Estevan Mercury 20230726

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1220 4th Street, Estevan 306-634-3666

Big company, big day. TS&M and the community are celebrating 50 years in business.

PAGES A10-12

Fire on Third Street in Estevan investigated as arson

Stanley Cup is coming to town. Details on the trophy visit can be found on

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BY MARK CRAWFORD

Fun networking. OTS Oilwomen’s golf event at TS&M Golf Course recap on PAGE A9

A house fire that occurred in the 400-block of Third Street on Friday is being investigated as arson.

Monday morning, Estevan Deputy Police Chief Murray Cowan said in an email to the Mercury that their "Criminal Investigations Unit will be taking over the investigation from patrol members and the fire is being investigated as an arson."

No further details were immediately available.

around lunch hour on July 21.

Estevan Fire Chief Rick Davies said the crews were called out at approximately 12:30 p.m., and then the EPS was also called out as well.

The fire has been quickly extinguished with no injuries; however, the scene wasn't cleared for several hours. The EPS soon said the investigators were treating the fire as suspicious and remained on the scene until the conclusion of the investigation.

fire. Crews were able to quickly bring the fire under control and contain damages to the immediate structure," Davies said.

"The cause of the fire has been deemed suspicious, therefore [is] being investigated by the Estevan Police Service. Crews were back in service in approximately two hours."

Wednesday, July 26th 7:30PM

Great race. Everything you’ve witnessed or missed at speedway last weekend on

PAGE A13

The Estevan Fires Rescue Service crews, Estevan Police Service personnel, as well as Estevan EMS were called to a structure fire on Third Street

"The Estevan Fire Rescue was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the east end of the city. [We] responded and confirmed a working

By Ana Bykhovskaia

The Estevan Downtown Business Association's Street Dance saw another great year, with over 1,100 people attending the big party. And even the rain and thunderstorm that hit Estevan that night couldn't spoil the event.

The dance took place July 22 and 23 on Fourth Street. Saskatoon's Harreson James Band was the featured act, while the opening group was Long Live the Glory with Estevan's Jesse Gibson.

Robert Godfrey with

Lemon Wedge Marketing, which is a part of the DBA, said they had a few more people than they had last year, and many guests came from outside the community. He attributed the success of the third annual event to several factors.

"Street dance went amazing this year. We had a great turnout of people, and we're really happy with how smoothly everything went from the setup to the actual event happening, and even the cleanup. Everything went really well," Godfrey said. "Another thing that we

The 400 block of Third Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues was blocked with first responders working at the scene for several hours.

The public was asked to avoid the area while emergency service personnel were on the scene.

were really happy about is the number of people that we had come from near and far. We had people from across the province, from Manitoba, from the States. It was just really great to see all the people that come out to enjoy this really exciting event.

"I heard from a number of people in attendance that they had come to Estevan for the weekend, they were spending time with friends and family and included the street dance in their plans. Another thing that's a big help is our partnership with the Estevan Motor Speed -

way. I know a lot of the Americans that we had in attendance were people that had come up for the races, and we did a deal with them so that anyone out at the race could get the advance ticket price at the gate as well.

"So, I think those types of partnerships really help get people to come to this event from outside of our community."

He added that the great bands entertaining at the street dance, Long Live the Glory and the Harreson James Band, who performed A2 » PARTY

First responders were on scene at a house fire on Third Street for several hours Friday.

Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

Party went on despite the rain

« A1 at the Grey Cup, were another attraction.

A thunderstorm and pouring rain hit around midnight, and the band couldn't return to the stage due to lightning for an hour, but hundreds of people chose to stay and then continued partying once the musicians came back.

"In the four years that we've had this street dance downtown, between the art gallery and now the Estevan Downtown Business Association, we have been really lucky in that we haven't had rain until this year, so we didn't know what that would be like if we did get rain," Godfrey said. "Obviously, we did get rained on, and while there was a number of people that did go home, we had hundreds of people that stayed.

"We just had about an hour delay where we couldn't get on the stage due to the lightning protocol, but once we got started up at 1 a.m. again, everyone partied like it had never happened, and the fun just continued on."

The event went smoothly thanks to many volunteers. Even though the DBA was

short-handed this year, those people who decided to help made everything work well.

"We had a really great group of volunteers. A lot of them stayed the entire night from the gates opening at 9 p.m. until about 2:30 when most of our volunteers got to go home, which we were thankful for. We had volunteers from the downtown business association, but also from the community. And we were really happy to have all of the volunteers," Godfrey said noting that they hope to grow their volunteer base going further.

Estevan police said that they patrolled the street dance and are happy to report that there were lots of people in attendance and no issues. Godfrey also said the crowd has been phenomenal.

"We have been lucky every single year having no incidents coming from the street dance. And that continued again this year. We weren't sure how it would go when we didn't have any entertainment or any music playing for over an hour. But everyone was just in really high spirits. And they behaved really well," said Godfrey.

"We debriefed with our security after the event, and they commented too how happy they were with everything. They saw no incidents. It makes putting on this event that much better when we know that the community is respectful of the

rules and are well-behaved." He also thanked everyone involved with the event and said they are bringing it back.

"A big thank you to the entire community who came out and partied with us. I also want to thank the volunteers

and the sponsors who make this event happen every single year. And I want to remind everyone to get ready because we will be announcing next year's events in about a month or so. The street dance will be coming back for years to come. And we're re-

ally looking forward to being able to continue bringing this event to the community and continue having this tourism draw for the area and getting to showcase Saskatchewan talent on the street dance stage," Godfrey said.

Pachal bringing the Stanley Cup to Estevan

Estevan is going to have a visit from hockey's greatest trophy on Sunday.

Brayden Pachal, a defenceman with the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, will be bringing the NHL's famed championship trophy to the Energy City. Each member of the Golden Knights whose name was engraved on the Stanley Cup for the 2022-23 season gets a day with the trophy,

and Pachal opted to have his day with the cup in Estevan.

It's believed he is the first player born, raised and trained in Estevan to win the Stanley Cup.

Activities in Estevan will be in and around the Estevan Leisure Centre. There will be a barbecue from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. A parade will be around the parking lot of the leisure centre at 11:30 a.m., followed by an autograph

session and a viewing of the trophy until 2 p.m. A public skate will occur from 12:302:30 p.m. at Affinity Place.

Pachal was called up by Vegas from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, before the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs. He played in one game in the NHL's postseason – the clinching game of the first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets.

He also appeared in 10 games in the regular season for Vegas, registering two points, including his first point in the NHL.

Pachal played his minor hockey in the Energy

City until he reached the U18 level. He played several games for the junior Estevan Bruins in the 2014-15 SJHL season, and played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Victoria Cougars and the Prince Albert Raiders. He captained the Raiders to the Western Hockey League championship in 2019.

Pachal signed with the Golden Knights organization as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He is the captain of the Silver Knights and represented Henderson at the 2023 American Hockey League All-Star Game.

We would like to thank the Estevan Legion, Co-ops, Estevan Motors and everyone who made the Legion supper possible, all who donated in anyway, time or financially.

We want to thank the Co-ops for BBQ and for it’s donation to the Cancer Society in Leigh-Ann Tessier’s name. She truly enjoyed being part of the Co-op family for 18 years. we would like to thank Hall’s Funeral Home for their service. We want to thank everyone for their warm wishes and prayers. for Darrel’s recovery.

The Estevan community has been amazing.

Sincerely:

The McGillicky And Tessier Families

Brayden Pachal will get his day with the Stanley Cup on July 30 in Estevan. File photo

The Harreson James Band entertained the crowd at the Estevan Downtown Business Association's Street Dance. Photos by Robert Godfrey with Lemon Wedge Marketing

Guests were invited to enhance their costumes with glowing elements to light up the street dance.

Estevan's Jesse Gibson and the Long Live the Glory band were the opening act at the street dance.

By Ana Bykhovskaia

The second main-stage production of the season is approaching at the Souris Valley Theatre.

Stag and Doe, written by Mark Crawford and directed by Mark Claxton, is set to premiere on July 31. The shows will run at 7:30 p.m. from July 31-Aug. 4 and Aug. 7-11, with a matinee on Aug. 3 at 2 p.m.

Claxton said that ever since they came together at the theatre grounds and did the first readthrough, the cast has been working together really well.

“I’m just really impressed with the heart they’re putting into work, the hours of learning their material and trying all kinds of different things with the scenes,” Claxton said in an interview with the Mercury. “They’re really embracing the comedy of this thing and also finding a lot of hearts in their characters, which I think is important.

“For comedy to work you need to have people you like and recognize up there, characters who can be silly, but are also believable. And I feel we’re in great shape. And I think we’re going to have a really enjoyable and entertaining union.”

The Stag and Doe play title refers to the custom for an engaged couple to throw a social event to raise some money to support their start. A young couple is holding the Stag and Doe, while another couple, who is getting married that day, has plans altered as their farm wedding gets demolished by a windstorm, so they have to come into the hall to have their reception there as well.

The two couples, who don’t like each other, have all their friends in the same hall for their events.

“There’s some awkward history among these people. And it all starts coming out when they’re forced to work together in this kitchen in this community hall,” Claxton said. “There’s a lot of chaos. Along the way some of these relationships come into question, and all these relationships are tested.

“The caterer, who’s trying to prepare the meal, finds out that his catering staff is all in jail because they were speeding and up to all kinds of shenanigans on their way to the event. So, the whole thing just falls apart. And for us, it’s a lot of fun to watch because they’re all scrambling not only to save the event but to save the relationships.

“There’s a lot of good comedy, but also a lot of poignant moments about commitment

and about relationships and how they work, and about what love looks like when it’s put to the test, especially young love.”

The cast arrived on July 16 and started working on the play right away. Some of the actors had already known and worked with each other before, but for a lot of them, it was the first time they’d met.

“The chemistry has been phenomenal from day one. It’s been really positive, supportive, fun, lots of laughs just a great vibe. And that helps the work up here because everyone trusts each other and is so willing to try things, which really, really makes it work,” Claxton said.

Stag and Doe’s Saskatchewan cast consist of Oli Guselle as Bonnie, Hope Van Vliet as Dee, Mayson Sonntag as Brad, Abbey Thiessen as Mandy, Joseph Shane McLellan as Rob and Brendan Lorch as Jay.

“A couple of our actors are

from Saskatoon, and the others are from Regina. We have one actor who grew up in Regina but went to college in the States for acting and is currently living and working in New York City, and he made the trip here so that he could do a show in Saskatchewan,” Claxton shared.

“And I was so delighted at the work everyone had been doing to develop the characters and to understand the story. We were laughing so hard through the first read. I felt like we’re going to have a really good show here because we got people who understand comedy and people who’ve really liked their characters and are trying to do them justice.”

The crew team includes director Claxton, assistant director Bethany Dittman, stage manager Yiwen Zhang, wardrobe designer Paige Thiessen, set designer Tara Johns and light and sound designer Derek

Klaassen. Claxton is well-known to the Estevan theatre audience, as he acted in the Odd Couple, Volstead Blues and Dry Streak, and also directed two previous plays at the theatre.

Claxton praised the community of Estevan for people’s support of their work.

“This community amazes me. There are a lot of props in the show; we have to fill up a whole kitchen with all kinds of supplies, and we had to find a wedding dress and a tuxedo.This one’s really prop heavy. And the people who we’ve been working with have just gone out to the community, and people have been donating things, lending things, things that belong to their grandmothers. Real generosity and real community effort,” Claxton said.

He also encouraged the community to use the opportunity and come enjoy the show at the beautiful Frehlick Hall

theatre Estevan has.

“I’m feeling really great about the show. I think it’s going to be a really entertaining time. And the theatre is more comfortable this year,” Claxton shared. “I just hope people will treat themselves to an entertaining night. It’s just a lot of fun, heartwarming, and the actors are really doing wonderful work. Come and see what kind of talent we have in this province.”

The summer schedule will also see a Brenda Lee Cottrell concert on July 26. Cottrell performed for a capacity crowd last summer with hits by legendary singers like Patsy Cline, Connie Francis, Loretta Lynn and others, and is bringing a similar show back. Tickets for the concert and the play are available online at the Souris Valley Theatre website (sourisvalleytheatre.ca), Henders Drugs and the ticket office ahead of the shows.

Young Estevan entrepreneur has been delighting customers with her I Scream Treats business

While most of her friends and classmates have spent their summer vacation enjoying more traditional activities, 11-year-old Anna Biggs of Estevan is venturing into the world of entrepreneurship.

Anna has started up I Scream Treats. Using a setup similar to a Dickie Dee Ice Cream franchise, she rides throughout her neighbourhood in northwest Estevan. A cooler is attached to the cart and contains an assortment of refreshing snacks for hot summer days.

She told the Mercury that she started by asking her father about the types of businesses that a 10 or 11-year-old could operate. He replied there wasn't much, but maybe she could run a Dickie Dee Ice Cream stand.

"He explained all about it. Then we found one in Leduc [Alberta] and we brought it back here," she said.

Anna also has a uniform, with a t-shirt and a hat that have a partially-eaten ice cream sandwich.

She sells ice cream sandwiches, jumbo Mr. Freezes, popsicles, drumsticks and Prime hydration drinks. SpongeBob popsicles have proven to be a hit with the kids. And Anna says all of the products taste great.

And, like most other modern businesses, she takes all different forms of payment for the snacks.

Anna started selling the treats earlier in July and the response from the community has been "really nice", she said. One person at the Estevan Public Library was telling her about how amazing her business has been.

Anna typically works from 1-3 p.m., then comes home, has supper and heads out again from 6:30-8:30 p.m. She has spent most of her time in northwest Estevan, as that's where she and her fam-

ily live, but she also visited the Southeast College and the employees at Conquest Equipment. She was also at a recent event for the Estevan

Golden Eels Swim Club. When she's older, she would like to open an ice cream truck, and then give the cart to one of her brothers.

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Her father Josh said Anna has had a lot of fun with the business. She designed her own logo online and she has really liked going

to the different vendors. Dynamic Signs did some graphics to apply to the cooler and Crown Advertising donated the hats and shirt.

"She's really enjoyed those aspects of getting out and learning some of the stuff that goes into running a business," said Biggs.

The Southern Plains Co-op has been selling food to her at cost.

Anna expects to continue her business until around Aug. 1. Then she will travel to Alberta for a couple of weeks of vacation. When she returns, she plans on resuming her business.

She is grateful for the support that she has received, and having her own business with dedicated customers has been a "dream come true".

"Thank you to the people who have been buying my ice cream, and I really like all of the support that I've been given," she said.

Anna Biggs with the cart and cooler filled with snacks for her I Scream Treats business.

Photo by Josh Biggs

The Stag and Doe cast includes Oli Guselle Mayson Sonntag Abbey Thiessen Joseph Shane McLellan and Brendan Lorch, who were actively rehearsing ahead of the July 31 premiere for the play. Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

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Let's jump at the chance to show off our community once again

We're going to get a rare treat on Sunday.

The Stanley Cup is coming to town.

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Brayden Pachal, a defenceman with the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL, is bringing Lord Stanley's treasured trophy to the Energy City, and there's going to be several activities planned.

Vegas could have up to 52 names engraved on the Cup, including players, coaches, executive leadership and more. Pachal didn't meet the minimum requirements (40 games played in the regular season or one Stanley Cup final game) to automatically qualify, but he means so much to the organization that they wanted his name on the Cup. Consequently, he gets a day with the greatest championship trophy in team sports.

When he was asked by the Mercury where he would bring the Cup if given the chance, he said unequivocally it would be Estevan, because it's where he's from, where he learned the game, where he found his love for the sport and where he still has so many family and friends.

We've had visits from the Stanley Cup before, but this is almost certainly the first time a player has chosen Estevan as the focal point of their celebration.

There's something special about when the Stanley Cup comes to a smaller community. It's been in the big cities before. Lots of times. But smaller communities don't always get the same

opportunity.

When Carlyle's Jim McKenzie had his day with the Cup after winning it with the New Jersey Devils in 2003, it was a huge deal for that town.

(The trophy did spend some time in Estevan before going to Carlyle).

When the Stanley Cup visits, it's not just the player and the hardware that are coming. They're the featured attraction, of course. But you get a visit from the keeper of the Stanley Cup, which might just be the coolest job in the history of sports – travelling the world, escorting the Stanley Cup, and getting to see the excitement of the player, family, friends and fans.

The Golden Knights have been in all of these communities, documenting the visits and showcasing the excitement. And so when the Golden Knights have footage from Estevan, hopefully, they'll capture the excitement of the community.

So many people have seen us at our best in the past couple of years. We've had provincial, Western Canadian and national sporting events. We've enjoyed concerts and other special entertainment.

And while this is something different, it's still a showcase of Estevan for those from outside of the community that we can make memorable.

It's going to be a great day for Pachal, his family and friends, former coaches and team-

mates and so many people who helped him along the way.

But for each person who is here for the first time, even if it's for just a day, let's make it sensational for them. When they look back on the summer, they can reflect on how they had a special time in Estevan, with a large turnout of fans for the barbecue, the parade, the autograph session, the trophy viewing and the community skate.

Who knows whether Pachal will get to do something with the trophy that is trending on social media. Often there will be one or two very unique moments that a player or a team member will have with the Stanley Cup. It's already been on a yacht this summer. Another player had a photo taken of his young children seated in the bowl of the cup.

What's of greater importance, though, is the response from the community, rather than the amount of responses generated on social media.

We've had a good run of talent coming through the Estevan area over the past few years, with several players born here or who played their minor hockey here getting drafted into the NHL or signing as free agents with NHL clubs. But there's no guarantee the Stanley Cup will be back here for a while, and there's definitely no guarantee it will be brought back by a victorious player.

young people lead by example, you know Estevan has a solid future

Probably every one of us has been in a conversation, in which someone (or us) would be blaming today's kids for lacking ambitions, discipline, stamina, curiosity, a passion for risk and adventure, and who knows what else.

Usually, I leave talks like that (especially when people see these contemporary tendencies from a close distance) being pretty frustrated and worried about what's ahead of us.

I agree, our habits and behaviours change as progress drives us forward with this unbelievable speed. Kids and youths seem indeed different from how my generation used to be some 30 years ago, and from my parents some 40-50 years ago, and especially from baby boomers, who are a unique bunch of people strongly influenced by war and post-war times and tendencies.

But are those kids worse than what we used to be, as many people would assume after watching them being more interested in gadgets than playing outside? I believe we all are different, and we all have our strengths and weaknesses. I've met just a few young people here, and of course, don't know too much even about them, but I know Estevan has many very deserving leaders of different ages.

The recent events at the Estevan Motor Speedway reminded me of all the great examples I encountered and many more that I don't know about.

If we'd look at Estevan in general and check what's there for young leaders, I'd say we are in very good shape.

Ever since I learned about the story of Riley Raynard, he's become one of my role models, so his recent recognition (see Page A13) was what inspired this train of thought. A young adult today, he's been racing since his teenage years and became a champ multiple times despite progressive muscle dystrophy, and

has been strong and inspiring in what he does. He's proven by example that no matter what life throws at you, you can achieve everything and be anything you want. Isn't it great leadership?

Estevan has many other kids battling terrible diseases, and some who are not, who lead by example and who started shaping the community at a very early age. There are those who are inspiring and empowering others in their fights by becoming hometown heroes like Gage Goetz, who was born with several congenital heart defects and spent endless days in hospitals, and then bravely took on the role of a Miracle Child for the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, raising tons of money for others.

Payton Sernick, a former Saskatchewan ambassador for the Champions Program, presented by Walmart, and a former champion for Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, is another great example of strength and leadership. She kicked cancer twice at a very young age and became an inspiration for many others.

Liam McIntyre is another local kid who's been living with a disease (cystic fibrosis) and dedicated a lot of time and energy to raising funds and awareness to make this battle easier for others. And the list can be continued.

Then there are kids that pave their way in the business world, those who one day may become our new Oprah Winfreys or Jeff Bezozs. Take Anna Biggs' example (see Page A3). At just 11 years old she decided she wanted to learn about business, she got into it and is tirelessly working even though it's summer break. Or

other kids the Mercury wrote about before, like Levi Garagan, who started his Just Jigs business last summer, also at the age of 11; or Charlie Hayes, the owner of Charlie's Lawn Services, who's been cutting grass and raking leaves for people in the community since he was 10 years old. And again, the list can go on.

We have kids like Jesse Gibson partaking in Telemiracle and opening up for big bands (see PAGE 1) to mention a few of his big gigs, or Mavrik Espelien rocking on the drums, and many other young artists and musicians.

There are kids in sports that conquer their peaks at provincial, national and international levels. There are those who lead their peers in helping animals and people in the community. And those who help put up great events like 4-H show and sales. There are also those who build drones and write programs that will probably one day be something we can't live without.

There is definitely no deficit of talent.

This city was built the way it is by many great people, and it continues to succeed thanks to those tireless enthusiasts who choose to stay, live, grow and invest in Estevan. But I have no doubt that we also have a wonderful young generation that has all it takes to keep this place going, no matter what challenges we are to encounter.

Estevan has a great leadership base in any age group. And even though there are always many comments about how the kids are so different nowadays, I think there is still a great connection between generations. Today's kids don't take it all in, but they definitely learn a lot from parents and grandparents, they have their values in place, hearts in their chests and brain in their heads. Many of them know what they want, and learn how to get there pretty early.

And that's indeed very promising and inspiring.

When

David Willberg Willberg’s World

Who comes up with these party names?

The Saskatchewan Liberals are now known as … the Saskatchewan Progress Party?

The fact that the provincial Liberal party decided to change its name is not a surprise. You can thank the direction of the federal Liberals under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership for that development.

Nobody in Saskatchewan should want to be painted with the Trudeau brush at this time. If a candidate were to go door knocking in this province right now and introduce themselves as a Liberal candidate, that person might expect to be told off, have their sanity questioned or have the door slammed in their face, thanks to the low levels of popularity for the Liberals in Saskatchewan.

I’m not saying that’s a proper way to respond to a candidate, just that it’s likely to happen.

Trudeau’s policies and their impact on the west have essentially eroded the last vestiges of popularity for the Liberal in Alberta, Saskatchewan and much of Manitoba and B.C.

But the Progress Party? The Liberals spent time and money on a name review, and that’s the best they could come up with?

When you hear the name Liberal, it should be associated with centrist policies and ideals, even if our current prime minister has tried to push the federal Liberals to the left.

When you hear names like conservatives, greens or even the NDP, you are immediately able to associate something with them. You don’t need somebody to tell you what they are.

Granted, the direction towards vague names is nothing new. Even this province’s long-time governing party, the Saskatchewan Party, is ambiguous with their name. While they’ve become associated with conservative ideology, there’s nothing in the name to indicate they are conservative, and it’s important to remember the party was born out of an alliance between liberal and conservative MLAs. There are still some members of the Sask. Party caucus who would identify as liberals.

Names like the People’s Party of Canada, the Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan United Party and now the Progress Party all opt for vagueness.

As for the Progress Party, it is a rather bizarre name choice. Does that mean the other parties don’t stand for progress? Does that mean the only way to support progress is by voting for the party formerly known as the Liberals?

A definite no for the second question. And the other parties would tell you they stand for progress as well.

I believe that most people who enter politics do it with the attitude that they believe they are doing what is in the best interest of their jurisdiction. Yes, some of them wind up conducting themselves in a less-than-honourable manner, but that’s a reflection of the realities of the job and succumbing to the temptations of elected office. Most don’t go in with the intention of shady dealings or theft.

Most will tell you progress is their intention, and most enter politics to create a better community, province or country. Their definition of progress might be different than mine or yours. Their vision of a better province or country might be different than mine or yours, and the path they chart might be different than the one we would take, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the end goal.

Ultimately, the new name for the Liberals won’t change the end result, which is elected representation in the Saskatchewan legislature. They might get a few more candidates who are willing to step forward and run in the next provincial election. They might get a little more money from donors.

The party has been a diminishing return ever since Liberal and Progressive Conservative MLAs joined forces to create the Saskatchewan Party. And when Liberal MLAs propped up the NDP minority government after the 1999 election, it eroded much of the party’s remaining support.

The Liberals had candidates in every riding in 2003 and 2007. They were shut out. They did all they could to get their leader of the day, Ryan Bader, elected in the Battlefords in 2011. They failed. They had more candidates in 2016 but were shut out, and they had a hearty three candidates in the 2020 provincial election.

It’s unlikely we’ll see a Progress Party MLA in the legislature anytime soon, unless someone leaves their party to join this entity with an ambiguous new name.

House on Spruce Drive badly damaged by fire

The Estevan Fire Rescue Service encountered a busy week with multiple calls for service and other duties.

On July 23 at about 8:30 a.m. they responded to a serious residential structure fire in the Trojan subdivision. A house and an adjacent building on Spruce Drive were significantly damaged by the flames. Estevan Fire Chief Rick Davies said it took fire crews about six hours to contain and extinguish this fire.

"We responded and confirmed a fully-evolved working fire. So, crews worked to bring that in -

cident under control and extinguish the fire," Davies said. "The structure involved did suffer significant fire damage with minor damage to a neighbouring structure. There were no injuries that were reported. But one of our firefighters was assessed on scene by EMS due to a heat-related issue.

"Crews were on scene for about six hours. The cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious at this time, but it is under investigation."

He noted that the firefighter experienced heat exhaustion but was fine

afterwards. The Estevan Police Service assisted the Estevan Fire Rescue on this call as well.

Earlier last week, on July 17 just before 8 a.m., firefighters responded to a commercial fire alarm in the northwest area of the city. The investigation determined it was false in nature, so the crews' assistance wasn't required.

On July 19 at about 8:30 a.m., they were also dispatched to a residential carbon monoxide alarm in the northwest area of the city. Davies said they did not

Playpark pancakes

find any CO readings in the residence, assuming it was an issue with the CO detector itself, so they confirmed that it was okay to return to the fire hall.

A commercial fire alarm went off in northeast Estevan on July 21. Firefighters responded and investigated, and it was quickly realized the alarm was caused by contractors performing work on site, so firefighters' assistance was not needed.

On July 22 and 23, fire crews were also on standby during the races at the Estevan Motor Speedway.

Meet Rocco!

This handsome fella is very friendly, and sweet and loves people! He’s adventurous and likes to roam around the shelter. Rocco does have a preference when it comes to other cats, so he might not do well in a household with other cats, but don’t worry he makes up for it with his charm! If you’re seeking a loving and adventurous guy who will brighten your days, look no further than Rocco!

Come meet Phiebe!

She is smart, loving and full of energy. She would be best with someone that goes on lots of adventures and walks. She loves to play fetch and play with her best friend Mila. Phiebe knows basic commands, she will sit for treats. Treats are a good motivator, she is eager to please. She would do best with no cats but a dog companion she would love to have. She thrives being outdoors, and with her companion. If you are seeking an adventure seeking loyal pup she’s the girl for you!

Hi I’m Morgan! I’m a high-energy, fun-loving goofball. My favourite things to do is playing fetch and tug of war. I’m also a big fan of the snow! The staff at the shelter say I’m a good learner, and will thrive with someone who can help me reach my full potential. With proper introduction I could get along with dogs or cats. I’m a happy, healthy boy and can’t wait to meet my new family!

A house on Spruce Drive in Estevan was badly damaged by fire on July 23. The cause is under investigation.

Analyn Orbino and Orbino were excited to be at the City of Estevan's playparks' annual pancake breakfast on Thursday. Families flocked to the Churchill Playpark for the popular event. Not only did they enjoy pancakes and watermelon, but the kids could swim in the paddling pool and use the playground equipment. Photo by David Willberg

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

The Stanley Cup is coming to Estevan July 30, 2023! Come for pictures and autograph signing with Brayden Pachal at the Leisure Centre 11:00am – 2:30 pm.

The City of Estevan is undertaking construction for the Watermain replacement. The affected area includes all of Mcleod Avenue. Property access and parking restrictions are to occur. This work will commence June 5, 2023 and will take approximately eight (8) weeks to complete (subject to weather)

City of Estevan will perform this work within the current Bylaw regulations and specifications.

Safety Construction site could be dangerous. If you have children, please ask them to keep a safe distance from the site. We will take every precaution to ensure public safety, but we need your assistance to constrain the natural curiosity of younger children. Please DO NOT attempt to go close to areas affected.

Theft or Vandalism

2023 Property Tax Notices

2023 Property Tax Notices were mailed out Thursday, June 8, 2023.Please contact City Hall if you did not receive your property tax notice or need to update your mailing / contact information.

2023 Taxes are due: July 31, 2023

Penalties are accumulative, applied the 1st of each month starting August 1, 2023 as follows:

August .5%, September 1%, October 1.5%, November 2.5%, December 3.5%

Arrears Penalty of 10% will be added to all outstanding amounts on January 1, 2024

Payment Options:

• In person at City Hall, Open Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm

➢ Payments accepted by Cash, Cheque or Debit

• Mail to: 1102 Fourth Street, Estevan, SK S4A 0W7

• City Hall Drop Box – located at main entrance at City Hall. Cheques only please.

• Payment can also be made on-line / or at your financial institution.

• Pay via credit card through a third-party service provider called Plastiq

Customers using this service will be charged a 2.5% service fee per transaction by the provider.

o To pay via Plastiq please visit their website at www.plastiq.com you will need a credit card as well as the 12 digit roll number (don’t include the decimal, but use all the numbers) that is found on the top right hand portion of your Notice of Property Tax Levies

Interested in pre-paying your taxes monthly?

The City of Estevan offers (TIPPS) tax installment payment plan service. TIPPS allows property owners to pre-pay their property tax bill in 12 monthly installments making budgeting easier with no added fees or penalties. Monthly withdrawals are made on the first banking day of each month.

TIPPS applications forms are available at City Hall or by visiting our website at www.estevan.ca

The best time to start would be August 1, 2023 to prepay for 2024. Contact City Hall 306-634-1800 for more information.

MEMBERS NEEDED!

CITY OF ESTEVAN DEVELOPMENT APPEALS BOARD

The City of Estevan is recruiting new candidate(s) for appointment to the City of Estevan Development Appeals Board (DAB). The DAB hears appeals on matters related to land use and building within the City. DAB decisions shape the community and affect the lives of developers, neighbours, citizens and businesses. It is important for the public to have confidence in the quality of these decisions and the decision-making process.

To be eligible, candidates shall be a minimum of 18 years of age and a resident of the City of Estevan. Applicants cannot be an employee of the City of Estevan. Appointments are for a period of two years.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter describing their experience on previous positions on boards and other organizations along with a willingness to serve their community. Other factors include a flexible meeting schedule to attend hearings as they arise (typically in evenings) and the ability to make decisions with fairness, objectivity and impartiality. Some familiarity with chairing a meeting and land use related bylaws would be an asset.

Deadline for applications is September 15, 2023 at 4:00 PM. Please mail or e-mail your application to:

Judy Pilloud, City Clerk City of Estevan 1102, Fourth Street, Estevan Saskatchewan, S4A 0W7 cityclerk@estevan.ca

If you see any act of vandalism, theft or anyone suspiciously tampering with equipment, signage or barricades, please contact 306-6341800, or after hours call Police.

Questions and Concerns

The City of Estevan, Engineering Services apologize for any inconveniences that this work may cause.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience. If you have any question or concerns, please call at 634-1800 or approach the supervisor or foreman on site.

By Ana Bykhovskaia

The Brick, located in the Estevan Market Mall, celebrated its 15 years in Estevan as well a grand reopening under new ownership on July 22.

A busy day started with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, coffee and cake and, of course, many great deals.

The day also saw a barbecue lunch for the community and fun activities for the whole family.

New store owner Amarjit Bajwa, who relocated to Estevan from Calgary to take over the local franchise in December, said it’s great to complete the renos and welcome customers into the renewed space.

“It feels amazing. We’ve been doing this work for the past month, putting everything together, bringing the new products for the customers. So, it feels amazing to have a fully renovated, brand

new store,” Bajwa said. He noted they wanted to renew the experience to celebrate their 15 years of history at the Estevan Market Mall.

“We wanted to celebrate with the people of Estevan and decided to do a full grand re-opening and full renovation for the store, bringing lots of new products for the consumers,” Bajwa said, adding that they went with the new generation look for The Brick.

The store states they are nationally priced, but locally owned and serviced, which is another reason to shop there. Bajwa also noted that their renewed store has many advantages, making shopping locally an even greater experience.

“The Brick is very digitalized. Everything is simplified, the price tags are simplified, so it’s pretty straightforward to find and buy what you need,” Bajwa

said. “It’s also very simple to buy online. So, we wanted to do this as much as our corporate stores do it, as this is a

franchise. That’s why you see a big change in here.”

The updated store has entrances through the mall

and from the south side.

Bajwa also noted that the supply chain is finally improving, and they now can

get most orders in no time.

“Supply chain is getting so much better. In our distribution centres, we have 85 per cent of the products that we carry in the brand catalogue. So, we have pretty much everything in stock,” he said.

With a big storage area, the Estevan store will have the capacity to bring in more items and have them readily available for customers.

Bajwa noted that it might be especially helpful for those outside the community, who need to travel for their furniture and appliances needs.

“One of the reasons we did the renovation is we wanted to make the warehouse bigger, so we can stock up that fridge or that stove, or whatever the customer is purchasing, so we can get that loaded for them right away,” Bajwa explained. “Because a lot of consumers come out of town ... it’s hard for them to drive back and forth to pick up that freezer that they ordered. So it’ll be easier to have it here. They can purchase it right away and take it home.”

Bajwa also underlined that while The Brick doesn’t have a north entrance anymore, they operate as usual, which correlates with the mall hours.

“If consumers are coming in, we don’t want them to be afraid that we’re closed at the front here. We’re not closed. We did put a sign at the front that shows that we have mall entrance, but that’s the only big change,” Bajwa said.

Community Futures (CF) Sunrise has announced their successful program Go Digital Sask is now available to businesses and organizations throughout the province.

Originally launched in June 2021 in southeast Saskatchewan, the program assisted over 400 organizations until funding ended March 31, 2023. The team of digital consultants provided logo design, website and ecommerce development, social media design, marketing and branding, Google profile setup and more.

The program also included a training component to teach participants how to manage and use their improved digital presence to increase sales and expand their reach.

“In today’s world, it is critical that organizations who provide goods and services for sale have a solid and professional online presence that potential customers are attracted to, view as trustworthy, and find easy to navigate. Entering the digital world is no longer optional for those businesses who want to not only grow and expand, but also to remain relevant to their local customers,” said CF Sunrise general manager Andria Brady.

“We were already in this era when the pandemic moved it to the forefront. We now have a new way of doing business that allows an entrepreneurial crafter in their home in rural Saskatchewan to sell their handmade products across the globe. But knowing where to start and how to do it can be daunting.”

This is where CF Sunrise says the services of Go Digital Sask come in. They

provide customized support in building what is needed, as well as teaching the fundamentals so the business

owner better understands how to use their new digital tools. With the support of the

Rural Opportunities Fund, Go Digital Sask is available to home-based or store-front businesses, organizations and

non-profit groups located within the 13 Community Futures regions across the province and will be available

until November 2024. Those interested can visit godigitalsask.ca to learn more and sign up.

The Brick Estevan’s new store owner Amarjit Bajwa cut a ribbon to mark the grand re-opening on Saturday. Photo by Aaliyah Biccum

Photo

You’re going to lose access to local news on Facebook and Google.

Dear readers,

Your access to local, provincial and national news is going to be revoked on Google, Facebook and Instagram.

And it’s not because of anything we’ve done.

Recently, Canada passed the Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, which has led to a standoff between the government, Google and Meta — the parent company behind Facebook and Instagram.

Both Google and Meta have said they plan to cut ties with the news industry in Canada as a result.

This means Meta will block the posting and sharing of our news articles on Facebook and Instagram. Google will also remove links to our sites and articles in Google News, Discover and search results. They’ll also cancel significant content licensing agreements already in place with our parent company, Glacier Media.

Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact not solely on us but, more importantly, on people like yourself who may use these platforms to discover what’s happening in your community and to get context to events happening in your own backyard.

We’re not planning on going anywhere, but here’s how you can help:

1. Sign up for our free daily newsletter by scanning the QR code. (And encourage your family and friends to do the same.)

2. Follow us on Twitter.

3 . Bookmark our website as the homepage on your devices.

4. If you own/operate a local business, consider supporting local by placing ads with 100% Canadian-owned media outlets, like us.

With your help, more people will be able to get their local news from a trusted source. In today’s age of misinformation, that’s more important than ever.

Thank you. We appreciate you.

Sincerely,

The Estevan Mecury team

By Ana Bykhovskaia

The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society's (OTS) Oilwomen's Golf Tournament, held on July 21 at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course, attracted 119 participants, which is the highest number they've seen in quite a few years.

Tanya George, who is the treasurer for the event and is part of the organizing committee along with Claire Robson, Caron Pingert, Tricia Debruyne and Tricia MacLenzie, said they couldn't be happier with how everything went.

"It was a nice day, nice weather. Women had fun out there socializing, connecting, networking, meeting new people," George said. "The vibe was great. Everyone was having a good time."

Each team had to have at least two oilwomen, which could be currently working or having retired from the industry. The majority of the women were from the Estevan area, but there were also a couple of teams from the Weyburn and Carlyle areas.

"It's fairly local," George said. "Every once in a while we'll get teams from Calgary, depending on what's going on. But this year, it was pretty local."

OTS Oilwomen is an 18-hole Texas scramble event, however, it's not very competitive, as the winner of the top prize is decided by a draw rather than score.

"We just do a lottery draw. At the end of the day they turn in their scorecards with their names on it, and we just draw cards for first, second and third place,"

George said. "We went away from keeping score, just so it wasn't so intimidating for ladies who have never golfed before or who don't golf much.

"It keeps it fair for everyone, so they can just go out, have fun, don't worry about keeping score. They can keep score if they want to, but that doesn't impact the first, second and third place teams."

First-place winners this year were Lesley Dukart, Kiana Highfield, Brooklyn Dukart and Lindsay Faris.

The OTS Oilwomen also presented their 2022 50/50 and raffle proceeds, which came to $2,000, to the Estevan Public Youth Centre. This year's proceeds will go to Southeast College's scholarship fund, but the total has yet to be calculated.

Not only did the event see more participants, but they also experienced more interest from sponsors, and ended up with five beverage hole sponsors, taking care of keeping players hydrated and providing snacks, which is more than they had for quite a few years.

"Compared to last year where our numbers were quite low in every aspect of the tournament, this year, we had people who were contacting us wanting to sponsor different events, whether it be a supper sponsor, an entry gift sponsor or a hole sponsor, so the response was fantastic," George said. "[And with participation] when the oil industry took a dive even before COVID, our numbers were close to 100, but we

Rubberstone

never quite hit that 100. So I would say probably before the oil industry went down … we were hitting that 100, 120, 144 [maximum capacity] with a waitlist. So it's been a few years since we've had numbers this high."

epoxy flake in garages and basements

• Brick Driveways, Firepits, Sidewalks

• Tree and Stump removal, Cutting & Stump Grinding

• Industrial & Residential Hedge Trimming

• Farm yard windrow restoration

• Landscaping

• Light Carpentry

• Staining fences, decks and steps

• Deck Building

Skidsteer work

• Auger holes (4” to 24”-13” deep)

• Screw piles (Commercial & Residential)

PHONE BILL (306) 577-1643

Estevan OTS Oilwomen's first-place winners were Lesley Dukart, Kiana Highfield, Brooklyn Dukart and Lindsay Faris. Photos courtesy of Tanya George

The 2023 OTS Oilwomen’s golf committee included Claire Robson, Caron Pingert, Tricia Debruyne, Tanya George and Tricia MacKenzie

Tricia Debruyne presented $2,000 in proceeds from the 2022 OTS Oilwomen fundraising efforts to the Estevan Public Youth Centre at this year’s event.

By David Willberg

For the past half century, TS&M Supply has been an invaluable contributor towards the southeast Saskatchewan oilpatch.

And it remains an integral part of the energy sector, the business community and Estevan and other communities. TS&M Supply will celebrate 50 years in business on July 27 at their Estevan facility. Karry Biette, the vicepresident of Canada for Distribution Now, TS&M, said there will be a barbecue and an open house, and some people will speak about the company and its history.

A golf event will occur at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course the following day, with customers, clients and others participating. A full field of 144 golfers registered.

"I think 50 is a pretty special year," said Biette. "As you look at landmarks and as you go through the years, 50 is a milestone, and we definitely wanted to celebrate, not only the people that are here now and the 50th year, but the people who have helped us get there."

Ken Dowhanuik and Dale Fox, who are both former owners, and others have been asked to participate in the community event and the golf tournament.

"It's a milestone, and one that everybody that's worked at the Estevan [location] should be proud of," said Biette. There will be a raffle with lots of great prizes at the community barbecue, and a putting contest and a few other activities at the golf tournament. Funds raised at both events will go to the St.

Joseph's Hospital Foundation.

"TS&M is synonymous with community, and we definitely wanted to choose a charity and raise some money," said Biette.

People in the office are excited about the upcoming activities, and Biette knows a lot of people are looking forward to the milestone.

"Talking with our clients, everybody is excited to get out and spend some time, as well as our vendors. We're in a unique position as a business where we have both vendors and clients, and we've had a really good response from our vendors, and with a lot of them, we try to work with communityminded vendors.

"We've got some good participation from the community itself for the Thursday event, and all of the different raffle prizes that are available, and it's just a testament to the

city of Estevan, and everybody jumping up and wanting to be a part of it," said Biette.

TS&M employs 151 people, and of that, there are 68 in Estevan, enabling the company to provide a variety of services. Pipes, valves and fittings are offered at all of its branches.

The Estevan site is unique, he said, because there is a repair shop and the Estevan Fire and Safety component.

Pump shops and articial lifts are in Estevan, Weyburn and Moosomin in Saskatchewan, and in Melita and Virden in Manitoba. Fiberglass is in Estevan and Virden.

The current headquarters in Estevan were completed in 2015.

"It's a great facility," said Biette. "The guys who designed it and built it knew what they were doing. It's been well used and there is lots of office space and warehouse space. We've fiberglass in the back, we've got the repair shop, we've got fire and safety. We have the artificial lift right next door to us in a different building. That site has served TS&M well for its entire 50 years."

In the community, the company purchased the naming rights to the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course back in 2012.

"I think it's important to go back and look at why that naming rights deal was done, and that is the course was in trouble after the flood [of the Souris River in 2011], and they needed a number of dollars, and it wasn't really about what was it worth. They needed the money," said Biette.

The company supports minor hockey and minor baseball, the United Way Estevan, the recently-relaunched

Southeast Women of Distinction Awards, the Estevan Motor Speedway, Estevan Extreme Volleyball, the Estevan Kinsmen and Kinettes and more.

"It really makes everybody that works there proud to work there, knowing that we're a good corporate citizen of Estevan and area," said Biette.

Not only is TS&M a big part of Estevan, but the company is also active in other communities it serves.

Other locations in Saskatchewan are Carlyle, Oxbow, Weyburn, Moosomin, Shaunavon, Regina, Saskatoon and Swift Current.

TS&M can be found in Virden, Melita and Winnipeg in Manitoba; Redcliff and Provost in Alberta; and Thunder Bay in Ontario.

Biette noted he's the same age as the company. He recalls that he was likely 14 years old when he made his

first trip into the Estevan office while working for Schindel and Bazin, picking up different parts for jobs. He played for the Estevan TS&M U15 AA Bruins when he was a teenager. When Biette joined the company last year, one thing that stood out to him was the number of tenured employees.

"From Edmonton to Estevan and all the way to Regina, when you go through that group, there's lots of people with 15-plus years, and it really tells the story of an organization when you've got a lot of people who have spent a lot of time working for one company, and TS&M is definitely one of those companies," said Biette.

TS&M boasts a diverse group of people, a great team and people who enjoy coming to work.

"We work hard, but at the same time, everybody enjoys their work and we get to have a laugh as well," said Biette.

TS&M's warehouse is well-stocked to meet the needs of oilfield businesses.

Karry Biette with TS&M is looking forward to the 50th anniversary celebration.

TS&M Supply has been a big part of the community for 50 years and has been through a lot of changes.

The business started as Technical Sales & Maintenance in 1970, serving as a repair shop and side business for Bob Larter and Darwin Sawyer. In 1973, the company was purchased by three entrepreneurs: Roy Arndt, Dave Bergum and Ken Dowhanuik. A fourth owner, Dale Fox, came on board in 1976.

In a history submitted to the Mercury, the company said its business philosophy was simple: complete dedication to both product knowledge and customer service. This is still the cornerstone for TS&M Supply’s continuing success.

In January 1997, TS&M Supply was sold to a larger chain of stores and sold once again in 1998 to become part of National Oilwell Varco (NOV). In May 2012, CE Franklin was purchased by NOV.

This acquisition was another great addition to the TS&M business group, bringing in more locations and several great employees with many years of experience and knowledge, adding to the TS&M footprint.

These additions in local surrounding communities enabled TS&M to better support customers.

In June 2014, NOV completed the spinoff of Distribution Now and TS&M became part of that family. Distribution Now is a successful large multinational company but through

all the years they have recognized the value of the TS&M Supply brand and the company has maintained its local identity.

The TS&M head office is still located in Estevan and the business is still managed by a group of local people. An expansion and renovation of their building was completed in 2015, and a large grand reopening celebration was held for the community.

Perhaps one of the biggest factors in setting TS&M Supply apart from the competition is its firm belief in supporting their community at a local level. |They are very proud of the fact that they are now, and have always been, a very active community leader and supporter.

Fortunately, Distribution Now shares this belief and has allowed them to continue what they started so many years ago.

Although it began as a one-store business, TS&M Supply has currently expanded to include locations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, North Dakota and Texas. Through its evolution from a one-store business in 1973, TS&M Supply remains a solid leader in the industry today. TS&M Supply distributes a full line of oilfield and industrial products. It provides service, repair and technical assistance for NOV fiberglass, bottom-hole pumps, PC pumps and safety equipment. It also has a full-service shop for pumps, valves, meters and gauges.

TS&M Supply’s building, as it appeared when the business first opened in the 1970s.

TS&M Supply’s building underwent a considerable renovation and expansion in 2015.

Photo by David Willberg

By David Willberg

TS&M Supply has a lot of long-time employees who have accomplished a lot over the years. Few have been there longer than Ellen Phillips and Karl McKenzie.

Phillips, who works as the controller, has been with the company for 28 years, while McKenzie has just over 25 years of experience. He serves as the director of operations.

"It's a great company to work for," said Phillips. "They're very conscientious to ensure that you're allowed

to have time with your family, and have a nice work, home and life balance," said Phillips.

"It's been a great company to work for," added McKenzie. "They gave me my start back when I was 17 years old."

He recalls he started working for TS&M as a summer student in 1989. He went to university and the company brought him back to open a branch in Moosomin.

TS&M has not only been very good to them, the company has been very good to all of its employees.

McKenzie and Phil -

lips noted TS&M has been bought and sold three times during their respective tenures. Each time they were acquired, the company that purchased TS&M allowed it to carry on with its name and people. In two instances, they noted TS&M wound up absorbing the other company.

"We were purchased … in 1997. We were bought by National Oilwell. And both times, we absorbed them. And we bought CE Franklin as well," said McKenzie.

The company has been pretty steady with its offerings over the years, he said. The fiberglass pipe is one of the biggest product lines and that's been a big unit for TS&M.

"I think our strongest point is our people," said McKenzie. "We've maintained a head office in Estevan for all of the years, every year. For 50 years, the head office has been in Estevan. We've always been a local company, and we try to contribute back to the community in all of the communities we've been in."

Phillips said the company has been able to maintain the values that were instilled in them by the original owners, and that drives them to continue to succeed.

A new corporate head office was built along Kensington Avenue in 2015, giving them considerably more space to work with.

"You had to live through those years when we didn't have power, and every time it rained, the building flooded," said McKenzie. "This building was a godsend when we built it. It was amazing. It was good for the community and it was good for everybody that worked here."

It was proof that TS&M wasn't going anywhere.

They are confident that TS&M is going to be around for at least another 50 years, creating opportunities and employment long after they have retired.

Nobody has been with the company longer than Harry Dorcas. He's been employed for 45 years, and still repairs valves, chemical injectors, gages and so many other materials for the oilpatch.

Dorcas has also worked in sandblasting and fiberglass for the company.

"The people are good," said Dorcas, who says the company has also been good to him throughout the years, and he has never had any problems.

He'd recommend working at TS&M to other people.

McKenzie adds that he hopes everyone in southeast Saskatchewan will come down and see the building, meet the people and enjoy a barbecue lunch, as they will be celebrating their anniversary and the impact on the community.

Dirt Wars and other attractions created an exciting and emotional

By David Willberg

The Estevan Motor Speedway showcased its hobby stock class during the weekend, thanks to the Riley Raynard Dirt Wars races. The hobby stock driver who accumulated the most points during feature races on Saturday and Sunday night was declared the dirt wars champion.

Landon Runge and Kruz Wilson finished tied for top spot with 75 points each. Runge was fourth on Saturday and third on Sunday, while Wilson was third on Saturday and fourth the following day. Runge won the tie-breaker because he passed more drivers during the weekend.

Wilson won Dirt Wars last year.

Kaiden Hjorteland was the winner of Saturday night's feature race. He was the class of the field, grabbing the leader early on and withstanding challenges from several drivers. Connor Hanson was second.

Brandon Beeter was first on Sunday, finishing ahead of Diezel Raynard.

Other results from Saturday night's program were:

•Steven Pfeifer won the modified feature. He passed Joshua Rogotzke midway through the race and took a large lead, only to have the field bunched up for the final laps. Kody Scholpp pressed Pfeifer for first late in the race.

•Austin Daae nearly led wire-to-wire in the stock car feature, finishing a couple of seconds ahead of Chris Hortness.

•Robbi Rosselli won the sport mod feature. Rosselli passed Rylan Raynard with a few laps remaining in a caution-plagued feature, and then faced his stiffest challenge

from Gabriel Deschamp.

•Brogan Wagner was a convincing winner in the slingshot class over Sladen Pfeifer. The two young racers had engaged in a thrilling duel in their qualifying heat.

Results from the other feature races on Sunday were:

•Pfeifer won the modified feature to complete the weekend sweep. Aaron Turnbull was second.

•Adam Goff won the stock car feature, with Daae finishing second.

•Rylan Raynard won the sport mod feature, finishing ahead of reigning track cham pion Leevi Runge.

•Landon Gaudreau was the slingshot feature win ner, finishing ahead of Jacek Ashworth.

The next program at the track will be a regular points night on Aug. 12.

•

•

•

Prior to the start of Sat urday's program, the speed way recognized Riley Raynard for his decade of racing at the track and officially named Dirt Wars after him.

Raynard was a driver in the track's hobby stock division from 2013-2022, winning numerous races and collecting other accolades even though he has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Raynard was able to race thanks to modifications made to his race car.

During a brief ceremony before Saturday's program, he was joined by his family, other drivers and pit crew members, many of whom raced against Raynard over the years.

Raynard announced earlier this year he was retiring from racing due to muscular dystrophy. He has since made the move to the track's announcing booth.

His broadcast partner,

Trevor Gowen, noted that in Raynard's 10-year racing career, he won feature races in Estevan, Swift Current and Manor in Saskatchewan, and in Minot, N.D. Raynard was the runner-up for the track championship in Estevan twice, won the Motor Magic weekend twice in Minot, won the first Dirt Wars competitions in Estevan in 2016 and

2017, and was recognized with the Clint Prette Memorial Award in Estevan.

In 2014, Raynard won the Kenny Schrader Real Racer Award, a North America-wide recognition from Speedway Magazine. Raynard comes from a racing family, as his parents have raced at the speedway, his brother Diezel continues

to race and some relatives have also competed.

For several years Raynard and some friends were part of the Laps for MD program, in which they donated a dollar for every lap led to the fight against muscular dystrophy.

"I want to use the words ambassador and role model, because that's what this young

man is, an ambassador for the Estevan Motor Speedway and a role model for all of us," said Gowen.

Gowen also reminded the drivers that Raynard is proof they can do anything. Raynard capped the ceremony by uttering his now familiar words, "Turn 'em and burn 'em", meaning it was time to start racing.

Twins finish first in league during regular season

The Southeast U18 AAA Twins were the class of the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League during the regular season.

The Twins edged the Sask Five Giants 6-5 Sunday afternoon, leaving the Twins with a 25-5 record during the regular season. The game was rescheduled after it was rained out earlier in the season, but had no bearing on the standings, as the Twins had already wrapped up first place in the league.

Conner Kerr had two runs, two hits and an RBI to lead the Twins’ attack. The Twins used four different pitchers in the victory.

The Twins also won 9-2 over the Regina White Sox on Wednesday, and split games against the Regina Wolfpack on Saturday, winning 4-1 but losing 3-2.

The Twins had two runs

in each of the fourth and fifth innings against the White Sox.

Kade Phillips had two hits and three runs batted in for the Twins.

Starting pitcher Sutter

Balog allowed just one hit and struck out five in four innings of work.

Against the Wolfpack, the Twins scored twice in the seventh inning of the first game to take over a 2-1 game.

Carter Beck had a double and two RBIs for the Twins.

Starting pitcher Aiden

Trimble allowed one run and struck out five in six innings.

Phillips had a run and three hits in the second game.

Kerr gave up three runs, two of them earned, in 5 1/3 innings on the mound. He also struck out seven.

Up next for the Twins will be the provincial tournament in Saskatoon from July 28-30.

Landon Runge, 52, pictured here racing with Max Beeter, was the winner of this year's Riley Raynard Dirt

The Southeast U18 AAA Twins went 25-5 during the regular season. Photo by Risa Walbaum

Harbourne tournament returning to Estevan

The top senior baseball teams in southeast Saskatchewan will be in Estevan on July 29 and 30 for the annual Jack Harbourne Memorial Tournament, which crowns the champions of the Saskota Baseball League.

This marks the second straight year the tournament has been held in Estevan, and league president Riley Singleton said it will follow a similar format to last year.

Teams will be divided into two pools of four. One pool will have the top-seeded Carlyle Cardinals, who have won the Harbourne Trophy the past three years, along with the fourth-seeded Redvers A's, the Southeast Diamondbacks (5), and either the Arcola Threshers (8) or the Kenosee Cubs (9).

The other pool will have the Weyburn Sun Devils (2), the Estevan Tap House Wolves (3), the Carnduff Astros (6) and the Oxbow Chiefs (7).

The Moosomin Badgers and the Kipling Royals finished 10th and 11th,

respectively, and missed the playoffs.

The postseason began on July 25 with the Threshers hosting the Cubs in a play-in game. There will be four games on July 28, with the Cardinals, Sun Devils, Wolves and A's getting to host playoffs games.

Then everyone converges on Estevan for the 29th. There will be two games each at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., and individual games at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

If a tie-breaker is needed, it will be at 10 a.m. on July 30. Semifinals will be at noon and the final will be at 3 p.m.

When the tournament was held in Estevan last year, it was the first time in many years that it wasn't in Kenosee Lake. Singleton noted they decided to have the tournament shift around for a two-year team.

"Every second year, teams will put in a bid to host the Harbourne Tournament, and the successful team will host for one year, and then

they will have the option to host for the second consecutive year. If they decide not to, then we'll open it up for bids," said Singleton.

Estevan exercised its option to host this year.

"We all really enjoyed the tournament in Estevan last year. It was a great success," said Singleton.

Some people missed having the tournament in Kenosee, but they were happy to be in Estevan with the level of activity in the community, and the luxury of having games on two diamonds instead of one.

"Nobody had to play games at 8 a.m., which was a really nice change of pace," he said.

If they encounter adverse weather conditions, they can reschedule games, and if necessary, they have access to Lingelbach Field at Mets Stadium.

Singleton is looking forward to some great baseball during the tournament. This season was the most balanced he has seen in 19

years of involvement with the Saskota. The No. 2 Sun Devils were just five points clear of the eighth-place Threshers.

Singleton said preparations for the tournament are going well. Kevin Culy has

Local softball teams busy at provincials

It's been a busy month for local softball teams, as many of them have been competing at provincials.

The Southeast Super Novas, competing in the U19AW women's tournament, won the silver medal. They went 2-1 in the round robin, winning 8-0 over the Regina Riot and 10-0 over the Battleford Bandits, but losing 12-6 to the Saskatoon Selects.

They faced the Bandits again in the semifinal, winning 10-2, but lost 9-1 to the Selects in the gold-medal game.

At the U17 AA provincials July 7-9 in Saskatoon, the Southeast Sun Devils went 1-2. They defeated the Lumsden Cubs 8-5, but lost 7-5 to the Saskatoon Phan-

toms and 10-2 to the Saskatoon Lasers, ending their tournament.

The Southeast Sun Devils also had a team at the U15 provincial tournament in Moose Jaw from July 14-16. The Sun Devils opened with a 9-8 victory over the Regina Saints. They lost 10-9 to the East Central Wolverines and 10-2 to the Saskatoon Hustlers.

The Southeast Bandits and the Estevan Elite were among the 29 teams entered at the U15 B tournament in Warman from July 20-23. The Elite suffered a couple of close defeats, 14-12 to the Leader Expos and 11-10 to the Lumsden Cubs, and they also fell 19-10 to the Rosetown Angels.

The Bandits lost 21-20

to the Twin Cities Angels Funk, 17-6 to the Regina Royals, 11-4 to the Biggar Nationals and 17-6 to the Saskatoon Lasers.

The Elite and Supernovas were also represented at the U13 A tournament in Regina July 14-16. The Supernovas made it to the gold-medal game. The Novas edged the Moosomin Predators 10-9, but lost 8-7 to the Yorkton Crush and 15-12 to the Battlefords Bandits. Still, their 1-2 record was enough to advance to the playoffs.

They knocked off the Swift Current Sonic 14-7 in the semifinal round, but fell 12-3 to the Crush in the final.

As for the Elite, they also reached the playoffs. They beat the Weyburn Wild 16-10, the Moose Jaw Ice

9-3 and the Regina Fighting Saints 17-6, but lost 15-9 to the Swift Current Sonic to go 3-1 in the round robin. Then they lost 11-3 to the Yorkton Crush in the semifinal and 18-11 to the Sonic in the bronze-medal game.

The Estevan U11 Elite travelled to Carnduff July 7-9 for a southern final. Estevan won 13-6 over the Carnduff Cosmos A, lost 10-7 to the Neudorf Red Sox and won 7-3 over the Churchbridge Chargers. They lost 10-9 to the Moosomin Predators in the semifinal.

The Carnduff Cosmos had two teams entered. The two teams met in a B event semifinal, with Cosmos A beating Cosmos B 20-13. Cosmos A then lost 12-4 to Chruchbridge in the B final.

Estevan U13 AA Brewers wrap up season at provincials

The Estevan U13 AA Brewers travelled to Prince Albert on the weekend for the Baseball Saskatchewan Tier 1 provincial tournament.

The Brewers went 0-3 at the tournament. They dropped a 36-2 decision to the host Prince Albert Royals to start the tournament on Friday.

Then they had two losses Saturday, 16-15 to the North East Expos and 9-6 to the Muenster Red Sox. The defeats ended the

Brewers' season.

In a message to the Mercury, the Brewers said they faced tough competition and they battled nerves in the first game.

The second game was a back-and-forth battle with the Expos. The third game was a really good contest that saw Estevan hold the lead throughout but the Red Sox bats came alive in the seventh and final inning.

One of their main goals

this year was to play on Sunday at provincials and they came up a bit short, but they believe it was a successful year for the team. They had the best record in Baseball Regina's U13 AA division during the regular season at 19-1, and then went 4-0 in the playoffs to win the league title. The Brewers said the most important thing was the kids had fun and are all better ball players now than at the start of the season.

been organizing the umpires for the games, and Danny Ewen and Jolan Lingelbach are taking care of preparations for the Estevan Tap House Wolves.

He

noted the players are looking forward to a cabaret at Mets Stadium at Woodlawn Regional Park, with all proceeds going to upgrades at the ball park.

The Carlyle Cardinals won the Harbourne Cup when the tournament was held in Estevan last year.

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Three 5G towers coming to Estevan

Estevan city council approved a trio of 5G cell towers during its meeting on July 17.

One is at the Hillside Playpark, the next is adjacent to McDonald Road and the third is near the 1100 block on Fourth Street. All three will replace existing 4G towers.

The tower on Fourth Street would be 50 metres in height and will be closer to the street than the existing tower, while the others will be 40 metres tall. All three towers are larger than their predecessors.

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Once they are finished, land development services manager Richard Neufeld said he has been told there wouldn’t be further proposals within city limits for the next decade.

For the Hillside tower, Neufeld said the city received questions regarding

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health impacts and data security. The city does not have jurisdiction to make decisions on these fronts.

The McDonald Road tower received concerns about liability in case the structure collapses, as well as slope stability and impact on property values.

A letter for the Fourth Street tower expressed concern about 5G technology. Neufeld also pointed out co-ordination would be needed when the towers are installed.

• • •

Building official Shay Volesky has resigned, effective July 7. Volesky said he is thankful for the opportunity and for the staff at city hall for their support while he was learning the role, but the cost of living in today’s economy forced him to seek other employment, which he believes is in the

Career OppOrtunities

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Public Notice

Rural Municipality of Estevan No. 5

Notice of Intent to Amend Zoning Bylaw

Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the Rural Municipality of Estevan No.5, intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend Bylaw 5-2014 known as the Zoning Bylaw.

Intent: The proposed bylaw amendments will allow for where the only suitable building site on an existing subdivided lot that is within the 457-meter separation distance from a solid or liquid waste facility be a minimum separation distance of 300 meters. The proposed bylaw will also rezone proposed Parcel G in the NW 10-1-8-W2 from Lakeshore Development/Agricultural Resource Overlay to Country Residential (CR) as shown within the bold dashed line on the map below.

Affected Land: The affected land is legally described as Parcel D, Plan No. 101980919 in the NE 10-1-8W2 shown on the plan of proposed subdivision dated January 30th, 2023 and signed by Kristof Dumais, S.L.S. The land is immediately southeast of the Boundary Dam Sunset Subdivision.

Reason: The R.M. received an application from a developer and rezoning of the parcel allows the appropriate zoning to the Country Residential (CR) District. The 300 meter setback for existing subdivided lots from a solid or liquid waste facility accommodates the proposed development.

Public

best interests of his family.

• • •

The Estevan Pickleball Club’s request to increase the number of courts was tabled to 2024 budget deliberations.

In a correspondence to council, it was noted pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in North America, and it promotes physical fitness, and it encourages competitiveness in a welcoming social manner to people of all ages and abilities.

The local club started with 10 members in 2019, the majority of whom were seniors. Now they have athletes ranging in age from their late teens to their 70s. They have 40 registered members.

Consequently, they need more than two permanent courts.

“Our club has enacted a temporary solution where we manually chalk court lines and set up portable nets to allow us to utilize four courts. However, this must be done almost each time that our club meets, as the lines disappear due to wear and/ or weather. Our temporary solution, in addition to providing additional courts, allows us to play with regulation-height nets.”

The club was seeking $4,000 for line painting. The courts are shared with tennis club and tennis nets are traditionally two inches higher than pickleball counterparts.

• • •

Norm Mack, who recently retired from his role as the manager of public works’ road and drainage, has been named to the development appeals board. Neufeld noted the city had two vacancies on the board, and an appeal is on file. Due to a conflict of interest for a board member, the city did not have enough members to achieve quorum.

• • • Council approved an application for a daycare to be located at the Estevan Church of God’s gymnasium. Neufeld said no outdoor activity area is planned as part of the permit.

The day care would be open before and after school, and during the summer months. Parking and services would be provided through the building Neufeld noted adjoining landowners were contacted as part of the development permit referral process. The only inquiry he received was about an outdoor playground.

Coun. Shelly Veroba wanted to know if there would be issues with the addition of an outdoor space once the permit is approved. If it is to be used by kids for the entire summer, she believes they would eventually want to go outside.

Neufeld said if they wanted to add a playground, it would require a permit.

“There’s lots of room on that property,” said Neufeld. “The individual who called, asking about the playground, didn’t say they were opposed to the playground.”

Birds have been flocking to local family’s property

A southeast Saskatchewan family's property has gone to the birds this summer, and that's a good thing.

Lauren Packer said the farm, located between Estevan and Bienfait, has become home to some glossy ibis or whitefaced ibis birds this summer. The birds were first spotted around July 6 or 7 and were still on the land as of Monday afternoon.

"It's a shocker to me because the only time I've ever seen an ibis was in Florida. And it was white," said Packer. "These are black and iridescent in places."

When she and her family first saw the birds, they stopped what they were doing to get a better look. She estimates 10-20 of the animals have been staying.

She would like to have somebody help her properly

identify the birds because it's been hard to tell. She initially thought she was dealing with the glossy ibis, but a lot of people in the Saskatchewan bird communities have said they're their white-faced counterparts.

"They're hard to get to. They're out in sloughs and they kind of stand in the tall grass, but they scare up easily when you drive by. They startle easy, so you can see them always up flying."

If they do fly off, they eventually return to the sloughs.

Packer said she and her kids have spent a lot of time watching them in the past couple of weeks. They get in the family van, drive to the site, watch the birds and try to get photos of them, which has proven difficult, even though she has a good zoom lens on her camera.

These birds haven't been seen on her land before, either.

"What's so strange is the glossy ibis, if it is it, its range in North America is only on the eastern coast of Florida. It mostly lives in Africa and Australia. That's why, if it's glossy, it's really rare. The white-faced ibis does live in North America, but mostly in the south."

Her research found that the white-faced ibis typically come into the mid-west U.S., but people in the Saskatchewan Facebook bird groups have seen them.

Packer said she loves birds and enjoys watching them, listening to the calls and trying to figure out what species they are.

"The kids and I like to bird watch and identify calls," said Packer.

Search and Rescue invites public to barbecues

Southeast Saskatchewan Search and Rescue (SESKSAR) is to host its first series of charity barbecues with the Southern Plains Co-op.

The volunteer organization is inviting the communities they serve to join them for barbecue lunches in Estevan, Carlyle and Oxbow.

The Estevan event will open the series on July 28, with hotdogs and hamburgers served for a donation at the parking lot for the Estevan co-op grocery store from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Next on the schedule will be Carlyle on Aug. 11 at their store, followed by a barbecue lunch at Oxbow's

co-op on Sept. 8. The organization's mobile incident command centre will be brought to the events and open for the public to tour and learn more about SESKSAR. Members will also be available to answer people's questions.

SESKSAR president Dan Hardern said they will have some application packages available at the events, and people will also have an option to sign up to have a package emailed to them, as the chapter is actively seeking new members.

A Summer Adventure package will be up for a draw as well during the venues. Hardern thanked South-

ern Plains Co-op for providing the food, condiments and equipment for the events. All proceeds from the events will go to SESKSAR's operations and equipment. SESKSAR is a member chapter of the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV). It is a volunteer organization that can be used as a resource for policing agencies in cases when someone goes missing.

SESKSAR covers the entire southeast corner of the province, from the Manitoba border to the Yellow Grass area, and from the U.S. border to the Carlyle area. It has a number of members who are professionally trained and equipped to respond to a call day or night at any time of the

year to assist with search and rescue operations, and it is actively recruiting and training new members.

For more information about SESKSAR, join them at one of their southeast co-op barbecues.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

With the assistance of HMC Management Inc., https://hmcmanagement. net/ Council is seeking the services of a qualified Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide professional leadership and direction for the Municipality.

The Rural Municipality of Coalfields contains and is bordered by urban municipalities including the Town of Bienfait, where the RM Office is located, and the Villages of Frobisher, Roche Percee and North Portal. The City of Estevan is also a ten-minute drive west on a portion of Highway 18 that is twinned.

A rural community with a population of 330 according to the 2021 census, the RM neighbours the US border to the south, the Rural Municipality of Estevan No. 5 to the west, the Rural Municipality of Enniskillen No. 3 to the east, and the Rural Municipality of Browning No. 34 to the north. The RM is governed by an elected municipal council comprising of the reeve and 6 division councillors.

The incumbent must hold a current Rural Class “C” Saskatchewan Municipal Administrator certification or be eligible to obtain a standard certificate in accordance with the Rural Municipal Administrator’s Act.

Prior urban and rural CAO experience OR a minimum of 4 years experience at a senior level in municipal government is required, along with a thorough knowledge of provincial legislation. Past experience in project management, asset management, and municipal accounting is desired. The incumbent will also have successfully graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution with a diploma or degree in Public Administration or a related discipline and hold and provide proof of an RMA designation or a recognized equivalent. Knowledge of public works in a rural and urban setting, municipal financial management and human resource management would be an asset.

Salary range for the position is $110,000 - $135,000 for the right candidate that meets Councils qualifications and expectations.

In confidence, qualified candidates are encouraged to electronically submit their resume, a cover letter, three work related references, and salary expectations to the following address by no later than Monday August 14, 2023: sdy.hmc@wcgwave.ca

RE: RM of Coalfields No. 4 (SK) - Chief Administrative Officer Competition Inquiries may be made to: Dean Yaremchuk, Senior Partner HMC Management Inc. 1.204.870.0236

A CAO Opportunity Profile is available upon request and only those candidates selected to be interviewed will be contacted.

Public Notice

Pursuant to Section 55 of The Planning and Development Act, 2007, the Council of the Rural Municipality of Estevan No.5, gives notice that a discretionary use application has been received and the details are as follows:

Discretionary Use Application:

General Industrial Type II

Parcel E Plan 102155493 in the NE 24-02-08-W2

Intended Discretionary Use:

This proposed discretionary use within the High Profile Commercial/Light Industrial District (HPCI) is to allow for a General Industrial Type II use that permits for a heavy equipment storage yard which includes the servicing and repairing of equipment associated with the industrial business.

Public Hearing: Council will hold a public hearing to receive any written or verbal submissions on the proposed discretionary use application at 10:00 a.m. (local time) on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, in the Council Chambers of the R.M. of Estevan No. 5, #1, 322-4th Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan. Written submissions will be presented to Council and can be sent by mail, email or fax.

Dated at Estevan, Saskatchewan this the 26th day of July 2023. Michelle Dickie, Administrator

Rural Municipality of Estevan No. 5

Notice of Intent to Amend Official Community Plan

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Rural Municipality of Estevan No.5 intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007, to amend Bylaw No. 4-2014, known as the Official Community Plan.

Intent: The proposed bylaw is to allow for where an existing subdivided lot is with the 457-meter separation distance of a sewage lagoon site, Council may reduce the minimum separation distance so the setback is consistent with the R.M. of Estevan Zoning Bylaw.

Reason: The reason for the amendment is to give Council the option to reduce the minimum separation distance of an existing subdivided lot to a sewage lagoon site, so that the setback is consistent with the R.M. of Estevan Zoning Bylaw.

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 holiday. Copies are available at cost.

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, September 13, 2023 in the Council Chambers of the R.M. of Estevan No. 5, #1-322 4th Street Estevan, Saskatchewan.

Dated at Estevan, Saskatchewan this 26th day of July, 2023. Michelle Dickie, Administrator

The Southeast Search and Rescue incident command trailer will be on location and open to the public to tour during the co-op barbeques. Photo courtesy of Mickey Quigley

Lauren Packer believes birds seen in her yard are glossy ibis or whitefaced ibis.

Photo by Lauren Packer

Friendship Club of Oxbow invites new members

By Ana Bykhovskaia

If you ever were looking for new friends and something fun to do in Oxbow, look no further.

The Friendship Club of Oxbow Inc. welcomes people of all ages to join them for weekly activities and events at their beautiful facility at 513 Peters Avenue.

The club hosts weekly activities and is also available for rent for private events. Every week, members gather for yoga classes and exercises, play cards, enjoy games of pool and just have a coffee and spend time together. They also host wellness clinics for the community, where a registered nurse comes in to do pedicures for seniors.

On July 22, the Friendship Club of Oxbow hosted a dance and potluck with many people turning out for a joyful outing.

Marty James, Friendship Club of Oxbow secretary and treasurer, noted that after the pandemic restrictions, their nice facility, which they recently upgraded with a new ramp, deck and automated doors, has

been seeing less traffic. The current members are trying to attract more people to be able to breathe life into the club again and host more activities on a regular basis.

“It hasn’t been that busy lately, that’s why we’re trying to get more members so we can get more people coming out to do things,”

James said. “We are hoping to get more members that will start help planning activities. Right now, I think we only have four or five people that plan activities. But we need more active members that are willing to do that. For example, last winter every month we had a potluck supper that was open to anybody, not just members.”

James noted that they applied for and received a few grants, which helped with building maintenance, and they are very grateful for the support. In the past couple of years, they redid the floor, updated the bathrooms and added a baby changing station. The ramp renos became possible thanks to a grant from the New Horizons for Seniors, which is a federal grants and

contributions program.

The Community Initiatives Fund pays for yoga, dances and other activities. Other supporters include the Town of Oxbow and Affinity Credit Union. They also had a change in executives last spring, and Mark Barnes became the new president.

People are welcome to come check out the club, enjoy their events and join the club if they want. Dances have been by donation lately, James said, and participants pay $2 a day for activities.

The club currently has just over 20 members. But they hope to see more interest, as it’s a great organization to be a part of and membership also comes with benefits.

“Any adult is welcome to join,” James said. “Our building is also available for rent for the community. And if you’re a member and you want to rent it for your family activity, like showers, anniversaries or something like that, then you get it at half price on the rental charges.”

When needed, club

members help with serving during the events and cleaning after. They are also serving supper at the Oxbow’s Farmers Market on Thursday, which takes place right outside their doors. The club will also have some activities for kids during the day.

The Friendship Club of Oxbow has a long history. Their current building was put up in 1984, James said, but the club existed even before that. Until recently, it was for those 55-plus, but two years ago members changed the approach to

open it up to everyone, and a few younger people took the opportunity. For more on their

monthly schedule and current activities see the Friendship Club of Oxbow Facebook page.

Government increases Seniors’ Income Plan benefit

The Government of Saskatchewan is investing an additional $3 million in the Seniors Income Plan (SIP) this year, helping approximately 14,500 seniors with low income enjoy a better quality of life.

“I am proud to announce our

government’s continued commitment to making life more affordable for seniors,” Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said.

“This increase to the Seniors Income Plan represents an investment to support positive outcomes for Saskatchewan people.”

On July 1, the maximum monthly benefit increased $30 per month from $330 to $360 for single seniors, and from $295 to $325 per month each for married partners, for a total of $650 per month.

The SIP provides seniors with financial assistance to help meet

their basic needs, in addition to income they receive through the Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Eligible seniors automatically receive this benefit based on the filing of their most recent income tax return.

According to a news release

from the government released last week, this fulfills the Government of Saskatchewan’s three-year commitment to increase SIP benefits. This is also the eighth increase since 2008, when maximum benefits for single seniors were $90 per month.

One Month FREE

Many people turned out for a dance and potluck at the Friendship Club of Oxbow on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Mark Barnes

The fully accessible Friendship Club of Oxbow, located at 513 Peters Avenue, welcomes people of all ages to join them for their regular activities and events.