Estevan Mercury 20200902 by Estevan Mercury

ENJOY OOfoamTM COMFORT WITH

• Instant comfort • Lightweight • Ultimate recovery • Machine washable • Absorbs impact • Durable • Flexible

HENDERS DRUGS

1220 4th Street, Estevan

306-634-3666

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

Local schools unveil back to school plans By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

FILMMAKER SELECTED FOR FESTIVAL A3

SPEEDWAY CROWNS CHAMPIONS A9

The picture of what school will look like when classes resume became a little clearer on Aug. 26, when each of the schools in the South East Cornerstone Public School Division and the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division released their school plans. The plans call for a staggered start to the school year, with students in Grades 1-12 with last names beginning with A-L attending on Sept. 8, and the other half of the student population, with last names beginning with M-Z, attending Sept. 9. All students will attend Sept. 10. There will also be staggered starts for kindergarten in many schools, with a more normal schedule not starting until mid-September. For the Kindergarten to Grade 8 schools, the plans are fairly similar from school to school, but there will be differences due to bell times and unique programs. Schools will have staggered times in which doors will be unlocked, students will be allowed to enter the building, the order in which they will enter and when they will exit the building after school. Also worth noting is that Estevan schools will not have band and choral programs to start the school year, nor will there be extracurricular activities. Parents are encouraged to drop their kids off at school each day, and to pick them up for lunch. A program such as the Hillcrest School breakfast program will continue but

it will look different. Breakfast items will be delivered in individual portions to classrooms and students will quietly eat at their desks in the morning. The plans also call for students in Grades 4-8 in some schools to wear masks when on buses, and when in high-traffic areas such as hallways, but not in the classrooms. As f or the Este van Comprehensive S c hool, their detailed plan governs everything from masks to extracurricular activities, class schedules to lunch, music program to lockers. For the most part, principal Nathan Johnson said the reaction has been pretty positive. “It’s a lot of information to digest for parents and students, and while I don’t have the official numbers, I would think the majority of our students are coming back and they’re excited to return after such a long break,” Johnson told the Mercury. He expects the biggest change will be with their time table. They are moving from one-hour periods to a morning block for one class and an afternoon class for another. “You’re still getting all of the classes that you signed up for, but they will rotate throughout the five-day cycle,” said Johnson. A student will have period 1 all morning and period 2 all afternoon. Then the next day, they will have their period 3 class in the morning and their period 5 class in the afternoon. Day 3 will be Period 6 in the morning, and then they start the cycle over with an afternoon period 1

The Estevan Comprehensive School and other schools in Estevan have released their back to school plans. Classes are set to start Sept. 8. File photo class. Lunch each day will be Period 4. The cafeteria will have to follow restaurant guidelines from the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. The school’s chef and cooking instructor will work with Public Health to make sure they’re following all guidelines. There will be cafeteria service, but students won’t be able to eat in the cafeteria. “When students come in, they will have to observe the physical distancing restrictions, and they won’t be able to eat in that area. If they’re going to stay and access our cafeteria, we would ask that they just go to their afternoon class. They can eat there and stay there for the afternoon. We want to limit the movement of students around the building as much as possible for safety reasons.” Students will have to wear a mask when in the school, and staff will have

to don masks when in the presence of students. As for band and choir, Johnson said putting them on pause was difficult. “We’re hoping to get back at them as soon as we can. They’re definitely programs that we value here at ECS and across our school division,” he said. Students won’t have access to lockers, either. Johnson pointed out that over the years, there have been students who never used a locker. But for those who do use a locker, this will be another adjustment. “ We need to ask the students to bring all of their supplies and their belongings in a backpack and keep it with them during the day,” said Johnson. Also not happening initially will be extracurricular activities, including sports. Discussions have been happening with different high school athletics groups and

Public Health to try to offer some form of a fall sports season. The only sport to be cancelled as of right now is golf; provincials were slated to happen at Golf Kenosee later this month. Other fall sports, such as soccer, volleyball, football and cross-country, could still happen this fall. As for the extracurricular activities, Johnson said some clubs could opt to meet virtually through Microsoft Teams. Johnson said it will be important for parents to be patient and understanding, and he has experienced that in the conversations so far. “Ever ybody understands that we’re just trying to keep everybody safe. These restrictions and guidelines will make school look different, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t still have a good experience here at ECS. We’re looking forward to getting all of the kids back.”

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 civic election in Estevan CELEBRATING 100 YEARS A10 - A11

People could start picking up nomination packages from city hall on Monday morning. They could also download the nomination forms on the city’s website, under the Estevan Votes 2020 page. This marks the first time that nomination packages were available online. Not only are nomination forms for mayor and city councillor available, but people can also obtain

nomination forms to be an Estevan trustee for the South East Cornerstone Public School Division or the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division at city hall or on the city’s website. As of Monday afternoon at 4 p.m., nobody had filed their nomination forms at city hall. The deadline to file nominations will be 4 p.m. on Oct. 7. Candidates will then have 24 hours to

withdraw their nomination. The Estevan Votes page also includes information for candidates, and details for voters for the election, such as qualification of voters, proper voter ID and mail-in ballots. The civic election is scheduled for Nov. 9. The Mercury will have comprehensive coverage leading up to the civic election.

F O R D R I CI N G EP E Y O W L ON NO EMP

I CE AL PR IN T OT TM E NT S^ ADJ U S D LI M IT E F -1 5 0 ed

0 0 0 , 6 1 020

V GET O

ele c t EW 2 ures s O N A No pt io n al f e at wit h

FIND OUT MORE AT FINDYOURFORD.CA

Senchuk Ford Sales Ltd.

118 Souris Ave. N., Estevan 306-634-3696 www.senchuk.com

A2 September 2, 2020

www.estevanmercury.ca

Viewing the classics Classic vehicles were on display at the Estevan Canadian Tire parking lot on Friday night. The Estevan Car Club brings its vehicles to the business on the last Friday of month during the summer. Many people turned out to see all of the great looking antique vehicles.

Youths support businesses through Art in Advertising This week’s edition of the Estevan Mercury features our annual Art in Advertising promotion, sponsored by Your Toy Store and More. Art in Advertising features 20 ads that were created by young people ages seven to 15 for Estevan area businesses. The Mercury put out an appeal on Facebook, looking for young people to participate. Parents were encouraged to sign their kids up to be part of the promotion. “It’s just a way to show kids how advertising works,” said Deanna Tarnes, the Mercury’s publisher and sales manager. “Kids were randomly assigned ads that were purchased by local businesses, and the kids built the ad as if it was a regular ad for something these businesses need to promote.”

Every young person who designed an ad will receive a $20 gift card to Your Toy Store and More.The Mercury is grateful to the local business for sponsoring the promotion and encouraging local kids to be creative. In the past the Mercury partnered with the camps offered at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum or the Southeast College to make this promotion possible. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those camps were not offered in their traditional forms this year. As part of the camps, the young people would get a tour of the Mercury office and would get to see the entire process of how the paper is put together from start to finish. This year the kids picked up their ad at the Mercury office, took it home and coloured it and

brought it back to the Mercury. The system for this year has worked out well, Tarnes said. Many of the kids who were involved this year were older. “It’s a nice way to have kids be interested in the newspaper, too. It’s way to keep the yoauth involved. They’ll be excited to look at their ads, and show their friends they made their ads.” A nice variety of businesses participated in this year’s promotion, so the kids get to know the different businesses in the city. “As always, the business community just really stepped up and supported the initiative,” said Tarnes. The ads can be seen throughout this week’s edition of the Mercury. A photo gallery can be found on www.estevanmercury.ca.

weekly crossword puzzle presented by:

306.634.3244 #3-421 King Street www.scotsburndental.com

CLUES ACROSS 1. Chop with an ax 4. Where a bachelor lives 7. Indicates near 10. Doctors’ group 11. It’s just a number 12. Type of bread 13. Lively ballroom dance 15. Charles S. Dutton TV series 16. A way to use up 19. Singular event 21. Home of Disney World 23. Minerals 24. Most insightful 25. Consult 26. In addition 27. Agents of downfall 30. Organizations 34. Supervises flying 35. Bar bill 36. Alfalfa 41. Dish soap 45. Witnesses 46. Ancient Greek City 47. Newspaper bigwigs 50. Discuss again 54. Small group with shared interests 55. Support 56. Popular sportcoat fabric 57. Take hold of 59. Pre-Mayan civilization 60. Woman (French) 61. Wheeled vehicle 62. Georgia rockers 63. Cold War player (abbr.) 64. Pitching stat 65. Attempt

CLUES DOWN 1. Czech monetary unit 2. Arousing intense feeling 3. Elks 4. Muscular weaknesses 5. Before the present 6. Figures out 7. Infinite 8. A low wall 9. Silly 13. Political organization 14. Used of a number or amount not specified 17. Divisions of the psyche 18. Denial 20. Ancient Iranian person 22. Count on 27. Popular sports league 28. Water (French) 29. Partner to cheese 31. When you hope to get there 32. Angry 33. One point east of due south 37. Respects 38. Organize anew 39. French wine grape 40. Intrinsic nature of something 41. Neural structures 42. Brews 43. Where ships take on cargo 44. Holiday season singer 47. Shock treatment 48. Popular average 49. Products 51. A type of bear 52. Utilize 53. Old world, new 58. Swiss river

Superslides opened again after several days

Jan Armstrong from the Kenosee Superslides was pleased when the attraction was able to open once again. File photo The Kenosee Superslides were able to open once again last week, after being closed for several days. In a video posted to their Facebook page on Aug. 25, Jan Armstrong from the Superslides said they received an inspection from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) that day, and they would get to open again on Aug. 26. The banzai slide, the twister slides and the kiddie slides were allowed to reopen, but the tube slides were not. The Superslides had been

closed from Aug. 21-25 on an order by the SHA after an inspection on Aug. 20. Armstrong said all tickets to the Superslides for the days they were closed would be refunded. After the Superslides closed, there was an outcry of support from the public. A petition was created on the change.org website to get them open again, and many voiced their support for the attraction on social media. The petition attracted more than 4,500 signatures in the two days that it was

Eli Turnbull Age 7

Gabriela Moreno-Acosta Age 7

online. It noted that the slides were not only closed without justification, but the site is a big attraction for the area, so its closure impacts other businesses. The SHA said it cancelled the operational licence for the site due to public health and safety reasons. Doug Dahl with the SHA said the licence to reopen was probationary in nature, with the reasons outlined to the Superslides owners. The season for the Kenosee Superslides is expected to continue until Sept. 7.

Your LocaL Hearing impaired Hearing SpeciaLiSt

Community A3

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Landon Woodruff g

Full Hearing Tests

Hearing Aids And Repairs 60 Day Trial Period

Batteries And Assistive Listening Devices

Third Party Billing

1-306-634-0193 #130-1175 Nicholson Road dunlophearing@gmail.com

Arcola resident’s film will be screened at the prestigious Edinburgh Short Film Festival this fall By Ana Bykhovskaia

abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

Every artist involved with the film industry knows how important it is to have your film screened, but having it screened at a recognized and prestigious film festival means even more. The talented Emily Ellis is an Arcola resident who is currently working on her master of arts degree from Glasgow University who pulled that lucky ticket with one of her school projects – a short film named Lemon. “Big news! Lemon made it into the Edinburgh Short Film Festival,” Ellis wrote on her social network page a few days ago. “Thank you for all of your love and care and support for me all of the time.” Ellis said she always was really happy when any of her works were being screened, and the attention to Lemon, a film she made along with three other people in a matter of 14 hours, is exciting. “Lemon is a creative idea, (it's) a sacred object. A lot of people are afraid of making things because they have that one good idea

and they are scared of acting on it, because they are not going to do it justice, or they are scared of making it multiple times and getting called a cookie cutter artist,” said Ellis. “So (Lemon) is about ideas (being) fleeting, art (being) fleeting, none of it really matters that much anyway, so just go for it, make it as many times as you want to, find something else. There is always another idea, so just go for it.” Ellis said she is interested in taking real ideas that are hard to articulate and hard to talk about and slipping them into “these surreal, absurdist comedies.” L emon was created when Ellis was “spinning her wheels” on the dissertation. There were a few techniques that she wanted to try out, so she called her friends over to join her on that project. She drafted the script for Lemon during one of the lectures just on the margins of her notebook, and the final copy wasn’t that much different. She believes that Lemon won’t win any awards, but even having it screened during the festival is great.

Prior to the success of Lemon, Ellis already wasn’t new to having her art recognized. Her passion for film making started when Ellis and her little sister were kids. They would shoot short films or videos and show them to friends and family. Ellis put the hobby on pause when she turned 18 and didn’t come back to it until she was in her third year at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. Her scope and approach to filmmaking changed at that time. “I really like personifying objects. I like making films in a way that it kind of suspends viewers’ disbelief a little bit. By doing that you prevent them from putting up the same barriers to their own person that they would have going into a live-action film,” explained Ellis. “When you personify objects, you just create that suspended space there is no opportunity to put these barriers up and you can get to people that way.” When her roommate suggested making a film for the Al Whittle Theatre's Smartphone Film Festival,

Filmmaker Emily Ellis will have her film Lemon screened at a festival in Edinburg this fall. Photo submitted Ellis saw it as a great opportunity to have her art screened. “So in just 12 hours on a Saturday, just with my phone I ended up making a film Soap,” recalled Ellis. “It’s just a bar of soap, but a lot of people have talked to me

Behind the scenes shot of Holly G. and Joshua Cathcart working on the film Lemon. Photo submitted

and they were like, ‘That’s me. That life, that’s me.’ And it’s just a bar of soap.” Soap ended up winning the first place at that film festival in Wolfville, N.S. “People there suggested that I enter it into a different festival in Halifax, so I did.” Ellis hit the early bird registration deadline and paid only a $20 fee which along with $4 spent on a bar of soap to make the film, was a pretty permissive budget. That experience helped Ellis understand how much she actually enjoyed making films, and she switched her professional focus. Her friend was planning to go to a university abroad and Ellis decided to try it out as well. She found the perfect program at the University of Glasgow. “It’s kind of split. It’s an academic program and a practical arts course, film making and media arts. I thought it was the coolest thing,” said Ellis. She added that on the one hand, she wanted to become a strong professional in

filmmaking, but on the other hand, she didn’t want to shut doors for the academia world and a potential PhD one day. She is currently finishing her MA degree and plans to submit her dissertation in about a month. She is also currently talking to some musicians about joint mixed art projects and is also working on other ideas, but at this time films remain Ellis’s hobby. “I’d like to have an independent studio at some point (to develop) that way in a professional capacity, but for now it’s just me doing whatever I want.” Lemon was one of the projects Ellis made while studying in Glasgow. It is planned to be screened during the Edinburg Short Film Festival in October or November, but Ellis said that with the pandemic, until likely the last moment, neither the organizers nor the participants will know for sure how everything will go. Films by Ellis can be found at Emily Ellis’ YouTube channel.

Young people enjoyed crafts and swimming while visiting Estevan’s playparks this summer Este van’s P lay parks proved to be a draw with young people in the community this year. The playparks season wrapped up Tuesday with swimming and crafts at the Hillcrest Park. Hillcrest was open for several extra days after the other two parks open this year, Rusty Duce and Hillside, wrapped up their seasons on Aug. 21. Erin Wilson, the program manager for the City of Estevan, said they had good attendance this year.

Each park offered crafts in the morning and swimming in the afternoon for the days that they were open. “It was definitely a little bit different, so we’re really happy that we were able to provide some fun and some entertainment for a lot of kids and families in the community,” said Wilson. The playparks program was able to provide a fun environment for families, while keeping people safe and following provincial guidelines. Education was a big

component of why this year’s program was so successful. Park staff helped families understand what they could allow and they reminded families they were in control of their own behaviour. Under public health guidelines, the playparks program has a ratio of swimmers to staff that the city has to follow for the paddling pools, but this year it was stricter with fewer people allowed in the pools. “We also tried to take advantage of the fact that

we were outside, so instead of having to do crafts indoors, we were able to … give the activities and the supplies to families, and then they would be able to find themselves … hopefully a nice spot on the grassy area, and then they were able to participate.” Everybody seemed to have a smile on their face while at the playparks, and Wilson took that as a sign they were doing their best with the situation. Everybody was very understanding

and kind throughout the season. The playpark program had a co-ordinator in Cassidy Reich and three play leaders in Madison Flaman at Hillside, Nyla Dyck at Rusty Duce and Charlotte Andrist at Hillcrest. “I am so proud and impressed with the young ladies that we had in our program, leading the community in a lot of these activities,” said Wilson. “We were using the staff that we had, instead of hiring on summer students,

which is very different for us, so all three of our playpark leaders this year were brand new.” Wilson believes it was important to have the playparks season this year, because they wanted to take advantage of the outdoor spaces being accessible, and to provide a sense of normal for young people and families. “They needed to be able to get out, burn off some energy, get some sunshine and not feel cooped up,” said Wilson.

BACK TO SCHOOL HEADQUARTERS We have all the school supply lists. !

5 Star Binders In Stock

We will be closed Monday, September 7 for Labour Day.

1217 4th Street, Estevan, SK TOLL FREE: 888-936-2222 or 306-634-3613

Serving ServingEstevan Estevan&&SE SESask Saskfor for30 30years. years. Put the knowledge and experience to work for you!

Editorial A4

Call/Text Terry for all of your Text/Talk To Terry for all of your real estate real estate needs. needs.

Terry L. Terry L.Germain Germain 306.421.2021 306.421.2021

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Each office independently owned & operated

Staff SERVING CANADA’S SUNSHINE CAPITAL Publisher / Marketing Specialist

Deanna Tarnes - dtarnes@estevanmercury.ca

Editor

David Willberg - dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

Editorial Staff: Ana Bykhovskaia - abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

Production:

Ana Villarreal - avillarreal@estevanmercury.ca

Administration:

Vaila Lindenbach - vlindenbach@estevanmercury.ca Fay Bonthoux - fbonthoux@estevanmercury.ca

Volume 115 Issue 22 Contact us: (306) 634-2654 68 Souris Avenue N. Estevan, SK S4A 2M3 www.estevanmercury.ca @Estevan_Mercury facebook.com/EstevanMercury

Subscription Rates:

In Saskatchewan - $80.75 In Canada - $90.75

Member Canadian Community Newspapers Association. Member Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association. Audited by Alliance for Audited Media.

Published weekly by Prairie Newspaper Group Limited Partnership, 68 Souris Avenue N., Estevan, SK S4A 2M3.The Estevan Mercury is owned and operated by Prairie Newspaper Group Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Glacier Media Inc. Advertising rates are available upon request and are subject to change without notice. Conditions of editorial and advertising content: The Estevan Mercury attempts to be accurate in Editorial and Advertising content; however, no guarantee is given or implied. The Estevan Mercury reserves the right to revise or reject any or all editorial and advertising content as the newspaper’s principals see fit. The Estevan Mercury will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an advertisement, and is not responsible for errors in advertisements except for the space occupied by such errors. The Estevan Mercury will not be responsible for manuscripts, photographs, negatives and other related material that may be submitted for possible publication. All of the Estevan Mercury’s content is protected by Canadian Copyright laws. Reviews and similar mention of material in this newspaper is granted on the provision that The Estevan Mercury receives credit. Otherwise, any reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Advertisers purchase space and circulation only. Rights to any advertisement produced by The Estevan Mercury, including artwork, typography, photos, etc., remain the property of this newspaper. Advertisements or parts thereof may not be reproduced or assigned without the consent of the publisher. We acknowledge financial support of the Government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

EDITORIAL

Wanted: (at least) seven good candidates The 2020 civic election is a little more than two months away. As always, we’re hearing speculation in the community on who will let their name stand for the next four years. There’s some interesting names in the rumour mill, but nothing has been confirmed. We hope to see numerous highly qualified people on the ballot for this election. Nomination forms are now being accepted for the next four-year term of Estevan city council. The previous term has been a tricky one, with triumphs, trials and tribulations. Some challenges council had absolutely no control over, and others that felt like a self-inflicted gunshot wound. There’s never an easy time to be on a municipal council or government, in any community, but the next four years will definitely not be easy for city council. The next council is going to be tasked with guiding this community through a murky time. Our short-term and medium-term future is uncertain due to the phase-out of conventional coal power. The next council will have to be a big part of diversifying Estevan’s economy. They’ll have to lobby the government for the future of carbon capture and storage (CCS). While the days of conventional coal power are numbered, CCS should still have a

role to play in the future of power production in Saskatchewan. CCS shouldn’t be limited to a stand-alone at the Boundary Dam Power Station. And they’ll have to spend the initial months of their term navigating the community through the challenges associated with a pandemic. We need bright people on council. We need articulate people. We need people who have diverse backgrounds. It’s not just good enough to have seven entrepreneurs, or seven people from downtown. A couple of people who work in the oil industry, or who have connections to agriculture sector, would be welcome additions. It would be nice to see a couple of the keyboard warriors step up and let their name stand. We all know the types. The ones who constantly rag on city council, but when it comes time for them to actually step up, or offer alternatives, or provide good ideas, they’re nowhere to be found. They might be surprised how tough it really is to be part of council. (Note: if you’re the type who thinks that issuing a request for proposals for a third arena means that we’re definitely getting a third rink, then please don’t run for council). There’s going to be open seats on city council. Two council members have said they

won’t run again. Others are undecided. No doubt this term has taken a toll on all of them. And it’s not going to get any easier. And the new people on council have to be committed for the long haul. You can’t get onto council and then realize six months later that it’s not for you, and spend the next 3 1/2 years as an absentee councillor, or resign and force a snap by-election that cost taxpayers a lot of money. If you’re on council, you’re doing it out of love for the city. You don’t get paid a lot, but you put in a lot of hours. You have to put up with the members of the public who think that you have nothing better to do than to talk to them about city issues, even when you’re out with your family. Social media has only added to their opportunity to criticize, and they get to do it from a keyboard, and often while not using their real name. But serving on council can also be a really rewarding job. You know that you’re making a difference. You know that over the next four years, you’re going to play a key role in reshaping the identity and direction of this community. And you do get to work with some pretty good people. Hopefully we can get at least seven really good people who want to step forward and shape this community, not just for the next four years, but for the years after 2024.

Take your kids to work, it's worth it When you were a kid, did you know where your parents were working? (I guess for farmers the answer would definitely be yes, but what about everybody else?) I'd been asked about my parents' occupations since kindergarten (mom worked at the same daycare, so at least at that stage I didn’t need to worry about it). But throughout the entire time of me growing up, I kept being asked to explain what exactly my parents did. In the beginning, I didn't know it at all.Then, I memorized the chains of words that didn't mean anything to me. I've hardly known what exactly my parents did most of the day. I asked them many times too, and they explained it, but it was hard for me to understand, as the world of their work didn't really exist in my world. I've never seen it.They’ve never taken us kids to their workplaces. First, we were too small, then everybody had their own schedules. Even when I grew up and happened to stop by their offices, they would put everything aside and just visit. So I never got to see how they look like in that work environment, which I assumed would be pretty different from what we saw at home. Or to even see the work environment itself, as if it wasn't worth the time. Not that long ago a friend of mine asked me to take her 10 and 12-year-olds for a few days, which I happily did. What’s there to do to entertain pre-teens for a few workdays in Estevan? The city is slower than usual, and I still had to work, so I decided to take them to work with me. Don’t get me wrong, I didn't mean to marinate them in the office just because I had no other plan. I sincerely believe that it’s an exciting experience. So I received approval from the publisher, and she took it even further

Ana Bykhovskaia Twenty Lines About… and organized us a tour to the printing plant. We came in on Tuesday, the day when the paper you receive by Wednesday morning is put together. It was the day when in a matter of a few hours, kids could see how pictures on computer screens and .doc files gradually turn into paper pages, get printed and then are stocked up at the door waiting for carriers. At the beginning of the day, my little guests weren’t too excited (unlike me, filled with energy and enthusiasm to show them how cool it is to make newspapers). And I understand it. I woke them up early and brought them to the office, where the first thing I asked them to do was to proofread a police report and a back-to-school opinion piece (proofreading is not that exciting even for me, let alone kids). But as the day progressed, they were getting more and more involved. They helped with production and admin work, they checked the pages and did the corrections. They got to do a flashback for the next paper, getting to know all the secrets of that procedure. So by lunchtime, one of the kids who kept saying she never has an appetite finished her entire meal without doubting it. While treated like potential employees, they even made a few inside jokes. The tour to the plant was a culmination. We followed our .pdf version of the newspaper to the plant, learned how it gets plated and watched

thousands of Mercury pages running down the towers and turning into a real paper. By the end of the day, when their mom phoned to check on them, kids, interrupting each other, would tell her about an amazing day they had and how “cool it is to make newspapers.” When I was in high school, we had a counsellor doing endless tests to help us understand what we want to do in life. I didn't have any real work experience except for taking part in crowd shots for a movie with grandpa, but almost on daily basis, someone would ask me what I wanted to do for work. In reality, I didn't have any understanding of what it takes to do anything as a full-time job. I knew people went to work every day, but what did they do there all these hours of their lives? Accountants, sales managers, carpenters, engineers, programmers, CEOs, all other specialists and professionals, how were they spending most of their lives? I had no idea. Did my parents treat their jobs as something really boring for kids to see? I doubt it because they actually liked what they were doing. Maybe, they just didn’t think it would be valuable. But from a personal perspective and on behalf of my friend’s kids I tell you if they would let me into their grown-up world, even if it would be just for one day, it would be priceless, because how else can children learn what it takes to "work?" (I know St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation had the Ambassadors program before the pandemic allowing high school students considering a medical career to have hands-on experience in the field. But in most cases, it’s not an option.) So if you do have a chance, put a "take your kids to work day" on your busy schedule. I bet your children will never forget it.

Delivering the Gold Standard in real estate & property management services

Op-Ed

LYNN CHIPLEY, Broker/Owner Cell 306.421.0100

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

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

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Progressive Conservative leader came to meet with Estevan electorate

David Willberg Willberg’s World

Some things are bigger than sports I was looking forward to watching the Vancouver Canucks play the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night. My beloved Canucks had knocked off the Golden Knights 5-2 in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup quarter-final series last Tuesday.They looked good, too, except for a 15-minute spell in the second period when it looked like they were an American Hockey League team. But thanks to extenuating circumstances elsewhere in the world, I wasn’t disappointed that Thursday’s game wasn’t played until Saturday. Pro sports leagues went on pause in the middle of last week in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake at the hands of police in Wisconsin – the latest incident of a black man in the U.S. being shot by a white police officer. A multi-day pause in sports shouldn’t have been a surprise. A lot of NBA players were hesitant to play this bubble postseason after the death of George Floyd earlier this year in Minneapolis. They thought it might be better to stay out of the playoffs. So you knew that if there was another incident in which a black man was harmed by police, NBA players would be questioning whether to keep playing. They did, but only after a three-day pause, and some concessions by the league’s owners. Other leagues took a break on Wednesday, but the NHL kept playing, leading to criticism in many circles. Then they postponed the games that were scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Under normal circumstances, it would have been tough for the NHL to suspend its games on Wednesday, especially after one game had already been completed. But with the bubble, and the lack of travel in this postseason, delaying Wednesday’s games would have been a lot easier. There is a strong message in the NHL joining other leagues in halting play for two days. Players in the league are predominantly white. There isn’t a lot of blacks and other minorities in the league. When the players in the largely white league say they’re going to take a break to send a message about racial issues, it carries a lot of weight. (It sounds like the Canucks took a pretty active role in calling for a break). I don’t think the NHL is a racist league, and I don’t view hockey as a racist sport. Are there racists in the game? Almost certainly. But it’s probably a small fraction of players, coaches and others in the sport. Thankfully, there is growing disdain towards those who carry racist attitudes. At the same time, we have to recognize that blacks and other minorities haven’t always been encouraged to take up the game. That’s an attitude that has to change. Hopefully, these protests that we saw last week will be a catalyst towards getting more minorities involved in hockey. As a Canucks fan, I was pretty proud when I watched the players on my team stand behind Ryan Reaves, the agitating, grinding (and highly effective) forward for the Golden Knights. The comments by Canucks captain Bo Horvath showed that his leadership wasn’t just limited to on the ice or in the locker room. And as loathsome as he can be on the ice, Reaves might have as much credibility in this issue as anyone. His dad, Willard, is a retired American football player who rates among the best I’ve seen in the CFL during his time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 1980s. When Willard retired from football, he became a police officer in Winnipeg. There’s a lot of experience that Ryan Reaves can draw from when he speaks on this issue. And if you want to hear a perfect summary of why these protests happened and why they’re justifiable, listen Brian Burke’s comments on Saturday night’s broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada. As Canadians, it’s not always easy for us to fully grasp what’s happening in the U.S. As I’ve said before, I hope the last few months represent a flashpoint, a turning point, for our society. I hope that all of this represents a catalyst towards serious change on everything from equal rights to how we view and treat minorities. I don’t want to be in a situation in which in a few years, we look back and say “remember all the talk about serious change in 2020? What happened?” We’ve seen a lot of things happen in the last few months. Lots of good, some not so good. But most of them are small things. The bigger changes are going to take a lot longer to materialize.

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

The leader of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Pa r t y o f S a s k a t c h e w a n stopped in Estevan for a meet and greet last Friday. Ken Grey spent a few hours discussing the Progressive Conservative’s main focuses and talking about the topics that are of the most concern for several people that joined the event. The meeting took place at the residence of Linda Sopp, who recently announced that she will be running for the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan in the upcoming provincial election in the Estevan constituency. In the beginning, Sopp spoke a bit about why she decided to step forward and run for the party. "I just don’t like what’s happening around here with mines, oil. All our energy sources are gone. You drive around Estevan, and it is so sad because there is nothing. The hotels are empty, restaurants are empty, the bars, the only time they are busy now is Wing Wednesdays,” said Sopp. Replying to that, Grey recalled the time a few years ago when he used to do a lot of travelling to the Estevan area for work, and he and his colleagues would bring tents with them because there were zero vacancies. “ W hat a difference. Commodity prices have fallen and that’s it,” said Grey. He talked a bit about his background and the current state of the party. It has about 30 candidates, which almost doubled since 2016, and is getting everything organized for the upcoming elections. After the introduction, Grey started off by expressing his opinion about the current government’s money management abilities. “ The government is spending a lot of money on some really big vanity projects … Just in the last few days, they’ve made more announcements about big shiny projects they want to build in the province, which, in my opinion, just put taxpayers’ money at risk,” said Grey. “When you start putting money at risk, that means that the things that we really need and we really want in this province, like education for our kids, like hospitals for people that are sick, those all become at risk as well. We need to really be able to conserve what we have, conserve the money that we

Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan Ken Grey and PC candidate in the Estevan constituency Linda Sopp. have, not spend it foolishly, just like everybody in their own budgets has to do, just watch your finances so you can pay for the things that you need. And then if we have money left over, then we should look at ways that we could save that money and prepare for the days that are ahead.” He added that every family goes through that, so he doesn’t see why the government that’s already living on a line of credit should be any different. “In the 2020 budget this government actually budgeted $718 million just to ser vice the debt. Can you imagine what that $718 million could do if it was actually put to the use of people of Saskatchewan?” asked Grey. He said that the SaskParty government is high spending and now is high taxing, which concerns him, especially keeping in mind that the accumulated budget deficit was already at $25 billion before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it only keeps growing and will require more resources in the near future. Grey added that he believes the PC Party can offer other ways for the province. “That’s why I’m here

and that’s why I’m looking for good people like Linda to help us out in the fight and try to get Progressive Conservative MLAs into the legislature and to hold this government to account." Grey also touched on the state of the current opposition, stating that the Saskatchewan’s NDP “is ineffective and fails to hold the SaskParty mega spending check.” He turned attention towards one of the main topics on the PC party’s agenda – the elimination of the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWTPA). He talked to the disadvantages of the NWTPA for Saskatchewan. “We want to build Saskatchewan up, and one of the things that we want to do is take away a multi-government agreement that the Saskatchewan Party signed onto in 2010, which forces the provincial government, Crown corporations, municipalities, school boards, universities, anybody that receives funding from the provincial government must by virtue of this trade agreement contract the jobs out to the four western provinces,” said Grey. He went on to explain that quite often Saskatch-

ewan companies are left out of jobs because of this legislation, and he believes that the choice to tender the contracts out to other provinces or keep the jobs local should be left up to employers. “It’s huge in this day and age, because our economy took such a big hit just in the last three months, last five years down here for sure. And we need every opportunity for industries to come back. And wouldn’t it be great if an Estevan company can qualify for some of the jobs around here or even a Saskatchewan company,” said Grey. “If we have a skill here, it shouldn’t be mandated (to tender it to other provinces).” Grey also touched on the PC Party ’s back-toschool plan that they published in early June. While masks weren’t mentioned in that plan, Grey said he believes they shouldn’t be mandatory. “If people feel that they should wear one, they should. It’s one tool that people can use to break that circle of infection,” said Grey. The healthcare system and the problem of recruiting and keeping the medical specialists in Estevan were also touched upon during the meeting.

Mason Yunick

Age 11

Madison Raymond Age 12

A6 September 2, 2020

www.estevanmercury.ca

Motorist charged following flight from police A motorist is facing several charges after an attempted traffic stop Aug. 29 resulted in a flight from police. The Estevan Police Service (EPS) attempted the traffic stop in the downtown area. The driver, a 35-year-old man from Carievale, was arrested later in the evening by the Estevan RCMP. He has been charged with flight from police, dangerous driving and driving while prohibited, stemming from the attempted traffic stop in Estevan, and impaired driving and driving while over .08 from the RCMP. He was lodged in cells and was remanded for court on Aug. 31. In other recent EPS news, officers attended to a disturbance in the east end of the city Aug. 25 and spoke to the parties involved. One of them arranged for an alternate place to stay for a few days. Officers attended to a mischief to property complaint in a local commercial residence. One of the tenants had kicked

in the door to his suite as he was locked out. Further investigation will take place to determine possible charges. The EPS is seeking the public’s assistance with a series of mischief incidents that occurred late on Aug. 25 or early on Aug. 26. According to a message from the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network, four vehicles were vandalized in the Henry Street area early on Aug. 26. Police are investigating and believe the vandalism was caused by subjects that left a house party near the intersection of Bannatyne Avenue and Henry Street. The EPS is requesting that anyone with knowledge of this incident please contact them at 306-634-4767 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Police were also notified that a laptop computer was stolen from the residence where the party occurred. Investigators are hoping that the suspect(s) make the right decision and come forward to return the

computer. If anyone has information on this crime please call the EPS or Crime Stoppers. Officers, along with members of the Estevan Emergency Medical Services and Estevan Fire Rescue Service, attended a vehicle and pedestrian collision at a business in north Estevan. A female was examined by paramedics and released when no injuries were determined. No damage to the vehicle occurred either. The matter continues to be looked into. The EPS received a report of a theft of a coat from a downtown store. The matter is still under investigation. Officers were called to a residence in the 500-block of Second Street, in which a 17-year-old male youth was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine. He was released for court in October. Members attended to a local hotel for a report of an assault. A 22-year-old man from the Willow Park Greens home park was located a short time later and will appear

in Estevan Provincial Court to answer to a single count of assault under the Criminal Code. As a result of a complaint of a male attempting to enter a residence in the 1200-block of Seventh Street, an 18-year-old man from Bromhead was arrested for public intoxication and lodged in cells until sober. Members arrested a 24-year-old man from Estevan for being intoxicated in a public place on Aug. 29. He was lodged in cells until sober and is not facing charges at this time. Officers arrested and lodged a 37-yearold woman for her safety, after a complaint in the Willow Park Greens area. She was under the influence of a narcotic. Police received a missing person report for an elderly Manitoba man during the Aug. 30 night shift. He was located the following morning during the day shift. His family was contacted and made arrangements for the male to stay in a hotel room to await the arrival of his family.

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

CITY

Message From

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE COMING:

The Mayor

- Attendees arrive through the West entrance. (Affinity Place doors) Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Estevan, - Please use provided hand sanitizer. Masks are recommended but not required. pursuant to Section 24 of the Planning and Development Act, 2007 and - Continue your way to the Power Dodge Ice Centre. (signage will direct traffic flow) - Once inside Power Dodge Ice Centre there will be a one way counter clockwise loop to follow. at vendor table theStopCity of Estevan Community Engagement Policy Bylaw No. 2020-2027 you are interested in. Line up in waiting spots marked on the floor. will consider adoption of Off-Site Development Levy Bylaw No. 2020- Keep visiting to a minimum. 2030. - Print any paperwork that the organization has available prior to coming. - Exit through hallway near dressing room 2 and 4, follow signage. - Please help us keep numbers to a minimum. Please bring one household member to complete The intent of the Bylaw is to provide a framework to recover capital registration process.

School is starting soon. WIDE REGISTRATION Please watch for children in THURSDAY, the school SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 5:30PM-8:30PM

CITY CITY WIDE

zones.

SHARKS WATER POLO

New this year! 2 sessions Oct- Dec and Jan - Mar 10U Minis | 2012 and younger | 13U Atom | 2008-2011 | - Attendees arrive through the15U WestBantam entrance.| 2006/2007 (Affinity Place| doors) - Please use provided hand sanitizer. Masks| 2005 are recommended 16+ Open and older | but not required. - Continue your way to the Power Dodgeinformation Ice Centre. email (signage will direct traffic flow) For more Hctober@gmail.com - Attendees arrive through the West entrance. (Affi nity Place - Once inside Power Dodge Ice Centre there will be adoors) one way counter clockwise loop to follow. Stop at vendor table - Please use hand sanitizer. are recommended youprovided are interested in. Line upMasks in waiting spots markedbut on not the required. floor. - Continue- Keep your way to the Dodge Ice Centre. (signage will direct traffic flow) visiting to aPower minimum. - Once inside Power Dodge Ice Centre there will beCurling a one counter loop to follow. Stop at vendor - Print any paperwork that the organization hasway available prior Coop Kids | Grades Kclockwise - to 2 |coming. Nov1 - Dec 20 | Sundays 1-2pm table | $60 you are interested in. Line up in near waiting spotsKids marked on the floor. signage. - Exit through hallway dressing room 2 and 4,| Grades follow Coop Curling 3 - 5 | Nov 1 - Dec 20 | Sundays 2-3pm | $60 - Keep visiting to a minimum. - Please a minimum. bring member complete U15 &toU18 | Grades 6Please -12 | Oct 27 one - Febhousehold 16 | Tuesdays 6-7pmto | $185 - Attendees arrive through the West entrance. (Affinity Place doors) help us keep numbers - Print anyregistration paperwork that the organization has available prior to coming. process. For more information email estevancurling@accesscomm.ca - Please use provided hand sanitizer. Masks are recommended but not required. - Exit through hallway near dressing room 2 and 4, follow signage. - Continue your way to the Power Dodge Ice Centre. (signage willusdirect c flow)to a minimum. Please bring one household member to complete - Please help keeptraffi numbers - Once inside Power Dodge Ice Centre there will beregistration a one way counter clockwise loop to follow. Stop at vendor table process. you are interested in. Line up in waiting spots marked on the floor. New this year! 2 sessions Oct- No DecSchool and JanDay - MarWorkshops | Oct 5, Nov 6, 27 & 30, Jan 29, Mar 19 & 22, May 31 - Keep visiting to a minimum. 10U Minis | 2012 and younger | Am Series | Oct 16, Nov 13, Dec 11, Jan 15, Feb 5, Mar 12, Apr 16, May 14 - Print any paperwork that the organization has available prior to coming. 13U Atom | 2008-2011 | Fall- Camps - Exit through hallway near dressing room 2 and 4,New follow thissignage. year!Bantam 2 sessions| OctDec and|Jan Mar | Museum Curator Camp, Dirty Jobs, Camp of Curiosity 15U 2006/2007 WintertoCamps | Fairy Tale Adventure, Ice! - Please help us keep numbers to a minimum. Please bring one household member complete 10U Minis | 2012 and younger | 16+ Open | 2005 and older | To register online at www.sourisvalleymuseum.com registration process. 13U Atom 2008-2011 | email Hctober@gmail.com For|more information 15U Bantam | 2006/2007 | 16+ Open | 2005 and older | For more information email Hctober@gmail.com New this year! 2 sessions Oct- Dec and Jan - Mar information estevanskatingclub@gmail.com Coop Kids Curling | GradesFor K - more 2 | Nov1 - Dec 20 email | Sundays 1-2pm | $60 10U Minis | 2012 and younger | Coop Kids Curling | Grades 3 - 5 | Nov 1 - Dec 20 | Sundays 2-3pm | $60 13U Atom | 2008-2011 | U15 & U18 | Grades 6 -12 | Oct 27 - Feb 16 | Tuesdays 6-7pm | $185 Coop Kids | Grades Kemail - 2 | Nov1 - Dec 20 | Sundays 1-2pm | $60 15U Bantam | 2006/2007 | ForCurling more information estevancurling@accesscomm.ca Coop Kids Curling | Grades 3 - 5 | NovSeptember 1 - Dec 2013 | Sundays 2-3pm | $60 16+ Open | 2005 and older | 16 | Tuesdays 6-7pm | $185 For more information email Hctober@gmail.comU15 & U18 | Grades 6 -12 | Oct 27 - Feb Grades 4-12 | Roller derby is an inclusive sport, promoting diversity and For more information email estevancurling@accesscomm.ca self-expression amongst girls, while learning skills and rules of the sport. No School Day Workshops |For Octmore 5, Novinformation 6, 27 & 30,email Jan 29,wcn157@hotmail.com Mar 19 & 22, May 31 Am Series | Oct 16, Nov 13, Dec 11, Jan 15, Feb 5, Mar 12, Apr 16, May 14 Coop Kids Curling | Grades K - 2 | Nov1 - Dec 20 | Sundays Fall1-2pm Camps| $60 | Museum Curator Camp, Dirty Jobs, Camp of Curiosity School Day Workshops | OctTale 5, Nov 6, 27 & Ice! 30, Jan 29, Mar 19 & 22, May 31 Coop Kids Curling | Grades 3 - 5 | Nov 1 - Dec 20No| Sundays 2-3pm | $60 | Fairy Winter Camps Adventure, Season runs September 12, May 202014- April 17, 2021 Am Series | Oct 16, Nov 11, Jan 15, Feb 5, Mar 12, Apr 16, U15 & U18 | Grades 6 -12 | Oct 27 - Feb 16 | Tuesdays 6-7pm | $185online13,at Dec To register www.sourisvalleymuseum.com AgesJobs, 6 -21Camp | Saturday Mornings 10:00am | Fall Camps | Museum Curator Camp, Dirty of Curiosity For more information email estevancurling@accesscomm.ca Winter Camps | Fairy Tale Adventure,$25.00 Ice! registration fee plus $12 weekly fee. For more information email blaineb@sasktel.net To register online at www.sourisvalleymuseum.com

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE COMING: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE COMING:

REGISTRATION WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE COMING: WIDE REGISTRATION

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 5:30PM-8:30PM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 5:30PM-8:30PM

ESTEVAN CURLING CLUB

SHARKS WATER POLOVALLEY MUSEUM CAMPS SOURIS

SHARKS WATER POLO

costs for municipal services and facilities through new development within the City of Estevan. The Bylaw may be accessed through the City Clerk’s office or by contacting Land Development Services. To discuss the proposed bylaw in detail, please contact Land Development Services to arrange for an appointment. Prior to further consideration of this Bylaw, a public hearing will be held: Date:

September 21, 2020

Location:

Council Chambers, City Hall

Time:

6:00 PM

The public hearing is your opportunity to make presentations directly to Council. Those unable to attend may submit written comments to the City Clerk. City Clerk, cityclerk@estevan.ca City Hall, 1102 – Fourth Street, Estevan, S4A 0W7

ESTEVAN SKATING CLUB ESTEVAN CURLING CLUB

ESTEVAN CURLING CLUB JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY

The Bylaw may be viewed at City Hall during regular office hours or viewed online at www.Estevan.ca.

SOURIS VALLEY MUSEUM CAMPS

ESTEVAN CURLING CLUB SOURIS VALLEY MUSEUM ESTEVANCAMPS YOUTH BOWLING

SKATING CLUB SOURIS VALLEY MUSEUM ForESTEVAN CAMPS more information email estevanskatingclub@gmail.com No School Day Workshops | Oct 5, Nov 6, 27 & 30, Jan 29, Mar 19 & 22, May 31 ESTEVAN CLUB BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Am Series | Oct 16, Nov 13, Dec 11, Jan 15, Feb 5,ESTEVAN Mar 12, Apr 16, MaySKATING 14 For more information email jmholman@sasktel.net For more information email estevanskatingclub@gmail.com JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY Fall Camps | Museum Curator Camp, Dirty Jobs, Camp of Curiosity September 13 Winter Camps | Fairy Tale Adventure, Ice! To register online at www.sourisvalleymuseum.com Grades 4-12 | Roller derby is an inclusive sport, promoting diversity and JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY self-expression amongst girls, while learning skills and rules of the sport.

AQUATIC SCHEDULE

ESTEVAN SKATING CLUB

MONDAY - AUGUST 31ST

THURSDAY - SEPTEMBER 3RD

LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM LANE SWIM 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM LANE SWIM 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM AQUA AWE/AIS 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM LANE SWIM 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM SURF & SWIM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM SWIM LESSONS 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM AQUA STEP 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 7:15 PM - 8:30 PM LANE SWIM 9:00 PM - 9:45 PM

LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM LANE SWIM 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM LANE SWIM 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM AQUA AWE/AIS 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM SWIM LESSONS 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM LANE SWIM 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM SURF & SWIM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM SWIM LESSONS 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 7:15 PM - 9:00 PM

September 13 For more information email wcn157@hotmail.com Grades 4-12 | Roller derby is an inclusive sport, promoting diversity and self-expression amongst girls, while learning skills and rules of the sport. For more information email estevanskatingclub@gmail.com For more information email wcn157@hotmail.com Season runs September 12, 2020 - April 17, 2021 ESTEVAN LEISURE CENTRE -2020 Ages 6 -21 | Saturday MorningsEFFECTIVE 10:00am | -SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 24, 2020 $25.00 registration fee plus $1217, weekly Season runs September 12, 2020 - April 2021 fee. September 13 For more information email blaineb@sasktel.net Ages 6 -21 | Saturday Mornings 10:00am | Grades 4-12 | Roller derby is an inclusive sport, promoting diversity and $25.00 registration fee plus $12 weekly fee. self-expression amongst girls, while learning skills and rules of the sport. For more information email blaineb@sasktel.net MONDAY AQUA STEP 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM For more information email wcn157@hotmail.com For more information email jmholman@sasktel.net SPIN 6:10 AM - 6:50 AM WEIGHT ROOM 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

ESTEVAN YOUTH BOWLING

FITNESS SCHEDULE JUNIOR ROLLER DERBYESTEVAN YOUTH BOWLING

ESTEVAN BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

AQUA AWE 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM ESTEVAN BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION ESTEVAN YOUTH BOWLING THURSDAY

9:10 AM 12, - 9:50 SeasonGRIT runs September 2020AM - April 17, 2021 For more information email jmholman@sasktel.net SPIN 6:10 AM - 6:50 AM EASY STRETCH 10:10 AM - 10:50 Ages 6 -21 | Saturday Mornings 10:00am | AM AQUA AWE 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM SPIN 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM $25.00 registration fee plus $12 weekly fee. SPIN 9:10 AM - 9:50 AM POWER BLAST PM - 2:00 PM For more information email1:15 blaineb@sasktel.net SPIN/CORE 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM AQUA STEP 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM WEIGHT ROOM 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

ESTEVAN BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

For more information email jmholman@sasktel.net

TUESDAY SPIN 6:10 AM - 6:50 AM AQUA AWE 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM SPIN 9:10 AM - 9:50 AM CARDIO BLAST 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM SPIN 5:30 PM - 6:10 PM WEIGHT ROOM 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM WEDNESDAY GRIT 6:10 AM - 6:50 AM AQUA AWE 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM CORE BARRE ABOVE 9:10 AM - 10:15 AM FOAM ROLLER 10:30 AM - 11:10 AM CARDIO BLAST 1:10 PM - 2:00 PM BARRE ABOVE 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM

CARDIO BLAST 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM HEAD TO TOE MOBILITY 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM SPIN 5:30 PM - 6:10 PM WEIGHT ROOM 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM FRIDAY GRIT 6:10 AM - 6:50 AM AQUA AWE 9:10 AM - 10:00 AM GRIT 9:10 AM - 9:50 AM EASY STRETCH 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (virtual class) WEIGHT ROOM 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM SATURDAY WEIGHT ROOM 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM SUNDAY SPIN 9:10 AM - 9:50 AM DEEP WATER POWER 8:00 PM - 8:45 PM WEIGHT ROOM 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

PLEASE NOTE - Due to the pandemic-related protocols registration has moved to a PRE-Registration process. Users must pre-register online or by calling the Information Desk. Patrons will be screened upon arrival and asked a few questions as per the Operational Health and Safety Guidelines. Space between workout stations have either ncreased or a machine has been put into 'not in use.' Drinking fountains and change rooms will be closed. Memberships that were bought previously were put on hold; the days remaining on memberships have been applied to your accounts starting June 8th, 2020. If you need a new membership, please either book online at www.estevan.ca or call the Information Desk for contactless payment.

ESTEVAN LEISURE CENTRE - 2020 EFFECTIVE - AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

TUESDAY - SEPTEMBER 1ST LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM LANE SWIM 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM LANE SWIM 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM AQUA AWE/AIS 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM LANE SWIM 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM SURF & SWIM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM SWIM LESSONS 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM INSTRUCTOR INSERVICE 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM WEDNESDAY - SEPTEMBER 2ND LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM LANE SWIM 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM LANE SWIM 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM AQUA AWE/AIS 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM SWIM LESSONS 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM LANE SWIM 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM SURF & SWIM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM SWIM LESSONS 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM AQUA STEP 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 7:15 PM - 8:30 PM LANE SWIM 9:00 PM - 9:45 PM

FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 4TH LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM LANE SWIM 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM LANE SWIM 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM AQUA AWE/AIS 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM SWIM LESSONS 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM LANE SWIM 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM SURF & SWIM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM PUBLIC SWIM 4:00 PM - 5:45 PM LANE SWIM 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE BOOKING 7:15 PM - 9:15 PM SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 5TH LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM PUBLIC SWIM 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM LANE SWIM 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM FAMILY SWIM 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM PUBLIC SWIM 7:15 PM - 9:00 PM

Business

Each office independently owned and operated

IT TAKES MORE THAN A SIGN!

Josh LeBlanc

REALTOR® (PART-TIME)

306-421-6778

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

www.joshleblanc.ca

Prairie Sky Kitchens has been “busier than ever” Prairie Sky Kitchens has been busier than it’s ever been during the past few months. The Estevan business, which works in conjunction with B&S Construction, has seen more people coming in to inquire about a kitchen renovation. Manager Twyla Senchuk said it ’s because people have been spending more time at home the last few months. “Quite often we would hear people saying ‘ You know, I’ve been looking at renovating for the last few years, and now I’m just going to do it.’ I think COVID allowed people that time to really process what they wanted for renovations in their home,” said Senchuk. Traditional designs are always popular, but the biggest trend they have seen lately is white on white on white, as people want everything light and bright. “ White is by far our top seller right now,” said Senchuk. Cooler tones, such as grey walls with white cabinets and countertops, are also becoming common. Stone is popular as well, with quartz the top option. It’s a trend that has been happening for about six to eight months. “We always still have those traditionals with your darker colours, or with your

safer colours. The traditional ones never go out of style. Market value wise, sometimes if people are looking at selling their homes, and doing a quick flip, those traditional colours are definitely the safest, versus moving into the more trendy looks,” she said. Some customers have opted for base cabinets only, without the wall cabinets, creating a more simple design, which allows people to maximize natural light with more windows. “We’re seeing islands are starting to replace (kitchen) tables. People are going with a large island versus a dining table or a kitchen table. The sit-up islands are super, super popular right now.” With 11 years of experience in the industr y, Senchuk has seen a lot of trends, and she and the rest of the staff at the Prairie Sky Kitchens have parlayed that experience into dealing with customers. “I think our attention to detail and our customer service and our experience are what really separate us from your big box stores, or the majority of kitchen suppliers or cabinet suppliers.” Senchuk describes Prairie Sky Kitchens as a one-stop shop. They have a full team of designers and installers, so they can take care of the renovation from

Prairie Sky Kitchens in Estevan has the ability to create a beautiful, well-designed kitchen that people will be proud of. Photo submitted the ground up. Their affiliation with B&S Construction means that if someone wants to remove walls and gut their entire space, they can offer flooring, drywall or paint, or they can draw on contractors. “Anything to do with cabinetry, we do. It ’s not just kitchens or bathrooms. We do bars. We do closets and offices. We do some pretty fun man caves or sewing rooms. Pretty much

anything that has to do with countertops or cabinetry. And our design team is just dynamite.” Prairie Sky Kitchen’s design program is threedimensional, so it allows them to plug in any measurements and create a space for customers. The threedimensional program allows them to give customers a 100 per cent visual of exactly what their space will look

like before placing the order. “They’re pretty excited when they see those images coming up, and when everything gets installed, it is just the best feeling in the world.” They have one designer and one installer, which allows them to be specialized in what they do. Senchuk said one of the best parts of her job is to see the satisfaction on a customer’s face when someone comes in

with 20 ideas, and Prairie Sky Kitchens can streamline them and provide a design they will love. “Designing a kitchen, overall, it can be quite overwhelming. Kitchens and bathrooms are the largest designs, and probably the most intrusive designs in your home. We really try to simplify things, and take it one step at a time, so our customers aren’t overwhelmed.”

Jordyn Tarnes Age 13

U-

‘Em WE mEnd ‘Em Owners - Lance Mack & Yancey Hagel

Call 306-634-6060

Energy

• Gasoline • Diesel • Bulk Fuel • Propane • Fuel Tanks & Pumps • Lubricants & Grease • Lubrication Storage & Equipment Solutions • DEF • Solvent www.girardbulk.ca • (306) 637-4370

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Southeast College celebrates new training program The Southeast College celebrated the grand opening Aug. 21 of its newest training facility and apprenticeship program. The powerline technician training centre will house Southeast College’s newest apprenticeship training program, powerline technician. The facility, located in the RM of Weyburn’s Evanston Park, is equipped with both a hands-on training lab as well as ample classroom space. Southeast College first heard of the availability to submit a request for proposals (RFP) in July 2019 when longtime course provider SaskPower indicated its desire to shift its training focus. Southeast College has a rich history of providing not only industry and safety training programs but in recent years has delivered many successful cohorts of Saskatchewan apprenticeship students in conjunction with Saskatchewan Apprenticeship Trade and Certification Com-

mission (SATCC). “Given our relationship with SATCC as well as our location in southeast Saskatchewan, it made smart business sense for us as a college to prepare and submit an RFP for the powerline technician training,”states Jody Holzmiller, vice-president, education and training for Southeast College. “We assembled a team and got to work. I could not be more proud of the college for being awarded this training contract. It’s important to Southeast College and it’s important to southeast Saskatchewan.” The academic year 202021 will see 11 different cohorts of students across four levels of powerline technician apprenticeship training with the first cohort starting online this coming October. Southeast College is very proud to be the first regional college in Saskatchewan to deliver a full Level 1-4 apprenticeship training program.

Don't forget to water ever again!

JOHNSON PLUMBING & HEATING LTD.

Southeast Saskatchewan projects approved under MEEP The provincial government has approved additional projects from southeast Saskatchewan municipalities through the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP). G o ve r n m e n t R e l a tions Minister Lori Carr announced last week an additional 618 projects, representing more than $22 million of provincial funding.

This brings the total number of approved projects under the program to 1,359, worth $149 million. “ These shovel-ready projects contribute to the economic recovery of the province,” Carr said. “The provincial funding flowing to our municipalities will support local job creation and help build a Saskatchewan that is as strong as the people

1037 - 5th Street, Estevan

306-634-5172

B&A HOLDINGS LTD. • Rubberstone • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Participating in a ribbon cutting were, from left, Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission CEO Jeff Ritter, Southeast College board chair Janice Giroux and RM of Weyburn Reeve Carmen Sterling. Photo submitted

(Cover your ugly concrete)

Tree Removal, Cutting & Stump Grinding Industrial & Residential Hedge Trimming Farm yard wind row restoration Landscaping Demolition (cabins, garages) Cement take out and hauling Dump Runs Light Carpentry Deck Building Brick Driveways; Fireplaces Lot sweeping Skidsteer work Auger holes (4” to 24”-13” deep) Screw piles Asphalt sealing & crack filling (Commercial & Residential)

• Fire Extinguisher Sales, Services & Rentals • Gas Detection Sales, Services & Rentals • Breathing Air Refills & Hydro Testing • SCBA/SABA Equipment Sales & Services • Rentals • Fit Testing • Safety Air Trailers & Safety Personnel • Calibration Gases & Accessories Sales • New & Reconditioned Equipment • First Aid, Eyewash & Burn Kit Services • Signage • Safety Glasses, Gloves & Hearing Protection • Gastec & Rae Pumps/H2S Detection Tubes

who call this great province home.” Carlyle received $147,242 for a spray park, $39,500 for rubber paving around its pool and $30,000 for an ice plant wall repair. Carnduff was allocated $27,958 for an Antler Drive fire hydrant project and $130,000 for main water line upgrades. Lampman will get $70,000 for a dugout expansion, $18,702 for fire hall roof repairs and $8,315 for a parking lot; and Stoughton will use its $93,280 for replacement of a main water supply line. As for villages, Alida received $17,247 for road upgrades; Forget received $7,905 for a building demolition and removal; Frobisher received $5,189 for a mower and $17,808 for a lift station building replacement; Kisbey

• • • • • Serving Southeast Saskatchewan for 38 years • • •

received $21,990 for sidewalk repairs; Manor received $42,400 for solar power for a well; and Roche Percee received $15,810 for a community hall upgrade. Among rural municipalities, the RM of Brock received $38,375 for a variety of road repair projects, the RM of Moose Mountain received $70,714 to rebuild the Manor Road, and the RM of Techumseh received $38,950 for gravel crushing. The $150 million MEEP was announced in May. It is a key component of the Government of Saskatchewan’s $7.5 billion, two-year capital plan to stimulate its economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. MEEP 2020 funding must be used by municipalities by March 31, 2022.

CRANES & TRUCKING

All types of hoisting-tip heights to 350’ 15 – 245 Ton Mobile & R.T. Cranes 27 – 45 Ton Pickers 15 Ton Carrydeck - 3.2 Ton Mini Crawler Tractor Trailer Units Pile Drivers, Telehandler Office Trailer Rentals Manbaskets & Concrete Buckets

Authorized Sales & Service & Warranty Centre for:

PHONE BILL

(306)577-1643

Troye Carson • 306-421-3603

tcarsonsafety@sasktel.net

Preston Majeran • 306-421-6609

pmajeransafety@sasktel.net

Highway 361 West (South Yard), P.O. Box 518, Lampman, SK, S0C 1N0

Midale

• Souris Valley Pipeline Limited operates a High Pressure Carbon Dioxide Pipeline in Southeast Saskatchewan, a component of the gas is Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). • As a member of Sask 1st Call, Souris Valley Pipeline would like to remind you to call Sask 1st Call at 1-866-828-4888. • Statistics show that a significant cause of pipeline ruptures is due to third party damage. For pipeline safety concerns or emergencies call toll free 1-866-PIPELINE (1-866-747-3546) Before excavating call Sask 1st Call at 1-866-828-4888 for a free locate. www.sask1stcall.com

SOURIS VALLEY PIPELINE LTD. 24 HOUR PHONE SERVICE 1-866-747-3546

SOURIS VALLEY PIPELINE LIMITED 617 Government Road S Weyburn, SK S4H 2B3 Phone: 306-848-0206 Fax: 306-848-0293

Frontier Place, Estevan

306-634-5555

www.skyliftservices.com

THE ESTEVAN MERCURY DRILLING REPORT We specialize in moving drilling rigs and other oil rig related equipment.

Carnduff, SK

306-482-3244

www.fasttruckingservice.com MOVING THE OIL & GAS INDUSTRY IN SASKATCHEWAN

Drilling Licenses 1 new licenses issued to Monday, August 31 163885................................................ Arruga Resources................................................ 6-1-7-10

Rig Report No Rig Activity to report.

Sports A9

5TH STREET AUTOBODY Don’t Cuss! Call US

306-634-7101

601 - 5th St. • Estevan, SK

Wednesday, Septembaer 2, 2020

Speedway crowns its track champions for 2020 Five drivers from southeast Saskatchewan are the track champions for the Estevan Motor Speedway this year. Estevan’s Kody Scholpp (modifieds), Chris Hortness (stock cars) and Ryder Raynard (slingshots), Lampman’s Leevi Runge (sport mods) and Torquay’s Conner Hansen (hobby stocks) were crowned as the champions following Saturday night’s program at the track. Hansen won the closest division, as the top four drivers in the hobby stock class were separated by 14 points. He edged Manor’s Kruz Wilson by five points, 295-290, for the title. Estevan’s Kaiden Tuchscherer was third with 287 points and Lampman’s Landon Runge was fourth at 281. Leevi Runge in the sport mods won a track championship at the speedway for the fifth time in six years; he had won the hobby stock title in four of five years prior to 2020. He had the largest margin of victory of any track champion this year, as he won by 31 points, 298-267, over Bailey Cousins of Morden, Man. Justin Fichter was third with 266 points and Estevan’s Dan Blackburn was fourth at 236. Hortness took home the

stock car title with 299 points, 16 more than JJ Barnstable of Estevan, who had 283. Chase Davidson and Jeremy Istace, also of Estevan, were tied for third at 279. Hortness won despite not starting Saturday’s feature. But since he started in the qualifying heat, and since he had a commanding lead heading into the feature, he still won the title. Kody Scholpp of Estevan was the modified champion with 314 points to finish 23 ahead of fellow Estevan driver Les McLenehan (291). Tyler Wagner of Weyburn was third with 279 and Ed Turnbull of Estevan was fourth with 250. Estevan’s Ryder Raynard won the slingshot division with 319 points, one point shy of the maximum 320 points available for the eightprogram season. Cash Saxon of Lampman was second with 293 points, Jace Emmel of Estevan was third with 291 and Eli Turnbull of Estevan came in fourth with 275. Championship night came as part of a doubleheader at the speedway on the weekend that featured its annual Dirt Wars programs for hobby stocks. Landon Runge was the winner for Dirt Wars, as he

The Gateway Cities Golf Course has been forced to make a few changes in order to have nine holes of golf this summer, including an alteration to their most famous feature. The course is located in both Portal, N.D., and North Portal. Its clubhouse and the first tee box are in the U.S., and the ninth green is also on American soil. It’s the ninth hole that is their greatest source of fame. The tee box is in Canada and the green is in the U.S. Since Saskatchewan doesn’t observe daylight saving time but North Dakota does, it means the ball lands in a different country an hour later. T h e d i s t i n c t i on h a s

earned the course a spot in Ripley’s Believe it or Not. But with the restrictions in place for COVID-19, golfers aren’t allowed to play the conventional ninth hole, so a temporary ninth hole needed to be built. The first hole was reduced by about 60 yards in length, making it a par-4 instead of a par-5, and the ninth green cuts into where the first hole was located. Since the clubhouse is in the U.S., it has been closed this year. Golfers deposit $10 into an honour box to golf all day. Club president Ryan Turner said it’s been a challenging year, losing the clubhouse.

finished the weekend with 59 points, thanks to a first place finish on Friday and a second place finish on Saturday. Wilson won the hobby stock feature on Saturday. Hansen, Lampman’s Riley Raynard and Tuchscher rounded out the top four on Friday. Estevan’s Kayden Hjorteland and Hansen joined Wilson and Landon Runge in the top four on Saturday. W ilson and Landon Runge engaged in wheelto-wheel racing in Saturday’s hobby stock feature, with several lead changes during the 20 laps. There weren’t any caution flags during the feature, either, creating an entertaining race for the fans. Ryder Raynard of Estevan won the slingshot feature both nights. Ty Saxon and Cash Saxon of Lampman were second and third, respectively, and Jace Emmel of Estevan came in fourth on Friday. In Saturday’s program, Ty Saxon was second, Emmel was third and Jenna Emmel of Estevan was fourth. Leevi Runge was the sport mod winner each night to place an exclamation mark on his track championship. Kyle Scholpp of Lampman

Leevi Runge (25R) won the championship in the sport mod class – the fifth championship he has won at the Estevan Motor Speedway in six years. was second on Friday, followed by two Manitoba drivers: Brandon Rehill of St. Andrews and Bailey Cousins of Morden. Cousins was second, Rehill was third and Scholpp came in fourth in Saturday’s program. Austin Daae of Estevan was the feature winner in the stock car class each night. His victory for Saturday’s program was particularly dominant, as he won by 13 seconds in the caution-free feature. It’s likely

one of the most convincing victories in the 21-season history of the track. Hortness, Jeremy Istace and Jeremy Swanson, also from Estevan, rounded out the top four Friday. Swanson came in second, Barnstable was third and Davidson finished fourth on Saturday. Ed Turnbull of Estevan was the feature winner Friday night, followed by Kody Scholpp and Les McLenehan, both of Estevan, and Wagner,

who was fourth. Tyson Turnbull, also of Estevan, was the winner of Saturday night’s feature, with Kody Scholpp second, McLenehan third and Wagner fourth. It appeared Kody Scholpp was going to run away with Saturday’s feature, as he had a strong lead over McLenehan midway through the race, but after Tyson Turnbull passed McLenehan, he closed the gap, and made a pass on Scholpp for the lead with a few laps remaining.

North Portal’s golf course has adapted this year “We definitely took a real hit this year, not having any revenue come in from the clubhouse. But we have dedicated members at our golf course and a strong community that supports this golf course, which pretty much kept us afloat,” he said. Gateway Cities has also received a ver y generous, anonymous donation that should keep it in the black this year. Turner said the golfers have coped well with all of the changes. “All of our members are happy that we can still golf on the Canadian side, and we just made it work,” said Turner. Since they don’t have access to the clubhouse, golf

carts and maintenance equipment had to be moved to the Canadian side of the border. Turner said the course has been busy. A lot of their members have been coming out every day, and they still attract green fee golfers. The course was in great shape in late June and early July, but they don’t have irrigation, so it’s been dry lately. “Our groundskeeper was busy there, cutting grass, and maintaining the course, and the course looked excellent all year,” he said. Americans account for half of the course’s members, and Turner said they have missed not seeing their American friends, not just on the course, but in general.

The Gateway Cities Golf Course is a nine-hole course that straddles the Canada-U.S. border. Photo submitted

Carter Yunick Age 9

Emily Tarnes Age 15

VEHICLE MAKING NOISE? DENT TO FIX? • Auto Collision, Body Repair and Painting, SGI Accredited Elite Bodyshop • Factory Scheduled Maintenance • Tune Ups & Oil Changes • Servicing all makes & models. • SGI Appraisals • Courtesy Vehicles Available

118 Souris Ave. N. Estevan 306-634-3696 | www.senchuk.com

Offering free pick up and delivery of your vehicle!

A10 September 2, 2020

www.estevanmercury.ca

Estevan’s Marie Dubreuil, who just celebrated her 100th birth By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

Beautiful, strong and endlessly positive, Marie Dubreuil was sitting by the table surrounded by flowers. Finely dressed, with elegant golden earrings and dainty and kempt hands, no one would ever guess that this woman just celebrated her 100th birthday. The celebration started with a visit from Mayor Roy Ludwig and continued on Aug. 20 with hundreds of calls, cards and emails from friends and family. Dubreuil has almost 60 descendants and there are now five generations alive. On her birthday, women

from her church came by and sang happy birthday by her windows, and so did some strangers who saw the balloons in her yard. Dubreuil also received a hat and a scarf from the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team, who she’s been a fan of for years. The day would have looked totally different if not for the pandemic, but Dubreuil, who is more of a chamber person, enjoyed the big date celebration the way it was, surrounded by some of her closest family, and her best friend and companion cat Kiki. Dubreuil's story started at Boussay, France. The family first came to Canada before

Marie Dubreuil, pictured sitting in her chair where she does her daily embroidery.

the Great War, but when the war broke out her father has answered the call of duty and returned to fight, defending his homeland from the beginning to the end of the war, plus a year. “They didn’t want all soldiers to leave at the same time, so he was out in 1919 instead of 1918,” Dubreuil said while sharing the beginning of her family history. Marie, the first child, was born soon after that in 1920. When the girl was only two, the father once again decided to try to make his lifelong dream of becoming a farmer come true. “Dad wanted to farm. And he couldn’t do it in France, because they only had small parcels of land and it was just too small for everybody. So he wanted to come to Canada and have a farm of his own, which he did,” said Dubreuil in the interview with the Mercury. The family started on their journey that brought them first to British Columbia, where the father was cutting telephone posts and hauling them down the river for a living. The family spent three or four years there, but they still didn’t give up on their dream, so soon they moved to Rose Valley, Sask. They first rented land there, but it didn’t suit them as it was too far from town and they moved to Tisdale to rent there. “But he still wanted (to have) his own. Then homesteads became available at Mistatim west of Hudson Bay,” recalled Dubreuil.

That’s where Dubreuil and her other two siblings grew up. People around them were also homesteaders and everybody worked hard, so when asked if

still a very young girl, she would feed cattle, help her father with a plow out in the fields, get fuel from town using a horse and a cart and get water from a slew

Cat Kiki is the most loyal companion that Marie Dubreuil adopted when she was 99 years old. she remembered the times of the Great Depression, almost with dudgeon in her voice Dubreuil said no. “Everybody had to chop trees and work the land, and everybody did that,” said Dubreuil. “We didn’t think about (being poor). We had enough to eat and a house and a bed to sleep in.” Firsthand Dubreuil saw the changes in life around her and the progress in farm equipment from threshing machines and plows to combines. The oldest child in the family, but

with one of the first tractors. A soldier, their father was given the first quarter of land for free, and the second one he could buy for $10, which he did. And the kids would be the ones to pick roots cleaning the land and making it usable for seeding wheat, oats and barley. “ The land had to be opened up, done by hand and an ox,” said Dubreuil. When Dubreuil turned 18, she went to work as a storekeeper in Tisdale. She soon married her first husband and when they were expecting their

first child the Second World War broke out. A bad knee prevented Marie’s husband from joining Canadian troops and the entire war was almost like an echo. “It was nothing drastic. A lot of friends went, and it was a big void,” said Dubreuil. “But everybody was doing their thing. Everybody was working.” At the time, they were living and farming by Rose Valley, with a lot of work and with no radio at the farm they got to know the news from a weekly paper, which Dubreuil recalled as “very formal” and trustworthy. “The world wasn’t like it is now with news,” said Dubreuil, adding that back then neighbours were much tighter, helped each other and relied on each other more, and the outside world was further than it is today. “I’d like to go back to that time.” Even though they still had family in France, the war didn’t feel like something happening in their backyard. They kept going with life filled with work, doing their part. The family had five children. Dubreuil became the first

Nevaeh Wakley

Age 12

Marie Dubreuil, right, with her sister Denise, now 96, back in 1933. Denise lives in her own home in Ontario and they talk to each other by phone twice weekly. Photo submitted

Jordyn Tarnes Age 13

MacKenna Dupuis Age 9

www.estevanmercury.ca

September 2, 2020 A11

hday, says doing what makes you happy is key to longevity Canadian to deliver a baby on board of an ambulance airplane heading to Regina. When the youngest child was just 16 months old and the oldest was only nine, the tragedy happened. Marie’s first

cows all the time. Later she rented the land out, but she never gave up the cows. She learned how to drive and did everything it took to raise her children. And her daughter Josephine says that she’s never

Gardening was always a passion, and while now her daughter maintains it, Dubreuil still regularly comes outside to look at her flowers. husband was crushed and killed by a combine. “Then I was alone with the kids. And I stayed on the farm. Where was I going to go with five kids?” recalled Dubreuil. “I stayed on the farm until they were ready to leave.” In the first couple of years, she kept working the land and taking care of about a 60-head herd and milking eight to 10

ever complained about anything or felt sorry for herself. W hen the kids grew up, life brought her across a man she’d known from before, whose wife had also died. Marie moved to Estevan to live with her second husband in 1969. In contrast to the farm live, in Estevan Dubreuil felt like a queen, and she always appreciated it. But only four years later

her husband died of a heart attack. “Then I was alone again, and I’ve been alone since.” Dubreuil has lived in Estevan for over 50 years now and this half a century she calls the best time. “It was the best time of my life here in Estevan. I just love it,” said Dubreuil. “My life here changed and people around were always nice to me.” She added that for her Estevan is the perfect size of a city. Stitching, sewing and quilting were always Dubreuil’s passions along with gardening. A few years ago she had to give up on most of it as it became too difficult for her to lift bigger items because of pain in her shoulder. But then she switched to embroidery. As of Aug. 27, she had 1,408 embroidered pieces that will be turned into wall hangers. Dubreuil embroiders every day. She also spends some time on her iPad, reading books, news and emails, playing games and watching videos. And she never sleeps during the day. When Dubreuil was 98 she had cataracts removed on both eyes. Now her usual glasses just make her feel comfortable, but when she does her daily embroidery, she doesn’t need them anymore. And after she celebrated her 99th birthday, Dubreuil adopted a stray kit-

This picture was made in 1922, when Marie Dubreuil, the child in the centre, and her family first moved to Canada. Photo submitted ten, which now escorts her anywhere she goes. Up to these days, Dubreuil fluently speaks both English and French and watches mass in English during the week, and in French on Sundays. Dubreuil lives on her own and says she would never exchange her house for anything, and she would never leave Estevan.

She’s seen the Energy City during both boom years and tough years, but she’s never changed her attitude towards it. “For me, it was always good, just perfect.” When asked what the secret to longevity was Dubreuil said, “Do whatever you love to do, whatever you are happy to do. I’m happy with what I’m

doing, but if I didn’t have that I wouldn’t be so happy, I’d be sleeping. I wouldn’t be here.” She added that her hobbies and her faith always made her happy. Throughout the entire interview, Marie Dubreuil kept repeating that she was always “happy” and “just lucky” in her life.

PHARMASAVE (ESTEVAN) R0011829279

Elzabeth Harmsworth Age 10

The latest embroidery collection that Dubreuil is currently working on is Japanese-themed.

Emmalee Ursu Age 13

CHARITY BBQ EVENT IN SUPPORT OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS ESTEVAN Saturday, September 5th • 12pm to 3pm There will be: MIKEburgers • LodgeChips • Hot Dogs • Pop/Water Plus a chance to win some gift cards and a couple of other really cool prizes!!

415 Kensington Avenue, Unit 1, Estevan • www.mrmikes.ca • 306.634.MIKE

A12 September 2, 2020

www.estevanmercury.ca

Concert capped popular summer band program

SOUTH EAST CORNERSTONE PUBLIC S.D. #209 2020 - 2021 SCHOOL BUS SCHEDULE Suggested Routes, Stops, Times & Bus #'s THESE ROUTES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ***IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE FOR YOUR CHILD TO RIDE THE BUS*** THESE TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE TIMES PLEASE ARRIVE AT THE BUS STOP APPROX. 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO TIME LISTED *** Any questions please call Trevor at 306-421-0391 *** BUS 82-120

WESTVIEW ELEMENTARY - Driver Julie Milford

Route/Stop

Location

Time

Royal Heights Home Park

8:13

Valley Street & Coronation Street

8:18

Valley Street & 10th Avenue

8:20

1014 2nd Street

8:22 Arrive at Westview

BUS 82-119

8:25

DAYCARE - Driver Brandy Janecke

Route/Stop

Location

Time

Estevan Daycare Cooperative