Moose Jaw Times-Herald: A rockin’ celebration hitting Moose Jaw

By Lisa Goudy


There’s going to be some rockin’ noise happening this weekend.

Council approved an exemption to the noise bylaw regarding the Temple Gardens Ballroom Rockin’ Celebration Inc. for an outdoor event with music.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Executive has a rooted discussion about trees

Dean Ubell talks to executive committee about trees
planted outside the fence at the Aug. 25, 2014 meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Trees were quite the topic of discussion on Monday.

Earl and Judy Leisle and Dean and Aaron Ubell appeared before executive committee to request that the 24 trees planted behind fences be allowed to remain. The properties in question were 30 and 34 Holly Crescent.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Helping find a cure

Moose Jaw native helps open doors of diabetes research center 

By Lisa Goudy


Moose Jaw resident Jean Kerr had 25 million reasons to smile after the weekend. 

After years of fundraising and hard work, Kerr helped spearhead the Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE)’s $25-million pledge to open the Diabetes Research Center (DRC) at the University of Iowa. On Saturday, it opened its doors for the first time.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Cost for water main breaks are adding up

Coun. Brian Swanson talks water main breaks
at the Aug. 25, 2014 council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Last year, the City of Moose Jaw spent $831,108 for 38 water main breaks.

From Jan. 1 to June 30 of this year, there have been 46 water main breaks at a cost of $1.08 million.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Season ends for Short Line 101

The scheduled run of the Short Line
101 on Aug. 24, 2014at the Western
 Development Museum was cancelled
because of the heavy rainfall.
 Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


More than 2,000 people took a ride on the Short Line 101 this summer.        

“It was a very good season,” said Jackie Hall, program education officer at the Western Development Museum.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Swinging golf clubs for children’s wishes

Shawn Humenick hits his golf ball at Southland Roofing
Inc.'s charity golf classic for the Children's Wish Foundation
on Aug. 23, 2014 at the Lynbrook Golf and Country Club.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Heather and Jeff Cushway’s oldest son, who will turn 10 in November, has had cancer twice.

Their youngest son has a heart condition. Both kids are recipients of the Children’s Wish Foundation. Their eldest wished for a tent trailer when he was three years old and their youngest made his wish in June for a trip to Orlando.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Larry Wilson Scholarship helps Hunter’s NYC dream

Courtney Lorn Hunter opens up her Larry Wilson
Scholarship at her home on Aug. 23, 2014. Hunter will be
attending the New York Film Academy in New York City.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Courtney Lorn Hunter, 18, has trouble expressing in words how it feels to be going to the New York Film Academy this fall.

“I’ve always wanted to act. I used to watch, when I was younger, Mary Kate and Ashley movies and I always wanted to be on TV. It seemed like just a dream when I was younger, growing up,” she said.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Scholarships help fund students in the arts

Debbie and John Burgher accept two
Larry Wilson Scholarships on behalf of their
daughter, Keyanna, in the Mosaic Gallery at the
Moose Jaw Cultural Centre on Aug. 23, 2014.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Keyanna Burgher has received a Larry Wilson Scholarship every year for the past four years.

It will have allowed her to go to the University of British Columbia and end her schooling with almost no debt.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Dressage a time-consuming sport

Colleen O'Hagan of Saskatoon rides
her horse, Milo, at the Saskatchewan
Provincial Dressage Championship on
Aug. 23, 2014 at the Golden Mile Arena
at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

The first time Colleen O’Hagan got on a horse, she fell off.

“I was four and I got on my cousin’s horse and it bucked me off,” she said.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Top 10 Strangest Fundraising Campaigns

By Lisa Goudy


The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is so big right now. While many people around the world are busy dumping ice buckets over their heads and donating to ALS, it isn’t the strangest fundraiser for charity that’s ever been done.

Here’s a look at the top 10 weirdest fundraisers from around the world:

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Cycle for suicide prevention on Sept. 10

On Sept. 10, individuals are encouraged to participate in
Cycle Around the Globe for World Suicide Prevention Day.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Every day is an important day for talking about suicide prevention.

There will be a global recognition of the issue on Sept. 10 and Moose Jaw is going to be a part of it.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: Setting a new definition for beauty

By Lisa Goudy


What we think of ourselves and how we look is still a problem.

It’s the way our society is built. We are blasted with images of how we should want to look, shown over and over again what it means to be beautiful and what products we should buy or use to make ourselves look that way.

This is wrong on so many levels.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Sweet dreams with Devra Straker as Patsy Cline

By Lisa Goudy


Growing up in Saltcoats, Sask., Devra Straker listened to Patsy Cline’s music. Now, for the past eight years, she has been playing the iconic singer.

“Staying motivated to do this show is easy because of the story and because of the music. I love all kinds of music, but I love singing her music in particular,” she said.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Harley ride to support breast cancer screening

By Lisa Goudy


In a few weeks it’s time to rev up those bike engines to support the Saskatchewan Breast Cancer Agency’s screening program.

On Sept. 7, the Regina Chapter of the Ladies of Harley will hold their 11th annual ride for the program. Partway through the day the ride will stop at the Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: From cats to dogs, from kittens to puppies

Moose Jaw Humane Society all about the animals

Three kittens play with a toy at the Moose
Jaw Humane Society on Aug. 20, 2014.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Tuesday night was a busy one at the Moose Jaw Humane Society as a lot of dogs are afraid of thunderstorms.

“There’s never a dull moment here,” said Stephenie Campbell, promotions and education co-ordinator with the shelter.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Local student takes part in trip to United Nations HQ

Jessy Lee Saas performs a poem at the 2014 Saskatchewan
Festival of Words poetry slam on July 18, 2014 at the
Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Jessy Lee Saas wrote an essay on genocide in Canada and it served as the springboard for a trip to the United Nations headquarters.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: No crisis for city’s pension plan

By Lisa Goudy


Moose Jaw city employees are under a defined contribution pension plan instead of a defined benefit plan.

That is why Moose Jaw is not in the same boat as Regina.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Spray pad vandalized at Elgin Park

"The truth is...I am Iron Man." Carter Jordan,
3, is the hero as he plays at the spray pad at
Elgin Park on the afternoon of Aug. 18, 2014.
 Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


As three-year-old Carter Jordan ran through the spray pad at Elgin Park, Kathy Brown shook her head when learning of the recent vandalism.

“That’s terrible. We always come here. This is a great park,” she said. “(Carter) can spend all day in the water.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Free fitness demos to get back into routine

By Lisa Goudy


People will have a chance to do a free trial run of fitness classes at YaraCentre.

“We have four new classes launching in the fall so we do want to give people a chance to try them,” said Kelly Millar, programmer at YaraCentre. 

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: New fossils, new stories

By Lisa Goudy

A lot of people love dinosaurs. Maybe it’s because we’re fascinated with times before people walked. Perhaps massive creatures that are no longer to be found today intrigue us. Or maybe we just love fossils and thinking about what was.

Whatever the reason, dinosaurs are an extremely interesting topic to think about.

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Singin’ in the Rain brings all-around fun

Geoffrey Tyler, who plays Don
Lockwood, sings a portion of the
title song during a media preview
of Singin' in the Rain at the
Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose
Jaw Cultural Centre on July 30.
The show runs until Aug. 17.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Director: Evie Koop Sawatzky

Musical director: Michael Barber

Choreographer: Jay T. Schramek

Remaining shows: Aug. 14-17, Mae Wilson Theatre, Moose Jaw Cultural Centre

After watching Singin’ in the Rain, it’s impossible to leave the theatre without a smile.

Put on by RuBarb Productions Inc. in the Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, the show is based off the classic film from 1952. With a mix of song, dance and video footage, there are more than enough laughs and enjoyment to go around. It’s just a big ball of fun that everyone is sure to fall in love with.

Singin’ in the Rain deals with the transition from silent movies to talkies in Hollywood. Silent film star Don Lockwood (Geoffrey Tyler) puts up with his leading lady, the shallow Lina Lamont (Aubree Erickson), who believes their on-screen romance is real off-screen.

Everything changes when the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer, is released and becomes a hit. The head of the studio insists on making the latest Lockwood and Lamont film, The Dueling Cavalier, a talkie. The biggest obstacle in the way is Lina, whose voice is best described as screechy and grating.

When a test screening of the film comes with disastrous results, Don’s best friend, Cosmo Brown (Jay T. Schramek) comes up with an idea to dub Lina’s voice using the voice of Kathy Selden (Jennifer Stewart) and turn the film into a musical called The Dancing Cavalier.

Meanwhile, Don falls in love with Kathy, who is an aspiring actress he’s been looking to find for weeks. But after Lina finds out about the plan to dub her voice, she is furious and determined to ruin Kathy’s career and save herself.

All of the cast members did a fabulous job. Tyler captures the essence of Don Lockwood brilliantly. With top-notch singing and dancing, he portrays the dignified, public side of the character just as well as the entertaining and intimate moments in the character’s private side.

Of particular mention is the title song, Singin’ in the Rain, in which he tap dances and sings on stage during a rainstorm. The effects, in addition to his performance, were fantastic.

Stewart did a great job of combining the sweetness to be loved about Kathy Selden and has a voice to match that. Her talent is showcased particularly in the songs, You Are My Lucky Star, Would You and her duet with Tyler, You Were Meant For Me. She too shows off her dancing skills.

The actor who brings the most comedy to the show, timed to perfection, is Jay T. Schramek, who also choreographed the show. Cosmo Brown is a fun, loveable, laughable character who tap dances with ease.

Geoffrey Tyler as Don Lockwood (left), Jennifer
Stewart as Kathy Selden and Jay T. Schramek as
Cosmo sing a portion of the song Good Morning
during a media preview of Singin' in the Rain at
the Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose Jaw Cultural
Centre on July 30. The show runs until Aug. 17.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

Schramek gives a superb incarnation of the character. From his superior tap dancing skills and other dance moves, Schramek’s facial expressions go along with his singing and witty moments perfectly.

This is particularly showcased in Moses Supposes, a duet with Tyler, and especially in his solo performance of Make ‘Em Laugh. The version in the movie is known for displaying great physical comedy and Schramek does this to perfection. His performance incites laughter and smiles from everyone in the crowd.

Erickson nailed the role of Lina, brining a special kind of hilarity to the character. This is shown at its greatest moment during her song What’s Wrong With Me. Erickson sings perfectly off-key, which is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult feat to pull off.

On the technical side, the effects were outstanding. There are also several sequences where old movies are portrayed on a screen in black and white that transports anyone back into the era where the play is set.

Complete with a live orchestra in the pit, Singin’ in the Rain brings a fun-filled cast to make for a most enjoyable evening. Even after exiting the theatre, those famous tunes bounce around in the mind. After all, it is a glorious feeling to be happy again.

*** This review appeared in the Aug. 13, 2014 edition of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald weekly publication, FYi.

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Blizzard sales help sick kids on Miracle Treat Day

(From left): James Leaman, 2, Kinley Bender, 3,
Riley Bender, 6, and Brody Hutchinson, 5, enjoy
some Blizzards on Miracle Treat Day on Aug.
 14, 2014 at Dairy Queen on Main Street.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


As he devoured his Blizzard, five-year-old Brody Hutchinson’s only words were, “It’s definitely good.”

“We just thought it’d be fun for the kids,” said Chantal Leaman as four kids ate their ice cream.  “They enjoy it.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Road repairs 30 per cent done in second quarter

By Lisa Goudy


The engineering department completed 116 of 152 backlogged locations for asphalt repairs from April 1 to June 30.

The repairs were done via the 2014-paving contract with Cypress Paving.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Bevin Leipert: A community man at heart

By Lisa Goudy


Bevin Leipert was more than a beloved husband, father and friend.

He was all about giving back to the community.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Noise bylaw to be reviewed by council

Councillors listen as Katelyn Soltys, Moose
Jaw's assistant city solicitor, talks about the
proposed changes to the noise bylaw at the
 Aug. 11, 2014 executive committee meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Some changes might be on the way to the noise bylaw.

At Monday’s executive committee meeting, executive voted in favour of having the city clerk/solicitor bring forward the proposed noise bylaw, Bylaw No. 5488, as outlined in the report discussed at the meeting.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: City marks 2013 surplus in audited financial statements

By Lisa Goudy


The only Saskatchewan city with a higher net financial asset position than Moose Jaw is Regina.

“Moose Jaw compares quite favourably to the majority of other cities,” said Brian Acker, director of financial services.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: City employees, councillors and mayor salaries revealed

City council and city administration are seen
during the Aug. 11, 2014 council meeting at city
hall. Councillors received the 2013 municipal
public accounts document at the meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Former city manager Garry McKay earned the highest city hall employee remuneration for 2013.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Talking about the outdoor pool

Three residents show support for outdoor pool at council

The Phyllis Dewar Outdoor Pool was a busy
place in the afternoon of Aug. 11, 2014.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Margot Keeler came back early from her yearlong European travels primarily because of the outdoor pool. However, now that she’s back, she isn’t pleased.

“I’m appalled that there’s any consideration that we should let such a unique and absolutely beautiful, valuable, incredible, superior facility (close),” she said.

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