Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Flying through life

Local resident Alfred Seward has flown through war and water bombing

Al Seward reads an edition of the Moose Jaw
Times-Herald at Providence Place.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Al Seward held an old, thick book tight against his chest.

The title, Pilot’s Flying Log Book, was written in capital gold lettering.

“It’s a very special book. I really value it,” said Seward, who lives at Providence Place. “When I die, this will be the record of my flying career. It’s got everything in it.”

 His first flight recorded in his logbook was on Oct. 3, 1941 at age 18 for air experience.  That first flight was in a Tiger Moth bi-plane.

His last flight written in the book was on Sept. 2, 1988 in Lisbin, Portugal. He was 65 years old at the time.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Engaging in Nat and downtown dialogue

By Lisa Goudy

A Natatorium study and the downtown local area plan caused some discussion at council this week.

The conversation began when Ira Dales, chair of the heritage advisory committee, made a few remarks regarding discussion that took place at the Feb. 11 committee meeting about the Natatorium study that council approved at a cost of $150,000 and the downtown local area plan that council approved at a cost of $95,000. There were no items in the minutes requiring council approval.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Council to be updated on new hospital servicing requirements

Moose Jaw's new regional hospital
is seen on Feb. 27, 2015.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Councillors are going to receive a report on servicing requirements for the new hospital.

“We don’t want to be the ones that are delaying the new hospital,” said Coun. Brian Swanson, who moved the motion at council Monday night. “We did sign a contract outlining what we would do and I think it’s good that we get up to speed with where we stand on that.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Youth want more activities: survey

A portion of the 2015 youth needs
assessment survey is pictured.
Submitted graphic

By Lisa Goudy

Youth would like to see more concerts, movie nights and sports tournaments in addition to seasonal and weekly events in the community.

These results, among others, were revealed in a youth needs assessment survey of 464 students included in the minutes of the youth advisory committee meeting minutes.

“It was promoted through their schools to ensure that they had as many students as possible give a response,” said Mayor Deb Higgins.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: Questions arise with potential Mars mission

By Lisa Goudy

Personally, I would never want to live on Mars.

While it wouldn’t be my preference to relocate to Mars, there were several people who would. The Dutch non-profit organization Mars One, founded in 2011, has a goal to colonize Mars. The first Mars One mission is planned for 2024. It would be a one-way trip.

The organization did a worldwide appeal and received 202,586 applicants. According to a Mars One news release on their website, there are now 100 finalists, selected from 660 semi-finalists after personal online interviews to “show their understanding of the risks involved, team spirit and their motivation to be part of this life changing expedition.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Adding to the Trans-Canada Trail system

By Lisa Goudy

Some trails in the community are going to be part of the National Trans Canada Trail (TCT) system.

“Basically the Trans-Canada trail system veers off. It’s run through and across Saskatchewan down to include Moose Jaw,” said Jody Hauta, director of parks and recreation.

“The intent of this motion is that – opposed to the Trans-Canada trail system coming in on the east side of Moose Jaw and stopping on the west side and then you turn your bike or yourself around and run back out – it would like to make it a loop in Moose Jaw that allows you to basically go back, loop around through Moose Jaw and then go back to the trail and head up towards Craik and Tugaske and all those other places.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Discussion on water line replacement work

Coun. Brian Swanson speaks at the
Feb. 23, 2015 council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Coun. Brian Swanson wanted to see a presentation on the actual work required for water line replacement.

Having first suggested it at a planning session six months ago, he said the idea was to gain some “common understandings” between everyone.

“This is the largest project in the City of Moose Jaw’s history,” said Swanson. “I still think there are questions out there about what’s done. You hear different things that we’re including sewer lines, we’re not including sewer lines (and) what work is required on individual properties.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: The facets of snow removal

By Lisa Goudy

There is more than one component when it comes to dealing with a snow event.

“We will never have enough employees and enough equipment to attack it all at one time and especially as long as there’s still wind and snow. It’s a process that every community struggles with,” said city manager Matt Noble.

“We are reviewing it. I think we are getting better and they are loading and hauling snow away … and hopefully people still see that the ruts aren’t what they were last year, for example.”

The discussion arose at council on Monday when Coun. Patrick Boyle asked about the parking ban error that took place recently after Mark Sture, transit manager, presented the engineering department’s quarterly report.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Another closure coming to Main Street South

Leaks cause more delays in East Water Feeder Line project

The intersection of Main Street South and
Highway 2 is seen on Feb. 24, 2015.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Next week, there will be another intersection closure on Main Street South and Manitoba Street.

“They did come back in January and they did a connection at Manitoba Street,” said Mark Sture, transit manager. “Right now they’re back because they did find a couple of leaks at connection points, which they are in the process of repairing. They have one more to do on Manitoba Street.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: A fun online language tool

Moose Jaw Public Library offering Mango Languages online

Anyone with a Moose Jaw Public Library
card can access the Mango Languages online
language-learning system at moosejawlibrary.ca.
Screen shot photo

By Lisa Goudy

It only took two minutes for Gwen Fisher to learn to say ‘hello’ in Japanese using Mango Languages online.

“I was impressed,” said Fisher, assistant head librarian at the Moose Jaw Public Library. “They’ve thought of a lot of things in this platform to make it easier and interactive for you to learn.”

While the library staff were looking at what other libraries offered for language learning and debating whether to have more CD-ROM language learning, once members played with Mango, they decided to go with it.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Curbside recycling coming to Moose Jaw

Council ratifies executive committee’s decision for a mandatory program

Council votes in favour of implementing a mandatory
 citywide curbside recycling program operated by Loraas
at the Feb. 23, 2015 council meeting at city hall.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

All residents will be part of a curbside recycling program.

The issue of curbside recycling has been prominent for the past few years. On Monday night, after more than an hour of debate, councillors passed a motion to accept Loraas’ proposal for a citywide curbside recycling program for a three-year term. This will be a mandatory service and will likely begin this fall.

“I really feel it’s time that as a city we take the step and move towards curbside recycling,” said Mayor Deb Higgins. “I firmly believe that in the long-run, this is the best move for the City of Moose Jaw.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Giving back at the Scotties

Lonestar gives 30 Scotties tickets to low-income seniors 

By Lisa Goudy

Steve Karmarznuk of Lonestar wanted to do something for the community during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

So the company bought about 30 tickets to the Scotties, some worth $50 and some worth $160, and gave them all away to low-income seniors who couldn’t otherwise afford to attend the event.

“That’s what we do,” said Karmarznuk.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: Standing together to save lives

By Lisa Goudy

There are no positives from the house fire that killed two toddlers this week.

Firefighters didn’t head to the fire on a northern Saskatchewan reserve – Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation – because of a contract dispute over fire services. Despite receiving a 911 call at 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 17, volunteer fire chief Larry Heon, who is also the town mayor, said firefighters were not called to the scene because the contract with the village was cancelled.

By the time RCMP showed up alone to the scene, a father came out of the house carrying the bodies of his two toddles – an 18-month-old girl and a two-year-old boy, both were immediately pronounced dead.

I am not a parent and so I can’t truly imagine what that must be like, but I imagine it’s nothing short of tragic in all senses of the word. While it’s unknown in this case if a firefighter response would’ve saved those toddlers’ lives, we shouldn’t even have to wonder if it would’ve made a difference.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Into the Arctic air

Cold weather expected for the weekend

Several people exit Mosaic Place on Feb. 19, 2015
during the 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


The 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts began with a snowstorm and meteorologist John Paul Cragg expects the weekend to end in a deep freeze. 

“The weekend's going to be really cold,” said Cragg, warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada.
“We're back into that Arctic air and those Arctic temperatures as a result ... You'll have to dress warm for this weekend for sure.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Talking cast iron with residents

A close-up portion of a cast iron water
main in the City of Moose Jaw is pictured
on Jan. 10, 2015 in city hall following a
water main break by Casino Moose Jaw.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Residents will have a chance to share their thoughts about the cast iron water main replacement program.

On March 10, 11 and 12, there will be public consultation sessions at different locations regarding cast iron water main replacement. Those locations are still to-be-announced.

“What we want to do is consult with the community to see what their view is how the rest should be paid for,” said Mayor Deb Higgins.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: A near-death experience out of nowhere

Susan Burns experienced cardiac arrest with no warning

A timeline of the progression of research is
shown, as provided by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Submitted graphic

By Lisa Goudy

Susan Burns doesn’t know most of the people who helped her survive.

It happened on Dec. 20, 2013. She was 44 years old and in the best shape possible. She ate healthy foods, exercised regularly and has never smoked. She knew her family had a history of heart troubles – her grandfather died of a heart attack at age 47 and her mother had her first heart attack at age 30 – and she had high cholesterol, but she felt fine.

In fact, she was better than fine. Living in Regina, she went to her regular gym on her day off, a day she described as “normal” for her. She ran on the treadmill for a workout session. She had no warning for what happened several minutes into the run.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Executive committee says yes to curbside recycling

Loraas RFP, High Street bulk recycling location pending final council approval

The bulk bin recycling depot at Pla-Mor Palace
on South Hill is pictured on Jan. 27, 2015.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

If council gives the green light on Monday, the city will soon have a curbside recycling program.

At Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, the committee passed two motions after coming out-of-camera, both of which were regarding recycling.

One motion was to accept the proposal from Loraas to do a citywide curbside recycling program after council authorized the city to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a full-scale single stream citywide curbside recycling program on Oct. 14.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: 50 Shades of Problems

By Lisa Goudy

There are probably a lot of people who will flock to see Christian Grey this weekend.

I will not be one of them.

The film 50 Shades of Grey, based on the book of the same name by E.L. James, is released in theatres today. I have never read the popular trilogy of books and I have no intention of ever doing so, just as I have no intention of ever going to see the movie. I find the series repulsive and offensive. (For the record, I completed as much research as possible to write an informed piece).

My reasons for this extend far beyond personal disinterest. I do not enjoy reading sexually explicit novels or watching those types of movies or television shows.

The story is about Anastasia Steele (played by Dakota Johnson in the movie), a 21-year-old virgin and soon-to-be-college graduate, who goes to interview 27-year-old billionaire benefactor Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) in place of her sick roommate.

After meeting her once, Christian starts to pursue her

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Dealing with disrespect and verbal abuse

Mayor Deb Higgins and Coun. Candis Kirkpatrick listen
as Coun. Don Mitchell talks about the item in the
cultural diversity advisory committee's minutes
regarding disrespect and verbal abuse in the
workplace at Monday's council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

The cultural diversity advisory committee is trying to tackle disrespect and verbal abuse in the workplace.

“People reported observations and some of these were related to the food service sector with a large number of cultural minorities employed, many of them recent to the country,” said Coun. Don Mitchell.

“They have experienced reactions and verbal abuse in their work situations. So in the sharing of discussion this is recognized as a workplace issue that we need to try and monitor and respond to.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Talking numbers with fire and police

Fire Chief Rod Montgomery is seen by a fire
truck at the Moose Jaw Fire Department's
North Hill fire hall on Jan. 21, 2015.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Last year, firefighters dealt with 77 fire incidents in the city.

Of those, 11 occurred in the first quarter, 22 in the second, 23 in the third and 21 in the fourth. There were also 57 country runs.

The overall number of fire incidents was down by 12 per cent from 2013 and a 28 per cent decrease from 2012.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Just keep swimming

Numbers are up for pool users in fall 2014

Jody Hauta, director of parks and recreation,
is seen at the Feb. 9, 2015 council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

More people swam at the Kinsmen Sportsplex from October to December 2014 than they did in that period in 2013.

The parks and recreation department's fourth quarter report, presented to council at Monday’s meeting, stated there were 28,273 people who used the pool from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 compared to 26,365 users in the same period in 2013. In 2012, a total of 28,131 people used the facility in that quarter.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: A blooming community

Moose Jaw Communities in Bloom 2014 evaluation results are in

Flowers in Crescent Park are seen
in September 2014 in Moose Jaw.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Moose Jaw Communities in Bloom committee members were pleased to report the city received four blooms out of five.

“Overall, we did quite well. There hasn’t been a Communities in Bloom committee since 2002,” said Daily Lennox, parks gardener with the City of Moose Jaw and a member of the committee. “What we did this year is we registered the City of Moose Jaw to be evaluated as an evaluated friend.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Council approves 5.13 per cent tax hike

Council discusses budget items at the Feb.
9, 2015 council meeting at city hall.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Residents will have to pay 5.13 per cent more on their taxes.

At Monday’s council meeting, after nearly three hours of debate on the budgets, councillors gave final approval to the 2015 operating budget and the 2015-2019 capital budget.

This decision results in a tax increase of 5.13 per cent – or an extra $58 per year for a home assessed at $200,000 – with 2.25 per cent going toward the cast iron water main replacement program in 2015. This includes approving the rate of having $5.85 million for cast iron water main replacement in 2015.

While council voted again on many of the budget items, there were only two motions with a different outcome at council than at budget committee.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Getting into the U of R on the spot

Skye Mercier, a Grade 12 Vanier Collegiate student,
fills out an application form for the University of
Regina at the U of R's on-the-spot admission
workshop on Feb. 9, 2015 in the library at Vanier
Collegiate, as her father, Justin, looks on.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Skye Mercier found it “very useful” to apply on the spot to the University of Regina (U of R).

“I’m applying for a Bachelor of Visual Arts,” said the Vanier Collegiate student on Monday afternoon. “I’m kind of going just to explore everything and see what else I can learn in that field.”

“She has an artistic background. She’s heavy into all things art – painting, drawing,” added her father, Justin. “It sure beats driving to Regina. It’s pretty convenient, I think, just to come to school and do it.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Horsing around at Groundhog Special

Jackie Johnson stands with her her five-year-old Gypsy
 Vanner of North Fork Gypsy Cobs horse, North Fork Orion,
 and his brother, six-year-old stallion North Fork Cash,
in the barn on Feb. 7, 2015 at the Groundhog Special
English and Western Schooling Horse Show at the Golden
 Mile Arena at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Six years ago, Jackie Johnson had a rare horse breeding opportunity.

While at Agribition in Regina, where Johnson is from, a breeder approached her to see if she wanted to help them breed. She agreed.

This past weekend, she brought her five-year-old Gypsy Vanner of North Fork Gypsy Cobs horse, North Fork Orion, and his brother, six-year-old stallion North Fork Cash, at the Groundhog Special English and Western Schooling Horse Show at the Golden Mile Arena at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: A celebration of life

Moose Jaw makes history as it holds its first round dance

Individuals join hands and start dancing the first round
dance at Saskatchewan Polytechnic on Feb. 7, 2015.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Moose Jaw’s first round dance held special meaning for Isabelle Hanson Kenowekesequape.

“It’s really spiritual for me and I’m really happy that Moose Jaw’s having this because I have relatives - my husband, my daughter, they’ve gone on to the spirit world,” she said. “That’s really close for me and I know that they’ll be here with us as well.”

History was made as Moose Jaw’s first annual round dance at Saskatchewan Polytechnic was held on Saturday night.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Taking care of each other with Fred Penner

Fred Penner performs at the Mae Wilson Theatre at
the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre on Feb. 7, 2015.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Audience participation is something Fred Penner values above all in any performance.

That included at his concert on Saturday night at the Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, where he performed a wonderful and entertaining show to a full house of children, adults and grandparents.

“Being able to communicate with an audience on that level is really critical to me because then it becomes an experience. It’s not just a musical concert where you hear somebody play for a bit and you enjoy the music and you are there and then it’s over,” said Penner, a Canadian family entertainer.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Putting pen to paper on the prairies

(From left): Derek Dallaway, Carol Ferguson, Pam Vossler,
Melanie McFarlane, Jeanette Dow and Christina Ritchie
gather together at the Prairie Pens writing group meeting
on Feb. 7, 2015 at the Moose Jaw Public Library.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Six individuals sat facing each other in the South Meeting Room.

“Welcome everyone,” said Christina Ritchie, president of the Prairie Pens writing group. “Now we always do what we love doing – our seven-minute free write where everybody just writes something on the lovely word of snow: a poem, short story, whatever you want.”

This was the opening few minutes of the February meeting of the Prairie Pens writing group at the Moose Jaw Public Library on Saturday.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Liberals aiming to make a comeback

Federal, provincial elections topics of discussion at Liberal breakfast

Perry Juttla, federal Liberal candidate for
Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan, talks at a
Liberal breakfast that took place at Jame's
 Chinese Restaurant on Feb. 7, 2015.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Perry Juttla has been involved in politics ever since he was 14.

Now 32, he will be running as the federal Liberal candidate for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan in the upcoming federal election currently scheduled to take place on Oct. 19.

“Justin Trudeau, I feel, represents positive change and I feel like he’s someone that most people can really believe in. I think he’s a man of integrity,” said Juttla. 

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: It's a magical place

By Lisa Goudy

"Are you watching closely?"

Magic is something most people find intriguing. Whether to you intriguing means becoming a magician or skilled illusionist or intriguing as in fascination in watching the magic tricks, magic has a way of getting to us in a fun way.

This past Wednesday, for instance, I was at the Moose Jaw Firefighters Charity Fund annual Magic Variety Show at the Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre. 

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Being Liberal at upcoming breakfast

By Lisa Goudy

On Saturday, Moose Javians will have a chance to talk liberally with two Liberals and there will be a free breakfast to boot.

“The big topic is going to be election preparedness,” said Gerry Hiebert with the Moose Jaw Liberal Association and the past president of the Palliser federal riding that is transitioning into the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding because of new ridings.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: An international awareness

Poverty Costs Challenge receives Global Citizen Award

By Lisa Goudy

It’s the little things and big things that count.

That’s one of the primary messages the Saskatchewan Council for International Co-Operation (SCIC) would like to get out there.

“What we’re really trying to promote, especially through the Global Citizen Awards that we do, is this idea that we’re all connected and that we all have a responsibility to contribute to positive global systems. So everything that we do actually does have a global impact,” said Robbie Humble, communications officer with the SCIC.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Abracadabra!

Moose Jaw Firefighters Charity Fund hold annual magic show

Trevor and Lorena Watters perform some magic for the
crowd during the Moose Jaw Firefighters Charity Fund annual
showcase Magic Variety Show on Feb. 4, 2015 at the Mae
 Wilson Theatre at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Giant dice sat on either end of the stage. The buzz of excitement echoed on everyone’s lips and faces in the Mae Wilson Theatre

Wednesday night was the Moose Jaw Firefighters Charity Fund annual showcase Magic Variety Show at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre featuring Trevor and Lorena Watters and guest Roberto the Magnificent.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: No definite answers from province at SUMA

By Lisa Goudy

Mayor Deb Higgins described provincial government ministers as "pretty non-committal" during the last day of the SUMA Convention on Wednesday.

“They’re kind of holding tight until budget is released,” she said. “All in all it was a good convention though.”

She sat in on a dialogue room on health and on highways before heading to the bear pit session where delegates could ask provincial representatives questions.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: January building permits down in value

By Lisa Goudy

The value of permits the city issued last month was $2.52 million less than in January 2014.

The city issued a total of 11 permits in January 2015 with a value of $414,303. In January 2014, there were 11 total permits issued worth $2.93 million and one demolition.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: New look, new feel

City of Moose Jaw to launch new website Monday

By Lisa Goudy

On Monday, people will find noticeable changes to the city's website.

"There'll be no mistaking that it's different. It's different colours,” said Wade McKay, manager of information technology (IT) with the City of Moose Jaw.

“It's going to be more the traditional red and white Moose Jaw colours. The current ones are kind of a pastel look. So it's crisper, nicer.”

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Awards and resolutions at SUMA

Mayor Deb Higgins stands outside
city hall in January 2015.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

The Moose Jaw and Regina Industrial Corridor received special recognition at the 2015 SUMA Convention.

The corridor received a Saskatchewan Municipal Award for regional development and co-operation on Tuesday, which was the third day of the four-day Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention in Saskatoon.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Magic for charity

By Lisa Goudy

On Wednesday night anyone can witness magic, comedy, illusion and antics and support charity at the same time.

“It obviously goes to a great cause. Most of the money stays in the city as well as it’ll be a great night out with great magic. I’m sure the whole family will enjoy it,” said Ryan Hopkinson, chair of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Charity Fund and organizer of the event.

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Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Talking economics at SUMA

Mayor Deb Higgins speaks at a
recent council meeting at city hall.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Mayor Deb Higgins said revenue sharing and infrastructure are two big topics at the 2015 SUMA Convention.

“Those two issue are, I think, are front and centre for everyone and we’ll continue to press our case, which we think is a very good one,” she said.

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention, held in Saskatoon at TCU Place, kicked off on Sunday and will run until Wednesday.

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