A look at why more than one per cent of Oxbow’s population is up for council
By Ana Bykhovskaia
A signi cant turnout for the upcoming Oxbow municipal election has brought an impressive 17 candidates into the race for six town council seats, a level of engagement rarely seen in a town of just 1,286 residents, according to the 2021 federal census.
Running for council are incumbents Mark Barnes, James Fonstad and Rodrigo Rabanal, and newcomers Derek Adams, Philip Amosah, Amy Backstrom, Kim Friesen, John Hutoetz, Brad Mayer, Derrick Menzies, Starr Mercer, Sylvia Mohrbutter, Alison Nicholls, Donna Nyeste, Calvin Rosenthal, Ken Swanson and Orlando Vistal.
Doug Pierce was re-elected as mayor by acclamation, as no other nominations were led as of the deadline in October.
e high number of candidates – over 1.3 per-
cent of Oxbow’s population – points to both a rising interest in civic participation and potential dissatisfaction with the current leadership, which some residents feel has not e ectively addressed pressing community issues.
While some candidates cheered such a high interest in councillor positions, a high number of hopefuls in an election often signals a combination of community dissatisfaction, a desire for greater representation or increased civic engagement. is can re ect discontent with unresolved local issues, a lack of consensus on key priorities, or a response to political or other polarization within the community.
In some cases, it may also indicate that the barriers to candidacy are low, making it easier for more individuals to run. Additionally, many candidates may feel they have a chance to win if there’s no clear frontrunner, or they may
see an opportunity to address speci c issues a ecting the community. Overall, a crowded candidate pool suggests a dynamic, perhaps divided, community eager for responsive and e ective leadership.
e Mercury and SaskToday tried looking into the main election-driving issues by approaching some of the community members and candidates and asking for their opinion. By no means does this story speak to every candidate’s and every resident’s experience, but it rather provides a look at some of the issues that matter for the area.
According to candidate pro les and questionnaires, provided by 16 out of 17 people who let their name stand for the Oxbow council election, there are several core issues that are driving candidates to step forward, aiming to address community needs and enhance local governance.
Concerns over public safety and an insu cient
police presence have been widely discussed, with candidates like Friesen underscoring the need for stronger law enforcement to curb rising crime and drug issues in town.
Candidates like Mohrbutter and Nicholls expressed enthusiasm for Oxbow’s family-friendly environment but acknowledged safety concerns due to a recent increase in crime. Some candidates also voiced concerns about the town’s struggle to maintain a police presence, which they believe a ects Oxbow’s safety and community relations.
e lack of communication regarding the April homicide of Briana Hayes in Oxbow – which resulted in charges against two people – was pointed out as another source of frustration for residents. During the police response tied to the murder investigation, some residents reported feeling left in the dark, with no curfew or protective mea-
sures communicated to reassure the community. Public trust and transparency in nancial management and decision-making were also emphasized, with some candidates advocating for more accessible nancial records and regular town council updates, aiming to foster a stronger relationship between residents and council. Nyeste noted that she believes “all of the [council] values are lacking condence by the community at this time.”
Other issues include the community’s strained relationship with the surrounding rural municipalities (RMs), with the RM of Enniskillen in particular, and a perceived lack of communication between town o cials and residents. Some of this frustration stems from the changes that started in 2022 when the town and the RM of Enniskillen decided to end the o ce-building agreement.
Lampman author explores Kenyan conservation and culture in new novel for kids
By Ana Bykhovskaia SaskToday.ca
Local writer Maureen Ulrich invites readers on a transformative voyage through Kenya in her latest novel, Kimeto’s Journey, a middle-grade book capturing the adventure and challenges of an 11-year-old Maasai boy on a mission to save an orphaned elephant. e book was released in mid-October.
Known previously for her works in youth and young adult ction, Ulrich has crafted this story for younger readers aged eight to 12, blending real-world conservation themes with the vivid backdrop of Kenya’s landscapes.
Ulrich, a Lampman-based author, was rst inspired to write the book after a visit to Kenya in 2014, when her daughter was interning with the African Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA).
“As a mom, I gured after three weeks she was probably going to hit some kind of a wall of, ‘Wow, I’m here for six months,’” Ulrich recalled.
So she boarded a plane and spent two weeks with her daughter, immersing herself in the culture, wildlife and complex issues of conservation.
One of her rst stops in Kenya was the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, a sanctuary that rescues and rehabilitates orphaned baby elephants whose mothers have been killed by poachers.
“I was very inspired by seeing the type of work they did,” she said.
When they are about four years old, elephants are sent back to herds in parks like Amboseli, which Ulrich also visited during her trip.
e experience sparked the initial idea for Kimeto’s Journey, which follows Kimeto, a Maasai boy who rescues an elephant calf and sets o on a journey across Kenya to make sure the animal is safe. Ulrich’s experiences at the sanctuary and visits to a Maasai village helped her build the foundation for Kimeto’s story.
For Ulrich, the project was about much more than storytelling.
“What a privilege it was to spend a little time in Kenya, which faces the challenge of balancing the demands of a growing population with conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat,” she said. “It is my sincere wish that I have accurately and fairly depicted these challenges, as well as the magni cence of the animals and landscape, and the generous spirit of the Kenyan people.”
Ulrich’s rsthand experiences brought authenticity to the novel, but she was mindful of the cultural sensitivities involved in writing
about Maasai culture from an outsider’s perspective. To ensure accuracy, she consulted Nairobi-based cultural advisor Jean Wandimi, who reviewed her work and provided extensive feedback.
“I’d been looking for 10 years for someone who would be my sensitivity reader,” Ulrich said, noting that this process was essential for the book’s integrity. “From the point of view of an 11-year-old Maasai boy, that’s not my cultural experience, so I needed to make sure that I was being accurate.”
Writing Kimeto’s Journey also marked a creative shift for Ulrich, who typically writes longer works for teens and young adults. With just 100 pages, the novel is designed to engage young readers,
sparking their curiosity about the wider world. She also noted that her new book challenges young readers to consider complex social and environmental issues.
“ e story means a lot to me, because there’s a lot of questions that are asked in the book, and it’s really up to the reader, a young reader, to decide how they feel about some issues. It’s not black and white. It’s complex.” e plot of Kimeto’s Journey begins as Kimeto and his sisters walk to school and discover a dead elephant, left behind by poachers. In a nearby un nished well, they nd a trapped baby elephant. e young Maasai boy takes action, rescuing the calf, which is then taken to the Nairobi Elephant
Investigation continues into November
e provincial Serious Incident Response Team’s (SIRT) investigation is ongoing into an incident that occurred in Estevan last fall.
SIRT launched the investigation after two separate but connected incidents on Nov. 1, 2023, which left a mother and her son dead and a mem-
ber of the Estevan Police Service in hospital with a gunshot wound. Police were called to an apartment in the 1200-block of Sixth Street for a report of a woman injured and bleeding. e woman, Karie Ann Guillas, age 46, later died from her injuries.
O cers arrested the
woman’s 19-year-old son, Justice Guillas, at the scene and he was transported to the police station. While he was being processed, an altercation took place between Justice Guillas and an EPS o cer. Justice Guillas gained control of an EPS-issued rearm and shot the o cer, who sustained a serious injury. A second EPS member dis-
charged their service pistol, striking Justice Guillas, who later died in a Regina hospital.
e EPS o cer who was shot, Sgt. Braden Lonsberry, was released from hospital two days after the incident and returned to active duty about a month later.
In an email to the Mercury and SaskToday, the
Sanctuary. When he learns the elephant might not survive without its mother, Kimeto sets out alone, determined to see his new friend through the journey.
“He is changed by the journey, but he also changes the people around him,” Ulrich said.
As an ex-educator, Ulrich was particularly impressed by the Kenyan students and teachers she met during her travels, observing their determination to learn and teach despite limited resources. Her respect for the students’ perseverance inspired many of the character traits in Kimeto.
Ulrich’s book Kimeto’s Journey is available at Henders Drugs, through herself, and online via Amazon.
2023 incident
Ministry of Justice said no additional information could be provided at this time, and the ministry is unable to provide a speci c timeline for how long the investigation is expected to take.
“Pursuant to e Police Act, 1990, a public report will be issued within 90 days of the investigation ending,” the ministry said.
e ministry went on to say SIRT’s mandate is to independently investigate incidents where an individual has died or suffered serious injury arising from the actions of on and o -duty police o cers, or while in the custody of police, as well as allegations of sexual assault or interpersonal violence involving police.
Transparency, health care issues among the issues cited
« A1
e town then moved its administration to a separate, newly purchased but older building that required work. Resulting in dissatisfaction and further drive to run for the council for some were the expenses, potentially not reasonably high, that were associated with the changes that were covered by taxpayers’ money.
Another concern was the lack of transparency on nancial decisions made by the town along the way with limited nancial information currently available to the public through the town’s website – something that candidates said is addressed di erently in other municipalities and something they pointed out was a common practice in Oxbow before.
A critical issue is the state of local health care and the Galloway Health Centre’s emergency services disruptions, prompt-
ing multiple candidates, including Fonstad, to call for a revitalized health-care system in Oxbow. However, Nicholls, who moved to Oxbow over 10 years ago from Toronto, noted “I would especially like to focus on the town’s health care. While it’s not perfect, it is better health care than I have received in the bigger city centres I have lived in. e health centre and hospital make Oxbow very appealing to potential new community members, and I hope I can help support its success.”
Another point mentioned by several candidates is the desire for community growth and business attraction, with Rosenthal supporting e orts to draw in new businesses and diversify the economy, alongside Mercer’s call for initiatives to attract and support people and local established and new businesses.
Overall, candidates share a common focus on safety, transparency, health-care improvements and economic growth, highlighting a commitment to fostering a cohesive and resilient community for the future. e town administration said they cannot comment on the election.
On Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., Oxbow will see an all-candidates’ forum hosted at Oxbow Prairie Horizons School and live-streamed on Oxbow and Area What’s Happening Facebook page. e public can provide questions to candidates via the OxbowElection2024@ outlook.com email. See the 2024 Candidates’ Forum Handout, posted on the same page, for more about most candidates. With some issues raised around safety, communication and community relations on the line, Oxbow’s voters will face a critical choice on Nov. 13. Look to the oxbow.ca website for more details on voting.
Wha h t’s un u der What’s under yo y ur tree? your tree?
COMMUNITY
Chasing Yesterday photographer captures forgotten spaces in southeast Saskatchewan
By
Estevan and its neighbouring communities recently welcomed a visitor with a unique mission: to capture the beauty of abandoned spaces scattered across the southeast Saskatchewan landscape.
Artist and historian Susan Smith Brazill, founder of the popular Facebook page Chasing Yesterday, spent several days exploring Bromhead, Torquay, Outram, Frobisher, Alameda and other rural locales. With 55,000 followers captivated by her evocative images, Smith Brazill seeks to preserve the stories embedded in forgotten places.
“I have a deep connection to forgotten spaces — remnants of the past in the vast expanse of the Saskatchewan landscape,” she shared in her artist statement. “Chasing Yesterday photography embodies a quest for memory, history and the beauty found in the forgotten, all intricately tied to the endless skies of the prairie. It’s about the stories waiting to be discovered and shared.”
Known for her thoughtful and nostalgic photographs, Smith Brazill is passionate about capturing the remnants of history, whether it’s an abandoned farmhouse or a solitary grain elevator against the prairie sky. Her images often feature weathered
barns, stoic churches and rusting vehicles that once served as vital tools for a way of life now fading
Captivated by Estevan’s distinct landscape
Smith Brazill says she always had an interest in Saskatchewan’s southeastern region, and her recent trip only deepened her admiration.
“ e Estevan area, with its rugged landscape and unique geological formations, offers a distinct contrast to the rest of the province,” she explained.
For her, each location in this part of Saskatchewan holds a special allure, from “the vast, open prairies, gentle rolling hills, and sprawling farmland” to the scattered wetland areas that attract migratory birds.
e journey took her through towns like Frobisher and Torquay, where she found scenes rich with the texture of Prairie life.
“Exploring areas like Frobisher, Outram, Torquay, Bromhead and Alameda has left a lasting impression,” Smith Brazill said. “Each quiet road, each fading structure, and each solitary tree in a eld had a story embedded in it.”
Her photographs capture the stark beauty of isolated trees, “creating a sense of space and solitude” and the endless skies, “expansive, giving dramatic views of weather patterns.”
While in the area, she also had the opportunity to gift an angel ornament to LeighAnn Tessier’s mother, commemorating the Estevan woman who died in a motorcycle crash in North Dakota in 2023.
“It was a deeply meaningful moment. I make these ornaments by hand, often using vintage sheet music, Japanese paper or other materials,” Smith Brazill shared. “Leigh-Ann Tessier was an inspiring number 1 follower of Chasing Yesterday. I never met her –but I know she was a gem.”
She noted that each ornament takes hours to craft, so by the time it’s nished, it feels like it holds a piece of her heart.
“When Leigh-Ann’s mother received it, it felt like a little piece of my journey had reached her as well. In many ways, my art and photography are about connection,” she added. Emotional draw of forgotten spaces
Smith Brazill’s fascination with
abandoned spaces is rooted in her personal history and her lifelong curiosity about place and memory. Born into a military family, she grew up moving frequently and developed a strong sense of curiosity about the stories places hold.
“When I settled in Saskatchewan, I was struck by how much history was embedded in these seemingly empty prairies,” she said. “Abandoned buildings, in particular, seemed to hold echoes of the lives and dreams of those who once inhabited them”
Each photograph represents more than a snapshot; it is a testament to the emotions these places evoke.
“Exploring these spaces often brings out a mix of emotions for me: nostalgia, a sense of peace and a bit of melancholy,” she re ected. “ ere’s a gentle reminder of impermanence in these abandoned structures, which brings a certain beauty and gravity to my work. Standing in these spaces, I feel grounded in a way that’s hard to explain –it’s like I’m temporarily transported back to a simpler time, one where the pace was slower, and life was intertwined with the land.”
Smith Brazill sees her work as a way to preserve the memory of these places, especially as many structures are unlikely to remain standing much longer.
Sharing the journey on Chasing Yesterday
Smith Brazill’s dedication to capturing forgotten spaces resonates strongly with her social media followers. Chasing Yesterday has become more than a photography page – it’s a community where people share memories and stories of similar places.
“Many people from Saskatchewan – and even from beyond – share their own memories or connections to similar places,” she said.
is shared appreciation, she believes, is what draws people to her work.
“ ere’s a sense of collective memory in these forgotten spaces, and I think my page helps others reconnect with pieces of their own history.”
Currently, Smith Brazill is sharing images from her Estevan trip on Chasing Yesterday, where each post draws her followers into the quiet beauty of southeast Saskatchewan. For
many, her images o er a nostalgic reminder of Prairie life, connecting viewers to the stories and histories left behind in forgotten places.
“It’s bittersweet knowing that many of these structures may not stand much longer, and I see my photographs as a way to preserve their stories. ere’s also joy in discovering beauty where others might only see decay.”
Her Estevan journey is just the latest chapter in her ongoing mission to preserve and share Saskatchewan’s history, one photograph at a time. rough Chasing Yesterday, Smith Brazill continues to inspire her followers, encouraging them to re ect on the importance of “honouring our roots, even in the quietest, most forgotten corners of the prairie.”
Chasing Yesterday has achieved considerable recognition internationally for the quality of its photos, and is regularly published on internationally-curated photography platforms. Chasing Yesterday photos have been featured on social media, as reference for artists, as book covers, and received accolades on numerous provincial, national and international photography contests and online platforms.
For more pictures, visit Chasing Yesterday’s Facebook page or website at www. chasingyesterday-sk.ca.
TheEstevan Mercuryisparticipating in acompetition with otherlocal businessestomakea creative displayofdonated non-perishable food items donatedbythe community We arecollectingitems betweenNovember1st andNovember28thatthe EstevanMercury Office -68SourisAvenueN.Our creative displaywillbephotographedonNovember29th. Alldonations will be broughttoThe SalvationArmy- EstevanFood Bank by December6,2024 Please call (306)634-2654tomakearrangementstodropoff if outsideofregular business hours.
Ana Bykhovskaia SaskToday.ca
Photos by Susan Smith Brazill
Alameda Bromhead Bromhead
Torquay
Lac Qui Parle, Torquay area
Frobisher
Torquay Outram
EDITORIAL
Sales Manager
Christine Jones - cjones@glaciermedia.ca
Sales Kim Ball - kball@glaciermedia.ca
Editor David Willberg - dwillberg@glaciermedia.ca
Editorial Staff
Ana Bykhovskaia - abykhovskaia@SASKTODAY.ca
Production Manager
Ana Villarreal - avillarreal@glaciermedia.ca
Production Laura Kish - lkish@glaciermedia.ca
Administration Morgan Hodgens - mohodgens@glaciermedia.ca
Contact us:
(306) 634-2654
68 Souris Avenue N. Estevan, SK S4A 2M3 www.sasktoday.ca
@Estevan_Mercury facebook.com/TheMercury
Subscription Rates:
In Saskatchewan - $105 In Canada - $126
Published weekly by Prairie Newspaper Group
Limited Partnership, 68 Souris Avenue N., Estevan, SK S4A 2M3.The Estevan Mercury is owned and operated by Prairie Newspaper Group Limited
Partnership, a subsidiary of Glacier Media Inc.
Advertising rates are available upon request and are subject to change without notice.
Conditions of editorial and advertising content: The Estevan Mercury attempts to be accurate in Editorial and Advertising content; however, no guarantee is given or implied. The Estevan Mercury reserves the right to revise or reject any or all editorial and advertising content as the newspaper’s principals see fit. The Estevan Mercury will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an advertisement, and is not responsible for errors in advertisements except for the space occupied by such errors.
The Estevan Mercury will not be responsible for manuscripts, photographs, negatives and other related material that may be submitted for possible publication.
All of the Estevan Mercury’s content is protected by Canadian Copyright laws. Reviews and similar mention of material in this newspaper is granted on the provision thatThe Estevan Mercury receives credit. Otherwise, any reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited.
Advertisers purchase space and circulation only. Rights to any advertisement produced by The Estevan Mercury, including artwork, typography, photos, etc., remain the property of this newspaper. Advertisements or parts thereof may not be reproduced or assigned without the consent of the publisher.
We
EDITORIAL
The importance of pausing to remember
Remembrance Day is approaching. It means di erent things to di erent people. For some, especially for those who have family who have served or are currently serving their country, it’s a chance to re ect on their service. For others, it’s a chance to honour those who have helped preserve our freedoms. And then there are those who sadly view it as just another day o – an unsettling reality, but thanks to those who have served, they have the freedom to take such a lackadaisical attitude.
Many of us will wear a poppy until Nov. 11 in a simple, symbolic act of remembrance. (Please remember that by purchasing a poppy, you’re supporting veterans in the community).
Schools will be hosting Remembrance Day services this week, and we hope the stories that the children hear will resonate with them as they grow older. While we always have to be careful when it comes to teaching children about topics such as war, it’s still important for them to learn about Canada’s military accomplishments in history and social studies classes. e old adage rings true: those who don’t learn from the mistakes of the past are only doomed to repeat them.
Current and recent events in our province are a good reminder of the importance of Remembrance Day and the members of the Canadian Armed Forces past. We just had a provincial election. We have a civic
election coming up (at least for those of us who are in communities where an election will take place on Nov. 13).
We have the freedom to vote for the party or the candidate of our choosing, in a fair, democratic and honest election, without having to worry about armed soldiers at polling stations or threats against our lives for voting against the government. Why do we have these freedoms? Because of those who have served our country in previous generations.
Yes, it’s been 79 years since those freedoms were threatened in the Second World War, but we still owe a great deal to those who served our country in that con ict, and those who continue to serve today.
Remembrance Day services in Estevan have had varied attendance in recent years. While the Afghanistan War resulted in renewed support for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces, it didn’t always translate into bigger numbers attending on Nov. 11. ere have been years in which there has been more people present, most recently the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War in 2018, but we’ve seen fewer people in recent years.
Obviously not everybody can be at a Remembrance Day service. Some people have jobs that require them to be at work. It would be nice if every business was closed until noon or 1 p.m. on Remem-
brance Day, but that’s not a realistic expectation. Some places need to be open. Some people need to be at work. But if you’re able to attend a Remembrance Day service in your community, please do so. Or at least pause for a few minutes to remember.
And, if possible, take the time to learn a thing or two about our nation’s military history. (It sure beats playing video games or watching TikTok videos). Our military has a great history and has punched above its weight time after time, whether it be the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917, our contributions to the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France, in 1944, or liberating e Netherlands following D-Day. We’ve done some amazing things on the battleelds in the past, we’ve made signi cant contributions as peacekeepers, and the skill and courage of the Canadian Forces create positive impressions of Canada around the world.
is is a very important day. It’s not just a chance to get caught up on your sleep, nor is it a day to get some additional clean-up work done around the house or to set up your Christmas decorations. We’d like to see a full house at the Estevan Comprehensive School’s gymnasium for Remembrance Day this year. After all, taking 60-90 minutes out of your Monday isn’t much when you consider what they’ve done for us.
What do these people have in common?
It started rather accidentally, but has since become something of a xture in the media and certainly an announcement that draws attention.
It was new year’s week in 1928 and the editors at Time Magazine had nothing for the cover during a slow news cycle. It was suggested they stop looking for someone newsworthy that particular week and instead choose someone who had accomplished something the previous 12 months that warranted being called Man of the Year.
With everyone on board, the choice was easy: Charles Lindbergh, who had crossed the Atlantic on a solo mission and who had not previously been featured on the cover, an oversight they said needed to be recti ed. us was born the tradition of naming a Man of the Year. e rst Woman of the Year was Wallis Simpson in 1936. In 1999, Time made the switch to the use of Person of the Year rather than switching back and forth depending on the situation. Taylor Swift won it last year.
“ e Man of the Year idea caught on with a bang and, somewhat surprised, we decided to make it an annual event,” said one editor P.I. Prentice. “ e choice is in no way an accolade, nor a Nobel Prize for doing good. Nor is it a moral judgment. e two criteria are always these: who had the biggest rise in fame and who did the most to change the news for better or for worse?”
Despite what they felt were clear parameters, some choices have caused out-
Shelley Luedtke
That’s My Outlook
raged, and stirred considerable debate, including pushback on choices like Stalin, Hitler and Ayatollah Khomeini.
In its history, there have been 14 U.S. presidents and three popes named. Occasionally it has been an object: the computer in 1982 and Endangered Earth in 1988; or groups, such as in 1950 when the winner was e American Soldier while American Women were named in 1975.
Last spring Time put out their call looking for young leaders making big contributions to nd their latest Kid of the Year. Young people ages eight to 16 are eligible and this year the title goes to Heman Bekele, a 15-year old from Virginia who is developing an a ordable soap that could be a more accessible way to deliver cancer medications. Amazing work.
Other nominees were equally impressive: a 13-year old from Colorado ghting pollution by advocating for new state laws, a 15-year old in Pennsylvania pouring himself into his community with a bike-repair business, a 13-year old in California developing a new kind of re detector, a 15-year Arizona student working to protect pets from extreme heat, and an 11-year old who is the rst Black deaf actor nominated for an Emmy Award. Impressive achievements all around. And
these were just the ones who made thenal list. So many children and youths are doing truly remarkable things.
A while back, I took a phone call from a subscriber living in a city in another province. She was calling to tell us how good it made her feel to read a community newspaper and see what children and teenagers were doing. She went on to say how discouraging it was to hear of little more than vandalism, crime and mischief in her city by young people. Few places were telling the stories of all the good things kids were doing. Missed opportunities, to be sure. en again, maybe a lot of us are missing an opportunity to draw attention to some pretty great people.
e 2024 Person of the Year winner will be announced in a few weeks and no matter who it is, will likely spawn comment and critique. Editors and reporters met in September to talk about who was the most in uential, for good or not, of the past year. While the winner will no doubt be someone I can acknowledge was in uential, it is questionable whether their impact was something I felt directly. Yet there have been a lot of people who have had a tremendous impact on my life in the past 12 months. Young and old alike. e problem is I haven’t done a very good job of telling them. Perhaps that can change. For almost 100 years, we have been told by a group of editors who the Person of the Year was. But you get to decide who your person of the year might be. Give it some thought—and then let them know. at’s my outlook.
Operation Christmas Child underway in Estevan
e Operation Christmas Child campaign for the Estevan area is now underway.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse International, brings hope and joy into the lives of children around the world through giftlled shoeboxes.
Since its inception in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million shoeboxes to children in over 160 countries and territories.
According to Jillian Ursu, the drop-o team lead for the Estevan area, for many of these children, the giftlled shoebox is the rst gift they ever receive.
Last year Canadians packed 425,209 shoeboxes, with 20,701 from Saskatchewan and nearly 400 from the Estevan area.
In 2024, Canadian shoeboxes will be going to El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Senegal, e Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, e Philippines and Ukraine. New for this year is Cape Verde. Shoeboxes are distributed as unconditional gifts, regardless of the child’s race, religion or gender.
“Packing a shoebox with
toys, school supplies, hygiene items, ‘wow’ items, a personal note or picture, and the $12-per-box donation … is a wonderful way to show compassion to children and embrace the spirit of giving,” said Ursu. “It is an incredible opportunity for anyone: individuals, couples, families, churches, groups, organizations, businesses, schools, etc.,” said Ursu. e National Collection Week is Nov. 18-24, with the Estevan Alliance Church as the drop-o location. e church will be open extended hours throughout the week, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Nov. 1822, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 23 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 24. A truck will pick up the shoeboxes after the deadline on the 24th to take the shoeboxes to Regina, before heading to the processing centre in Calgary and then on to the recipient countries.
People are encouraged to drop o the shoeboxes during National Collection Week as there will be volunteers present during those times. If you are unable to drop o during National Collection Week, contact Estevan Alliance Church at 306-634-2601
to arrange an alternate time.
“If you are feeling uncertain about packing physical shoeboxes this year, but would love to support Operation Christmas Child, we encourage you to pack shoeboxes online or make a donation online,” Ursu said.
If anyone wants to donate items to be used in shoeboxes, they will be ac-
cepted in a donation bin at Estevan Alliance Church.
When lling a shoebox, supporters should decide if they are packing for a girl or boy and which age group (two to four, ve to nine, 10-14), and then ll it with appropriate items.
Sample items to include are toys (balls, dolls, stu ed animals, socks, hair accessories, cars, musical
instruments, puzzles, jump ropes, etc.); hygiene items (toothbrush, comb, brush, bar of soap, oss, washcloth, t-shirt, etc.); school supplies (pencils, pens, crayons, pencil crayons, notebook, etc.); and the personal note or photo. ey can also donate items that are handmade, knitted, crocheted or crafted. Homemade wash-
cloths, dolls, purses, bags or other items make great additions to shoeboxes, Ursu said.
People should not include used items, food, candy, playing cards, toothpaste, war-related items, or gifts that can leak, freeze, or melt (like bubbles, lotions, shampoos, hand sanitizer or other liquids).
e $12 donation to cover shipping and other program costs should be put in an envelope on top of items. Donations can be combined into one shoebox if multiple shoeboxes are packed.
Donors are asked to not tape the shoebox shut.
“I am hopeful to see shoebox numbers increase this year. Last year … Canada and Saskatchewan both saw an increase in the number of shoeboxes packed. I am optimistic that we will see a rise in Estevan, but I also know that there are so many incredible ministries and organizations to support,” said Ursu, who is in her 11th year as drop-o team lead for the Estevan area.
“Once again, I am excited to see what the southeast will do. Children will be blessed by their generosity and love.”
Highschool students in Saskatchewan try out voting
Student Vote Saskatchewan experiences were held all across the province on election day.
According to information provided by Elections SK, after learning about government and democracy, researching the parties and candidates, and discussing the future of the province, students cast ballots in a parallel election.
On Monday, when many in Saskatchewan headed to polling stations to partake in the provincial election, over 100 students at the Estevan Comprehensive
School also had an opportunity to learn about the experience ahead of them, as they participated in the project.
Students were invited to vote for the candidates in the Estevan-Big Muddy constituency through a process mimicking real provincial elections. e results were similar to the real vote. According to ECS, 66 students voted for incumbent Lori Carr with Saskatchewan Party, who indeed had the majority of the votes in the constituency, coming in well
ahead of NDP candidate Phil Smith, who was second.
Unlike reality, in the ECS election, Phil Zajac with the Bu alo Party of Saskatchewan, who was third in the real election, came in second with 17 votes. ird was Smith with 14 votes, followed by Andrew Cey with Saskatchewan United Party (nine) and Billy Patterson with Saskatchewan Green Party ( ve).
For the entire Estevan-Big Muddy riding, the results were: Carr, Sask. Party – 287 votes (52.18 per cent of popular vote); Zajac, Bu alo Party – 85 votes (15.45 per cent); Smith, Sask. NDP, 76 votes (13.82 per cent); Cey, SUP – 57 votes (10.36 per cent); and Patterson, Sask. Green Party – 45 votes (8.18 per cent).
In schools across the Cannington constituency, students also had a chance to experience elections. e results in the riding were: Daryl Harrison, Sask. Party – 384 votes (54.86 per cent); Dianne Twietmeyer, Sask. NDP – 122 (17.43 per cent); Michelle Krieger, Bu alo Party – 81 votes (11.57 per cent); Barbara Helfrick, SUP – 66 votes (9.43 per cent); and Natalie Lund-Clysdale, Sask. Green Party – 47 (6.71 per cent).
As of 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, 38,307 total votes were reported from 348 schools, with results from all 61 constituencies, reported Elections SK. is includes 34,425 valid votes, 1,168 rejected ballots and 2,714 declined ballots. e provincial results showed if students were to choose, the outcomes of the election would have been di erent.
e Saskatchewan NDP took 39.2 per cent of the popular vote and would have won 31 seats, forming a majority government. Party leader Carla Beck won her Regina Lakeview seat. e Saskatchewan Party came in second to form the O cial Opposition with 28 seats and 37.4 per cent of the popular vote. Party leader Scott Moe won his seat in Rosthern-Shellbrook. e Saskatchewan United Party won two seats in Student Vote and received 8.4 per cent of the popular vote. Party leader Jon Hromek won his seat in Lumsden-Morse. e Saskatchewan Green Party received 10.5 per cent of the popular vote but failed to win a seat.
JillianUrsu
| Wednesday, November 6, 2024 | www.SASKTODAY.ca
Estevan unveils first outdoor public access AED SaveStation at Churchill Park BUSINESS
By Ana Bykhovskaia SaskToday.ca
Estevan took an important step towards improving public health and safety Wednesday, unveiling its rst outdoor automated external de brillator (AED) SaveStation at Churchill Park.
Community leaders gathered to inaugurate the new installation, designed to provide 24/7 access to an AED in cases of sudden cardiac arrest – a condition in which an immediate response is essential to survival.
e opening ceremony saw attendance from Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig, city councillors and sta , and members of the Estevan Police Service, Estevan Fire Rescue Service and Estevan EMS.
Estevan safety co-ordinator Helen Fornwald underscored the importance of such installations in preventing fatalities, stating, “In Canada, approximately 2,000 people su er out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year, but unfortunately, only 10 per cent survive. When sudden cardiac arrest strikes, every second counts.”
She highlighted that public AEDs play a vital role in bridging this gap, adding,
“Every minute that goes by, the chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent. Brain damage will start to set in after four to six minutes, and it’s irreversible after 10 minutes. Studies show that the immediate use of an AED combined with CPR can drastically increase the likelihood of survival.”
Ludwig addressed the group, expressing his gratitude for the community’s collective e ort in making the SaveStation possible, including support from CPKC Rail, which contributed over $11,000 in grant funding.
“Any time we can help out as a community to save lives is very important,” he said.
Ludwig also recognized the various emergency service departments and their collaborative approach to ensuring Estevan’s residents have access to essential resources.
“ is is a whole community, holistic, caring e ort for the people within our community,” he emphasized. “If we can save one life, it’s well worth it.”
Brad Robinson, an Estevan EMS primary care paramedic, spoke on the life-saving signi cance of quick access to an AED, particularly in public spaces.
“One of the key things that we like about this is the whole idea of early intervention, because time is of the essence,” Robinson explained. is new AED station allows for rapid access to live-saving device across a signi cant portion of Estevan, supporting both emergency responders and bystanders in urgent situations.
“Early intervention is key … and it’s going to be a fantastic asset to the community,” Robinson added.
Churchill Park was cho-
sen as an ideal site for the SaveStation due to its central location and role as a community gathering space. is installation is Estevan’s rst outdoor public AED, adding to those already available in the city’s recreational facilities.
Fornwald noted that Estevan joined Moosomin as one of only two locations in southeast Saskatchewan with such a device. Recounting Moosomin’s recent success with the SaveStation, she said “With the Town of Moosomin, seven days after they installed it, it actually saved a life.”
“It’s so powerful to know that by empowering the public with quick access to an AED, they now have the power to save a life if they witness a sudden cardiac arrest,” Fornwald added.
e SaveStation accessible AED is equipped with a built-in camera and photo-capturing technology to monitor use, ensuring security.
“If someone opens the cabinet … they’re photographed right away,” ex-
plained Fornwald, adding that the monitoring measures would prevent misuse while still remaining available for emergencies at all hours.
e project was made possible thanks to the city’s e orts in researching and applying for a grant, and CPKC Rail covering the $11,211.29 cost of installation and the rst four years of associated maintenance expenses. Fornwald noted that members of the public don’t need to have specialized training to use an AED if they witness someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
“When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, they’re highly dependent on the public to step in and help them. AEDs are safe for everyone to use, and you don’t need to be trained to respond or to use one. By placing these life-saving devices in an accessible outdoor public space, we can ip the statistics and help save more lives due to sudden cardiac arrest,” Fornwald said.
ENERGY
Southeast leads the way for latest land sale
e Government of Saskatchewan’s latest Crown oil and natural gas public o ering, held on Oct. 29, raised $7,304,936 for the province, with the southeast region generating the majority of the revenue.
Of the 112 parcels posted for this o ering, 93 received acceptable bids, covering a total of 15,347.639 hectares.
e southeast brought in $5,417,916. Fifty-six leases encompassing 6,012.494 hectares were sold for $5,010,245, or $833.31 per hectare. Sixty-seven leases were available.
One licence for 2,318.023 hectares was sold for $407,670, or $175.87 per hectare to Millennium Land (444) Ltd. It is located four kilometres south of Minton.
e highest bonus bid and dollars per hectare received on a lease in this o ering was $1,369,276, an average of $5,284.76 per hectare. is 259.099-hectare lease was awarded to Surge Energy Inc. and is located nine kilometres northeast of Macoun, within the Bryant Frobisher Beds Oil Pool.
e Kindersley area fetched $1,325,636 for 21 leases encompassing 5,063.604 hectares, an average of $261.80/hectare. Twenty-two leases were available.
e highest bonus bid and the highest dollars per hectare received on a lease in this area was $288,689.02, an average of $1,105.69 per hectare. is 261.094-hectare lease was awarded to
Durham Creek Energy Ltd. and is located ve kilometres west of Dodsland, within the Plenty Viking Sand Oil pool.
e total bonus received in the Lloydminster area was $559,269 for eight parcels encompassing 1,369.226 hectares, for an average sale
price of $408.46 per hectare. Eleven leases were available. e highest bonus bid and the highest dollars per hectare received on a lease in this area was $284,646.84, an average of $1,100.88 per hectare. is 258.56-hectare lease was awarded to Evergo
Resources Ltd. and is located 13 kilometres southwest of Turtleford, within the Standard Hill Waseca Sand Oil Pool.
e highest dollars per hectare received on a lease in this area was $1,548.88 per hectare, or a total of $25,025.25. is 16.157-hectare lease was awarded to Synergy Land Services Ltd. and is located 14 kilometres northeast of Maidstone, within the Dee Valley East Mannville Sands Oil Pool.
e total bonus received in Swift Current area was $2,115.14 for seven parcels encompassing 584.292 hectares, an average of $3.62/ hectare. Eleven leases were posted. e highest bonus bid
received in this area was $703.97, or $3.62 per hectare. is 194.466-hectare lease was awarded to Canadian Natural Resources Limited and is located 25 kilometres northeast of Maple Creek. ese parcels that received bids of $3.62/hectare included only those shallow rights from the Surface to Top Milk River Formation. All seven parcels sold in this area were acquired by Canadian Natural Resources Limited. ere are six scheduled public o erings of oil and natural gas dispositions held each scal year in Saskatchewan. After four public offerings this scal year, the provincial government has raised $37,382,523.18 in revenue. e next o ering is scheduled for Dec. 3.
Elections will happen in southeast rural municipalities
ere will be elections in a number of southeast Saskatchewan rural municipalities this fall.
e four-year terms for reeve, and councillors for Divisions 1, 3 and 5, will be decided in elections on Nov. 13. Councillors for Divisions 2, 4 and 6 will be elected in 2026.
One of the busiest locations in the southeast will be the RM of Tecumseh No. 65. ere are three candidates for reeve: Christy Goudy, Jerry Wilkes and Zandra Slater.
In Division 1, Guy Russell and Mike Picard are up for councillor, and in Division 5, Tanya Dubois and Richard Bowes are the candidates.
George Ingram (Division 3) was acclaimed.
Also busy is the RM of
Coal elds No. 4, where three candidates, Ken Hesketh, Arnie Jahn and Richard Tessier, have led papers for reeve. Heath Brokenshire and Bruce Craig led papers to be the councillor of Division 1. Jody Dukart (Division 3) and Dalan Wheeler (Division 5) were acclaimed as councillors.
ere will be an election for reeve in the RM of Argyle No. 1, with George Howden and John Rickman challenging for the role. Larry Redpath (Division 1), Krystyn Gillies (Division 3) and Sheldon Je rey (Division 5) have been acclaimed as councillors.
In the RM of Mount Pleasant No. 2, Terry MacFarlane and Rebecca Scott led nomination papers for
Two elections will take place in Cornerstone
Only two subdivisions in the South East Cornerstone Public School Division will have an election, with all other positions lled via acclamation. at was the information released by returning o cer Shelley Toth at the Oct. 15 board meeting.
Jim Vermeersch, a veteran board member representing Subdivision 2, which includes Arcola, Carlyle, Manor, Mary eld and Wawota ,is being challenged by Velda Weatherald, a former educator and superintendent.
e other challenge is found in Subdivision 5 where incumbent Audrey Trombley, the board chairwoman, is being challenged by Cheryl Lake, a Stoughton district resident.
Subdivision 5 includes Fillmore, Stoughton, Midale and Macoun.
Eric McCrimmon, one of the two Estevan city representatives announced he won’t seek re-election. at seat has now been taken by Craig MacDonald by acclamation.
Kevin Keating is the other Estevan city representative on the public school board. He too is back through acclamation.
e two seats in Weyburn were also re-elected through acclamation. Norma Hewitt-Lendrum and Megan Schick will be their representatives in the conference.
Other board members returning to the table via acclamation include Devona Putland in Subdivision 1 (Rocanville, Wapella and
Moosomin); Jim Henderson, Subdivision 3 (Redvers, Carndu and Carievale); Tami Scott, Subdivision 4 (Lampman, Alameda, Oxbow and Bienfait); and Michelle DeBruyne, Subdivision 6 (Ogema, Pangman, Yellow Grass, Radville, Gladmar and Oungre). e school board elections are held in conjunction with the municipal elections on Nov. 13.
Election details can be found on the SECPSD website under the board tab.
Division 3 councillor. Chad Baglole was acclaimed as reeve, and Clinton Taylor (Division 1) and Clint Paton (Division 5) were acclaimed as councillors.
In the RM of Enniskillen No. 3, an election will occur for Division 1 councillor, with Tyler Fitzpatrick, Yvonne Douglas and Leslie Logue as the candidates. Trevor Walls was acclaimed as reeve, while Richard Ryan Nielsen (Division 3) and Rae Wright (Division 5) were acclaimed as councillors.
In the RM of Storthoaks No. 31, Ivan Moreau and Bernard Poirier are the candidates for division 5 councillor. Brian Chicoine was the lone candidate for reeve, and acclaimed councillors are Valbert Rekken (Division 1)
and Dell Real (Division 5).
In the RM of Moose Mountain No. 63, Jessica Shirley and Jack Wilson are the candidates for Division 5 councillor. Kelly Brimner (reeve), Donald Boutin (Division 1) and Bryton Cann (Division 3) were acclaimed.
In the RM of Brock No. 64, Douglas Ilchuk and Gregory Johnston led papers to be the councillor for Division 5. Larry Gordon (reeve) and Lucas Hislop (Division 1) were acclaimed. Nobody led papers for Division 3 during the rst or second call for nominations, so a byelection will happen at a later date to ll the vacancy.
All candidates were acclaimed in the following RMs: Estevan No. 5: Jason
LeBlanc (reeve), Suzanne McNabb (Division 1), Kevin Daoust (Division 3) and Ramona Dukart (Division 5).
Cambria No. 6: Darwin Daae (reeve), Justin Lievaart (Division 1), Pauline Ziehl Grimsrud (Division 3) and Andrew Wurtz (Division 5).
Souris Valley No. 7: Glenn Walkeden (reeve), Jason Durr (Division 1), Kevin Skjerdal (Division 3) and Garry Kurtz (Division 5).
Reciprocity No. 32: Steven Bendtsen (reeve), Roy Annetts (Division 1), Cheryl Harrison (Division 3) and Louis Gervais (Division 5).
Moose Creek No. 33: Kelvin Luedtke (reeve), Jeremy Nielsen (Division 1), Kim Dietze (Division 3) and Edward Brown (Division 5).
Browning No. 34: Pius
Loustel (reeve), Richard Brokop (Division 1) and Brian Fornwald (Division 5). Two calls for nominations were issued for Division 3, but neither yielded a candidate. A byelection will be called to ll the vacancy at a later date.
Benson No. 35: Kenneth Wallewein (reeve), Jason Black (Division 1), Dwight Monteyne (Division 3) and Cordell Janssen (Division 5).
Cymri No. 36: Brad Eggum (reeve), Greg Wallin (Division 1), Aaron Toles (Division 3) and William Gill (Division 5).
Antler No. 61: Bernard Bauche (reeve), Edmond Aime (Division 1), omas Bastable (Division 3), Jordan Moore (Division 5) and Bryan Gervais (Division 6).
Brothers dedicated their lives to serving Canadians in the sea and in the air
By David Willberg
Duane and Allan Gall remain proud of the decades they spent serving Canadians through the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force, respectively, even though both are now retired.
e brothers, who were born in Estevan and went to the Estevan Comprehensive School, re ected on their respective careers during interviews with the Mercury and SaskToday.
Wanted to see the world
Duane Gall joined the Navy because he grew up travelling and he wanted to keep doing so; the Navy a orded him that opportunity. He was born in Estevan and lived in the Energy City until he was ve years old. His family then moved to Scotland for four years, Singapore for six years, and then he moved to Bienfait with his older brother to live with his grandparents and go to school in Estevan.
When Duane applied to join the Navy in 1989, Allan was already with the Air Force. Duane recalls he was working in the oilpatch in southeast Saskatchewan, but it didn’t appeal to him, and the Navy t his desire for travel.
“I speci cally want-
ed the Navy because they had o ered me a few other things like supply technician, which I could have gone with anywhere, but I speci cally wanted the Navy and to go back to the Far East, where I spent six years growing up,” said Duane.
While in the Navy, he travelled up and down the Paci c Coast of Canada and the U.S., stretching from Alaska to San Diego. ere were a lot of trips to Hawaii as well. He went all over the Mediterranean and made two trips through the Panama Canal. He also went to Ecuador, Australia, New Zealand, Mumbai and the Koreas.
e most memorable deployment was to the coast of Libya at Christmas 2011 during an uprising in 2011 and 2012.
“It was just the whole camaraderie,” said Duane. “We had all been together for three or four months at that time, doing our deployment o the coast of Sirte and Misrata during the Libyan con ict.”
Duane’s wife shipped in some small items, and he and a friend sewed up stockings for all of the members within their department.
“ ere’s the two of us at
three o’clock in the morning giggling away as we’re putting stockings on all of these guys’ lockers as they’re trying to sleep or … on watch,” he recalled.
Nobody knew who did it for two or three weeks.
“ ings like that stick out – the people and the camaraderie and doing Christmas dinner together, because Christmas dinner, I was a petty o cer second class at the time on that deployment, and the petty o cers and above, the chiefs and the o cers, we served dinner to the junior ranks, to the crew,” said Duane.
Duane said he stayed in the Navy for so long because he never found the work boring. As boatswain, they were doing di erent things all of the time, whether it be standing watch, guiding the boat at sea, performing maintenance or shooting rearms.
“ ere’s tons of little di erent things you’re doing all the time,” said Duane. “It never seemed like it was work to me.”
He was a chief petty o cer second class when he retired in May. Duane said he was in the process of getting released medically due to injuries he had throughout his years in the Navy. e 35 years took a toll. He could have remained for another 4 1/2 or ve years, but he knew it was time to move on.
“I was getting older. e Navy was changing. Newer ships. New policies. It was just my time, before I became one of those grumpy old guys,” he said.
Since leaving the Navy, he and his wife moved from Victoria to Spaniard’s Bay, N.L. ey drove their trailer across Canada for the move, stopping in Estevan and elsewhere for visits, and are now settling into their new home before winter. He’s enjoying life after the Navy.
Duane was the guest speaker for the Remembrance Day service in Estevan last year – the rst time he’d been home in 1215 years. He wanted a lowkey visit, but was asked to give the address.
“One of the highlights was one of the schools we actually went to [Hillcrest] was the school that I did my kindergarten and Grade 1 in before I left Estevan,” said Duane.
From pilot to air tra c controller
Allan Gall joined the Air Force because he wanted to be a pilot, but he wound up becoming an air tra c controller.
“Flying always intrigued me, so that was the easy way of getting ight training and getting to become a pilot,” he said.
Allan’s not sure when or where the ying bug rst bit him, but he recalls being intrigued when his family lived in Scotland and seeing the Harrier jets ying around near where they lived.
Allan joined the Air
Force in March 1987. He didn’t make it through pilot school, so he switched to the air tra c controller job. Allan remained with the RCAF until late 1995, and then he went to New Zealand for six years, where he was part of their territorial air force.
He recalled that in the mid-1990s, the Canadian military decided it had too many air tra c controllers, so their contracts weren’t renewed.
“New Zealand was looking for people at the time, so they came to Canada, interviewed 106 controllers, and then hired 12 of us,” said Allan.
en he came back to Canada and worked as a civilian-contracted air trafc controller at the base in Goose Bay, N.L. for four years, until he returned to the Air Force in 2006. He remained until 2021.
Allan was a captain when he retired. He took a job in Regina with the Saskatchewan Safety Council, teaching motorcycle training, defensive driving
and anything that has to do with road safety, and stayed with them for a year. He was then hired by 15 Wing Moose Jaw as a civilian-contracted air tra c controller.
Since he’s working at an Air Force base, he’s not completely removed from the Canadian Forces, and so he doesn’t miss it as much as would have otherwise.
Allan said he enjoyed the people he met and the opportunities the Air Force provided.
“I served in Afghanistan for seven months,” he said. “I went to Iqualuit [in Nunavut] for two weeks on an exercise. I ended up at the ule Air Base in Greenland for a couple of weeks,” said Allan. But he most enjoyed training new air tra c controllers coming into the service.
“From starting out as the young guy to now being the old guy, and seeing all these young kids starting their career just like I did, I think that whole training aspect for me is where I get the most enjoyment out of it,” he said.
Allan said he and his brother were the rst in their family to join the Canadian Forces. It was always good to travel across the country to where Duane was stationed and see a di erent side of the forces.
“He’d show me the Navy stu when I’d go visit him, and I’d show him the Air Force stu when he came to visit me. So, it was kind of neat being able to see someone entrenched in a di erent circle in the service and be able to see a di erent side of it.” ere is a sense of pride that they both served as long as they did and were able to accomplish so much in their careers.
seum’s e orts to remember the veterans of southeast Saskatchewan through commemorative banners continue to have lots of interest.
More than 180 banners are hanging in 13 communities, with Ogema being the newest community to come on board. Forty-six banners have been added throughout the region this year, including four in Estevan.
Carlyle, Lampman, Stoughton, Redvers, Carndu , Macoun, Midale, Kisbey, Weyburn, Radville and Whitewood are also participating. Carlyle has the most banners with roughly 70.
“ eir legion has really come to the forefront with getting veterans from that area displayed in Carlyle. If you ever go into Carlyle around Remembrance Day, they have them on all of the main streets and in all of the residential areas, so it’s quite a thing to see in Carlyle if you’re there and take a drive around town. ey do have quite a few banners commemorating a lot of the veterans from that area and from White Bear,” said Craig Bird, the museum’s founder and a local military historian.
Among the new banners for that area is Eliza Beatty, who was the National Silver Cross Mother in 1979. Bird said the museum gets some unique requests every year, and it tries to accommodate them if possible.
“ ree of her sons had served during the Second World War, and unfortunately two of them were killed during the Dieppe
Raid. She was commemorated as the Silver Cross Mother and was taken to Ottawa to lay the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” said Bird.
He wasn’t able to hang all of the banners in Estevan this year due to the downtown revitalization on Fourth Street. e street light poles were removed, so some of the banners that normally hang around the cenotaph at the intersection of Fourth Street and 11th Avenue were not installed.
“Next year we plan on adding some more, so it will all work out in the end. But you have to be exible and do what you can,” said Bird.
A couple banners on Kensington Avenue were damaged due to the wind storm that blasted the region in October.
Bird is surprised at how quickly the project has taken o since it was launched in 2021.
“As word’s getting out, and people are seeing them up, I’m getting more and more interest, which is always nice. It’s one of those things in which you get them out in the community, people see them and they want to know where they got them from. It snowballs from there,” said Bird.
e cuto date to submit a banner request is the middle of August, so the museum has time to produce the banner and get the communities to help hang them.
Bird said he is already starting to take orders for 2025.
“We try to do it all at the same time to save on shipping costs with the banners, so that we can get them out to the communities,
and also give the towns a little bit of time and an opportunity to put them up when the weather is nice,” said Bird.
If someone wants to purchase a banner to remember someone who served, Bird said they need to include the name, the rank if it’s known, a photo, preferably from the individual’s service time, the unit(s) the individual served with, and the era of service. If they don’t have the information, part of the museum’s e ort is to get service records for the family
members so they know the loved one’s history. e museum is looking to honour anyone who has served their country, including those who are active with the Canadian Forces.
“We’ve done banners for members that have served other countries. For example, in Carlyle, we have a family there in which their family members have served in the Australian army. We have members in some of the communities that have served in
the French Army or the British Army. It doesn’t matter as long as their family is here, and they want a banner to commemorate somebody’s service.”
e banners cost $200, including tax. Depending on how much a family wants to spend, the museum o ers an option to purchase the hanging hardware which is $300. Some companies have decided they want to help by donating the funds to supply banner brackets, such as the Southern Plains Co-op, who purchased the brackets in Estevan in front of their grocery store on Fourth Street, and in Carlyle. Some companies have a veteran working for them, and have bought a banner to honour an employee.
“We can hang it up where their workplace is so that people can see they have veterans working for them and they appreciate them,” said Bird.
After Remembrance Day, the banners are taken down and often replaced with Christmas decorations. e banners are stored by the municipality or the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Bird stores the banners for Estevan.
e museum is also always looking to add more communities for the project, but Bird knows some towns and villages don’t have the ability to hang the banners due to size or the availability of suitable light poles. Further information on the project and ordering of banners can be found on the South East Military Museums’ website. People can also email semilitarymuseum@outlook.com.
What’s planned for the Remembrance Day service in Estevan on November 11?
By Ana Bykhovskaia SaskToday.ca
Estevan’s Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11 will once again take place at Estevan Comprehensive School, where community members are invited to gather to honour the sacri ces of Canadian veterans.
Organized by the Royal Canadian Legion Estevan Branch No. 60, the ceremony, which begins at 10:45 a.m., will feature a range of commemorative events and a video presentation by Capt. Craig Bird.
“We’d like everybody to be inside by about 10:30, and then we will begin the program right at 10:45,” said Troy LeBlanc, chairman for Estevan’s Remembrance Day service.
e ceremony will be held in the school gymnasium and will include prayers, the Last Post, two minutes of silence, Rouse, the reading of the roll of honour and Flanders Field, and more. is year, the event will highlight a special video presentation on Bird’s recent trip to Europe for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“We’re looking forward to that,” LeBlanc noted.
Attendees can also expect a slideshow honouring veterans as the crowd enters. Following the ceremony, lunch will be served at the legion for a donation to support veteran honorariums.
Additional observances will include a wreath-laying at Estevan’s cenotaph in the morning before the service, and a wreath-laying ceremony after the lunch.
In November, the legion is also holding its Poppy Campaign with poppies available for a donation at many local businesses and organizations including the Mercury o ce.
Nov. 3 is the legion’s annual Poppy Tea, which helps raise funds for veterans’ needs as well.
Schools and senior homes will also have services held ahead of Remembrance Day.
“Most schools are doing their services, I believe, on November 6. And we are doing the services at the regional nursing home, Creighton Lodge and long-term care. ose are all happening on the 8th,” LeBlanc said.
He also thanked the community for its continued support of veterans.
“ ank you to the members of the community of Estevan for all their support to our veterans,” he said.
Remembrance Day
Estevan youth proudly supports veterans
e support shown by the War Amps Childhood Amputee (CHAMP) program has given an Estevan youth a greater awareness and appreciation for the impact and e orts of Canada’s veterans.
Ten-year-old Emma Grobbink visits the local cenotaph to honour the sacri ces made by veterans who fought for their country. She likes to be at the local war memorial on Remembrance Day to place a ower or poppy. She started this personal tradition ve years ago.
“I go to the cenotaph to remember the veterans who fought in the war,” said Emma in an interview with the Mercury and SaskToday. “Some of them lost limbs and they didn’t know what to do, and that’s ba-
sically how the War Amps was founded.”
Emma’s mother Jessica said they will attend the ceremony at the Estevan Comprehensive School on Nov. 11, starting at 10:45 a.m., and then they usually leave their poppies at the cenotaph after the gathering.
e War Amps was founded over 100 years ago to support amputee veterans returning from the First World War, and has since expanded its programs to assist all amputees, including children.
Emma takes pride in her involvement with Operation Legacy, which encourages members of the CHAMP Program to participate in commemorative events and take up the torch of remembrance.
She was born with three ngers on her right hand.
e War Amps helped her by providing her with prosthetics, enabling her to participate in activities, such as playing basketball, performing cartwheels or handstands on the front lawn, riding her bicycle or using the monkey bars in the playground.
“ ey’ve helped me with a lot of things,” she said.
And Emma has met other children who have been through similar experiences so she doesn’t feel alone.
“ ey hold seminars, normally, for the kids and their families to travel, and then it’s good for the kids to meet other kids like them, but they provide a lot of information for the parents,” said Jessica.
“ ey provide a resource
kit for the parents. ey provide a resource kit for when kids are starting school, because usually there’s going to be a lot of questions and stu like that. It’s just a really good resource, both for parents and for kids.”
ey have to travel to meet with a specialist at the Wascana Rehab Centre to have Emma’s prosthetics custom-made, a cost covered by the War Amps.
“She doesn’t have to choose between being able to do activities, because the custom prosthetics would be very expensive,” said Jessica.
Emma said she has learned a lot about the men and women who served their country. A great-grandfather and an uncle are both veterans, and so there is a deep personal connection for her.
The poppy is a powerful symbol
From the last Friday in October until Remembrance Day, millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visual pledge to never forget those who served and sacriced.
e red ower also is the symbol of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign, raising funds to support veterans and their families in need.
“We invite everyone across the country to show their recognition by proudly wearing this symbol of remembrance,” the legion said in an article posted on its website.
e legion says the poppy is a symbol of remembrance and should not be a xed with a pin that obstructs the poppy. It should be worn on the left side, over the heart.
e legion also encourages the wearing of poppies at funerals of veterans, and
for any commemorative event such as a memorial service, or the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April.
When a poppy is removed, it should be stored appropriately, or disposed of respectfully. We encourage anyone who nds a poppy that has fallen to the ground to pick it up, brush it o , wear it or dispose of it with respect.
Every year, the Royal Canadian Legion conducts the poppy campaign, along with thousands of members who volunteer from coast to coast to coast, to raise funds
in support of veterans and their families. Poppies are distributed freely, but generous donations are invaluable and welcome.
e signi cance of the poppy can be traced back to the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century, over 110 years before being adopted in Canada. Records from that time indicate that thick poppies grew over the graves of soldiers in Flanders, France. Fields that had been barren before battle exploded with the blood-red owers after the ghting ended. e person who rst introduced the Poppy to Canada and the Commonwealth was Lt.-Col. John McCrae of Guelph, Ont., a Canadian medical ocer during the First World War. McCrae penned the poem In Flanders Fields on a scrap of paper in May 1915 on the day following
the death of a fellow soldier. Little did he know then that those 13 lines would become enshrined in the hearts and minds of millions. McCrae’s poem was published in Punch Magazine in December of that same year. e idea for the remembrance poppy was imagined by Madame Anna Guérin of France. She was inspired by McCrae’s poem. Guérin had originally founded a charity to help rebuild regions of France after the First World War, and created poppies made of fabric to raise funds. Later, she presented her concept to France’s allies, including the precursor to the legion, e Great War Veterans Association. e idea was considered at a meeting in Port Arthur, Ont. (now under Bay) and was adopted on July 6, 1921.
Estevan police arrest B.C. couple for drug trafficking, $80,000 worth of cocaine seized
e Estevan Police Service arrested a couple of people last week for drug tra cking.
According to the EPS, on Oct. 29, o cers executed a search warrant at a local hotel after a man and woman from B.C. were arrested for drug tra cking o ences during a tra c stop.
e search warrant stemmed from an EPS Patrol Division investigation which led to the seizure of cocaine with a street value of approximately $80,000 and Canadian currency in excess of $5,000.
As a result of this investigation, Minhaaz Aryan Ali and Cristina McGillivary were charged with possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of tra cking (cocaine); tra cking a schedule I substance (cocaine); and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
e accused were remanded into custody and appeared in Estevan Provincial Court on Nov. 4 for a bail hearing. No further information was immediately available.
In other recent police news, a hit-and-run collision was reported in central Estevan that resulted in minor damage. A vehicle struck another vehicle while it was stationary at a stop sign. e matter remains
under investigation. A scam was reported in which the scammer, who attempted to impersonate an injured family member, requested to have money for medical expenses sent to him. e complainant wasn’t fooled and no information or money was transferred.
e public is reminded to be on the lookout for this and the many other scams currently being attempted.
e EPS assisted the Estevan RCMP with their request for a single-vehicle rollover south of Estevan on Oct. 31. Upon arrival, a vehicle was found on its roof with no occupants. A search of the surrounding area was conducted by the EPS, RCMP, Estevan Fire Rescue Service and Estevan Emergency Medical Services for possible injured victims. A further investigation revealed the vehicle had been reported as stolen from a residence in Estevan. e matter remains under investigation.
e EPS also responded to a two-vehicle collision in the 600-block of George Street. e driver of a westbound vehicle struck a parked car after experiencing what the EPS described as a minor medical issue. No injuries were reported but both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. Also on Halloween,
Envision
members were dispatched to an area in north-central Estevan where a man was reported to be bare-footed and wrapped in a blanket. Patrols were made throughout the area, but nobody was found.
A hit-and-run collision that occurred in south-central Estevan resulted in minor damage. e matter remains under investigation.
A 62-year-old Estevan man was arrested and charged with assault and uttering threats following a confrontation which occurred near the victim’s residence. He was released from custody on conditions and is
scheduled to make his rst appearance in Estevan Provincial Court on Jan. 13, 2025.
Police received a report on Nov. 1 of an assault that took place the previous evening. e matter remains under investigation.
A report of a possible impaired driver leaving a local convenience store was received by the EPS. Members located the truck and conducted a tra c stop, during which the driver showed no signs of impairment. It was determined the 56-year-old man was an unauthorized driver, which resulted in a charge under the
Tra c Safety Act and impoundment of his vehicle.
Following a driving complaint, a tra c stop was made in central Estevan that resulted in a 17-yearold Estevan man being arrested for impaired driving. He was transported to the police station where he was charged and subsequently released to his parents. He is scheduled to make his rst appearance in Estevan Provincial Court on Jan. 6, 2025.
EPS members conducted a tra c stop in northeast Estevan that resulted in a 49-year-old Redvers man receiving a 21-day roadside
driver’s licence suspension and having his vehicle impounded based on the result of a breath sample provided into an approved screening device for alcohol. A 32-year-old Estevan woman was arrested following a domestic disturbance that resulted in minor injuries to a man. She was transported to the police station where she was charged with assault and released on conditions. She is scheduled to make her rst court appearance in Estevan on Jan. 6, 2025.
Members attended to a central Estevan establishment on the report of a man causing a disturbance on the street. e man was spoken to and sent on his way without further issue.
e EPS responded to 53 calls for service over the weekend of Nov. 1-3, including mental health occurrences and well-being checks; two reported frauds; one occurrence related to uttering threats to cause bodily harm; and three assaults resulting in Criminal Code charges. Several suspicious vehicles and persons were reported and investigated, and multiple report impaired driver (RID) calls were received, resulting in two impaired driving arrests. Seven charges were laid under the Tra c Safety Act.
encourages people affected by domestic violence reach for help, proclaims awareness month
November is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Envision Counselling & Support Centre Inc. is committed to raising awareness about the pervasive issue of domestic violence within the region, Envision said in a news release on Oct. 31.
is important month serves as a reminder that violence is not con ned to any one demographic; it touches lives across all ages, genders and backgrounds.
Erin Haaland, an interpersonal violence and abuse (IVA) counsellor, said: “As an IVA counsellor practis-
ing in Saskatchewan, I see rsthand the alarming reality that domestic violence a ects far too many in our own communities. Statistically, women face higher rates of violence, but it is important to understand that men and other gender-identifying individuals can experience domestic violence as well. While many incidents remain unreported, the growing demand for support services highlights the urgent need for awareness and action.”
is is not just a women’s issue; it is a community issue that requires collective awareness and action, Envision continues. Domestic violence can lead to devastating emotional and physical consequences, and it often remains hidden behind closed doors. e goal at Envision Counselling and Support Centre this month is to shed light on this issue and provide accessible resources for those in need.
“Envision understands that anyone can be a ected
Town of Lampman
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that for the election of: Mayor of the Town of Lampman (1) Councillor of the Town of Lampman (6)
1. Notice of Poll for the Town of Lampman will take place on the 13 th day of November 2024, from 9:00am to 8:00pm at the Lampman Town Office, 303 Main Steet, Lampman, SK.
2. Election Results will be declared by 9:00 am on the 14th day of November, 2024.
Nominated for Mayor: Scott Greening, Jay (John) Jones. Nominated for Council: Jadon Carnduff, Randy Fleck, Tanner Frycz, Steven Massel, Mark Morrissette, Twyla Quantrill, R.J. (Roy) Raynard, Daryle Runge, Ryan Saxon, Dena Scott, Ian Stewart, Kelly Storlie, Garrett Woodley.
Dated at Lampman, SK this 11th day of October, 2024. Teresa Dyck/ Returning Of cer
by unhealthy relationships and the trauma of violence, whether directly or indirectly. We want to assure everyone living in the southeast that we are here to help,” Envision said. eir agency o ers free, con dential support services for those a ected by violence or the potential for violence, as well as secondary survivors – those who support or are impacted by someone else’s experience with domestic violence.
Envision Counselling and Support Centre Inc. encourages anyone who feels trapped in an unhealthy relationship or who has been impacted by family violence to reach out to the o ce nearest you. eir
trained professionals are available to provide support, guidance and a safe space to talk about the challenges facing survivors and their loved ones. “ ere is no shame in asking for help. Together, we can create a society where every individual feels safe and valued, and where domestic violence is no longer tolerated,” said Haaland. For more information about Envision’s services or to schedule a con dential appointment, contact their o ce at 306-637-4004 or by email at support@envisioncounsellingcentre. com. You can also visit their website at www.envisioncounsellingcentre.com for resources and support.
Helen Fornwald announces retirement after lengthy and memorable career with the city
By David Willberg
Helen Fornwald has been at the helm of a number of milestones for the City of Estevan, from the construction of the Estevan Leisure Centre and A nity Place, to responding to disasters.
After a career with the city that spanned nearly 34 years, and a few more years with other municipalities, Fornwald – who is currently the city’s safety co-ordinator – has announced her retirement. Dec. 13 will be her nal day.
“It’s always good to retire and have your health, which I do,” Fornwald said in an interview with the Mercury and SaskToday.
After working in Rocanville and Maple Creek, Fornwald came to Estevan in 1991 as a facilities manager for the construction of the leisure centre. She held that role for 10 years, until December 2001, when she was promoted to the role of leisure services manager, which she held until 2010.
Among the highlights from her time as leisure services manager was the planning and the start of construction of A nity Place, as well as other proj-
ects such as the skate park.
“When I rst started, we were upgrading all of the playpark equipment … and the city would purchase the equipment and we would have community volunteers to install it. Nowadays, that’s absolutely not the standard,” said Fornwald.
In 2010, she shifted to her present role as the city’s safety co-ordinator. Fornwald keeps busy training sta , keeping records, and visiting construction sites and projects to ensure that Occupational Health and Safety Act regulations are followed.
“I work with a lot of sta to make sure they’re trained, that they do their jobs, and follow safe work practices and procedures, making sure our facilities are safe,” she said.
Also, in 1996, Fornwald became involved with the city’s emergency measures organization (EMO), and she has been its co-ordinator since 2010. She’ll never forget the ood of 2011, which she described as “an intense three weeks” of work around the clock.
ere also was ooding in 2016 and 2018, and some powerful snowstorms in
which roads had to be shut down.
She also remembers the response to the Sixth Street grain elevator re in 2002 and a train derailment near
the 13th Avenue rail crossing in 2004, when anhydrous ammonia leaked and homes had to be evacuated for a couple of days.
“I’ve worked closely with
police, re … and EMS, and developed a really great relationship over the years with them. ey’re rst-class sta members and can do a really great job. I believe in the safety of what we do for the community,” she said.
e opportunity to be part of big projects like the leisure centre and A nity Place played a role in her decision to stay. She looks at those two facilities and knows she played a role.
ere were a lot of organizations to work with and signi cant fundraising, and they had to work with engineers and architects.
She also worked with city sta , management, council and mayors during her time.
“ ere’s been a lot of great people to work with over the years. It’s kind of like family.”
She also met her husband here and they raised their family in Estevan.
“It was just a great community to live, work and play. Once our kids graduated and went to university, I just continued [to stay here] because I love the community, I’m actively involved as a volunteer in other organizations in the
city, and I just found it was a great community.”
She said she will miss the people at the city, but she will still use the walking track at A nity Place and the Access Communications Aquatic Centre on a regular basis.
Fornwald will remain busy with a couple of roles. She is in the midst of the second year of her term as the president of CurlSask’s board, and she believes she’ll now be able to dedicate more time to that position until it wraps up in June 2025. She also has a year left on her term with the Saskatchewan Emergency Planners’ Association.
Fornwald also hopes to be involved with the planning of a national curling event as well, as the Estevan Curling Club has submitted a bid to host the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts national women’s curling championship. An announcement is expected to occur in the winter.
She’ll still be busy curling competitively and enjoying other interests, and she expects she’ll be in the community for a while yet, as her husband plans to continue working.
Fire crews tend to accidents, fire, elevator entrapment
e Estevan Fire Rescue Service responded to accidents, alarms, a grass re and more last week.
On Oct. 28, just before 8 a.m., the EFRS was dispatched to a commercial re alarm in the central part of the city. Crews investigated and determined that no emergency was occurring, and the alarm was due to a possible issue with the system. Fire ghters were requested to a commercial property in the north end
of the city to investigate an odour on Oct. 29. e duty o cer responded and determined there was no re emergency and the smell was caused by cleaning chemicals. Crews had a busy Halloween night, but none of the calls were related to the holiday. At around 7 p.m., crews were dispatched for an elevator rescue in the northeast area of the city. Occupants of the elevator were quickly removed with assistance from the
EFRS sta without incident.
A little later, re ghters responded to a single-vehicle rollover south of the city. ere was no entrapment or injuries reported from that incident.
At right about the same time at 11 p.m., they were called to a two-vehicle collision in the north end of the city. Another crew responded and assisted with that incident. ere were no reports of entrapment or injuries from that
incident as well.
On Nov. 1, shortly after 1 p.m., crews were called to a smoke investigation in the northwest area. e duty o cer responded and determined that improper burning was taking place in the backyard of a residence. e homeowner was asked to extinguish
the re and advised of re pit and burning bylaws within the city. At about that same time, re ghters were also called to a grass re southwest of the city. e re was near the intersection of Highway 18 and Collins Road. Crews responded and worked to extinguish the re. No injuries or serious damage were reported, and the cause is under investigation. Crews were out on the scene for approximately three hours. Dry conditions, above-average temperatures and wind in recent weeks have extended the grass re season in the southeast.
Note: Mark your ballot for or against the bylaw or resolution by placing an “X” in the circle to the right of the words that express your intention. Do not write any word or other figure on this ballot.
Vote on the Resolution as stated:
Would you support the construction of a third indoor ice facility in the City of Estevan Yes No
In the City of Estevan
Dated this 10 day of September ,
[Section 81 of the Act] Notice of Poll
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that:
1 A poll has been granted in the City of Estevan for the election of: Mayor Councillor
2 Voting will take place on Wednesday the 13th day of November, 2024, at the polling places listed below.
3 I will declare the result of the election at City Hall, 1102 4th Street, Estevan on the 14th day of November, 2024.
Dated at Estevan this 10th day of October 2024.
Judy Pilloud
CLASSIFIEDS
Estevan police continue to see increase in vehicle thefts
e Estevan Police Service had a small increase in call volumes for September, but the total number of calls for the year remains down.
e EPS responded to 607 calls for service in September, up 18 from the 589 they had in September 2023, according to numbers released at the Oct. 28 meeting of the Estevan board of police commissioners.
In the rst nine months of this year, the EPS received 5,554 calls for service, down 11.2 per cent for the same period a year earlier.
Nine crimes against the person were reported, with seven assaults, one sexual crime and one assault causing bodily harm. Ten such crimes occurred in September 2023.
In the rst nine months of 2024, the EPS had 128 crimes against the person, with 90 assaults, 24 sexual crimes, 10 assaults causing bodily harm, three robberies and one attempted murder. ere were 115 crimes against the person for the same period in 2023.
e EPS had 38 crimes against property in September, with 19 thefts under $5,000, 13 mischief/ willful damage complaints, and two calls each for theft of motor vehicles, residential break and enter and business break and enter.
From Jan. 1-Sept. 30, there have been 339 crimes against property, with 182 thefts under $5,000, 99 mischief/willful damage complaints, 23 thefts of motor vehicles, 21 residential break and enters, seven business break and enters,
Steinke HEAVY EQUIPMENT
Motor scrapers, dozers, excavators, rock trucks, packers; wide range of machines. Lots of work all season. Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d. Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@xplor net.ca www brydenconstructionandtransport.ca
two break and enters listed as other, and ve thefts over $5,000.
In September 2023, there were 32 crimes against property, and 292 such crimes in the rst nine months of last year.
Chief Jamie Blunden said the number of vehicle thefts is up this year, but a lot of them are incidents of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. In most cases, it’s a family member taking a vehicle without permission.
Blunden said vehicle thefts are a much lower concern here than in Ontario or Quebec. Vehicle makers are taking measures to protect them from being stolen, but criminals nd a way around them.
“It comes down to making sure your doors are locked, your keys are out and sometimes you have to … put them in your garage,” said Blunden.
e EPS had three incidents under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for September, with one for tra cking and two for possession, compared to two a year earlier. In the rst nine months of the year, there have been 23 calls under the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act, with 13 for tra cking and 10 for possession. ere were 31 such incidents in the rst nine months of 2023. Six Criminal Code trafc violations occurred in September, with ve for impaired/exceed-related o ences and one for impairment by drug, down from 18 the previous year – a trend Blunden was pleased to see. rough Sept. 30, there were 91 incidents, down from 119 for the previous year. ere have been 61 incidents for impaired/exceed-related o ences, 17 for impairment by drug and 13 for dangerous driving. e ve-year average for incidents is 6,137, with averages of 113 for crimes against the person, 275 for crimes against property, 93 for Criminal Code trafc violations and 28 for CDSA violations.
Mayor Roy Ludwig chaired the meeting. Since Ludwig is not seeking re-election this year, it’s likely the nal open, public meeting for him at the helm as mayor. He has been in the role since 2012 and on city council since 1994.
Grace changes everything
A young man broke into a business and did $5,000 damage.
As part of his restorative justice sentence, he was required to meet with my friend Garth, who believes in making apologies and restitution. It took several months, but Garth nally convinced the young man that these were necessary steps, so he tried to arrange a meeting with the business owner.
e business owner wanted nothing to do with this situation. He was angry and wanted a more severe form of justice. Eventually, however, he agreed to meet the young man to hear what he had to say.
e young man looked the business owner in the eye and said, “I am sorry! ere is no excuse for my actions. I am going to get a job and pay back every cent I owe you.” With that, the meeting ended.
Later that night, Garth got a phone call from the business owner. “How is
that boy going to nd a job? Who will hire him?” he asked. Garth admitted that it might be di cult. en the business owner said the most amazing thing: “I will give him a job.” is startled Garth, so he asked, “Are you sure? I mean, he will have access to your store and your till. Do you think this is a good idea?”
e owner said he was certain, so for the next seven months, the young man worked to pay his debt. In fact, he was such a good worker that the business owner ended up o ering him a full-time job.
Tim Pippus of the Estevan Church of Christ
Grace is powerful because it treats others better than they deserve to be treated. It gives people another chance and allows them to grow into what they could be. Best of all, acting graciously makes us look like God himself.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Years later, Garth ran into the business owner and asked how it had all worked out. e owner replied, “ at kid turned out to be the best worker I have ever had. In fact, I am thinking about retiring and selling the business to him.”
Cindy Spyromilios
SPORTS
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Estevan roller derby star selected for Team Canada
By David Willberg
Estevan’s Cecilia McCaskill is going to be part of Team Canada at the Junior Roller Derby World Cup in Brisbane, Australia, in July 2025.
McCaskill, a 17-yearold who skates under the name of Fireball, was one of 20 athletes selected after two tryouts. e rst was in Lethbridge, Alta., just before the start of summer vacation, and the other was with 29 other hopefuls from across Canada in Chilliwack, B.C., in early September. She learned in mid-October that she had been selected, despite battling illness while in B.C.
She endured eight hours of auditions the rst day while battling an undiagnosed case of bronchitis. And she had to sit out the second day due to food poisoning.
“I tried staying optimistic,” said McCaskill in an interview with the Mercury and SaskToday. “I was pretty positive about the
whole thing, and I talked to the Team Canada coach … and she just said she’ll take everything of what I did the Saturday. I was very con dent with what I did and it worked out pretty good for me.”
Coachability, skill and attitude were three attributes Team Canada was looking for. McCaskill has played all three positions –blocker, pivot and jammer – but lately has largely been a pivot. When skating for Team Saskatchewan, she has been a jammer more than any other role.
She has not been told which position she will play for Canada, but she believes her versatility contributed to her selection.
“It’s a good part of being part of a small-town team, where you’re not just stuck playing one position and you can’t do anything else, so I think that helps out huge,” she said.
e skaters will come together in Halifax in February and later in Ontario, giving them an opportunity to further both their skills and their teamwork.
“It will be three days of team stu and just working
on drills,” she said. McCaskill believes roller derby is a unique sport. Despite its physical nature and competitiveness, everybody is so welcoming and nice, she said, and if she gets injured, everybody is there to support her.
“As soon as the tryout was done, I had people messaging me, asking if I was okay and if I was feeling better. roughout the week, all of them were checking up on me. It’s just such a good, welcoming community. And it’s a full-contact sport that doesn’t involve running.”
She entered roller derby after watching a close family friend play. McCaskill thought it was great and she wanted to try something di erent. But she had to wait a year until she was old enough, and she has now been playing for eight years. e local Junior Coaler Rollers program made a big di erence in her development.
“All of the coaches that I’ve had have given di er-
ent input and have really just shaped who I am as a player,” said McCaskill.
One of her coaches, Ella Gudmundson, also played for Team Canada, and Gudmundson pushed the athletes to be better and smarter skaters. e two have talked about what to expect from an international event.
“It’s going to be so physically and mentally exhausting, but she said she had the time of her life, and it’s one of the best experiences she’s ever had. It’s just going to be very exhausting, but worth it.”
McCaskill held a bottle drive before going to B.C., enabling her to pay for the trip. She hopes to have a similar fundraiser, using the code TCDerby at SARCAN. A 50-50 draw is slated to occur in November. McCaskill is thankful for the support she has received from the community, her teachers and her employer as she continues to have great experiences in her sport.
Sharks host early-season water polo tournament
e Estevan Sharks water polo club hosted its annual home tournament Oct. 27 at the Access Communications Aquatic Centre.
e mini under-9 (U9) and atom U12 Sharks teams competed. e U9 Blue team went a perfect 5-0 and nished rst, while the U9 White team went 2-2-1 and wound up second after battling the Sharks’ Blue team in the nal.
e U12 Prairies girls’ team, comprised of athletes from Estevan, Saskatoon and Weyburn, went 3-3 and was defeated in the nal to take second. e atom U12 Yellow boys’ team, with members from Estevan and Weyburn, went 2-3 and nished second after a loss in the nal. e boys’ U12 White team fought hard but went 0-5 and ended up in fourth.
Earlier in the season, the bantam U14 and open 14-and-over athletes headed to Regina for a tournament Oct. 19-20. e U14 girls team played hard but went 0-5, placing fth. e U14 boys joined a Regina team and went 2-3-1 to nish fourth.
e open 14-and-over team joined up with a Saskatoon team and went 3-3 to place third.
November will see them compete in Regina tournaments for all age divisions, with winter provincials in Saskatoon at the end of the month.
Bears win Sunday to split weekend games with Warman
e Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears picked up another split of their weekend games, this time against the Warman Wildcats.
Warman defeated Estevan 6-3 on Saturday, but the Bears responded with a 4-1 win on Sunday to improve their record to 8-4-2.
Dylan Brass opened the scoring for Estevan in Saturday’s game, but the Wildcats scored twice in the rst and once in the second for a 3-1 lead after two. Boston Schmidt scored early in the third to make it a 3-2 game and Roan Burgess tallied midway through the fame to leave Estevan down 5-3, but neither team scored again until the Wildcats potted an empty-net marker with six seconds remaining.
Cole Ivey made 36 saves for Estevan.
e Bears responded with the win on Sunday. Cooper Flath opened the scoring midway through the rst period. Gunner Moore scored on a power play and Aidan Mohan tallied while the Bears were shorthanded in the opening seven minutes of the middle frame for a 3-0 Bears’ advantage. Warman scored in the opening minute of the third, but Kobe Wotta’s goal midway through the frame dashed any hopes of a Wildcats’ comeback.
Brady Carr made 42 saves for Estevan in the victory. Estevan will travel to Swift Current for games on Nov. 10 and 11. GunnerMooreandtheEstevanBearsdefeatedWarmanonSunday.
Another season of curling is underway at the Bienfait Curling Club, and it’s still not too late to join for the 2024-25 campaign.
e rst rocks for league play were tossed on Monday night. Bienfait has an open league that meets on Monday and Wednesday nights, starting at 7 p.m.
“All ages, all levels of curling experience [can join],” said club president Mike Miller. “ e best way to put it is we’re a fun, inviting, slightly competitive atmosphere, but the slightly competitive is few and far between. Most of us are just out there curling for fun.”
e league currently has 12 teams, but some are still looking for a fourth curler. New teams can still join. Miller believes they could accommodate up to
16 or even 18 teams at the three-sheet facility.
“Right now, we’re only two nights a week because of the number of teams. We’d be more than happy to go three nights a week with the right number of teams, obviously,” Miller said.
Curlers would be accepted in December or even January if they can’t play until then. Most of the teams only curl once a week. Miller said he would make the schedule work for the curlers. At the end of the year, there is a club playdown and a championship, but again, it’s a fun event.
“ at’s kind of the way it’s been for quite a while, because we know everybody has busy lives,” said Miller. Later in the season, there will typically be a
couple of bonspiels, and they will have a wrap-up event for the open league at the end of the season for all of the teams.
Miller said people who are curling in Bienfait enjoy the sport, and the curling rink is an important part of life in the community during the fall and winter. He’s always happy to see plenty of cars parked in front of the rink.
“It’s great to get out,” said Miller. “When it’s really cold out, a lot of curlers, when they’re driving there, they’re thinking they have to go curling, but when we get there … they’re thinking ‘Am I ever glad I came.’ For the curlers especially, it’s a break for winter. We’re slowly getting people in watching, especially bonspiels. We’ll get a lot of the town of Bienfait coming out.” TheBienfaitCurlingClubhasathree-sheetfacilitythatisapopular
Rockets win twice in the Big Six’s weekend games
e Redvers Rockets had a big weekend in the Big Six Hockey League, winning twice and scoring a combined 15 goals.
Redvers defeated the Kipling-Windthorst Oil Kings 7-4 on Friday. e two teams were tied at 2-2 after the rst period, but Redvers scored three times in the second and added another in the third for a 6-2 advantage.
Jordon Miller (two goals and three assists), Kenton Miller (a goal and four assists) and Naton Miller (two goals and two helpers) led the Redvers attack. Oliver Poirier and Carson Henrion also scored.
Jordan Mish, Austin Fleck, Lucas Fleck and Drew Czerwonka tallied for the Oil Kings.
Jason Henrion was in goal for Redvers, while Dylan DeDecker was the Oil Kings’ goalie.
e following night, the Rockets routed the Carndu Red Devils 8-1. Kenton Miller scored twice for Redvers, and Poirier, Jordon Miller, Koltyn Miller, Braeden Magotiaux, Daylin Smallchild and Bradey
Fidierchuk also scored for the Rockets. Ben Hiltz had Carndu ’s lone goal. omas Bauche was in goal for Redvers, while Cody Dumaine was the
Carndu goalie. Two other games were played on the weekend. e defending league champions, the Moosomin Rangers, opened the season with a 7-3 triumph
over the Midale Mustangs. Moosomin scored four times in the second period to break open a 1-0 game.
Bud Holloway scored twice and added three helpers for Moosomin,
while Taylor Sanheim (two goals and two helpers) and Carter Sewchuk (a goal and three assists) had four points each. Ryker Cote and Brad Cole also scored. Kyler Beckett was Moo-
somin’s goalie. Logan Martinson, Devon Johnson and Sterling Bear had the Mustangs’ goals. Carver Ottenbreit was Midale’s goalie. e Mustangs recovered to defeat the Oil Kings 8-4 on Saturday night, thanks in part to four goals in the rst period. Steven Lindenbach had two goals and two assists to pace the Mustangs, and Brad Tomiski had two goals as well. Connor Burk, Jordan Ross, Matt Geske and Bear notched the other Midale goals. Landon Melzer, Dan Lo er, and Austin and Lucas Fleck also scored. Talen King (Midale) and DeDecker (KiplingWindthorst) tallied for the Oil Kings. ree games are slated for next weekend. e Carlyle Cougars and the Oxbow Huskies will open their respective seasons when they meet Nov. 8 in Carlyle at 8 p.m. Also, the Mustangs will visit the Rangers on Nov. 8 at 8:30 p.m., and Moosomin will be at Carndu on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m.
Terriers pull away to defeat Bruins in neutral-site game
e Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins dropped their third straight game on Friday night in a 5-2 loss to the Yorkton Terriers in a neutral-site game at the Côté First Nations north of Kamsack. Kent Moors opened
the scoring for the Bruins with a short-handed goal 6:45 into the rst period. Quinn Tavender tied the game a few minutes later, and he also had the lone goal of the second period to give the Terriers a 2-1 advantage.
Moors notched his second of the game on a power play 20 seconds into the third period to tie the game again. Vinay Junek scored what proved to be the winner 8:09 into the frame during a Yorkton power play, and
the Terriers pulled away in the nal minute, with Dustin Renas scoring into an empty net with 51 seconds to play, and Tylan Henrikson nished the scoring in the nal second during another Terriers’ man advantage.
Benjamin Polhill made 23 saves for Estevan, including several spectacular stops to keep the game close. Callum Creig had 25 stops for Yorkton. An announced crowd of 659 people attended the game, which was played in the new arena at the First Nations. e rink opened in the spring. Estevan (4-6-1-1) will host the Melville Millionaires on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. en they will visit the Weyburn Red Wings the following night.
Since 1903, The Estevan Mercury has been your local newspaper. We have kept you informed, told your stories and archived your history. Today we continue to be your best source for trusted news... delivering it to your home every Wednesday in our printed newspaper, and to your devices every day on our website, SASKTODAY.ca. SASKTODAY.ca is your source for local news, where the Estevan Mercury news can now be found. We have local reporters writing local content for a local audience, creating the perfect platform for businesses to reach their customers.
