Estevan Mercury 20191225

YEAR IN REVIEW

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Looking back on 2019 A5

Youths put on a show A11

Issue 35

SERVING THE ENERGY CITY SINCE 1903

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Mailing No. 10769 | Publication No. 40069240

ESTEVAN’S

SOURCE FOR LOCAL & REGIONAL NEWS

World of lights Jubilee Place has all the rights to be named one of the most well-decorated and beautiful spots in Estevan this Christmas season. Every house has lights and cute displays on the lawn. Some decorations are cozy, while others are funny, and some are even playing some Christmas music. A steady stream of vehicles from other neighbourhoods comes every night to slowly tour this wonderful little street, which now looks like an under the sky museum.

Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

Angel Tree toy store had gifts for every kid

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

The basement of St. Giles Anglic an Church looked like every kid’s heaven on Dec. 17, the day before the Angel Tree’s toy store opened its door to all parents who applied for hampers through Community Hamper Association. An ocean of gifts for children collected by the Estevan community in just two weeks could make even non-believers believe in miracles.

There were toys of all types, colours and sizes, there were jewelry, perfume and appliances like hairdryers for older kids, and kewpies and

blocks for the little ones. The Angel Tree toy store that once again was put together thanks to the Estevan community, looked more beautiful than any other toy store.

For two days parents could come in and choose great gifts, stocking stuffers and mitts for their children.

They also were supplied with wrapping paper and tape, so every kid in the Estevan area would have a real Christmas morning.

This year the hamper association received 305 applications for hampers that came with about 460 applications for gifts for kids ages 0-16.

Char Seeman, who is the co-chair of the hamper

There was a gift to every kid’s taste at the Angel Tree toy store.

association, noted that this year the toy donations were down, with many people preferring monetary donations. But after all, volunteers could still get enough gifts to ensure that every kid in the Estevan area has a gift to unwrap. The Kinette Club’s PJ Pyjamas Project also supplied all kids with a brand new set of pyjamas for Christmas.

And none of it would be possible without volunteers, who jointly spent over a thousand hours working to make this all happen. Seeman said they have about 100 volunteers who were helping with toy collection and hamper program. But neither this Christmas miracle would be possible without the incredible support from the community “A huge thank you to the community for their donations. We could not do this without them,” said Seeman. “Without the support of the community and the companies… companies were just crazy this year. And I know oilfield companies and businesses in the city are struggling, and they are still giving to us. It’s amazing. We thought we were going to be in for a tough year, but they made it good.”

The toys were collected through the Estevan Fire

Angel Tree co-chair Jolie Bayda along with other volunteers was putting last touches on the 2019 toy store at St. Giles Anglican Church.

Rescue Service and Estevan RCMP’s toy store drive, Estevan Police Service’s pack the cruiser, and a lot also were donated at the Angel Tree locations at Walmart, Blown Away Hair Studio, Your Toy Store and More and at Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual.

Seeman has been a part of the hamper association since she started it 27 years ago, and she always finds joy in it.

“My favourite part of it is seeing someone who we used to help, and now they are in a better circumstance

and they come in and they give back to us,” said Seeman. “That’s my favourite part. I just love that… And of course, seeing the little kids, and just imagining how happy they are on Christmas morning. And knowing that there hopefully is not going to be a kid that wakes up in Estevan and the surrounding area that doesn’t have something under the tree for them.”

It is a joy for volunteers to put the project together and witness the result of their hard work, but it also means

a lot for parents, who might be going through hard times.

“Some of the mothers that come in here are in tears.

And they are so thankful, and so grateful, just out of this world,” said Seeman.

Every year the Community Hamper Association accepts applications from everything in-between and including Midale, Oungre, Lampman, Frobisher, Oxbow and Estevan. Seeman also noted that Oxbow has its own program now, so next year their border will go just through Frobisher.

A2 December 25, 2019

Toques for kids Estevan’s Laura Chicoine knitted and donated all these beautiful toques to the Angel Tree.

They were given to the kids, whose families applied for a hamper through the Community Hamper Association. Parents who came to Angel Tree toy store at St. Giles Anglican Church could choose one of these handmade soft and warm pieces. The colours on the toques would brighten the greyest day.

Government issues snowplow safety reminder Each winter, snowplows in Saskatchewan are involved in collisions with drivers. However, the majority of these collisions can be avoided by being aware and passing with care.

“Our snowplow operators are out working, often in poor weather, to provide safe roads for travellers in Saskatchewan,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Greg Ottenbreit said. “At times, our snowplows en-

counter others on the road that are travelling at speeds or passing in ways that make working conditions risky.

We simply ask: be aware, pass with care.”

In recent years, the Government of Saskatchewan implemented laws to improve snowplow safety, which allows drivers to pass a moving snowplow when safe. Like any other emergency vehicle or tow truck, travellers must slow to 60

kilometres per hour when passing any highway equipment when warning lights are operating.

S n ow p l ow o p e r a t o r Wendy Koslowski was involved in a serious collision in January. She was forced off work for several months and the recovery continues.

The incident has impacted Wendy and her family.

“It snowed and I was hit from behind and when the car hit me - I hit the brakes

and it came back on me,” she said. “I was hurt pretty good. I was unable to pick up my daughter because of my shoulder.”

Provincial snow plows have flashing amber and blue lights. They use their blue lights when plowing, salting or sanding to increase visibility.

Drivers can help keep roads safe this winter by: •Slowing to 60 kilometres per hour when highway

equipment or other emergency vehicles are stopped with warning lights in operation; •Staying back and staying safe since snowplows can create mini-blizzards known as the “Snow Zone;” •Allowing snowplows sufficient time and space since they will pull over about every 10 kilometres or when safe to do so; •Driving according to weather and road conditions;

•Passing only when safe to do so; and •Planning ahead by using the Highway Hotline.

“Drive smart because it’s not a race,” Koslowski said. “Drive safe.”

Highways are inspected regularly by plow operators to determine if plowing, salt or sand is required for the ice conditions as well as to report conditions to the provincial road information system, the Highway Hotline.

City council approves bylaws for new police building and borrowing at final meeting of 2019 Estevan city council gave second and third readings to a pair of bylaws at their final meeting of the year on Dec. 16.

The first bylaw was for a rezoning of the land that will be included for the expansion of the Estevan Police Service (EPS) building.

The property to the east of the police station, which will be encompassed by the expansion, is currently zoned for residential purposes, which would not allow for a police station as a proper use.

Zoning had to be amended to commercial to match the

current police station.

A public hearing was held at the meeting regarding the expansion, but nobody spoke against the motion.

The other bylaw was the borrowing bylaw, which was needed for the city to borrow $2 million to pay for key capital projects, including Power Dodge Ice Centre upgrades, the new splash park in Centennial Park, the first phase of the police station addition and the water intake project.

The city has paid down more than $4 million in longterm debt this year, so that

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number has dropped by another $2 million this year.

• • • Council approved the 2020 membership fee for the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA).

Mayor Roy Ludwig said it amounts to about $11,000.

• • • During a discussion of the South East Transportation Planning Committee, it was noted that the rumble strips south of the intersection of Highways 47 and 13 near Stoughton will not be reinstalled. They were removed earlier this year because a neighbouring resident complained about the noise.

There were discussions about the issue earlier this year, and while many wanted the strips returned, the government

decided no.

Councillor Dennis Moore, who is the chairperson of the committee, said he was not happy with the government’s decision.

• • • Council had to pass a declaration in order to be eligible for municipal operating grants from the provincial government in 2020.

The city has met the government’s criteria by submitting its audited financial statement and public reporting on municipal waterworks to the Ministry of Government Relations. It is in good standing regarding the reporting and remittance of the education portion of property tax, and it has adopted a procedures bylaw and employee code of conduct. All members of

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council must file an annual update of their public disclosure statements.

This is a new procedure that municipalities have to follow to receive the grants.

• • • The water treatment plant treatment chemical tenders were approved. Border Chemical Company received the aluminum sulphate tender for $76,020; ClearTech was awarded the liquid chlorine tender for $21,332.64; and Brenntag received the potassium permanganate tender for $22,554, the ammonium sulphate tender for $15,225, the hydrofluosilicic acid tender for $10,470.60, and the sodium hydroxide tender for $61,005. While most of the tenders were higher than a year ago, there was a three per cent decrease for the sodium hydroxide tender.

• • • In the monthly water quality report, it was noted the city treated more than 143 million litres of water in November and pumped nearly 119 million litres into the distribution system. There weren’t any plant upsets and all regulated parameters were below government regulations, except trihalomethanes, which are being addressed with the

construction of the new water intake project.

• • • Two building permits worth $10,000 were issued in November, bringing the total for the year to 30 permits worth $1.93 million.

Both of November’s permits were classified as miscellaneous.

In the first 11 months of 2018, there were 33 permits worth a little more than $2.0 million.

• • • Councillor Greg Hoffort reiterated his desire to see reform in the way in which the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA) does its reassessments every four years. City manager Jeff Ward said other municipalities are concerned with the assessment cycle, the length of the term and how properties are valued. Most cities have significant issues, but not as big as Estevan.

It was brought up at the city managers and city mayors’ caucus, but it does not sound like SAMA is ready to make changes at this time.

The deadline has passed to bring forward a motion at the upcoming SUMA convention, but council can make a motion from the floor.

POLL LAST WEEK’S QUESTION WAS:

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32%

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THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

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Third Page A3

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

A rumble, an election and feel-good stories were among the big stories in 2019

By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

The past year was certainly a memorable one for the Estevan area.

Much like past years, there was no shortage of big stories to cover in the Estevan area. One of the biggest challenges is trying to determine our top 10 stories of the year.

Here are our selections for stories No. 6-10. The next edition of the Mercury will have stories No. 1 - 5.

10: Big suppor t for children’s hospital foundation: It was announced in the spring that nine-year-old Gage Goetz, the son of Trevor and Tammi Goetz and a member of the OutramMadigan 4-H Club, would sell his 4-H steer Sammy in July to raise money for the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan.

The campaign had personal reasons for Gage: he has gone through two heart surgeries, both of which took place in Edmonton. He continues to see a pediatric cardiologist in Saskatoon.

Gage hoped to generate $7,500 through the sale of Sammy. He wound up attracting far more than that.

Sammy was sold for

local businesses, organizations and individuals.

9: A hero on Boundary Dam: Dean Karcha was hailed as a hero in the summer for actions he took during the Saskatchewan Day long weekend that likely saved a life.

Karcha came to the rescue of several people and helped pull them to safety after their paddleboat capsized on Boundary Dam on Aug. 5.

Members of the Estevan RCMP, the Estevan Fire Rescue Service and Estevan Emergency Medical Services arrived in the area, and learned that people on the paddleboat had overturned and ended up in the water.

Karcha said he found four adults, one of whom was an elderly woman. They were OK, but were hysterical, and none of them could swim.

They also told Karcha there was a young child underneath the paddleboat.

Karcha, who is an experienced swimmer, dove into the water. The child’s head was trapped in the paddles of the boat, and Karcha was able to free him. The child’s lifejacket was forcing him into the cabin area, and he couldn’t free himself.

While Karcha brushed off praise from the commu-

Lisa Beaulieu served as a surrogate mother for former Estevan residents Tim and Chewn Bangsund.

Surrogacy in Canada Online.

The Bangsunds started looking into surrogacy about five years ago, because they always knew they wanted to be fathers.

sunds, Lisa and her husband Dylan about having a vacation together in the future.

7: Kitchen wins in a landslide: Nobody was surprised when the Conserva-

Gage Goetz raised $30,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan through the sale of his 4-H steer. $12,000 to Certified Energy Services during the Estevan Rotary Regional 4-H Show and Sale at the Estevan Exhibition grounds.

“I thought it was great, because I thought the more money it could get, the better it could be for the hospital,” said Gage. “Then they can get better things that they need with the money.”

Moments after Sammy was sold, auctioneer Norm Mack from the Mack Auction Company asked Gage if he would be willing to part with his show stick and halter. Gage agreed, and those two items were sold for another $12,000 to a conglomerate of local businesses and organizations.

Numerous other fundraisers were held to support Gage’s efforts.

T h e m on e y w i l l b e directed to the children’s hospital’s cardiology department.

Gage was one of many local residents to support the children’s hospital. The facility, which had been a long-standing need for families in the province, opened in September. A donor wall includes the names of many

nity, saying he hoped anyone would have done the same thing, many people on social media called him a hero after his story went public.

8: Surrogacy results in a beautiful story: It started with local woman Lisa Beaulieu’s desire to be a surrogate mother for a couple that couldn’t have children on their own.

It ended with her giving birth to a healthy baby girl for former Estevan residents Tim and Chewn Bangsund, who now reside in Australia.

Florence Juniper Pham Bangsund was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in early November.

Even though they’re all from Estevan, the Bangsunds did not know Lisa well before embarking on the surrogacy process. Chewn and Lisa went to the Estevan Comprehensive School at the same time, and Beaulieu used to cut Chewn’s hair when they lived in Saskatoon.

They connected when Lisa decided to embark on the surrogacy process, and one of their mutual friends put the Bangsunds in contact with her. They were all part of

Lisa expects she and her daughter Lyric will visit the Bangsunds in Australia, hopefully for Florence’s first birthday. And there has been discussions by the Bang-

tives’ Robert Kitchen was re-elected as the MP for Souris-Moose Mountain in the 2019 federal election.

But the lopsided nature of the victory was stunning.

Kitchen received 35,067 of the 41,550 votes cast, or 84.4 per cent, one of the largest margins of victory on election night. Five other candidates were entered.

One of the most notable aspects of the victory on election night was the voter turnout in Souris-Moose Mountain at 80.19 per cent, which was the second-highest in the country. There were 51,957 eligible voters in the riding on election night.

The Liberals retained power in the federal election, but this time it was with a minority government instead of the majority they won in 2015. They captured 157 of 338 seats, while the runnerup Conservatives won 121.

The Tories, though, won the popular vote with 34.4 per cent, while the Liberals had 33.06 per cent.

Conser vative leader Andrew Scheer, meanwhile, announced his resignation in mid-December following the defeat.

6: T he R umble returned: The Rafferty Rumble returned to Estevan in July for the first time since the early 1990s, and it proved to be a hit.

Thousands of people attended activities on Fourth Street, which included ven-

dors, a show and shine, live music and children’s activities. Downtown merchants had specials during the day.

A cabaret and street dance that night also attracted large crowds.

Local and Saskatchewan musicians provided entertainment for most of the day.

S por ting e vents included a slow-pitch tournament, soccer tournament, golf clinic, beach volleyball tournament and the inaugural Force Fitness Challenge.

Those events were held at the different amenities of Woodlawn Regional Park. The fitness challenge was organized

by Fresh Air Fitness.

Crowds were very well behaved throughout the event, with the Estevan Police Service reporting only a couple of problems.

The Rumble raised $56,615 for the participating organizations: the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum, Estevan Slow Pitch, the Estevan Snowmobile Club, the Estevan and Weyburn Adult Recreation Soccer League and Fresh Air Fitness.

Each group that held an event will receive the net proceeds from that activity.

The event is slated to return in July 2020.

The Rafferty Rumble returned in 2019, and was a big hit for the community.

Editorial A4

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EDITORIAL

Generating a buzz in Estevan One of the recurring themes that we’ve heard in the community in the past year or two is having events that create a buzz in the city.

We saw it earlier this year with the Rafferty Rumble. The resurrected event was an unquestionable hit: a fun weekend that had activities in the morning and the afternoon for the entire family, and then an outdoor street dance at night with live music and plenty of revelry.

It created a lot of traffic in downtown Estevan that was obviously good news for local merchants, it was an opportunity for local nonprofits to promote themselves, it was an incredibly successful fundraiser for the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum, and it even introduced talented Saskatchewan musicians to the Energy City.

There was a tremendous level of excitement for the Rumble before it happened, and it certainly lived up to the hype. The excitement didn’t subside after the event, either, and it left people hoping for a return of the Rumble in 2020.

It was great to see such excite-

ment in the community, and you could feel the buzz generated by the Rumble well after it was finished.

We’ve seen other examples in the past couple of years of events that generate a buzz.The Canada Cup of Curling put a national spotlight on Estevan and allowed us to showcase our facilities, most notably Affinity Place, and our people.

The concerts that we have had at Affinity Place the last two years have generated a lot of excitement in the city, and have also yielded a good return for our hotels and restaurants.

Hopefully these events can continue.

A couple of recent announcements will also create that buzz that we’re looking for.

The first is the Estevan Fair and the Estevan Rodeo being held on the same weekend for the first time in more than 20 years. Many people have been pining for the return of the days when the Estevan Exhibition Association’s two marquee events were held together; they are about to get their wish.

For a long time, it appeared they would forever remain separated.

The first weekend of June is going to be a very busy time indeed, thanks to the fair and rodeo.

You’re going to have the fair taking place over four days instead of two or three, and it’s going to be on a weekend instead of just weekdays.

You’re going to have the Estevan Sings competition for two nights, the rodeo over two nights, a concert at Affinity Place that features Gord Bamford and Jess Moskaluke, and all of the other events traditionally associated with Estevan’s fair and rodeo.

It definitely will create a buzz for Estevan.

The other event will be the 2022 Centennial Cup national junior A hockey championship.

This is one that people have been waiting to see in Estevan since Affinity Place opened back in 2011. This city proved it was capable of hosting an event of this scale with the 2016 Western Canada Cup tournament, which, from a financial perspective, was the best of the five Western Canada Cup events.

Now Estevan is going to host a national championship. And when you look at the talent that has played in the Centennial Cup in the past, you understand why this is a big deal from a hockey perspective.

It will also be a big deal from a community perspective. This is one of those events that brings hundreds, if not thousands, of people to Estevan to eat in our restaurants, stay in our hotels and visit our stores. We get to show everyone how great our people are and how great the community is.

Previous editions of the tournament have had a $3 million spinoff. It’s probably a realistic expectation to have that kind of a spinoff here.

Of course, these “buzz” events require a lot of manpower and considerable support from volunteers.

That’s why we have to be smart with them, and not risk burning out the volunteer base that makes them happen.

It’s great to have them each year, but you can have too much of a good thing.

Let’s really scare kids about the end I’ve heard a few people mention the impending turn of the decade, that perhaps this will be another Roaring Twenties.

But for some of the youngest among us, it may feel like a countdown, as in, they have 10 years left to the end of the world. The deadline, as in “dead,” literally, is 2030.

Two months ago, both of my kids told me they had heard other kids talking about how climate change was soon going to mean the end of the world, that they expected to die soon as a result. And at least one of these references was at church.

Then a few weeks ago I was at an Energy Safety Canada seminar in Weyburn, and one of the participants noted how their grandkids had heard or said similar things. Several other people piped up, echoing the concern.

As I type this, the lead story on the National Post app carried this headline: ‘We’re going to die’: Toronto mother says young daughter terrified by school presentation on climate change.

Apparently, that Toronto kid isn’t the only one. This is becoming a widespread phenomena.

These climate doomsday forecasters need to take a lesson from the Cold War. If you want to scare the bejesus out of little kids in school, you don’t talk about melting ice caps and rising oceans.

You teach them how to duck and cover under their desks when they see a brilliant flash, expecting that those desks and the bubblegum under them will protect them from the Bomb.

Hell, dust off an old film projector and show them some nuclear tests from the Nevada Test Site and Bikini Atoll (or I guess you could use YouTube.) Show them how to really make an island disappear, not with a rising ocean, but with 15 megatons of righteous fury! (The Castle Bravo test is one of my favourites. They figured it would be four to eight megatonnes, but someone goofed and it ended up being 15. Look it up, you’ll enjoy it. I did.) The Ivy Mike test also made an island at Enewetak Atoll vanish.

From the Top of the Pile BRIAN ZINCHUK But if you really, really want to convince them your life will soon end, show them the film of the Tsar Bomba. That’s the Soviet nuke that came in at 50 megatonnes, whose shockwave was detected on its third trip around the world.

And then tell them the Soviet scientists actually limited its output by half, since they were afraid of the enormous amount of fallout that would result from the 100 megatonne, full-fledged weapon.

Then you can tell them about the string of radar stations, like the one about 20 kilometres west of Yorkton, that were built to detect those Soviet bombers on their way to destroy us all.

And when they’re quaking in their shoes, kindly inform them that the bombers wouldn’t matter anyhow, because it would only talk about a half hour for Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles to get here.

THAT, my friends, is how you properly scare young kids into thinking the world is going to end.

The reality is that not much of the above has gone away. Yes, the number of nukes out there has been greatly reduced, and most are much, much smaller than the city-flattening five, 10 and 25- megatonne whoppers that were common in the 1960s. But there’s still plenty of megatonnes around to make us all glow in the dark. And the nearest active missile silo is precisely 50 kilometres from my front door. I checked on Google Maps.

As a child of the Cold War, I never did go through a duck and cover drill. I guess by that point, most of society realized the futility of it, so they never taught it were I grew up (I got a tour of the Yorkton radar base in Grade 3 instead). I learned all this on my own, while most everyone else was, thankfully for them, none-the-wiser.

In cleaning out the old air cadet hall in North Battleford around 2006, I found a 1960s era nuclear survival guide issued by the government of Canada. Obviously some kids, a generation before me, were taught these things here.

Now we have Greta Thunberg. As she told the United Nations, "This is all wrong. I shouldn't be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you!

"You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!”

No wonder kids are scared.

Yet somehow, mankind has survived the impending nuclear holocaust. And if, indeed, we are changing the climate, we will survive that, too.

Oceans have risen and fallen for hundreds of millions of years. Nearly all the 3,400 metres of sediment under my feet in Estevan come from being at the bottom of an ocean. At the most recent glacial maximum, you could walk (on ice, mind you) where the Hibernia oil platform is currently sitting in 90 metres of water.

First Nations learned how to adapt to the Canadian Prairies once the ice retreated from Saskatchewan. Scratch that. First Nations learned how to adapt to nearly all of Canada, as it was covered with ice 20,000 years ago. They didn’t have the benefit of modern technology or heavy equipment, like we have today.

If the oceans rise (some more, as they have since 20,000 years ago), we will figure out how to move a little further uphill.

No matter what Greta tells our kids, the world will not end.

Brian Zinchuk is editor of Pipeline News. He can be reached at brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net.

Op-Ed A5

Delivering the Gold Standard in real estate

LYNN CHIPLEY, Broker/Owner Cell 306.421.0100

1339 Fourth St., Estevan, SK S4A 0X1 Office 306.634.1020 Fax 306.634.0088 lynn.chipley@c21.ca www.century21.ca/lynn.chipley

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Ana Bykhovskaia Twenty Lines About…

Store traps The Christmas shopping season is wrapped up, and the Boxing Day (which now is more like a boxing week, if not a boxing month) is right around the corner, so we soon will get that satisfaction from catching great deals.

Many people are planning to travel to find the best deals and save some money in hypermarkets in Regina, Minot, or even Saskatoon, maybe Brandon or Winnipeg. But before you make that decision, you should read this column (it might be just a reminder for many of the readers, but the message merits repetition).

Even though some buys during sales feel quite incredible, in reality, the only place you find the free cheese in is a mousetrap. And if the cheese is really, really cheap, then something is probably off about it.

But it’s quite obvious that nobody likes losing money, including big retailers, which significantly drop prices at designated promotion times. So what do they do?

When you cruise through aisles with your shopping cart on your own, you feel that you have the freedom of choice, freedom to buy things, and freedom not to buy things, right?

Wrong. What feels like low-pressure shopping, in reality, is a very well designed quiz with a lot of hidden traps.

So what are some of the main store traps that we usually get caught into?

Hypermarkets have anything a household may need nowadays, and their goal is to ensure that customers spend as much time as possible inside. Each place probably has its own system and some tricks but most of them do their best ensuring the main points of the store are at least somewhat away from each other. The unavoidable areas are the entrance, tills, and the most attractive showcase, located away from each other. Each of those areas is designed to have enough catchers for customers, who usually slow down or stop there.

Sale items are usually spread out all over the place. And the basic items are also distanced so that while shoppers are pushing their trolleys from bread shelves to the dairy department they would go by some attractive sweets, kitchen appliances or sale-piles.

The beautiful fruits and veggies are traditionally by the entrance to help you feel good about your habits. Statistically, after we grab our portion of vitamins, we are more likely to buy more snacks and other craving satisfiers.

Besides, a somewhat chaotic placement of products on the shelves (which gets changed on regular basis) also ensures that you spend some time staring at it, looking for what you need and along the way picking up some other items that stand out, thanks to those screaming, usually yellow sale tags.

The items that need to be sold are usually placed on middle shelves. Statistics shows that we became too lazy to bend and look at what’s on the bottom (even if it’s the best deal, most of us won’t notice it).

Furniture stores are another type of jungle, which actually organize their space so one cannot pay for the pillow they came for until going through the entire place and viewing everything they have on display. Guess what, during the sales season most of the shoppers end with at least two or three extra sale items in their cart after travelling through those colourful, exciting and seemingly cheap corridors.

Another trick, I think, stores of all kinds borrowed from casinos. Have you noticed that there are hardly any windows?

And if there are, they are covered with big banners. Why? So we don’t realize how much time we spend in the store and get disconnected from the world outside. Unfortunately, it often gets me caught.

And even knowing about these other tricks, when at the store most of us just relax, forget and fall for the great deals (which is fine, as long as it’s not hurting us and our families).

But if you are thinking about heading out somewhere for shopping think twice. Because a week or two after your satisfactory great deal trip, you’ll find a bunch of already bad groceries in your fridge that were really cheap, so you took three. And half a year later there probably will be a few unpacked boxes still sitting around the house with stuff that was too good of a deal not to buy, but too useless to unpack.

So if you really need something, check some of the local stores. They also will have some deals, but knowing the place you are less likely to get in a trap. And you also will keep the money in the community rolling into a new decade.

Merry Christmas! Shop smart and shop local!

!

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Year in Review: Winter months were still busy in the region The beginning of 2019 was quiet and cold at times Estevan, but there still was a lot happening in the community. Here are some highlights for the first two months of the year.

January: Estevan’s first 2019 baby made the community wait a little bit. Jaxson Roy Eberle –Estevan’s new year’s baby – was born in St. Joseph’s Hospital on Jan. 3 at 10:49 a.m.

The second edition of the Festival of Lights at Woodlawn Regional Park proved to be even more popular than the first. The 2018-19 edition of the festival had 25 entries, which is more than double the 11 they had in 2017.

Nick Morsky died Jan. 5 at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of business leadership. He spent more than 62 years in Estevan, with his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit being rewarded with success. The Estevan Chamber of Commerce named its Business Hall of Fame after Nick Morsky and his wife Verna.

For the first time in more than a decade, taxpayers in the city of Estevan didn’t have a property tax increase. The 2019 budget was announced Jan. 15. The main projects in the 2019 city budget were Phase 1 of the expansion of the Estevan Police Service building; renovations for the Estevan Leisure Centre, with upgrades to the roof and the rooftop HVAC units; renovations of the Power Dodge Ice Centre’s washrooms, showers, dressing rooms and seating; a pedestrian crossing and a sidewalk from Edward Street to Wellock Road; and splash park in Centennial Park.

Canada Action and Rally 4 Resources held a rally at the Legislature building in Regina on Jan. 8. The event was called “Rally in Regina for Canadian Resources.” It was organized to support the Canadian natural resource sector, including agriculture, potash, uranium, oil and gas and pipelines.

St. Joseph’s Hospital’s staff experienced a baby boom in 2018-19. There were 26 new mamas, who were still on maternity leave in January or have just recently returned to work.

And there were many more

soon-to-be mothers. Even though most of the young moms were off work, they remained a family and stayed in touch all the time. And the naturally-formed club meant a lot for many of them.

The Estevan Kinettes Club Princess and Superhero Ball was a “super magical” event in 2019. The ball was held on Jan. 19 at the Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan branch, with about 140 people in attendance. Children and adults alike donned their princess and superhero attire and enjoyed an afternoon filled with activities. Proceeds from the ball were directed to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Estevan MLA Lori Carr and Souris- Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen made separate appearances at the Yellow Vest protests in January. The protests have been happening at City Hall every Saturday since Dec. 15, 2018, with the crowd opposing some federal policies including a carbon tax.

Culinary Tour, in which guests could experience cuisine offered by Estevan’s restaurant chefs, while visiting with friends, trying something new and exploring local hidden gems on board of a limo.

The tiny village of Forget, which has long been known as a hub for arts and culture in southeast Saskatchewan, received national attention.

Canadian Living Magazine listed the community of 42 residents as one of 20-plus small towns and villages in Canada that people need to visit. Forget was the only community under 100 people to be included in the article.

Agriculture has been a big part of Clarence Hookenson’s life since he was a baby.

The 98-year-old Kisbey resident was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame. The announcement was made in January.

February: The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation announced appointments for two of its boards in southeast Saskatchewan. Verla Pierce was appointed to the Oxbow Housing Authority’s board of directors. Other mem-

Nick Morsky, pictured here with his granddaughter Avery Dechief, was remembered for his contributions to business in Estevan and the community as a whole. He died in January. bers of the board of directors are Shannon Burnett, Robert Carpendale, Mary Janke and Cindy Loustel. Virginia Deren, Diena Fisher, Gloria Knous, Peter Piper and Hazel Schindel were reappointed to the Stoughton Housing Authority’s board.

Sacred Heart School/ École Sacré Coeur’s principal Amber Hilstrom was selected as one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals, an initiative offered by the Learning Partnership. Thirty principals from across the country were selected, and Hilstrom was the only one from Saskatchewan.

Premier Scott Moe announced on Feb. 4 that Saskatchewan municipalities will see an overall funding increase of more than $10 million for 2019-20, bringing the total amount to $251 million next fiscal year for the municipal revenue sharing program.

The Living Room Live concert series brought a trio featuring Jayne Hammond (soprano), Nathaniel Froese (cellist) and Nicola Davies (piano) to Creighton Lodge on Feb. 5. The guests had the pleasure of listening to the professional performance, which also involved a more rare performer – Living Room Live executive director and co-founder Davies.

Pr a i r i e Wo m e n o n Snowmobiles Mission 2019

rolled through much of the province from Feb. 3-8, and raised more than $83,000 for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and the Canadian Cancer Society to assist with their efforts to fight breast cancer, and support those with the disease. Among the riders was Lampman’s Brittany Fox and Carievale’s Alison Taylor and Janis Stanley.

Q uota International marked 100 years of living out its mandate of “To serve” on Feb. 6, and the Estevan Quota Club celebrated the milestone two days earlier with an event at Creighton Lodge. A large crowd, including Creighton Lodge residents and members of the Estevan chapter and the Junior Quota Club, gathered for the event.

A homecoming celebration was held for Payton Sernick at the Estevan DQ Grill and Chill on Feb. 9. The 10-year-old Estevan resident came back home after the second time she has fought and beaten cancer.

Members of the Saskatchewan Youth Choir performed at St. Paul’s United Church on Feb. 9. The 27 young singers showcased their talents by singing a wide repertoire of music. Torquay’s Levi Stepp was among the performers.

The Estevan Wildlife A9 » YEAR

St Joseph’s Hospital has been going through a significant baby boom. Photo submitted

Business A6

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Bramble promoted Estevan in Vietnam

Estevan’s economic development co-ordinator was in Vietnam recently to promote the community and to try to attract investment.

Dwight Bramble was in the Asian country from Dec. 1-10, where he attended the TechFest trade show in Halong from Dec. 2-4.

“It’s been going on four years now, and during the four years, they have seen over 15,000 attendees and they’ve had over 2,000 participants,” said Bramble. “And so we were invited to be part of a booth over there, and I had the Estevan banner up there, and I had Estevan promotion materials.”

Bramble said there is an agency in Saskatoon named the Vietnam Immigration and Investment Agency (VIICA), which is headed by Kevin

Nguyen, who invited him to Vietnam.

There were representatives from Saskatoon who joined Bramble in a Saskatchewan delegation. He worked out of a booth for Online Forum Automation Systems while at Techfest.

“We met with very many different potential investors who want to get into manufacturing, technology, education, agri-value, geothermal and renewable energy, pretty much all of the sectors that we have emphasized as priorities,” said Bramble.

This year’s Techfest had more than 6,000 people attend and more than 300 exhibitors. People came from as far away as the U.K. and Australia, with well-known companies such as Samsung attending, making it a big international event.

Dwight Bramble, second from left, with other people at the TechFest in Vietnam. Photo submitted

After Techfest was finished, Bramble was able to meet with several potential investors who have expressed an interest in coming to Canada. He tried to convince them to come to Estevan. Meetings were held in the capital of Hanoi and it Ho Chi Minh City in south Vietnam.

Bramble noted that Premier Scott Moe has voiced a desire in working with the VIICA in looking at potential trade and investment opportunities with the Asian nation, and so Bramble said Estevan, in a sense, is leading the way.

He described the trip as promising. He has already started connecting some Estevan companies and potential investors in Vietnam.

“We’re looking to have a group of them come over here in May … or June of next year to check it out,” said Bramble.

Some of the people he met with had never heard of Saskatchewan, let alone Estevan, so a big part of his efforts overseas were to promote the province and the city.

One company he met with is interested in trading in coal and oil, and their interest was piqued when they heard that Estevan is home to both industries.

“Their population is close to 100 million people, so there’s a great demand for energy and those types of goods and services,” said Bramble.

“There’s a company who wants to partner with a post-secondary education to establish … a training school.”

Another company was inter-

City of Estevan economic development co-ordinator Dwight Bramble met with Vietnam deputy prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo submitted ested in manufacturing to develop products from oil and coal, while another was interested in automobile assembly.

“There’s a wide range of companies, and there were lots of others we met who are just interested in Canada, because, of course, Canada is an attractive place to invest … and I tried my best to sell Estevan … and Saskatchewan as the city and province of choice.”

The government officials from

the Ministry of Science and Technology in Vietnam even invited Estevan to host a Techfest in 2020, and they would be willing to work with Estevan to get it going, with Canadian companies participating.

“I think it would be a great opportunity for Estevan to put on something like that, and target a lot of the provincial and Canadian companies, and some international companies as well. I think it would be great exposure for the city.”

Frustration over legal representation boils over

By Brian Zinchuk brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net

Cussing in front of a judge generally doesn’t go well for the one doing the talking, but Christopher Joseph DeLeseleuc’s frustration with the

legal system was boiling over when he appeared in Estevan Provincial Court on Dec. 16.

De-Leseleuc faces charges of operating a conveyance in a manner dangerous to the public and failing to stop or offer assistance. The charges

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De-Leseleuc said he can’t get legal aid, so he was seeking the assistance of Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan.

That organization’s website says, “Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan (PBLS) is a non-profit corporation established in 2008 that strives to improve access to justice in Saskatchewan by creating, facilitating and promoting opportunities for lawyers to provide high-quality pro bono (free) legal services to persons of limited means.”

De-Leseleuc started arguing with Crown prosecutor Mitch Crumley, who promptly suggested he could set a trial date that day.

Judge Michelle Brass asked if he would be getting a lawyer.

“With what? Hopes and dreams?” De-Leseleuc said in response.

“I don’t know the process.”

“If you’re denied Legal Aid, you can apply for a courtappointed lawyer,” Brass said.

“This is trying to help you.”

Public Notice Rural Municipality of Estevan No.5 Notice of Intent to Amend the Zoning Bylaw Pursuant to Section 207 of The Planning and Development Act, 2007, the Council of the Rural Municipality of Estevan No.5 gives notice to amend Zoning Bylaw 5-2014.

Description: The proposed Bylaw 2019-13 provides a variety of textual amendments to Zoning Bylaw 5-2014, including:

De-Leseleuc said, “It’s frustrating.”

There were several exchanges regarding whether or not De-Leseleuc would waive delay in taking an adjournment. A recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling put definitive timelines on what is acceptable for the length of time between being charges laid and trial. As a result, it is routine for accused people to be asked to waive delay, essentially taking a time out on that ticking clock, if a process they are asking for is going to lengthen proceedings.

“You can waive delay,” Brass said, without explaining what that meant.

De-Leseleuc said his conversation Pro Bono Saskatchewan indicated he shouldn’t take any action.

“They told me not to agree to anything,” he said. “I’m a

landscaper, not a lawyer.”

The case had already been adjourned from August to October to December. When he was denied legal aid, DeLeseleuc contacted Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan, but was told he couldn’t get an appointment until January.

“I have a legal right to representation, and I’m trying to get it. I’m getting the, pardon my French, (expletive) end of the stick,” De-Leseleuc said, to snickers in the gallery.

“She just told me to go to court and have it adjourned.”

Brass finally said, “I’m going to adjourn your matter to January 10. At that point, I want to see some movement.”

In the meantime, he will apply for court-appointed counsel in addition to Pro Bono.

“I didn’t know there’s another route,” he concluded.

• Adding definitions for the following: Cannabis, Cannabis production facility, Cannabis retail operation and Medical cannabis production facility; • Revising the definitions for the following: Agricultural, Agricultural Operation, Greenhouse (Commercial), Greenhouse (Industrial), Home Based Business and Horticulture; • Prohibit the growth of Cannabis on private property; • Adding “Cannabis Retail Outlets”, along with associated development standards, as a discretionary use in the High Profile Commercial/Light Industrial District (HPCI) and General Commercial District (COM1) • Adding “Cannabis Production Facility”, along with associated development standards, as a discretionary use in the Agricultural Resource District (AR), High Profile Commercial/Light Industrial District (HPCI), General Commercial District (COM1) and General Industrial District (IND1) Reason and Intent: With the legalization of cannabis in full effect, the overall intention of the proposed textual amendments is to provide regulations and overall clarification surrounding cannabis, as well as to provide a regulatory framework within the zoning bylaw for cannabis retail outlets and cannabis production facilities.

More specifically, it is intended that the textual amendments will: • clarify and provide new definitions for a variety of uses; and • provide development standards and general regulations for cannabis retail outlets and cannabis production facilities so applicants may make future discretionary use applications for the use(s) within agricultural, commercial and industrial zoning districts.

Public Inspection: Any person may inspect the proposed bylaw at the R.M. of Estevan Municipal Office at #1 – 322 4th Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Copies are available at cost.

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Public Hearing: Council will hold a public hearing to receive submissions, written or verbal, on the proposed bylaw at 11:00 a.m. (local time) on Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 in the Council Chambers of the R.M. of Estevan No. 5, #1-322 4th Street Estevan, Saskatchewan.

Dated at Estevan, Saskatchewan this 18th day of December, 2019.

Michelle Dickie, Administrator

1225 4th Street, Estevan, SK / 306.634.1033 www.jennyjoans.com

December 25, 2019 A7

City Hall: 1102 4th Street 8 am to 4:30 pm | (306) 634-1800 Leisure Office: 701 Souris Avenue 8 am to 4:30 pm | (306) 634-1880

CAREER Position: BYLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Hours of Work: Full Time / Monday to Friday Wage: $24 per hour

On behalf of Council and Staff it is a pleasure to wish our community the very best of the holiday season.

12 to 18-month term position to fill a pending vacancy Duties and Responsibilities: • • • • •

Enforce City of Estevan Bylaws Property Maintenance Inspections Parking Enforcement Animal Control Respond to Bylaw complaints and

public inquiries • Issue Bylaw Offence Notices • Maintain a daily report management system

Applicant must possess the following requirements: • Pass a Police Security Clearance check • Valid driver’s license • Computer skills • Excellent interpersonal

communication skills • Ability to work independently and efficiently with accuracy • Comprehend and work within the justice system

May you be blessed with good health, good friends and lots of laughter through this season and the whole year through.

Sincerely, Mayor Roy Ludwig

Previous experience/education related to Criminal Justice, Policing, Bylaw Enforcement, etc. would be an asset. Training provided.

Applications available at the Estevan Police Service. Return completed applications including a current resume to: Chief of Police Estevan Police Service 301-11th Ave. Estevan, Sask. S4A 1C7 Only successful candidates will be contacted. The closing date for applications is January 15, 2020.

Merry Christmas

POLICE BOARD ADVERTISING THE CITY OF ESTEVAN INVITES INTERESTED CITIZENS TO SIT ON THE ESTEVAN BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER AT LARGE, PLEASE SEND A LETTER EXPLAINING YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND WHAT PAST EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE THAT COULD BENEFIT THIS BOARD IN WRITING BY DECEMBER 31, 2019 TO: CITY CLERK 1102 4TH STREET ESTEVAN, SK S4A 0W7 EMAIL CITYCLERK@ESTEVAN.CA * CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK MAY BE REQUIRED UPON REQUEST.

2008 CHEV HHR LS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC TENDER

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

THE ESTEVAN POLICE SERVICE IS ACCEPTING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE. 2008 CHEV HHR LS, 41,632 KM, WHITE IN COLOR THE VEHICLE CAN BE VIEWED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AT ESTEVAN POLICE SERVICE 301- 11TH AVE. ESTEVAN, SASKATCHEWAN, DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR TO PICK UP A TENDER PACKAGE, PLEASE CONTACT SHEILA CHARTRAND, THE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR AT 306-634-1507 OR CHRISTA GINGRAS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT 306-634-1518.

THE MINIMUM BID FOR THIS VEHICLE IS $ 4,000. THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WILL BE "SOLD AS IS." IN ADDITION TO THE AMOUNT BEING OFFERED, THE TENDERS MUST CONTAIN THE BIDDER'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER. TENDERS ARE TO BE DELIVERED IN A SEALED ENVELOPE MARKED VEHICLE TENDER TO THE ATTENTION OF: CHIEF OF POLICE, ESTEVAN POLICE SERVICE 301 - 11TH AVE ESTEVAN, SASK S4A 1C7 TENDERS MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE ESTEVAN POLICE SERVICE NO LATER THAN 4:30 PM. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8TH, 2020.

UNSEALED TENDERS, TENDERS NOT PROPERLY COMPLETED, OR LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. ONLY THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE CONTACTED.

THIS EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) IS SOLICITING PROPOSALS FROM QUALIFIED VENDORS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS APPAREL SALES AND / OR SPORT EQUIPMENT REPAIR, SALES AND SERVICES AT AFFINITY PLACE ARENA. SPECIFICALLY, THE AREA OF OPERATION WILL BE IN A DESIGNATED (82SQ FT) ENCLOSED AND SECURED SECTION ON THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF THE CONCOURSE LEVEL AT AFFINITY PLACE, 701, SOURIS AVE. THE GOAL IS TO ENHANCE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR USERS AND PATRONS OF OUR FACILITIES BY PROVIDING DIRECT ACCESS TO SPORTS APPAREL SALES AND / OR SPORT EQUIPMENT REPAIR, SALES AND SERVICES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS EOI IS TO SELECT A MAXIMUM OF THREE (3) OF THE MOST QUALIFIED VENDORS WHO MAY BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEXT STAGE OF THE SELECTION PROCESS. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL OR MAILED IN HARD COPY TO THE UNDERSIGNED NO LATER THAN 2:00 PM JANUARY 07TH, 2020.

WRITTEN RESPONSES TO THE EOI SHOULD BE A CONCISE LETTER AND SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. •LETTER OF INTRODUCTION FROM YOUR COMPANY, THE SERVICES YOU INTEND OFFER AT THE LOCATION AND YOUR QUALIFICATIONS TO OPERATE WITHIN THE CITY OF ESTEVAN INCLUDING INSURANCES, WCB AND BUSINESS LICENCING COMPLIANCES. •PROPOSED HOURS OF OPERATIONS AND PROVISIONS FOR HOURS ABSENT •HOW YOU INTEND TO OPERATE SAFELY, EFFECTIVELY AND COOPERATIVELY WITH THE CITY OF ESTEVAN. •RENTAL RATE PROPOSAL FOR THE IDENTIFIED SPACE. THE CITY OF ESTEVAN ADMINISTRATION WILL REVIEW SUBMISSIONS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL ON THE POSSIBILITY FOR A PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY AT WHICH TIME ADDITIONAL DETAILS WILL BE REQUIRED. THIS EOI DOES NOT COMMIT THE CITY OF ESTEVAN TO A SOLICITATION, SELECTING ANY PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION, OR TO AWARDING A CONTRACT OF ANY KIND. SUBMISSION DETAILS: ATTENTION: JEFF WARD, CITY MANAGER 1102 4TH STREET ESTEVAN, SK S4A 0W7 EMAIL: J.WARD@ESTEVAN.CA

DROP IN RECREATION

ESTEVAN LEISURE CENTRE SCHEDULE SUNDAY LANE SWIM PUBLIC SWIM LANE SWIM FAMILY SWIM PUBLIC SWIM

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 1:00 PM -5:00 PM 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 7:00 PM -9:00 PM

WEIGTH ROOM 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM BASKETBALL 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM TWINKLE SKATE 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM MONDAY LANE SWIM AIS.

6:00 AM - 9:00 AM 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

ESTEVAN LEISURE CENTRE EFFECTIVE Decmber 21- December 27, 2019

FAMILY SWIM 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM LANE SWIM 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 1:00 PM -5:00 PM LANE SWIM 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM WEIGTH ROOM 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM BASKETBALL 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PARENT & TOT SKATE 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM NOON HOCKEY 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM FAMILY SKATE 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

TUESDAY LANE SWIM AIS. FAMILY SWIM LANE SWIM PUBLIC SWIM

6:00 AM - 9:00 AM 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

WEIGTH ROOM 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM BASKETBALL 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PARENT & TOT SKATE 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM HOCKEY 16+ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM FAMILY SKATE 1:15 PM - 3:00 PM SHINNY 6-10Y 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM SHINNY 11-15Y 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

THURSDAY LANE SWIM 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 1:00 PM -5:00 PM WEIGTH ROOM 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM FAMILY SKATE 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM FRIDAY LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM AIS. 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM FAMILY SWIM 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM LANE SWIM 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM LANE SWIM 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM WEIGTH ROOM 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

BASKETBALL 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PARENT & TOT SKATE 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

HOCKEY 16+ FAMILY SKATE SHINNY 6-10Y SHINNY 11-15Y

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 1:15 PM - 3:00 PM 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

SATURDAY LANE SWIM 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 1:00 PM -5:00 PM LANE SWIM 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM FAMILY SWIM 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 7:00 PM -9:00 PM WEIGTH ROOM BASKETBALL

6:30 AM - 10:00 PM 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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A8

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

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Lights! Camera! Christmas!

Pleasantdale School held their dress rehearsal Dec. 18 for their annual Christmas pageant, entitled Lights! Camera! Christmas! The Grade 4 class played the roles of multiple movie genres. The other younger grades then performed those films, as it were. The big performance was scheduled for the evening of Dec. 19. Photos by Brian Zinchuk

Torc outlines 2020 spending for the southeast Torc Oil & Gas Ltd. has announced an initial 2020 capital budget of $190 million, up $10 million from expected spending in 2019.

TORC said in a release its 2020 capital budget exhibits a measured approach and reflects a balance between managing long-term objectives, protecting the company’s strong financial position and sustaining the dividend.

Torc’s 2020 capital budget is specifically focused on: •Investing in higher rate of return, lower risk light oil opportunities across the company’s extensive development drilling inventory; •Maintaining production levels and maximizing cash flow through an efficient capital program; •Efficiently executing a high graded development drilling program while continuing to organically expand the company ’s inventor y through select delineation opportunities; •Maintaining the company’s decline profile; •Strategically investing in infrastructure projects that achieve both economic returns and environmental benefits; •Maintaining a payout ratio of less than 100 per cent;

•Directing the pace of the capital program to maintain spending flexibility throughout the year; •Maintaining operational flexibility to effectively respond to a changing commodity price environment; and •Maintaining Torc ’s strong financial position and flexibility to take advantage of additional growth opportunities as they arise.

Torc’s capital program in 2020 is focused on light oil development projects, with the majority of the capital directed to drilling, completions and tie-ins (approximately 70 per cent).

The drilling program is concentrated on the company’s primary core areas in southeast Saskatchewan, focused on both conventional and unconventional opportunities, along with the Cardium play in central Alberta.

The balance of 2020 capital spending will be allocated to operational and facilities optimization, expansion of infrastructure, gas conservation projects and inactive well retirements.

Torc ’s asset base in southeast Saskatchewan is comprised of both conventional assets and unconventional light oil resource plays. Its primary focus on

the conventional asset base is to maintain production and maximize free cash flow through the efficient exploitation of identified conventional light oil pools.

The company’s unconventional light oil resource plays provide current and future organic growth opportunities for the company.

In 2020, TORC plans to drill 44 gross (34.2 net) conventional wells. With more than 400 net undrilled conventional locations identified, the 2020 budget represents less than nine per cent of TORC’s conventional development locations. Conventional development locations are characterized by their lower risk nature and high rates of return driven by their lower capital costs, high netbacks and the attractive royalty regime in Saskatchewan.

Southeast Saskatchewan conventional activity will comprise approximately 32 per cent of the company’s 2020 drilling, completion and tie-in capital budget.

On the company’s unconventional asset base in southeast Saskatchewan, TORC continues to be active on the Torquay/Three Forks light oil resource play with plans to drill 13 gross (12.0 net) wells during 2020.

This program represents less than nine per cent of the 150 net identified Torquay/ Three Forks development locations on the company’s land base. The Torquay/Three Forks activity in southeast Saskatchewan will comprise approximately 28 per cent of the 2020 drilling, completion and tie-in capital budget.

In 2020, TORC plans to expand the gathering system in the Torquay/Three Forks oil resource play to continue to enhance the benefits of the company’s centralized facility, which was completed in 2018. With continued expansion to the gathering system, TORC will increasingly realize benefits through reduced trucking of fluids, reduced requirements for single well batteries, and the ability to use produced water for frac operations, providing economic gains along with environmental and community benefits.

TORC has been active in a number of areas prospective for unconventional Midale exploitation. Given the continued success, the company has achieved in this play, the company plans to increase capital allocated to the Midale light oil resource play in 2020 with plans to drill 17 gross (14.8 net) wells spread across the company’s

land position. This program represents less than nine per cent of the 175 net identified Midale development locations on the company’s land base. The Midale activity in southeast Saskatchewan will comprise approximately 23 per cent of the 2020 drilling, completion and tie-in capital budget.

Together, the conventional and unconventional southeast S askatchewan capital allocation represents approximately 83 per cent of the overall drilling, completion and tie-in capital budget during 2020.

Cardium In 2020, TORC plans to drill eight gross (6.7 net) wells across the company’s land position in the Cardium to maintain production.

With a decline profile of approximately 20 per cent, the Cardium play generates free cash flow in the current commodity price environment supporting the sustainability and repeatability of the company’s business objectives.

To rc ’s d e ve l o pm e n t plans for the Cardium in 2020 represents approximately 17 per cent of the company’s drilling, completion and tie-in activity.

TORC anticipates that the $190 million 2020 capital budget will maintain 2019 exit production levels resulting in 2020 average and exit production of 28,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day (88 per cent light oil and liquids) while continuing to maintain a decline profile of approximately 23 per cent.

A Schlumberger Co. Hwy. 361, Lampman, SK Phone (306) 487-2525 Cell (306) 421-0528

THE ESTEVAN MERCURY DRILLING REPORT Drilling Licenses 9 new licenses issued to Monday, December 19 145497 145480 142379 145617 145543 143772 145644 145810 143985

Allied Energy Hz................................................................................................................ 15-34-6-14 Vermilion Energy Hz ......................................................................................................... 15-13-2-14 Valleyview Petroleums Hz ................................................................................................... 1-22-6-14 Vermilion Energy Hz ........................................................................................................... 16-17-3-1 Vermilion Energy Hz ......................................................................................................... 13-18-2-13 Pemoco Ltd Vert ............................................................................................................... 11-34-8-33 Crescent Point Energy Hz ..................................................................................................... 5-10-9-9 Crescent Point Energy Hz ................................................................................................... 8-25-1-12 Vermilion Energy Hz ........................................................................................................... 7-20-2-14

121093 141990 142019 143336 124089 144798 92511 142161 142019 140237 134117 142379

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Precision Drilling ...........................Crescent Point Energy.................................................. 16-25-9-8 Panther Drilling................................Potash Corporation .................................................... 8-16-18-1 Stampede Drilling .......................... Hummingbird Energy .................................................. 2-23-6-13 Precision Drilling ............................Whitecap Resources ................................................. 11-36-5-13 Horizon Drilling.............................. Ridgeback Resources ................................................ 13-15-7-11 Ensign Drilling ...............................Crescent Point Energy.................................................... 16-5-9-6 Mosaic Potash .......................Esterhazy Limited Partnership.......................................... 4-22-19-32 Panther Drilling..................................Vermilion Energy...................................................... 13-34-1-3 Stampede Drilling .......................... Hummingbird Energy .................................................. 2-23-6-13 Horizon Drilling.............................. Ridgeback Resources ...................................................... 8-5-7-8 Alliance Drilling..............................Crescent Point Energy.................................................. 13-35-7-8 Panther Drilling............................. Valleyview Petroleums ................................................. 1-22-6-14

Classifieds A9

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

LegaL/PubLic Notices

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF

ARLENE WINNIFRED SYMCOX, LATE OF ESTEVAN, IN THE PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN, DECEASED.

Year in Review 2019: Main stories for January and February

All claims against the above Estate, duly verified

by Statutory Declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 18th day of January, 2020.

Vivian Walliser 1008 Hillcrest Bay Estevan, SK S4A 1Y5

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For Sale - MiSc Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

« A5 Federation recognized success in fishing, hunting birds and big game, and photography during the organization’s annual awards supper on Feb. 9 at the WylieMitchell building. Awards were handed out in numerous categories during the event.

The City of Estevan approved the water intake project that will shift the city’s primary water source from Boundary Dam to Rafferty Dam on Feb 11. Once the intake project is complete, it is expected to im-

prove the quality of Estevan’s water by reducing the level of trihalomethanes and reducing the hardness of the water.

After conducting an investigation on a reported case the Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan, with the assistance of the Fillmore RCMP, seized over 300 cows from a farmer located north of Stoughton Feb. 13-14. According to APSS, the animals, found on different properties, were in poor condition. The farmer is facing charges.

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or 306-649.1405 for details.

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BREAKING NEWS WWW.ESTEVANMERCURY.CA

Amber Hilstrom was selected as one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals.

LegaL/PubLic Notices

The Convoy to Ottawa rolled through Prairies. After immense growing pains, the United We Roll Convoy for Canada kicked off in Red Deer, Alta., early in the morning on Feb. 14 heading to Ottawa, where a rally took place on Parliament Hill on Feb. 19.

The key issues for the participants included pipelines, the carbon tax and energy policy.

A number of Estevan residents partook in the convoy.

Sisters Laura and Rhonda Stock launched Happy Little Hooves Pony and Donkey Sanctuary Inc., a non-profit organization that assists those animals. Rhonda Stock is the president, while Laura is the vice-president. Jeanita Beauregard is also on their board.

Fire stroked Sanjel’s former Estevan building on Feb. 15. No injuries occurred in the fire, and none of the firefighters suffered smoke inhalation or frostbite, despite the amount of time they spent at the scene on a frigid day.

The Estevan Humane Society held its third annual Whiskers and Wine Gala. The fundraiser for the animal shelter turned out to be another success with almost 200 people in attendance, helping in raising money for little critters and enjoying a great night out at the Exhibition Hall with Hook and Nail and JJ Voss providing the entertainment.

General Motors Canada has selected the Murray GM dealership in Estevan as a recipient of their annual prestigious President’s Club Award, which is the biggest annual recognition handed out by GM. The Southeast College was named one of Saskatchewan’s top employers for the second consecutive year.

A Lampman area livestock producer caught the at-

tention of the Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan.

They conducted an investigation after receiving a complaint about the condition of the cattle on the property. On Feb.

28 over 130 cows were seized due to their poor condition.

The Dec. 27 edition of Southeast Lifestyles will have news highlights from March and April.

From left, William Duncan, Isabelle Pyra, Jacob Pyra and Charlie May Pyra provided entertainment at the Quota centennial event. Photo submitted

CAREERS

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Wages are competitive and reflective of experience and position. Excellent health benefits and bonus program. Must Come and the 5small locallicence business today! holdexperience a valid Class drivers’ andatmosphere a clean abstract be capable working flexible hours and participate in PleaseMust forward resumesofto shawn.quinlan@innovativeals.ca please anposition on-call rotation.

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LegaL/PubLic Notices

SRI HOMES’ Estevan Facility SHELTER HOME SYSTEMS is currently accepting applications for

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Barristers & Solicitors

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Sports A10

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Year in Review: Many memorable sporting moments to start 2019

The first two months of the year are among the busiest time for sports in the community. Hockey and curling are into playoffs and championships, and high school basketball, water polo and much more are in full swing. Here are some of the sporting highlights from the first two months of 2019: January: Special Olympics Estevan began what was a busy year for the organization with a Try It Camp Jan. 4 at the Estevan Leisure Centre’s multipurpose room. Nearly a dozen youths and their parents tried out different activities that were offered, some of which were available through Active Start for younger children and Fundamentals for older kids.

The Estevan Bruins were relatively quiet prior to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s trade deadline on Jan. 10. They dealt goaltender Matt Lucaks to Notre Dame for future considerations. Then the club pulled off a three-way trade that also involved the Flin Flon Bombers and the B.C. Hockey League’s Cowichan Capitals that would eventually lead to the Bruins acquiring standout goaltender Keenan Rancier from the B.C. Hockey League Prince George Spruce Kings in the offseason.

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs senior boys basketball team finished second at their annual home tournament Jan. 11 and 12. They went 2-1 at the tournament, defeating Weyburn 84-64 and Swift Current 82-69 to reach the final, which they dropped 82-72 decision to the Notre Dame Hounds.

A meeting was held Jan. 16 regarding the possibility of bringing a junior football team to Estevan. The Southeast Junior Roughnecks would compete in a league in Manitoba, and give athletes in Estevan, Weyburn and other communities who have finished playing high school football the opportunity to keep playing the game. The team has moved

forward with preparations, and even held practices in the summer and fall.

T h e Po w e r D o d g e Curling Club’s annual junior bonspiel Jan. 18 and 19 attracted some of the top young curlers in the province. In the U18 bonspiel, the Brecklin Gervais rink, competing out of the Kronau Curling Rink, defeated the Caitlyn Green rink from Estevan in the A final. Gervais was the Saskatchewan representative for the Canada Winter Games in February in Alberta. The Southern Plains Co-op U15 bonspiel featured 10 teams, with each team playing three games.

The The Estevan Sharks water polo club hosted its annual home tournament at the RM of Estevan Aquatic Centre on Jan. 20, with teams from Weyburn and Regina joining the Sharks for play in three separate divisions. All of the Sharks teams did well during the day.

Estevan teams took the top two spots during the Estevan Extreme Volleyball program’s 13U home tournament on Jan. 26 at Pleasantdale School. The Estevan Storm defeated the Estevan Thunder 2-0 (25-17, 25-21) in the first place game. The Kipling Women’s Volleyball Club’s Roof team and Carnduff were also entered.

February: T h e Ye l l o w G r a s s Wheat Kings finished the Big Six Hockey League’s regular season with the best record at 15-3, two points better than the Redvers Rockets (14-4). Dylan Herzberg of the Bienfait Coalers was the top scorer in the league with 30 goals and 51 points, while Tanner Erickson of the Wheat Kings was the top goaltender with a 2.06 goals-against average.

Five members of the Estevan Sharks water polo program were selected to be part of the Team Saskatchewan contingent that travelled to Croatia in February.

Josie Andrist, Alex Andrist, Cameron Gillingham, Mikayla Hack and Taeghen Hack furthered their skills in

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs faced Weyburn in the annual McLeod Series showdown in February. the European nation, which is a hotbed for the sport.

The Brent Gedak rink had a tough weekend at the SaskTel Tankard men’s provincial curling championships in Whitewood from Feb. 6-10. The Gedak rink, curling out of the Power Dodge Curling Centre, went 0-3 at the Tankard, which had a triple knockout elimination draw.

The Power Doge Curling Centre hosted the district high school playdowns on Feb. 8 and 9, and the Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) Elecs 1 team took top spot in the mixed division. Estevan defeated Ogema 7-5 in the A final to advance to regionals, which were held in Yorkton the following month. Members of the team were skip Kaylee Carlson, third Devin Fichter, second Caitlyn Green and lead Justin Hertes. Hertes was filling in for Parker Lavoie. Pauline Ziehl Grimsrud was their coach.

The South East Aaron Well Servicing midget AA Goldwings wrapped up top spot overall in the Saskatchewan Female Hockey L eague. The Goldwings (18-2) concluded the season by sweeping the Notre Dame Hounds in a home and home series. The Goldwings finished three points ahead of the Saskatchewan Comet

The Estevan Sharks Water Polo Club hosted their annual home tournament in January.

Impact for first place overall.

The Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) Elecs senior boys and girls basketball teams came up just short in their effort to regain the McLeod Series trophy from

creation of a squash league for the city.

Many of Saskatchewan’s top young mixed doubles curling teams were at the Power Dodge Curling Centre from Feb. 15-18 for

at Affinity Place on Feb. 26.

The alumni team showed their speed and puck skills, while also entertaining the crowd with humourous moments. The Habs alumni team’s most well-known

Members of the Montreal Canadiens Alumni were in Estevan for a charity game on Feb. 26. the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles. Estevan’s senior girls and boys basketball teams dropped both games played in Estevan on Feb. 13, with the girls losing 67-59 and the boys 87-85.

Weyburn won the annual best-of-four series 3-1, but the Eagles only had a sevenpoint cumulative edge, 289282, in those four games.

ECS carried a three-point edge entering the final two games in Estevan.

Squash trainers David and Sandra Sutherland of Regina brought a learn to play clinic to the Estevan Leisure Centre on Feb. 16.

Fun and energy-consuming workshops took place at the squash courts. There was something new that players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced, could learn during the clinic. The success of the clinic led to the

the CurlSask U18 Mixed Doubles provincials. The tandem of Braden Fleischhacker and Abbey Johnson, competing out of the Weyburn Curling Club won the A final. Six of the teams who entered advanced to the adult mixed doubles provincials in Weyburn later that month.

Estevan’s Hunter Eagles was named the MVP of the Sask. Selects Under-14 (U14) team that competed at the International Pigskin Classic in San Antonio. Eagles played middle and outside linebacker on defence, and also returned punts and kickoffs, and was involved in special teams coverage. The Selects had several teams at the tournament.

The Montreal Canadiens alumni defeated a team of local residents dubbed the OSI-Can Bruins 18-7

member, though, was their coach, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Steve Shutt. Shutt won five Stanley Cups with the Canadiens in the 1970s.

Proceeds of the game were directed to the Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan branch.

Jared Fornwald scored 6:22 into the second overtime period to lift the Estevan Apex midget AA Bruins to a 4-3 victory over the Notre Dame Hounds in the fifth and deciding game of their best-of-five Saskatchewan Minor AA Hockey League first round playoff series on Feb. 26. Estevan was down 3-1 with 2:16 to play, but then rattled off two goals in a 36-second span to tie the game.

The Dec. 27 edition of Southeast Lifestyles will have sports highlights from March and April.

People A11

104 - Hwy. 47 South, Estevan, SK 306-634-5588 Bay #1 - Hwy. 13, Carlyle, SK 306-453-2519

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

WWW.FLOORSTOREESTEVAN.CA

Christmas Concerts Spruce Ridge and Pleasantdale Schools held their concerts on Dec. 18. The students read some poems they memorized for the event and sang some Christmas songs. Participating in the concert in Spruce Ridge were kindergarten-Grade 2 students, and kindergartenGrade 4 in Pleasantdale. Photos

by Brian Zinchuk and Anastasiia Bykhovskaia From left, Pleasantdale School students Alexa Gettis, Nina Tompson and Easton Mayer were part of the Christmas concert.

Jordyn Roche of Spruce Ridge read her part during the performance.

Pleasantdale School Grade 1 sang a few songs during the concert.

Hudson Mann, Patience Meyers, Hailey Williams, Sylas Ginther, and Mason Lesy of Spruce Ridge performed at the concert.

Spruce Ridge Kindergarten sang Little Snowflake.

and all the best in 2020!

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