Carndu ’s Dash for Cash is an exciting event for barrel racers, team ropers and spectators
By Stephanie Zoer
The Carnduff Dash for Cash barrel racing event, held annually in the town, has become a thrilling spectacle for both participants and spectators.
This high-stakes competition draws top barrel racers from across the region, all working for the coveted prize money and the glory of victory.
The event took place at the Carnduff Agricultural grounds on July 19-21, where the atmosphere was electric.
Riders, sitting astride their finely tuned horses, navigated a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels in the fastest time possible. Precision, speed and agility are paramount as each rider seeks to shave precious seconds.
The Dash for Cash was created by Bart and Sandra Spencer when their children were babies. Feeling they could not commit to an organization or
committee, they started the Dash for Cash as this could be worked on at their own time.
At the time, they ran roughly 30 peewees, 20 youths and an average of 130 open barrel racers a day, along with 625 team roping runs in that
weekend. The most they ever paid out over the weekend was $40,000.
Four years ago, Britt Martin and Torie Boyes took over this large event and it has continued to thrive.
This event has become the biggest barrel racing gathering in the southeast and is one of the largest in Saskatchewan.
A total of 256 competitors came to do the turn and burn, in the hopes that their time would come out on top. Seventy team roping pairs participated over the weekend.
Martin said the heat was hard on everyone and many took advantage of the swimming pool in between events.
Dawn Vandersteen came out on top in the open derby and select 50 plus division, while KC Peters took home the futurity and Talia Perrot
won the youth.
Competitors come from the Prairie provinces, and year after year, they continue to draw in new people and have more support from sponsors, which creates bigger prize pools and more items to win, such as buckles, custom headstalls, embroider blankets, trophy spurs and horse boots.
Roaming Vaquera Photography from Alberta was brought in to capture every rider’s true grit and glorious moments on the barrels.
Food vendors were easily found and they had other people selling products. Some came as far as Saskatoon, Regina and Estevan with their clothing and jewelry.
Lisa Huynh and her daughter Kyra from the Redvers area have attended the Dash for Cash since it started, back when Kyra was eight years old.
Lisa has also ridden in the event but had to sit on the sidelines this year as her young horse is not ready for the challenge.
Kyra rode her grandpa Marius Ericksen’s horse, a gelding named TT Smart Jewel.
“The event is super awesome,” said Lisa. “The food and vendors were fabulous, and the shopping made the heat bearable.”
Lindsay Collins from the Estevan area said the event is well-run. The grounds, prizes and sponsors are great.
“The girls and their helpers worked extremely hard in the blistering heat to keep things safe and running smoothly,” said Collins. She rode her 14-year-old mare named Nala, and although they did not end up in the money, they were happy with their runs.
Photo by Roaming Vaquera Photography
Maci Boyes was one of the younger riders that attended the Dash for Cash in Carndu over the weekend. Photo by Roaming Vaquera Photography
DAYZI’S DONUTS & COFFEE
July
Sat - Sun, July 27 & 29 - Soul Feast 2024 - Kenosee Boys & Girls Camp
August
Your rst stop to nd events happening in our community!
Friday, Aug 9 - Midnight Swim - Carlyle Swimming Pool
Fri & Sat - Aug 9 & 10 - Manor Fun Dayz
Sat, Aug 17 - Carlyle Fun Dayz
Fri, Aug 23 - Arcola Rodeo
Thurs, Aug 1 - Supper & Auction fundraiser Angie (Birnie) Paterson - Wawota Hall Sat, Aug 3 - Wawota Heritage Day
Sat, Aug 24 - 5th Annual Manor & RM 63 Fire Department Golf Tournament
September
By Stephanie Zoer
Nicole Shirley has reached a significant career milestone by becoming a registered massage therapist (RMT). Her journey to this accomplishment reflects her dedication, passion and commitment to promoting health and wellness in her community.
Shirley was born and raised in the Kenosee and Wawota areas, and only left for a brief time when her father moved to Kingwood, Texas. It was there that she graduated. They returned after a year and a half to the same area.
She had always enjoyed learning about human anatomy, and learned massage was an excellent way to help people heal faster and feel better.
She moved to Nova Scotia to attend a college for massage therapy, but shortly before she left, Shirley met the man who became her husband. Wanting to be closer to him, she dropped out of school in 2011 and returned to Saskatchewan.
Shirley, her husband T.J. and their
By Greg Nikkel SaskToday.ca
three children – daughter Ellie is nine, son Cecil, 7, and Sean, 5 – keep them busy on their acreage northwest of Carlyle.
Shirley also plays on a recreational volleyball team throughout the fall and winter. She said they have a great bunch, and they plan annual trips for golf and snowboarding.
Her husband works in the oil industry and Shirley became a bus driver, but she found being unable to make her own hours difficult with children that participate in sports.
She still wanted to become an RMT as she knew that massage therapy offered a relaxing feeling and it helped them physically.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she took online courses to become a registered RMT.
Taking a two-year program online, every five weeks she was required to attend the Western Remedial College to get the first-hand practice that she needed.
Shirley said this worked out well as she could be at home with their chil-
The Ministry of Education is working closely with SaskTel to upgrade internet bandwidth in rural public libraries across Saskatchewan.
Over the summer, nearly 200 rural public libraries
Fri-Sun, Sept 6-8 - Wild Hog Bike Rally - Arcola Wed, Sept 11 - Arcola Hospital Retention & Recruitment Public Appreciation BBQ
*Do you have a community event you want listed here? Send us the name of the event, date, and what community it’s being held by emailing: observer@sasktel.net OR calling: (306) 453-2525.
Nicole Shirley set to open new business in Carlyle
dren, and when she needed to do the two days in Regina, her husband was home with the kids.
In June, Shirley received her diploma as an RMT and began her business at Queen of Hearts in Carlyle.
Knowing how difficult it is for people to get to appointments during the work week, she will offer her services in the mornings, evenings and weekends.
“Not a lot of people can come during the day or get time off work to attend a massage,” said Shirley.
She wants to make it easier for her clients to get the help they need without losing hours on their cheques.
Her business name is simply called Nicole Shirley Registered Massge Therapist, and she cannot wait to help her clients feel better through the many techniques she has learned over the past two years. She is offering a $10 discount as a special promotion.
Shirley will continue to further her education every year whenever it is available. She is eager to learn prenatal massage and cupping to add to her business.
with existing CommunityNet (CNet) fibre networks will be upgraded to a minimum speed of 50 megabits per second (mbps). These increased speeds will improve the library experience by providing faster access to online tools and research.
Currently, there are 160 public libraries outside Saskatchewan’s urban centres with 10 mbps fibre CNet connections and 36 public libraries with 25 mbps.
In the Southeast Regional Library system, 25 branches will receive upgrades to their internet service. Upgrades began July 19. The following branches are currently operating on 10-25 mbps, but by the end of July, all southeast branches will be operating
of Hearts in Carlyle, and she will o er hours for those who work during the day. Photo by Whitney Rasmussen Photography
at a minimum of 50 mbps.
The branches include Carlyle, Manor, Oxbow, Redvers, Sedley, Ogema, Pangman, Yellow Grass, Radville, Lake Alma, Milestone, Wawota, Whitewood, Montmartre, Qu’Appelle, Bengough, Vibank, Windthorst, Bienfait, Grenfell, Lumsden, Balgonie, Indian Head, Regina Beach and Kipling.
“Libraries are an important foundational component of our education sector,” Minister of Education Jeremy Cockrill said. “The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to better this service as it will enhance reading, writing, research and learning opportunities within libraries and help people and communities meet their online information needs.”
Nicole Shirley is excited to start her business at Queen
The Bear Claw Casino & Hotel hosted its annual community barbecue on July 17.
Staff and management served hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and ice cream treats to all who attended.
The staff collected non-perishable food items for the Carlyle and District Food Bank. Along with the food items, they also had a pie-in-the-face fundraiser, in which three senior management members put their faces forward to raise money for the food bank.
Regional general manager Richard Ahenakew, asset protection manager Quentin Stevens and customer experience manager Peggy Slykhuis were the participants and the staff could purchase a pie for $10 to pie any one of them.
The Bear Claw Casino & Hotel raised $1,700 through this fundraiser.
Ray Boutin transforms nature’s treasurers into art
By Stephanie Zoer
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ray Boutin was one of many people looking for something to do when all the restrictions were put in place. At that time, he began his journey into this unique art.
Boutin is a familiar face in the Carlyle area, as he is in real estate with his Performance Realty office. Living north of Carlyle on Highway 9, Boutin is also the owner and operator of the Prairie Dog Drive In Theatre, which is one of five left operating in Saskatchewan.
Boutin’s art consists of sea glass and sharks’ teeth, wrapped delicately in wire, creating a piece of work that blends nature and human craftsmanship.
Making Mexican dream catchers as well, his pieces create a story with their faces and specially-placed sea glass.
“It is a humble start into the art world, but I will have it on display
nonetheless,” said Boutin.
If the spirits move him, he will craft some of his special art while he is at the Artist’s Colony of Moose Mountain Prov-
incial Park from July 30 until Aug. 5.
He finds working on the pieces relaxing and engaging, and if he ends up in Mexico over the following winters, he
will continue to make the wire-wrapped creations.
Boutin will also have Frijo’s history of Kenosee, which is a reproduction of the original displayed at the Kenosee Boys’ and Girls’ Camp.
He feels this alone is worth the trip to stop in and read the rich history as presented by Frijo.
Being enthusiastic about many artists, he has several pieces hanging in his office which are both local and from afar.
Luibov Kuptsova is an artist living in war torn Ukraine with her husband Durniev and family. While Boutin was on vacation in Victoria, B.C., his friend had all this beautiful art hanging in his home, and it turned out he was the agent for Kuptsova.
Being intrigued by the art, Boutin had several pieces sent to him, one being the Happy Cow. This piece has travelled to many places in Saskatchewan, and it was enjoyed so much, that Boutin had the rights to
reproduce three more of the pieces.
With each of Kuptsova’s pieces that are sold, half the proceeds are donated to the Kenosee Kitchen Party Music Camp and the other half goes to Kuptsova to support her family.
Kuptsova has said that after the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, the water treatment plants are not functioning as needed. They have no water during the day and power is
on intermittently. The water they do get is extremely poor quality and the prices of things have skyrocketed.
Kuptsova feels that art and music have the power to change the world and she hopes this comes sooner rather than later.
Boutin looks forward to his time at the Artist Colony, to show his work, share the history of Kenosee, promote local art and showcase the art of Liubov Kuptsova.
Bear Claw Casino & Hotel sta at work at the barbecue. Photo courtesy of Kristie McArthur
From left, Ray Boutin will have his daughter Janelle Boutin at Cabin 10 with live music while he is at the Artist’s Colony. Photo by Ray Boutin
Views
Southeast shows it wants an MRI
We’re now roughly four months into the fundraising campaign to bring an MRI scanner to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan.
As of the most recent update late last week, the campaign stood at more than $3.7 million of the $6.5 million goal, which is about 58 per cent complete. Of course, the total includes the $2 million contribution that Elaine Walkom made in memory of her late husband Grant, which made this project possible.
If you take Walkom’s incredible contribution out of the equation (not that we would ever want to discount what she did), the total for four months is at about $1.75 million. For an area the size of southeast Saskatchewan, we should be pleased with that number. It works out to approximately $435,000 per month. At that clip, it will take less than a year for the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation to reach the $6.5 million goal.
When the provincial government gave the MRI for Estevan project its blessing, it essentially said the onus was on the region to prove we wanted the machine. The people of southeast Saskatchewan have resoundingly sent the message that we want an MRI scanner for St. Joe’s.
We’ve had enough of the long wait times, the drives to Regina and Moose Jaw – or even out of province – to get an MRI. There’s just something inherently wrong about someone from Gainsborough being forced to drive nearly 3 1/2 hours to receive one of these invaluable scans, and then having to drive nearly 3 1/2 hours home. We deserve to have this equipment in our region.
We’ve seen individuals, businesses, municipalities and organizations step forward with their support. We’ve seen kids hold fundraisers.
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in southeast Saskatchewan who doesn’t want an MRI at St. Joe’s. And if someone doesn’t want an MRI for the hospital, you’d have to seriously question their reasoning.
Complacency can’t be allowed to sneak its way into the campaign. We can’t afford to say “Well, we’ve had such a great start. The campaign will reach its goal eventually.” Nor can we afford to say “We’ll take a break for the summer.”
Raising so much money in a year is dauting, even with a $2 million head start and even in an area as generous as southeast Saskatchewan.
This truly is a regional campaign. Yes, the MRI will be in Estevan, but it’s going to be such a tremendous asset for people throughout the region.
We’ve seen RMs outside of Estevan step forward with very large donations. Their ratepayers have told them this is a very important project, and they’re willing to see their taxpayer dollars go towards the campaign.
We’ve heard stories from people who want to see the MRI added to the fleet of medical services in the southeast.
We’re realistic enough to know that there are some services you can’t have in a smaller community, and there are going to be times in which we’re going to have to travel to Regina for an appointment. It’s unfortunate, especially for those who have to travel three hours to get to the provincial capital.
But an MRI doesn’t have to be one of them. The southeast is every bit as capable of having an MRI service as any other corner in the province, just like it showed it has the ability to have a CT scanner. (Another service that was added only because of leadership and because people raised the money to make it happen).
If you’re able to support the MRI for Estevan campaign, and you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to back it. After all, it really is an MRI for the south.
“Your playing small does not serve the world. Who are you not to be great?”
-
More than medals can shine brightly
It’s a secret often kept under wraps until the final moments.
Speculation mounts with each passing day as names are bandied about, and no, I’m not talking about the frenzy in American politics awaiting announcements of presidential running mates. I’m talking about the secrecy behind who is chosen to carry the Olympic torch in its final steps before lighting the cauldron, signaling the start of the Games.
The Summer Olympics in Paris are about to kick off. Actually, events like rugby, football, archery and handball are already underway and I know what many might be thinking: “Didn’t we just have summer Olympics?” In a way, yes.
It’s been only three years since the last ones because they were delayed by the pandemic, meaning we had Olympics in 2021, followed by Winter Games in 2022 and now back to the summer version this year. Too much for some. Pretty exciting for someone like me.
The opening ceremony on July 26 will feature culture, music and dance, along with traditions that have come to be part of the Olympic program, such as elements involving the torch.
Historians tell us the flame originated in a temple built to honour Hera, a Greek mythological figure. Her shrine stands at Olympia where the first recorded Games were held in 776 B.C. During a special ceremony each Olympiad, a vessel is positioned to capture the sun’s rays and set fire to dry grass, thus igniting the Olympic flame.
The first runner carries it to a monument of Baron de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic movement, and from there travels to Athens, where it is handed over to whatever committee is hosting the next games, and a new torch relay begins.
Although typically carried by runners, the torch has been moved by horseback, canoe, gondola, skiers, cable car, airplane, dragon boat, camel and even laser beam over the years. Each relay is as unique as each host nation, building to the moment when the final runner is tasked with lighting the official cauldron which stays lit for the duration of the Games.
The Montreal Olympics marked the first time two people (one male, one female) were selected to light the cauldron, when teenagers Stephane Pre-
fontaine and Sandra Henderson got the honour.
The relay itself was quite short with 1,200 different runners, contrasting with Vancouver 2010 that included approximately 12,000 torchbearers. At its end Wayne Gretzky helped light an indoor cauldron with other notable athletes, and he then continued on to Coal Harbour where he lit the outdoor cauldron, making him the first person in Olympic history to light two cauldrons in the same Games.
While the question of who the final torchbearers might be can create quite the guessing game, so too does the question of how the cauldron itself will be lit. A run up a giant flight of steps was once the mark but that has changed. In 2000, Cathy Freeman stood in a pool of water and ignited a ring of fire.
Perhaps the most memorable was in 1992 when archer Antonio Rebollo shot a flaming arrow through the air and perfectly hit his target to bring the cauldron to life in Barcelona. Rebollo worked with a specialist for a year to train his body and mind for that moment.
Questions about the Paris final torch bearers and cauldron lighting will be answered. I am looking forward to the anticipated moment on July 26, but there is something else I learned this year (during a sermon at a funeral) that has captured my at-
tention even more.
In ancient Greece, runners competed in a relay race called the lampadedromia. Participants held a torch in their hand as they ran and passed it on to the next athlete, until the final member of the team crossed the finish line. But the prize wasn’t awarded to the fastest team. It was given to the team to finish with their torch still lit.
I love that. It wasn’t about being the strongest or the fastest. The top prize went to those who focused on what mattered — keeping the flame alive. Over the next two weeks, some athletes will win medals. Some will achieve personal bests. Others will suffer disappointment and heartache. But no matter the outcome, those that cross the finish line with their flame burning brightly should be noted.
And what might it mean to keep that torch burning? How about ensuring they are nurturing it and competing with honesty, character and integrity. It’s how we should all move through life.
The achievement is less meaningful than the work it took to get there. We will stumble. We will fail. We might even want to give up. But we need to remember that far more important than where we finish in the standings, is how brightly our flame continues to burn while getting there. That’s my outlook.
Nelson Mandela
Shelley Luedtke
Stoughton Lions present proceeds
The Stoughton Lions Club is always giving back to their community, and it happened once again. On July 1, they did the barbecue at the Canada Day celebration in Stoughton, and through this they raised $1,000. Their other fundraiser was the reverse draw, which also happened on the July 1 celebration and raised $2,000. The last three names in the reverse draw were the lucky winners, but the Stoughton First Responders were the biggest winners, as they received a $3,000 donation from the club. First responders and Lions members were on hand July 23 at the Stoughton Tecumseh Fire Hall to except the cheque. From left, Del
Fossil found in Frobisher dates back to dinosaurs’ era
By David Willberg
Bob Steman was using rocks to build a drainage system in the backyard of his Frobisher residence when he made an interesting discovery: a fossil that he says is 75 million years old.
“I dug down to the clay and used the topsoil for my yard, and filled it full of rocks. I hauled 11 halftonnes of rock out of a pasture,” Steman recalled in an interview with the Mercury and SaskToday. “This spring, when I was cleaning up the rest of the pile that was left, I found this fossil that had broken open while I was hauling.”
Right away, he knew he had found something different.
“I had a look at it, thought it was weird, and I was hoping it was gold,” Steman said with a laugh. “I just threw it up on the bank … and finished doing what I was doing.”
He asked his wife to take a look at it, and they thought it would be good to have the fossil examined by an expert.
Steman sent a picture of his discovery to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alta., which is renowned for its research and knowledge of prehistoric. Their response was the fossil was over 65 million years old
and it dated back to the days of the dinosaurs. Without further examination, the museum couldn’t say exactly where it came from or how old it was, and they directed Steman to reach out to somebody in Saskatchewan.
He then sent the photo to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, who said it was an ammonite that was “more or less” 75 million years old. Ammonites were marine animals that had a coiled external shell similar to that of the modern nautilus.
“They say we [Saskatchewan] used to be a shallow seabed, all the way from the Gulf of Mex-
ico to the Artic Ocean,” said Steman.
The fossil remains in Steman’s possession. He was thinking of donating it to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, but another person suggested it should be given to the Souris Valley Museum,
where it would be a very unique display.
He’s surprised at the reaction he has received since people first starting hearing about the discovery.
Steman said he has never heard of anything like this in the Frobisher
area, and he was told that fossils in the province are typically located in the Eastend area or in central Saskatchewan.
Since he made his discovery, he has been looking outside and wondering what else is out there, and how the fossil came to be among the rocks that were part of the rocks
he was using for a drainage project.
“They say it comes from the Bearpaw Formation, and I now have another great big rock that I picked while I was picking rocks, and it kind of looks like the same texture on the outside. I’ve been thinking of busting it open and taking a look.”
Coderre, Dorothy Knoch, John Murphy, Diana Adams, Gayla Gilbertson, Leon Gilbertson, Ed Young and Terry Faser. In front is Lynn Young. Photo by Stephanie Zoer
Bob Steman holds the fossil that he found at his residence in Frobisher.
tesy of Bob Steman
Southeast organizations receive CIF funding
The Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) has approved 416 grants worth more than $5.3 million through its latest grant application intake.
According to a news release from the Government of Saskatchewan, these grants will support innovative local initiatives, build vibrant communities and enrich the quality of life in 151 Saskatchewan communities.
The CIF approved 177 grants, totalling $2,893,799 through its community grant program to support programs that contribute to the wellbeing of children and youth, families and communities.
These programs offer opportunities for children and youths to gain knowledge, skills and supports to promote positive mental health, self-esteem and healthy lifestyle behaviours, and to ensure families have access to supports and resources to create healthy and caring environments.
Another 238 summer grant programs were approved, totalling $1,219,677, to support camps and day programs offering positive recreation, arts, culture and learning opportunities for Saskatchewan children and youths during the summer months.
Funding also helps non-profit organizations enhance their program delivery, governance and
leadership capacities, and to engage individuals as volunteers. The Canadian Mental Health Association, Saskatchewan Division, will receive $1.187 million in two-year funding support of the Gambling Awareness Program.
Among those receiving support were Carlyle’s Cornerstone Family and Youth Centre, $24,000 for early childhood learning and development; the Lampman Family Centre, $23,000 for the Healthy Rural Family Project; and the Oxbow and District Recreation Board, $2,900 for its Connecting through
Education and the Arts Program.
As for the summer grant program, receiving support were the Town of Arcola ($3,192) for its summer camp; Carlyle’s Cornerstone Family and Youth Centre ($5,000) for its summer camp; the Town of Carlyle ($6,000) for a summer swimming program; the Southeast Regional Library’s Manor branch ($1,200) for its summer day camp; the Oxbow and District Recreation Board ($6,000) for a summer swimming program; the Southeast Regional Library’s Oxbow branch
($1,300) for a summer reading program; the Southeast Regional Library’s Redvers branch ($1,500) for a summer reading club; the Town of Redvers ($1,654) for a swimming program; and the Town of Stoughton ($6,000) for a summer day camp.
“Since 1995, the CIF has supported a wide range of programs, organizations, people and communities across the province to enhance the quality of life for all Saskatchewan people,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said.
“These grants strengthen important community pro-
grams and support healthy lifestyles and inclusive communities. Our government is proud to support the CIF’s important work by investing $8.5 million from casino revenues to the grant program in 2024-25.”
“The CIF supports a wide range of organizations, programs, people and communities in all regions of the province,” Community Initiatives Fund executive
director Tracey Mann said.
“The creativity and resilience of these organizations and communities strengthen our province and CIF is proud to provide its support.”
The CIF is a special purpose fund created through The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation Act and managed by a government appointed board of community volunteers.
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Sports
Carndu ’s Carter Beck commits to Indiana State
The next step in Carter Beck’s baseball journey will take him to the Indiana State University Sycamores, a Division 1 NCAA program located in Terre Haute, Ind.
Indiana State announced on July 15 that Beck, an outfielder who hails from Carnduff, was among the players who had signed with the Sycamores for the 2025 season. Beck comes to the Sycamores by way of the University of Mary Marauders in Bismarck, N.D., where Beck hit .349 over 49 starts in his freshman collegiate season. He finished second on the Marauders with 66 hits and 12 home runs, while pacing the Marauders with 53 runs batted in.
Beck added a .634 slugging percentage, a .432 on-base percentage and 11 stolen bases.
“I had a lot of fun there [at UMary] and the season was about as good as one could ask. I have no regrets about it,” Beck said in an interview with the Mercury and SaskToday He earned the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Freshman
of the Year Award and second-team all-conference honours. He also earned the University of
Mary Rookie of the Year recognition.
“When I committed to UMary, I never planned
on being there more than two years, but when I got there and my freshman year went how it did, I
figured I got to see what’s out there,” said Beck.
He wasn’t getting a lot of offers and was planning to go to a junior college when Indiana State reached out to him.
“The transfer portal is crazy. When I entered, there was probably 8001,000 names in it, but a couple weeks in, once the Division 1 season ended, the portal gets to almost 3,000 people in it, so there’s a lot of options out there, and in the end, it comes down to who you know or sees you play,” said Beck.
Beck said he was drawn to Indiana State because of their track record of winning. In the 2024 season, they went 44-15.
The school just had three players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, and another player signed as an undrafted free agent.
“It’s not a Power 5 school, but they play tons of Power 5 teams. I know we play Vanderbilt every year,” said Beck.
The Power 5 teams are from the top 5 conferences in the NCAA.
He was also impressed with the business mar-
keting program at Indiana State.
Beck played minor ball in the southeast, including the U18 AAA Twins. He was named the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s MVP and top hitter in 2022 and 2023. He was also awarded the top hitter award at the Canada Cup tournament.
Beck is currently playing for the Saskatoon Berries of the Western Canada Baseball League. After a slow start, Beck said the Berries have been playing better lately, and now they’re into the tough part of the season. He was selected to play in the recent allstar game. He was one of three players who were in the SPBL last season selected to be an all-star.
“I know there’s a few teams that have guys from UMary, and it’s pretty cool to see those guys, too.”
Beck believes he will need to keep getting better on the defensive side of the ball and become more comfortable in the outfield before next season, but playing so much this year has certainly helped.
Curlers loved the Miniota Shirtsleeve Open Bonspiel
By Stephanie Zoer
Curling is typically a sport played in the winter months, as most places remove the ice during the spring and summer, but this is not the case in Miniota, Man. They hold a Shirtsleeve Open Bonspiel in the summer.
This event is run by a group of resolute volunteers. It is in its 33rd year and is held the third weekend in July.
The Shirtsleeve Classic 2024 was held July 19-21 and the weekend was filled with activities including the popular bonspiel.
Four curling enthusiasts from Carlyle entered the mixed team event, which had 24 teams registered.
Jacob Kirk, Tianna Dellaleau, Kiera Brown and Tyson LaChapelle decided to travel to the event and see how far they could go in the bonspiel.
The weekend hosts a pancake breakfast at the fire hall, car rally on the main street, kids’ activities including an inflatable water slide at the Valley Recreation Centre, an open golf tournament, a slo-pitch
tournament, a tractor pull east of the Miniota rink, a five-kilometre colour run and curling.
On July 20, a pork supper was served with a dance to follow, and the following evening they hosted a cold-plate supper.
Curling games began on July 19 against the first team called Cuthill. This game was a blowout with Carlyle winning 10-1. The next game on July 20 was played against Duff’s team and the local entry fell 8-1.
This did not deter the four players when their third game came up against Clark’s team. The game was a battle until the end, and Carlyle prevailed with a 5-4 win.
Game four came in the morning of July 21 against a team of LaChapelle’s relatives. They won this match 6-0.
The semifinal game was played that afternoon in the C event. Lalond was the opposition and they proved to be a tough bunch, winning 6-1 to end the Carlyle team’s run.
Although the team did not come home with a win, it was a fun time had by all.
Carter Beck signs his papers to play baseball for Indiana State University. Photo courtesy of Carter Beck
From left, Jacob Kirk, Tianna Dellaleau, Kiera Brownand and Tyson LaChapelle travelled to Miniota, Man., to take part in the Shirtsleeve Classic. Photo courtesy of Carlyle Curling Club
Lampman’s Diezel Raynard wins hobby stock Dirt Wars title
It was a special night for Diezel Raynard at the Estevan Motor Speedway on Sunday.
The Lampman racer won the track’s hobby stock feature, and he also captured the Riley Raynard Dirt Wars title for this year. Dirt Wars was held Saturday and Sunday at the track for the hobby stock drivers. Diezel and Riley Raynard are brothers.
Diezel Raynard finished second during Saturday night’s feature and wound up with 79 points over the two nights, four ahead of Connor Hanson and Ty Saxon, who each had 75 points.
The speedway announced last year it was naming the annual Dirt Wars doubleheader after Riley Raynard, who raced as a hobby stock driver for a decade despite having Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Raynard, who is in a wheelchair, raced using special hand controls in his vehicle.
In a post on the Raynard Racing Facebook page, the family said the amount of support that has been shown to them from the racing community has been incredible.
“Words cannot describe how proud and grateful we are for how things turned out,” the post said.
They noted Diezel Raynard’s win was his first in feature race victory in Estevan, and it was extra exciting that Riley was able to announce the race.
They also thanked pit crew members Tanner Carson and Chris Hortness, their sponsors and anyone else who helped make the weekend a success.
Diezel Raynard (96R) won this year’s Riley Raynard Dirt Wars championship at the Estevan Motor Speedway.
Jed Centeno’s tness challenge in support of charity
By Stephanie Zoer
Jed Centeno is a 20-year-old young man from Stoughton who wants to make a difference in other people’s lives through fitness and challenges.
His mom Jovelyn Fodra immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 2015, leaving her son Jed Centeno with his grandmother.
Fodra gained employment at Crossroads Bar and Grill, while also working at the New Hope Pioneer Lodge, both located in Stoughton.
In 2018, Centeno came to Canada and began his schooling at Stoughton Central School. He graduated from Grade 12.
Centeno decided engineering was what he wanted for a career, but after going to college in New Brunswick for one year, Centeno was not sure if this was the right choice for him.
When his year was completed, Centeno returned to Stoughton and picked up work at Stought’s Eatery, the Crossroads Liquor Store and at Triple J Roofing.
Centeno is also involved in the Stoughton Soccer League through playing and officiating.
During this time, he often thought of the poor conditions in the Philippines and said he has seen much poverty there. He helped many people in his country through charity and wants to do the same thing here.
Centeno has always enjoyed fitness and hopes to one day build his own business; in the
meantime, he wants to do a fitness challenge.
“I am not a fitness coach nor a personal trainer,” said Centeno, but he does say that the
challenge he plans will help people and a great charity.
Flex with Purpose Trail Expedition achieves two goals in one action,
helping community and improving one’s self.
The challenge is based on team participation. Each squad will have 25 members, and this challenge will take place in Stoughton at the soccer fields on Sept. 7 and 8.
Children under the age of eight may also join in on the fun, but they do not count towards the 25 people needed in the group. Feel free to add as many kids as wanted to the team.
The first event is the 250-kilometre run, jog or walk. At this station, the team must accumulate the required distance, which will take a great deal of effort.
Another event is the 50,000-sled push. The goal is move 50,000 pounds 50 metres using a sled. This challenge demands teamwork, coordination and strategy.
The third challenge will have the team tak-
ing sand bags over 50 metres, totalling 50,000 pounds. This will also require a lot of skill, strategy and a great deal of teamwork.
The fourth challenge is a surprise and will be announced that day.
Each challenge is done as a team, and Centeno ensures that the more the team works together, the better the results.
It has an entry fee of $35 per person, and children under the age of eight are $15 each. This money will be gathered,
with a portion going to the winning team, some paying off the few expenses incurred, and the rest donated to a charity.
Stoughton is getting involved with teams coming from the Stoughton Pool, Stoughton Golf Course and the Stoughton Soccer Club. They are challenging other towns to get involved and to create a team for a fun-filled weekend of fitness.
Centeno is hoping this is the beginning of a yearly event.
From left, Jed Centeno gets a lot of support from his mom Jovelyn Fobra, on his new adventure that will take place in September. Photo courtesy of Jed Centeno
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WEEK OF JULY 28 TO AUGUST 3, 2024
THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: CANCER,LEO AND VIRGO
ARIES
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TAURUS
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Youshould wait until after the holidays before making anybig decisions. Take the time to weighthe pros and cons. This will remove some pressure that could lead you to make regrettable choices.
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ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO.249
CRO SSW OR DP UZZL EA NS WER S US EA MERICAN SPEL LING
PUZZLE NO. 249