OBSERVER THE
Mountain Workwear PAGE 3
Daryl Harrison looking forward to representing Cannington for another four years after election win
By David Willberg
Daryl Harrison is going to spend another four years in the Saskatchewan legislature as Cannington’s MLA.
Harrison was re-elected during Monday night’s provincial election. He captured 6,034 of the 8,188 votes cast, or 73.6 per cent of the popular vote. Dianne Twietmeyer of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) was second with 1,058 votes, followed by Michelle Krieger of the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan (540), Barbara Helfrick of the Saskatchewan United Party (420) and Natalie Lund-Clysdale of the Saskatchewan Green Party (196).
The Progressive Conservative Party and the Saskatchewan Progress
Party (formerly the Saskatchewan Liberals) did not have a candidate in the riding.
“I’m thankful and I’m humbled that the voters of Cannington allowed me to represent them for another four years. I just can’t describe how that made me feel,” Harrison said in an interview with the Observer and SaskToday.
Voting closed at 8 p.m. on election night and Cannington was among the first ridings to report early results just after 8:30 p.m. Harrison had a big lead after just two of the 40 polling stations came in, and nobody ever came close.
He was surprised by the margin of victory, even though Cannington has traditionally been a conservative-friendly
constituency.
The Saskatchewan Party was re-elected to a
fifth consecutive majority government on election night. It’s just the
second time that it has happened in Saskatchewan’s history; the NDP also had such a dynasty from 1944-1964.
But the Sask. Party will have a smaller government this time, as they held 35 of the 61 seats in the legislature on election night. The NDP captured the other 26. The NDP controls the two largest cities in the province, as they won all 12 seats in Regina and 12 of 14 in Saskatoon.
Harrison said he thought the Saskatchewan Party would do better in the two big cities, but the rest of the province went as he expected.
“I think the province-wide results show we have more work to do, and we’re willing to do it. We’ll carry on with the business of making
Missoula Children’s Theatre returned to Carlyle
By Stephanie Zoer
The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) returned to Carlyle for another year.
Directors Audra Tibbit and Austin Plunkett arrived in Carlyle in their red truck loaded with a production set, costumes and props – everything that was needed to put on a performance except for the actors who waited at the Carlyle schools.
Auditions began Oct. 21, when 41 excited students from the Carlyle Elementary School and the Gordon F. Kells High School were cast in the production of Hercules. They rehearsed every evening and put on the performance Oct. 25, in front of a crowd of nearly 200 people.
Saskatchewan the best place to live in Canada, we’ll have a strong growing economy, and we’re going to have a bright future,” said Harrison.
Health care and highways were the biggest concerns he heard on the campaign trail. On the health-care front, a number of health centres in the southeast have had temporary service interruptions during the past four years, including Oxbow, Arcola and Redvers, due to staffing shortages.
“Our recruiting, retaining, training and incentivizing of our healthcare workers, there’s more work to do there,” said Harrison. “We have to keep our health-care facilities operational, and that’s still a focus of this government.”
The MCT was founded in 1970 by Jim Caron, who was from Missoula, Mont. His intention was to bring theatre art to young people in Missoula.
Caron, along with his co-founder Don Collins, noticed the lack of youthoriented performance opportunities in the area and wanted to create something that allowed
children to experience the magic of theatre.
What began as a single production in Missoula quickly transformed as they expanded the MCT’s reach beyond Montana.
This small local theatre has grown into an international movement that inspires creativity, confidence and collab-
oration in young people.
One of the distinguishing aspects of MCT is the little red truck touring model.
Each week, teams of two MCT actors-directors drive to communities – small towns and and cities alike – and bring everything they need to put on a production.
When the cast begins their work, they learn lines, songs and choreography in only five days.
While producing a high-quality show is important, the MCT’s emphasis on life skills is what sets it apart. Participation in theatre requires discipline, teamwork and communication skills
that are transferrable to all aspects of life. The MCT believes that these experiences can help build a foundation of self-confidence and resilience in children. By putting young people in the spotlight, MCT fosters a sense of responsibility and pride in their work.
Daryl Harrison will be Cannington’s MLA for another four years. File photo
The cast of students that performed the production of Hercules presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre. Photo by Jennifer Sedor
DAYZI’S DONUTS & COFFEE
November
Thurs, Nov 7 - Winter Wonderland Opening - Carlyle Home Hardware
Sat, Nov 9 - Storthoaks FireBall - Supper & Auction and live band
Sat, Nov 9 - Bow Valley Villa, Oxbow - Pie Auction
Sun, Nov 17 - Canadian Wrestling’s Elite - GFK High School
*Do you have a community event you want listed here?
There’s also always improvements that can be made for highways across the province. Harrison claims the government has committed to 1,000 kilometres of improvements per year, and he added they’re ahead of the pace.
Highway 9 from the Canada-U.S. border to the north boundary edge beyond Langbank is one route that generates a lot of concerns. Others
are Highway 13 from Redvers to the Manitoba border and Highway 47 north of Stoughton.
Harrison stressed the backbones of the province remain oil and gas, mining and agriculture.
“The rare earth elements will play a huge factor,” said Harrison. “You’ll see more development in the lithium sector as well as the helium. And then agriculture, when you’re a province
Carlyle Bakery canalsobefound at these Retailers
Estevan -Little J's Food Town -938 EvaStreet
Estevan -Pharmasave -1239 5thStreet
Weyburn -Pharmasave -30-3rdStreet
Oxbow -SouthernPlains Co-op -405 Prospect Ave
Your rst stop to nd events happening in our community!
December
Fri & Sat, Dec 6 & 7 - Dickens Festival
Fri & Sat, Dec 6 & 7 - Cornerstone Theatre - evening theatre
Sat, Dec 7 - Dickens Festival Tradeshow
- Carlyle Elementary School & That Place on Railway Sun , Dec 8 - Cornerstone Theatre matinee
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.
Highways, health care were common topics
with 40 per cent of the arable farmland in Canada, it will continue to be a big player in Saskatchewan’s economy.”
Harrison said he was able to get to each community in the constituency during the campaign, even though several communities were added to the riding due to the redrawing of the provincial constituency boundary maps a couple of years ago. On election day, he
didn’t have a lot of time to meet with people because he was travelling throughout the riding. Election night was spent at home following the results with his family.
“It was a later night than what I expected, but it was good. I can’t say enough about the people that supported me in this 2024 election.”
If given the chance, Harrison said he would welcome the opportunity
to be in cabinet. During his first four years as an MLA, he did not hold a cabinet position. But he points out it’s up to the premier to decide who serves as a minister.
Cannington has long been a conservative stronghold in provincial politics. Since the riding was formed in 1975, it has been represented by either a Progressive Conservative or a Sask. Party member. And there have
Election to decide Carlyle councillor spot; Sedor
There will be an election in Carlyle to determine who will occupy the final seat on town council.
The initial call for nominations for mayor and six councillor seats was issued in September, and the deadline to file a nomination paper elapsed on Oct. 9. Five people – John Brownlee, Hugh Hislop, Lauren Hume, Kelly Lutz and Gord Paulley – filed nomination forms before the deadline, and they
were acclaimed as councillors.
Jen Sedor was the only person to file the documents for mayor, and she was also acclaimed to the role. This will be her second term as Carlyle’s mayor.
been just three MLAs in its nearly 50-year history, with Harrison joining Eric Berntson (19751991) and Dan D’Autremont (1991-2020) as the MLAs.
For comments from the other candidates in Cannington, please see Page 6. For comprehensive coverage of the election, please visit our provincial news hub at sasktoday.ca
Since there weren’t enough candidates for councillor, a second call for nominations was issued, with a deadline of Oct. 23. Mary Moffat and Tracy Van Dresar filed papers, so an election will be needed on Nov. 13. The person who receives more votes between Moffat and Van Dresar will occupy the final councillor spot.
An advanced poll will happen on Nov. 6 from 1-4 p.m. at the Carlyle Memorial Hall. Voting on the Nov. 13 election day will run from 9 a.m.8 p.m., also at the Carlyle Memorial Hall.
Carlyle Mayor Jen Sedor is looking forward to another term. File photo
Moose Mountain Workwear opens in Carlyle
By Stephanie Zoer
The Tourand family name has long been associated with quality workwear in the Carlyle community, thanks to the hard work of Ron Tourand, who owned and operated Ron’s Workwear with his family for over 40 years.
When Ron and his family decided to close his beloved store, it marked the end of an era for many customers who had come to rely on Ron’s expertise and commitment to quality.
But now, the family legacy is alive once again, thanks to Ron’s son Mike Tourand, who has returned to Carlyle after living in Vancouver for several years as a successful travel agent and working in the film industry. The cost of living was beginning to add up, so he returned to his roots in Saskatchewan.
His wife Melissa Johnson-Kurtz was raised in Carlyle and 16 months ago they had a baby boy named Bennett. They have made Carlyle their home and wish to remain here with family and friends. Tourand has also served on the Carlyle Fire
Department for the past 10 years.
With the family business closing its doors, Tourand needed to find work and it was then he realized that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps with opening his own business, Moose Mountain Workwear.
The company aims to uphold the same values of quality and service that Ron’s Workwear was known for. Moose Mountain Workwear is located in the old building, but the inside has had a facelift, and there is a new bright sign on the exterior with a fresh logo.
Tourand will be keeping all the popular brands that his father had, but he will be expanding his line of workwear to meet modern demands and offer a fresh approach to serving the communities’ workwear needs.
Alongside Tourand will be his brother Steve, who has worked in the family business for years, and Steve will be his brother’s righthand man, as Tourand said this is a joint venture.
He will carry a full line of winter gear, coveralls, fire-rated clothing
and safety apparel. They will offer knowledgeable experience on the products they sell.
Tourand said their customer service will go above and beyond.
“If someone is working out in the oilpatch and gets to town late and needs a pair of boots, all they need to do is call and we will arrange to go to the store,” said Tourand.
He realizes that not everyone works a 9-5 job, and at times it is impossible for people to get to the store within the hours that it will be open, so customer service is most important.
Moose Mountain Workwear hopes to be more than just a place to shop, but a place were costumers feel connected to a family that understands the importance of hard work.
The store will be open six days a week from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
With Moose Mountain Workwear, Tourand is not just carrying on his father’s legacy, he is building a brand that honours the past while embracing the future, to become a trusted name within his community for years to come.
Arcola’s Disc Golf Course had a spooktacular tournament
By Stephanie Zoer
Arcola’s disc golf community came together for a spook-tacular celebration on Oct. 27 at the town’s first-ever Hellowe’en Howler tournament.
The event marked a milestone for the Arcola Optimist Disc Golf Course, which debuted in 2021 with a modest nine-basket course and expanded to a full 18 baskets earlier this year.
The course is located at the south end of Arcola, giving it a parkland setting, and it has become a local favourite since it opened three years ago.
The 18-basket layout has not only enhanced the playing experience, but has
also attracted more visitors and has hosted competitive events.
For this first Hellowe’en Howler themed tournament, organizers encouraged players to embrace the spirit of the season by coming in costume. Six two-member teams took part in the day of spooky events.
There was a wide range of ages, and the costumes were well put together, offering a fun time and some competition between teams. Tandems came from as far as Regina and Weyburn to join in on the fun.
According to Eugene Brown, this fundraiser was to showcase the Arcola course, while raising the profile of disc golf and the town of Arc-
ola, but most of all to have fun.
The course was decorated with the Grim Ripper, witches, skeletons and tombstones to add to the spooky theme.
Arlen Nickel and Jeri-Ann Brownridge, known as Team Deadly from Regina, took home the gold medal discs. There was also awards for silver and bronze, the bestdressed tandem, and the furthest disc.
Organizers hope the Hellowe’en tournament will become an annual tradition and draw even more participants each year.
Arcola’s first disc tournament not only delivered a fun and competitive experience but also solidified the course as an asset to the community.
From left, Mike Tourand and his brother Steve are looking forward to seeing new and old faces at Moose Mountain Workwear in Carlyle. Photo courtesy of Mike Tourand.
From left, Arlen Nickel and Jeri-Ann Brownridge took home the rst-ever Hellowe’en Howler 2024 gold medal discs. Photo by Eugene Brown
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There was an appetite for change. But not enough
Entering this year’s provincial election, everyone knew the results were going to be a lot closer than those of its predecessors. It was just a matter of how close.
The Saskatchewan Party wasn’t going to garner 60 per cent of the popular vote, and it wasn’t going to finish with 50-ish seats again. The New Democratic Party was going to have its highest number of seats since the 2003 election, when they won 30 and formed government for the last time.
Would the NDP pick up enough seats to regain power and end the Saskatchewan Party’s 17-year reign? As it turns out, no.
The Saskatchewan Party was re-elected to a fifth consecutive majority government, tying a record in Saskatchewan set by the NDP from 1944 to 1964. But the Sask. Party is down to 35 seats as opposed to a much higher number we’ve seen in recent years, which will be a disappointing number for the party.
The Buffalo Party and the Saskatchewan United Party were both shut out across the province, and you have to wonder if concerns about a vote split hindered their support. It might have caused some people to vote Sask. Party. Or perhaps some of the Sask. Party’s policies helped them take support from the Buffalo Party and the SUP, even if those policies hurt them in Regina and Saskatoon.
You can expect to hear a lot of talk about rural-urban vote splits in the wake of the election. The NDP swept Regina’s 12 ridings and took 12 of 14 Saskatoon seats. Most of the victories weren’t close.
Pundits expected the NDP to win the bulk of the bigcity seats; few would have expected 24 of 26 seats. The NDP’s two other seats came in northern Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Party swept Moose Jaw, Prince Albert and the 29 seats in rural and small-city Saskatchewan.
The NDP has to be patient if it hopes to regain its support in rural Saskatchewan. Carla Beck has done a good job of reaching out to the non-city ridings since she became leader in June 2022; it’s going to take years of work before it starts winning in those ridings again. And it might not be able to regain power without rural Saskatchewan.
This isn’t Manitoba. The majority of Saskatchewan’s seats aren’t in one community.
One of the challenges facing the Sask. Party is the lack of representation in Regina. A good cabinet in Saskatchewan will have male and female ministers from the big cities, small cities and rural areas. But it’s not going to happen with zero MLAs from Regina.
One other discussion needs to emerge from election night: modernizing the ballot-counting process. In Estevan, we’ve had electronic polling for municipal votes since the 2014 civic by-election. It works great. We know the election results within an hour of the polling stations closing. And it makes life easier on election workers who previously had to work past midnight to tabulate the results.
The provincial election night this year was frustrating. It took nearly 90 minutes for the initial results to come in from Saskatoon and Regina. Many constituencies in the big cities, as well as other ridings, didn’t come in until nearly 10 p.m. And the first polls for Yorkton weren’t reported until closer to 10:30 p.m.
Electronic polling stations are expensive. And with 61 constituencies and numerous stations in each riding, it would likely be cost-prohibitive to have all of them in place in time for 2028. But a pilot project for some of these ridings might be worth investigating. It was an interesting election, the most suspenseful one since 2003. Now that the election is over, the intrigue of the next four years in the Saskatchewan Legislature begins.
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”
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What do these people have in common?
It started rather accidentally, but has since become something of a fixture in the media and certainly an announcement that draws attention.
It was new year’s week in 1928 and the editors at Time Magazine had nothing for the cover during a slow news cycle. It was suggested they stop looking for someone newsworthy that particular week and instead choose someone who had accomplished something the previous 12 months that warranted being called Man of the Year.
With everyone on board, the choice was easy: Charles Lindbergh, who had crossed the Atlantic on a solo mission and who had not previously been featured on the cover, an oversight they said needed to be rectified. Thus was born the tradition of naming a Man of the Year.
The first Woman of the Year was Wallis Simpson in 1936. In 1999, Time made the switch to the use of Person of the Year rather than switching back and forth depending on the situation. Taylor Swift won it last year.
“The Man of the Year idea caught on with a bang and, somewhat surprised, we decided to make it an annual event,” said
one editor P.I. Prentice. “The choice is in no way an accolade, nor a Nobel Prize for doing good. Nor is it a moral judgment. The two criteria are always these: who had the biggest rise in fame and who did the most to change the news for better or for worse?”
Despite what they felt were clear parameters, some choices have caused outraged, and stirred considerable debate, including pushback on choices like Stalin, Hitler and Ayatollah Khomeini.
In its history, there have been 14 U.S. presidents and three popes named. Occasionally it has been an object: the computer in 1982 and Endangered Earth in 1988; or groups, such as in 1950 when the winner was The American Soldier while American Women were named in 1975.
Last spring Time put out their call looking for young leaders making big contributions to find their latest Kid of the Year. Young people ages eight to 16 are eligible and this year the title goes to Heman Bekele, a 15-year old from Virginia who is developing an affordable soap that could be a more accessible way to deliver cancer medications. Amazing work.
Other nominees were equally impressive: a 13-year old from Colorado fighting pollution by advocating for new state laws, a 15year old in Pennsylvania pouring himself into his community with a bike-repair business, a 13-year old in California developing a new kind of fire detector, a 15-year Arizona student working to protect pets from extreme heat, and an 11year old who is the first Black deaf actor nominated for an Emmy Award. Impressive achievements
all around. And these were just the ones who made the final list. So many children and youths are doing truly remarkable things. A while back, I took a phone call from a subscriber living in a city in another province. She was calling to tell us how good it made her feel to read a community newspaper and see what children and teenagers were doing. She went on to say how discouraging it was to hear of little more than vandalism, crime and mischief in her city by young people. Few places were telling the stories of all the good things kids were doing. Missed opportunities, to be sure. Then again, maybe a lot of us are missing an opportunity to draw attention to some pretty great people.
The 2024 Person of the Year winner will be announced in a few weeks and no matter who it is, will likely spawn comment and critique. Editors and reporters met in September to talk about who was the most influential, for good or not, of the past year.
While the winner will no doubt be someone I can acknowledge was influential, it is questionable whether their impact was something I felt directly. Yet there have been a lot of people who have had a tremendous impact on my life in the past 12 months. Young and old alike. The problem is I haven’t done a very good job of telling them. Perhaps that can change.
For almost 100 years, we have been told by a group of editors who the Person of the Year was. But you get to decide who your person of the year might be. Give it some thought—and then let them know. That’s my outlook.
Nelson Mandela
Shelley Luedtke
Littlechief to perform at important MRI fundraiser
The St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation is once again looking forward to celebrating Christmas and the community during its biggest fundraiser of the year – the Festival of Trees, slated for Nov. 16 and 17.
Several events are once again slated for the weekend, starting with the Estevan Kinette Club’s Christmas Marketplace at the Wylie-Mitchell Building and the Estevan Exhibition building at 10 a.m. Foundation executive director Lori Gervais said there will be lots of vendors coming to help people with their Christmas shopping needs and other purchases.
“The Kinettes are a super-important part of our fundraiser every year,” said Gervais.
That night will be the 12th annual gala supper. It will start with the Jingle and Mingle Happy Hour, which Gervais said has been a popular addition, and then supper by EB’s Catering will be served.
“It’s something that has become a beloved event, a staple event, a traditional Christmas party for lots of businesses,” said Gervais. “It’s changed over the years. We pick out the good parts and try to keep things going that
work well, but also give it a bit of a pizzazz every year.”
This year the theme is Red Carpet, so Gervais said it will be a fancy evening. People are encouraged to play BlackTie Bingo for the chance to win prizes. A similar event has been successfully tried at fundraisers elsewhere in Saskatchewan, she said.
“Bingo is something I think is pretty universal, everybody has had some experience with it and it’s not going to take a lot of explaining for people to understand how to play,” said Gervais.
There will also be a silent auction with items donated by businesses, organizations and people
in the community, a live auction and music courtesy of Teagan Littlechief of the White Bear First Nations. Littlechief is no stranger to the community, as she has performed at a number of events.
She also sings O Canada prior to the start of Saskatchewan Roughriders’ home games, has won several awards from the Saskatchewan Country Music Association and even won the first Estevan Idol contest in 2003.
“It’s going to be fantastic, and it’s something anytime I’m out in the
community and people are asking me about the gala, as soon as I say Teagan’s name, people are thrilled. Lots of people are excited to see her perform, but so many people who have seen her perform are thrilled and say she’s the best of the best, so we’re really excited about it. And I did hear through her manager that she’s working on some Christmas music,” said Gervais.
A few tables are still available by calling 306637-2474 or by emailing info@sjhf.org. The number of tables has in-
creased from 65 last year to 75 in 2024.
The second day of the festival features the Hometown Family Fun Day, presented by the Estevan Mercury. This year’s lineup includes Santa’s Workshop at Affinity Place, starting at 10 a.m., with Christmas crafts and activities, Santa’s Sleigh of gifts, Santa’s library, family photos and a selfie station.
Other highlights will include a play zone with bouncy castles at the Estevan Leisure Centre’s multipurpose room at 10 a.m., the inaugural North Pole playtime with crafts, stations and sensory activities at the Estevan Early Years Family Resource Centre, also at 10 a.m., a visit from Santa Claus at the Estevan Market Mall at noon, a family swim at the Access Communications Aquatic Centre at 1 p.m., and the chalet, with free milk and cookies for children, at McDonalds.
“This is something that we’ve built off of for many years, and it gives people … a day of activities, all free by donation,” said Gervais.
Proceeds from the
Festival of Trees will be directed to the fundraising campaign to bring an MRI scanner to the hospital. Gervais believes everyone in the community wants to participate in any way possible, and they all have a “very close to home” story of why it’s important to them.
“It’s not a hard sell. Everybody in our community absolutely agrees that it’s an important project, and we’ve had some great success with fundraising, so I feel like this is another way that people can celebrate the foundation and also help an important cause, and celebrate a kick-off to Christmas,” she said.
The campaign has generated more than $4.2 million, including the $2 million donation from Elaine Walkom in memory of her late husband Grant that kicked off the campaign. The goal is $6.5 million.
“People are reaching out quite often, asking how they can donate, and coming up with great fundraising ideas … so we are very open to any kind of people that want to participate with us,” said Gervais.
The Festival of Trees is the top fundraiser of the year for the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.
Cannington candidates react to election night defeat
Candidates who ran against the Saskatchewan Party’s Daryl Harrison in Cannington in Monday night’s provincial election expressed their thoughts on the results.
Dianne Twietmeyer with the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party finished second with 1,058 votes; it was her second time running for the party; she finished third in the 2020 election. She was pleased to improve her result and surpass the 1,000-vote threshold.
Twietmeyer believes her vote increase stemmed from people being disappointed with the Sask. Party’s handling of labour negotiations with the teachers, and wait times in the health-care system. She believes those who voted for the Buffalo Party four years ago also voted the Saskatchewan Party to ensure the governing party remained in power.
The results in Cannington went the way she expected, with the Saskatchewan Party picking up even greater support than it did four years ago.
“There is something about rural Saskatchewan that’s a little unexplainable, why the people in the country don’t feel that they can vote for any social change. It’s astonishing to me. But it’s no more than I expected going in,” she said.
But she was glad to see the results in the cities,
with the NDP collecting 24 of 26 seats on election night.
“I expected both cities to go full NDP, and I’m really happy with the 26 seats the NDP does have, and I think it can make a difference. When the governing party has too strong of a majority, they have no reason to govern for the people. They can just go ahead and govern for themselves. And we saw a lot of that over the last … years.”
She thought Sask. Party leader Scott Moe showed some real humility on election night when he vowed the Sask. Party would do better. Twietmeyer doubts she would run again in four years. She believes being a candidate is a job for a younger, more energetic person, but she would be happy to help revive the
NOTICE OF POLL
VILLAGE OF ALIDA
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that:
1. A Poll has been granted for the election of:
Councillor: Village of Alida (No. to be elected 4)
2. Voting will take place on Wednesday, the 13th day of November, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m at the polling place listed below:
Alida Golden Gate Centre – 202 Centre Street, Alida, Sask.
3. I will declare the result of the election at the Village of Alida Office on the 14th day of November, 2024 at the hour of 9:30 a.m.
DATED at Alida, Saskatchewan, this 25th day of October, 2024.
Kathy Anthony Returning Officer
VOTER IDENTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO VOTE.
NDP’s constituency association in Cannington to help find that young candidate who could spend a few years promoting the party.
Michelle Krieger, who represented the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan, was third with 540 votes. Krieger believes the Saskatchewan United Party pulled votes away from the Buffalos in both Cannington and Estevan-Big Muddy, but she knew it would be tough to win in Cannington, which has voted for the Sask. Party for seven straight elections.
“I can’t say I necessarily expected to win, but I did expect that we would see higher numbers than what we got,” said Krieger.
The party has been holding town hall meetings in Cannington for nearly a year. They have been visible and talking to a lot of people, and
Krieger found there was a “general sense of dissatisfaction” with the Saskatchewan Party and with Harrison.
The campaign was a great experience, she said, and she thought it was really good to meet people in more areas of the southeast and listen to their concerns. She said she had a really dedicated team of volunteers, and she says she owes a lot to them for helping get her message out.
Health care was a big issue in the riding, with emergency room closures happening regularly in two of the facilities in the region, leading to a lot of concern about the future of the facilities.
People were also concerned about the state of some of the highways, the contentious wind-power project for the RM of Griffin at the west edge of the constituency, and “overreach” by the fed-
NOTICE OF ADVANCE POLL
VILLAGE OF ALIDA
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that provision has been made for an advance poll for electors to cast their vote in advance of Election Day for the election of the office of:
COUNCILLOR: VILLAGE OF ALIDANumber to be elected Four (4)
Voting will take place on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 between the hours of 3:00 p.m and 8:00 p.m at the Alida Golden Gate Centre, 202 Centre Street, in Alida, Saskatchewan
Dated at Alida, Saskatchewan, this 25th day of October, 2024.
Kathy Anthony Returning Officer
VOTER IDENTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO VOTE.
eral government through the carbon tax.
Krieger was acclaimed as the mayor of Alameda earlier in the fall, so she will remain involved in politics. Had she won Monday night’s election, she said she would have stepped down as the town’s mayor.
Barbara Helfrick with the Saskatchewan United Party was fourth with 420 votes. She was disappointed she didn’t get more support, but she recognizes it’s a new, grassroots party trying to get its name out there.
“People were telling me they wanted a change,” she said. “People were telling me that they are very frustrated with our health and education systems, especially health.”
Voters are flustered with the wait times, the lack of services, emergency room closures and more.
She also had a late start, as she was nominated for Cannington just before the deadline on Oct. 12. She was busy with door-knocking in many of the communities
in Cannington, but there wasn’t enough time to get everywhere, and she had to balance her work as a registered nurse.
It was her first time running for an elected office. It proved to be a good experience. She said she would remain involved with the SUP, but it’s too soon to say whether she would run again.
“Everyone was very friendly. Everyone was very kind. They freely told me what their issues are. I feel I was well-received.”
Helfrick believes the SUP platform really represented her values.
“I love rural Saskatchewan, and I just want to see rural Saskatchewan thrive and be its best,” she said.
All the candidates thanked the public for their support.
The other candidate was Natalie Lund-Clysdale of the Saskatchewan Green Party, who finished fifth with 196 votes. She could not be reached for comment, and her bio and photo were never uploaded to the Green Party website.
VELDA WEATHERALD
Dianne Twietmeyer, Michelle Krieger and Barbara Helfrick were among the candidates for Cannington in the provincial election. File photos
Celebrating Halloween
The Carlyle Cubs Learning Centre hosted its second annual Halloween Carnival at the Carlyle Elementary School gymnasium on Oct. 26. Fun was had by many kids, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, who all enjoyed carnival games, treats from the canteen, a dance party, sensory activities and ra e prizes. The event was a success thanks to the parent advisory committee that planned the event; the families who volunteered; sponsors who donated cash, ra e items and treats for the canteen; and everyone who attended. All monies raised at the event will help with the development of the rear play yard at the Carlyle Cubs Learning Centre.
Photo courtesy of Kayla Brown
Carlyle’s poppy campaign is underway
By Doug Waldner
The Carlyle branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has launched the annual poppy campaign.
The first poppy in Saskatchewan for this year was presented to provincial Lt.Gov. Russ Mirasty on Oct. 24.
The official start of the poppy campaign in Carlyle occurred Oct. 25, when Nedra Clark, legion commander for District 1, presented the first poppy in Carlyle to Mayor Jenn Sedor at the Moose Mountain Lodge. Clark also presented poppies to Stephanie Paulley and Muriel Neff, both widows of Second World War veterans who are residents at the lodge.
Other members of the legion then presented more ceremonial poppies to residents who attended the ceremony.
The poppy is an international symbol of remembrance to honour those who served in the armed forces. During the poppy campaigns, members of the legion approach businesses for donations and distribute poppy trays from which members of the public can purchase poppies to wear.
Funds raised during the poppy campaign are dedicated to giving aid to veterans of the armed forces, whether they served in wartime or peace.
There will be poppy trays at a number of businesses throughout Carlyle. Poppies are available for a donation. Give generously and wear your poppy with pride, remembrance and reverence.
Carlyle’s Remembrance Day ceremony will be Nov. 11 at the Carlyle Elementary School. Lest we forget.
A number of urban municipalities in southeast Saskatchewan will need to have elections on Nov. 13.
Trimester2
Orientation: Nov. 14/15
ClassesNov.18
Trimester3 Orientation: Feb. 13/14 ClassesFeb.24
Lampman and Oxbow will have the largest fields for residents. Lampman has two candidates for mayor, Scott Greening and Jay (John) Jones, and 13 for councillor: Jadon Carnduff, Randy Fleck, Tanner Frycz, Steven Massel, Mark Morrissette, Twyla Quantrill, R.J. (Roy) Raynard, Daryl Runge, Ryan Saxon, Dena Scott, Ian Stewart, Kelly Storlie and Garrett Woodley.
Meanwhile, Doug Pierce was acclaimed as mayor in Oxbow, but there are 17 candidates for councillor: Derek Adams, Philip Amosah, Amy Backstrom, Mark Barnes, James Fonstad, Kim Friesen, John Hutfloetz, Brad Mayer, Derrick Menzies, Starr Mercer, Sylvia Mohrbutter, Alison Nicholls, Donna Nyeste, Rodrigo Rabanal, Calvin Rosenthal, Ken Swanson and Orlando Vistal.
Six councillors will be elected in each community.
Coderre, Brad Gervais, Chris Griffin and Cory Ohrling were acclaimed.
An election will be needed to decide the councillors in the village of Alida. Kevin Bensette, Darryl Dubuc, Dale Jones, Sherri-Lee Patton and Jason Purves have filed nomination papers. There are four councillor seats in the village. Tim Cowan was been acclaimed as mayor.
Several communities had their councils decided by acclamation:
Alameda: Michelle Krieger was acclaimed as mayor, and Braden Batt, Matthew Faber, Angela Millar, Kirsten Tanghe and Christine Tanghe will be the councillors. There is a vacant seat on council; a call for nominations will occur at a later date.
Arcola: Scott Tessier (mayor), and Elaine Hislop, Mike Boulet, Sheila Sim, Geordan Workman, Jennifer Wotta and Mike Waelchli (councillor).
Carnduff: Ross Apperley (mayor), and Kelly Exner, Shawn Larson, Linda Powell, Joel Purves, Randy Swayze and Gregory Wall (councillor).
There will be elections for mayor and councillor in the villages of Carievale and Kisbey. George Kerr and Gregory Martin are up for the mayor seat in Carievale, and Gary Annetts, Shawn Gallant, Ken Grobbink, Kassandra McNamara and Scherise Thompson are vying for the four councillor spots.
In Kisbey, Elisa Jackson and Kevin St. John are the candidates for mayor. John Dayman, Randy Graham, Kalvin Nankivell, Brody Singleton and Sheldon Wyatt are the hopefuls for the four councillor seats.
There will be a runoff vote for councillor in Gainsborough. Cathy Murray, Michael Riddell and Randy Reynolds submitted their nomination papers before the initial deadline Oct. 9 and were acclaimed. Kevin Stanley, Nicole Jedel, Thomas Rawn and Teresa Thoring filed their forms during the second call for nominations period, and will challenge for the last councillor seat. Victor Huish has been acclaimed as mayor.
There will be a mayoral election in Stoughton between Stefan Clark and Tyson Slater. As for councillor, Kim Butler, Anthony Campbell, Shirley
Redvers: Brad Bulbuck (mayor), and Dawn Eilers, Owen Gavelin, Donna Gilbertson, Jeremy Kampp and Ken Thomas (councillors). An additional call for nominations will be issued at a later date to fill a vacant councillor seat.
Kenosee Lake: Edward Plumb (mayor), and Ralph Gilliss, Mark Weatherald, Ray Boutin and Braden Liboiron (councillors).
Manor: Lucille Dunn (mayor), and Gerald King, Darcy McCrimmon and Alana Wilson (councillor). There is a vacant seat to be filled at a later date.
Forget: Melissa Gowan (mayor) and Tracy Beaulieu (councillor). A further call for nominations will happen at a later date to fill the vacant seat.
Glen Ewen: Glen Lewis (mayor), and Blair Hanna and Robert Chuba (councillor).
Alameda, Arcola, Carnduff and Redvers each have up to six councillors; Kenosee Lake, Manor and Storthoaks have four; and Forget and Glen Ewen will have two.
The next edition of the Observer will have a look at elections in the rural municipalities.
From left, Stephanie Paulley, Mayor Jennifer Sedor and Muriel Ne were presented with the rst poppies for this year in Carlyle. Photo courtesy of Doug Waldner
Poppies presented at Moose Mountain Lodge
Harvest has wrapped up in Saskatchewan
Producers in Saskatchewan are finished harvest, as 100 per cent of crops are in the bin, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s year-end crop report.
In the recap, the ministry noted many areas of the province received a lot of moisture in May and June, which led some to believe it could be a late harvest. However, hot and dry conditions in the latter half of the growing season resulted in crops rapidly maturing and harvest beginning earlier than expected.
Harvest first began in the southwest and southeast regions in early August. By the end of the month, harvest was in full swing throughout the province. Rain caused harvest delays in some areas, while other areas didn’t receive any rain, which has sparked concerns of moisture shortages going into the winter.
The early start to harvest allowed producers to get the crop off in good time and other field work to be done prior to freeze-up. Producers continue to hope for more rain this fall and a lot of snow over winter to improve moisture conditions for next spring.
Most crops got off to
a good start this year due to the abundance of spring moisture. Cool conditions slowed early crop development, but producers were optimistic about their crops’ yield potential. Hot and dry conditions in July and August caused crops to rapidly develop and took a toll on yield potential. Overall, yields in Saskatchewan were above the 10-year average for most crops, but regional yields vary based on rainfall received during critical parts of the growing season.
The only crops that yielded lower than the 10-year average were durum, oats, canola and mustard.
Fall cereal crops yielded above 10-year averages as winter wheat averaged 46 bushels per acre and fall rye averaged 52 bushels per acre province-wide. Average spring-seeded cereal crop yields were 46 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 52 bushels per acre for other spring wheat varieties, 33 bushels per acre for durum, 63 bushels
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per acre for barley, 79 bushels per acre for oats and 1,340 pounds per acre for canary seed.
Flax was the only oilseed crop to yield higher than the 10-year average with an average of 23 bushels per acre across the province. Mustard crops yielded 837 bushels per acre and canola yields averaged 33 bushels per acre across Saskatchewan. Finally, average yields for all legume crops were above the 10-year average.
Average field pea yields were 36 bushels per acre, 30 bushels per acre for soybean crops, 1,306 pounds per acre for lentils and 1,319 pounds per acre for chickpea crops.
Most high-acreage crops in Saskatchewan graded in the top two categories, indicating good overall crop quality. Canola graded at 89 per cent 1 Canada and nine per cent 2 Canada. Sixty per cent of Saskatchewan’s hard red spring wheat graded in the 1 Canada West category, while another 31 per cent graded in the 2 CW category. Lentil and field pea grades are very similar as 43 per cent of field peas and 40 per cent of lentils fall in the 1 CAN grade. Addition-
ally, 50 per cent of lentil and field pea crops are rated as 2 CAN. There are quality variations between different regions as environmental conditions play a major role in crop quality.
All producers were busy combining this fall and some were also seeding fall cereal crops. Despite relatively strong winter wheat and fall rye yields this year, seeded acres for each of these crops fell by approximately three per cent this fall.
This year’s average silage yield for the province is 6.37 tonnes per acre, which is lower than the seven tonnes per acre reported last year. The east-central and southern regions experienced above-average yields while average yields in west-central and northern regions were below the provincial average.
Livestock producers are happy to see hay yields higher this year than they were last year.
On dryland acres, alfalfa averaged 1.78 tonnes per acre, brome hay averaged 1.79 tonnes per acre and green feed averaged 2.25 tonnes per acre. Under irrigation, yields for alfalfa were 3.36 tonnes per acre, 3.25 tonnes per acre for brome hay and
3.57 tonnes per acre for greenfeed.
Most producers in the province reported good to excellent hay quality in their first cut. Some producers got a second hay cut and they reported good to excellent quality. Hay prices vary throughout Saskatchewan, but the average price of alfalfa is 134.16 dollars per ton, 120.70 dollars per ton for brome and 126.25 dollars per ton for greenfeed.
Straw and standing hay are cheaper as average prices are 51.05 dollars per ton and 57 dollars per ton, respectively.
Current topsoil moisture conditions are better than they were heading into last winter. Provincial cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 49 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and seven per cent very short. For provincial hayland, topsoil moisture is 42 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture around the province is 37 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 18 per cent very short. Additionally, 35 per cent of Saskatchewan pastures are in good condition prior to the winter, 34 per cent are fair, 24 per cent are in poor condition and seven per cent are in very poor condition. Producers throughout the province are still hoping to get more rain this fall and lots of snow over the winter to improve soil moisture and pasture conditions for next year.
Many producers are still working hard to get post-harvest field work done prior to freeze-up. Producers are harrowing, applying fall fertilizer and drying grain. Producers with livestock are currently moving cattle home for the winter and hauling bales. Once the snow flies, producers will enjoy a break from field work and continue planning next year’s operation.
The 2024 harvest has wrapped up in the southeast and elsewhere. File photo
Election night brought plenty of intrigue for Saskatchewan
By John Cairns of SaskToday
Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party held off major gains by the NDP to win a fifth consecutive majority government on Monday night.
The party standings at the end of the preliminary count on Monday night showed the Sask Party with 35 seats, with the NDP winning the other 26 seats. For both parties it is a swing of 13 seats from 2020 when the Sask Party had 48 seats and the NDP 13.
In the popular vote, the Saskatchewan Party received 53 per cent of the vote to the NDP’s 39.5 per cent, a swing away from the Sask Party of about eight per cent from 2020.
The Saskatchewan United Party was third with 4.1 per cent, a total that produced no seats. Results for other parties saw the Greens receive 1.8 per cent, the Progressive Conservatives one per cent, the Buffalo Party 0.8 per cent and the Saskatchewan Progress Party 0.2 per cent.
The final party standings could still change pending the counting of more mail-in ballots on Wednesday, and there is also the looming possibility of recounts.
For the Sask Party, it was a historic fifth straight majority government, but also the smallest of their five majorities since taking power in 2007. For the NDP, it is their highest seat total since they last won an election in 2003, when they held 30 seats.
It was a long night of counting with delayed returns from Regina, Saskatoon and other urban ridings. That, as well as the close overall numbers, held up the final projections by news organizations of a majority government until just before midnight, nearly four hours after the polls closed.
After the overall pic-
ture finally became clear, Scott Moe accepted victory at his party’s election night gathering in Shellbrook.
“Seventeen years ago, you elected a new government in our province and tonight 17 years later you voted to re-elect that very same Saskatchewan Party government. You know and believe, as do I, that Saskatchewan’s best days are still ahead of us and you believe that the Saskatchewan Party is the best choice to lead Saskatchewan to that brighter future,” he said.
But Moe acknowledged a message was sent to his party, particularly on issues like health, education and affordability.
“I’ve heard that message, and our team has heard that message, and we must do better and we most certainly will,” said Moe.
“All of us in government, and it starts with myself, we’re going to take a little bit of time, we’re going to reflect on the message that was sent here this evening, to reflect on exactly what that means, and you have
Who says color doesn’t call attention to
It just did.
my word we are going to do that. And we will strive, we will strive to earn back your support.”
There was considerable excitement throughout the evening at the NDP election night at Hilton Doubletree, but in the end the party fell short. The NDP’s Carla Beck conceded the election, taking note of the gains the party had made.
“We may not have crossed the finish line first tonight, but we have changed the landscape in this province,” said Beck.
“Tonight I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together. To all those who believed, who supported us, I know you’re feeling disappointed. I’m not going to lie, I’m feeling a bit disappointed. I know this isn’t the result we had hoped for, but to the team tonight is not the end.
“This election has proven that Saskatch-
ewan wants positive change. Across this province, people are feeling tired of being left behind and seeing the health system crumble, struggling as costs grow faster than their paychecks. The close result tonight is that the people of Saskatchewan want and deserve a government that puts him first and we’re not going to stop until that vision is a reality.”
One major story of the evening was the major gains the NDP made in both Saskatoon and Regina. The NDP swept all 12 Regina seats, and 12 of 14 Saskatoon seats. In the process, the NDP wreaked carnage on the Sask Party’s urban-based cabinet ministers.
All five of the Sask Party’s sitting cabinet ministers from Saskatoon and Regina seeking re-election were defeated, including Minister of Justice and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre in Stonebri-
dge, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Paul Merriman in Silverspring, Minister of Social Services Gene Makowsky in Regina University, Minister of Parks Culture and Sport Laura Ross in Regina Rochdale, and Minister of Environment Christine Tell in Regina Wascana Plains.
That adds to the already long list of departing cabinet ministers, including big names who left prior to the election such as Donna Harpauer, Don Morgan, Don McMorris, Dustin Duncan, Gord Wyant and others.
Another major story that emerged from the evening was that the Sask Party managed to hold on to their seats in both Moose Jaw and Prince Albert. The Sask Party Minister of Rural and Remote Health Tim McLeod in Moose Jaw North, and Megan Patterson in Moose Jaw Wakamow, both won
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despite a sustained effort by the NDP to flip both of those seats during the election.
In Prince Albert, margins were narrower, but the Sask Party held Prince Albert Carlton with Kevin Kasun and were holding on to Prince Albert Northcote with incumbent Alana Ross.
As was the case in Moose Jaw, both ridings were heavily targeted with Scott Moe making multiple campaign stops and spending extensive time in Prince Albert during the final week of the campaign to try to save the seats. That effort now appears to have paid off. Outside the four largest urban areas, it was a near sweep for the Sask Party as they won all those seats with the exception of the far north’s Athabasca and Cumberland, both of which were won by the NDP.
Seats bordering on the major cities such as Martensville-Blairmore, Warman and White CityQu’Appelle also ended up being easy wins for the Saskatchewan Party. The Sask Party also won in small-city ridings like the Battlefords, Yorkton and Swift Current. Another story of the election was the lack of inroads for the Sask United Party. Both their lone incumbent Nadine Wilson and their leader Jon Hromek were defeated.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Carlyle Memorial Hall, 111 Main Street Carlyle, SK
Poll (Election Day)
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Carlyle Memorial Hall, 111 Main Street Carlyle, SK
VOTER IDENTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO VOTE I wi ll de cl are th e re su lt of th e el ec ti on at th e Ca rl yl e To wn O ff ic e, Ci vi c Ce nt er, 10 0 Ma in St re et , Ca rl yl e, on th e 14 th da y of No ve mb er, 2024, at th e ho ur of 10: 00 a. m.
Dated at Carlyle, SK, this 24th day of October, 2024.
N. Miller Returning Officer
Scott Moe and Carla Beck during the election campaign.
Photo by John Cairns of SaskToday
Redvers recognized for Memory Pot Project
The memorial pots in Redvers have earned the town a provincial recognition.
The Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) announced Wednesday the winners of Saskatchewan’s Communities in Bloom program in 2024. Redvers won the Heritage Recognition Award for its Memorial Pot Project.
Starting in 2015, the Memory Pot Project’s intent is to allow the public to commemorate and remember their loved ones from the Redvers area through the sponsorship of a planter.
Over the next few years, the pots gained in popularity and sponsorships. The project now includes 70 planters. As part of the town’s ongoing beautification efforts, the pots are decorated in the Christmas season with ornaments, and birch and evergreen branches.
Each memory pot includes a custom-made sign designed by the Redvers Town Office that may include names, dates, quotes, and photos
The project started small, with around 20 in the first year. Wooden pots were made locally, and nearby greenhouses were engaged for the flowers. A part-time seasonal beautification maintenance person was hired to care for the project.
from loved ones at the request of the sponsor. There is also an opportunity to include a QR code linked to a memorial obituary, special song or article.
Photos of the memory pots are taken each year and posted to social media. This is a key aspect of the program since many sponsors are not residents. This allows them to see their sponsored memory pot virtually. The planters are placed along the downtown and highway businesses, throughout the recreation grounds, and at the town’s welcome signs.
The community is very proud of the memory pots and feels it is a unique initiative that can
be called their own as the years pass and the project grows.
Redvers received three blooms for its beautification efforts this year for the memory pots and its hometown history project.
Participants in Communities in Bloom enhanced their communities and were evaluated by the following criteria: community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management, landscape, and plant and floral isplays. Participants are recognized with a bloom rating, and through the program’s evaluation, special recognition awards and a photo contest.
Carndu man facing 11 charges
A Carnduff man has been charged with 11 offences after an incident that occurred in southeast Saskatchewan.
According to a news release from the Saskatchewan RCMP, on Oct. 23 at approximately 10 a.m., the Carnduff RCMP received a request for assistance at a rural property northwest of Glen Ewen.
Officers responded and determined a man had assaulted a woman. Officers
attended the rural property and located a man who was wanted on a warrant by Carnduff RCMP for breaching court-ordered release conditions. He was arrested at the scene without incident.
After further investigation, the RCMP says officers located and seized two firearms, ammunition, a pocket knife, approximately two grams of cocaine, and drug trafficking paraphernalia from the rural property.
As a result of a continued investigation, 31-year-old Zachary Hillis from Carnduff is charged with one count each of unauthorized possession of a firearm, unsafe storage of firearms, assault, uttering threats, and possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine).
He is also charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and four counts of failing to com-
ply with his release conditions.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Hillis made an appearance in Estevan Provincial Court on Oct. 28. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to make a video appearance on Nov. 4.
The Carnduff RCMP continues to investigate.
The Observer and SaskToday will continue to have coverage of this story.
Big Six Hockey League season opens with a thriller
The Carnduff Red Devils opened the Big Six Hockey League’s 202425 regular season Friday night by defeating the host Midale Mustangs 4-3 in overtime.
Cooper Bowman scored the overtime winner 70 seconds into the extra frame.
After a scoreless opening period, Carnduff’s Branson Skuce scored the first goal of the Big Six season 2:14 into the second period. Ty Stovin doubled the advantage
less than two minutes later. Devon Johnson and Steven Lindenbach replied for Midale before the period was finished.
Nico Anderson’s goal three minutes into the third period put Carnduff back in the lead, but Brayden Bjorndal replied with just over six minutes to play in regulation time to tie the game again.
Mason Plews was in goal for Carnduff. Talen King was the Midale goalie.
Additional teams will open their respective seasons in early November. The Kipling-Windthorst Oil Kings will visit the Redvers Rockets and the Mustangs will be at the defending league champions, the Moosomin Rangers, on Nov. 1. The following night, Redvers is at Carnduff and Kipling-Windthorst will visit Midale. All games start at 8 p.m., except for Midale-Moosomin, which begins at 8:30 p.m.
Redvers won an award through Communities in Bloom for its Memorial Pots Project. Photo courtesy of the Town of Redvers
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Thelma Er ica Loeffler (Tur ton) Eulogy
Thelma Er ica Loeffler was bor n in Penticton, Br itish
Columbia, on October 4th, 1940 At the time, Stan Tur ton wor ked at the Mascot gold mine, and Rose stayed home with Thelma The family lived in Penticton until 1945, when they retur ned to Saskatchewan They moved in with Alfred and Janet Tur ton (Stan s parents) on the far m until Stan and Rose built their own home on the nor thwest quar ter of Section 21-8-1W2 Glenn, Thelma's brother, was bor n that same year, followed by Elaine in 1946 and Allan in 1950 Some of Mom’s ear liest memor ies were of watching the horses dig the basement of that 1945 far mhouse
Thelma attended Moose Mountain School a countr y school that required a jour ney by horse or horse-drawn buggy Winters meant traveling by sleigh a memorable exper ience she often shared It was over t wo miles to the school, and, as you can imagine, some of those cold winter days were quite the challenge Thelma attended Moose Mountain School until Grade 6, after which she traveled to Manor for fur ther education, accompanied by her siblings Thelma loved reading and would often have a book nearby, even while helping with far m chores or assisting with household duties In the summer of 1954 Fr itz Loeffler entered Thelma s life He was wor king on a far m south of Mair, and that summer mar ked their first meeting They reconnected the following summer when Fr itz retur ned from a winter spent at a lumber camp in Nor ther n Alber ta Dur ing this time, Thelma continued her schooling and helped with the family far m while Fr itz wor ked for the railroad and assisted on the far m whenever p ossible In 1958, Thelma graduated from Manor School and began wor king at a bank in Regina while Fr itz continued wor king for the railroad They were marr ied in September 1959 at the United Church in Manor and initially lived in Regina In the spr ing of 1960 they moved to Car lyle, where Fr itz continued wor king with the railroad, and Thelma took up a position at the Royal Bank In 1962, they traveled to Ger many to visit Fr itz's family In 1964, Fr itz transitioned to the oilfield as an operator, and they purchased their own far m just a mile west of Stan and Rose s place They moved to the far m in 1965, and soon after, Paul was bor n followed by Roy in 1968 and Sheila in 1974
Running the far m and oil business was a tr ue par tnership bet ween Thelma and Fr itz Mom handled the accounting for both ventures, managed the garden and small livestock, milked cows, fetched par ts, cooked meals, and looked after us kids We were active in the communit y, par ticipating in activities like hockey, baseball, 4-H, archer y, Tae Kwon Do, drama, band, volleyball, basketball, and soccer Mom was always there to dr ive us, help us get ready and suppor t us in ever ything we did
Our home was always filled with war mth and the smell of Mom s delicious baking Her bread, buns, pies, and cakes were well-loved by all who visited Despite her talent for baking, ever yday meals sometimes had an extra "flavor " Mom's love for reading often led her to pick up a book while cooking, which sometimes resulted in bur nt potatoes We had a common saying that once the fire alar m went off: "Supper ’s ready!" We took it in str ide, and it even became a r unning joke with a calendar mar king bur nt-free weeks Summers were better since Mom relied on potato salads and enlisted Dad for the barbecue
Mom was often helping us out of trouble or disputes among us Roy and I shared a bedroom, and one summer things got so heated that we split the room in half Of course, my half was where the bunk beds were, so Roy had to jump to get to his bed As a result, Mom negotiated (more ordered) that we cease and desist Roy, as a young boy, loved to climb trees, and I remember several times Mom catching him as he fell out of a tree after she told him to climb down I also remember Mom rescuing Sheila from a large mud puddle
Sheila loved to carr y the cats around as she sur veyed the yard Cat and
Sheila ended up face down in the Mud puddle and the cat was not happy That cat did not let Sheila carr y him for some time Roy as a young boy suffered from Asthma and Mom spent many long nights with Roy to ensure he kept breathing These are just few of the things Mom did as all mothers do to ensure their children sur vive to adult hood Mom was a hands-on grandmother as well Tyler and Jonathon loved The Lord of the Rings and Mom delighted in helping them create bows and arrows from willow branches, just like their heroes She made baskets from those same willow branches, and the boys always enjoyed days spent with her baking cookies, feeding the chickens, wor king in the garden, and building for ts in the pasture Dad would sneak a few cookies, even though he needed to watch his blood sugar Mom and Dad loved attending their hockey games and were always dedicated fans cheer ing them on from the sidelines often traveling to Alber ta or Nor th Dakota to watch their games
Despite her many responsibilities, Thelma found time to contr ibute to var ious communit y groups, often ser ving as treasurer or secretar y Her last communit y endeavor was volunteer ing with the Manor Librar y, where she remained active until just before the pandemic Mom was not known for her sen se of humor but she cer tainly had one After all she marr ied Fr itz Loeffler and they wouldn't have gotten along so well without a good sense of humor We often looked back at the times Mom gave Dad heck for the trouble he’d get into such as when Dad bulldozed a brand-new bur ning barrel at the far m He insisted the barrel had been moved, but Mom reminded him he put it there As Mom liked to joke, "the product provided may not be exactly as pictured
One memor y that tr uly reflects her strength was when finances were tight and Mom suggested getting a job Dad doubted she'd find one but soon enough Mom began wor king at the Sk yline Motor Inn, mostly night shifts Although Dad worr ied about her traveling in winter stor ms, he was proud of her resilience She wor ked there for over ten years It wasn't until the last several years that I tr uly understood the depth of love Mom and Dad shared They accepted each other's flaws and loved each other all the more because of them Mom was devoted to Dad wor king side by side with him on the far m and cher ishing ever y moment Their par tnership wasn t always easy but she always looked back on their challenges and successes with fondness This was also shown in their dedication to Grandma Rose and Grandpa Stan Without Mom and Dad’s suppor t, Rose would not have been able to stay on the far m until she passed away It was always a pr ior it y to ensure Grandma Rose was taken care of and things looked after at the far mhouse Mom taught us the impor tance of love and family suppor t She was always concer ned for us especially when we moved understanding the chall enges firsthand After Sheila graduated high school, Mom and Dad traveled more, though Dad continued to wor k in the oilfield until 2007 Unfor tunately, he passed away in Januar y 2009, cutting shor t their travel plans After Dad passed, Sheila and Mom took tr ips to visit family One memorable exper ience was their fall visit to Roy and Barbara s hobby far m in Ontar io and onto Gatineau, taking a steam trai n r ide to Wakefield surrounded by the breathtaking colors of fall Mom always appreciated the beaut y of the maple oak and elm trees in full color Mom loved the far m, the closeness to nature, and the independence It was her wish to stay at the far m as long as she could I have to take a moment to thank Sheila and Bob for making that happen Your suppor t and sacr ifice made it possible for her to stay on the far m that she loved so much
The values I cher ish most from my mother are her perseverance kindness self-reliance and her respect for others She always showed her love through her actions and that love spoke louder than words Mom's legacy lives on in the lessons she taught us, the love she gave, and the lives she touched Rest in peace, Mom You are deeply loved and will be greatly missed
Thelma will be deeply missed by her family: Son; Paul (Lisa) (Grandchildren; Tyler (Allison) and Jonathon (Sarah) Son; Roy (Barbara) Daughter ; Sheila (par tner Rober t) Brothers; Allan (Loretta) and Glenn (Sharon) Sister ; Elaine (Richard) Sisters-in-law; Her ta and Ingr id, and Aunt; Ruby, as well as numerous Nephews, Nieces and Cousins, as well as many Fr iends Thelma was predeceased by her Husband Fr itz; Parents; Stan and Rose Tur ton, Parents-inlaw; Paul and Sophia Löffler, Nephew; Gilber t Neuman, as well as numerous Brothers and Sisters-in-law
Thelma Loeffler s life was celebrated and remembered at the memor ial ser vice held on Oct
19 in Manor Thank You to all our family and fr iends that joined us in celebrating Mom’s life
Thank You to ever yone for your kind expressions of sympathy in our time of sorrow Michelle Moore, Thank You for the beautiful ser vice
Thank You to the Manor Ladies for providing a delicious lunch following Mom’s ser vice
Yvonne at Hall Funeral Ser vices, Thank You for ever ything
The Loeffler s
in our office by
Edith Kovach passed away peacefully at the Weybur n General Hospital on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at the age of 86 years She was preceded in death by her parents, Grace and Harr y Hourd; husband Paul Kovach and brother Rober t Hourd Edith is sur vived by her children, Rober t (Tammy Petterson) Kovach, Don (Lisa) Kovach and Cathr ine (John) Anderson and grandsons, Byron (Emily MacKenzie) and Tyrone Anderson; brother Frank Hourd and numerous nieces and nephews
A Ser vice of Remembrance will be held at the Kisbey Recreation Centre on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 1:30 p m with Rev Michelle Moore presiding Lunch will follow Inter ment will take place at the Arcola Cemeter y Those wishing to pay tr ibute to Edith via a donation in her memor y may do so directly to the Alzheimer Societ y of Saskatchewan Inc 301-2550 12 Ave Regina SK S4P 3X1 or online @ https://alzheimer ca/sk/en Hall Funeral Ser vices in Estevan is car ing for Edith’s family –
Deb Heidinger, Funeral Director
Mr Michael Bar tolf, of Oxbow, SK, passed away at St Joseph’s Hospital, Estevan SK on Tuesday October 22 2024 at the age of 95 He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth (Sauskojus); parents, Johann & Mar ia (Hedr ich); sister, Mar y (Fred) Henger ; four brothers, John, Henr y (Linda Tetzlaff), Adam (Evelyn Thompson) and Freder ick (Nina Johnson); sister-in-law, Anna (Dwane) McIlroy; t wo brothersin-law, Walter (Eleanor) Sauskojus and Gerhardt (Gerane) Sauskojus; nephew, Bill Bar tolf; and niece, Susan Kroll
Michael is sur vived by his son, David; brother-in-law, Kar l (Beck y) Sauskojus; nephew, Nick Henger and nieces, Linda Muchanski and Bett y Henger (children of Mar y); nephews Dennis (Wendy) Bar tolf and Garr y (Gisele) Bar tolf and Elaine (Reg) Peet (children of Henr y); niece, Teresa (daughter of Adam); nephew and godson, Rod Bar tolf and nieces, Lor i Muz and Chr istina Mctaggar t (children of Freder ick); nieces, Char lotte Runner, Ruth Kronfuss, and Kathr yn Mar ks and nephews Dean Sauskojus Kenneth Sauskojus and James Sauskojus (children of Walter); nephews Jason Sauskojus Jesse Sauskojus, and Jeremy Sauskojus (sons of Gerhardt); nieces, Nancy Schott and Joanne Tubman and nephews, David Sauskojus and Mar k Sauskojus (children of Kar l); and nieces, Mar ion Matter n and Mar lene Jekel and nephews, David McIlroy Steven McIlroy and Paul McIlroy (children of Anna)
A funeral ser vice will be held at the St Peter Lutheran Church, Oxbow, SK , on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 11:00 a m Pastor Adr ian Kramer will officiate Bur ial will take place at the Oxbow Cemeter y following the ser vice Donations may be given to Bow Valley Villa Box 207, Oxbow, SK S0C 2B0 Oxbow and Distr ict Lions Box 602 Oxbow SK S0C 2B0 St Peter Lutheran Church Box 389 Oxbow SK, S0C 2B0, or to a char it y of your choice
Arrangements are in care of Redpath Funeral Home, Oxbow (306)-483-2401 To send condolences to the family, please visit: www redpathfuneralhome com
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SaskPower ned $840,000 for two workers’ deaths
By Greg Nikkel SaskToday.ca
SaskPower was fined a total of $840,000 for the deaths of two linemen in Weyburn in 2020. The penalty was imposed in Weyburn Provincial Court on Friday morning.
The Crown corporation was found guilty on April 6 on three counts of violating Occupational Health and Safety regulations and the Saskatchewan Employment Act, after two SaskPower linemen, Scott Bill and Cole Crooks, died in a workplace incident on Oct. 8, 2020, in Weyburn.
They were more than 15 feet above ground in a bucket truck that had tilting issues, and were tying in power lines when the bucket tilted and the men fell to the ground.
Both were 19-year experienced journeymen, and according to the court records, had worked in this bucket truck countless times before, but “neither worker had their safety belt lanyards anchored to the ‘D’ ring located in the bucket specifically for the purpose of fall protection.”
Judge Michelle Brass noted that this bucket had a tilting issue that continued in spite of work done by SaskPower mechanics. She pointed out that none of the mechanics gave evidence at trial, “so it was not known what was done to address the tilting issue.” In addition, she said, a supervisor on the ground had failed to re-
mind the workers to tie onto the safety line.
The charges stated the following: “Count 1 alleged that SPC failed to provide and maintain plant, systems of work and work environments, as reasonably practicable, to ensure the health, safety and welfare of Messrs. Bill and Crooks at work.
“Count 2 alleged that SPC failed to provide any information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to protect the workers.
“Count 3 alleged that SPC failed to require or permitted the workers to be raised on an aerial device without using a personal fall arrest system that
met the requirements under the legislation.”
The Crown prosecutor had recommended a fine of $500,000 for each count and a surcharge of $200,000 for each, for a total of $2.1 million, while SaskPower asked for a fine of $200,000 on each charge for a total of $600,000.
In the end, Brass fined SaskPower $300,000 on the first count plus a surcharge of $120,000, and $150,000 on each of the other two counts, along with surcharges of $60,000 on each charge, for the total of $840,000.
In a statement issued Friday, the Crown corporation said, “SaskPower is analyzing
the decision and the sentence delivered by the court.”
Ken Hoste with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2067 commented after the verdict that he is hopeful the fines will bring closure to the families, and will change the safety culture at SaskPower.
“No fine or court ruling is going to bring these guys home to their families,” said Hoste. “I hope this highlights that a topdown change is needed to the safety culture at SaskPower.”
He added he didn’t come in with any expectations of what the fines would be.
“I know there have been higher fines for workplace deaths in the province, but I didn’t have any expectations as to the numbers,” he said.
“I only hope it helps bring closure to the families. When something like this happens, Weyburn is a close-knit community, and these people are dedicated linemen. Really, I just hope the family, friends and co-workers, everybody can get some closure there,” he said, adding that he was not going to speak for the families as he couldn’t imagine what they’ve been going through.
Hoste said the union represents workers province-wide, and “it has affected every single member in the province, whether we work in generation, the T&D side or the line trade. We’re just hoping it brings forth meaningful and sustained change to the safety
practices and top-down safety culture at SaskPower.”
The hope also is that this verdict and fine will encourage workers to speak up if they see something wrong safety-wise at a work site.
“I hope it encourages workers to speak up. The general rule is, if you see something wrong with regards to safety, say something. I hope that this encourages more of our members to feel empowered to speak up when something isn’t right regarding safety,” said Hoste, adding that as a union, they will continue to collaborate with the company on safety issues and practices.
The union sits in on health and safety committees and has some input there, he added, “but at the end of the day they decide how they will go forward with things.”
In additional statements by SaskPower on this case, they stated, “Scott Bill and Cole Crooks were valued members of our SaskPower family. Their loss continues to be felt by us all. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of these two employees.
“SaskPower continues to make the safety of our employees, contractors and the public our highest priority. We are always working to improve safety and learning at SaskPower, and this includes delivering the programs we created with employees through our Roadmap to Safety initiative.”
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Ken Hoste with IBEW spoke after the ne was announced. Photo by Greg Nikkel of SaskToday.ca
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