Chronological Index of Ensign Articles for
April of 2004

Tisdale one of Saskatchewan's nine Regional Agriculture Service Centres
Thursday
April 1, 2004
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Saskatchewan's thirty-one Rural Service Centres are scheduled to close at the end of the month. Tisdale will become one of the new Regional Centres but at least two of the Tisdale Rural Service Centre people will be out of work.

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Tisdale Ramblers Rodeo and Trade Show
Thursday
April 1, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : This is the weekend for the big annual event that will see visiters from all over the province come to be a part of the rodeo and visit the huge trade show on Friday and Saturday.
Tisdale Rodeo and Trade Show ready
Friday
April 2, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Frantic preparation in the trade show area today at mid day as the cowboys toss ropes and everyone is ready for show time.
The search for the truth surrounding 9-11 continues
Friday
April 2, 2004
by : Mario deSantis
Nipawin : This web site has expressed extreme concern over the Government of the United States and its behaviour leading up to and after the attack on September 11, 2001. Most of the truth is buried in attempts to blind the voters of that country from what happened and it has taken a long time for a commission to be established to even look into the problem. This story and its extensive references gives you a chance to sort some of these issues out for yourself.
A New Garbage Truck in Tisdale
Friday
April 2, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Hardly a front page story but important all the same. For several centuries it seems the same old and pretty battered truck has made the rounds collecting domestic garbage in Tisdale and today it has been replaced.
Spring run-off
Tuesday
April 6, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Weekes & Tisdale : After several years of not enough snow or moisture of any kind we have a real run off this year and here are some pictures of the way things are going out in the Weekes area on Saturday and today in Tisdale.
The Mighty Wascana
Tuesday
April 6, 2004
by : R. W. Shire
Regina : The excavation that worked around the clock all winter has concluded as contractors now put on the finishing touches around the forming lake. One of these additions will be a cycle trail that will let you ride almost the width of the city along the lake. Rere are twenty pictures that tell the story of the way it has shaped up.
The Greenwater Report
Tuesday
April 6, 2004
by : Gerald Crawford
Greenwater Provincial Park : So they have spring at the park and its time for a few special fishing stories. Gerald spotted a lynx and a few announcements to keep us all informed.
Tanks for the memories
Tuesday
April 6, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : If you have been wondering what is happening to fuel prices here are some thoughts on the subject.
World Health Day: Road Safety is no accident
Wednesday
April 7, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Safety check at the Tisdale Mall, radar trap at the north end of town and wall to wall police with over twenty uniforms and mustaches in Tisdale.
Will Conservatives Listen This Time, Or Repeat Past Mistakes?
Wednesday
April 7, 2004
by : Ron Thornton
Edmonton : One of the major critisisms of the former Canadian Alliance Party was that it failed to pay attention to what the major of Canadians were saying about government policy. Now the newly reorganised party, the Conservative Party must look at what it did in the past and discover why most voters east of Winnipeg simply did not agree with party platform.
"for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son . . "
Friday
April 9, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire and illustrated by Dawn LaRochelle
Tisdale : On Good Friday we restate the need to recall what the day is set aside for and what this one man's life did to affect so much change in the world since his death.
Wet Winnipeg
Friday
April 9, 2004
by : Timothy and Cassandra Shire
Winnipeg : Though the Red River is at the top of its banks, for the most part it is staying were it belongs. This story includes a QuickTime VR (1.5MB).
Disagree with Police article
Friday
April 9, 2004
by : Tina LaCroix
The accusations made in the April 7, 2004 World Health Day: Road Safety is no accident story are unfair and wrongly accuse the police of their use of lethal weapons.
The values brought to you by privatisation: Corrupt health care in Saskatoon and corrupt Canadian politicians
Friday
April 9, 2004
by : Mario deSantis
Nipawin : The real conflict of our age is an ancient one as the struggle continues between selfishness and selflessness. The Saskatoon Emergency room doctor who warns of the dangers in his ER get fired and politics continues to be about power and not about the well being of people.
Taking a chance
Friday
April 9, 2004
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Its hard to be a criminal any more as government has taken over the business and just just can't get respect.
The Greenwater Report
Monday
April 12, 2004
by : Gerald Crawford
Greenwater Provincial Park : There is spring in the air as this week's report gives us a set of great pictures of cats and this pussy willow. A few lamentations and some Park businesses for sale.
RBC insurance is no insurance at all
Monday
April 12, 2004
Contributor's name withheld
On February 29, 2004 we posted a story about a college student being caught by RBC's hard sell disability insurance programme where he paid for coverage he did not want and could not collect on. This story tells of a person who took the insurance and his wife was diagnosed with cancer and the company said that it was a pre-existing condition and refuses to consider claims.
April snow showers
Monday
April 12, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : some pictures from Friday of tower cumulus and a tiny bit of snow that was left behind.
Thousands at Spring Auction sale
Tuesday
April 13, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : This is a big one as traffic was lined up on the highway as early as 8:00 this morning to fill up the vast parking lot, with wall to wall pick ups and bargain hunters from all over the province on hand.
Gentle as a lamb
Wednesday
April 14, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Of all domestic animals, sheep have been of constant service to humans for ages and it would be wise of us to think about their continuing contribution.
Spring Break
Thursday
April 15, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : The skies may be clouded over, the temperature hoovering around freezing and the threat of snow is not dampening Tisdale youngsters form enjoying their enjoyment of a spring recess from school. Put the video games away, its street hockey time.
Four cheers to PC Phoenix project!
Thursday
April 15, 2004
by : Bob Shanahan
Hamilton, Ontario : Rising from the ashes of the attempt by the Reform/Alliance bunch to shake itself off once more is the born-again PC party.
The Iraq war is not right, people die in vain, and Bush is the real evil
Thursday
April 15, 2004
by : Mario deSantis
Nipawin : The recent Bush press conference was intended to put the president in the active leadership role as the commission investigating 9/11 hearing grip the news. What the conference did was reveal the fuzzy and perhaps quite lost thinking of the American president while the latest offensive by Iraqi resistence has moved to a new phase by holding cities but also taking mercenaries as hostages.
Sixty-six houses and lots on the Tisdale Market this spring
Tuesday
April 20, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Here is a catalogue of the houses and lots on the market in Tisdale today. Only one new house and many older small homes, but there is something for everyone in this market place.
Better April 16 than June 6th
Tuesday
April 20, 2004
by : Joe Hueglin
Niagara Falls : The Prime Minister visited Camp Gagetown in New Brunswick, the first prime minister ever to visit this army base and in his speech last Wednesday he made a mistake, his printed speech had the word Normandy in it twice but twice he said Norway. We are used to the American leader making gaffs like this but in Canada we expect more of our leaders especially a man in his sixties seeking election this year.
The Greenwater Report
Tuesday
April 20, 2004
by : Gerald Crawford
Greenwater Provincial Park : Spring has been taking its time but things have been busy with auction sales, a 15th anniversary of a business and a new grand opening in Naicam. Meanwhile the birds are still around the feeder and the sandhill cranes have taken over the countryside.
Tisdale Young Eagles take to the sky
Wednesday
April 21, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Saturday was a gloomy overcast day but the spirits were sky high at Tisdale airport as thirty-five young people signed up for their ride in an aircraft with flying club pilots and fuel supplied by sponsors of the event.
Electoral Reform Proposals
Wednesday
April 21, 2004
by : Brian Marlatt
White Rock B. C. : Democracy is not nearly as robust a concept as one might think and in this story we are warned of the dangers of turning over the selection of representatives to political parties. Though aiming at fairness narrowly focused interest groups or even regional interest groups could serious upset the political system and produce even greater unfairness.
We must do lunch more often
Wednesday
April 21, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : A few mintues before twelve I was at the Golden Age Centre to enjoy an absolutely wonderful quiche lunch.
Paul Martin and his 'new' plan for Healthcare
Wednesday
April 21, 2004
by : Rebecca Gingrich
Princeton, Ontario : Though the Prime Minister and Minister of Health talk like they have good things going for Canada's health care system the Prime Minister is just a wee bit short on credibility.
Bush, the Armageddon fundamentalist, says:"I haven't suffered doubt. History, we won't know. We'll all be dead."
Wednesday
April 21, 2004
by : Mario deSantis
Nipawin : One of America's most respected journalists has said in his book what Mario deSantis has been saying in this web site since 9-11 and now the added feature of the Saudi's manipulating fuel prices. I guess that's what friends are for.
Sometimes the wind blows
Monday
April 26, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Regina : For several days Saskatchewan was at the mercy of a formidable and unrelenting wind which seemed to peek Saturday afternoon with more than 45 knots from about 030º. This scene shows the Qu'Appelle Valley south of Southey.
The Greenwater Report
Monday
April 26, 2004
by : Gerald Crawford
Airdrie Alberta : Gerald and Doreen are on the road visiting in Alberta and sharing their trip with us.
Electoral Reform Proposal Misconceptions
Monday
April 26, 2004
by : Wayne Smith
Toronto : Mr. Smith is responding to the Electoral Reform story by Brian Marlatt of last Wednesday as he points out that many common misconceptions about the idea of proportional representation are not a threat.
War in Iraq: Using statistics to misinform and prove Bush’s divine guidance
Monday
April 26, 2004
by : Mario deSantis
Nipawin : The built in features of the Free Market: corruption in politics and business, corruption in research for the purpose to maintain the status quo. Rather than an ever ending war against terrorism we need a never ending war against poverty, hunger, injustice.
For security reasons the wolf is in charge of the hen house
Tuesday
April 27, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Regina : This year's Saskatchewan School Librarian's conference was held in Regina. Regina one of the only places in the country that is actively involved in closing public libraries and an art gallery.
The Race Card Played On American Idol?
Tuesday
April 27, 2004
by : Ron Thornton
Edmonton : Many fans have been glued to their televisions with what is essentially a very high class talent show, American Idol. The most recent person to be dropped from the finalists was a controversial but powerful singer, Jennifer Hudson.
Hyperbole and argumentum ad hominem
Tuesday
April 27, 2004
by : Joe Hueglin
Niagara Falls Ontario : Joe Clark has pointed out what most people realise and that is that what is called the Conservative Party is really lead by an Alberta separatist who holds views that are not shared by most Canadians. Another former prime minister, Brian Mulroney who when he left office under a very nasty cloud is loudly proclaiming the merits of Stephen Harper. Who would you believe, Lyin' Brian or Good Ole' Joe.
Paul Martin And Joe Clark, Canadian Heroes
Tuesday
April 27, 2004
by : Ron Thornton
Edmonton : Joe Clark's lack of enthusiasm for Stephen Harper is not appreciated by Alliance/Tory followers and Ron takes the issue to yet another level.
April Shower, snow
Wednesday
April 28, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Thanks we needed that, last night we had a gentile shower (rain shower) that dribbled water on the town and fields around us but during the night it turned to snow so that this morning we all awoke to a white world once more.
Boreal Owl
Wednesday
April 28, 2004
by : Lorna McEwan
Tisdale : Though they may be around we rarely get a peek at the small owls. This species is actually smaller than the little burrowing owl of the plains but can range all across western Canada along the tree line and into the Yukon.
Quennell’s Saskatchewan Justice: a system stuck in the seventies
Wednesday
April 28, 2004
by : Mario deSantis
Nipawin : The Saskatchewan Justice minister and the minister in charge of social services decided to send a letter from the both of them to the Saskatoon Star Phoenix in an effort to correct what they felt were inaccuracies in a story. Many wonder if their published opinions may have influenced the outcome of an ongoing court procedure.
Its Sale Time
Thursday
April 29, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Today began the spring rummage sale at St. Matthew's Anglican Church as it begins the weekend of garage and rummage sales. There are several sales planned for this weekend so make sure you drop by the best one of the year at St. Matthew's that continues all of today, tomorrow and wraps up Saturday morning.
Count Me Out! Boycott the Canadian Census Test!
Thursday
April 29, 2004
by : Mel Hurtig
Edmonton : As if having Disney own the rights to the RCMP wasn't enough Ottawa has farmed out the 2006 Census to Lockheed Martin. don't you think you should be concerned about this? Lockheed Martin's motto is "We never forget who we're working for"
Cold and sunny afternoon
Thursday
April 29, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Capturing the sky this afternoon with tower cumulus in the area and an ice cold wind with a QuickTime VR. This page includes a 2.6MB image that would take some time to download on a dial up connection.
House Number one
Friday
.April 30, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Yesterday the service and basement were dug and today the forms for the footing were being put in place.
House number two gets its start
Friday
April 30, 2004
by : Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale : Only two blocks from downtown, this is the last older house in the neighbourhood and it is gone now ready for a new replacement to begin construction.
Parkland Photography Club April 2004
Friday
April 30, 2004
by : Gerald Crawford
Greenwater Provincial Park : This month's meeting dealt with various contests and projects the club involves themselves in and of course this month's competition to produce a "freak of nature."
Democracy is neither scientific polling nor privatisation, and we don’t need to compare apples with apples
Friday
April 30, 2004
by : Mario deSantis
Nipawin : The role of the citizen seems to be increasingly confusing as we get sucked into discussions that seem to rely upon pseudo-scientific polling while at the same time matters of serious and importance to us all are fluffed over as high salaried officials cut vital programmes or the fundamental right to medical care is undermined by political and power struggle conditions in the country.