the

CommuterTranswest Air Inflight Magazine Complimentary Spring 2002 Don Freed Finds His Voice

The Four Fish Fantasy

CEG Energy gets Bullish

Recipes for Great Summer Eating

Commuterthe Issue Two, Volume Three Transwest Air Inflight Magazine Spring 2002 – C WELCOME! T OKED YA U` TANISI! ANIN SIGWA! EDLÁNETÉ!

Welcome aboard Transwest Air. THE FOUR FISH FANTASY Fulfilling the ultimate fishing fantasy: Summer of 2002 marks Transwest’s second full summer of opera- four of the best, in a month, with both rod tions. Our team has been getting aircraft ready and enhancing 2 & reel and flyrod. service levels for the busy season ahead. We have implemented a number of customer suggestions on how to make your travel experience more enjoyable, everything from flight schedule improvements and magazine content, to better sandwiches in our lunch boxes. We hope we have listened well. FINDING HIS VOICE Singer/songwriter Don Freed leads the The month of May will mark the arrival of our SAAB aircraft, a children of northern8 in versatile 34-seat turbo prop that features a flight attendant, over- a quest for their own music. head bins and onboard lavatory. Transwest will use the aircraft for both scheduled service and charter customers.

The airport terminal will be completed by late sum- mer. The new terminal is a vast improvement over the old facil- THE HONEYMOON IS OVER ity, but the final stage of construction will make traffic flow Dwindling supplies and escalating demand through the building a challenge at times. Leave yourself a few make Roger Magneson of CEG Energy extra minutes to avoid frayed nerves. 13 Options bullish on the natural gas market. Northern Saskatchewan offers some of the best fresh water fish- ing in the world. Its pristine parks, waterways and lakes are unparalleled anywhere in the world. American travellers will enjoy the excellent exchange rate, and Canadian travellers - why not save the exchange rate and consider a holiday in your own SASKATCHEWAN BOUNTY back yard. Great travel ideas are available from Saskatchewan Saskatoon berries and fresh fish are what makes summer17 great. Here’s a Tourism or the Saskatchewan Outfitters Association. couple of recipes to kick off the season. Thanks for flying with us. Have a great summer!

NEWS FROM TRANSWEST Fishing camp season and the new Saab 340A.

The Commuter is published quarterly by DHS Publishing, Inc. The opinions expressed within this publication are not those of either the publisher or Transwest Air. Copyright DHS Publishing, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written consent of publisher. If you are interested in submitting an article or have comments to the editor, please email us at [email protected] or send typed, double- spaced copy to: DHS Publishing, Inc., 112-112 Research Drive, Saskatoon, Sask, S7N 3R3. We are not responsible for unsolicited material. For advertisement information please call 306-652-4956.

Jim Glass Pat Campling Jr. Contributors: Christina Weese, Beverly Fast, Jeff Arthur, Lal Ingram Managing Partner Managing Partner Cover photo: Sean Francis Martin Publications Mail Canada Post #1880373 Arctic Grayling - three-and-a-half pounds, 24 inches Walleye - six pounds, 25 inches Northern Pike - 20 pounds, 40 inches The Lake Trout - 30 pounds, 34 inches Four

Fish Yes, fishing the pristine waters of northern Saskatchewan is exhilarating enough in itself. But for the angler who wants more - the one who needs to fulfill the ultimate fishing fantasy - Fantasy there are a few ground rules. The two absolutes in fishing are closeness to nature and the thrill of a challenge. The nature part is in the bag the instant you set foot in northern Story by Jeff Arthur Saskatchewan. Now for the challenge: haul in trophy-sized samples of the four finest Photography by Sean Francis Martin, Dark Horse Studio fish in the province. Do it within a month. And to prove your mettle as an all-around angler, do it with both rod and reel and a fly rod. We’ll call it the Northern Saskatchewan Four Fish Fantasy. Walleye June is the peak month at the three days to a week for a maxi- Bisnard Lake Lodge, even though mum of 16 guests under the Full just as many fish are caught in July American Plan.There’s a two-to-one Catch-and-release has taken and August.The last few years have guest-to-guide ratio. Fishing for hold across most of northern seen more Walleye in the three to Northern Pike is busiest in June, four pound range removed from but Cree River Lodge accommo- Saskatchewan, yet the Walleye, or the lake, and fewer of the larger six- dates guests through to mid- Pickerel, is one fish that begs to be pounders. September. eaten. Zacharias has great By fishing mainly along the bays regard for Walleye as and weed beds of 30,000-acre “People com- a fragile resource and Wapata Lake, Cross gives guests the ing up here want says,“Bisnard is a naturally unique experience of watching the to make sure they’re well-stocked lake.You won’t find Northern Pike follow the bait right going to get their Walleye feast,” a drive-in lake anywhere in western up to the boat.With Cree River says Dan Zacharias, co-owner of Canada with better fishing.” Camp sitting just 300 yards from Bisnard Lake Lodge, a drive-in/fly-in the mouth of the river, and with a camp 300 kilometres north of Northern Pike 750-yard long weed bed nearby, Prince Albert.“Even with the five- guests have ample opportunity to fish limit, people still love coming fulfill their fantasy. here.They want the shore lunch so “Never put your hand in the water they can get that taste.” when you’re pulling a fish out of our Situated fewer than 200 yards lake,”warns Bob Cross.“These “The thrill is in the anticipation – Arctic Grayling from this spot is the aptly- In the three years Zacharias and Northern Pike, when they’re hungry, you never know when that big they’ll take a bite out of anything.” named Camp Grayling, a fly-in wife Donna have co-owned the one is going to hit,” Cross says. At the edge of Black Lake and in fishing camp built in the early lodge, they have upgraded it to an the throat of the Fond du Lac River 1950s and now owned by appealing camp capable of accom- Cross and wife Bonnie are entering “Anything that’ll make noise near sits an island measuring a little Ken Maduck.The totally mod- modating 36 guests in seven fully their seventh season as owner/operators of Cree River the top of the water will attract a more than three acres in area.As ern camp accommodates 30 photo courtesy selwyn lake lodge modern, light housekeeping cabins. the river crashes toward the lake, it people and offers a Full With a variety of packages, Lodge on Wapata Lake.That’s seven Northern Pike. And when that picks up speed and forms into American Plan. It attracts 95 per Zacharias says the lodge is accessi- summers of watching the excite- The spring-spawning Arctic big one hits he’ll come two or three rapids before squeezing cent of its business through ble and affordable to both Canadian ment of their guests as they pull Grayling is usually more active through narrow passages returns or referrals and Maduck and American guests. huge Northern Pike out of the crys- feet out of the water for it.” later in the evenings in fast-moving on either side of the small – who likes to set a ceiling of tal-clear lake.The lodge water, and yields plenty of trophy island. 22 guests at a time – knows Most people fish traditional rod and offers packages from size by late summer. Maduck esti- why they keep coming back. reel and usually catch their limit mates a 50-50 split between fly when directed by one of Zacharias’ In the summer months these twin fishing and rod and reel at the “The thrill of catching a Grayling six guides.Walleye are active strictly catch-and-release Camp chutes are full of the rowdiest fish is second to none,” he says.“He’s movers and can be difficult to pin Grayling, where even shore got that big fin in the back that down if you don’t know the lake. you could wish for: the Arctic lunches aren’t permitted. gives him tremendous power when Grayling. It has been called, you first get him in the river.Then “The Walleye is a tricky fish to “On that island you’ve got three once you get him in the calmer catch,”Zacharias says, recommend- pound-for-pound, the toughest sides of fishing available to you,” water he gets into his acrobatics ing frozen minnows as bait to mimic Maduck says.“The Grayling is a fighting fish in the world. and puts on an unbelievable aerial its main natural food supply.“You’ve top-water feeder, so if you’re using Nowhere is it more hostile than show. got to get your hook right down to anything that sits on the water or the bottom comes in just above, the Grayling when it runs the gauntlet into “When you start hammering them and go after will be jumping out of the water one right after another it’s an them.” Black Lake. to get it.” incredible feeling.”

4 winter 2001 Cross counted more than 400 after. How about twice that number right food, temperature, configura- “The intimacy of being here with a appointed amenities. It is accessed Looking Paradise Northern Pike over 35 inches last – all heavyweights – each one of tion and fishing pressure to sustain After handful of other guests is impor- only by a 20-minute float plane ride season, including half a dozen over them in no mood to play? a bountiful supply. tant,”Wallace says, noting he likes to from Stony Rapids.Wallace has 50 inches.That’s fantastic fishing, Fishing conditions in Northern keep his guest list under 16 or up to owned other lodges over the years; he says, on a catch-and-release lake “In the spring and fall, they’ll be all “The Lake Trout is as scrappy a a maximum of 24 for group book- Selwyn is his eighth, and final. Saskatchewan may change from year to that sees about 150 anglers per over the surface of the lake, then in ings.“This is a market that values year, but there is nothing to suggest the year and experiences very little fish as you’ll find,” contends Gord the summer they’ll be lying flat their privacy.” “I’d heard the stories and scuttlebutt, fishing pressure. along the bottom like cordwood,” invaluable resources of the north are Wallace, co-owner of Selwyn Lake and knew it was one of the few Wallace explains. threatened in any way,says Voyageur Built in 1993 and co-owned by undeveloped lakes in northern “The fishing in the lakes of the far Lodge. “They’ll fight you every Wallace, wife Mary and Jim Yuel, Saskatchewan,”Wallace says.“By fish- Lodge co-owner Roger Olyowsky.In fact, north of Saskatchewan is second to foot of the way.” Wallace maintains that a ‘trophy is Selwyn Lake Lodge offers fully mod- ing it, I knew it was where I wanted he says his camp on Drinking Lake is just none, and Wapata Lake is no excep- in the eye of the beholder’ but ern accommodations and well- to be.” as serene, breathtaking and productive as tion,” Cross says.“All of us in the acknowledges the cameras come northern lodges would put our fish- out more often when a fish sur- ever. ing up against anyone’s, plus you passes 30 pounds. get the scenery,the peace and quiet “If you look after your resources with and the closeness to nature.” Perched ‘like a big molar tooth’ Selwyn is strictly a catch-and-release some diligence, you’re going to have them on the Saskatchewan-Northwest lake, and about 30 per cent of the forever,” Olyowsky says, adding that prac- Lake Trout Territories border, Selwyn Lake is fishing is fly fishing. Lake Trout are ideal Lake Trout habitat. Even the main attraction, but guests are tices such as catch-and-release, fish limits, Hauling in 50 fish a day can take its though it occupies a monstrous also drawn to the privacy and seren- regulated commercial fishing and sensible toll no matter what species you’re 135,000 acres, the lake isn’t particu- ity of the camp. logging procedures contribute to the long- larly wide open and has just the term care of the north.And while lake lev- els are low,there’s been no ill effect on fishing at Voyageur Lodge, the last surface- accessible stop on the Churchill River line. Here, it is common to see 150 Walleye and more taken per day.

“Fish stocks are great and always have been,” Olyowsky says.“The abundance of fish speaks for itself.That’s what sells it.”

Voyageur Lodge is a four-cabin, ten-occu- pancy camp accessible via a 40-minute boat ride from Stanley Mission. It offers a Full American Plan as well as light house- keeping, and boasts new docks, a board- walk and fully modernized cabins. Nearby historical sites and abundant wildlife add to the natural beauty of the secluded site.

“I love the place,” Olyowsky says.“It’s so peaceful and relaxing. It really is a little piece of paradise.” At one point in an animated interview, Don Freed While playing a describes himself as an itiner- Kokam made some “Cree-boks”, beaded, thick and smelly ant singer/songwriter. It’s a They fit real loose, they were made from a moose modest self-portrait for a And soft as a goose’s belly modern-day pied piper man who got his feet wet They’ll last real long, they’re not from Hong Kong playing with at They were made in the North by hand a 1968 concert, and has since It’s our tradition, we are still wishin’ to be an Indian band to the children of gone on to build a name for - “CREE-BOKS”, MINAHIK WASKAHIGAN SCHOOL, CHORAL GROUP, PINEHOUSE himself in Canada’s music northern Saskatchewan, scene. He’s played festivals from New York to Toronto, released five albums of origi- singer/songwriter Don nal material on his own independent Bushleague Records label, toured with Freed rediscovers his and written The wide open, wheat-coloured Division, but it was up to Freed to interesting. I want to give them with . landscape was culture shock for a carry off.And he had no experience something that validates their boy used to lots of greenery.To working with kids. world.” own roots. The paradox is that 52-year cope with his feelings of displace- old Freed, seemingly on the ment, he remembers singing a “I was driving into the first commu- His instincts have been true.“Never cusp of fame, has spent a favourite song,‘Oh Bury Me Not on nity,Jans Bay,and I thought,‘what once have the kids asked to create good part of the last decade the Lone Prairie.’ have I got myself into?’ But I a song that wasn’t real to them. braving minus forty degree believe that if the will is there They don’t want cartoons or temperatures and unpre- “That song described exactly what and your heart’s in the right place, Disney,they want to sing about dictable spring and fall I saw around me every day.It was things work out.You find a way – hunting and fishing and family, weather to travel to remote my song – until I discovered it was and I did.” about beaver and bear and moose.” Finding actually American. It wasn’t about The songs the kids have created – communities across northern Saskatchewan recording my world at all, so it wasn’t mine and Freed has recorded hundreds songs by aboriginal school anymore,” Freed says.“It’s so impor- “I was driving into the over the years – are in Cree, Dene children. tant to have songs that validate first community, Jans and Michif, which is a blend of your world.That’s what I wanted to Bay, and I thought, Cree, French and English.The songs “When I started this project do for kids in northern reflect everyday life. Children in His in 1992, I was motivated Saskatchewan.” ‘what have I got Camsell Portage, a small community by things I was hearing in myself into?’ But I on the northern shores of Lake the news,” Freed says. He’s Freed sent a proposal to Glenn believe that if the Athabaska only accessible by plane, referring to the suicides of a McKenzie, then director of the wrote: ‘It’s exciting to come to the number of young people in Northern Lights School Division, will is there and your city/ On a school trip or for annual Davis Inlet, an isolated com- explaining how he planned to heart’s in the right supplies/But after a couple of Voice munity in northern Labrador. give northern aboriginal children place, things work days we long for the hills and bays/ That story struck Freed on an opportunity to express them- Of Camsell Portage where our two levels.“I think it gave selves by helping them write and out. You find a way – hearts and spirits rise.’ record their own songs.“To my Story by Lal Ingram a negative view and I did.” complete and utter amazement, Some of the songs reveal a surpris- B&W Photography by Sean Francis Martin, of northern aboriginal youth Dark Horse Studio and I wanted to dispel some Glenn said yes.” ing poignancy.Grade five students of those myths. I also felt Thirty years ago Freed found the in Beauval wrote a song about a me and my skunk, he’s a real cool punk/and we live in a trunk that’s full of junk compelled to expose some Now came the hard part.The project kids were still largely innocent of fire that raged through a mission positive energy for kids in was the first of its size and scope in the world outside.“Now you see a school, many years ago, killing 19 deep in the jungle there’s a crocadillydee/ the north.” Canada. It was supported by a part- satellite dish on just about every boys. Only one of the adults tried chasing a monkle up a cocabunk tree ... nership with the Saskatchewan home.The kids are completely to save the children and she died in have fun in the Jumbled Jungle/where nothing has to be the sameFreed’s own quest for identity Department of Education and the wired into the world and yet they the attempt.The children wrote: if you were in the Jumbled Jungle/what would be your name? fuelled the fire. Born in New Northern Lights School have no input into it. I find that ‘People say she’s up there still/That hey everybody hurry hurry here comes the barge from Fort McMurray Westminster, in 1949, his family moved to - SELECTED LINES FROM “OUR VERY OWN SONGS” Saskatoon when he was six. 8 winter 2001 the Commuter 9 she haunts Old Mission Hill/But great aunt in Duck Lake.“I discov- was excited when, within days, why should we be scared/Of a soul ered then that two of my great- they called back and asked for who really cared?’ great grandfathers had actually more copies to send to stations The Day Wìsakecak Came to Our School been indicted with Louis Riel and across the country.“ They get hun- WRITTEN BY DON FREED AND GRADE 5, PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY SCHOOL, SASKATOON, 1998 “My original intention was to have that my great-great uncle by mar- dreds of submissions a day.What that the kids write their own songs and riage was Gabriel Dumont.” call said, in essence, is that we think The day Wisakecak came to our school I have stuck to that,” Freed says. He this deserves to be heard by every- He played the Trickster and he played the fool calls the process draining but satis- Discovering his own roots strength- one.” Everybody laughed and had some fun fying.“Kids today are used to the ened Freed’s determination to give And we felt much better when the day was done fast edit speed of television and northern aboriginal kids a voice. The ultimate goal is to get Our Very video games, so their attention is “Music has a way of opening kids Own Songs into elementary schools not easy to hold.And I can’t be a up. I can tell you why.For thou- and public libraries across Canada. We were playing outside on the first day it snowed disciplinarian, I have to give them sands of years, people have been While Freed continues making His apparition came down the road room to create. Sometimes it’s pan- sitting around campfires telling sto- inroads in marketing, he’s also He stood there grinning like a glad surprise demonium. By the end of the day, ries and singing songs.Those songs exploring new directions in his own We could hardly believe our eyes after I’ve been in four or five class- reflect your culture, your world. life. Right now,he’s in Winnipeg rooms, I’m brain dead.” That’s the energy we re-ignite in recording a CD of his own material Chorus: the classroom. It’s a tool that goes and writing a new play. Oh! Oh! Wisakecak His commitment to the project has right to the spirit.” Astum Othé make us glad not wavered, though when he “It’s time to let the songs go,” he The day you came to our school started, he did not know he was Over the years, Freed has produced says.“They need to weave into the Was the most fun we ever had beginning a ten-year marathon – or several albums to showcase the schools, into the community and that the journey would become an young singer/songwriters.The cul- become part of the culture. It’s the He came from the North on a big brown bear end in itself. He has been places mination of the project came with only way they can take root.” most people never see, like the December 2001 release of Our In a beaded coat with feathers in his hair Wollaston Lake and Stony Rapids, Very Own Songs, a double CD set But he’s not done with the north or He took his drum and began to pound which are so far north they are containing 43 original songs writ- with northern kids.“I’ll definitely Children started dancing all around only accessible by air; and Dillon ten and performed by more than go back. I’m addicted. I’ll do this for and Sandy Bay,which are literally 1,000 aboriginal school-age chil- as long as I am able.” Then he slipped and he fell on his behind the last stop on the road. dren in 30 different communities. We started laughing and he didn’t mind There’s an accompanying song- Let’s hope that day is far away, The school bell rang and we had to go His travels have deepened his inter- book and website at after Freed has taught a generation He followed us in on his tippy-toe est in his own Métis heritage, www.ourveryownsongs.ca . of northern children to find their own voices … the way he’s found -Chorus- which came as a revelation in 1989 Freed sent the CD to the Toronto his own. when he attended the funeral of CBC music distribution room. He We all were wond’ring what he would do Would he get into trouble and the rest of us too? He went and he talked to the teaching staff Saying, “Kids feel better when you make them laugh!” Then he walked right by us and he went outside He turned into a Raven with his wings spread wide He dropped one feather then he flew away Saying, “Learn your lessons ... I’ll come back someday”

Wisakecak is Cree for the trickster or joker. Astum Othé means “come over here”.

Don Freed would like to thank: Saskatchewan Education, Canada Council For The Arts, Saskatchewan Health, F.K. Morrow Foundation, National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, Associated Entities Fund and The Muttart Foundation. Story by Beverly Fast Photography by Sean Francis Martin, Dark Horse Studio

Photo taken at Prud’homme TransGas Natural Gas Storage Caverns

TheThe HoneymoonHoneymoon

Exports are the foundation of our economic wealth. Saskatchewan exports everything from live- stock genetics to kitchen cabinets to business expertise. With 70 percent of our GDP generated by exports of goods and services margins. isis OverOver Saskatchewan businesses are successful in the global marketplace. Successful entrepreneurs are constantly seeking new markets and new businesses are being created to challenge the global marketplace for the first time. STEP works with member companies to identify new customers for their products or services. These new customers create jobs in the Saskatchewan economy. After the shock of As president of Saskatchewan’s within a general range of $1.25 per STEP can provide your company with qualified trade leads, custom international market intelligence, trade seeing natural gas prices leading independent supplier of gigajoule in soft markets, up to $2.50 missions to key markets, and advice on export financing, transportation and logistics, and market access natural gas to commercial and per gigajoule in strong markets,”he conditions, as well as seminars, workshops, and networking events within the province. skyrocket last winter, industrial consumers, Magneson is says.“Last winter, prices hit unprece- consumers are now intimately familiar with the ups and dented highs of $12 per gigajoule in downs of the natural gas market. the one-month market and $17 per For members, STEP means: breathing a sigh of relief. But even he had never seen any- gigajoule in the daily spot market.” But Roger Magneson of thing like the run of last winter. CEG Energy Options The honeymoon had come to an “For years, consumers in western abrupt end, shocking consumers at sounds a cautionary note Canada have enjoyed remarkably every level … with some notable email: [email protected] toll free: 1-877-313-7244 www.sasktrade.sk.ca against complacency. low prices. Natural gas has traded exceptions.

the Commuter 13 “We were lucky,” says Bob So was the price run a false alarm? which significantly reduced indus- of drilling in recent years showing even that out for our customers.” operates the Sheraton Cavalier Laprairie, general manager of Can we go back to enjoying cheap trial demand for gas and gas-fired such disappointing results, save for says Kelly Blanch, CEG’s marketing hotel in Saskatoon.“They contacted McDonalds Restaurants in natural gas energy? In Magneson’s electricity,along with only modest the spectacular Ladyfern discovery manager.“By offering longer-term us two years ago and said they Saskatoon, a long-time CEG cus- opinion, no. increases in natural gas produc- in northeastern British Columbia, contracts at fixed prices, we provide thought prices were going to go a tomer.“We had signed a fixed tion volume. natural gas production is falling. price certainty and peace of mind. It little crazy,but that they had an price contract with CEG, so we “What we’re experiencing now is lets the customer accurately budget opportunity to lock in at a lower were able to accurately budget a temporary reprieve.The supply “While we don’t expect to see “Alberta gas production is already their natural gas costs, no matter rate.We signed a three-year con- our monthly natural gas costs – and demand factors that caused anything as extreme as $17 per heading lower and U.S. gas produc- what the market is doing.” tract and were absolutely insulated and we saved a lot of money.” last winter’s price run are still gigajoule,”Magneson says,“there is a tion is expected to be down by from the dramatic price increases with us.We had moderate winter very real supply problem out there. about 6% by this summer,” “By offering longer-term last winter.” “We watch the market very closely weather across the continent for We’re discovering less natural gas Magneson says.“Gas producers contracts at fixed prices, we and when we saw what was com- the January to March period of and consuming more. Consumers have cut their capital budgets for “We actively manage our accounts ing, we called our customers and 2001.We also saw a lack of air should not be complacent.” 2002 because of reduced cash provide price certainty and based on our view of the market,” suggested they lock in a longer- conditioning demand for gas- flow,and the reduced drilling will peace of mind. It lets the Blanch says.“Then we recommend term contract,” Magneson says.The generated electricity in the large A return to normal weather pat- make it very difficult to offset the options that we think will work majority signed on and spent the consuming areas of the southern terns will push up demand for win- natural decline in daily gas produc- customer accurately budget best for individual customers.” winter snugly insulated from price U.S. last summer and record warm ter space-heating and gas- tion from existing wells.” their natural gas costs, no increases of up to 40% and 60%. temperatures this past fall and generated electricity for summer As an independent supplier, CEG is And they are still content, even early winter.All of this has caused air-conditioning, just as surely as the Our supply may be shrinking, but matter what the market small enough to be flexible. It was though prices have just recently demand for natural gas to be U.S. economy will rebound and demand is steadily rising. In the is doing.” established when the province first dropped back down to $3 per much lower than normal.Then push up industrial demand for natu- southern United States where pop- started deregulating the natural gas gigajoule in the daily spot market. you have the slow U.S. economy, ral gas.And with the record levels ulations are booming, natural gas- It’s something customers – schools, market in the late 1980s, and has fired electrical power plants are hospitals, hotels, office complexes and since quietly built itself into a lead- being constructed in record num- manufacturing plants – seem to want. ing supplier, by volume, of natural bers.A story in the December 24, gas in Saskatchewan. 2001 edition of Oilweek reported “CEG is very proactive,” says Al that over the next year, up to two Evenson, chief financial officer at The final hurdle to growth was new large power plants could come Cavalier Enterprises Ltd., which removed in 1998, when the provin- online every week in the United States – and the majority of them are natu- Relax. It’s taken care of. ral gas-fired. The Ramada Hotel is the perfect “The number of natural- place for the business traveller.

gas fired power plants Our new Ramada Business Class rooms are designed with the going up is staggering, business traveller in mind. A proper desk with office supplies and with a lot of drilling and data port for work to be done. Oversize armchairs and rigs standing idle because ottoman to relax. Queen sized beds with duvet for a good of the lack of exploration night’s rest. Coffee maker, bottled water, in-room movies, secu- dollars, everything points rity floor access and much more to ensure your comfort and to the price of natural gas convenience. Competitive rates and Aeroplan points program. going up,”Magneson says. For reservations, call

Tough news for con- 1-800-667-6500 sumers, but CEG Energy is ready with alternatives. REGINA SASKATOON “The price cycle is Ramada Hotel & Ramada Hotel & Convention Centre Golf Dome shorter and more vicious 1818 Victoria Ave 806 Idylwyld Dr N nowadays, and we help

the Commuter 15 Story by Christina Weese Photography by Sean Francis Martin, Dark Horse Studio cial utility,SaskEnergy,began charg- to come from SaskEnergy.The cus- “It’s hard to predict when it will Recipes courtesy Lee Helman ing customers of independent sup- tomer pays SaskEnergy,which happen,” he says.“Some analysts say pliers like CEG the same fee as it remits the supply charge to CEG. this spring, others say next fall or as charged its own customers to move Convenient and seamless. late as next winter. But once the product through its 64,000-plus current storage surplus is gone, by kilometre distribution infrastruc- As for the future of natural gas next fall at the latest, it’s a clean ture. Now CEG is one of prices, Magneson looks five and ten slate. It’s not hard to conceive of SaskEnergy’s largest shippers. years down the road, as the existing prices returning to $6 to $8 by supply of natural gas decreases, and next winter.” “We move more product through sees suppliers increasingly turning SaskEnergy pipelines than any their attentions north to the vast In the meantime, customers can other independent supplier,” reserves frozen in the wilds of expect CEG Energy Options to be Magneson says.“Deregulation cer- Alaska and the Northwest bullish.“Natural gas users can tainly hasn’t hurt the utility; they Territories. Problem is, the cost of decide to take their chances in the make their money distributing, not transporting this natural gas to one-year market and see what hap- selling gas.” major markets in the south is going pens, or they can opt for a more to be high.And before the taps can proactive approach and lock-in a Deregulation has given customers a even be turned on, environmental guaranteed fixed price for a term of real option of natural gas suppliers. issues regarding drilling and up to five years.We are certainly There are no physical changes pipeline construction have to be encouraging customers to think required for those choosing CEG; resolved. It all adds to Magneson’s long term.” the only difference is that CEG is conviction that a natural gas price identified as the gas supplier on increase is unavoidable. your utility bill – which continues

For many of us, berries and summer are simply inseparable. If you’ve ever picked berries, you’ll know what I’m talk- ing about - the hollow thump as they drop into the ice cream pail tied around your waist, so both hands are free for picking, and eating them straight off of the tree, sun-warmed and juicy.Later, in the cool of the evening, gallons of berries are sorted on the porch steps as you dream of pies and jams and cobblers to come.

The other fair-weather bonus that summer brings is the pleasure of cooking and eating out in the fresh summer breeze. It’s the stuff that childhood memories are made of. Here are two recipes for some of the best food of sum- mer - fresh berries and fresh fish.

the Commuter 17 Pan-Fried Northern Pike - Serves 4 people. Tips for Cooking 4 - 8oz. portions fresh Northern Pike 1/3 cup butter 3 tbsp canola oil sauce: news from Over an Open Fire 2 fresh limes • Don’t actually cook your food in 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1/3 cup butter an open flame. Use the fire to heat 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup corn meal 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce a flat rock or thick piece of iron With fishing season almost upon us, Transwest Air 1 tsp lemon pepper 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley that you can place your pan on. Water Bases are gearing up for the thousands of 1 tsp salt If you are using a heavy cast iron sportfishing enthusiasts who will be flying to Transwest’s New Aircraft - Saab 340A frying pan, wait until the fire has Melt butter and canola oil (the oil will help Remove the fish and melt the remaining camps, lodges and resorts across Saskatchewan, burned down to coals and heat the keep the butter from burning) in a cast butter in the frying pan. Add the juice of Manitoba and even the . pan over that.This provides more This 34-passenger plane can reach speeds of 500 km/h. It iron frying pan over a wood fire or stove- two fresh limes, Worcestershire sauce even heat distribution with less features a fully pressurized cabin capable of accommodating a top on medium heat. In a separate dish, and chopped parsley. Pour over the fish It’s an exciting time of year. Transwest has more air- chance of burning. mix bread crumbs, flour, corn meal, salt and serve with seasonal vegetables and craft in the air and our maintenance crews are busy flight attendant and galley service, leather seating, overhead bins and lemon pepper. Coat fish fillets in the La Ronge wild rice. preparing facilities, while our chief pilot is sorting for carry-on stowage, onboard lavatory and good-sized cargo • A fire that’s been burning for a bread mixture. Pan-fry until golden brown. out who will be flying, which planes and where. hold. The Saab 340A will be available for charters, as well as for while will burn hotter and more our scheduled service. evenly than a fire that’s just been One of the busiest bases is La Ronge, where Cessna started.Try to start your fire at least 185s, Beavers, Turbo Beavers, Turbo Otters and an hour before you plan to cook Twin Otters wait to take travellers to their final over it. destinations. Whether you’re taking a fishing vaca- tion with your family, just the guys or even just the • Don’t use non-stick cookware - girls, you’re in for good times. the heat can damage the protective coating, and the pans aren’t usually Transwest travellers check in first at our front desk, heavy enough to prevent your food so we can confirm the number in your party and from burning. your departure time. Then it’s a short walk down to the docks, where your gear is weighed and • When washing a cast-iron frying loaded onto the plane. Once everyone has signed pan, use only very hot water, no his or her name to the flight manifest and boarded dishsoap.This will give the pan a the plane, the door is closed, the props begin to bit of a non-stick coating. If there’s turn and the plane taxis across the lake. In a matter a lot of baked-on food, boil water in of minutes, Transwest Air is whisking you away to the pan before washing. Before the vacation of a lifetime. putting it away,make sure the pan is completely dry so that it doesn’t rust and rub a little oil over it, inside and out.

• Proper care of your pans and your fire may take a little extra time, but it’s worth it!

Saskatoon Berry Coffee Cake (previous page)

cake: bottom berry layer: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Cream butter and 1 cup butter 6 tbsp melted butter sugar together in a mixing bowl. Add eggs, 1 cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar vanilla and buttermilk. Slowly sift in the flour 2 eggs 1 tbsp maple syrup - do not overmix! Add baking powder and salt. 1 cup buttermilk 2 cups saskatoon berries Spoon the cake batter over the saskatoon 1 tbsp vanilla berry mixture. Bake for approximately 50-60 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted Mix butter, brown sugar and maple syrup. minutes or until a knife inserted into the cen- 2 tbsp baking powder Spread mixture onto the bottom of a tre comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes 1 tsp salt greased and floured 10” cake pan. Layer then turn out onto a cake plate. Serve with saskatoon berries on top, and set aside. fresh berries and cream.

18 winter 2001 Helping Hands

Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation (SOCO) makes investments in commercially viable business start-ups and expansions. Our focus is on small- to medium-sized manufacturing, value-added processing and export-oriented and import-replacement projects. If you’re looking for non-traditional investment options, call us at (306) 787-8595.

Charter and Schedule Service

For reservations and information call 1-800-667-9356 or Head Office, Regina: (306) 787-8595 1-800-665-7275, book on-line at www.transwestair.com, Saskatoon: (306) 933-7890 or call your local travel agent. La Ronge: (306) 425-6600 www.soco.sk.ca [email protected] Come and experience the best Walleye fishing in the World!

On your way to camp you can stop and see the Holy Trinity church which is the oldest standing wooden building in Saskatchewan.

Our LHK cabins are fully equipped, all cabins accommodate up to 6 adults.

We are located at Potter Rapids, a 15 mile boat trip from Stanley Mission. This trip will provide you with For more information, please write or call: breathtaking scenery seen by the voyageurs of Churchill River the 1700’s. Voyageur Lodge We can also fly you into P.O. Box 69, La Ronge Saskatchewan, Canada, S0J 1L0 our camp from La Ronge Phone: (306) 425-4774 Fax: (306) 425-3363 by float plane. wwwdi.com/voyageur