John Barlow, Editor

I admit I was extremely relieved I did not have to get up on the bar and sing “Ye Men of Calgary” after Saturday’s Canadian Football League game.

You see I had a bet with the owner and manager of the Bull Pen Pub that if my beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders lost to Calgary I would serenade the bar with the Stampeder fight song. However, if the Stampeders lost — which they did, 30-14 — Twila and Krista would have to belt out their best rendition of “Green is the Colour.” Before the final whistle had even gone Twila and Krista, with their Pilsner beer boxes on their heads, were up on the railing singing the Rider fight song. They showed some great sportsmanship — and I have photos to prove it.

Although I was tickled green I did not have to sing, it was a great afternoon at the pub. The Rider and Stamp fans relentlessly trash-talked each other, but all in good fun as nothing got out-of-hand. After each big play the fans were on their feet screaming and celebrating. Of course, the Rider fans had a much better workout than the disappointed Stamp clan.

Even more importantly, the fans helped raise more than $5,000 for KidSport at the Bull Pen’s fourth annual Saskatchewan Party.

It just goes to show even the Hatfields and McCoys can get together once a year and celebrate sports, sportsmanship and a little Canadianna over a cold beer and some wings.

Friends, remember what I said, when the Stamps are ousted and the Riders return to Calgary to spoil your Grey Cup party on Nov. 29 I will buy your ticket — maybe even at face value.

Now, to prepare the Rider Pride invasion in a few weeks here are some Saskatchewan lessons the city slickers in Calgary need to know:

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2.  Turn your cap straight, your head isn’t crooked.

3.  Let’s get this straight; it’s called a dirt road. I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you’re going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4.  So you have a $60,000 car. We’re impressed. We have $365,000 combines and hay balers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

5. So every person in rural Saskatchewan waves. It’s called being friendly, try to understand the concept.

6.  If that cell phone rings while an eight-point buck is coming in, we will shoot it out of your hand.  You better hope you don’t have it up to your ear at the time.

7.  Yeah, we eat meat and potatoes. You really want sushi and caviar? It’s available at the corner bait shop.

8.  Our meals have three main dishes: meat, vegetables and potatoes. We use three spices: salt, pepper and ketchup.

9.  You bring coke into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice.

10. Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and minor hockey are as important here as the Flames and Oilers and more fun to watch.

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