The Observer February 3, 2023 1-11

Nearly 400 riders brave the cold

By Stephanie Zoer

The Arcola Optimist Club’s 30th anniversary snowmobile rally was held on Jan. 28, with the starting point at the Arcola Prairie Place Complex.

Approximately 80 kilometres of trails were used by the rally, with trails being groomed and maintained by the Moose Mountain Snowmobile Club.

According to chairman Geordan Workman, the Moose Mountain club does a great deal of work to keep these trails in top condition for everyone to enjoy throughout the winter.

Breakfast marked the beginning of the event, which started at 8 a.m. at the complex. The meal was served by the Town of Arcola and RM of Brock Volunteer Fire Department. They served up pancakes, eggs and ham.

By the time noon rolled around, nearly 400 riders had registered and were ready to hit the trails. Once registered, the riders could go at any time.

Workman felt this was an excellent turnout, considering the temperatures for the day.

According to Arcola Optimist Club president Blake Brownridge, due to the extreme cold, riders might have decided to go quickly through the trails.

Heart of the Moose Mountains

Arcola Agencies remained open for the Saturday morning to give those a chance to licence their sleds, so they could still enter. All machines on the trails had to be registered.

All precautions were taken on the trails to ensure a safe trip. No drugs or alcohol were allowed and there was no stopping on the trail. Halfway through the ride, a check point was set up for hot chocolate, snacks and a fire pit.

Each rider needed to purchase their ticket in the rally to be eligible to ride and for the prizes drawn at 5 p.m.

For those who did not wish to ride the trail, they could gather at the complex for a social as the beer gardens opened at 1 p.m.

Over 100 businesses sponsored this large event, helping to make it the success it was.

Saskatchewan YouTube personality Quick Dick McDick went on stage to a full house lat-

er in the afternoon. His routine is usually based on Canadian politics and farming issues. McDick is also a farmer in Saskatchewan.

At 5 p.m. the rider draws were made for the $18,000 in prizes. The 50/50 draw, raffle draws and the annual Snowmobile Rally Lottery followed.

A concession and supper at the complex were prepared by the Carlyle and District Foodbank.

Money raised from this

event will go towards upgrades at the Arcola Optimist-Legion Hall, sound upgrades at the Mac Murray Theatre, which is also run by the club, and the Moose Mountain Snowmobile Club.

Brownridge said the next event they have planned is a Valentines dinner and movie at the Optimist-Legion Hall on Feb. 14. Dinner will be a prime rib steak.

For more photos, please see Observed At on Page 6.

Rows of snowmobiles lined up outside the Arcola Prairie Place Complex to register for the rally. Photo by Stephanie Zoer

Hockey

February

Fri, Feb 3 - Wawota @ Carlyle Cougars

Sat, Feb 4 - Middle Mustangs @ Carlyle Cougars

Sat, Feb 4 - Oxbow Huskies @ Wawota Flyers

Fri, Feb 10 - Carlyle Cougars @ Oxbow Huskies

Sat, Feb 11 - Oxbow Huskies @ Carlyle Cougars

Sat, Feb 18 - Oxbow Huskies @ Carlyle Cougars

Your first stop to find events happening in our community!

February 10-12 - Carlyle Oilmen’s Bonspiel

Sat, February 11 - Valentine’s Tradeshow

- Carlyle Memorial Hall

Sat, February 11 - Brigadeiros Michele Trevisan

- Brazilian Chocolate truffles

- Carlyle Library

Tues, February 14 - Join us seniors

- Happy Gang Centre - 10am - 11:30am

*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.

If you would like to include more information than that listed here contact our sales people to see how we can help.

Communities standing with Cory Lynn Moe

By Gord Paulley

Recently, Glen Ewen resident Cory Lynn Moe (nee Fitzpatrick) suffered a serious spinal injury while vacationing on her honeymoon in Mexico.

Moe, 26, is a sister to both Brooklyn and Gar-

ret; the three are triplets.

The accident occurred on Jan. 17. She underwent cervical spine surgery in Puerto Vallarta on Jan. 20 and was flown home to Canada on Jan. 27.

The airline company was Jet Rescue, and the plane was basically an

intensive care unit in the air. Moe is now recovering in the Regina General Hospital but is still in ICU.

She is a registered nurse and is employed with the Sunset Haven Nursing Home in Carnduff

Brianne Fitzpatrick is the older sister of the triplets and has set up a GoFundMe page aptly named Standing with Cory.

“We are relieved that Cory is now home and on Canadian soil. Our family is fond of saying ‘Cory’s the toughest Fitzpatrick’ and that statement rings true again. She is slowly recovering but is still on a ventilator.”

The Fitzpatrick family has many connections to hockey and the Big Six Hockey League. Moe is married to Dalton Moe, whose business, Moe Construction, is a sponsor of the Oxbow Huskies.

Her brother Garret plays with the Carnduff Red Devils. Brooklyn’s husband, John Potapinski, is a forward with the Redvers Rockets. Brianne’s boyfriend is Jon Gaudet, who plays with the Carlyle Cougars.

The entire gate receipts from the Carlyle/Carnduff game amounted to $2,340, and all were donated to Cory and Dalton by the Red Devils. The Oxbow Huskies had two home games this weekend and shared their proceeds

Cory Lynn Moe has received lots of support since suffering serious injuries on her honeymoon. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe

from the two large pot of gold draws. The Carlyle Cougars pledged $500 and the Sunday night game proceeds between the Combines and the host Redvers Rockets are also being donated.

“The outpouring of kindness and compassion has been overwhelming and our family truly appreciates the thoughts, prayers, love and support. Our hearts

go out to the Red Devils, Cougars, Huskies and Rockets of the Big Six Hockey League. They are truly a first-class act,” said Brianne.

To date, a GoFundMe Page has raised over $66,000 from over 600 donors. Please visit “Standing with Cory” on their GoFundMe page for both donation information and regular medical updates.

Big Six Hockey League action from Saturday night’s game between the Carlyle Cougars and the Carnduff Red Devils. Photo by Gord Paulley

Carlyle Public Library hosts Family Literacy Day

By Gord Paulley

The Carlyle Public Library had three local children’s authors in their presence on Jan. 28.

Corinne Hewitt, Ashley Vercammen and Mari Lemieux shared their newly-published children’s books with a story reading that enthralled all those in attendance.

Hewitt is a local author who wrote the highly acclaimed children’s book Papa’s Chair in 2021. The story revolves around a young brother and sister who work together, along with Papa’s chair, to help their mama do her chores and learn the days of the week. Hewitt is also the author of four Abbington Pickets novels.

Seventeen-year-old Lemieux lives in Alida and in June 2023 is graduating from the Oxbow

Prairie Horizons School. She plans on attending university to become an elementary school teacher. She presented her novel titled The Sock MoMster. It was inspired by her dad’s extravagant bedtime stories and her mom’s constant reminders to wear matching socks.

Vercammen is the older cousin of Mari and lives in Saskatoon. She is married to Michael and is a registered behavioural technician. She is also the owner of Home Style Teachers. The novel she presented was Haircuts Are No Big Deal. The story is centred around the secret fears of people with sensory sensitivities.

Vercammen has written six children’s books and has published seven, including her cousin’s.

“I have always had a

passion for telling stories and entertaining children. While teaching English online, I struggled to find Canadian children’s

books to read to my students due to copyright. My students live in China and have varying language abilities but a

similar understanding of these topics.

“Once I started, I found that readers of all ages and language abilities

Former Wawota librarian becomes an author

By Stephanie Zoer

Myrna Jewell loves history and views it as her passion. It helps her with drafting her stories.

Jewell was born near Eston and was a farm girl. When her parents separated, her mom took Jewell and her sister and returned to England.

Jewell was around the age of 12 when this happened.

She remained in England for 30 years. She married her husband Martin and had two children, her daughter Holly and her son Alex.

While in England she received her degree in writing. She worked in broadcasting and as a

journalist while writing short stories that she sold, but never had time to write a novel.

Upon her return to Canada, her family lived in Wallaceburg, Ont. Jewell worked at the Wallaceburg museum repairing a lot of history files, a job she absolutely loved to do as it gave her insight and knowledge about the past.

Jewell’s husband Martin had fallen in love with the Prairies, and they had family in Saskatchewan, so they returned to live in Langbank.

She admits that she misses living in a big city, where things were just a short distance away.

Jewell does not care

much for the drives to get somewhere but admits that here it is necessary. She eventually became the librarian in Wawota and worked there for a year, but decided it was time for her to begin her

career as an author, so she focused on writing and has done so for the past several years.

One of the books she wrote was for a young boy in Ontario. Liam Wilson has cystic fibro-

sis, and he wanted a book about what it is like to go to the hospital and see the doctors and nurses. He felt a lot of children are afraid to go and Wilson wanted kids to know that they should not be afraid. This book, Liam’s Hospital Stay, will launch in Milton, Ont. on May 6.

Another book Jewell wrote was based on the true life of a woman who went through a life of abuse, in and out of care homes, and how she survived. This book is called Phyllis, the Invisible Child.

Jewell loves history and feels her research into the past helps with her humans in her books.

“It is human nature

could relate to different parts and enjoyed the conversations it sparked.”

Vercammen’s next book will be launched March 18 at the Saskatoon Family Expo and online at www. ashley-vercammen.ca.

“Ashley and Mari are my nieces, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. Not only are they talented, but along with writers such as Corinne are inspirational,” said Carlyle resident Lorri Matthewson, who is the owner of Matthewson & Co.

”Having proof that the stories in your head can lead somewhere can be a game changer. This was a great event, and, given the questions the young audience asked, it is certain that the authors have walked away with many more ideas. I can’t wait to see what new stories come out of this.”

to study other humans,” she said.

Jewell went on to say the world has become a smaller place with social media, but history will always be there.

Her first novel is Army Underground, and she is well underway on book two. Jewell’s books are not serene; she likes the sitting on the edge of your seat kind of thrillers.

Jewell has several books in the works, one being an adult horror story that should be completed in the spring. Another is fantasy fiction.

“Writing is easy for me, and I love to do research,” said Jewell. “Talking about myself I don’t like to do too much.”

Carlyle SLGA store closed

After serving Carlyle and surrounding area for decades, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming’s liquor store is now closed to the public. The Carlyle store moved from Main Street to its present location on Railway Avenue East in 1980. The government liquor licence will be tendered by auction later this month with the premises to be similarly sold later this spring. From left are employees Kathy Humphries, Shelley Sharp, Linda McAuley, Nicole Turgeon, Elaine Duthie and Rose Ann Luha. Humphries was employed at the Carlyle store for 39 years, Sharp for 24.

Corinne Hewitt, Mari Lemieux and Ashley Vercammen are local authors of children’s books. Photo by Gord Paulley

Myrna Jewell was once the librarian in Wawota and is now a published author. Photo by Myrna Jewell

Photo by Gord Paulley

“Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.”

Alcohol, what is it good for?

Stephanie Zoer

Just a few words

According to my Google search, around 55 per cent of all vehicle wrecks are alcohol or drug-related.

If you are stopped by the police and are charged with driving while under the influence (DUI), it is up to a $1,000 fine, a second offence can land you in jail for 30 days, and a third offence can land you in the slammer for 120 days. You lose your licence and have a criminal record, and it stays on your record.

In December 2022, 414 people received DUI’s in Saskatchewan alone. That is one out of 2,200 drivers. Doesn’t seem like much, unless you are the one to get that call that it killed your loved one.

When I was a teenager, drinking with my friends seemed to be a good idea and it was a blast. We would all pile into one vehicle, get some booze and travel all the back roads. It was called a gravel run.

As I grew older, I married and had children. I have a special needs daughter with lots of health issues and I struggled with anxiety, so I began to have a few drinks, just to take the edge off, not knowing that those few drinks would lead into a much bigger problem.

By this time, my kids were teenagers, and I was drinking a bottle a day. Who would it hurt? Just me, right? Wrong.

I worked hard, drank hard and played hard, never missing a day of work, but never being completely sober. I never planned to become an alcoholic, but I was.

I woke up one morning and hated who I saw in the mirror and quit. This was on December 12, 2000, and I have never had a drink since. I do think about it when times get difficult, of course I do, but I never will again, as I know what it does to family.

Today I still deal with alcoholism but it is worse, far worse and the pain is incredible. All I can do is sit back and watch as my son slowly goes downhill.

To watch my son go through this is torture, as the system does not allow me to help him.

I have had people tell me to walk away, use tough love, but could you? Could you walk away from your own flesh and blood and sleep at night?

I know that if they do not want to change, nothing can change them. It does not matter what you say to them or how you act to them, you cannot make them get help.

The hard part is not having help. I have phoned hospitals, rehabs, police, hotlines and counsellors only to be told the same thing. He is an adult. If he is not causing self-harm or harming others, we can not do a thing. Sorry, we understand and know how you feel.

Unless you have walked in my shoes, you do not understand or know how I feel. If you have a kid that is going through this, then yes you do. It does cause selfharm. It destroys the liver, causes heart issues, strokes, digestive issues and kills brain cells, yet it is legal to sell.

It tears families apart. We can not plan family functions or family pictures. The last family pictures were horrible as he was not sober. A family supper is often short or not at all, as he just may not show up.

Alcohol is taxed at 50 per cent, this tax should go towards helping parents of addicted adults, by allowing parents to force them into rehab. As it stands now, if he went, he could walk out the next day.

My best friend’s son died from this at the age of 33. She found him, and it is a memory she will never forget.

Every function has to have liquor, most stores sell it and yet it is a legal substance that kills people. Something has to change; our system does not work for adult addicts. Parents’ hands are tied with this, and it is not a fun game.

Our system needs to change, or more addicted adults are going to die.

There was a book of short stories I had as a child that I would read over and over again.

When I finished one story, I knew exactly what was coming before I turned the page. The one about the sugar bowl followed the one about the school play, which followed the story of the house with the sad windows. The binding started to split and the corners of the pages were curling up due to the number of times each page had been turned. The book was, as they say, well loved.

I’ve been contemplating the book shelves in my house. They are filled with volumes I have read, ones I say I want to read again, and too many I have yet to crack open. The issue becomes compounded by the books on my eReader that are asking for my attention. None show the signs of being

as well loved as that children’s story book, yet I hang on to so many. Too many.

They will likely still be there the next time I contemplate shelf organization. Why is that? Why haven’t I gotten rid of more of them?

Then there are shoes. When it’s time to reorganize footwear it is easy to think the answer is more shelves as we deal with pairs spilling off the racks. No, no we don’t need an additional shelf. We need fewer shoes.

It’s not just books or shoes. Think about our cupboards, closets and garages. How much of what is in there are items we will actually make use of again? Does the “I might need that someday” justification we typically give, warrant the space it takes up or the clutter it potentially creates?

We hold on to things we worry we might need in the future, and can’t imagine not having it when we go looking. But truly, how many times has that ever happened? If it’s packed away in a box, tucked in the back of a closet, or sitting stacked on a shelf, chances are we won’t need it again.

So it all goes unused, while at the same time others are going with-

out. Without shoes. Without books. Without basic necessities that are cluttering up the spaces of others.

Consider the dishes we don’t use, duplicates of kitchen utensils we don’t need, or piles of clothing that never gets worn. Imagine those same items in places where they could be appreciated and useful.

Gloria is a senior citizen living in a neighbourhood apartment where most residents are classified as the working poor, but where people look out for each other. A few years ago, Gloria was determined to help out the younger families in the building whose parents were doing their best to provide for their children but finding it a struggle despite working multiple jobs. She decided one thing she could do was help with children’s shoes.

Gloria doesn’t have a lot of extra money but she has time, so she would regularly check out thrift stores in her city. Taking a series of buses, she can hit several different locations in a morning and once inside buy up as many good quality shoes for children she can find. Sizes aren’t an issue since a pair is bound to fit one child or another in the building.

Once purchased, she takes them home and sets them on shelves that parents and children can come and select from. The parents are most grateful and the kids love “Grandma Gloria.” Gloria says she couldn’t do what she does if it weren’t for all the people who give away the shoes their children have outgrown. For that, she is most grateful.

It matters little how often we donate the things we no longer use, just that we do it. What matters is knowing we can help put them into the hands of those who need the very things we don’t. Maybe an unread book will become the one someone else reads until the corners curl or the spine falls apart. Or perhaps a pair of forgotten shoes could be the difference between going barefoot or being able to do the things requiring proper footwear.

But let’s not delay. The ‘too much’ and ‘too many’ can start being overcome tomorrow. It could greatly impact the life of someone you don’t know. It can also mean having more time and space to see, appreciate and enjoy the things we really love. In the giving, we are getting a whole lot more back. That’s my outlook.

- Nelson Mandela

Shelley Luedtke

Giving just a little bit more

Southern Plains Co-op makes a trio of donations

By Gord Paulley

Recently, the Southern Plains Co-op surprised a few local groups in the Carlyle area and donated $8,000. Funds will be used for various purposes.

The Bits and Pieces Quilt Club will be using funds to purchase material for their Quilts for Cancer project. The money given to the Manor Fire Department will assist with their building expansion, while the Manor Recreation Board will use funds for the purchase of new ice flooding equipment. The Carlyle Sports Arena and Carlyle Leisure Complex will use the money to assist with free public skating and swimming.

Cornerstone Family and Youth said they greatly appreciate the donation. They are forming a science and scenery nook at their Main Street location in the Civic Centre. Funds donated to Carlyle Fire & Rescue will go towards the eventual purchase of a new rapid

response truck. Carlyle Minor Hockey will use the funds for kids and coaches on-ice training.

Wendy Walters is a member of the Bits and Pieces Quilt Club.

“For several years, our club has been sewing quilts for families that have been affected by cancer. If you know of someone that needs our services, please contact any member of our guild. The donation received is greatly appreciated and will be used to purchase additional material. Thank-you Southern Plains Co-op.”

Brooke Spagrud is the marketing and community relations manager for the Southern Plains Co-op stores located in Carlyle, Estevan, Oxbow, Alameda and Gainsborough.

“It is the co-op culture to give back to our members and the communities we serve. On an annual basis, we are supporting youth sports, agriculture, education, human and social services, and more through sponsorships, product and mon-

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etary donations,” said Spagrud.

“Normally donation requests come to us, but

this January our staff and management team were asked to nominate a few local groups

Rig Report

that are important to them and that they would like to support.

It’s been great learning

more about these organizations and how these donations will make an impact.”

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2016 560 Baler ROLBELT New Holland with twine net wrap . $45,000 HAY CONDITIONER $32,000

SK.306-449-2255

Liquor store manager Brittany Zahn providing a donation to Bits and Pieces Quilt Club member Wendy Walters.

Jenna Brady, representing Carlyle Minor Hockey, accepting a donation from the Southern Plains Co-op’s Brooke Spagrud, marketing and community relations manager, and Glynda Dandoy, Carlyle grocery manager. Photos by Gord Paulley

Carlyle recreation director Danielle Steele accepting a donation on behalf of the Carlyle Sports Arena and Swimming Pool.

Photos by Stephanie Zoer

Carlyle District Lions Club hosts senior supper

By Gord Paulley

Recently, the Carlyle District Lions Club hosted a seniors’ supper at the Carlyle Memorial Hall.

Just over 100 attended the event and were treated to a delicious meal. Robertson Farms covered the charge at the door.

“A seniors’ supper was an annual event hosted by the Montmartre Lions Club,” said Bertha Isleifson, one of the event organizers. “Montmartre was my hometown and my parents really enjoyed it.

“So, when our club thought about doing a service project for our community, we decided to give a senior’s supper a go. The turnout was great, and the food was awesome. Thank-you to Jack Wilson for preparing the smoked pork and to the Robertson family for their generous donation.”

“Thank-you to our seniors for supporting our Lions projects over the years,” added club member Pat Anderson. “This is one small way in which we can show our appreciation. We truly intend on making this an annual event.”

Meet and greet with Wawota’s new mayor

By Myrna Olson

Kevin Kay, Wawota’s new mayor, hosted a meet and greet last Saturday at the Wawota Village Inn. Free coffee and mini donuts were served and

Phil Reddekop supplied some guitar music. Kevin thanked the former mayor, Shawn Murray, for his service and the town men, Norm Oliver and Shaun Galger, for their hard work. Upon visit-

ing other communities, he stated that Wawota is rated one of the best communities in southeast Saskatchewan. He will continue to work with the RMs to build a strong municipal

Robert Burns night

government. His priorities will be licensing town water wells, paving and maintaining roads, promoting development to create jobs and attract businesses and work on and acquiring an assisted living centre.

A thank you was given to Meredith Swanson, who formed a committee to bring displaced Ukrainians to Wawota. We now have five families living here.

The Wawota Public Library hosted a Family Literacy Day community potluck and game night on Jan. 27.

This event was held at the Wawota Drop In Centre. Several families attended and shared in food dishes from their countries of origin. Following the meal, games were enjoyed by the adults and children.

Mandy Rokochy travelled to Wakaw to visit

with her sister Leah Bellefontaine and family. They went to Saskatoon to attend Malanka and watched Penny Bellefontaine dance with her Ukrainian dance group.

Visiting with Marie for several days last week was her daughter Shirley from Winnipeg.

Serena Kerr has moved to Saskatoon. We wish her well in her new home.

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Regan Miller piped in the haggis that was carried by Tim Sedor during the recent Robert Burns night at the Carlyle Memorial Hall. This local celebration to honour the famous Scottish poet and lyricist hadn’t taken place since 2020. Rylan and Cindy Weir catered the supper. Haggis, bag pipes and the finest scotch made for a great evening. Musical entertainment was provided by Lorne Frape and Ryan Bender of Moosomin. Photo courtesy of Natalie Miller

Pretty Paw Day Spaw

for a Bedr Life

A good crowd attended the Carlyle Lions’ seniors’ supper at the Carlyle Memorial Hall. Photo by Gord Paulley