them have been really happy in the roles they found. I’ve had great feedback from participants, and from employers as well.”

Watson said the face-to-face format is especially valuable for older job seekers who may struggle to gain traction through online hiring systems alone.

“For a lot of these people, they never even get in the door,” he said. “Some

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

have never had a resume in their life, and others don’t get callbacks because hiring today is based on screening and point systems before anyone ever has a conversation.”

He said the event helps break down barriers that can exist for older applicants, including age-related stigma, by creating opportunities for direct conversation with employers.

“We’re in a time where people are told not to drop off a resume, just email one, but knocking on doors is still a very successful way to find employment,”

Watson said. “This puts local businesses and job seekers together to start a conversation, and from there it might be, ‘Send me your resume,’ or ‘Come see me next week.’ That’s how it starts.”

Job placements from last year’s event ranged from a trolley driver with Tourism Moose Jaw to temporary administrative work at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, a breakfast service position at a local hotel, and seasonal roles at Hillcrest Golf Course.

The event is open to the public, with free admission for job seekers, while businesses can also register to participate at no cost. Booth space is provided by the Chamber, and Watson said there is no registration deadline for employers, with additional space available in an adjacent room at the Temple Gardens Centre if needed.

For seniors considering attending, Watson encouraged them to keep an open mind.

“If you are considering some category of employment in 2026, there could be an employer at the show that would be a good match for what you’re looking for,” he said.

Businesses can register through the Chamber’s online event listing, while job seekers can attend directly on March 4. To access the registration form, visit MJChamber.com and click on “Initiatives” and “Senior Moose Jobs” from the top menu.

The Temple Gardens Centre is located at 110 First Avenue Northwest.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN MOOSE JAW

If you would like your notice or event added to this list, contact us at: joan@ moosejawexpress.com

Square One Community 50’s, 60’s, 70’s Comfort Singers Concert and Dessert Party will be held on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 @7pm at Zion United Church 423 Main St. N. Dessert to follow the concert and WINTER WARM-UP RAFFLE DRAW. Tickets: $25pp via Cash and E-transfer.
To reserve your tickets, please email us at: communitysquareone@ gmail.com. 
Please include your name and the number of tickets you require. If paying via e-transfer, kindly include “Concert Tickets” in the memo field. All proceeds go to Square One Community’s Supportive Housing Program. We aren’t just providing a roof; we are providing a future.

The Prairie Knitting and Spinning Fibre Arts Group meets the first Saturday of each month at the Zion United church on Main Street from 1:00-4:00. Next meeting is February 7th. Free to attend.

The Moose Jaw Camera Club will be holding their regular club meeting on February 9 at 7PM at the Cosmo Center and is excited to be hosting Greg Johnson, The Tornado Hunter. Greg is a dynamic speaker who will be sharing a few tricks that you didn’t know existed on your fancy digital camera, along with some great stories! Non members can attend as a Guest for a minimal fee or join the Club at reduced rates for the remainder of the season. Come out to see what the club has to offer, you won’t want to miss this opportunity!

Bridge Lessons Feb 26 – April 23 for 9 wks. –Every Thursday from 7 pm to 9 pm. Cost $40/ person at the Cosmo Centre, 235 3rd Ave NE. More info: Anita – 306-630-1256 anitadunkz@ gmail.com or Gail – 306-630-9430

MOOSE JAW LAWN BOWLING on the turf at Yara Centre welcomes everyone to come try this sport for all ages and abilities. Tues and Thurs @10 am, only Yara walking track fee for the equipment and instruction also provided. For more information text 306-630-8160.

Scottish Country Dancing has resumed at 7 pm on Thursdays @Timothy Eaton’s Centre, 510 Main St. N. No partner required. Ages 8 and up including grandparents. Contact: Val, 306-630-5790

White Heather Youth Pipe Band in Moose Jaw looking for new players ages eight and older. New players will have the opportunity to try out drum sticks on pads and practice chanters with the instructors and will be introduced to some of the children already members of the band. Contact Michelle Carline at <mcarline@hotmail.com>

The Prairie Hearts Quilters Guild is held 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 pm. At Zion church from Sept to May.

The Moose Jaw Stamp Club has resumed meeting the second and fourth Wednesday nights of the month at 7:00pm at the Lindale School staff room. For information call 306693-5705.

Moose Jaw Parkinsons Support Group meet at 1:30 p.m. on the last Monday of the following months: January, February, March, April and May. Meetings are held at Hillcrest Apostolic Church, Moose Jaw. Call or text 306 756 2819

Moose Jaw Town N Country Square Dance Assoc. 2025-2026 Program on Monday nights from 7-9 pm at St. Margaret’s School, 449 5Th Ave NE. Dance in square with family and friends. For information contact Valerie Wright at 306.691.0579. Beginners, singles, or doubles welcome!

Nature Moose Jaw will hold their meetings on a once-a-month status to take place on the third Friday of each month

Church of Our Lady Bingo takes place at the Church of Our Lady Community Centre, 566 Vaughan Street on Tuesday evenings. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Bingo begins at 7:00 p.m.

Are you struggling with addictions? Do you know someone who is? Or do you want to learn more about overcoming addiction to help others? Pastor Cory Havanka and his wife Brenda will be offering an inperson, small-group, course that will explore how to overcome addiction that is based on Biblical foundations. For questions - Call or text Cory at 306-684-1464 or email firmfoundationministries.inc@gmail. com Firm Foundation Ministries provides other services as well: -Bible study - Monday evenings at 630 p.m/Prayer meetingsWednesday evenings at 7 p.m/Pastoral counselling. Check Facebook or Instagram for updates on services, events, bible study notes and words from the Lord.

Nar-Anon Meetings every Monday 7—8pm (Moose Jaw Nar-Anon Family Group) is a twelve-step program for relatives and friends affected by someone else’s drug use and is in-person at Moose Jaw Alliance Church, 14 Neslia Place. Come in Main Doors – Meeting Rm 103. Your anonymity and what you say at meetings will be carefully guarded.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Weight Loss Support Group Meets at the Cosmo Senior Citizen’s Centre, 235 – 3rd Ave. N.E. The group meets every Wednesday morning. Weigh ins are 8-8:45 am. Meeting to follow. . scale weighs up to 350 pounds. Join for friendship and support on your weight loss journey. For more information go to www. tops.org

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) offers meetings every Wednesday evening too in the Alliance Church located at the corner of 9th Ave NE and Thatcher Dr. Use the West side entrance and you’ll find us down the hall in room 107. Weigh ins are 6:30-7 followed by a half hour meeting. Scale weighs up to 500lbs. Join us as we support each other on our weight loss journeys. Visit www.tops. org for more information.

Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 59 Moose Jaw, 693 Fairford St W. Contact: 306-692-5453

Facebook @ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION-

Branch 59 Moose Jaw OFFICE HOURS: Monday – Friday 9:30am4:00pm

LOUNGE HOURS: Effective January 2nd Sunday 11:00am – 3:00pm (when there’s Curling); Monday 1:00pm – 9:00pm; Tuesday 12:00pm – 5:00pm; Wednesday 1:00pm –10:00pm; Thursday 10:00am – 10:00pm; Friday 1:00pm – 10:00pm; and Saturday 1:00pm – 6:00pm

VETERANS MORNING COFFEE – Thursday @ 10am

BINGO – Monday @ 6pm – Paper goes on sale @ 5pm

CRIBBAGE – Tuesday @ 1:30pm LEGION DARTS – Thursday @ 7pm DROP IN SHUFFLEBOARD – Friday @ 7pm MEAT DRAW & CHASE THE ACE - Saturday @ 3pm - Everyone welcome LEGION CURLING – Sunday @ 10am @ Temple Gardens Curling Centre – Always looking for spares.

The main (accessible) door to the lounge and parking lot is located at the rear of the building off 7th Avenue NW

Moose Jaw & District Seniors Assoc. Inc. Website – moosejawseniors.ca For more information Call: 306-694-4223 or Email: mjsenior@shaw.ca The centre is now open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8am – 8pm and Tuesday, Friday 8am – 4pm

Fitness Level & Indoor Walking Track open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8 a.m. –8 p.m. Tuesday & Friday’s 8am4pm

Wood working area – Monday to Friday 8 am – 4 pm

Timothy Eaton Cafe open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cinnamon Buns are on Thursday’s. Tuesday is pie day.

Everyone is welcomed. Billiards open daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. as well as Monday, Wednesday & Thursday evenings from 4:30 – 8 p.m.

Pickle Ball – Monday Thursday mornings @ 9 a.m./Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons @ 1pm.- Monday & Thursday evenings @ 7 pm

Skills & Drills – Tuesday @ 6pm Fitness- Chair/Low Impact Fitness Tuesdays 11:30 & Thursdays @ 1:00 p.m. Cribbage – Wednesdays @ 1 p.m. Hand & Foot Card Game for Beginners –Thursday @9:30 am.

Mah Jong – Wednesday @1 p.m. Beginners is Monday @1pm

Tai Chi – Starting November 25 @9am every Tuesday

Line Dancing – Wednesday @ 11 a.m.

Art & Crafts – Monday, Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 1 p.m.

Floor Shuffleboard – Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 1 p.m.

Paper Tole – Tuesdays @ 1 p.m.

Nickle Bingo – Fridays @ 1 p.m.

Quilting – Every Tuesday & Friday 9am to 4pm, Lounge – Friday’s 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Jam Sessions – Friday’s 9 a.m. Texas Hold’em - Thursday @ 6:30pm Tuesday Cards – 6:30pm

Floor Curling – Fridays @ 1pm

Bingo – Monday afternoons 1:30pm -3:30pm and Wednesday evenings 6:30pm8:30pm

Darts – Wednesday’s @ 10am

Consignment Area – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-3pm, Wednesdays 10am-12pm

Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre Weekly Activities – 235 3rd Ave. N.E. Phone 306.692.6072 or email cosmo@sasktel.net. Check them out on Facebook.

Monday: Indoor Walking – 10:45am to 12:30p.m/10:45a.m. Beginner line dance/ Pickleball 9am/Shuffleboard 1pm/Pickleball 8:30a.m.

Tuesday: 9:30am-Jam Session/1pmPickleball/7pm-Friendship Bridge/7pmBeginners Only Pickleball/ Indoor Walking - 8:15am and 11:30am
Wednesday: 8:30amTOPS/8:30am-Pickleball/10:45q.m. Fitness Class/1pm-Floor Shuffleboard/ Indoor Walking - 11:30am/ Pickleball 3:45pm and Beginner Pickleball 7:00pm
Thursday: 10am-Line Dance/10:30a.m. Euchre/1pmPickleball/ Indoor Walking - 8:15am and 12:00pm/ Hand/Foot Canasta - 1:30pm/ Beginner Pickleball - 3:15pm and Advanced Pickleball - 6:30pm
Friday: Pickleball 8:30a.m./ Indoor Walking – 10:45am to 12:30am Saturday: Advanced Pickleball9:30am/10:45 Cornhole/Pickleball - 1:00pm Saturday, February 21 - El Camino Cabaret and Dance - $15/person, Cash Bar and Doors open 6:00, Dance 7:00pm10:00pm. Tickets available at the Cosmo Centre.

Moose Jaw ANAVETS: Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit #252 – 279 High St. W, Moose Jaw. 306.692.4412 or anaf252@ sasktel.net

• Every Monday and Tuesday 1 – 6:30 pm

• Wednesday 12 – 6:30 pm/Smear starts at 12:30 pm

• Thursday 12 – 6:30 pm/Crib starts at 1:30 pm. Bring a friend or sign up for spare • Friday 1 – 10:00 pm/Shuffleboard starts at 1 pm. Bring a friend and join in!/Pool and darts start at 7 pm.

• Saturday 1 – 6:30 pm/Drop in pool in afternoon. Meat draws start at 4:30 pm - 10 draws, 4 free draws, drink tickets, gift card, 50/50. Everyone Welcome!

FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES #3395 EVERY THURSDAY: Ladies Auxiliary “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 5:30 pm, draws start at 6:00 pm – Meat Draw, 50/50, “Chase the Ace”

EVERY SUNDAY: Aerie “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 2:30 pm – Meat Draw, 50/50, Mystery Draw, “Chase the Ace” MONDAY THRU SATURDAY – DROP IN POOL – 1:00 pm to 1:30 start time. Singles and Doubles. Partners draw from those attending to play.

FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAY – Aerie meeting – 11:30 am

FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY – Ladies Auxiliary meeting - 7:00 pm

Western Development Museum; 50 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw. For more information, visit the museum’s website at WDM.ca/Moose-Jaw. Call 306-693-5989 or email ajones@wdm.ca

324 Main Street N. Moose Jaw, SK

Derek McRitchie REALTOR® (306) 631-1161

E.G. (Bub) Hill REALTOR® (306) 631-9966

Tanya Minchin REALTOR® (306) 630-6231

Cassie Nichol REALTOR® (306) 631-0691

Justin Hammer REALTOR® (306)684-4266

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

SNAPSHOT: Victory Church pastor Jesse Bourassa is pictured delivering a sermon inside the congregation’s new home, the former St. Andrew’s United Church building at 60 Athabasca Street East, as the church begins worshipping in the historic space after outgrowing its previous location nearby. While the setting marks a physical change, church leaders say the focus remains the same — creating a welcoming environment for families and individuals at all stages of faith, while continuing to honour the building’s long history as a place of worship within the community. “A new building, but the same heart for people and Jesus. So thankful to step into this new season together as a church family,” the church wrote. Photo by: Victory Church/Facebook

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