Estevan Mercury 20231122

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6th ANNUAL

s Christma CATALOGUE Find gifts in estevan and Carlyle for everyone on your list!

Looking for gift ideas? Find all you need locally with the help of the Christmas catalogue inside this paper

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

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Festival of Trees brings community together to support hospital The Salvation Army is fundraising for the food bank and other programs PAGE A3

Officer is recovering.

Estevan police chief ‘s letter after a fatal incident PAGE A5 The Bromantics entertained the guests at the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees gala on Saturday.

Photos by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

By Ana Bykhovskaia

What to do in Estevan? A variety of great things to experience in Estevan is listed on PAGES A8 - 9

Grow your ‘stache, support good cause.

Sgt. McMillen shares his story in the Mercury’s Movember special.

PAGE A12

Another successful Festival of Trees, organized by the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, brought thousands of people together during the weekend.

The kick-off to the Christmas series of festive and fun events started with the Estevan Kinettes’ Christmas Marketplace (see Page A3 for more), and was followed by a busy Festival of Trees gala at Affinity Place on Saturday.

The festive night offered entertainment by the Bromantics, live and silent auctions, a jingle and mingle hour, several raffles and supper, with all funds raised going towards the St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Christmas wish list.

“On behalf of St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation staff and directors, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being part of our 11th annual Festival of Trees.

Today, we celebrate the generosity of our community as they continue to give back in a way that has enabled us to continue to support local health care in southeast Saskatchewan,” said SJHF executive director Lori Gervais in her remarks at the gala.

“Tonight, we come together as one community to support a cause that affects us all. With your help, we are able to support our hospital right here at home.”

Gervais also thanked the Fes-

tival of Trees committee for their passion for the event and help with the organization, and all the sponsors and supporters.

St. Joseph’s Hospital executive director Candace Kopec thanked the community at the gala as well, and talked about how the funds raised locally allow the hospital to stay on top of renovations and updating the equipment. She also acknowledged and thanked the hospital leadership and other staff.

Eight trees were available during a live auction at the gala, along with several trips and a Michael Lonechild original painting. Among the trees, Countdown to Christmas sold for the most money, with $3,700 going towards the diagnostic imaging ward.

The most expensive item of the night was a Caribbean cruise, which sold for $7,750. The Bromantics’ drumsticks, meanwhile, sold for $300.

The total for 15 items sold through the live auction, conducted by the Mack Auction Company, came to over $51,000.

The Hometown Family Fun Day the next day was sponsored by the Estevan Mercury and saw many activities occurring around the community for free or by donation for everyone to enjoy. Local kids could visit and take pictures with Santa Claus at the Estevan Market Mall, write letters to him and his elves at Santa’s workshop at the leisure centre, watch free Christmas movies

at the Orpheum Theatre, get gifts at Santa’s Sleigh, have their faces painted and do some crafts all at Affinity, use up energy at bouncy castles at the Estevan Church of God, go swimming at the pool, and enjoy free milk and cookies at McDonald’s.

In a follow-up interview with the Mercury and SaskToday, Gervais noted that she received a lot of positive feedback from the community, and the Festival of Trees weekend went well.

“The event was successful. It felt like our auctions and our trees sold for great amounts … The totals are still coming in. I can’t say that it’ll be a record-breaking year, but I do feel that it’s going to be fantastic as

always,” Gervais said. “It’s entirely sponsored, so anything that we make is profit … The gala was great, and the same with the hometown Family Fun Day. The Sunday events were very well-attended. We had people at all the events at all times.”

She noted the current Hometown Family Fun Day setup with events happening at different locations is working really well, and they hope to continue and grow their offering so that there is something for everyone in the community during the Festival of Trees weekend.

“We want the entire weekend to be something that can be enjoyed by all the different demographics,” A1 » TEA

Melky, Griffey, Jackie and Rhiannon La Rose stopped at the Santa’s Workshop in the Estevan Leisure Centre for crafts and pictures.

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Estevan Kinettes collecting PJs for local kids The Estevan Kinette Club is currently busy collecting pyjamas in the community to ensure every kid in the area gets a new set on Christmas day.

The club's PJ Project, co-chaired by Chelsey Istace and Kristol Nagy, collects and distributes pyjamas for kids ages newborn to 16 whose families apply for Christmas hampers through the Estevan Community Hamper Association, which also runs the Angel Tree campaign.

Istace said they expect the demand to be close to the last year, with about 400 pairs of pyjamas to be needed.

The collection is underway, with the main drop-off location set up at Jenny Joans until Dec. 8. Pyjamas can also be dropped off with the project co-chairs.

They also are participating in several events in the community to ensure they raise enough to meet the demand.

"We had a great kickoff to The PJ Project this year with the Bruins game on November 11th," said Istace. "Several groups are also collecting for us, including local radio, the nurses union, Estevan Recreational Dance [Club], Spruce Ridge School; and OM Yoga Studio is hosting yoga for a cause."

They had 30 pairs of pyjamas dropped off at the Bruins game and sold over 50 pairs for a $10 donation each. All of those collected will go to the children on the Angel Tree list.

"We are so thankful for the support of this generous community," Kinettes said

in their post on Facebook.

"This was a great start to our collection."

Spruce Ridge School is hosting a pyjama drive to support the Angel Tree program. Donations can be dropped off at the Western Financial group before Dec. 5.

While The PJ Project provides pyjamas for all children 16 and under on the list, they usually receive more of particular sizes. Istace said the most needed sizes are always for the older children, including sizes 7/8 and up for men's and women's extra large.

For more information or to arrange a drop-off or delivery, reach out to any member of the Estevan Kinette Club or The PJ Project Facebook pages.

The Kinettes had a head start to their pyjamas collection at the Estevan Bruins game on Nov. 11, with 30 pairs of PJs dropped off and over 50 pairs sold. Photo sourced from The PJ Project Facebook page

Tea parties are being delivered to seniors « A1 Gervais said.

Eight tea parties with dainties and entertainment are being delivered to senior living facilities in and around Estevan and to Estevan Diversified Services to ensure everyone in the community is a part of the festival and has an opportunity to enjoy the Christmas spirit.

“In the past, we had a tea afternoon either on the Friday or the Saturday once Affinity was set up, which was wonderful and open to the public, but we did find it was a struggle to get some of the seniors into the Affinity because it was down on the ice surface. And then, once COVID hit, of course, ev-

erything changed, so we had done some delivering of tea parties to the different homes so that everybody there could participate,” recalled Gervais.

“And last year … we went into all of the [senior living] homes, and we provided entertainment and a tea party and a gift for all the seniors, and they could invite family as well. And this year, we decided to have Christmas tea parties right in the homes again, and we’ve added a couple of facilities …

So that way, they’re getting a

chance to participate in the Festival of Trees as well.”

The weekend loaded with activities brought the community together while raising funds for the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.

Their Christmas wish list this year included five IV pumps ($4,000 each), three syringe pumps ($4,000 each), wheelchairs ($600 each), four blood pressure machines ($2,500 each), a bladder scanner ($12,000), two hospital beds with air mattresses ($26,000), a stretcher with a

scale ($8,000), an electrocardiogram machine ($15,000), blanket warmers ($6,00015,000), an ultraviolet cleaning robot ($75,000), an anesthesia machine ($100,000), and an ultrasound machine for the emergency room ($100,000).

The total for the fundraising efforts wasn’t available at press time.

Gervais said they are grateful for all the support.

“We are so fantastically amazed every year by the support of the community.

And of course, we couldn’t do it without, without my volunteers and without all the extra help.

And every year it seems to be getting better and better,” Gervais said.

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Jaxon and Miya Cederwall checked out Santa’s Sleigh of Gifts at the Affinity Place foyer.

Presents:

Christmas Bingo

Pick up your Bingo Card at the following participating business: Diamond Skin Solutions | A&A Jewellery | EECOL Electric | The Brick | Henders Drugs Onyx & Ivory House of Beauty | Estevan Trophy & Engraving | Orpheum Theatre | Toe Bean Co Local Buzz Liquor | Sholter Horsman Furniture & Appliance | Graphic Press | TWB Home Decor Western Financial Group | The Floor Store (Carlyle & Estevan) | Gerry Freezer Meats Pharmasave Estevan | Pharmasave Carlyle | Estevan Mercury | Carlyle Observer -Final Date to enter is December 17 at 11:59 pm.

-Draw Date is December 18 with the winners being contacted and their names published on December 20 in the Estevan Mercury and December 22 in the Carlyle Observer.

-Read through the Estevan Mercury on November 22, 29 and December 6 and 13, AND the Carlyle Observer on November 24 and December 1, 8 and 15th to find the winning Bingo Numbers. Can be found on www.sasktoday.ca/other/digitaledition-links#south -You can enter to win by having a Blackout, X, Any Two Lines, Any One Line, or No Lines. All entries are eligible to win a prize. Winners will be drawn at random for each prize level corresponding to their Bingo Card.

-Numbers have to be legible in order to verify win. If we can not verify the number the card will be disqualified.

-Participants may enter more than one Bingo Card (photocopies or reproductions in any way will be disqualified).

-Participants can enter by dropping the Bingo Cards off at the Estevan Mercury and Carlyle Observer offices, or email to contests@estevanmercury.ca If you enter by email, the picture must be in colour, back and front, and must be presented in person if it is a winning Bingo Card.

-Prizes will be listed in the Estevan Mercury and the Carlyle Observer, along with all rules.

-Only a select number of individually numbered Bingo Cards have been printed.

PRIZES & WINNING BINGO CARDS GRAND PRIZE - BLACKOUT Leather-Look Fabric Rocker Recliner - Value $1299

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TWO LINES ANY DIRECTION Gift Card of your choice from one of the Christmas Catalogue

Businesses - Value $100

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NO LINES 25 Movie Passes/Gift Cards

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Kinettes Christmas Marketplace supports the hospital The parking lot north of Affinity Place was full since Saturday morning, as hundreds of people headed to the Estevan Kinettes Christmas Marketplace at the Wylie-Mitchell and Estevan Exhibition Halls.

The event started at 10 a.m., and within the first 1 1/2 hours, it saw over 500 people coming through the doors.

The 40th annual Christmas sale offered a wide variety of hand-made items, as well as baking and crafts, with proceeds going towards the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation's Festival of Trees fundraising efforts.

Estevan cadets helped organizers by running the canteen.

Janelle Luddington, who spearheads the Kinettes Christmas Marketplace, said they can accommodate a maximum of 70 vendors across the two buildings, and even though a few people dropped out, they had more on the waiting list and were able to have a full lineup again this year.

"We have 70 booths like we have every year, but just a different variety this year. We have some of our usuals, and then we got some new ones that

came from different areas. We've got some from Arcola, some from the Radville area, we've got some from Midale, some from Regina and all the way to Lumsden," Luddington said.

"And so far, it's been a very busy day."

All show participants were from Saskatchewan except for one vendor who came from Manitoba.

Luddington said she starts working on organizing the event right after the previous one is over. She accepts applications from regular vendors from the day after through to June 1, and then opens it up to new participants.

"This year, we already have over 10 registrations for next year in place," Luddington said, noting that they usually have a lot of interest from participants and the community every year.

"If it's snowing on the day of the show, it's going to be a great show because people will feel like it's Christmas. If it's nice and warm outside and people want to be outside and want to go do something, welcome to the show. I always look at it that way. And

With 70 vendors participating the Estevan Kinettes Marketplace attracted hundreds of people on Saturday.

I'm really thankful for the support that we get from Estevan, because we work hard setting up the market, so, it's nice to have people come down," Luddington said.

Luddington spearheads the event, with five to eight Kinettes helping with the setup and close to

20 members of the club involved on the day of the sale.

"Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible," Luddington said.

When the Kinettes took over the Christmas craft sale years ago, they only had enough vendors to fill the central area of the Wylie-Mitchell

building. They grew participation and expanded the event to two buildings about five years ago. Now that the event proved to be a popular community attraction, they usually end up with a waiting list, so Luddington said they may try growing it further in the future.

Estevan Salvation Army aims to raise $125,000 this season, calls for kettle volunteers

By Ana Bykhovskaia The Estevan Salvation Army is set to start its Christmas fundraising campaigns that help them get through the year.

With the drastic increase in food bank use this year, the Salvation Army had to raise its goals for both the Christmas kettle and mail-out campaigns to a total of $125,000, up from $90,000 last year. The hope is to raise $25,000 through kettles that will be run by volunteers at different locations in December and generate $100,000 through the letter appeal.

"Our goal is up from last year, but our demand is way up this year. We've seen almost a 25 per cent increase in people using the food bank. And it's expensive to keep it running.

Groceries are expensive for us as well when we're trying to fill the shelves in the food bank. And so when we look at the numbers of what we're spending, we need to have that

increase ... But we always get such great support from the community, and we appreciate that people are helping their neighbours" said director of ministry Ronza Reynard.

"There are so many people accessing the food bank, so many people that need that little extra top off in their groceries until their next paycheque comes through. So, we want to make sure that we always have our shelves well stocked, so that people have a variety when they come in to get their stuff."

The Salvation Army's letters will start appearing in people's mailboxes this week. "[The letter appeal is for] anybody who wants to mail in a donation if they're not going to get to a kettle, or they can come down to the office and drop it off. If anybody or any businesses wants to get their picture taken with the crew down here, we can put it on social media and thank them publicly, that's also a good idea," Reynard said.

Money raised during the Christmas season helps the Salvation Army run the foodbank, which is their biggest program and organized as a store where people can come and pick up groceries they need within a set limit for their family at no charge.

These funds also allow the organization to run their Back to School Backpack program, send kids to camps and run seniors' lunches.

Kettles will be out at the Southern Plains Co-op grocery store in Estevan and Clifton's No Frills from Dec. 1-23, Monday through Saturday. Volunteers will appear in Walmart from Dec. 11-23 as well, and there will also be a kettle set up at the Estevan Market Mall on Saturdays during the Christmas Farmers' Markets.

The Salvation Army is currently working on arranging volunteers to run kettles.

They are inviting individuals, organizations and businesses to come join the campaign,

promote their businesses and help them raise funds for important community initiatives.

If somebody wants to work a kettle shift, or if there's a company that wants to take a day at one of the locations, they can call the Salvation Army at 306- 634-2074 and talk to Jackie Wynne.

"We are looking for service groups, businesses, individuals, maybe somebody who wants to do it as a family.

Students at the high school can sign up to get their volunteer hours, too. There's lots of opportunity for people, many locations and a big enough schedule that we can fit everybody in," Reynard said.

"We do need the support of the community. Whether that's through a donation or taking two hours to stand at a kettle, all of this is going to come together and we just appreciate anybody who wants to partner with us and take on some kind of a role with us throughout the Christmas season."

Salvation Army's Christmas kettles will pop up in Estevan in December to help the organization raise funds for the food bank and other projects. File photo The Salvation Army also put out a challenge for local businesses, inviting them to compete in collecting nonperishable food items for the foodbank. They will wrap it up

on Nov. 30 and then crown an Estevan Food Champion of 2023 for a business that collected the most food and was the most creative in arranging it for a picture.

Envision Counselling addresses escalating violence rates November marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Envision Counselling and Support Centre Inc. is recognizing and bringing awareness to the issues and hardships individuals are facing in the southeast.

The Wikipedia definition states that "Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence [IPV ], is domestic violence by a current or former spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner.

IPV can take a number of forms, including physical,

verbal, emotional, economic and sexual abuse."

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines IPV as "any behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological or sexual harm to those in the relationship, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours."

According to Stats Canada, "in 2021, police reported 114,132 victims of intimate partner violence aged 12 years and older. It marked the seventh consecutive year of a gradual increase in this type

of violence. [Nearly] eight in ten [79 per cent] victims of such violence were women and girls, and the rate of victimization was nearly four times higher among women and girls than men and boys."

"These facts are incredibly eye-opening, but sadly, not surprising," said Laura Melle, director of operations at Envision Counselling and Support Centre Inc. "As an agency, we are definitely noticing an increase in demand for services and support for those who have been impacted by intimate partner abuse in their lives.

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"What sometimes goes unrecognized, is the full scope of the impact that this violence has on communities.

Intimate partner violence not only impacts those who are directly experiencing the abuse, but it also impacts the family safety and mental health of children and many other individuals involved such as caregivers, educational staff, etc."

Envision provides therapeutic counselling and support services through a number of programs to individuals who have been, or are at risk of being, impacted

by crime and/or abuse. The interpersonal violence and abuse (IVA) program, specifically supports individuals who have been impacted by violence and abuse in their lives, whether it be personally or secondary, while the family intervention rapid support team (FIRST) helps those who are at risk.

Envision provides a safe space to navigate traumatic experience and the healing journey. Most of the programming and services at Envision are provided free of charge.

To learn more about En-

vision's services, reach out to any of their office locations or email info@envisioncounsellingcentre.com. There is also an "Ask a Counsellor" option available on their website www.envisioncounsellingcentre.com.

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EDITORIAL A4

| Wednesday, November 22, 2023 | www.SASKTODAY.ca

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Volume 118 Issue 21 Contact us: (306) 634-2654 68 Souris Avenue N. Estevan, SK S4A 2M3 www.estevanmercury.ca @Estevan_Mercury facebook.com/EstevanMercury

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Published weekly by Prairie Newspaper Group Limited Partnership, 68 Souris Avenue N., Estevan, SK S4A 2M3.The Estevan Mercury is owned and operated

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Conditions of editorial and advertising content: The Estevan Mercury attempts to be accurate in Editorial and Advertising content; however, no guarantee is given or implied. The Estevan Mercury reserves the right to revise or reject any or all editorial and advertising content as the newspaper’s principals see fit. The Estevan Mercury will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an advertisement, and is not responsible for errors in advertisements except for the space occupied by such errors.

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EDITORIAL

There's plenty of fun activities to enjoy Please don't hate us for what we're about to say, but there's just a few more weeks until the first day of winter.

It's hard to believe given the weather we've had of late. It's hard to find people who are complaining when the daytime high is close to the date on the calendar in November. If it's 13 C on Nov. 19, a lot of people will be in good moods, even if they want the much-needed moisture associated with snow, or if they look forward to having fun outdoors in the white stuff.

We endured an early blast of winter, we had nearly a foot of snow on the ground a few weeks ago, but that snow is gone. And while more seasonal temperatures are about to settle in, and we likely won't see 13 C again until March, a week or two of temperatures well above normal sure help this time of year go by quickly.

Just because the days are getting shorter, the sunset is at or before 5 p.m. and the leaves have fallen from the trees doesn't mean we can't have any fun. There is still lots to do. It just might mean spending more time indoors.

You'll still find plenty of events in the southeast each year, especially with Christmas approaching. We just had one of the most popular ones in Estevan with the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation's Festival of Trees. It provided two days of great activities that generated funds and created lots of

awareness for the efforts of the hospital foundation.

If you're willing to venture outdoors in the coming weeks, you might enjoy something like the Miracle on Fourth Street event hosted by the Estevan Downtown Business Association which will have in-store specials at local businesses and activities on the street.

The Woodlawn Regional Park is hosting its Festival of Lights once again this year, and there will be a kick-off to that event in mid-December. CP Rail's Holiday Train will also be making its way into the community, bringing lots of holiday cheer while creating support for the Salvation Army's Foodbank.

Outside of Estevan, you have events like the Dickens' Village Festival in Carlyle on Dec. 1 and 2, which has become a tremendous showcase for that community's hospitality and Christmas spirit. Santa Claus parades are a popular activity at this time of year, too.

The coming weeks will also have all sorts of Christmas carol festivals, school assemblies and more to boost the Christmas spirit.

There'll be plenty to do once Christmas is finished and 2024 begins.

The hockey arena and curling rink play such an important role in so many communities. They not only serve as a place where we can gather to watch some entertaining sports, but they also serve as a spot to come together, socialize and enjoy some good food

and drink during the game, regardless of whether you're a fan.

We have some really good hockey teams in Estevan this year that are well worth our support. And the Big Six Hockey League is celebrating its 65th season of delivering entertaining senior hockey to the southeast.

You can also visit your local library to check out the activities they have to offer. If your museum is open in the winter months, it will also have programming.

If the outdoors in the winter is your thing, then you can try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating or long walks in the snow, as long as you dress warmly, of course. Ice fishing certainly has its proponents, and it can be a fun way to spend the day in a heated shack. And then there's snowmobiling, which is always a popular activity, as long as there is enough snow on the ground.

If you're into photography, a picture of the sunrise or the sunset over the snow can be stunning.

And if you need help looking for things to do, be sure to check out Pages A8 and 9 for a list of activities to experience in the southeast in the coming weeks and months, as compiled by the City of Estevan.

So there's going to be lots to do in the coming months, even if you need your imagination to find these activities.

The pandemic rush now may cost our well-being When the pandemic hit Canada, blanketing most of the country with lockdowns and shutdowns, the fast-introduced Canada Emergency Response Benefit, Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and some other programs felt like a bit of an economic relief in a huge, terrifying storm.

With CERB, the money – a sum close to a minimal wage, which was yet to be taxed – allowed many people to sleep better at night without fearing losing roofs over their heads or worrying that their kids wouldn't have food on their plates. At the same time, CEWS allowed businesses to hold on to their employees and hopefully stay in operation for the future.

For quite a few people I know, those payments became a lifelife at a time when their jobs, professions and skills became temporarily obsolete due to a global state of emergency.

I remember how proud I felt to be a part of Canada at the time because in my eyes, such an approach was evidence of the value of citizens' well-being for the state, as well as an understanding of the role of businesses.

However, even then, the technical side of the programs was a concern. It was rolled out really fast and seemed poorly organized.

Questions about who would pay for those really necessary but also really costly measures, and how it would happen, were left without answers. (I was following the situation in a few other countries, and none of them had anything similar or as broad, leaving it up to employers to mitigate the storm or up to people to survive it however they could.)

We are many months away from that storm now, and the government has been tirelessly working on finding the answers.

Ana Bykhovskaia Twenty Lines About…

Unfortunately, those answers will bring a lot of disturbance to many Canadians.

The news about people having the CERB money recalled started coming up over a year ago, and a lot of the stories were heartbreaking.

At the time when it all started, most people did their best to follow the guidelines and ensure they were eligible. They were laid off, couldn't provide their services or ship their goods due to restrictions, so they indeed needed that money to survive. And the government system confirmed it back then. So, they received thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars over the course of those pandemic years.

Of course, when it comes to any subsidies or aid programs, I believe there are always going to be people abusing the system or just taking money because they formally can, not because they really need it. But most people who applied for the wage subsidy or any kind of benefits during the pandemic had no other real means to stay above water. Crisis always hits vulnerable sectors the worst and the poor get poorer.

There are more or fewer people taking advantage of support programs, depending on how the program is rolled out, but someone will always find a way to benefit, while for others it will be an instrument of survival and potentially a return to a better situation. But

with the pandemic subsidies, it was obvious from the start that due to the rush with rolling it out, we'd see a big mess afterwards.

A portion of the summary was released Monday, revealing the scale of the mess with the CEWS, which reportedly distributed about $100 billion in wage subsidies over its course.

The Canada Revenue Agency reported that they are recalling millions of dollars distributed during the pandemic times. The report says the CRA has denied or adjusted $458 million in funds disbursed to employers through a pandemic-era wage subsidy program as a result of a partially-completed auditing process. (Most findings cover the period ending March 31, but the report also offers more up-to-date figures as of Sept. 29).

The report showed that the majority of employers that received the subsidy were highly compliant and that most claim adjustments were related to calculation errors and lack of documentation, rather than ineligibility. Similar situations occurred with many people receiving CERB, however, it didn't mean they didn't need to repay thousands they received, which for many of them would be crushingly expensive.

We did return back to normal some time ago, but most people and businesses haven't accumulated much since then to start paying for bureaucratic mistakes.

And while the CRA recalls are, de facto, an attempt to put taxpayers' money back into the budget, the government's rush with rolling out the programs now may once again tilt the scale for many individuals and businesses.

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David Willberg Willberg’s World

Christmas is coming. Support local business It’s become a recurring message we hear every year as Christmas approaches: the need to shop locally.

Perhaps you roll your eyes when you hear somebody preaching about buying your Christmas gifts and other holiday items from the merchants in your community.

Or maybe you’ve been aware of the need to support these companies for years.

Regardless, it’s vital to support our local business community, because, without these businesses, we don’t have a community.

This is the time of year many of them rely on more than any other. Some of them have been advertising their pre-Christmas deals for a few weeks now and had their Christmas displays up before Halloween was finished.

But a lot of us aren’t thinking about Christmas on Nov. 1. My rule of thumb is to keep Christmas out of my thoughts until after the Grey Cup. A lot of people might not start thinking about the holidays until Black Friday, which is the day after the U.S. Thanksgiving and now the biggest shopping day of the year.

We’re starting to ask our friends and family what they want for Christmas. We’re dropping hints about what we’re looking for. We’re checking out the different sources for gift ideas.

The next few weeks can be the make-or-break time for retailers and other businesses in the community. If they have a great pre-Christmas season, then they’re typically going to make money and it’s going to be a great Christmas for them and their staff. If they don’t, then the end of 2023 might not be so pleasant.

When a business is no longer profitable, it’s at risk of closing. When it shuts down, it not only affects the entrepreneur, but it also impacts all of its employees and their families. It leaves a hole in the community.

Most years, I’ll be back in B.C. for Christmas. But I make it a point to complete my Christmas shopping before I leave Estevan. Part of it is because of timing; I usually arrive in B.C. just a few days before Christmas and don’t have the time (or desire) to fend off last-minute shoppers. But I’ve also come to realize I’d rather do my shopping here, even if there’s a risk that I might not be able to exchange a gift should a shopping miscue occur.

I understand that a lot of people now prefer shopping online. Amazon is convenient. You can find everything you need without leaving your home. They have overnight delivery and you don’t have to contend with long lineups or product shortages.

But they aren’t in our community. They don’t offer direct employment, they don’t pay taxes and they don’t support us. Amazon and other online shopping giants get more out of us than we do out of them.

I heard the names of a number of businesses being mentioned at Saturday night’s Festival of Trees gala fundraiser at Affinity Place. I saw many other businesses purchase corporate tables. But I didn’t see any sort of presence from Amazon.

Say what you will about the big box stores, but at least many of them are owned by a local franchisee, they provide employment for people and they contribute to local causes.

You know that when you purchase something from them, there is a benefit for the community.

I don’t have an Amazon membership. I’m confident I never will, despite some of the advantages that it provides.

I don’t need Amazon. But I do need the businesses we have in Estevan.

Our annual Christmas catalogue can be found in this week’s edition of the Mercury. It’s filled with all sorts of great Christmas gift ideas. You’ll find something for everyone, from a loved one to a co-worker whose name you drew in the office secret Santa.

If you need a reminder of all that Estevan’s business community has to offer, this Christmas catalogue is perfect.

If you misplace it, that’s okay, because the participating businesses will carry extra copies.

There are so many reasons to shop locally, not just as Christmas approaches but once it is finished and Boxing Day sales begin, and then once the new year begins.

Keep those factors in mind as you make your shopping decisions.

Estevan’s police chief grateful for support shown by many The editor: As many of you know, on Nov. 1, the Estevan Police Service was involved in multiple serious incidents. During that time, two lives were lost and Sgt. Braden Lonsberry suffered a gunshot wound.

Let me first acknowledge the loss of life on that terrible day, and say that our deepest condolences go out to the family members suffering from that loss.

I wanted to send a letter to all those who assisted with us on that day to personally say thank you. There were so many agencies involved in assisting us that it is impossible to recognize everyone.

To our friends at the Weyburn Police Service, Regina Police Service, Moose Jaw Police Service, the RCMP and the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers, the support in helping

us has been overwhelming. There was help with everything from maintaining operations in meeting the needs of the community, to investigating the serious crimes that had occurred, to assisting the family members of those involved.

Officers came together to help support us. The well wishes and offerings of support from all over our great province and from across Canada were truly remarkable. As I said, there were so many agencies helping us that it is hard to name you all, but please know that it was truly appreciated.

To the members of St. Joseph’s Hospital and paramedics, the emergency service you provided was the best I have ever witnessed in over 34 years of policing. Thank you for all the help you provided to the injured and their families. The professionalism and dedication you gave on that day was second

to none. Thank you to the STARS Air Ambulance and Regina General Hospital for the fantastic medical service you provided to us.

Finally, I wanted to say thank you to the community. The support you gave to us on that very difficult day was so greatly appreciated. Words cannot describe the gratitude that I feel. I know it affected so many people and to have you come together with us reminds us of why we do what we do.

I wanted to let you know that we are doing well. Sgt. Lonsberry is recovering at home and will be returning to duty.

We are still standing in service of Estevan but I want you to know, we are standing because you hold us up.

My personal thank you to you all.

Chief Rich Lowen Estevan Police Service

Bienfait Lions preparing for community theatre’s return

Shauna Stock (portraying Dora), Patrick Dupuis (Doc), Katie Dunville (Lydia) and Sue Resler (Maggie) are among the cast members. Photo by Shelley Carroll For the first time since 2019, the Bienfait Lions Community Theatre will be taking to the stage and entertaining an audience.

Dinner theatre performances of Those Crazy Ladies in the House on the Corner will happen on Nov. 24 and 25 at the Bienfait Weldon School gymnasium. Cocktails will be served starting at 6 p.m., followed by a roast beef and ham supper, prepared by local volunteers, at 7 p.m. The two-act show starts after supper each night.

Shelley Carroll, who is the organizer of the production and a 20-year Bienfait Lions Club member, said preparations are coming along well. Actors have been at the school twice a week to get ready for the show. Rehearsals are happening nightly.

Four women and four men are

part of the cast.

“Anybody that’s gone to the theatre before will recognize lots of faces, but there are a few new ones as well,” said Carroll.

“Unfortunately, we had a couple that retired from acting so we’re bringing up some new ones.”

Carroll pointed out that production requires a lot of people behind the scenes. The director and the prompter are volunteers. Others work on sound and lights. People help out by preparing and serving the dinner.

Carroll said she has been to a number of the rehearsals and expects it will be a very funny show. There are three elderly sisters who always want to talk at the same time. A doctor moves a nurse into the house, and the newcomer has the sisters planning parties,

pulling pranks and jogging around town.

“When their nephew shows up with plans to sell the house, things get complicated again, especially with Christmas around the corner,” said Carroll, who described it as a “heart-warming piece filled with one-liners”.

The event is the primary fundraiser of the year for the Bienfait Lions Club. “ We had to bring it back,” said Carroll. “It’s a great fundraiser for the whole town.

All of the facilities and groups will get money from it.”

The town’s swimming pool, hockey arena and curling rink will benefit, as will the Bienfait branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Bienfait Minor Hockey and other organizations.

The theatre is held in memory of Dwight Thompson, who brought it to the community many years ago and was a fixture in the production.

Ticket sales have been going well, she said. Approximately 140-150 tickets have been purchased for each show, and the capacity is about 200 people. A couple of businesses will have their Christmas party at the theatre.

A6 November 22, 2023

www.SASKTODAY.ca

Estevan packs close to 400 shoeboxes for kids Estevan and surrounding communities collected 397 shoeboxes filled with gifts for kids around the world this year.

Operation Christmas Child saw a bit less in-person engagement, noted Jillian Ursu, who is in her 10th year as the team lead of the local campaign, but people still have the option to pack more gifts for kids online. The online contributions are not included in the local total and the organizers won't know that figure until later.

"The campaign went well.

It's comparable to last year. I think we had about 60 more last year, so we are really close," Ursu said.

Last year, there were about 50 more shoeboxes packed in the southeast through an online option.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse, and it brings hope and joy into the lives of hurting children around the world, thanks to gift-filled shoeboxes.

Since its inception in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million shoeboxes to children in over 170 countries and territories.

For many of these children, the shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.

Boxes packed locally, along with others from Canada this year, will be going to children in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ukraine and the Philippines. Ursu said the decision on recipient countries is usually based on several factors.

"It's often where they can make partnerships of some sort to be able to get the boxes over there. And then also, there's Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child in other countries, like the United States, the U.K. [as well as Australia, Austria, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain and Switzerland], so we try to go in different countries that they partner with," she explained.

Now that the campaign has been running in Estevan for over 10 years, a lot of people are more familiar with the process, which made it smoother.

"Most people came in with their tags on their box, their elastics on their box and all ready to go, and just brought it in. They knew the process.

There were a few though that you definitely knew they were packing for the first time. We just go through the brochure and give them a heads up … on some of the don'ts to put in

Operation Christmas Child wrapped up its collection week in Estevan on Sunday, Jillian and Emmalee Ursu, with the help of the Estevan Bruins, packed the gifts on the truck to be delivered to children around the world. the box and some ideas of what to put in there, too," Ursu said.

About five to 10 per cent of supporters were new to the campaign, Ursu said, but some of them had been im-

pacted by the project before and wanted to continue the tradition.

"We get a lot of people who are newcomers to the area, who pack because they either

20th Annual Dickens Village Festival December 1 & 2, 2023 -English Market Tradeshow - 2 locations-

Elementary School Gym & That Place on Railway from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00.p.m

-Free Entertainment-

At Fezziwig’s Pub - Friday 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. & Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Santa Claus - Saturday - 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. & Santa Toy Room Breakfast with Santa - Saturday from 9-11am

-Food Vendors-

On Main St. both evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

-Lighted Parade-

themselves received a shoebox, or they knew somebody who did. So, you hear stories about that, too, and it's really neat to meet some of the people like that," Ursu said.

She also thanked the volunteers who helped her collect the boxes this year.

"We put a call out usually within our church for people to volunteer during collection week because we were open quite a bit during collection … I think we had 13 volunteers total that were working throughout the week to help make sure that people had a friendly face to greet them when they brought their boxes. I wouldn't be able to do it without them," Ursu said.

Both evenings at 6:00 p.m.

Parade Route: Start at Nursing Home, then east on Railway Avenue to Main Street. Down Main Street to 1st Street E., back to Railway Avenue and back down Main Street.

-Cornerstone Theatre Christmas Carol, Slightly Twisted -High Tea • Horse Drawn Wagon Rides Variety of Activities to Enjoy Contact 453-2363 or 306-577-7543 for more information. Or check out our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/CarlyleDickensFestival

City Hall: 1102 4th Street 8 am to 4:30 pm | (306) 634-1800

Leisure Office: 701 Souris Avenue 8 am to 4:30 pm | (306) 634-1880

Mayor’s Message Weekly Christmas Farmers’ Markets at the Estevan Market Mall start on Saturday, November 25, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Please support the local vendors.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Council of the City of Estevan pursuant to the Cities Act that the Council of the City of Estevan, gives notice of its intention to implement a bylaw to regulate buildings within the City of Estevan On November 13, 2023 meeting the first reading of the Bylaw 2023-2076 was passed and the final readings is expected to be on November 27, 2023 for implementation of January 1, 2024.

This bylaw will be the new Building Bylaw and some of the changes will be: Ø Service fees, deposits, and construction valuations will now be found in the City of Estevan Service Fees Bylaw Ø Moving and demolition permits expiry dates will be reduced . Ø Permit extensions will be now available if deemed acceptable by the Building Official. Ø Legislative changes updated.

The proposed Bylaws 2023-2076 may be inspected by any person in the City Clerk’s Office, on the main level of City Hall, between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Dated this l41h day of November, 2023.

Judy Pilloud City Clerk 11 02 41h Street, Estevan, SK S4A 0W7

MEMBER AT LARGE NEEDED! THE ESTEVAN BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS The City of Estevan invites interested citizens to sit on The Estevan Board of Police Commissioners.

If you are interested in becoming a Member at Large, please send a letter explaining your qualifications and what past experiences you have that could benefit this board in writing to: Judy Pilloud, City Clerk, City of Estevan • 1102, Fourth Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan, S4A 0W7 cityclerk@estevan.ca Criminal Records Check may be required upon request.

CUSTOM BLINDS

BUSINESS A7

| Wednesday, November 22, 2023 | www.SASKTODAY.ca

FLOORSTOREESTEVAN.CA

The Mercury’s sales team eager to meet business needs The Estevan Mercury has had some changes in its sales department, and the current tandem is eager to meet the needs of the community, especially with Christmas around the corner.

Christine Jones was promoted to the role of sales manager earlier this summer, while Kimberly Ball was hired as a sales representative in mid-October.

Jones said that when she was offered the position of assistant to the sales manager in August 2022, it was an instant "yes".

"This was going to be the new and challenging turn in my career for which I had been looking," said Jones. "Having been a legal assistant for most of my life, I was looking for a new and exciting career path that had chances for advancement."

The career advancement came much earlier than she originally had expected when she shifted to a sales represen-

tative last December, and she became the sales manager less than a year later.

"Being the sales manager has come with its struggles and more importantly, the successes. I have found the niche that I have always craved, where both my creative and analytical sides can merge."

Jones noted her father, grandfather and uncle all worked for the Brandon Sun in Brandon, Man., and when she started working there, she met Mark Jones, who would become her husband. She eventually left that paper to continue her post-secondary and become a legal assistant.

She and Mark moved to Estevan in 2010 when he started working at Estevan Web Printing.

The Joneses enjoy watching their son Carson play hockey and baseball and she is the Saskatchewan head of Challenger Baseball, which is an adaptive program creating opportunities for children

with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.

"Being a mom is the best job I have, and I devote all my time and energy to my son's passions," she said.

Jones said she is proud to have the Estevan Mercury team to work with.

"The Estevan Mercury team works very hard week in and week out to bring you, our readers, the news from our community."

Ball, who is a child of the pre-internet age, recalls that they had just one way to get their local news, movie listings or employment opportunities.

Everything was put in the newspaper, and she remembers her father reading it cover to cover, even the flyers.

"I think everyone in our household would read that week's issue at some point as they passed by the table it was on," she said.

Ball is a third-generation Estevanite, as she was born and raised here. She is the

oldest of five children in her family, with two sisters and two brothers.

"My husband Shannon Ball and I have three amazing kids and two beautiful granddaughters."

He comes from Lampman, although his dad's family was from the Alida and Redvers area and his mom was from Lampman as well.

Ball's mother Regina (Bunny) Rooks hails from the Lampman area and was a Leptich. Her father was Gary Biette, who died in 1973 before she was born, and Ball's mother married Dave Rooks.

Ball has always worked in customer service or sales in some way and is excited to bring her experience to what she called an "amazing opportunity" and to be a part of a long-standing institution of the community.

"I am so happy to be able to use my knowledge of customer service and sales to help Estevan's business com-

Sales representative Kimberly Ball, left, and sales manager Christine Jones are ready to meet the needs of the business community. Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia munity keep their advertising updated and make sure they stay noticed as trends change," Ball said.

To book an ad, you can

call either Jones or Ball at 306634-2654. You can email Jones at cjones@estevanmercury. ca, and you can email Ball at kball@estevanmercury.ca.

Christmas catalogue can be found in this week’s paper The Estevan Mercury is proud to once again present a popular pre-Christmas tradition in the southeast, the Christmas Catalogue.

Returning for its sixth season, the catalogue boasts some perennial favourites and quite a few new businesses.

"As in years past, the Christmas Catalogue takes many hours to put together, but it is one of our favourite features," said Estevan Mercury sales manager Christine

Jones. "We are very excited for our readers to view it."

Also new for this year's catalogue is a collaboration with our friends at the Carlyle Observer. The Christmas Catalogue includes a few businesses with locations in both Estevan and Carlyle.

"We felt that by printing 11,000 copies that go out to over 40 communities across

the southeast corner, the businesses that participated would have more coverage and all of our readers can shop locally for their holiday gifts this year," said Jones.

Our Christmas Catalogue has something for everybody. Not only does it have Christmas gift ideas for men, women, kids and seniors, but it can help people plan their

Christmas gatherings, find ideas for holiday décor, and get big gifts for the house or yard. It continues to be a showcase of many things that Estevan's business community has to offer.

The Mercury has also switched up its annual Christmas promotion this year with a Christmas Bingo. Our readers can visit the participating

businesses and pick up their Christmas Bingo card. Then they can read the Estevan Mercury and/or the Carlyle Observer – whether it be the print editions of each or online through the digital edition section at SaskToday. ca – to find the winning bingo numbers.

There is a grand prize for a blackout, and smaller

prizes for a cross, any two lines or any single line. Everyone who chooses to play can enter their non-winning card for a prize.

All entries can be submitted to either the Estevan Mercury, Carlyle Observer or through contests@estevanmercury.ca. Please see our ad on Page A2 for all the details.

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COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL SALES AND LEASING c: 306-421-7965 • o: 306-220-0980 • f: 306-634-0090 dbode@sasktel.net • prairiebusinessbrokers.com

Hey Kids !!

Send us your LETTERS TO SANTA We want to help you get your message to Santa by publishing it in the Estevan Mercury (YES!! Santa does read the Estevan Mercury)!

Write your message to Santa Claus, take a picture of it and email it to contests@estevanmercury.ca.

Please include your name and age. Be sure to write very dark and clearly!

One lucky letter will be randomly chosen to win $100.

All letters will be entered in the draw, but due to space not all can be printed.

By sending in your letter, you give permission to publish your child’s full name and their letter.

Deadline for submissions is December 14, 2023

A8 November 22, 2023

www.SASKTODAY.ca

www.SASKTODAY.ca

November 22, 2023 A9

ENERGY A10 | Wednesday, November 22, 2023 | www.SASKTODAY.ca

• Bulk Fuel • Cardlocks • Bulk Lubricants & Grease • Lubrication Storage & Equipment Solutions • Bulk DEF Solutions • Bottle Propane

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Council begins discussions on amended building bylaw Estevan city council gave first reading to amendments to its building bylaw during the Nov. 13 meeting.

In a report to council, land development services manager Richard Neufeld

and building official Matt Stepp said the document was last updated in 2018 and the bylaw presented on Nov. 13 was a complete rewrite.

The building bylaw's service fees and deposits

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will be moved to the service fees bylaw. There are some increases in those fees for the first time since 2018. A building permit for a house with a construction valuation of $500, the permit is still in compliance with the bylaw.

The bylaw still needs second and third reading from council before it is approved. The changes would take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

• • • Council gave its support to a petition from the Canadian Fire Underwriters' Association to support Canada's volunteer and paid on-call firefighters. It noted that 71 per cent of Canada's firefighters, or more than

90,000, work part-time.

There is a shortage in the number of firefighters in Canada, the petition noted, in part because of the low pay. There is a tax credit of $3,000, but according to the petition, if a firefighter exceeds 200 hours of service in a year, the credit is reduced.

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs wants to see the tax credit increase from $3,000 to $10,000.

Coun. Tr avis Fr ank noted there would be a "massive" increase in costs to the city if Estevan had to go from a paid, on-call department to having fulltime firefighters, and he thanked the businesses that allow employees to respond to fire calls.

• • • Council approved its meeting schedule for 2024.

There will be two meetings a month from January to June, one meeting in each of July and August, and two in September.

The Sept. 23, 2024, meeting is the last sched-

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• • • Four building permits worth $321,000 were issued in October, bringing the total for the year to 36 permits worth more than $2.7 million.

All four permits for October were classified as miscellaneous.

• • • Council gave second and third readings to a bylaw that allows for a vicechairperson position on the Estevan board of police commissioners. Currently, Mayor Roy Ludwig is the chairman, but there isn't a designated person to serve as vice-chair if he's unable to attend.

• • • The new ice covering for Affinity Place was used for the first time during the Trooper-Sass JordanNorthern Pikes concert on Nov. 9. It was also used for the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees gala supper on Nov. 18.

Council members reported that people weren't as cold when at floor level.

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uled meeting for the present council.

The 2024 civic election is scheduled for Nov. 13.

• • • Council approved amendments to the reasonable suspicion policy. The document was first brought forward in the fall of 2018 to deal with the legalization of recreational marijuana, and most of the changes are related to wording but there were also changes to drugs that carry a zero-tolerance.

• • • The monthl y water quality report showed the city treated more than 102.1 million litres of water and pumped more than 98.5 million litres into the distribution system in October.

There were no plant upsets and all regulated parameters for drinking water were met.

Coun. Lindsay Clark asked for a report on the number of water breaks for this year compared to last year. He said it seems like the city has had a lot fewer this year.

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CLASSIFIEDS A11 | Wednesday, November 22, 2023 | www.SASKTODAY.ca

Obituaries

Obituaries

Donald Elliott 1961-2023 Donald Elliott, late of Estevan, SK passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the age of 62 years.

Donald was predeceased by his parents, Fenton and Aileen (Harris) Elliott and brother Richard.

Donald is survived by his sister Marilyn (David) Purvis and his brother Harold Elliott.

Donald will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a man with a big heart who loved people and would do whatever he could to help anyone. He loved to work on cars, loved going to the stock car races and was a big fan of the Estevan Bruins. Donald was kind and generous and we always knew he was there for his family.

You will always be remembered; your memories will make us smile.

The Visitation was held on Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with Shirley Petterson officiating. Both services were held at Hall Funeral Services, Estevan, SK. Interment took place at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens following the service.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan (Designate Allan Blair), 200 - 4545 Parliament Ave., Regina, SK, S4W 0G3 or online at cancerfoundationsask.ca Hall Funeral Services in Estevan cared for Donald’s family Yvonne Clark, Funeral Director.

Nat Francis Ooms 1941 - 2023 Nat Ooms passed away peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Hillview Manor, Estevan, SK at the age of 82 years. Nat was born to Ferdinand and Vera (nee Wilson) Ooms and they had 2 children, Jewel and Nat. Vera remarried Ronald Hodgens and had two children, Joan and John.

Nat is survived by his wife Joyce (nee Fuch); their daughter Laura (Scott) Piper (their four children, Ocean, Ashley, Tyler and Logan); brother-in-law Doug Gale (children, Keith and Ed); sister Joan (Ray) Wock (children, Ken and Tina); and brother John (Brenda) Hodgens (children, Kelly and Robin).

Nat was predeceased by his parents, Ferdinand and Vera; son Kevin; sister Jewel; stepfather Ronald Hodgens and nephew Steven Wock.

The Funeral Service for Nat was held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Estevan, SK with Pastor Ryan Dittmann officiating. The interment took place at the Estevan City Cemetery following the service. The family invited everyone to the Days Inn - Taylorton Room for a time of fellowship and refreshments following the interment.

Memorial donations may be made to the Estevan Flying Club, Box 1701, Estevan, SK S4A 1C8 or to Hillview Manor (Activities Fund), 1401 1St St., Estevan, SK S4A 2W7 in memory of Nat. Hall Funeral Services in Estevan cared for Nat’s family Yvonne Clark, Funeral Director.

Annette V. Cossette Annette Victoria Cossette passed away peacefully after a graceful endurance with vascular dementia.

Annette was born an identical twin, in Rose Valley, Saskatchewan, to John and Helene (Dubreuil) Murias on August 5, 1945.

Annette and her family moved several times before landing in Estevan, Saskatchewan.

Annette attended secretary school in Winnipeg, MB. Annette worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and the Estevan Rural School Division #62 before getting married and starting a family. While raising her family, Annette shared bookkeeping duties for Esta Holsteins Dairy Farm. Annette was an avid gardener, reader, quilter, and traveler. Annette was a long time, active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in Estevan, SK. One of her many faith accomplishments was completing the Lay Ministry Program.

Annette is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Anton (Tony); their four children, Brenda (Robert) Dettlinger, Colinda (Tim) Mahoney, Darren (Anna), Evan (Jessica); their grandchildren, Danielle (Matt) Pearce, Aaron (Brooke) Dettlinger, Sarah Dettlinger, Amelia Cossette, Carly and Claire Cossette; her four brothers, Ernie (Lorraine), Frank (Gloria), Ken (Mary-Ann) and Greg (Charlene) Murias; brother-in-law Larry Dunbar; sisters-in law, Marie Marcotte, Rose Cossette, Irene (Peter) Tarnes; brother-in-law Robert (Carol) Cossette, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Annette is predeceased by her parents, John and Helene (Dubreuil) Murias; her twin sister Ginnette (Murias) Dunbar; cousin Claudette Dubreuil; parents- in- law, Charles and Emma Cossette; brothers-in-law, Roger Marcotte and Raymond Cossette; and nephew Larry Marcotte. As per Annette’s request, cremation has taken place by Simple Choice Cremation in Windsor, Ontario.

The Funeral Mass for Annette will be held on Monday, November 27, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Estevan, SK with Rev. Thuy Nguyen presiding. The interment will take place following the service at the Estevan City Cemetery with lunch to follow at the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, 1176 Nicholson Rd., Estevan, SK S4A 0H3 in memory of Annette.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan is caring for Annette’s family - Yvonne Clark, Funeral Director.

Ivadelle D. Goud 1931 - 2023 Ivadelle Goud, late of Estevan, SK passed away surrounded by the love of her family on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at Hill View Manor, Estevan, SK at the age of 92 years.

Ivadelle’s memory will forever be cherished by her husband of 72 years Robert “Bob”; their children, Mary Ellen, James and Thomas and grandchildren, Jonathan, Michael, Elissa, Sarah, Aaron, Ashley and their families as well as her 2 sisters, Dana Lundahl and Beverly

Anderson.

Ivadelle was predeceased by her parents, Iver and Anne Dale; nephew Dale Anderson; 2 brothers-in-law, Evon Anderson and Donald Lundahl; nephew Dale Anderson and niece Sherilyn Lundahl.

The Funeral Service took place on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Church of Christ, Estevan, SK at 2:00 p.m. with Tim Pippus officiating. The private family interment was held at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens. The family invited everyone to the church social hall for a time of fellowship and refreshments following the interment.

Memorial donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice in memory of Ivadelle.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan cared for Ivadelle’s family Yvonne Clark, Funeral Director.

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Tim Pippus of the Estevan Church of Christ Richard Griffin, who for many years served as the Queen’s personal protection officer, told this story about her.

The Queen spent the summers in Scotland at Balmoral Castle, where she enjoyed hiking in the nearby hills. One day, she and Richard met a couple from the U.S. They exchanged greetings and the tourists began to talk about their trip and how much they were enjoying Scotland.

Eventually, one of them asked the Queen, “Where do you live?” She replied, “In London. However, I have a holiday home just over the hills”. One of the tourists then said, “Well, if you come up here in the summer, you must have met the Queen”.

Elizabeth replied, “No I haven’t, but Richard meets her regularly”.

Upon hearing that, the visitors asked him what she was like. He responded, “Well, she can be very cantankerous at times, but she has a lovely sense of humour”. The tourists were so excited to meet someone who knew the Queen that they asked if they could take his picture.

Then, Richard took the camera, and they got a shot with Elizabeth as well.

The Estevan Fire Rescue Service’s members were called to a vehicle rollover and a multivehicle incident last week.

A single-vehicle rolled over on Nov. 16 at about 8 a.m. occurred about eight kilometres north of the city. Crews responded to the scene and determined that there was no entrapment and no injuries.

Firefighters assisted with securing the scene and then returned

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Af ter they lef t, the Queen said, “I would love to be a fly on the wall when he shows those photos to his friends, and someone tells him who I am”.

I am not unlike those tourists. I often do not see what is right in front of me.

The challenge, always, is to recognize what you have. For example, in Romans 15:13, Paul prays “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”.

Things would look different to me if I saw them through the lens of hope, joy, peace, trust and the Spirit’s power.

Philippians 2:1 states that “Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you.

God's Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others”. We often look for encouragement, comfort, fellowship, care, peace, and joy in the wrong places when all those things and more are given to us by our heavenly father.

It is easy to overlook what is right in front of us.

It is easy to see what we lack rather than what we have.

May we have eyes to see the abundant blessings of God.

Firefighters respond to rollover and collision

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Thank You The Goud Family would like to express our sincere appreciation for all the kind words and the sympathy extened to us on the passing of our wife & mother, Ivadelle. Thanks to Hall Funeral Services and especially to Yvonne Clark for the kind and caring way, we all were treated during this sad time.

Thanks also to the staff at Hillview Manor for their wonderful care for Ivadelle during her stay there. God bless you all Bob Goud & Family.

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On Nov. 19 at approximately 4:30 p.m. the EFRS was dispatched to a multi-vehicle collision in northeast Estevan.

Crews responded to the scene, where three vehicles collided at an intersection. No entrapment or injuries were reported from that scene, either, said Estevan Fire Chief Rick Davies.

The Estevan Police Service members also responded to the collision and reported that all three vehicles were towed due to extensive damage sustained. The driver of one of the vehicles was charged under the Traffic Safety Act for disobeying a red light.

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A12 November 22, 2023

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Sgt. McMillen shows his commitment through the EPS, volunteering and fundraising for Movember McMillen said he loves the variety associated with the job. When he arrives for the start of his shift, he knows he's going to encounter something different in the ongoing effort to help the community.

"I've always said I love being around people, and with policing, that's what we do is the … public service," said McMillen."

There are challenges and tough times in policing. There have been tragic incidents, and it becomes more personal because of the amount of time he has spent in the community.

He also has to remain up to date on courts, case law and new laws that are introduced.

He believes the EPS is doing a better job of handling cases related to mental health and addictions than it did when he joined. The EPS is trying to look at root causes of those types of cases, he said, because of the toll they can take.

Working for a small service not only gives him a chance to become better acquainted with the community and his fellow officers, but it

By David Willberg Sgt. Tyler McMillen is one of the most tenured members of the Estevan Police Service.

He started training at the Saskatchewan Police College in August 2001 and officially joined the EPS ranks a few months later.

He recalls that when he was growing up in Carievale and going to high school in Carnduff, he interacted with some of the members of the Carnduff RCMP. He witnessed the difference the officers made in the community and the active role they took.

While studying at Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College, he interacted with the officers in Brandon, too. His career objective was in law enforcement, but he had a degree in agriculture business in case policing didn't pan out.

"It was recommended to apply everywhere because you never know what agency's looking first. I did apply to the RCMP and I applied to different municipal agencies in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and Estevan was the first to hire me," said McMillen.

Ray Delorme was the police chief of the day. Former police chiefs Del Block and Shelley Jahn were part of the hiring committee.

"I told myself I would honour this agency and this community. Estevan's home and I love it. I wouldn't change anything."

also allows him to gain specialties. He enjoys patrol and was involved in the school resource program.

"I still try to get to schools when I can. I love going to classrooms and seeing the students," said McMillen.

He was the EPS's K9 officer from 2006-2014, when he teamed up with police dog Harvey. They proved to be a great duo. They won a gold and a silver medal at the World Police and Fire Games, and at the Canadian Police K-9 competition, they finished second twice to officer Tobin Tisdale with the Canada Border Services Agency in North Portal and his dog Holly.

"It was fun to work with a dog. Whether it was demonstrations or in the field, Harvey was a very good dog and very good at what he did. So that was a highlight. That was probably the best section."

McMillen also worked as a plainclothes officer, allowing him to handle some major files and drug-related calls. He was promoted to sergeant in 2015, which he said has been

a "challenging and rewarding experience". Last November, he was among the EPS members presented with a Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal during a ceremony in Estevan.

But the best part of the job is knowing he has made a difference in somebody's life, he said. He doesn't expect to receive a thank-you call from a member of the public after handling a call, but it's nice when they do come in.

In the community, McMillen has been a big part of the Estevan Curling Club. He recently moved into the president's role in place of Devon Fornwald, and he has volunteered for the committees that brought provincial and national curling events to Affinity Place.

"It's been good to meet people outside of policing and be part of something pretty special," said McMillen.

He started curling when he was in Grade 8 and remained in the sport at the high school and junior levels. He remained a competitive curler in Brandon.

He also helps out with the youth curling leagues in

Sgt. Tyler McMillen has found many ways to serve the community. Photo courtesy of Tyler McMillen Estevan. His daughter is now an avid curler, so when he's not busy working, he's travelling with her to different competitions.

"For about seven years, I did the Sunday youth program and then moved to the Tuesday," said McMillen. "We got other coaches now for the Sunday kids, and then the youths on Tuesdays, I still do from 6-7 p.m., and it's just fun watching these kids develop and get better with their skills.

"I just hope that some of them keep doing it and continue on and curl for their high school years, and if they choose to go into junior playdowns and adult stuff, that would be even better."

It's also been fun to volunteer with hockey and baseball events in the city, he said.

McMillen is in the midst of growing a moustache for Movember once again this year.

The late Jay Pierson, a long-

time constable with the EPS who was the community leader in raising funds for Movember for years, brought McMillen into the fundraising campaign years ago.

"Since he passed, I've just made a point of sticking with it, and [EPS Sgt.] Evan Handley and I, we always have a couple more from the office who join in. It's fun to try to raise money for a good cause," said McMillen.

Last year his goal was $1,400 but he wound up raising $2,800 for the Movember Foundation, which supports men's mental health, suicide prevention, and the fight against prostate and testicular cancer. This year his goal is $2,000, and he has raised about $1,400, as of Friday afternoon.

And while there's a little more grey hair in his moustache than in previous years, he thinks this year's growth is looking pretty good.

Sgt. Tyler McMillen is pictured here in his younger days with police service dog Harvey. Photo courtesy of Tyler McMillen

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Sgt. Tyler McMillen, left, accepted a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal from Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig last year. File photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

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A13 | Wednesday, November 22, 2023 | www.SASKTODAY.ca

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Curling camp series come to Estevan CurlSask’s Viterra Prairieland Curling Camp Series made it to the Power Dodge Curling Centre in Estevan on Nov. 18, providing young people with an opportunity to learn the basics of the sport and further their existing skills.

The workshop was developed for players ages 10-18, with sessions on technique, sweeping, strategy, singles and triples.

Jamie Regier, community development co-ordinator with CurlSask, said this is their fourth program this season. They travel to different communities in Saskatchewan to help develop the sport.

“It is designed to get curlers of any age, people that have never curled before, out to the curling club. We go through strategy, we go through sweeping, we go through delivery, go through everything, then some more strategy, and then in the afternoon, we play some games. So, we get through everything in one day, from strategy right to playing curling,” Regier said.

About 20 participants from Estevan and the area joined the session.

Rieger said all players have curled before and some had five to 10 years of experience.

“We go through the basic skills even with those who have been here for 10 years … but we don’t have to spend a lot of time on it. With ones that haven’t done it before, we spend

About 20 young participants ages 10-18 joined the Viterra Prairieland Curling Camp Series sessions on Saturday at the Power Dodge Curling Centre. a little bit more time. Put that all together, all the skills that they learn this afternoon, and then we play some games,” Regier said.

He noted they usually get around 20-25 participants for the sessions with over 50 young curlers joining in Yorkton.

“The numbers are rising in some locations this year for junior curling

… and that’s good to see that kids are taking an interest in curling,” Rieger said, adding that Saskatchewan curling clubs also see an increase in participation on a regular basis.

“We also offer what’s called a blizzard program. It’s designed for ages six to 12. At your curling club, it takes over your junior learn-to-curl program, and the sessions and lessons

are already laid out, so you just have to follow along with the program.

That’s also a good way to get curling club member numbers up.”

He noted that curling is a cheaper sport to get into, as everything from equipment to league fees is lower than some other popular Saskatchewan sports like hockey or golf.

An adult learning program is also currently being developed with more information coming.

“If anybody has any questions, feel free to reach out to CurlSask, we do have a lot of other developmental programs for curling clubs. That’s a good resource. You can call the CurlSask office and we’d be happy to help,” Regier said.

Lampman Grizzlies win provincial volleyball title The Lampman School Grizzlies brought home the gold medal from the 1A girls’ provincial volleyball tournament in Annaheim and Watson on the weekend.

Lampman went 7-0 during the weekend.

They opened with a 2-0 (25-20, 25-23) win over the host Annaheim team. From there, they defeated Maymont 2-0 (25-21, 26-24), Ogema 2-1 (19-25, 25-22, 15-12), and LeRoy 2-0 (25-23, 25-21) to finish the round robin at 4-0.

In the playoffs, Lampman won 2-0 (2518, 25-10) over Hepburn, the fourth seed from the other pool, then faced LeRoy again in the semifinal and won 2-1 (18-25, 25-13, 15-8) to advance to the final.

Lampman played the top seed from the other pool, Rose Valley, and won 2-1 (25-20, 14-25, 15-12) to capture provincials. The win avenged a loss to Rose Valley in last year’s 1A provincial final.

The next edition of the Carlyle Observer will have more on this story.

Teams from the southeast also had an outstanding showing at the 3A girls’ provincial tournament at Indian Head, claiming three of the top four spots.

The Oxbow Black Knights made it to the final, losing 2-0 to Lanigan and taking silver. The Kipling School Magyars defeated

the Carnduff Tigers 2-1 in the bronze medal game.

Oxbow went 4-0 to finish first in their round-robin pool, while Carnduff was second at 3-1. Oxbow defeated Unity 2-0 (25-17, 29-27), host Indian Head 2-0 (25-19, 25-18), Shellbrook 2-0 (25-11, 25-11) and Carnduff 2-0 (25-22, 25-12).

Oxbow then beat Maple Creek 2-0 (2514, 25-17) in the quarter-final and Kipling 2-1 (25-23, 21-25, 15-10) to reach the final.

They fell 2-0 (25-17, 25-20) to Lanigan in the gold-medal game.

Carnduff won its first three games, sweeping Shellbrook 2-0 (26-24, 25-11), Indian Head 2-0 (25-18, 25-18), and Unity 2-0 (25-15, 25-18).

After the loss to Oxbow, Carnduff recovered to defeat Waldheim 2-0 (25-20, 25-21), but then lost 2-0 (25-22, 25-13) to Lanigan in the semis and 2-1 (25-21, 15-25, 15-7) to Kipling in the bronze-medal game.

Kipling opened with three straight wins, beating Maple Creek 2-0 (25-17, 25-19), Osler Valley Christian Academy 2-0 (25-10, 259) and Waldheim 2-1 (25-22, 21-25, 15-12).

After losing 2-0 (25-12, 25-12) to Lanigan, Kipling won 2-0 (25-19, 25-18) over Indian Head in the quarter-finals before closing out the tournament against Oxbow and Carnduff.

Bruins drop three straight on the road The Estevan Bruins have gone from a five-game winning streak to a three-game losing streak.

The Bruins dropped three games they played last week. After losing 5-1 to the Battlefords North Stars on Monday night, the Bruins lost 6-1 to the Flin Flon Bombers on Tuesday and 8-6 to the Melville Millionaires on Saturday.

The losses against the Stars and the Bombers were at the SJHL's Showcase in Warman. The Black and Gold have now dropped 10 consecutive games at Showcase, dating back to the 2017-18 season. Each SJHL team plays twice at Showcase.

Flin Flon jumped on the Bruins early in Tuesday's game, with Justin Lies and Anthony Piccininno scoring two minutes apart in the opening six minutes for a 2-0 Bombers' lead. Jacob Vockler added to the lead before the period was out.

Carter Anderson scored the Bombers' lone goal in

the second into an empty net while the Bruins were on a power play.

Vockler and Anderson scored in rapid succession in the third to add to the Bombers' lead. Felix Allard scored with 48 seconds to play in the third for Estevan's lone goal of the night.

Cam Hrdlicka made 43 saves for Estevan, while Harmon Laser-Hume stopped 22 shots for the Bombers. Flin Flon outshot Estevan 49-23.

The Bombers have been the top-ranked team in the country for parts of this season.

As for Saturday's game, Melville scored four unanswered goals in the second period to lead 5-1, and held an 8-3 advantage early in the third period before the Bruins scored three times in just over eight minutes to make the game interesting.

Dillon Jackson, Zach Burfoot, Keagon Little, Brady Wilson, Tristan Dussault and Owen Barrow had the goals for Estevan. Little added

three assists for a four-point game.

Cam Hrdlicka started for Estevan and allowed six goals on 30 shots. Jackson Miller allowed the other two goals and faced 12 shots on goal.

Former Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears' captain Caden Drury had three goals and an assist to lead Melville's attack. Luc Bydal added two goals and two assists. Jadon Iyogun, Matt Kjemhus and Zach Bamsley had the other Melville goals.

Liam Cox-Smith had three assists for the Mills.

Mel ville goaltender William Dyke stopped 31 of the 37 shots he faced.

The Bruins (9-9-0-2) will be back on the ice on Nov. 22 when they host the Notre Dame Hounds at 12:30 p.m. at Affinity Place. It will be the Bruins' Hockey Hooky game, and a large contingent of school children is expected to attend. Then they will host the Weyburn Red Wings on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.

The Lampman School Grizzlies celebrate after winning the 1A girls’ provincial title.

Photo sourced from the SHSAA X account

Elecs reach quarter-finals at volleyball provincials

The ECS Elecs senior boys' volleyball team had a good showing at provincials. File photo The Estevan Compre- quarter-finals of a tourna- 12) against Regina Winston hensive School Elecs senior ment that had a lot of tight Knoll. The Elecs wrapped up boys’ volleyball team had a matches. the round robin Saturday by good showing at this year’s Estevan opened play by beating Saskatoon BethleSaskatchewan High Schools going 1-2 on Friday, losing hem 2-0 (25-21, 25-19).

Athletics Association 5A 2-1 (20-25, 25-17, 15-10) ECS finished third in provincial tournament in to Prince Albert St. Mary’s, their pool and advanced to Prince Albert. winning 2-1 (25-22, 9-25, the quarter-final, which they Estevan went 2-2 in the 15-13) over Warman, and lost 2-0 to Prince Albert round robin and reached the losing 2-1 (14-25, 25-23, 15- Carlton (25-20, 26-24).

A14 November 22, 2023

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Flashback – Nov. 26, 2003 These Midale School students were in Estevan in mid-November 2003 competing in the district junior volleyball competition at the Estevan Comprehensive School. Between games they had the opportunity to do some shopping at the Estevan mall and with Christmas approaching, they purchased red antlers and leis to wear. Back row, from left, Alyssa Trombley, Courtney Peterson, Tegan Penny, Kelsey Adderley, Rachelle Lee and Breanne Palmer. In the front is Chelsea Emde.

23114UU0 23114UU1

Fifth person charged in connection with home invasion in Estevan A fifth person has been charged in connection with a home invasion that occurred in early November in Estevan.

According to information posted on the EPS website, officers arrested a 23-year-old Estevan man on Nov. 14 for aggravated assault and unlawful confinement. He was lodged in cells and held for court.

The incident occurred on Nov. 7 at a residence in northeast Estevan. Two people sustained injuries that the EPS described as "significant". Charges were announced against four people the following day.

The name of the fifth

person charged has not been released. The Mercury and SaskToday.ca will have more details as they become available.

Also on Nov. 14, police attended to a local business for a report of a male in a washroom and refusing to leave after the business closed. Officers were able to open the bathroom door. He had attempted to conceal a number of items from the store in an infant stroller that he was pushing. He was arrested for theft, transported back to the police station and released later in the evening on conditions.

Po l i c e a r re s t e d a 27-year-old Estevan man for sexual assault. He was released on conditions to have his first appearance in court in January 2024.

Members arrested a

63-year-old Estevan man for indecent acts. He was charged and released on conditions. His first appearance in court will be in January.

Police received a report of a break and enter to a detached garage in a residence in east Estevan. The matter is still under investigation.

O f fi c e r s a r re s t e d a 40-year-old woman on Nov. 15 for outstanding warrants out of Moose Jaw. She was released with a new court date in Moose Jaw. Police are investigating a 26-year-old Estevan man for failing to comply with his curfew conditions. He was not at home when police checked his residence.

A 25-year-old Winnipeg female was arrested for assault after a complaint at an apartment in the downtown area on Nov. 17. She

was lodged in cells until sober and was released for court in January to answer to the charges.

The same day, police received a report of "taking a vehicle without consent".

The vehicle was located later in the evening and a 29-year-old man was arrested and will appear in court in January to answer to the charges.

During a traffic stop on Fourth Street, a 35-year-old Estevan woman was issued a 21-day driving suspension and the vehicle she was operating was impounded after she tested positive for THC on a roadside oral fluid device.

Police were also dispatched to a toddler left alone in a vehicle. Members attended but the vehicle had left prior to their arrival.

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