Battleford has a special visitor from British Columbia. His name is Flat Oscar, and he's already something of a celebrity.
"Oscar's from Vancouver," said Mayor Derek Mahon last week. "He's already been to the Fred Light Museum, he's been to the biggest baseball bat in Canada and he's going to be touring places throughout the town."
Fort Battleford was also on his list.
Flat Oscar came to the Town of Battleford in an envelope from a school in Vancouver. In an accompanying letter, teacher Laura Carle wrote, "As part of a class study of Canada, my students have made paper dolls of themselves that are being sent to various cities and towns across Canada. This project is based on a book called Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown. In the story, Stanley has a bulletin board fall on him and he becomes flat – he's okay, just flat. His parents decided to send him in an envelope to visit a friend. The student who is visiting you chose your city or town after viewing your website."
Carle asked if the Town of Battleford "entertain" its flat student by taking him to sites around the town, write a bit about the community and take some pictures with Flat Oscar.
"I like for the students to see the similarities and differences between where we live and other places in Canada," wrote Carle. "At this age, they believe that every place is the same as where they live."
There's no time limit on Oscar's visit, but when he's made the rounds, he will be returning by mail to his home school.
"The real student will be required to give an oral report on the city or town they chose, so any information would be greatly appreciated," wrote Oscar's teacher.
The mayor said, "This is the first time we've had something like this, that I can recall."
