FineLifestyles Estevan & Weyburn July/Aug 2012

JULY/AUGUST 2012 | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4

THE WILHELM BROTHERS THREE SUCCESS STORIES

GORDON RAMSAY’S SUMMER RECIPES SLAYING THE DRAGON’S DEN PAUL NOLAN - BROADWAY STAR

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Weyburn Leisure Centre Outdoor Pool (532 5th Street NE) The Leisure Centre has a number of programs and services.

Our Junior Olympic sized outdoor pool is open from June 11th, 2012 until September 2nd, 2012 and is equipped with two diving boards, side by side speed water slide, tot pool and the Cenovus climbing wall.

Free Public Swimming Children and Youth Only Cenovus Free Swim - Mondays July 2nd – August 17th from 1:15-5:00 City of Weyburn Free Swim - Wednesdays July 4th – August 29th from 1:15 to 5:00 Regens Disposal Free Swim - Fridays July 6th – August 31st from 1:15 to 5:00

TATAGWA PARKWAY Tatagwa Parkway consists of over 10 kilometres of paved multi-use trails, thousands of trees, and various natural conservation areas.

One of Estevan’s original fire trucks.

The SouriS Valley MuSeuM bringS The paST To engaging life

By Ryan Holota Photos by Tiffany Poage he Souris Valley Museum is a regional history museum that focuses on human development and daily life in Southeast Saskatchewan. It was founded in 2001 through contributions from the Friends of the Museum, the city of Estevan, and the donation of a large collection of museum objects by Stan Durr and family.

The museum provides residents and visitors in Estevan and area with an engaging depiction of the social and cultural influences and economic development of Southeast Saskatchewan through the collection, preservation, interpretation and exhibition of artifacts, images, documents and stories of significance to the region.

The majority of the pieces in the museum came from the Durr Collection. Stan Durr was an active historian in the region and had an impressive collection, which was registered as one of the very first museums in the province.

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FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

The Souris Valley Museum’s 5,000-square-foot facility currently houses a number of themed exhibits that are complemented by additional structures situated outdoors on the grounds of the museum. These exhibits focus on themes such as Pioneer Life, First Nations, Heritage Mining, Transportation and Fire Fighting.

Some of the most popular exhibits are the outbuildings themselves. The Schneller Schoolhouse, for example, is an original schoolhouse that was built in 1908. After it was no longer needed as a schoolhouse, it was bought by a local farmer and converted into a granary. This schoolhouse has since been restored by Stan Durr and the museum with assistance from Saskatchewan Heritage and the Spectra Community Foundation.

It is now a period-correct schoolhouse from the turn of the last century.

The Souris Valley Museum also features a Cook Car that used to follow threshing teams around during harvest. Perhaps best described as the original food truck, it contains a complete kitchen and dining area and was often staffed by the families of the men doing the threshing.

For the 2012 season a new horse-stable display is being unveiled that has some unique items, including an antique sewing machine for stitching harnesses, a pair of foot-powered hair clippers, and all sorts of horse hardware and tack.

Sarah Durham,Collections Assistant Intern, Toby Henneberg, Curatorial Assistant, Jessica Ward, Education Assistant, and Katrina Howick,Director/Curator.

Day Camps and Family Events

Durr family Homesteader Shack in the Museum’s outbuilding collection.

The Souris Valley Museum offers two varieties of day camps to educate, entertain, and inspire the youth of the region. The Pioneer Day Camps are week-long afternoon affairs geared toward children between the ages of five and 10. Children will do crafts and learn skills like rope-making and butter churning. They will also play period-correct games and learn about what it was like to be a child in the past.

Discovery Day Camps are designed for slightly older children, from the ages of eight to 12. Discovery Day Camps are twoday events where the kids still practice pioneering skills and play games, but also learn more about the history of the region through field trips and self-discovery.

In addition to the day camps, every Friday in July and August is designated as a Hands-on History day. Admission for the whole family is only $5 (two adults and two children), and each week there will be a variety of pioneering crafts and skills to learn and share together. Saturday, August 25, is Pioneer Fun Day. The museum will be offering free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and providing tours, games, crafts, activities, hay rides, and more.

The Souris Valley Museum is located on Highway 39 West approximately one kilometre outside the City of Estevan, right beside the Visitor Information Center. FLEW

Souris Valley Museum Located on Highway #39 West Approximately 1 km outside the City of Estevan p: 306.634.5543 www.sourisvalleymuseum.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/svmuseum Twitter: @SVM_Estevan Tumblr: http://sourisvalleymuseum.tumblr.com/

Rope Making, a popular hands on activity at the Museum, with Karly Garnier the Gallery Educator at the Estevan Art Gallery & Museum.

We are committed to bringing your vision to life.

We value the idea that we can have a small share in your families’ memories as they’re made around the center of your home in your dream kitchen.

1217 Broad Street Regina, SK 306 545-9818 www.fannysfurniture.com www.kekulibaycabinetry.com

RICHARDSON LIGHTING: THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

By Sarah Ferguson

B

ack in the early ‘70s, Ernie Richardson wanted to expand his lighting fixture operation, and contacted a young Canadian lighting manufacturer in the East, Artcraft Electric Limited.

The two family run companies formed a bond based on their core values of commitment to service and honesty combined with a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to business and people.

Over time, their relationship grew stronger. Artcraft designed and manufactured better, fashionable lighting, while Richardson Lighting continued to display, stock and sell the products produced by Artcraft.

In 2009, the partnership between the two was solidified when the Richardson Group displayed and marketed the exclusive Steven & Chris line, manufactured under license by Artcraft.

Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman, two Canadian designers who formed the Sabados Group in 1992, became famous when the show Designer Guys was launched by HGTV in 2001. Since then, Steven and Chris have appeared on Design Rivals (2003),So Chic with Steven & Chris (2005) and their famous talk show, Steven & Chris, on CBC. In 2007, Artcraft paired up with the Sabados Group, combining its design expertise with Artcraft’s extensive knowledge of lighting and manufacturing to produce the widely popular S&C Lighting Collection

by Artcraft, available in Saskatchewan exclusively at Richardson Lighting.

Today, Artcraft is Canada’s oldest lighting manufacturer, celebrating 57 years in business, while Richardson Lighting is celebrating more than 45 years of business as Saskatchewan’s oldest lighting distributor. The steady leadership of both companies has served their relationship well for more than four decades, and both work hard to serve their customers.

It’s no wonder the future for both companies looks brighter than ever!

2101 7th Ave., Regina. SK 306 525.8301 www.richardsonlighting.com

FirstWord

FineLifestyles ESTEVAN/WEYBURN

WITH FINE LIFESTYLES EDITOR Michael Gall

July/August 2012 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4

It was one of the warmest winters we’ve seen but it’s still great to be in the middle of summer. Whether you are going on holidays, hanging around your yard or heading to the cabin, you can’t find a better time of year.

It seems there are more things happening in Estevan and Weyburn all the time and both cities are continuing to see unprecedented success.

Fine Lifestyles Estevan/ Weyburn is also continuing to grow and prosper. This is our biggest issue yet featuring a vast variety of articles and business profiles.

For the first time, we have an column from none other than Gordon Ramsay. The far from soft-spoken chef is here for good too—you will see him in future issues of Fine Lifestyles. You can get great recipes if you like to cook, but just looking at the pictures alone is enough to whet your appetite.

We also have local stories like our cover story about the Wilhelm brothers. You can read all about three local brothers, running three separate construction businesses and how they got started on their road to success. We also profile 5 Saskatchewan businesses that went on the Dragon’s Den and left with business partnerships. We even have a story about Paul Nolan, a successful actor on Broadway who was born in Saskatchewan.

I believe this is our best issue yet and hopefully you will enjoy it as much as we’ve enjoyed working on it. There was a lot of work put into this issue—including some great shots by local photographers and business owners who we are very grateful to. I think you’ll find it’s been well worth the effort by everyone involved.

Like us on Facebook.com/finemags Follow us on Twitter: @finemags

www.finelifestyles.ca

Editor Ed Willet

Associate Editor Michael Gall michaelg@finelifestyles.ca

Graphic Design and Layout Laura Grzyb laurag@finelifestyles.ca

Staff Writers Nykea Behiel nykea@finelifestyles.ca Shawna Common shawnac@finelifestyles.ca Dan Grant dang@finelifestyles.caa

In-House Design Amber Moon amber@finelifestyles.ca Erica Silzer ericas@finelifestyles.ca

Photography Jon Gillies www.imagesbygillies.com Doug Sully www.facebook.com/ffphoto2012 Starr Mercer www.starlitestudiophotography.com Tiffany Poage www.citylightsburnxo.blogspot.com Jessica Hunter www.jessicahunterphotography.com Teena Roy www.facebook.com/WildChildphotos Erin Tollefson Heather Fritz www.heatherfritz.com

Advertising Consultant Britany Watson britany@finelifestyles.ca Brooke Watson brooke@finelifestyles.ca Subreena Kaban subreenak@finelifestyles.ca

Publisher Wayne UnRuh 306.541.3365 wayne@finelifestyles.ca Randy Liberet 306.540.3320 randy@finelifestyles.ca Brooke Watson 306.551.4789 brooke@finelifestyles.ca 3440 Balsam Grove Regina, SK S4V 2S4 Fine Lifestyles Estevan/Weyburn is published six times a year by Fine Lifestyles Ltd. We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs. We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement. All contents of Fine Lifestyles, Ltd., publications are copyrighted 2012 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to Fine Lifestyles, where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Fine Lifestyles Ltd. or its writers. The name Fine Lifestyles, its logo and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Fine Lifestyles Ltd. or the companies it represents. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

Featured Contributors Photographers Starr Mercer

Consultants Brooke Watson Co-publisher

Aspiring to inspire others to find their passion within’ a phrase photographer Starr Mercer lives by. Starr and her husband made the decision to raise their family in the sweet setting of Oxbow in 2008. It was here that Starr’s creativity emerged and her passion for photography really started to flourish. With the beautiful skyline and roaming colorful fields it was easy to not only take beautiful photos but to gain inspiration. www. starlitestudiophotography.com

Brooke is part owner and co-publisher of Fine Lifestyles Weyburn/Estevan. She received her advertising/public relations diploma in Lethbridge in 2007. Brooke began her career with the company in August 2009 as an advertising consultant for the newly launched Fine Lifestyles Regina. The magazine had amazing success in Regina and then in Saskatoon.

When the possibility of expanding into the Weyburn/Estevan market arose, Brooke jumped at the opportunity to become a partner in the venture anticipating the success in this area would be just as great.

We want to thank our clients and readers for the overwhelming response of positive feedback and look forward to continued growth in the Weyburn/Estevan area. Brooke is very happy to be calling Weyburn home once again.

Jon Gillies Jon has been an avid photographer his entire life. He pursued his interest into a profession and has received extensive training and experience. He has graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art and an Education degree majoring in Arts Education. He continues to keep current, and has travelled internationally to receive the latest techniques and trends in the photography world. He shares his passion and knowledge with others in his photography workshops. From nature to people, Jon captures the light, plays with unique perspectives and the latest special effects to make his images stand out. www.imagesbygillies.com

Doug Sully I have lived in Oxbow, Saskatchewan for the past 16 years. I teach high school English and Social Studies at the Estevan Comprehensive School. I have a wife, Kim, and two daughters, Jennifer (19) attending the U of Regina, and Stephanie (16) who will be going into grade 12. I was born in Yorkton, SK, the second youngest of five boys.

I have been an amateur photographer for about 10 years, and took the advice of many people and started my own company, Freeze Frame Photography. I enjoy running, reading and officiating (basketball, softball)

Britany Watson Advertising Consultant Britany has been with Fine Lifestyles since September 2011 during the early stages of the creation of Fine Lifestyles Weyburn/Estevan. With a diploma and work experience in business administration, Britany was approached to join the team by her sister Brooke, copublisher of the Weyburn and Estevan edition. Britany was already familiar with the magazines’ success in Regina and Saskatoon and thought it would be a great fit for this community. Britany is recently engaged to Chad Culham and the couple looks forward to raising a family in the community that she considers home. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this exceptional publication.

306 861.1255 • britany@finelifestyles.ca

Subreena Kaban Advertising Consultant Subreena joined Fine Lifestyles because of her strong business background and her close ties to the community. Subreena has lived in Estevan for 12 years with her husband Kevin and her 2 children, Kolby and Landon. She was born in Guyana, South America before coming to Canada at age six and later studied at the University of Winnipeg. She received a diploma in business administration. When she first saw Fine Lifestyles, she knew it was a great place for her to use her two best skills— she was great with people and she had a lot of business knowledge. When she met with the publisher, he immediately saw her potential and made her a sales consultant..

306 421-6324 • subreenak@finelifestyles.ca

What’sInside

38 32

116 FEATURE STORIES 32 Events Calendar 38 Paul Nolan, Broadway Star 48 Gordon Ramsay

92 Dragon’s Den Success Stories 116 COVER Wilhelm Construction – Three Brothers 126 Ford’s Green Event

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92 142 Cast of Dragons Den (L-R) Jim Treliving, Kevin O’Leary, Arlene Dickinson, Bruce Croxon, Dianne Buckner & David Chilton. Photo courtesy of CBC.

morf edisA .llew sa srac eseht fo eno evird ot ecnahc eht dah I ylkciuq osla I .yltnelis tsomla snur rac eht ,gninoitidnoc ria eht htooms sti yb dehctam erew sevruc keels s’rac eht taht tuo dnuof elbaliava si rewop eht lla ,selcihev derewop-sag ekilnU .gnildnah a evah taht su fo esoht ot noitcafsitas gnidivorp ,yltnatsni uoy ot .toof yvaeh a fo tib elttil

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tcudorp llarevo rieht gnivorpmi ot tnemtimmoc s’droF ,selcihev tneiciffe-leuf fo tsoh a reffo yehT .raelc si ytilibaniatsus selcihev deifirtcele ylluf ro yltrap rehtie evif evah lliw dna RB .raey eht fo dne eht yb aciremA htroN ni elbaliava

Women entrepreneurs AGm With DrAGon’s Den success

si tI .cirtcele sucoF yrettab eht si ngised evisserpmi tsom ehT sediseB .snoissime on ffo sevig taht rac cirtcele yletelpmoc a ,egrahc ot srallod eerht ot owt dnuora stsoc ti ,repaehc gnieb .segnahc lio on dna ecnanetniam ssel si ereht gnivird tneiciffe sulp sruoh flah dna eerht sekat ylno gnigrahC siht ,gnivird ytic rof laedI .egrahc eno no regnol neve og uoy stel rewop ruoy syalpsid taht hcaoc ekarb dellac metsys a sah rac tsom eht ta egrahc ot elcihev ruoy tes osla nac uoY .egasu stel hcihw droF yb depoleved ppa na gnisu semit tneiciffe ygrene ruoy evah—erehwyna morf noitamrofni elcihev ruoy ssecca uoy teg uoy nehw erutarepmet elbatrofmoc a ot delooc ro detaeh rac .krow morf emoh daeh ro enalp eht fo tuo

By Sarah Ferguson. Photos by Shawn Fulton.

n fairy tales, heroes slay dragons, and find treasure that will make them rich.

In Saskatchewan five heroes have slain some dragons of their own to come up with millions—and their stories are no fairy tales.

.elbaniatsus dna nuf won si elcihev reneerg a gnivird ot tnemtimmoc a gnikaM

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On May 11, at the Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Conference, a crowd of the province’s most ambitious women gathered in the Regina Travelodge to hear from five Saskatchewan entrepreneurs who made their way onto the CBC hit series Dragons Den, battled the dragons, and won.

Dragons Den attracts over 2 million viewers on average, and features aspiring entrepreneurs who pitch business concepts to a panel of Canadian multimillionaires in the hopes that they will invest. When Saskatchewan-born businessman W. Brett Wilson joined the dragons, the show became a household favorite. Though Brett left the show in February 2011, the five Saskatchewan businesses that shared their successes at the conference stand as testimony to his support and legacy.

80 InvestIng In today’s Markets

DEPARTMENTS 14 Style 30 Dining, Arts & Entertainment 58 Sports, Recreation & Leisure 62 Oil & Gas 80 Business

Boom or Bust?

By Darryl J. Yasinowski, CFA, CMT, FCSI

100 House, Home & Properties 116 Construction 126 Wheels 135 Agriculture 142 Health & Wellness

lightly perplexed by the abundance of recently published information available about the economic environment, Al and Carol, clients of mine and business owners, came in for their regular quarter review of their investments. Al started off with a few direct questions: “Are we in an economic recovery or not? It seems all I hear is good news one day and bad news the next! What is it?”

“Well, we are not doomed. In fact we are in a recovery. No question about it!” I said. I continued by telling them that life is about cycles and economies and investing are no different.

Identifying the “Business Cycle” The average business cycle is four to six years and characterized by the same general pattern of events over and over. The cycle begins with an expansion, followed by a peak, then a slowdown, and finally a trough, and then the cycle begins again. As the peak of a business cycle nears we find growth, the housing sector and consumer spending approaching a high point, with unemployment low. Just when everyone is counting all their money, the good times begin to calm and a piece of negative news comes about here and there.

A & A JEWELLERY A 40 year tradition of sparkling craftsmanship

By Sarah Ferguson. Photos by Shawn Fulton. f you’re looking for the perfect wedding band, a unique gift, or a beautiful way to make the special moments in your life shine, then come and visit the jewellery specialists at A & A Jewellery.

A & A’s exclusive Sirius Star diamond line is among the brightest in the world, and is unmatched in quality. The diamonds are mined in Northern Canada, and then cut right here in Saskatchewan, to ensure that no two are exactly alike.

A & A Jewellery is famous across Southern Saskatchewan for a vast selection of high quality jewellery that will make your world glitter with elegance and sophistication. There is a large selection of beautiful diamond engagement rings to choose from and staff offer after-hour engagement ring viewing by appointment, to accommodate your busy schedule. If you are celebrating your anniversary, staff will help you choose a diamond anniversary ring or a matching band for your wedding set.

To compliment your perfect outfit, try a diamond fashion ring or a coloured gemstone ring. A & A is equally proud of their selection of Pandora, Steelx, Karley Smith and alternative metal jewellery. Magnetic Globes and Derek Alexander handbags and wallets are among a wide selection of unique giftware.

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FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

January

May

June

July

February

March

April

August

September

October

This year is A&A Jewellery’s 40th anniversary, and as part of the celebration, they are introducing a new line of customized lockets that will capture your imagination!

Bon Bon Bijoux customizable lockets are a fun way to express your special sense of style. Each locket holds charms that you choose yourself. Select your favorites and mix and match to create the locket of your dreams! There are over 140 charms to choose from, including birthstones, crowns, girl’s night out, graduation, pets, talents and hobbies, sports, initials, bugs and more! Everyone has a story to tell, let your locket tell yours.

November

December

First, choose your favorite style of locket. Bon Bon offers three locket shape options: contemporary square style, classic round style or sweetheart shape. All shapes are available in grand or petite sizes, with or without Swarovski crystals.

Then pick your favorite charms from our selection - birthstones, initials and more, which are hand-placed inside your locket!

Finish customizing your locket with a dazzling, sterling silver chain available in simple or sparkling CZ styles.

But don’t let your story end there! As life changes, memories are made and new events will shape the course of your life. Bon Bon Bijoux lockets can be opened, altered and tailored to your ever-changing story. Visit A&A Jewellery today to start telling your story, or to update your locket with new birthstones, initials and charms.

A&A Jewellery. Celebrating 40 years of bringing sparkle to your life. FLEW

A&A Jewellery Gail Schlamp - Sales Associate; Vern Buck - Owner; Laurel Buck - Owner/Operator; Becky Wock - Sales Associate; Christine Daae - Sales Associate; Missing - Jessie Wock - Sales Associate & Joyce McGill - Custodian

1226 - 4th Street, Estevan, SK p: 306.634.2215 e: aandajewellery@sasktel.net www.jewelbase.com/a_and_a FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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Dress for success Dressing for the job

By Trilby Henderson

hether we like it or not, our physical appearance can have a huge impact on our ability to secure a new job or gain a promotion. Dressing for the job you want is a great way to both set yourself apart from the competition, and help a future employer picture you as the right person for the position.

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FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

Appearance is particularly important during the interview process. Sherry Knight, founder of human resources firm Dimension 11, says first impressions are formed within the first two seconds of meeting someone new. “In the first few seconds, much of our presence is our clothing and our grooming,” she explained.

Knight said individuals should put careful thought into dressing appropriately for the job for which they are applying. If you are uncertain about the dress code at a future employer’s place of business, Knight suggests visiting the work place a few days before the interview to see firsthand how other employees dress—and then step your own interview outfit up a notch.

These days, wearing a suit to a job interview may be seen as “overkill,” but the combination of a clean, long-sleeved, ironed shirt, pressed slacks or a skirt, and a jacket can go a long way toward convincing someone you are the right person for the job.

If you want to be promoted within your current company, you should also consider dressing like the people currently in the position you want, or even a little better than them, said Knight.

“Remember, most people want to associate with people who look like them. By dressing like those in the position you aspire to, you are already showing you are ‘one of the gang’,” she said.

For men working in an office setting, Knight recommends sticking to the following rules: • Wear a long-sleeved shirt. Even if you have to roll up the sleeves, it is still better than wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

• Your shirt should have a collar.

• Make sure your pants are pressed.

• Wear socks.

• Wear polished leather shoes.

• A sports jacket is a plus.

For women, Knight suggests: • Choose a crisp blouse with long sleeves and a collar.

• Dresses and skirts must be knee-length.

• If you are wearing a dress or a skirt, wear nylons.

• Stick to polished leather pumps with a one- to three-inch heel.

• Keep jewelry to a minimum.

• Again, a jacket is a plus.

Both men and women should cover visible tattoos, particularly if they hold positions where they have faceto-face interactions with clients.

Some jobs require employees to wear uniforms. While this can make it difficult to “dress for the job you want,” there are still ways to use your appearance to set yourself apart in the workplace. Knight recommends making sure your uniform is always clean and pressed and suggests wearing a leather shoe rather than a running shoe or sandal. As well, nothing should be left hanging out of your pockets (i.e. pens, key chains). Skirts should be worn to the knee, while pants should cover the shoe to the heel.

Men should make sure to shave daily, while women may want to consider wearing a little make-up.

Most people put a lot of thought and effort into preparing for a job interview or promotion. One of the easiest, and most overlooked, ways to improve your job hunt is to make sure you look the part! FLEW

“In the first few seconds, much of our presence is our clothing and our grooming,”

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FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

animals to love, lovely things for animals

By Ryan Howse rystal’s Pet Shop is a small-town pet store with a bigcity selection. Founded in Stoughton two years ago by Crystal Begin and her husband, Troy, the store contains plenty of exotic pets, and all the supplies necessary to take care of that special animal in your life.

The store was started when Crystal, herself an exotic-pet owner, found herself having to travel too far for the supplies her pets needed. She found a niche that was missing in Southeastern Saskatchewan and filled it. “I’ve found this business to be an absolute dream. I love animals, so it was the perfect industry for me.”

The only other worker is Sarah Dixon, the store manager, who has the same passion for animals as Crystal. “Customers like the warm, friendly service we offer. They know that it’s just the two of us here, so they’ll see a familiar face every time. We get to know our customers.” That knowledge lets them give excellent

suggestions when helping a customer make an informed decision about purchasing products.

Between the two of them, they have vast knowledge and experience on everything from dogs, cats, fish, hedgehogs, and ferrets to livestock, reptiles, and wildlife. They are constantly educating themselves on issues relating to animals.

Crystal’s Pet Shop has a Facebook page at facebook.com/ crystalspetshop, which is constantly updated so customers can keep track of new shipments, find out store hours and when after-hour shopping is available.

Crystal’s Pet Shop will be having a sale on July 21st to celebrate its second anniversary and make room for new products.

Whether you’re looking for a new animal in your life or food and supplies for your current pet, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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A Wide Selection of Animals and Supplies The store has an ever-changing selection of animals which are usually popular and low-maintenance. They carry other exotic pets such as scorpions and tarantulas as well.

Crystal’s Pet Shop also has two special mascots. A bird-eating tarantula has been an inhabitant of the store for some time.

More recently a rare purebred Grande Terre Leachianus gecko, the largest of the gecko species, began calling the store home.

Crystal hopes that customers will stop by just to see it, as it may be the only one of its kind in southeastern Saskatchewan.

Crystal and Sarah are specific about the supplies the store gets in. “As animal owners,” says Crystal, “we will test new products at our store, but if we aren’t happy with it, we’ll phase it out.”

They have both live and frozen feed for animals, including mice, bloodworms, shrimp, crickets, super-worms, and mealworms.

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FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

They are a dealer for Repashy, a brand which specializes in food for reptiles and fish. Because of Sarah’s vast research into dog food, Crystal’s Pet Shop is a dealer for Blue Buffalo, and will soon bring in the Lifetime line of dog food.

In addition to food, they carry plenty of other supplies for your pet. There are cages for rodents and substrates for reptiles, as well as aquariums for fish. Heating rocks and lighting will keep your reptile warm and content. Filters and decorations will keep your fish healthy and happy. There are also cat and dog toys and treats. Just as important, they carry remedies for a number of pet-related ailments, such as recovery for aging dogs, and flea and tick treatments. The pet shop is currently in the process of expanding its fish, reptile, and ferret product lines.

Sarah adds, “We stand behind everything we sell. Everything we sell, we personally use in one way or another, or know people who do.”

A Store With A Heart Crystal’s Pet Store strongly believes in supporting shelters and rescues, and not just financially. Crystal says, “We don’t sell puppies or kittens here, and encourage people to check out their local shelter, rescue, or reputable breeder.”

“When considering pets for the store, we try and make sure they are fairly easy to maintain,” says Sarah.

Crystal’s Pet Shop 309 Main Street, Stoughton, SK p: 306.457.2442 e: crystalspetshop@sasktel.net www.crystalspetshop.com

When purchasing a pet from Crystal’s Pet Shop, you’ll be required to fill out an adoption form, and be sent home with a care sheet.

They also encourage owners to stay in contact if they have any questions or concerns about their new pet. As with all animals, attention and a loving home will make all the difference. FLEW

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FUN, UNIQUE AND TRENDY he Pearl Boutique was started by two long-time friends, Nicole Currie and Amy Geiger. Both share the vision of having a boutique that offers unique and trendy pieces to compliment anyone’s style.

Amy & Nicole’s fresh ideas have made The Pearl a fun and exciting place to stop. They are always on the hunt for one of a kind treasures! By purchasing limited quantities of each item it allows their customers to select gifts, for giving or for themselves, that remain personal and individual.

When decorating your home or office, their selection of vases, African art, small furniture pieces, wall art, lamps and décor items are sure to give you the style you’re looking for.

Preparing for a special event or looking for a new accessory? The Pearl has dresses, jewelry, scarves, purses, and hair accessories that will make you look and feel your best.

For babies and toddlers, the Pearl Boutique offers adorable coats, headbands, tutus, rattles, booties and soft blankets that are perfect for cuddling.

The Pearl also carries products from Lampe Berger. They have spa goodies, teas, novelty wine accessories and glasses. Whatever your style or occasion, The Pearl Boutique has it! FLEW The Pearl Boutique #206 Main St., Carlyle, SK S0C 0R0 p: 306.453.4488 e: pearlboutique@sasktel.net

Ken King, Owner of Kings Department Store.

King’s Department store unDerstanDs what prairie people want in apparel By ryan howse. photos by Brent hume. arlyle is called the Cornerstone of Saskatchewan—and within the town is a department store that truly is a cornerstone of clothing, the second-generation King’s Department Store.

King’s Department Store is run by Ken King and his exceptional staff. His parents founded the store, and for 30 years he has continued the family business. King’s Department Store has become a mainstay in Carlyle. It sells clothing for infants, children, adolescents, and adults.

Wawota has a second branch of King’s Department Store. In 2010, King’s Department Store purchased My Lady Fashions, a lady’s boutique next door, which has since been renamed 122 Main. It has become a sister store to King’s, with clothing for women from ages 25 to 55. 122 Main has been fully renovated and brought to a more modern style compatible with King’s Department Store.

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more Choices for Customers “Today’s customer is very aware of brands. In the last 15 years, we’ve moved towards leading brands. However, we never get brands just to have them. They absolutely have to provide good value,” says King.

Silver Jeans, based out of Winnipeg, is a very popular brand offering a variety of fabrics and styles, and great flexibility.

Bench, from Montreal, has excellent styles in both its men’s and women’s sections. They fit comfortably, and are worn by everyone from teenagers to middle-agers.

Billabong has evolved in recent years, going from a very brash style to being more subdued while retaining its unique sensibilities. King’s carries Billabong t-shirts, summer dresses, and sportswear. Oakley, too, has been doing a fantastic job with both its popular eyewear and the fashion line that has started up since.

The North Face excels, particularly with its outerwear and footwear, though shirts are becoming more well-known. The North Face’s clothing has a classic, simple style, and will last for years.

King’s Department Store is also introducing two new brands: Nixon and Metal Mulisha. Nixon watches are becoming a trendy and interesting accessory, and their popularity is all the more surprising given that most people carry cell phones with built-in clocks. Metal Mulisha has fascinating apparel aimed for people interested in extreme sports.

King’s Department Store also sells footwear. People looking for athletic products have popular brands Nike and Reebok.

Those who would like skate-style footwear such as BC or Osiris are also in luck. Customers who simply want comfortable and casual footwear can get the classic look of either Sketchers or Merrill.

Some of the more popular brands in 122 Main are fashion lines such as Mexx, Pickadilly, and Tribal. Jag is also available, as is Silver.

“We understand the prairie mentality and what the people of Saskatchewan want,” says King.

Brittany Moffatt, one of the staff at King’s Department Store, has noticed a trend in this summer’s fashion. “A lot of clothing that’s selling well right now has a hippie sensibility.” There are a lot of bright pastel colours, including foam green, coral, and yellow. Floral patterns, knitted crochet tops, hemline dresses, and high-waist shorts are also growing in popularity.

Photos: (1) Staff member Brittany Moffat; (2) Staff members Brenda Slykhuis, Colleen Brownridge and Terry Johnston.

mark Your Calendar

testimonials

One of the biggest sales in southeastern Saskatchewan is coming soon. From July 11 until the end of the month, King’s Department Store and its sister store, 122 Main, will be having their annual summer sale.

“In a time when customer care doesn’t really exist, Ken King is a prime example of the belief that customers matter. He is always welcoming, knows people by name, and is a caring communitycommitted person. King’s offers great fashion at great prices from infants to mature attire, plus footwear and bedding. Ken prides himself on bringing in the latest fashions with great prices. He is so involved with his community. Carlyle should be proud to have Ken King represent them in style.” – Gayle Graves

People plan their holidays around the summer sale. The town of Carlyle has an influx of people coming from the surrounding area, lining up before the doors open to get the best deals.

While the sale will run until the end of the month, King advises showing up as early as possible. The selection is always better closer to the beginning of the sale than the end. FLEW

“It’s a one-of-a-kind store. I don’t know any other store that has the selection and customer service that they have. The return policy is hassle-free. King’s offers personalized shopping. It’s the best clothing store I’ve shopped in.” – Jacqui Trippel.

King’s Department Store 122 & 124 Main Street, Carlyle, SK S0C 0R0 • p: 306.453.6363 • e: kenking@rfnow.com

Weyburn Co-op: Quality and ConvenienCe

By Nykea Marie Behiel

T

he Co-operative is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of communities. The three departments of the General Merchandise Division are Outdoor Adventures, Expressions ladies fashions, (located in the Metro Centre at 64 3rd St) and The Home Centre & Lumber Yard (located at 206 Hill Avenue), and are marketed specifically for a broad range of lifestyles. The membership benefits, including equity and cash back, as well as Co-op’s community building and quality products and services make shopping here the best choice.

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outdoor Adventures Outdoor Adventures caters to all of your hunting, fishing, camping, and outdoor needs.

A wide selection of firearms are available, including major brands, Browning, Sako and Beretta. They also handle ammunition, optics, reloading equipment, and hunting and fishing licences.

From amateur to professional, they supply a great selection of fishing tackle, rods, and reels made specifically for summer or winter.

They also have a great selection of meat processing equipment by Lem. Lem provides various spices to create your own secret recipe, as well as tools like grinders, mixers, and dehydrators.

To create the perfect atmosphere at your summer party, Outdoor Adventures has barbeques that run on propane and natural gas. They also sell Canadian made country smokers

by Louisiana Grills, which run on wood pellets. Cooking with wood adds heaps of flavour to all your food, and you can have the luxury of woodfired food at your home.

For the urban outdoorsman, they carry patio sets, fountains, pond accessories, water treatment supplies, and fish food.

They also have solar patio lights and ornaments to transform your yard into your oasis. There is a wide selection of bikes and accessories for the whole family to promote your active lifestyle.

Home Centre The Home Centre location is a one-stop shop synonymous with convenience.

From framing your house to interior decorating, the Home Centre provides expert advice by people who have knowledge and expertise.

The Home Centre hires creative, friendly people with dedication to customer service and a diverse knowledge of renovation and construction techniques. Several staff members have taken training in construction from SIAST College, including electrical wiring, plumbing, and more.

The Home Centre tracks detailed customer purchases for three years.

This makes matching paints very easy. When thinking about replacing home accessories, or any other décor options, be sure to stop by their paint department to use the colour match system. They match colour samples as small as a quarter.

The Co-op provides a free computerized estimating service. “A do-it-yourself person can come in for a quote, get the blueprints, materials, and instructions on how to complete the project,” says Jodie Mantie. These services are applicable for any project such as decks, kitchens, bathrooms, or entire home construction.

The Home Centre offers the best in lawn and garden power equipment to keep your yard manicured. If your yard isn’t complete, let the team help with your landscaping and sprinkler installation or rent the contractor grade tools and do it yourself—the options are unlimited. To hold all of that equipment, there is the option of custom building a shed, which will then be delivered right to your backyard.

Open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. They are also open on Sunday in the afternoon.

You will never find yourself alone.

The Home Centre offers free in town delivery, encompassing even big loads of material, or a convenient drivethrough warehouse if you want to pick it up yourself. “We will even use a lift to put shingles onto the roof to make a job easier,” says Shari Richard. Whether you’re rebuilding, redecorating, or starting from scratch, the Home Centre has all you need.

expressions Fashion Department It all started with a contest to rename the original Weyburn Co-op Fashions Department.

That’s when Expressions was born.

After 10 years in the mall, Expressions moved to Main Street into a newly renovated building known as the Metro Centre. With beautiful wood floors and modern fixtures, Expressions can compete with any big city store.

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Their biggest draw with surrounding communities is the full line of Tan Jay and Alia. Expressions has been southeast Saskatchewan’s largest independent retailer for the two lines for many years. Their major denim lines, French Dressing and Carelli, give customers a great choice of fit and fashion.

Along with their friendly staff and personal service, they like to get to know their customers. “Norma and I have a total of 45 years of experience in the retail fashion industry, so we have gotten to know a lot of people.

They’re not just customers, they are like friends who share their lives with us,” says Michelle Killian. Tara and Myrna complete the team, building relationships by providing honest opinions and friendly service.

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This summer, dresses are en vogue.

Whether short, mid-length, or long, everyone enjoys the comfort and fun of throwing on a cool dress on a hot summer day. Expressions has a large variety of little sweaters and boleros to choose from to showcase a formal look.

What better than Clarks footwear to finish any outfit? “A few years ago we decided to carry shoes. With minimal space, instead of carrying a ‘hodgepodge’ of brands, we chose to carry Clarks, the one brand of shoe that we felt had the best comfort and quality,” says Michelle Killian.

The store carries many brand name ladies clothing, including Tribal, Lana Lee, and Renuar. They also sell a large selection of costume jewellery. A new necklace can bring an older outfit to life, or be your statement piece.

For the snowbirds and Aquasizers, Expressions carries a large selection of swimsuits in various labels and fits.

With the Weyburn Co-op’s friendly staff and community atmosphere, you will always be glad you stopped in.

FLEW

Weyburn Co-op p 306.848.3677 www.weyburncoop.com

EstEvan art GallEry and MusEuM: broadEninG horizons by ryan howse Photos by starr Mercer The Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM) has long been a treasure of the southeast and it’s continuing to grow and excel under its newest Director/Curator, Amber Andersen.

Andersen earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Regina and her Masters of Fine Arts from York University. When given the opportunity to work in Estevan, she gladly jumped at the opportunity. “What you see happening in Saskatchewan art, you don’t see happening in other provinces. It’s a very unique style.

I think part of it is the landscape. There are no major dominating urban centres and the vastness of the prairies gives us space to think big and imagine.”

Andersen’s background in printmaking made the EAGM’s collection of famous Canadian woodblock printer Andrew King all the more exciting for her. This year, the EAGM will host a retrospective exhibition of King’s work and hold a fundraiser soiree in order to further maintain, develop and promote this important collection.

The gallery has three exhibition spaces, which showcase contemporary Canadian art. The museum is open seasonally from June to September and focuses specifically on the history of the North West Mounted Police. Admission is always free.

The Estevan and southeastern Saskatchewan community continue to bolster and promote the importance of culture and heritage. “Art is about broadening the horizons of people,” says Andersen. It’s hard to imagine a horizon broader than southeastern Saskatchewan. FLEW

Estevan Art Gallery 118 Fourth Street, Estevan, SK 306 634.7674 eagm@sasktel.net www.eagm.ca

Karly Garnier, Gallery Educator Amber Andersen, Director/Curator

From left to right: Ryan Gentes, Melinda Gentes, Jake Gentes, Breena Poitras, Danielle George, Dan Gentes, Alana Wilson, Matthew Gentes, Terry Mantee.

The CapsTone ResTauRanT: A FAmily AFFAir

By Amber Klatt

A

Photos Brent Hume

lot of places call themselves a family business but the Capstone really is one. Dan, the father, along with the sons, Ryan and Matt, started the Capstone Restaurant last year. They all pinch in running the restaurant, so you get a real friendly, close-knit feel when you go in to eat or enjoy the great atmosphere in the lounge. Dan and Matt run the kitchen. Ryan is the general manager and his wife, Melinda, oversees the front of the restaurant and the lounge. They even have a third brother, Jake, who works their along with a bunch of great staff who help fill in the gaps.

It’s a true family business. There’s something special when you have a whole family involved that you just can’t recreate.

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For Dan Gentes’ family, food service is familiar grounds. Back in the nineties, Dan opened The Sugarplum in Carlyle, where he taught his sons the restaurant ropes. Most of the family moved to Alberta and they bounced around a bit before returning to Carlyle. Last May, the Gentes bought the old Home Hardware Garden Centre building and transformed it into a new, modern restaurant. Since opening, Capstone’s has broken new ground in Carlyle.

The restaurant comes as a direct response to the booming oil industry in southeastern Saskatchewan.

The industry’s vigorous expansion has led to big expansion for small towns—Carlyle’s population now hovers around 1800. More work and more people have meant change for longtime locals who can’t just rattle off the community’s roll call anymore. This is a good thing. When a stroll down Main Street offers a new variety of faces to greet, the Gentes’ family’s new restaurant is just the place to get to know each other.

“Our competitors have been doing a great job over the years,” son Ryan Gentes is quick to make it known, “yet there was a need for another place to service the bustling area.” Choice is good, competition refines quality, and meals bring us all together.

Particularly interested in servicing the oil-patch clientele, Capstone tailors its hours to accommodate the hungry early morning breakfast crowd as much as the lunch, dinner, and lounge standards. Having slugged it out on the oil rigs for years himself, Ryan remembers sidling up to sun-up meals in Oxbow and Carnduff, where a breakfast buffet satisfied him and his crew. His dream is for Capstone to recreate that in Carlyle. The wide open hours—from five to ten for the restaurant, and nine-thirty to after midnight for the lounge—allow plenty of opportunity to please the crowds. There’s a full menu available in the lounge as well as daily drink and appetizer specials with draft beer on tap.

“We are a family restaurant with home-style, fresh food,” explains Ryan. “We specialize in handmade pizzas and steaks, offer a hot and cold food bar during the week. Our customers also look forward to our weekend specials, and new sandwich and burger features.” Gone are the days of frozen, packaged meals. “As a family we decided to give timely food as healthfully as we could,” Ryan describes the choice to serve from-scratch meals, and only Certified Black Angus beef. With the freshest of fare at their fingertips, the cooks at Capstone take pride in keeping diners happy with great food and constant menu changes.

Since the last stone was placed, Capstone has emerged as a delicious dining destination. Check them out today at 106 Main Street, downtown Carlyle. FLEW

Capstone Restaurant 106 Main St, Carlyle, SK S0C 0R0 p 306.453.6388 FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

summer 2012

Estevan & Weyburn July

JuNE June 8th Rotary Lobster Fest

6:00 pm

Spectra Place, Estevan June 9th Estevan Farmers Market

8:00 am

Estevan Shoppers Mall Estevan Lives Rider Pride Cabaret

9:00 pm

June 15th, 22nd, 29th Donuts & Downloads

12:30-1:30 pm

June 16th The Salvation Army Thrift Store presents a FASHION SHOW 2:00 pm

July 3rd The Weyburn Chamber of Commerce Fair Parade

Captains Hall, Weyburn

Line-up along 5th Avenue

June 12th Knitting for Beginners: Session 1

June 16 - 17th Mens Open Crocus Classic

Estevan Public Library

Weyburn Golf Club

June 14th Cenovus Energy Golf Tournament

June 18 - 29th Estevan Fair

Weyburn Golf Club Food Fear Factor

6:00 pm

Estevan Public Library June 15th Estevan Motor Speedway Points Night

Estevan Motor Speedway

All day

Estevan Art Gallery & Musuem 6:30 pm

July 5th - 7th Estevan Art Gallery & Museum Garage Sale

July 6th Hands on History Family Fridays

June 23rd Estevan Art Gallery & Museum Chilli Cook-Off 4:30 pm Red Coat Chrysler

9:30 am

Estevan Art Gallery & Museum

Estevan Curling Rink

3:00 pm

Weyburn Golf Club

10:00 am

Souris Valley Museum July 10th Estevan Dakota Classic Mod Tour

Gates open 5 pm

Estevan Motor Speedway July 12th Estevan Art Gallery & Museum joint opening reception 7:00 pm

Estevan Art Gallery & Museum June 26th Knitting for Beginners: Sessions 2 & 3

Estevan Public Library FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

9:00 pm

Estevan Curling Rink

12:00 pm

11:00 am

Village of Kisbey Recreation Centre

Rumble in the Dirt with Knight Ryder

5:30 pm

July 1st Kisbey Canada Day BBQ

Weyburn Public Library

Estevan Curling Rink

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june | july | august

5:30 pm

Estevan & Weyburn July CoNTINuED

AuGuST

July 20th Hands-on History Family Fridays

August 3rd Hands-on History Family Fridays

10:00 am

August 21st Senior Social 10:00 am

Souris Valley Museum, Estevan

Souris Valley Museum, Estevan

July 21st Estevan Motor Speedway Points Night

August 10 - 11th Roche Percee Trail Ride & Wagon Trek

6:30 pm

Estevan Motor Speedway

Roche Percee

July 27 - 29th Gateway Festival In Bengough

August 12th Simple Plan

Bengough Regional Park

8:00 am

1:30 pm

Souris Valley Museum, Estevan August 25th Pioneer Fun Day

10:00 am

Souris Valley Museum, Estevan

7:00 pm

Spectra Place, Estevan August 19th Weyburn’s Opportunity Road Race

june | july | august

Weyburn Humane Society 2nd Annual Concert for the Critters presents Dog (cat) Days of Summer 1:00 pm

Royal Canadian Legion, Weyburn August 25 - 26th Pure Energy Weekend

7:30 am

Start/Finish area: Mel’s on Third (Main Street)

Various locations, Estevan

Father/son team. Keith Long & James Long

In-House QualIty Food at your doorstep

By Dan Grant

Photos by Doug Sully

I

n 1957, George Symons owned a bakery and began a business that still continues to evolve and grow to this very day. If there is one word that could be used to link Mr. Symons’ vision with the highly successful operation that runs today in Estevan it is pride. Jeff Pierson, who is the grandson of Mr. Symons, has continued to carry the torch of his grandfather’s vision to take the business to new heights.

The Beefeater Catering Company officially started about eighteen months ago, running out of the Days Inn. However it has actually been a service at the Beefeater for quite a long time. From soup and sandwich meals to the current most popular dish, pulled pork, the Beefeater not only gives you top quality food, they will also allow you to modify their menu to suit you.

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Get it Home Style “We make as much of the food from scratch as we possibly can,” explains Pierson, when mentioning how almost everything they serve is home style. They still use a potato slicer for french fries for instance. As a third generation operator of the business that his grandfather laid the foundation for, Pierson understands what it takes to grow a product that both satisfies the customer but will also stay around for a long time to come.

“People can’t believe the quality of the food they get,” says Pierson, when speaking about how much pride he personally takes in knowing that his many repeat customers are always satisfied with the high quality food that gets delivered to their doorstep.

The Beefeater Catering Company in the Days Inn serves a variety of events, such as business meetings, weddings, anniversaries, Christmas parties, or any function that requires fresh ingredients and top-notch service. If you would like a catering menu just simply give them a call and Pierson and staff will make things very easy for you by bringing a copy of the menu directly to you.

Making a Name of Their Own The Beefeater is a well-known landmark in Estevan and their catering service is beginning to make waves too. “We take pride in serving the same quality of food to your doorstep that you would get in-house.” It’s this determination and the drive to meet the needs of their customers that is winning people over.

With a busy catering schedule, seven days a week, please give as much advance notice as you can. To contact The Beefeater Catering Company to cater your meeting or party go to 1305 9th street in the Days Inn or give them a call at 306-634-6456. With mouthwatering food that you can tweak to your specifications, you can rest assured that The Beefeater Catering Company will not disappoint. FLEW The Beefeater Catering Company PO Box 1099 Stn. Main Estevan, SK P 306 634-6456 jeffp@daysinnestevan.ca

Jeff Pierson.

Lorie Drewitz-Gallaway and class.

Drewitz School of Dance Motion and emotion

By Ryan Howse. orie-Gay Drewitz-Gallaway, who grew up in Assiniboia, has been dancing since she was three years old. Her dedication and talent was evident from an early age. At eleven, she had the highest mark in a province-wide solo tap competition. At sixteen, she had the highest grade in Advanced Ballet in all of Canada.

After she graduated, she married a farmer from Estevan, Don Gallaway, and decided to start up her own studio. Now, 29 years later, the Drewitz School of Dance has 289 students enrolled in it. Lorie-Gay is the only fully certified dance examiner at the school, and helps every one of them. She also has a few high36

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school students acting as tutors for younger classes. Lastly, there are a select number of part-time certified instructors that help the students.

Drewitz-Gallaway’s school has a wide variety of dancing classes aimed at children from as young as three to people who are eighteen and graduating. The classes include ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, highland dance (unique in Saskatchewan), and musical theatre. There have also been ten-week dance courses in the autumn, focused on hip-hop and lady’s tap. Courses run from the end of August until the end of May, with a recital at the end.

Encouraging A New Generation The school has been successful for a long time due to their ability to adapt with the times. They have recently changed their focus from competing in larger centers to concentrate more on structured exams because they’ve found it is better for the students. This is why over twenty-five of Drewitz-Gallaway’s students have gone on to become graduates and have completed their Associate Teacher’s qualifications. Some of them have gone even further and opened up their own studios.

She suggests that it’s not always the ones parents expect to succeed that make it. “In this competitive society, there’s a lot of emphasis on quick results. Often, it’s the ones who are shy and have to work hard, but truly love the music and motion who stay on through grade 12. Every child takes to it differently.”

As a performing art, dancing has unique qualities that help it stand out. Not only are there the physical health benefits, like cardiovascular fitness, stretching, flexibility, and posture, but dance is also beneficial for the mind. The need to keep track of choreography, placement, technique, and mastering new steps all keeps your mind active. It also relieves stress and aids emotional health. This makes dancing an art form that improves a person’s health in three ways simultaneously. There is no better place to learn the art form in Southeastern Saskatchewan than at Drewitz School of Dance. FLEW

Drewitz School of Dance 1037 2nd St. Estevan, SK p: 306.634.6973 e: l.g.gallaway@sasktel.net drewitzschoolofdance.com FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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From small-town hockey player to Broadway star: Paul Nolan’s

IMPRObAbLE

jOurneY

BY EDWARD WILLETT PHOTOS JOAN MARCUS

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I

t’s a long, strange journey from small-town hockey player to Broadway musical theatre star, a journey so unlikely it’s probably safe to say Roleau native Paul Nolan is the only one who has ever made it.

But make it he has: the 33-year-old is currently starring as Jesus in the Tonynominated revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar in the Neil Simon Theatre in New York City.

He’s garnered rave reviews for it, too. There have been articles in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair.

The Associated Press called him “all-around excellent.” The Globe & Mail wrote, “With his hypnotic performance as Jesus, Paul Nolan remains the show’s superstar.”

And, he says, “It all began with voice lessons.”

From hockey to music The youngest of five children (he has four older sisters), Nolan grew up in a farming family. Like most prairie boys, his first focus was hockey. “I started playing when I was six. We happened to have a very talented group of guys. Before I left hockey for good at age 17 we had won two provincial championships, and they won another after that.”

But even though he enjoyed hockey and was good at it, it wasn’t until he began voice lessons with Betty Hayes, who introduced him to Regina’s artistic circles, that he found what he calls “my community.”

Then came another revelation: a touring production of Les Miserables Nolan saw at the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts when he was 13 or 14. “From that night forward, I knew that was what I wanted to do with my life.”

He began with local productions, performing with Regina Summer Stage and Regina Lyric Light Opera, and continued voice lessons, first with Hayes, then with Robert Ursan.

“I doubt I would be where I am today having not studied with Rob as a voice teacher,” Nolan says. “He and Betty are the reason I have any technique and can do this eight times a week.”

Nolan also joined Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre Co. “It was another affirmation that there was a community for me. In a town of 500 people, the focus is not very often put on the arts. It’s almost always sports. If you don’t fit into that peer group, it can be a struggle. DIWC was an affirmation, and very responsible for my success.”

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Second thoughts Nolan moved to Toronto after high school, and attended the Randolph Academy, a musical theatre school, which is where he started his professional work. And hasn’t looked back since... ...well, except maybe once.

“Even now, with the success I’m having, I still kind of fantasize about a more stable life,” Nolan admits, and in 2004 he actually left the business for a year. “I did volunteer work at a children’s camp in St. Lucia for all of August and worked on the family farm. I travelled. I was serious about not working any more as an actor. I really wanted to make a different life.”

But in 2005 he returned to the stage. The role? Jesus in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Sunshine Festival in Orillia.

That was followed by five seasons at the Stratford Festival...and the first steps toward Broadway.

In Nolan’s second year at Stratford Tony-award winning director Des McAnuff became artistic director. In his first meeting with McAnuff, Nolan recalls, “I did a monologue—I don’t think I sang—and we talked for five or ten minutes. He asked me what I would I like to do. I told him, ‘I want to play Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar in this Festival.’”

Just recently McAnuff revealed to Nolan that that comment helped spark the new production. “He doesn’t normally think actors cast themselves well in roles,” Nolan marvels, “but he 40

FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

didn’t even audition me for it. He asked me to play Jesus before my first preview as Orlando in As You Like It. He approached me in the staircase and said, off the cuff, ‘I want you to play Jesus in Superstar next year.’ I was kind of dumfounded and blindsided.

It was a dream role.”

And, he adds, with a laugh, “It was one of the first times I haven’t auditioned for a role. I could get used to that!”

A sizeable Saskatchewan contingent After a smashing success in Stratford, the show moved to the La Jolla Playhouse in California, and then to Broadway.

It brought a larger Saskatchewan contingent than just Nolan to the Great White Way. The Stratford production had six Saskatchewanians: Jacqueline Burtney (daughter of Andorlie Hillstrom, artistic director of Do It With Class), Matt Alfono and Kyle Golemba (both also DIWC alumni), Stephen Patterson and Mary Antonini. Golemba and Patterson decided to stay in Stratford for this season, but the others are in New York with Nolan.

“There are a lot of Saskatchewan people at the Stratford Festival,” Nolan notes. “They say the cold winters force us to be creative.” More seriously, he says, Saskatchewan offers extraordinary support for its arts community, and particularly for young people in the arts.

So is it overwhelming for a small-town prairie boy to perform on one of the storied stages of Broadway?

Nolan laughs. “I think my family keeps me grounded,” he says. “They’re very, very, very proud, but I think they would be very quick to slap me in the side of the head if I was getting carried away with my own ego.”

He admits, though, that, “If it had happened earlier, maybe I wouldn’t have been so grounded. I know who I am a lot more than I did when I was 23 or 24.”

He tries to look past the Broadway myth. Stratford, he notes, though it may lack the cachet of Broadway, is “creating artists, and nurturing artists, and creating great internationally groundbreaking work and nourishing the thirst of actors to deal with a classical text.”

Ultimately, he says, “It isn’t our job to create the myth, it’s our job to create the art, to do a great job that we believe in.

Being an artist, you tend to go where your artistic thirst is quenched. Right now it’s in Jesus Christ Superstar.”

An ever-evolving role Even though he’s been playing Jesus for months, he finds that his understanding of the role continues to get “richer and richer and richer.”

Each performance is slightly different. “Sometimes I’m exhausted, energetic, sorrowful, joyful, hopeful, defeated—all of those things would have applied to Jesus Christ. He was an incredibly dualistic person, as many and most humans probably are. I find that wonderful to play. It leaves it open to be almost anything.

“Sometimes I’m out there and I’m thinking, ‘This can’t possibly be Jesus, I’m too angry,’ or, ‘I’m too happy,’ but all of that is Jesus. Over time I just have allowed myself to be anything. For me I know where it comes from,” (what he calls the “seed” of the role), “and there’s where I start my night.”

When he’s not on stage, what does he do for fun in the greatest city in the world?

Play softball, what else? Every Thursday for an hour and a half, in the Broadway Softball League. Other than that, “I spend a lot of time having to prepare—getting physical therapy that helps me do it over and over and over again.”

He did find time to visit Yankee Stadium. He was to sing “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch of the Yankees’ home opener.

Nolan is committed to playing Jesus until mid-September, if the show runs that long, and would love to continue for another six months after that. Eventually, though, his time as Jesus will come to an end. And then?

He cheerfully admits he doesn’t have a clue. “I’ll eventually sort that out,” he says, then adds with considerable understatement, “This is big enough right now.” FLEW

Try SomeThing FreSh

By Sarah Ferguson Photos by Doug Sully (L to R) Eric Goot, Raquele Caliston, James Sorichetti and Sonny Sacopon.

E

ddie Webster’s has been in Estevan since 1985, but after all of these years it’s still like a completely new restaurant. The menu and the décor is always changing and evolving. The restaurant specializes in wine, beer, cocktails, and food with European and North American influences. The summer cocktail and beer menus allow guests to enjoy the weather on the patio. From their unique menu, expert staff, and changing décor, Eddie Webster’s offers something for everyone.

The staff at Eddie Webster’s can be described as “foodies”. They love food, and are excited to pass that passion onto their guests. That’s why they only use fresh ingredients in all their cuisine. The staff values their customers and enjoy building relationships with their guests and are devoted to providing an excellent dining experience. Servers are goal-oriented and motivated, and have an interactive training program.

Eddie Webster’s is constantly changing to enhance the guests’ experience. They now have a brunch every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. The restaurant has also created a new dessert menu for their guests’ enjoyment. On top of this, there are a variety of menus to choose from. There is a healthy children’s menu, wine menu, seasonal cocktail menu, brunch menu, dessert menu, and Charlie’s menu. Eddie Webster’s has partnered with Charlie’s Diet and Wellness Centre in Estevan and they offer a specialized menu for participants in Charlie’s diet program. Every item on Charlie’s menu has been approved by Charlie’s Diet and Wellness Centre.

General Manager James Sorichetti and Front of House Manager Eric Goot have teamed up with a wine expert to elevate your dining experience. The wine list has been created with quality and affordability in mind. The servers are able to suggest an appropriate wine for any menu item.

The restaurant has implemented a seasonal cocktail menu. This menu will change with the seasons, and was created by GM James Sorichetti and Sonny Sacopon, the bartender.

The summer cocktail menu contains delicious cocktails that encourage the guest to enjoy the season on the newly furnished patio. To complement this, lounge manager Kristina Hilton is working with various beer representatives to bring new and exciting beers for the different seasons as well.

The Children’s menu is a healthy treat for little diners. Eddie Webster’s has created fun and nutritional entrees and sides. The food is so tasty, your kids won’t even know they’re eating healthy.

Eddie Webster’s is committed to excellent cuisine and beverages, appetizing presentation, relationship building, exceptional customer service, and the overall dining experience. Some words guests have used to describe the restaurant are friendly, inviting, surprising, sophisticated, delicious, affordable, and amazing. One guest exclaimed, “It’s like you moved a restaurant from New York to Estevan!”

Eddie Webster’s knows the most important aspect of cooking is the ingredients. Only fresh ingredients are used at the restaurant. They do not use any processed ingredients in their cuisine. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, which heightens the entire dining experience.

Presentation is also very important for an appetizing meal. Eddie Webster’s ensures everything presented to the guest is arranged in the best way to tempt the palate.

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Management and staff are passionate about food. They are willing to answer any food-related questions. They are able to answer any questions guests may have from “What’s in this dish?”, to “How do I make caramel for my apples?”. They love to discuss food, read about food, and create delicious food. FLEW

(l-r)Wesh BInalla, James Senirez, and Ariel Balbuena

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From Left to Right: Zayda Kofoed, Ty Kofoed and Julia Durr.

FRIENDLY, ENJOYABLE AND SAFE A new place for kids to play

By Ryan Howse. Photos by Brent Hume. aking life easier for parents and those expecting, KidZone Bouncers and Rentals is a new friendly, enjoyable, safe place for children to have fun.

Owner Kristen Kofoed said she opened it to fill an empty niche in the Estevan and Weyburn area: places parents could take young children. “It started with my own children. There wasn’t any place to take them without going all the way to Regina!”

There are seven inflatable play structures and an 18-foot slide for rent. Parents can take their children to KidZone’s facilities on Fourth Street or rent the play structures for home use. Passes are daily and there is also a special birthday package.

KidZone offers a variety of products for expecting and nursing mothers in Kofoed’s Bump to Baby section, which began as an online catalog and is now also in the store. Again, Kofoed saw a 46

FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

niche to fill: so many products for new parents simply weren’t available in the area. She hopes to help other Estevan and area parents.

The store sells a variety of creams, clothing, toys, and more for mother and child through all stages of development.

One popular item is the Dapper Snapper, an adjustable toddler-sized belt. Another: Baltic amber necklaces, an anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving agent for teething toddlers. Special cloth diapers with disposable liners also sell well. Rather than having to be thrown away like disposable diapers, the liners can simply be flushed, which is cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

Kofoed also takes special orders in-store or through the website. FLEW

KidZone 1311 Fourth Street, Estevan, SK p: 306.634.3828 e: kristenkofoed@hotmail.ca www.bump2baby.ca

Chad, Kristen, Zayda and Ty Kofoed

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Looking for a special summer menu? Here, Gordon Ramsay cooks up an elegant yet simple meal.

PHOTOS MyLES NEW

GORDON’S

GREAT

SUMMER MENU

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Menu StarterS Stuffed courgette rolls Balsamic beetroot with Roquefort Main courSe Salmon baked with herbs & caramelised lemons Cos, asparagus & red onion salad Dessert Individual summer puddings

Timeplan up to a day ahead Make the summer puddings, leave to chill Make beetroot salad to the middle of step 3 on the day, up to 6 hourS ahead Leave courgette strips to marinate Caramelise the lemons, prep the fish and leave in the fridge Prep asparagus for the salad haLF an hour BeFore SerVinG Finish the starters, put salmon in the oven Toss salad together just before serving

Stuffed courgette rolls Makes 24 rolls EaSy PREP 20 mins plus marinating NO COOK I love the way Italians start a meal with antipasti to tantalise the palate. This is my take on it.

4 small courgettes, ends trimmed 3-4 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle 3-4 tbsp balsamic vinegar, to drizzle 250g tub ricotta squeeze lemon juice handful fresh basil leaves, chopped 50g pine nuts, toasted (see Know-how, right)

Balsamic beetroot with roquefort Serves 8 EaSy PREP 10 mins plus chilling COOK 5 mins Roquefort, in combination with balsamic vinegar, really brings out the sweetness of the beets. I’ve used ready-cooked beetroot here, but you can cook your own if you like.

600g cooked baby beetroots (not the type in vinegar), peeled and trimmed 3-4 tbsp olive oil 6-7 tbsp balsamic vinegar 150g Roquefort 1-2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted (see Know-how, left)

1 Slice the courgettes lengthways, using a swivel vegetable peeler – you’ll need 24 long strips. Drizzle some of the olive oil and balsamic over two large plates and lay the strips flat, trying not to overlap. Sprinkle with more oil and balsamic, cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 20 mins. Can be prepared up to 6 hrs ahead. 2 Mix the ricotta with lemon juice and seasoning to taste, then mix in the basil and pine nuts. Place 1 tsp of the ricotta mixture onto one end of a courgette strip and roll up. Repeat until you have used up all the filling. Arrange rolls upright on a plate and grind over some black pepper. Drizzle with a little more oil and balsamic vinegar to serve.

1 Halve or quarter the beetroot, depending on the size. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan, add the beetroot and sauté for 2-3 mins, tossing well to coat. 2 Add the balsamic vinegar, season and cook 1-2 mins longer, until reduced right down to a syrupy glaze. 3 Transfer to a serving bowl to cool, then cover and chill. Can be done up to 1 day ahead. Remove from fridge 30 mins before serving, crumble over the Roquefort and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

PER SERVING 49 kcalories, protein 2g, carbohydrate 1g, fat

PER SERVING 152 kcalories, protein 6g, carbohydrate 9g,

5g, saturated fat 1g, fibre none, sugar 1g, salt 0.03g

fat 11g, saturated fat 5g, fibre 2g, sugar 8g, salt 1.01g

Gordon’S know-how

To cook beetroot from raw, leave in the skins and boil whole until tender. Peel when cooled, but don’t forget to don your rubber gloves first. If you can’t find Roquefort, you could use crumbled Stilton or semi-soft goat’s cheese.

Gordon’S know-how

To toast pine nuts, tip into a hot frying pan – no oil needed – for 2-3 mins, shaking the pan often until the kernels are golden all over. Tip onto a plate and leave to cool. Toast the sesame seeds for the beetroot salad this way, too.

Roll up courgette strips with the ricotta mixture

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Salmon baked with herbs & caramelised lemons Serves 8 MODERaTELy EaSy PREP 25 mins COOK 35 mins Heart healthy, good source of Omega-3s To me, this is one of the best and easiest ways of cooking salmon, combining Asian and Mediterranean flavours for a refreshingly aromatic centrepiece. I like to use salmon from Loch Duart if I can (lochduart.com) – it’s reared in a sustainable, environmentally conscious way and has a lean, full-flavoured flesh. whole salmon (about 2kg), scaled, gutted and washed 3 small lemons, thickly sliced 100ml olive oil 4-6 fresh bay leaves few sprigs each fresh rosemary, thyme, basil, sage and parsley 2-3 lemongrass stalks, cut into large pieces 1 head garlic, halved horizontally 1 tsp peppercorns, mixed or black 5-6 whole star anise PER SERVING 388 kcalories, protein 32g, carbohydrate 1g, fat 29g, saturated fat 5g, fibre none, sugar 1g, salt 0.56g

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1 Trim salmon tail and cut off the fins.

Pat dry inside and out with kitchen paper. Score the skin of the fish on both sides with a sharp knife, at 2-3cm intervals. Rub all over with olive oil, salt and pepper. Lay three large pieces of foil over a large baking tray, overlapping the long edges.Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5.

2 Heat a little oil in a non-stick frying pan, then fry lemon slices over a high heat for 2-3 mins until golden. Season; allow to cool slightly. Scatter a handful of herbs and lemongrass over foil, then sit salmon on top. Tuck caramelised lemon, herbs and garlic around and inside fish, splash over a little oil and scatter over salt, peppercorns and star anise.

cos, asparagus & red onion salad Serves 8 MODERaTELy EaSy PREP 15 mins COOK 2 mins Superhealthy, counts as 1 of 5-a-day 300g asparagus spears 1 large or 2 medium Cos lettuce 1 red onion, thinly sliced 3-4 tbsp vinaigrette, preferably homemade (see below) 1 Peel the asparagus bases with a swivel peeler and trim the woody ends. Blanch in boiling salted water for 1 -2 mins until just tender. Drain and refresh under cold running water.

2 Trim the base of the lettuce leaves and arrange on a large shallow bowl or platter. Scatter over the asparagus spears and red onion, season well and drizzle with vinaigrette just before serving.

PER SERVING 62 kcalories, protein 2g, carbohydrate 3g, fat 5g, saturated fat 1g, fibre 2g, sugar 3g, salt 0.14g

Gordon’S know-how

3 Fold the foil around the fish to make a shallow tent, scrunching the edges well to seal. Cook in the centre of the oven for 30-35 mins, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Remove from the oven and rest the fish for at least 10 mins, still wrapped in foil.

Gordon’S know-how

Baked salmon is at its best when the thickest part of the flesh near the head is still very slightly soft, moist and bright pink. Letting the fish rest while still wrapped in foil helps the flesh firm up for easy carving.

4 Unwrap the fish and gently peel away the skinusing a cutlery knife and discard.

Use the handle of a spoon to scrape off any brown flesh on top of the pink flesh, then push the spoon headinto the groove that runs along the length of the fillet, easing the flesh into two long strips. Push the spoon into the flesh where it joins the backbone, lifting it off the bone. Break the fish on the first side into 4 portions and lift onto serving plates. When the top half is served, pull off the backbone and head and serve the rest. Drain the juices into a small jug. Serve with caramelised lemons and a drizzle of the juices.

Here’s my quick way to prepare asparagus. Simply bend each spear and snap where you feel it naturally give, breaking off the woody end.

classic vinaigrette Makes about 250ml Put 100ml extra virgin olive oil, 100ml groundnut oil, 1 scant tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp white wine vinegar and some sea salt and pepper in a measuring jug and whisk together until emulsified. Pour into a clean bottle, seal and refrigerate. Shake well before using. Will keep covered in the fridge for up to a week.

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individual summer puddings Makes 8 MODERaTELy EaSy PREP 20 mins plus cooling COOK 2-3 mins Superhealthy, counts as 1 of 5-a-day, good source of vitamin C This must be the crowning glory of English puddings.

Day-old slices of white bread are perfect for soaking up the juices from the berries. If using fresh bread, you may find it easier to firm it up in the fridge before slicing.

1kg mixed berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, redcurrants,blackberries and strawberries, plus a few extra to serve 50g caster sugar 4 tbsp Crème de Cassis (or water) large (approx 800g) loaf white bread, sliced PER SERVING 282 kcalories, protein 9g, carbohydrate 59g, fat 2g, saturated fat none, fibre 4g, sugar 18g, salt 1.17g

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Cut out 8 small bread rounds and 8 large ones

Gordon’S know-how

Soft fruit is very delicate. To wash, swish gently in a large bowl of water and drain in a colander. Tip onto a tray lined with double thickness of paper towel; pat dry.

Press the straight slices of bread around the sides

1 Strip berries from their stalks and hull strawberries. Discard any that are squashy or overripe. Toss berries gently in a nonstick saucepan with sugar and Cassis or water. Heat the pan until it starts to sizzle. Cook over a medium heat for 2-3 mins or until the fruits start to bleed and soften.

2 Stir gently, then cool to room temperature. Strain fruit through a plastic sieve into a non-metallic bowl for about 10 mins or until the juices stop dripping.

3 Have 8 cappuccino or tea cups (about 200ml) ready. Using 2 cutters (approx 10cm and 6cm, but check against the tops and bottoms of your cups), cut out 8 bread rounds of each size. Cut the crusts off 8 more slices and slice in half. These strips should be approximately the same depth as the cups.

4 Dip the small rounds of bread into the reserved juices and press into the cups. Dip the straight slices in the juice and press around the sides.

Spoon in the fruits, pressing down with the back of a spoon to firm. Dip the last of the bread rounds into the juice; press down on top. Chill overnight.

5 When ready to serve, loosen bread tops with the tip of a table knife. Hold a dessert plate over the pudding, then turn upside down, shaking well.

The puddings should slip out easily; if not, loosen the sides gently with the knife. Pour any remaining juice over the tops of puddings. Decorate with the remaining fruit; serve with pouring cream.

Pour any remaining juice over the tops of the puddings

to make a large pudding Use a 1.8 litre capacity or similar sized bowl. Cut 1 small round of bread to fit the base and 1 larger one for the top. Remove crusts from about 6-8 more slices of bread, then cut each slice in half slightly on the diagonal to make two lopsided rectangles. Dip the base piece into the juices and use to line the bottom of the bowl. Dip the remaining slices and slot them against each other, thick and thin ends down alternately, until bowl is lined. Spoon in the fruit, soak the final circle of bread and lay it on top.

Cover with cling film, sit a small plate or saucer on top and weigh down with a tin. Chill overnight before turning out.

These recipes have been adapted from Gordon Ramsay’s book, Sunday Lunch and Other Recipes from the F Word (Quadrille). ©Good Food/ZUMA Press.com

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Great Food and Great Hospitality

By Ryan Howse. Photos by Emily Rutledge.

he Tower Café and Willy’s Tap House are mainstays on the restaurant scene in Estevan. With their fantastic selection of food, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and comfortable atmosphere, they are the perfect destination for anyone looking for a quick bite to eat or an entertaining evening with friends.

The Tower Café itself is a second-generation restaurant, founded forty years ago, and is now run by brothers Pete, Nick and Tony Sereggela. Willy’s Tap House was added twelve years ago to better serve their patrons, and the expansion has paid off. The Tap House is a 100-seat pub, with eleven televisions so that patrons can watch whichever sporting event they like at any 54

FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

time. There’s also music, at a comfortable volume, which gives the lounge a conversational atmosphere.

Since its inception in 2000, Willy’s Tap House has managed to maintain long-term staff. This is one of the biggest reasons for their success. Sereggela takes pride in the fact that his experienced staff knows what many of their customers want before they’re even seated. The friendly staff are also quick to strike up conversations with new customers and get to know them. The staff and management know that success depends on making new customers into repeat customers, and the best way to do that is by giving them a friendly atmosphere.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry Willy’s Tap House pizza was voted the best pizza in town in the Estevan Mercury Reader’s Poll. But they have a wide variety of great food, including appetizers and Black Angus steaks. Of the daily promotions, Thursday’s all-day steak special has become the most popular. Sereggela estimates that they sell between 200 and 250 steaks each Thursday. Sunday morning brunch is also popular within the community.

There are fourteen draft beers as well, both imported and domestic. A special sub-zero draft line means that the beer is colder than most draft beer, at under zero degrees Celsius. This gives the customer a longer-lasting, great drinking experience.

There are daily lunch specials, which are popular because of both their speed and quality. Patrons know that, no matter how busy the Tap House gets, they’ll be able to order and finish their meal before they have to return to work.

Serving The Community As lifelong citizens of Estevan—Pete, Nick, and Tony Sereggela believe in helping out as best they can. They support over twenty different sports leagues, including softball, hockey, soccer, and men’s hardball. They also host an annual golf tournament. This year will be the fourth, and the proceeds will be going towards Relay 4 Life. That’s because Willy’s Tap House knows the value of community. It’s a lesson that’s evident when you step inside their lounge, talk with the staff, and feel at home.

Long-term patrons Wade and Andrea Kotelo agree. Wade says, “We love the food and hospitality at the Tap House, but the best thing is that whenever we go there, we always see friends. You can’t beat that.” FLEW Willy’s Tap House 1124 - 4th Street, Estevan, SK p: 306.634.8782 e: Willystaphouse@gmail.com

Wednesday June 20th

Mainprize’s Annual Farmers Tournament

Sat./Sun. June 30th& July 1st

Mainprize’s Annual Canada Day Celebration Saturday - Ball tournament and cabaret Sunday - Kids activities and fireworks

2012 Schedule of events!

Saturday July 14th 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Mainprize Marketplace

Friday July 27th

Midale Oilmen’s Tournament

Wednesday August 8th

Mainprize Women’s Open

Friday August 10th

Mainprize’s Oil Women’s Tournament You can contact the Clubhouse on details or registration on any of the events 306-452-2452

Mainprize Regional Park and Golf Course Midale, SK Canada • P 306 458.2452 • F 306 458.2776 Email mainprizeregionalpark@gmail.com www.mainprizepark.com

Gear up for a new season of motocross By ryan Howse People in Saskatchewan are starting their dirt bikes for another summer of motocross. At XS-iV in Estevan, Judy and Chris Istace are already gearing up for the next season, both in and out of their store.

The Istace family participates in both the Southeast Corner and North Dakota Racing Circuit. Since they race, they know the best equipment to keep their customers safe.

“Whether you’re riding for fun or in a professional race, you need a good, well-fitted helmet from a reputable company. Spend money on your helmet; you don't want a head injury,” says Judy Istace.

Also vital: proper footwear. “You can crush your anklebone without proper boots. We have some made of leather with hardened rubber, carbon fibers, or aluminum. Any motocross boot will have the support you need, but professional racers will need extra protection.”

Such extra protection includes chest and neck protectors, and braces.

“We can outfit you from head to toe and make you look great.”

XS-iV also sponsors approximately 20 racers in the area, all of whom wear the XS-iV logo. Their most popular sponsored racer is Tanner Reidman, from North Dakota, who participated in the AMA Supercross in 2010.

Istace concludes, “We’re named XS-iV because we’re beyond the usual. We’ve got lifestyle clothing, motocross gear, snow gear, and more. We’re passionate about the sports and the lifestyle and we always get the best products to meet those people’s needs. Motocross isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life.”

Photos: (1) Chris and Brandon Istace at Weyburn’s MX track.

(2) Jaiden Istace at the Milestone MX track in California.

Estevan 1230 - 4th Street, Estevan, SK S4A 0W9 p: 306.634.6774 e: info@xsiv.ca

w w w.xsiv.ca

Weyburn #7 - 3rd Street NE, Weyburn, SK S4H 0W1 p: 306.842.6776

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

A

s the lights went out, and beautiful Spectra Place was lit dimly by only large television screens and the spotlight highlighting the ring, it felt as if the night had just began all over again. After over three and a half hours of intense action this enthusiastic crowd got the loudest it had been all night. It was time for the main event. The heavyweight title was up for grabs and local sports hero Derek Daku had all intentions of winning in front of his home crowd.

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The music filled the arena and out walked Daku to a thunderous applause. As Daku and his opponent Devon “The Giant Killer�

Smith met in the middle of the cage for the referees instructions the atmosphere was electric. It was fight time in Estevan and the crowd that night had seen almost everything.

HK24 started with the first ever junior fight. Fourteen year olds Christian Crowthers and Roark Franke squared off and displayed an excellent array of kicks, body punches, holds, and

grappling technique. Both were presented with trophies after the hard fought and disciplined fight. The night was also chalked full of fast pace action that showed the excellent fighting ability of fighters throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.

The arena was buzzing the whole evening with packed floor seating at the VIP tables and the hundreds of fans filling the arena seats to witness top-notch mixed martial arts action in Estevan. There were plenty of haymakers and technical holds to make any type of fight fan have a great time watching the action. During the second half of the night, Hard Knocks Fighting Championship auctioned off three custom designed hardhats created by sponsor Rig Pig and raised $16,500 for two people who survived a fatal crash on the way to a Hard Knocks event in Calgary. To date, it was announced that Hard Knocks has raised $75,000 for local charities.

When local fighter Wade Baldwin won by technical knockout at 2:16 in the first round the crowd went crazy, and when Ryan

Starkell defeated Travis Triskle by forcing him to tap out from a rear naked choke hold, just as the bell was sounded to end the fight, the crowd had officially gotten its money worth.

All of that was pushed to the side, however, once it was Daku and Smith facing off. When the bell sounded to begin the fight, Daku came in hard and controlled his opponent Smith rather handily it seemed in the first round. As round two started, Daku again was in control with Smith’s back against the mat and Daku working holds.

Then it happened. Daku tapped and the fight was over. The crowd sat stunned wondering what had just happened. Over the big screens it showed a brilliant and quick guillotine choke put on Daku by Smith. It was true, “The Giant Killer” had defeated Estevan’s fighting giant. The Heavyweight Title was Smith’s but the real winner were the fans who got to witness a historic event. HK24 was in the books and it made you want to come back for more. FLEW

Hard Knocks Fighting Championship Suite 210 - 701 14th Street NW Calgary, Alberta T2N 2A4 p: 403.710.6683 e: info@hardknocksfighting.com www.hardknocksfighting.com

By Shawna Common

WET AND FUN FAMILY FROLIC

T

he Kenosee Superslides were built in 1985, and have been in operation since 1986. James Mills started working there in 2002 as a lifeguard and began running it in 2009. He knows the business from top to bottom and how to serve you best. James believes in providing affordable, safe entertainment for the whole family.

The park features excitement and activities for the whole family including waterslides for all ages and expertise. The Freefall slide is eight stories tall, and offers a thrill for the adventurous visitor. Kiddie slides will introduce your little fish to the adventure of sliding. They can also play in the Kids’ Play Area, which features swings, a jungle gym, slides, a sandbox, and even a tree house. Adults can relax in the 150-person capacity hot tub. There is also the Lazy Canal, which is powered by the water from the slides. It offers a nice change of pace from the rush of the water slides. Personal flotation devices send you on a refreshing ramble around the base of the slides.

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You can unwind with a book, or just watch the clouds, while you float along the canal.

Kenosee Superslides has events scheduled for every weekend of the summer, such as Jamaica Days and Supersoaker Days. The weekend activities also include a concession and a variety of games. The park features Cruisers Restaurant, tube rentals and Reflections clothing store. In addition to the custom Canada and Kenosee Superslides clothing, there are also a variety of swimsuits available at Reflections.

Staff and management at Kenosee Superslides want you to have a great time, so customer support is very important to them. Safety is of prime importance. Most of the staff is trained in First Aid and CPR, including all of the lifeguards. They are on duty at all times so you can be sure someone is always close at hand. Regular maintenance also keeps the waterslides smooth and fun.

The park offers affordable family fun. There are daily, weekend and season passes available for purchase by families, seniors and adults. There are also rates for those who just want to relax in the hot tub or Lazy Canal. Group prices are available for that family reunion, class party, or group function. For visitors that want to spend the night, weekend or vacation at Kenosee, they can choose from a variety of accommodations available at the resort. FLEW

Kenosee Superslides opens on June 13th and close August 26th and return visitors will notice a change—the Freefall slide will be candy apple red.

This slide can be seen for miles, so it won’t be hard to locate this exciting waterslide park. Kenosee Superslides is across the #9 highway from Kenosee Lake. For information, or to book your next party, call 306.577.2343.

You may also visit their website at www.kenoseesuperslides.com, or find them on Facebook under Kenosee Superslides.

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METRA EQUIPMENT

By Nykea Behiel

D

oing wellheads right is crucial to avoid losing time and money. The wellhead provides a base for everything else and mistakes can’t happen. Oil companies need experienced people who have proven themselves in the industry. Lyle Grube and Burt Blondeau, the founders of Metra Equipment, come with over forty years of experience between the two of them. Their wellhead service technicians are also the most experienced and knowledgeable in the area, with more than 120 years of experience amongst them. That’s experience you can trust.

Metra Equipment Inc. supplies new and remanufactured wellhead equipment and valves. They also have a large inventory of rental equipment, including frac rental valves, gate valves, and spacer spools. They also have over forty different 62

FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

Photos Teena Roy sizes and configurations of high pressure frac trees, which are used during the well fracturing process.

With eight fully equipped service trucks—all with decks, pickers, and hydraulic tools—and their large inventory, they can help their clients quickly and efficiently.

From Past To Future Grube and Blondeau wanted a chance to run a wellhead business their own way. They wanted a stronger emphasis on customer service along with a wide variety of quality products.

Without a corporate office elsewhere, it is much simpler to respond quickly to the needs of their clients.

Despite this, new companies always face a number of challenges. “It was quite scary for the first few months, after leaving our stable careers to venture out on our own. The phone didn’t ring as often as we would have liked. Luckily, through persistence, hard work, long hours, and excellent word of mouth, we were able to get some opportunities and make the best of them. Once our company got rolling, we never looked back,” says Blondeau.

Metra Equipment just celebrated their fifth anniversary and the future looks even better.

Metra Equipment Inc. has continued growing over those five years as word about their exceptional customer service has spread through the area.

One concern that Blondeau and Grube shared was growing too fast, and being unable to provide the same quality customer service that made them successful in the first place. “Whether it means more trucks or more people, it has always been our goal to keep from outgrowing our own capabilities,” says Grube. They work hard to keep Metra Equipment growing at its constant, steady pace into the future.

Helping Clients, Staff, and the Community The oilfield never sleeps. Metra Equipment Inc. understands this, so their business is open twenty-four hours a day.

To keep up with the constant work, they have nineteen staff members, excluding Blondeau and Grube. They have two people working on inside sales, who answer calls all day.

They also coordinate jobs, pull orders, create sales orders, and plenty more. There are two receptionists who get the sales orders out to customers, create invoices, and make sure both accounts payable and accounts receivable are up to date.

They have three full-time shop personnel and twelve full-time field service technicians to do all the repairs, refurbishing, and installations that their clients require.

Grube and Blondeau both understand the importance of treating staff well. “Our staff are on call twenty-four hours a day to make this company go,” says Grube. The staff are paid well, and Grube and Blondeau also offer them numerous functions outside of work so they can relax and enjoy each other’s company.

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They also understand the value of community. Metra Equipment Inc. contributes to youth sports leagues, schools, the local bike track, stock car drivers, and larger charities such as The Royal Canadian Legion, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Canadian Cancer Society. Their most recent donation was $5000 to the Estevan Firefighters Association.

Grube and Blondeau agree, “We cannot express how grateful we are to have such a hard-working and dedicated staff which has made Metra Equipment Inc. what it is today. We would also like to thank the individuals and customers who took a chance on us in the beginning and continue to support us as our company grows. We truly appreciate all of the support over the past five years, and look forward to continuing our relationships in the future.” FLEW Metra Equipment Inc. 116 Supreme Street, Estevan p 306.634.6325 lgrube@metraequipment.com bblondeau@metraequipment.com

Brad Bennett, VP Operations

Sun Country Well ServiCing By ryan Howse. Photos by teena roy, Wild Child Photography. he oil boom in Estevan has turned this corner of the province into a fantastic place for new oilfield service companies to start up. Sun Country Well Servicing, which was founded in 2009 by Brad Bennett, Tony Hodges, and Rob Wasylyniuk is one of the best of them.

Brad Bennett is the Vice President of Operations at the stateof-the-art well servicing company. All of the rigs and equipment are brand-new. Rig #1 started operations in October 2009, and less than three years later, Rig #9 has just started operations as of May 21st.

The equipment at Sun Country is top-notch—the rigs are lighter than normal but also stronger. Each rig is built by Courtney Berg

Industries and engineered by Sparta Engineering. The derricks are manufactured using T 100 Steel, which is both lighter and stronger than regular steel. Inside the rigs, aluminum catwalks take the place of steel ones. Their Cummins Motors are even lighter than most Detroit Diesel motors. Finally the doghouses are manufactured by Demby Trailer in Weyburn.

Not willing to stand still, Bennett constantly works to stay on top of improvements in the industry to make certain his company has nothing but the best equipment on the market. Though the cost is higher up front, Bennett says it’s worth it because downtime due to maintenance and repairs is much less common. Besides down time, workplace efficiency suffers when the equipment isn’t maintained.

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“it’s All About the People” Of course, the equipment is only as good as the people using it. The staff at Sun Country Well Servicing is knowledgeable and experienced. “We have some of the best rig managers and employees there are working our rigs,” says Bennett.

Blake Mile, the Equipment Manager at Sun Country, oversees all maintenance, which is a continual and vital job. Mile is a certified Cummins mechanic. He’s very efficient at determining what is wrong and quickly making the necessary repairs. This minimizes downtime to get the wells back in production quicker.

Phil Amosah is the Field Superintendent. He looks after the rigs, assists with inspections, makes sure the right people have the right parts, and troubleshoots whatever problems arise. “The people we have working here are second to none.

Many of the rig managers I’ve worked with in the past at other sites are here now,” he says. The close bond between employer and employees helps as well. “It helps communicate faster. With one phone call, people are here to help you out.”

Shannon Leibel agrees. “To many corporations, you’re a number.

The Sun Country management is far more understanding and responsive.” As the Personnel Coordinator, Leibel has to be at the forefront of this. She recruits, interviews, and does the orientation for new hires. She also has to make certain the staff remains trained in all necessary safety regulations and find replacements when people need days off or training.

Jae Friess, the Office Administrator, keeps everything from accounts payable to time sheets organized and sent off to the corporate office in Cochrane, Alberta. “This is a first class operation. All the guidelines and safety regulations are followed. There are no corners cut.”

In Cochrane, four employees handle payroll, invoicing, payables and human resources issues. Again, exceptionally dedicated people are ready to do what is necessary to ensure the company’s success. Sun Country boasts an attractive benefits package as well as a matching RRSP plan.

Left to Right: Phil Amosah, Field Supervisor; Vince Warren, Driller; Mike Cripps, Rig Manager

A Safe Work environment

the Future of Sun Country

With employees being the key to Sun Country Well Servicing’s success, their safety is paramount. “Safety is of the highest importance in the oil industry. There have been plenty of accidents in the industry which could have been easily prevented.

We really promote safety and our workers are aware of it and follow the rules.”

Bennett says he doesn’t see any major changes affecting his business anytime soon. Despite the slowdown elsewhere, Sun Country Well Servicing is continuing to expand.

Sun Country Well Servicing follows all Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines and recently received it’s COR certification. When the employees are as tight-knit as in Sun Country, you want to make certain they’re well-taken care of.

Even outside of his own employees, Bennett believes in taking care of the community that supports them. Sun Country Well Servicing donates money to many local charities, including sports leagues and fundraisers.

While Sun Country will continue to have state-of-the-art equipment, Bennett isn’t concerned about changes in technology either. “There are always new ways of doing work. The priority is to always continue to make the work safer for employees.”

FLEW

Sun Country Well Servicing Box 1656 Estevan, SK S4A 1C8 p: 306.634.1221 e: bbennett@suncountrywellservicing.ca www.suncountrywellservicing.ca

(L-R) Landon Lavoie, Brad Brock, Travis Leeks, Matt Ekkebus, Gary Lavoie.

Gary & Shelly Lavoie

LAVOIE MOBILE CLEANING, WHERE THE BUSINESS COMES TO THE CUSTOMER

By Nykea Marie Behiel Photos by Doug Sully

I

t was May of 2000 when Gary Lavoie decided to take a leap of faith and start his own business, Lavoie Mobile Cleaning Ltd. It would prove to be one of the best decisions he would ever make. At the time, Gary and his wife Shelly had four small children at home. For many this could have been a deterrent to start a business, but for Gary it was just extra incentive. He had all of the things that were important in starting a business—many years in the industry, a lot of knowledge about the industry, and he knew many potential customers that had encouraged him 68

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to go out on his own. Inspired, he purchased his first pressure-washing unit, rented a shop, and with his wife Shelly looking after the office work, his dream became a reality.

From the beginning, Gary has always stated that one of the best assets you can have in a business is great employees who hold the same vision.

Gary has been fortunate to have the pleasure of working with some great people, both customers and employees.

He has a very dedicated staff, Matt and Travis, who look after the pressure

washing side of the business, while Brad looks after the vacuum service work.

Another important requirement in business is the ability to provide service excellence to your customers, which is reflected in the company’s dedication.

Most of Gary’s business involves having his team going to the customer’s site, rather than having them come to him.

This work involves oilfield cleaning and vacuuming of tanks, treater vessels, or heavy equipment along with jetting frozen lines, cleaning up oilfield spills, and cleaning inside shops.

Today, Lavoie Mobile Cleaning has grown into a company that Gary and Shelly are very proud of. Gary built a new shop in the fall of 2010 that houses his two vacuum units—including a tri-drive vacuum truck—two steam cleaning pressure washing units, and most recently, a new tandem pressure washing truck that allows automated tank cleaning.

Gary’s business has also given him the opportunity to hire several of his family members to keep the business moving forward. His niece Leah is the safety coordinator and office manager, while his two eldest sons work after school. He is thankful that his business has been able to provide for his family and help support the community he grew up in. The business has allowed him the ability to spend more time with his four sons and one daughter, attending their many activities. He has also been able to donate time and funding to many organizations that are important to him like the Diabetes Foundation, a charity near his heart.

What does the future hold for Lavoie Mobile Cleaning? Gary plans to continue to provide a service to the many customers who have been loyal

Duncan Cook, Leah Lavoie, Gary Lavoie

to him and to the many new customers that will come to Saskatchewan.

He wants the company to continue to change and evolve using new technologies whenever possible to meet the high demands of the industry.

Gary has always been proud of this line of work saying, “someone has to do this work, so we do it to the best we possibly can.”

Gary’s twelve years in business has taught him many things and helped him meet many great people. He looks forward to what the future brings. FLEW Lavoie Mobile Cleaning 346 Poplar Bay Estevan S4A 2C4 306 634.8500 safety.lmc@sasktel.net

HENRY BAKKEN’S FIELD Now known as The Bakken Formation

E

veryone knows about the Bakken oil formation by now but not everyone knows the history or exactly what has sparked the explosion in oil production. The Bakken formation was actually found under a farmer’s field, Henry Bakken, over sixty years ago. It took almost another

40 years for someone to really take a good look at how much oil might be there. Leigh Price, an American geologist, spent 4 years researching the formation and concluded that it held about 400 billion barrels of oil. The industry was shocked but there was still no economically feasible way to access it. It’s only been recently that the technology has advanced to the point that it’s been worthwhile to drill and it wasn’t until 2008 that new rock fracturing technology made it feasible to begin large-scale production.

The Problem The layer of rock that the oil in the Bakken is located within is thin. It’s also not very porous so the oil seeps through very slowly.

Because of this it is very hard to access it and the wells produce quite poorly using traditional methods.

Two things have helped combat this problem. Firstly, instead of vertical wells, horizontal-drilling methods have been much more successful. It allows for a much bigger area to drain oil from. More importantly, the big breakthrough was been advances in rock fracturing technology. After the well is drilled, they use induced hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking. Special fluids are used under very high pressure to fracture the rock and create channels for the oil to flow. This has solved one of the biggest problems, the low permeability of the rock and low yields because of it.

HORIZONTAL WELL COMPLETION DESIGN Non-cemented Liner Completion

• Pre-perforated casing/liner with 5 holes every 5 joints • 5.5” casing in short laterals (4000 ft) • 4.5” liners in long laterals (9000 ft) 8.75” Open Hole

5.5” Casing

Source: Society of Petroleum Engineers

Crude oil tanks.

Recoverability

High Cost

The Bakken formation covers a huge area—all the way from southern Saskatchewan to Manitoba, North Dakota and Montana. Only about a quarter of the formation is located under Saskatchewan. The estimates about how much oil there is vary widely. Some reports have total oil in the formation at over 500 billion barrels. Other reports have it only around 100 to 200 billion barrels. There’s even larger discrepancies in the estimates over how much of that oil is recoverable. They range anywhere from 1% to 50%.

Part of the reason the technology is recent is because it became economically feasible to drill the more expensive wells when oil prices went up. Back when initial reports about the size of the Bakken came out, oil was just too cheap to spend the money that was required. As the price went up over the years it was only a matter of time until the Bakken was explored further.

The reality is, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. The other fact is that the industry is continually evolving and getting better. It’s possible that only a few percent are reachable right now but in ten years, there will likely be huge leaps in technology.

There are a lot of unknowns but one thing is for certain, even by conservative estimates, there is an incredible amount of oil that will be produced from the Bakken formation. To put the numbers in perspective, the estimate for the entire U.S. oil reserves, not including the Bakken, is just over 20 billion barrels.

As oil prices continue to climb in the future and more is learned about the formation and the fracture process, it is very likely that a much higher percentage of the oil will be recoverable. The only thing certain is that things aren’t going to slow down any time in the near future and it’s likely that the oil industry will continue to grow in all regions of the Bakken formation. FLEW

FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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(L-R) Rob Wilson, Al Armstrong, Raymond Girard, Pat Gosselin

Girard Bulk, Pioneering in the oil and gas industry

By Nykea Marie Behiel Photos by Doug Sully

W

hen Raymond Girard was 19, he went to work for a bulk fuel company. He definitely found his niche—thirty years later, he’s still at the same place, though now it’s taken his name.

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When Raymond took over the business in 1988, he managed the office in Oxbow and oversaw operations at the only other location in Alida. Then the 90s came along, when Petro Canada was conducting all of their consolidations. Through Petro Canada,

Girard expanded their operations all the way to the Manitoba border in 1989, then to Carlyle area in 1990, and Estevan in 1991. They doubled twice, a 400% growth in two years and they now service the whole southeast corner of Saskatchewan.

Girard and Petro Canada have nine cardlock locations in southeastern Saskatchewan. “Anyone can haul fuel, but we have cardlocks in many communities where we have been the sole provider for many years,” says Raymond. “We were the only cardlock in Carlyle for about 20 years,” he notes. This vast coverage presented many opportunities to Girard and customers alike. With their main office in Estevan, Girard also has offices in Oxbow, Alida, Redvers, and Carlyle. They also provide unmanned cardlocks in Lampman, Kipling, Stoughton, and Carnduff.

Girard Bulk is a franchise of Petro Canada, though they remain strictly an independent business. They hire their own carriers and have their own facilities, while Petro Canada has the brand image.

Girard Bulk is able to get access to Petro Canada’s high-grade fuel and their customer list through this mutual collaboration. As one of the largest companies on the TSX, Petro Canada has been able to use its size to help grow the operations of Girard Bulk.

They got into propane in 1999, and it has now become a vital part of their business. Always pioneering fuel essentials for Saskatchewan, they were the first independent dealer at the time.

They deal with propane independently of Petro Canada.

Girard is also starting bulk delivery of lubricants and DEF exhaust fluids. Again, they will be one of the first down this path. DEF goes into the exhaust of diesel systems to combat nitrous oxide, which is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases to the environment.

Constantly pioneering in the oil and gas field, Girard has been ahead of the curve in many areas in southeastern Saskatchewan.

They were the first to deliver DEF, the first to use tandem fuel trucks, the first to have cardlocks, and the first to do bulk oils while being situated locally. Raymond’s innovative processes and willingness to take risks has ensured the success of Girard Bulk, along with his reliable customers.

“I’ve got the best customers in the world and I love what I do,” says Raymond emphatically. “I take my business very personally, I wear it on my sleeve, maybe even too much,” It is this dedication and work ethic that keep Raymond’s customers returning time after time. Customers depend on Girard Bulk Services, and have come to know them for their 24/7 services.

There is almost no business in the southeastern Saskatchewan area that isn’t touched by Girard in some aspect. People don’t always realize how important fuel is until it’s not there, or they experience a shortage. This amplifies peoples’ understanding of the importance of the industry. When that happens, many people just can’t work. Girard Bulk supplies a large percentage of fuel, and are an essential part of the economic strata.

Girard also has their own mechanic in Oxbow, performing tank and safety inspections. Since they have twenty working trucks, seven pick-ups, and nine cardlocks, their mechanic is always kept busy.

Raymond and his wife, Velda, live and raise their family in the area. This is partly why he places so much importance on building quality relationships with his customers and delivering exceptional

(L-R) Derek Mitchell, Remington Walker, Trisha Holmes, Jim Ludwig (behind Trisha), Trisha Neuberger, Raymond Girard, Thomas Seal, Yolita Stead (in front of Thomas), Ryan Fleck, Sussana Corbett (in front of Ryan), Randy Zohner, Mike Hannan

customer service. When hiring, he tries to find service-oriented employees who value safety and are knowledgeable. “I hire the best person I can hire,” says Raymond. “My customers treat me well, I treat my employees well, and vice versa,” he says.

“Southeastern Saskatchewan is a great place to do business. It’s been very good because of our customers,” Raymond finishes gratefully. FLEW

Girard Bulk Service Ltd. 134 4th St. Estevan, SK S4A 0T4 306 637.4370 estevan@girardbulk.ca

(l-r) Riley, Andy, Shelley & Denille

A&S Oilfield has been owned and operated by Andy & Shelley Schroeder for the past 25 years. With the assistance of their daughter Denille and son-in-law Riley Shaver, A&S Oilfield provides: •

Contract battery operating

•

Consulting/Supervision services included but not limited to: service rigs, lease preparation & reclamation, facility construction

•

Health & safety program development, implementation and maintenance of same

•

ISNetworld & Comply Works Registry input and monitoring

For further information please contact us at: 106 Souris Ave N Estevan, SK S4A 1J6 306 634-4087 • 306 421-9288 (Andy) • 306 421-3351 (Shelley) as.oil@sasktel.net

John Brady and Susan Mack.

UNMATCHED SERVICE

In oilfield electrical maintenance & construction

By Ryan Holota. Photos by Doug Sully. e’re experts in oilfield electrical maintenance and construction. We focus on electrical and instrumentation services to provide our customers with an unmatched level of service, convenience, and peace of mind.” John Brady, Southeast Saskatchewan District Manager for Techmation, has a concise way of speaking, laying out his company’s purpose in two succinct sentences.

need service. “There are lots of companies to choose from when you need electrical or instrumentation work,” says Brady, “but the fact is that if your equipment isn’t working, you’re losing money. Techmation gets that, and we get people onto the jobsite and get you working again quickly. We’re thorough, and we communicate with our clients so they always know what is going on and what to expect.”

Techmation Electric & Controls Ltd was incorporated in 1995 in Whitecourt, Alta. Today, with more than 750 employees and a fleet of 375 trucks, Techmation is one of the largest service providers in western Canada. The company has three work locations in Saskatchewan: Kindersley, Gull Lake, and Estevan.

Some of the credit for that goes to the streamlined processes and procedures that Techmation has built into its business model. Brady says he knows the real reason that Techmation has such superior service, however. “It’s our people. The guys that work for us are professionals, they’re sharp, and they do what it takes to make our customers happy.”

The Estevan location employs 24 people and has really developed a reputation as the company to turn to when you 76

FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

That’s why some of the world’s largest companies choose Techmation Electric & Controls for their service and construction work. From central purchasing that ensures best pricing on all supplies and materials to a comprehensive safety program that has resulted in more than 10 years without a lost-time incident, Techmation Electric & Controls offers complete solutions for companies large and small.

Techmation offers a full-service repair shop in Estevan, and its field service is available 24/7. Techmation’s service includes all of your control needs, and other services such as plant turnarounds, calibrations, burner system servicing, and troubleshooting wells, pump jacks, and other facilities. It also offers construction services that range from control panel fabrication to commissioning, drives, and well-site installations.

Techmation also does SCADA/RTU installations. In short, it does everything that you need done.

Despite being such a large company, Techmation places a lot of value in being a part of the communities in which it works.

It sponsors a variety of industry events and provides prizes and cash donations for things like the Oilman’s golf and curling tournaments. It also donates to general community organizations such as charities and sports teams.

To learn about the complete offerings of Techmation, visit the company on the Web at www.techmationelectric.com, where you can also read about career opportunities, awards that Techmation has won, and the history of the company. For service or construction work, call John Brady at (306) 634-5664. FLEW

Techmation Electric & Controls Ltd. #6 Bay 3 Hwy 39 East p: 306.634-5664 e: jbrady@techmationelectric.com www.techmationelectric.com

(L-R) Corey Zieglgansberger, Geoff Alexander, Brent Shier, Ron Bye, Jared Baker

SOLID, REPUTABLE OILFIELD SERVICES, NOURISHED BY STRONG COMMUNITY ROOTS

By Ryan Howse Photos by Wild Child Photography

T

SB Oilfield Construction has a long and reputable history in the Estevan area. It’s a family-owned-and-operated business with strong roots in the community.

Tim Fedyk is a lifelong native of Estevan. Fedyk believes that being raised on a farm contributed to his strong work ethic. At age 18, he began working for local oilfield construction companies, and then Clan Resources, an oil company. Two years later, in 1984, he decided to partner with two coworkers, Scott and Brad Dutton, to form TSB Oilfield Construction. It quickly became known as a reliable company which provided excellent support service to the oil and gas industry.

A history of top-notch service Since 1994, when Tim and his wife Sheryl bought out the partners, they have operated the company together.

They kept the name TSB, along with its history of top-notch service.

TSB provides services such as vessel inspections, turn-arounds, installations, and repairs, as well as above-ground storage tank inspections and repairs.

They also build skid packages for treaters, separators, recycle pumps and vapour recovery units, and flare stacks.

TSB is registered with the Saskatchewan Boiler Branch and Saskatchewan Energy and Resource departments. TSB holds a quality control manual and contractor’s licence with the Boiler Branch for pressure vessels and piping. It is also registered to perform above-ground storage tank inspections and repairs with Saskatchewan Energy and Resources.

Fedyk says TSB’s success is because, “We’ve been here 28 years and we’re well-known in the area for quality work.

We’ve been working with companies here for a long time. I’ve seen many changes in the industry over the past 28 years.”

As TSB has grown, it has also begun diversifying. Four years ago, TSB began working in the potash sector by setting up the storage containment systems the potash companies need to drill exploratory wells.

Long-term, experienced staff Fedyk believes the key to maintaining quality is to maintain a long-term, experienced staff. “I treat all employees as I would expect to be treated,” says Fedyk. Ron Bye, the operations coordinator, has been with TSB for 23 years. He assigns job duties and responsibilities to the crews and assists with the supervision on-site to make sure all jobs are completed in the safe and correct manner TSB clients expect. TSB also believes in retaining experienced, qualified foremen to maintain the excellent service they provide.

In addition to supporting employees, Fedyk also believes strongly in helping the community itself. TSB donates yearly to minor sports, United Way, Wildlife Federation, St. Joseph’s Hospital and others. “It’s important to help keep local community associations strong,” says Fedyk.

TSB will continue on a strong and steady course. There are no major changes planned, but there may be more diversification incorporated into the company in the near future.

Just as now, TSB will continue a firm commitment to excellence.

Fedyk says, “We already have a great name and core group of employees in the field. All we need to do is maintain solid and reputable services and continue to grow our customer base.” FLEW TSB Oilfield Construction Box 1326, Estevan, SK 306 634-3255 tim.tsb.oilfield@sasktel.net Photos: (L-R) Tim Fedyk, Ron Bye, Lee Schmidt & Kelly Guenther

EnviroFoam Insulation Rouleau, SK 306.543.8111 lonny.forrester@envirofoaminsulation.com www.envirofoaminsulation.com

Summer is upon us and with that comes new homes and buildings being constructed. It’s easy to forget the cruelty of Old Man Winter right now but I can assure you, he is waiting right around the corner. That’s why you need to put some thought right now into the most important part of your home— the insulation. When you do, you should consider these 7 essential criteria:

increases shear and racking strength by 300%. A building sprayed with our Foam decreases the noise from the exterior environment as well. Another major benefit of Enviro Foam is improved indoor air quality. Since it creates an airtight structure, dust and other exterior pollutants can’t enter the building through the walls.

1) Constant, High R-Value

Our product is made from annually renewable Soybean oil and recycled plastic bottles. It utilizes a Zero Ozone Depletion Substance (Zero ODS) blowing agent. A building that is insulated and sealed with Enviro Foam will also use 40% to 60% less energy, reducing fossil fuel usage and decreasing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions.

R-Value is a measurement of thermal resistance. Unlike Fiber Insulations such as Fiberglass, Cellulose, and Rockwool, Spray Foam has a “real world” R-Value which is not affected by external forces. Studies by the US Department of Energy found that fiber insulations lose half of their R-value when outside temperatures reach -28°C. Similar tests found the same effect from wind, with fiber insulations losing half of their R-value when exposed to a 15 km/h wind.

2) Monolithic Air-Tight Barrier Since foam is sprayed on as a liquid and then expands 20 to 30%, it fills every single nook, cranny, crevice, hole, crack, and gap. The result is a continuous, airtight seal which is extremely important, since 60% of a buildings heat loss is through convection, or air-infiltration.

Just a quarter inch of Enviro Foam eliminates nearly 100% of heat loss through convection.

3) Monolithic Moisture-Proof Vapour Barrier Our product meets all requirements as a Vapour Barrier, and accomplishes this low permeability due to its Closed Cell structure. The slightest tear in your poly vapor barrier will result in moisture penetration and degradation of typical forms of insulation. You can be assured with spray foam that there is no moisture penetration.

4) Increased Structural Performance Our product has a density of 2lb. / cu. ft. and a Closed Cell structure, which

5) Environmental Friendliness

6) Standard Construction Methods Apply Since Enviro Foam is applied at the same time in the construction process as Conventional Insulation, there is no interruption or alteration to the construction schedule. Everything from framing, plumbing, and electrical to the interior and exterior finishing is exactly the same.

7) Cost Efficient While the upfront cost of spray foam is higher, that cost difference can be worked into your mortgage, only affecting your monthly payments slightly. That monthly increase in your payments will be offset by the energy savings spray foam is providing and will actually make you money every month!

With rising energy costs this adds tremendous value to your home.

At Enviro Foam, we provide a high quality, long-term solution for all seven of these areas. FLEW

EXPERT Advice How do you know whether your portfilio is properly diversified? than individual securities. A diversified portfolio that encompasses the major asset groups-cash and cash-equivalent investments, fixed income and equitiespositions you to take advantage of a wide range of investment opportunities.

But how do you know whether your portfolio is adequately diversified? And what level of diversification is right for you?

Tyler Knibbs

Your Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Edward Jones, Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

461 King Street - Unit 3 Estevan, Saskatchewan S4A 1K6 p: 306.634.4870 e: tyler.knibbs@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com You’ve probably heard the financial experts say it often: diversify your investment portfolio. And there’s a good reason this piece of advice is repeated over and over again. By ensuring your portfolio contains a healthy mix of investments, you increase your wealthbuilding potential.

In fact, experts say that the mix of asset types you hold is a far more important determinant of investment performance

If you’re overly focused on one security, one asset class or even one mutual fund you’re not properly diversified. If you have a small number of holdings, a downturn in one or all of those investments could have a serious negative impact on your portfolio. A well-diversified portfolio spreads your risk over many more investments, which lessens the impact of downturns on your overall portfolio. A diversified portfolio typically has assets whose performance will vary over time with one or more investment performing below the others.

To what degree you diversify, however, will depend on factors such as financial goals, your time horizon, and tolerance for risk.

To determine whether you’re on the right track, take a close look at your portfolioincluding investments inside and outside a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). Are you invested in all the major asset groups? Does any one asset class or individual security account for a substantial portion of your holdings?

Don’t assume that because you were well-diversified a year ago, you are today.

Changing asset prices can alter your mix—for example, if one investment has appreciated significantly, it might represent too much of your portfolio. It’s time to rebalance.

Keep in mind that your diversification strategy should change as you move through life. Here are some general guidelines:

When you’re young: This is a good time for a large proportion of growth investments, principally stocks. With a long investment horizon you can make the most of the higher potential returns growth investments offer. And if your portfolio stumbles, you have time to recover.

As you grow older: In your peak earnings years, when you have more income to invest, you should still focus on growth. But start shifting toward preserving capital through an increased proportion of income investments and other conservative assets. You need to protect some of your wealth for retirement income.

When retirement approaches: This is the time to really concentrate on preserving wealth. The same strategy applies in retirement. But keep a growth element in your mix to help offset inflation.

Speak to your financial advisor to ensure that your investment portfolio is properly diversified. FLEW FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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When you create success from something that you love, it’s not work, it’s a way of life.

Women in Business Be time wise

By Jill Poulton ife is busy! The day is non-stop with meetings, calls, emails, paperwork, and appointments. Then you rush home to feed the kids a ready-roasted chicken with fixings so you can hurry off to dance and hockey. You squeeze in a phone call with a friend who’s having relationship issues while you finish preparing for a presentation for the next day.

You feel tense, drained, and convince yourself that it’ll all be okay and you’ll persevere. The week carries on at the same intense pace until Friday night arrives and you’re thankful that your friend 82

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cancelled your movie night so you can crash on the couch! The alarm on Monday morning goes off and the race begins again.

The details of this scenario may be different for you but the competing demands for your attention and time, along with the stress, are the same. This often shows up as, “I need to find some time. I need some work-life balance!”

A perceived quick fix is to be diligent with time management, but time management is an oxymoron. Time cannot be managed: it

cannot be controlled in any way. It’s not like pennies that you can save up in a jar to reach in and use later. Once time passes, it’s gone. And work-life balance is a myth. There’s no scale with equal weighting of work and life, and depending on who you are, one might outweigh the other. So if you can’t manage time, what can you do? Manage yourself!

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “It isn’t enough to be busy. The question is, ‘What are we busy about?’” The more you value your time, the more value it brings. You define what value means for you, but being busy does not mean being productive or achieving. Instead of looking at your to-do list, look at what you’re accomplishing. Are your choices in alignment with your vision and goals? Chances are reprioritizing is what’s required to move forward with improved grace and ease. Prioritizing requires business women to think ahead and see how everything relates to the overall vision, rather than only reacting to the immediate.

Consider this: what do you do so well that no one else can do it? Do what you do best and delegate the rest. Working in your strength zone creates higher productivity and requires less discretionary energy. It also means increased personal satisfaction. When you create success from something that you love, it’s not work, it’s a way of life.

Another misconception is if you work harder you’ll get farther ahead. While success, however you define it, does require work, the work itself is not enough. Thinking is required—thinking with a proactive perspective. Thinking that involves regular evaluation of effectiveness, looking at what you are doing that can be done by someone else, and estimating the vested time for top projects.

The more you value your time, the more value it will bring. Value can be income or quality time with loved ones. It can also be a sense of harmony because you’ve made choices that align with who you are and what your vision is. FLEW

Jill Poulton (www.jillpoulton.com) is President of the Regina Women’s Network and coaches business women to higher levels of success.

You can contact Jill at coach@jillpoulton.com or 306-585-2123.

From Left to Right: Jeffrey Sully, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, Certified Crematorium Technician; Shirley Petterson, Administrative Assistant; Allan Styre, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, Certified Crematorium Technician; and Dustin Hall, Owner/Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, Certified Crematorium Technician

Hall Funeral ServiceS oFFerS peace oF mind to bereaved FamilieS by dani Stobbs-Gallipeau. photos by brent Hume.

t can be hard to think on anything else other than grief when we lose a loved one. The funeral arrangements can sometimes seem overwhelming. But places like Hall Funeral Services can help guide families to the options they have.

Dustin Hall, 29, the owner of Hall Funeral Services, has created a place where families can lay down the burden of arranging a funeral. A calming and comforting atmosphere greets you as you walk in, friendly faces await, and staff are on hand to facilitate the grieving families.

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Dustin exudes professionalism as well as a calm, friendly demeanor. It is apparent from the first moments of meeting him that this is more than a business for this owner. He has a place that he is eager to use to help his client families focus on celebrating and saying goodbye to their loved ones in the best way he can help them to do.

Hall took over the former Boire Funeral Home in October 2008 and has found many people are not aware of the details involved in the death of a loved one.

prompt, professional service Dustin, two other licensed funeral directors, and other staff members provide the highest quality service to their client families. They offer a licensed funeral director 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with service that is prompt and professional beginning with the initial call.

During the first meeting with the families, “vital statistics” are collected for the registering of the death, as well as any information needed for posting an obituary. The family has a chance to choose from the on-site caskets or cremation urns, depending on what service is needed. This first meeting is for any information or questions to be addressed.

The service that is offered covers all the steps required, and the funeral director is in frequent contact in the days leading up to the service, if any adjustments need to be made.

During the days leading up to a funeral, you can expect to be in contact with staff ranging from administrators to funeral directors and part-time staff. As Dustin says, “You can always expect to be treated like a member of our own family—with the respect and compassion that you deserve.”

Hall Funeral Services can notify Service Canada about the passing on the family’s behalf, along with assisting in completing the Canada Pension Plan death benefit and survivors’ benefit forms.

Hall Funeral Services holds ownership in the Estevan crematorium, which Dustin says “allows us to provide a full range of services locally.”

Support for smaller communities They also have a Redvers location, which is operated on a “perneed basis.” Hall wants to support those smaller communities and give them an option to utilize this location too.

“We are here to be of caring service to your family—before, during and after the funeral process. If there is something that you need that we cannot provide, we will do our best to point you in the right direction.”

“We are very appreciative of the overwhelming support that we have received,” Dustin says. “And we are very proud of our reputation as a locally owned and operated funeral service provider.” FLEW

Hall Funeral Services 1506 4th St Estevan, SK S4A 0X6 p: 306.634.8233 e: dustin@hallfuneralservices.ca www.hallfuneralservices.ca

InvestIng In today’s Markets Boom or Bust?

By Darryl J. Yasinowski, CFA, CMT, FCSI

lightly perplexed by the abundance of recently published information available about the economic environment, Al and Carol, clients of mine and business owners, came in for their regular quarter review of their investments. Al started off with a few direct questions: “Are we in an economic recovery or not? It seems all I hear is good news one day and bad news the next! What is it?”

“Well, we are not doomed. In fact we are in a recovery. No question about it!” I said. I continued by telling them that life is about cycles and economies and investing are no different.

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Identifying the “Business Cycle” The average business cycle is four to six years and characterized by the same general pattern of events over and over. The cycle begins with an expansion, followed by a peak, then a slowdown, and finally a trough, and then the cycle begins again. As the peak of a business cycle nears we find growth, the housing sector and consumer spending approaching a high point, with unemployment low. Just when everyone is counting all their money, the good times begin to calm and a piece of negative news comes about here and there.

Before we know it, the tables have turned and the scales have tipped, and bad news is plaguing us from everywhere. Previous robust times in the economy or the stock market become a thing of the past as everything cools in the slow-down. Panic begins to set in and prices are pushed to irrational levels.

This stage is of utmost importance, as it signals the end or the worst of the slow-down. It also signals a stage of great value and opportunity for many investors with patience. Businesses who are savvy to the cycle use their knowledge to gain market share from those who where not ready and investors begin to deploy cash in the market.

do not ignore the “Business Cycle” Feeling a little more comfortable that the economic end is not near, they then ask, “How can we be sure?” A very good question, in fact. To find the answer we can look back at past economic cycles and what they have taught us.

History has shown us that recoveries are characterized by periods of consecutive growth, declining unemployment, improvements in the housing industry and a more optimistic consumer, and that is exactly what both Canada and the U.S. are experiencing currently. Since October 2011 we have seen signs of stability in these very indicators of our economy and most notably since the beginning of the year.

In Canada, growth is forecast to accelerate to 2.4 per cent and the unemployment rate has dropped to 7.2 per cent, while in the U.S. the improvement has been even more robust, with growth now revised to 2.5 per cent from under 2.0 per cent, and the unemployment rate has finally edged down to 8.2 per cent from 9.0 per cent back in September of 2011 (Source: Thomson Reuters). The housing market and consumer confidence in both Canada and the U.S. have shown similar improvements over the same timeframe. So yes! A real, but slow, recovery is underway.

That being said, it is important to remember the stock market does not always go up in a straight line. As new economic numbers are published the market will react accordingly; sometimes accurately and sometimes irrationally. The key is to know which is which.

Sensing a feeling of relief from Al and Carol, I proceeded to explain how the next step is to ensure we are invested in sectors (types of businesses) of the market that benefit the most given the stage of recovery we are in, and, even more importantly, avoiding those that react counter to a recovery. Just like cycles of an economy, there are sectors of an economy that do better or worse given what stage of recovery we are in. Investing in the wrong sector at the wrong time can bring excessive risk and weak performance at best, even in a recovery: an oversight made by many investors. FLEW

Peak slow-down expansion expansion/ recovery DP

Darryl J. Yasinowski, CFA, CMT, FCSI

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Darryl J. Yasinowski is a Vice President & Portfolio Manager with Mackie Research Capital Corporation and a Sessional Lecturer, Finance for the Paul J. Hill School of Business at the University of Regina. The opinions, estimates and projections herein are those of the author and may not reflect that of Mackie Research Capital. The information and opinions contained herein have been compiled and derived from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to their accuracy or completeness. p: 306.566.7555 t: 866.471.7550 e: dyasinowski@mackieresearch.com | www.darrylyasinowski.com FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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(L-R)Tracey Dayman, Michelle Mercer, Jody Froese

The Co-operaTors: Insurance and Investments you can trust

By Nykea Marie Behiel Photos by Jon Gillies (Weyburn) Doug Sully (Estevan)

T

he Co-operators are the largest multi-line insurance company in Canada. “We know we’re in the business to pay claims, so we always try to make that as easy as possible for the client, rather than avoiding or delaying it,” explains Tracey Dayman, owner of the Weyburn and Estevan branches. As a cooperative, member/ client satisfaction is their primary goal, not profit.

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The Co-operators are best known for insurance. They offer home, auto, life, business, farm, group and travel insurance. Aside from the impressive work they do with insurance, The Cooperators also handle investments of all kinds, including, RRSP, TFSA, RESP, and RRIF accounts and investments.

All investments are segregated funds, which provide a guarantee on the principal. With each claim, the adjusters understand the stress and pain a client

can be going through. The Co-operators takes as much time as necessary to work with each client individually to assess their needs.

Tracey Dayman started working at The Co-operators in 1997. Tracey worked hard because of her love for the people, and in 2007, she became the owner of both the Weyburn and Estevan branches. She now splits her time between both offices, as well as visiting

many rural communities. Tracey and her staff often travel to meet clients in their homes so they can better assess each individual’s needs and concerns.

“We go and assess the risks before we write them so we can cover anything the client may have missed,” says Tracey.

“Tragedy happens, and when I hear of a tragic story, it’s rewarding to know that the people left behind don’t have to deal with the financial stress while they are dealing with the emotional loss.”

Tracey’s empathy and compassion are what makes her a successful insurance agent, where she does everything, from life insurance, group insurance, and disabilities, to investments.

The more coverage you get from the Co-operators, the more perks, benefits, and discounts they are able to offer.

“It makes the client’s life easier; if they have a question, they know where to phone,” Tracey says of offering multiple packages.

Along with their regular insurance packages, the Co-operators offer mortgage life insurance that includes disability and critical illness, something many firms are unable to boast.

Together, these packages provide peace of mind in the event of an accident or debilitating disease.

Tracey has hired five staff members since taking over the Weyburn and Estevan branches, each a specialist in their own field. This allows each of them to assist their clients in a more precise manner.

Jody Froese has been with the Cooperators for five and half years. She is originally from Manitoba, but has been in Weyburn 13 years. Jody is Weyburn’s farm and commercial specialist.

Michelle Mercer, the Co-operators’ home specialist, grew up in B.C, but relocated to Weyburn four years ago.

She has been working in the insurance industry for 17 years, providing quality care and preventative assessments.

In the Estevan office, there are more capable and friendly women. Denise (L-R) Tracey Dayman, Tanya Feser, Denise Fonstad

Fonstad works as the farm and commercial specialist in this branch, and Tanya Feser focuses on home, auto, travel, blue cross, and GMS. Margaret Wilhelm also assists part-time.

Tracey says The Co-operators are “like a close-knit family. We pride ourselves on the fact that all of our adjusters work directly with us, rather than being thirdparty.” Co-operators’ adjusters take the extra time to counsel people through a claim, line up contractors, and explore restoration options. They look for ways to cover things that may have been missed, rather than the opposite. The staff is proactive, conducting reviews frequently to catch things that are often overlooked to ensure they are covered.

This saves the client money and ensures the best coverage possible. It is this dedication and focus on the customer that keeps client returning.

Tracey and her team at the Co-operators do all they can to ensure you get the most for your money, through insurance or investments.

See the people who are in the business of paying claims, not withholding them. FLEW

The Co-operators Horizon Insurance Agencies, Inc. Weyburn: 119 2nd Street NE 306 842.6555 weyburn@co-operators.ca Estevan: 1125 5th Street 306 634.4413 estevan@co-operators.ca www.co-operators.ca

Tracey Dayman, Denise Fonstad

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EXPERT Advice Entrepreneurship:

What Does it Take?

I know someone. You know someone.

We all do. It’s that person who owns their own business; who makes their own work schedule; perhaps they work from home; who doesn’t answer to a boss, because they are the boss. And they are also the ones who take the risk; they put their expertise to work; and they strive to create business success through determination, hard work and strong support networks.

If you have a great idea, the determination, the drive and the passion to run a successful business, we have the support services to provide you with the core business basics that will assist you in your entrepreneurial journey. With the right tools you, too, could be a successful business owner.

Laura Small, M.B.A. CEO, Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.

108-502 Cope Way, Saskatoon, SK 306.477.7173 100-1919 Rose Street, Regina,SK 306.359.9732 info@womenentrepreneurs.sk.ca www.womenentrepreneurs.ca

Cory Harkness

General Manager, Sunrise Community Futures Toll free: 877.851.9997 Direct: 306.842.8803 sunrise.cfdc@sasktel.net www.sunrisecommunityfutures.com

Starting a new business? Looking to expand your current business? Wanting to buy an existing business? Looking for help getting your ideas into a coherent business plan? Having issues accessing capital? Want to improve your business leadership skills? Want to improve and enhance your business offering?

Sunrise Community Futures and Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan offer loans, advice and support to entrepreneurs and small business owners like you. We are here to help you achieve success in your business, whatever industry, size or scope. Whatever your issues and objectives might be, Sunrise Community Futures and Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan can work with you to achieve results.

Sunrise Community Futures is a non-profit organization that assists entrepreneurs in southeast Saskatchewan with making their business dreams a reality. Offering business planning assistance and cash flow projection development, hosting training sessions focused on helping you become a more educated entrepreneur, and providing loans and access to capital consultation, Sunrise Community Futures wants to help you acquire the necessary tools to run a successful business.

Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan is a non-profit organization that serves women owned businesses across Saskatchewan. By providing support services, expertise and financing Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan can assist you in making your business everything you want it to be in a comfortable learning environment. It is important to acquire the skills and support you need to work on your business rather than just in it.

Sunrise Community Futures and Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan work together to provide you with the necessary tools and information to make your business a success. Our training seminars, business advising and loans programs could be just what you need.

We look forward to helping you achieve your business dreams. FLEW

Photo: Cory Harkness, Verna O’Neill, Marion Scott and Michelle Howse.

Cast of Dragons Den (L-R) Jim Treliving, Kevin O’Leary, Arlene Dickinson, Bruce Croxon, Dianne Buckner & David Chilton. Photo courtesy of CBC.

Women entrepreneurs AGm With DrAGon’s Den success

By Sarah Ferguson. Photos by Shawn Fulton.

n fairy tales, heroes slay dragons, and find treasure that will make them rich.

In Saskatchewan five heroes have slain some dragons of their own to come up with millions—and their stories are no fairy tales.

On May 11, at the Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Conference, a crowd of the province’s most ambitious women gathered in the Regina Travelodge to hear from five Saskatchewan entrepreneurs who made their way onto the CBC hit series Dragons Den, battled the dragons, and won.

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Dragons Den attracts over 2 million viewers on average, and features aspiring entrepreneurs who pitch business concepts to a panel of Canadian multimillionaires in the hopes that they will invest. When Saskatchewan-born businessman W. Brett Wilson joined the dragons, the show became a household favorite. Though Brett left the show in February 2011, the five Saskatchewan businesses that shared their successes at the conference stand as testimony to his support and legacy.

3twenty Solutions

Hillberg & Berk

Brian McCrea is the co-founder and CEO of 3twenty solutions, a Saskatoon-based company that builds modular camps and offices for the mining, oil and gas industry. Brian and his partners appeared on Dragon’s Den and hit the jackpot when they gained Brett Wilson as an investor.

Regina resident Rachel Mielke has taken the fashion and jewelry industries by storm. She was named the Regina Chamber of Commerce’s entrepreneur of the year and received the YWCA’s Women of Distinction Award. She was also recognized by the Saskatchewan Women Entrepreneur’s Association as one of Saskatchewan’s emerging businesses. Mielke won over the Dragons in 2008 and gained the support of Brett Wilson. Today Hillberg & Berk has earned over $2 million in revenue, and Rachel couldn’t be happier.

The idea for his company started while he was completing his business degree at the University of Saskatchewan. “I knew I was an entrepreneur, but I didn’t have a business idea,” he said.

Then Brian met Evan Willoughby, an engineering student and, eventually, the two students decided to work together. Evan was convinced that they could make money by turning shipping containers into buildings. When Brian and Evan heard about Dragons Den auditions in Saskatoon, they decided to take the plunge. They were well received by the producers, but obstacles arose. “They said ‘You can come to Toronto but you’ve got to bring the container with you’—and a typical shipping container is 40 feet long,” Brian said. The men built a ten foot container to take with them instead, after drumming up sponsorship from Cameco. “We hitched it up to the one tonne diesel box and drove to Toronto,” he said.

After parking their container in the shipping zone of the hotel for three days, Brian and his partners “Shook hands with Brett, and did the deal.” 3twenty Solutions eventually landed a $500,000 deal with Claude Resources, a supply giant in the mining industry, and the rest is history.

To date, 3twenty Solutions has built 70 bedrooms for mining camps. “We’ve gone from 3 guys and 3000 square feet to 15 guys and 14,000 square feet,” Brian said. The company is on target to build about 200 bedrooms this year, and is expanding their market to China, Australia and South America. “We want to tackle the residential market in the future,” Brian said.

Born and raised in Regina, Rachel was always interested in the creative arts. Rachel marketed her jewelry under the name Urban Pearl Accessories in 2005. In 2008, Rachel was able to quit her job and run her business full-time. Then she was asked to attend the Oscars gifting lounge in Los Angeles. There were a few challenges in getting there, but Rachel overcame them.

“I had to take out a loan and sell most of my stock to go down there, which was a big risk,” she said. In the end, the exposure paid off, and helped publicize her brand across Canada.

Then Rachel learned that Dragons Den was coming to Regina.

As soon as she auditioned, Rachel was told that she was going to Toronto. “I spent the next several months preparing more for Dragons Den than I had prepared when I first started my business!” she exclaimed.

“When you get out there, you have ten cameras on you and five business moguls staring you down.”

Rachel bartered with the dragons, but all five said they were out . . . or so she thought. After leaving the set in a daze, she went back to her hotel, not realizing that she had a deal. “I shook all the dragons’ hands and Brett said ‘I’m going to do a deal with you outside Dragons Den’ but I didn’t hear him because I was so nervous,” she said. In the end, both Brett Wilson and Arlene Dickenson decided they wanted to invest in Rachel’s business.

“It’s been really great working with them,” she said.

Contestants from Dragons Den at Women Entrepreneurs AGM. (L-R) Bryan McCrea (co-founder 3twenty Solutions), Rachel Mielke (owner of Hillberg & Berk), Corla Rokochy (founder of Snappy Socks), Erin Johnson (founder Greener Living Products), Patti Hack (member of Breast Friends), Anne Reynolds (member of Breast Friends) & Laura Small (Emcee and ceo of Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc)

Panel speakers at Women Entrepreneurs AGM. Anne Reynolds & Patti Hack from Breast Friends

Snappy Socks

Greener Living Products

Swift Current resident Corla Rokoschy is a mother of five, and president and founder of Snappy Socks. When Corla appeared on Dragons Den, she walked away with a deal from Arlene Dickenson and Brett Wilson.

Erin Johnston holds a degree in human ecology and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. Married with two children, Erin was a stay at home mom washing cloth diapers when opportunity came knocking. In 2007, Erin and her husband Matt started Greener Living Products, a business devoted to organic cleaning products.

Corla has worked as a photographer for 16 years. “Dragons Den was something we sat down every week to watch as a family,” she said. When Corla heard that auditions for the show were being held, she jumped off her couch and onto the Internet.”

I told my family that I was going to audition for Dragon’s Den because I wanted to be on it!” she said. Auditions were to be held in Saskatoon, so Corla got a babysitter and drove for five hours to give it a try. She needed an idea to pitch to the dragons, so she decided to work with socks. “I spend seven hours on average sorting socks for my family,” she said. Corla came up with the idea of keeping socks snapped together in the wash to save time. “At the audition, I dumped a pile of socks on the table and told them how many socks I have to sort every week,” she said. The pitch worked. “We found out we were going to Toronto, and I had to round up money to fly the seven people in my family out there,” she said. “I realized not many people get this opportunity and this is a gift that I have to take seriously.”

Erin is a Home Economics teacher. Her Family moved to Melfort in 2008. The idea for her business started when her first daughter was born, and Erin decided to use cloth diapers instead of disposable ones. “I love cloth diapers, but I needed the right laundry detergent to clean them,” she said. Through trial and error, Erin tried several detergents with little success.

“Then I went online and came across soap nuts,” she said. “They worked! There was no smell at all.”

Back then, Erin and her husband lived in B.C. and she was sewing and selling cloth diapers at the local farmer’s market. “People were asking me how to wash them, so I thought why not bring in some soap nuts . . . I added samples to the diapers and people loved them,” she said. Erin said many of her customers were people who had skin conditions or allergies to perfume.

Over the next few months, Corla did her research. She admitted she was nervous when it came time to face the dragons, but her sense of humor remained intact. “Right before they send you down, they say ‘There are 13 cameras on you that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars per second,’ ” she said, “and if you’re boring, the director’s just going to yell ‘cut!’ and then you won’t even go to air. Good luck!”

With the help of her husband, who has a “techie background,” Erin set up a website to sell her detergent. “There were no Canadians selling soap nuts, so I figured we could sell them online,” she said. Eventually, the demand became large enough to facilitate a supplier. Shortly after their move to Melfort, a friend advised Erin to try out for Dragons Den, and she was dumbfounded. “I said to him ‘I don’t own a TV what are you talking about?’ ”

Kevin O Leary, Brett Wilson and Arlene Dickenson all offered Corla money for her business. In the end, she decided to work with Brett and Arlene.

Still, Erin and her husband continued to reinvest their money into their business and in March 2010, they auditioned for the show. To get ready to duel with the dragons, they watched every episode of the show online. “We also made sure that we knew our numbers,” she added. “I didn’t think we would get a deal, but Brett loves the smaller businesses and he said he would do it.”

Snappy Socks has come a long way in the past year. “We’re going to be distributing our product across the U.S., with Toys R Us Canada and in 100 stores across Canada,” Corla said.

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Erin now reports that since her appearance on Dragons Den, she orders 2500 kilograms of soap nuts at a time. “We go through it all in a just a few months,” she said. And the exposure provided

by Dragons Den has helped her business gain momentum. “It’s growing slowly,” she said.

Recently, Erin Got a call from a movie company in Hollywood.

“They really wanted our product . . . they were doing a shoot in New York City, and there were requests for organic laundry detergent, so they called us,” she said. Erin and her husband have since worked out a deal with the company, who also plans to use their detergent in some of their other projects.

“Four years ago we had soap nuts in a baggie stapled to a little business card, and now we’re in Hollywood—I can’t believe it!”

Breast Friends Patti Hack and Anne Reynolds are wives, mothers, and former educators. They are also two of ten “Breast Friends” who envision a cure for cancer. Patti runs the office for “Breast Friends” in Foam Lake, and was a teacher and school administrator for 32 years. She retired in 2008. Anne Reynolds was secretary for the elementary school in Foam Lake and retired from that in 2007.

Anne is the secretary for Breast Friends, while Patti runs the group’s office.

Breast Friends are a team of ten rural Saskatchewan women who write and publish cookbooks. They pride themselves on raising money for cancer exclusively through their cookbook sales.

The idea started when the group put on a five course meal that was so good, guests kept asking for the recipes. “Patti got us together and said ‘Let’s raise money for cancer by making a cookbook’” Anne said.

The friends typed out their book For the Breasts of Friends and sent it off to a publisher. There were 2500 cookbooks ordered, and all of them sold immediately. Six weeks later, more books arrived and they sold out in three days.

“We knew we were onto something, so we got technologically literate,” Anne continued. “We bought computers, made a website, and did some speaking engagements across Canada— that got us sales.”

Then, one of the group’s members lost her husband to melanoma.

“It broke our hearts, so we decided to do a second cookbook that was aimed at other kinds of cancer,” Anne said. For the Breasts and the Rest of Friends became a national bestseller.

While travelling, the friends got many emails from cancer survivors. These became the inspiration for their third book, Breast Wishes. “That book was going to be our swan song,” Patti said.

By that point, Breast Friends had raised over $1 million for cancer.

But another idea arose one day when Patti was driving to Regina.

“I found out about Dragons Den auditions and I asked myself how we could get on the show,” she said. “We’re non-profit, so we had a different approach—we wanted marketing advice, and to make the book more national than regional.”

When the ten breast friends showed up in the Dragons Den studio, Patti said that, “she saw the dragons eyes glaze over. We started telling our story, though, and as they learned more, they sat up straighter. When we mentioned the $1 million dollars, they sat up very straight!” By the end of their meeting, the dragons were so impressed that they offered the friends $50,000.

The friends decided they would take the money and donate it to the charity of the dragons’ choice. We ended up taking the $50,000 they gave us and splitting it into five $10,000 cheques which they gave to charity. “We never saw a dragon,” Patti said.

“By the end of it, they were all crying, we were all crying and they were all eating our cookies.” After the episode aired, the friends were inundated with phone calls and emails. “We set up command central in our community church,” Anne said.

“Volunteers came to help us package books. We got thousands of orders.” The popularity of the cookbooks was so enormous, that the Foam Lake post office was overwhelmed. “We wrapped them and stamped them in the church so the post office could just run them through.” Financially, the Breast Friends said Dragons Den gave them a boost in sales, but it also made the name Breast Friends a national one. “We get orders from Kentucky to Ohio now,” Patti said. “It’s been a great experience for us.” FLEW

Contestants from Dragons Den at Women Entrepreneurs AGM. (L-R) Patti Hack, Erin Johnson, Corla Rokochy, Bryan McCrea, Rachel Mielke

Do You Know what LawYers Can Do for You? It is tempting “to leave well enough alone” and to avoid dealing with issues until they arise. But to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Advance planning can prevent future problems, offer options that may not be available at a later date, and can save you money, time, and grief.

PRoTecT youR legAl heAlTh NoW! Your Legal health:

As with your physical health, you can avoid problems by checking your legal health. Such an annual legal checkup may uncover problems that can be corrected before they cause trouble. For example you may see that your property insurance is inadequate because of increased homeowner’s insurance. Or, at the birth or death of a loved one, you may want to re-evaluate your will or life insurance policy.

employment: Legal difficulties sometimes arise in the workplace. For example, your job application may have been rejected because of your age or race, or you may have been denied a promotion because you refuse the romantic advances of a supervisor. You may have been fired illegally for refusing to break the law, failing to work on your Sabbath or because of the results of a drug test.

wills and estate Plans: Good legal health usually includes having an estate plan with a valid will. Without a will, your property may not be distributed as you desire, extra expenses and taxes may be incurred, and some family members may inherit your property against your wishes.

The laws that protect employees against discrimination and unfair job actions have expanded, but frequently have strict procedures and time limits for filing claims. If you fail to take prompt action, you may lose your rights. FLEW

Trusts are another estate planning tool. A trust is a document that allows you to transfer property to loved ones using a trustee to carry out your instructions. Trusts created in a will are called testamentary trusts. Trusts can also be created by a contract called a living trust. Living trusts can be useful estate planning tools for everyone, not just the rich. A living trust can help you avoid probate and keep your affairs private.

Review your estate planning documents whenever important life changes take place — when you marry, have a child, move to a new jurisdiction or lose a loved one.

Back: Andre Wilkins, Norma Buydens, Mike Weger Front: Tom Schuck, Ron Wormsbecker

NSWB • Barristers & Solicitors 319 Souris Ave. NE, Weyburn SK | p: 306.842.4654 | e: law@nswb.com | www.nswb.com

here are some ways our firm has helped clients: • An elderly man’s wife was in an Extended Care Centre, physically and mentally disabled. He was concerned that, when he died, the Public Trustee might take his estate and be entrusted with the care of his wife. We set up a trust so his adult children had control of his wife’s care and money. We transferred his property to his executors and included in the will that the property was to be sold and divided among the beneficiaries. When the man died, his estate was very easy to manage, his wife was cared for, and his money stayed in the family.

• A wealthy farmer’s wife died and he was marrying for the second time. He wanted to protect his children and the family farm. We prepared a Pre-Nuptial Agreement that ensured his children inherited the farm and other family assets.

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Working to Protect Your Family Now and in the Future!

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10, 910 - 13th Ave. North, Estevan, SK S4A 2J4 P: (306) 634-2671 • F: (306) 634-8681 www.cathedralinsurance.ca

InterIor DesIgn getting the Most out of a room

Crystal Quilliams Owner/Consultant

Inspiration by Color 1101 Fifth Street, Estevan 306.634.7008 inspirations@sasktel.net remaxestevan.homemove.biz/ inspiration-by-color

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hatever size room you have, you want to make the most out of it and make it look the best you can. No house is perfect and almost all of them have one or two rooms that are either too big or too small. The small rooms can feel cramped and gloomy. Conversely, very large rooms can start to feel unfriendly and not very inviting. Many people feel at a loss about what to do about these problems and just live with things the way they are. Fortunately, with a few tips you can make things better.

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Small Rooms

Large Rooms

The most common problem is having a room that is too small. First of all, you need to do everything you can to maximize the floor space you have. You should make sure all the cabinetry and bookshelves are raised. You don’t want anything on the floor that you don’t absolutely need. Anything extra takes up much needed space, making the room feel smaller than it is.

Sometimes people have the opposite problem as well—a room can just be too large. It doesn’t feel warm and inviting.

There are also a few things you can do to make your room feel smaller.

Another thing you want to avoid is having too many colours or too much contrast. A uniformed colour scheme will cause your eye to move through the room without stopping on every new colour. When you have a lot of contrast, it will cause your eye to stop and really look at the details. You will be much more likely to notice how close a wall is to you instead of having it blend in.

Mirrors and windows are also very helpful. They bounce the light around and will trick your eye into thinking there’s more space than there actually is. You can also keep things bright by simply choosing paint with more luster.

In basements, low lighting can become an issue. The proper paint, along with light-coloured rugs and proper lighting, will help make the area feel cozy and larger than it is.

Instead of avoiding contrast, you should try to have more of it. A high-luster trim colour that offsets the colour on the walls can help a lot. You can also paint your ceiling an interesting colour so it stands out—murals could even look great in the right space.

Breaking up the room into a few usable spaces, such as a sitting area and a dining area, rather than trying to keep everything unified is also a good idea.

All Rooms Any room will look better and be more useful if it is designed and executed properly. If you can get a space that is custom-designed for you, you’ll be more comfortable. If you’re comfortable, other people will be comfortable in it too.

At Inspirations by Color we ‘Desire to Inspire’ you on your new or renovated projects. Let us help you make the most important decisions in making your space flow and be a place you are proud of! FLEW

CHECK IT ALL.

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We’re mobile. Regina Airport Authority is pleased to offer another service for our customers - an enhanced mobile website.

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Home Decor & Giftware come see us today for all of your gift ideas and healthcare needs!

306.453.4466 218 main Street, carlyle, SK S0c 0r0

www.pharmasave.com

Need help with home fiNaNciNg? Call your TD Mobile MorTgage SpeCialiST! At TD Canada Trust, we pride ourselves on providing the best professional home financing advice, and we want to make your home financing experience as comfortable as possible.

That’s why you’ll benefit from choosing a TD Mobile Mortgage Specialist for your home financing needs.

A Mobile Mortgage Specialist can help you in a variety of ways: • As home financing experts, we can help you choose the best option for your lifestyle.

• We are available outside of regular business hours—days, evenings and weekends—to suit your busy schedule.

• We offer free mortgage pre-approvals and consultations with no obligation until you make your final decision.

• With a pre-approved mortgage, you receive a fixed interest rate for up to 120 days.

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• TD Canada Trust ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among the Big Five Retail Banks, Six Years in a Row” by J.D. Power and Associates.

If you are considering a Recreational Property, your TD Mobile Mortgage Specialist can help you learn more about your financing options. Financing a Recreational Property is not as challenging as you think, and it doesn’t have to be expensive either!

Your home is an important part of your net worth, but that Tara Ford home equity doesn’t have to Specialist sit idle. Why not tap into your Manager, Mobile Mortgage Tel:finance 306 421 3938 home’s equity to your Recreational Property with a TD Fax: 306 634 4927 Canada Trust Home Equity Line of Credit? FLEW E: tara.ford@td.com www.tdcanadtrust.com/msf/taraford

For more information, contact Tara Ford Manager, Mobile Mortgage Specialist 306 421.3938 tara.ford@td.com www.tdcanadatrust.com/msf/taraford

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Our Quality and Service iS clear From windows and doors to trucks, cars (domestic & foreign), boats, campers, farm equipment and more. after 32 years, we know the key to our success is customer satisfaction.

For all your glass needs, call the experts today!

Family owned and operated since 1979. w w w. g l a c ie rg la ss.com

410 Quebec Street, regina, SK tf: 1.888.545.3990 f: 306.949.8872 e: orderdesk@glacierglass.com

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ometimes it takes more than one great company to get the job done.

When you go to Elite Kitchens & Décor you get their expertise and customer service combined with some great products from CNG Stone.

CNG Stone has years of experience working with stone and granite. They have built a reputation for having one of the best selections of granite countertops in Saskatchewan after 5 years in the business. With over 800 colours of granite to choose from and top quality, it’s easy to see why.

Kitchens are the heart and soul of every home. At Elite Kitchens & Décor, they offer their customers professional designers, quality craftsmanship and great products like the granite countertops from CNG Stone. Any homeowner looking to create or remodel their kitchen can be assured that with the right team assisting them, there is a look and a style for every lifestyle, space and budget. From the traditional to the contemporary, your personal style will evoke quality and versatility.

CNG STONE AND ELITE KITCHENS & DÉCOR

By Ryan Howse Photos by John Gillies (Weyburn), Emily Rutledge (Estevan) 102

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CNG Stone (Regina) and Elite Kitchens &Décor (Weyburn and Estevan) can help you build your dream kitchen. In addition to CNG’s own host of clients they also act as a supplier to Elite Kitchens. Scott Tresek, owner of CNG Stone says, “I like working with Elite because they have a high attention to detail and great customer service. You always have to make it right for the customer, and working together we can provide what the customer wants.

They’re very good at assisting their customers with picking the perfect countertops for their kitchens and that makes our job easy.”

Elite Kitchens agrees about the importance of the relationship between the two companies. Ken Helfrick, owner of Elite Kitchens says, “CNG was able to help us out on some challenging jobs and they carry the products we need.

They did such a great job the first time around that we have continued to use them.”

Photo - Elite Kitchens Estevan (L-R): Melinda Bath, Twyla Senchuk, Nicole Tessier-Schnell.

Elite Kitchens Weyburn: Ken Helfrick, Kathy Helfrick & Gary Boutin

Granite countertops are a great addition to a kitchen but it is a product that must be perfectly installed. This is where CNG shines. Not only do they provide top quality installation, but they also help out afterwards by educating homeowners.

They teach them the best way to maintain their beautiful new granite countertops to last a lifetime.

Elite Kitchens excels in customer satisfaction and high-quality products. Gary Boutin says, “The quality factor is number one for us. We’ve had the opportunity to expand quicker than we have but we weren’t comfortable doing that. We had to have the manpower in place to service our customers and provide and maintain the quality we’ve built our reputation on. We are ready for further expansion now and we are excited to see where it takes us. ” Elite Kitchens is proud to be a Kitchen Craft dealer. The cabinets are a high quality, Canadian-made product that had previously been lacking in Southeastern Saskatchewan. Elite Kitchens and Décor is committed to providing customers with superior design and quality. You can be confident in your new kitchen because their work comes with a lifetime warranty on all materials to the original purchaser.Top quality products and fast service is a tough combination to beat.

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Terena Blackstock

Twyla Senchuk, the manager of the Estevan branch of Elite Kitchens adds, “It’s great to see more people using granite. I believe people are becoming more educated about the benefits of stone products. Granite can be very affordable and offers that rare and exclusive look unique to every kitchen.”

They currently have a computer program using state-of-the-art software which shows three-dimensional designs of kitchens, bathrooms, offices, entertainment centers, wet bars, laundry rooms, and more. Customers can see exactly how the room will look before they order.

Senchuk says Elite Kitchens attracted her because of the owner’s dedication to customer service and the quality of Kitchen Craft cabinetry.“We value and appreciate everybody who walks through our doors. From start to finish, we want them to have a strong idea of all the choices available. Kitchens are becoming much more elaborate and we strive to make the process less overwhelming,” she adds. “We suggest our clients begin planning approximately two months prior to wanting their kitchen completed. This ensures they have sufficient time to make decisions. Our designers goal is to utilize every inch of space, making everything accessible and organized to maximize a kitchen’s functionality.”

Because of the huge boom in the Southeast, Elite Kitchens is growing tremendously. They are working with independent contractors and hiring more installers all the time to keep up with the pace of kitchen renovations and new kitchen designs.

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Much like CNG Stone, Elite Kitchens is growing because it provides a high-quality product in a consistent, customerfriendly manner. Both stores have a lot in common, including glowing testimonials from their customers.

CNG Staff (L-R): Jeff Trumbley, Susan Dayman, Scott Tresek and Mike Cooke

Testimonials for CNG They delivered when they said they would. They delivered on time and the installation went flawlessly. They were professionals all the way around.

-Tim Stott

They get things when they promise, they stand behind their products, and they did a fantastic job on installation. I’d recommend them to anyone who needs granite-work done.

- Jason Humpries

They were very helpful. We were a new construction, and they kept track of the progress on the house so they could get the countertops delivered at exactly the right time. They were very professional, on schedule, and the countertops arrived as promised. They also had a great showroom that made it easy to pick out the perfect countertops.

- Trina Freedman

We weren’t sure what we wanted for granite. We’d seen a few different slabs but couldn’t pinpoint the one that was right for us. Susan Dayman was instrumental in finding exactly what we were looking for, something that suited our home and our tastes. She solidified things for us. I was impressed at how quickly the slabs came once ordered. The workers were friendly, and they knew what they were doing. The granite was installed without disrupting the rest of the house too much, and they were also good at teaching us how to care for the stone afterwards. They gave me some tips on what to watch for and let me know that I could contact them at any time.

- Teresa & Kelly Vall

I was really picky; I had a very specific look and Scott and Susan were both very helpful. We spent hours looking for the slab I wanted. The installation went smoothly and everything looks great.

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I live in a house that was built in 1904, so I was looking to do upgrades slowly, over time. We were both undecided and we had to come to a consensus and they were very helpful that way. We returned five or six times. They let us enter the backroom, cleaned it up and made sure everything was safe and let us look through original samples and gave us advice on the best choices for the house, and on colours. We saw one that we really liked but we weren’t sure if it would work in our home. They asked us to bring in the fronts of our cupboards to help us get a better idea of how it would look. We decided it wasn’t a good match so they looked at our cupboards and gave us a couple samples to take home. One of them was perfect and once we made the decision, the process went very quickly. They put it in while we were away on vacation and when we returned it was completely cleaned up - Jeff & Kayla Christensen CNG Stone 1445 Scarth St. Regina 306 585-9876 sales@cngstone.com cngstone.com

Testimonials for Elite Kitchens & Décor We had the pleasure of building a new home and we selected Elite Kitchens to do our cabinets. From the first day we walked through their door we felt right at home. Elite was great helping us design our kitchen and it was very beneficial to see our finished cabinet layout on the computer before ordering.

The crew that installed our cabinets did a wonderful job. We have received many compliments on our new cabinets. We cannot say enough about everyone at Elite Kitchens and we will definitely recommend them to anyone building a new home or renovating.

-Barry & Kathy Weichel

I love walking through my front door and seeing the beautiful kitchen. Gary Boutin gave us great ideas to maximize our space and have the open concept we desired in our living area. We met in Elite’s office, made up a kitchen plan, and finalized it. They supplied the cabinets, countertops and even the kitchen sink. The construction was all organized by Elite Kitchens &Décor and we are thankful for all their expertise in making our kitchen and living room renovation a dream come true.

-Diane and George Tosczak

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Elite Kitchens and Décor made renovating our kitchen both enjoyable and affordable. In the Estevan showroom, Twyla and Melinda were both knowledgeable and helpful when picking out our kitchen. They even helped us tweak the design to make our kitchen perfect. Gary was a master at giving us a vision of our kitchen through the home consultation.

Without Gary’s skills and experience our kitchen may not have happened at all. Thank you Gary! We also got to meet Greg, who helped with the installation. Greg’s craftsmanship and meticulous work put that perfect finishing touch on the final product. I would recommend Elite to anyone and am excited to experience them again.

- Simone & Lee Mantei

Elite Kitchens were very professional and easy to approach.

We threw ideas at them and they told us what they could do to make the kitchen happen. We had a large project with a wall removed which opened up the kitchen and living room.

It went well. I’m very happy with the design. They were courteous, friendly, and dealing with Twyla was a pleasure.

She’s so friendly and she’d get back to me with questions and concerns promptly. It was a good experience to deal with them and then we went with their advice regarding granite so we contracted CNG Stone out of Regina and they had excellent customer service as well.

-Terena & Gil Blackstock Elite Kitchens 123 2nd St. Weyburn 306 848-0290 1207 4th St. Estevan 306-637-7740 elitekitchens@sasktel.net

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“Desire to inspire” Indulge your creativity with expert help, and bring your home to life

By Ryan Howse

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ummer is almost here, bringing vibrant colours and the desire to be creative. This season, Crystal Quilliams and the staff at Inspirations by Color in Estevan are showcasing bright décor along with calming neutrals for your home. They welcome you to examine their expansive selection of rich fabrics and flowing draperies.

“Right now, many of the trends seem to be pushing towards neutral tones with punches of brighter colours. For instance, there might be three neutral walls and one accented wall in 108

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your home, or bedding that has a splash of colour within the pillow fabric to make a contrast,” says Tamara Vollmin, an instore consultant.

With drapery, there are a number of interesting trends in both fabric and hardware. Grommets are continuing to crown modern drapes, while other fabrics are gently looped over rods with holdbacks. Sheer scarves are used to diffuse light from windows that are taller than normal, and can also work as a frame for blinds or other window treatments. For the summer,

Left to right: Allison Harkins, Alex Willock, Owner- Crystal Quilliams & Tamara Vollmin. Missing Bev Nieviadomy.

sheer curtains are very popular, since they allow light in even while drawn. It makes the area both open and bright while still providing some privacy.

Finials also add creativity to the rod and draw eyes upward.

Inspirations by Color has finials in acrylic, wood, resin, and crystal accents. They can come in a variety of customized designs, from simple geometric shapes to elaborate flourishes.

There are many options when it comes to windows. For those who request it, Quilliams will provide sketches to help her clients decide what they would like.

Custom bedding Bedding is another specialty of Inspirations by Color. Vollmin says, “We can make a design easily. Just pick out fabrics that you like and we can create custom bedding around your colour scheme. Duvets particularly are warm, luxurious, and easy to wash.” Their textile selection includes fabrics which are hard to find in the Estevan area, including velvet, silk, and satin, with delicate embroidery and customized animal prints. Throw pillows of various fabrics can also enliven your space.

Inspirations By Color even has outdoor fabrics designed for the wear and tear of the environment. They carry Maxwell UV Pro fabric, which has the colour ingrained into the entire fiber, preventing the sun from bleaching it. It comes in a variety of patterns including plaid, stripes, and houndstooth. This fabric is especially good for patio furniture, house boats, and chair swings. They also carry Instant Dry Cushion forms, which look like lace but are made out of polyethylene. They don’t support the growth of mold and mildew and never retain moisture, which makes them especially useful for poolside furniture.

They have a five-year guarantee against loss of shape.

Quilliams’ staff includes Tamara Vollmin, Alex Willock and Allison Harkins as consultants. Bev Nieviadomy specializes in custom framing. Beryl Erickson and Matt Tregoning are contractors for the company, as a seamstress and painter, respectively.

If you are looking for some help to make your home truly spectacular check out Inspirations by Color. FLEW Inspirations by Color 1101 Fifth Street, Estevan p 306.634.7008 e inspirations@sasktel.net http://remaxestevan.homemove.biz/inspiration-by-color FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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We are pleased to offer a fabulous showroom featuring quality custom upholstery and dining furniture, art and accessories, and interior design service. We provide our clients sleek sophisticated products, comfortable pricing and the ultimate in customer service. Come explore our constantly changing showroom. Our creative team is ready to assist you and answer any of your questions. We look forward to unleashing your desire to create your own unique and personal Casa Space.

Calligaris Exclusively in Regina at

FURNITURE | HOME ACCENTS | JEWELLERY | INTERIOR WATER FEATURES | IN HOME DESIGN

2176 7TH AVE. | REGINA, SK | 306.565.1833

300 Railway Ave, Weyburn, SK | P 306 842-0488 | www.newageavu.com

Home Furnishings & Electronics New Age Electronics & Home Furnishings an Audio Video Unlimited and Appliance Unlimited Partner is your local specialist for all your audio, video, home theatre, cellular, appliance, furniture, and mattress needs We’ve been serving the Weyburn area and surrounding communities since 1995.

Let our experts in our Custom Home Division design your home theatre, automation and distributed audio needs.

We offer complete and professional installation services.

Check out our new home appliances showroom where Samsung, LG, Frigidaire, and Electrolux products are on display.

Also check out our newly renovated SaskTel Wireless, Internet, and Max Entertainment counter.

300 Railway Ave, Weyburn, SK P 306 842-0488 • F 306 842-0489 jeff@new-age.ca

www.newageavu.com

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hat’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of summer? Sunny days? Spending time outdoors in the fresh air? Or may-be barbecues?

But what about bugs, mosquitos, wind and rain? Why fight the elements when you can control them with a screened in patio, deck or 3 season room.

DGL Suncoast understands the challenges of outdoor living in Saskatchewan. We create a room so that it has an open feeling, and not a sense of being enclosed in an indoor space.

Being able to enjoy outdoor benefits without the nuisances of bugs, wind or mosquitos is something that needs to be engineered.

Screen enclosures allow homeowners to leave their patio furniture out without the worry of it being blown around or sun-bleached: the screens can cut ultraviolet rays by up to 80 percent.

Sun blockage is very appealing to those with children, as is protection from the threat of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus.

Benefits of a screen enclosure 1. Quality of life - A feeling of open airiness within your space and the benefit of light, for example: Light can affect your emotional state, your health, your attitude and your family life.

2. Added Living Space - For a variety of uses planting, painting, hobbies, work, office, dining room, gym, pools & spas, reading room, TV room, kitchen, and etc.

3. Extend your summer enjoyment - with a 3 Season sun room, you can enjoy the fresh air and the outdoors in the Spring and Fall as well.

4. Protection from the elements - You can relax and bask in all the benefits of the outdoors without the sizzling heat, cold winds, rain, insects, dust, and pollen. You don’t have to let the weather and any other disturbances associated with the outdoors to interfere with your activities.

5. Easily Expandable - we have incorporated into our design the ‘Vertical Four Track’ window system. These windows can be fitted to your enclosure when it is constructed or anytime in the future

DGL Suncoast Screen Enclosures offers a range of products to meet your needs. Our enclosures include: • • • • • • •

Screen Rooms Screen Walls Gazebos Swimming Pool Enclosures Wind Fences Commercial/Apartment applications The possibilities are endless...

Homeowners who are interested in obtaining a quote for a DGL Suncoast Screen Enclosure are advised not to procrastinate; during the busy season a typical turnaround time is six to eight weeks. FLEW

DGL Suncoast Screen Enclosures 16 Lancaster Place, Regina, SK S4S 2Z4 dgl.inc@sasktel.net www.dglsuncoast.com FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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Your Yard as a Beautiful outdoor oasis

By Ryan HOWSE

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veryone with their own home and lawn wants to make them look as beautiful as possible. It’s often hard to know where to start. That’s where Rispens Landscaping comes in.

In business since 2007, Rispens Landscaping was founded by brothers Philip and Anton Rispen.

They immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in 2003 with degrees in horticulture and agriculture. They spent the intervening years studying the Canadian market for trends and ways to make their business stand apart from the competition.

Philip and Anton decided they could make a difference and standout by offering a more personalized experience for their customers. Philip says, “A lot of people like to have more of an outdoor oasis. They actually want to spend time in their backyard, rather than being there to just cut the grass.” They achieve this with a large variety of yard features such as bubblers, waterfalls, natural stone and unique fences.

Make your yard your Own The key to having a fantastic backyard is to make it your own, completely unique. Rispens Landscaping has a number of different fences for your needs, including PVC, SimTek and wood and wrought iron fences.

Homeland PVC vinyl fences are designed in such a way that the long-term exposure to the sun will not damage them or alter their colour. They will not chalk, fade, crack or peel. They also have a tensile strength five times greater than that of wood.

They are even better for the environment because they don’t require the chemicals that wood needs for treatment or paint.

Another fence which is becoming more popular is SimTek Stonewall fencing.

This comes in six shades and looks like granite, but doesn’t require the initial cost or maintenance that granite does.

Philip says, “We’re selling this because it’s something different. Not everybody has it yet, and it has yet to become a commodity. It’s also very durable compared to any other fence on the market.”

SimTek is made out of recycled materials, and yet is incredibly durable and resistant to wear. It has been UV-stabilized to keep its colour throughout its lifetime.

It can easily resist the wild fluctuating temperatures of Saskatchewan.

Rispens Landscaping also uses plants, shrubs and trees from the prairies because they are hardy against the harsh Saskatchewan climate.

Quality Products and Quality Service Rispens Landscaping was nominated for the Better Business Bureau’s 2009 Torch Award in home construction. Rispens Landscaping provides more than just quality products and excellent workmanship. Anton says, “We have excellent customer service from start to finish. We provide a lot of after sale support. If our clients have any questions we do our best to help them. We pride ourselves on making the customer happy.” FLEW Rispens Landscaping 1450 Park Street 306-699-7737 Philip@rispenslandscaping.ca FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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Three BroThers, Three Companies,

one high sTandard

By Trilby Henderson Photos by Starr Mercer

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he Wilhelm brothers took their first foray in construction when they were still young boys, waking early on the weekends to help their parents with one project or another, from renovating the basement of their family home to building fences and sheds. When their father, Garnet, decided to purchase and renovate an old office building in Estevan, it was his sons who helped him transform the three-story building into an apartment complex. “Growing up as kids, we were always doing construction jobs on the weekend with our dad,” recalled Nathan.

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“At the time, I didn’t think it was such a great idea,” said Shawn.

“But now that I look back on it, I’m grateful that he taught us how to work hard at a young age.”

The skills and work ethic that was instilled in the boys at an early age has certainly paid off. While one son now runs his own business in Australia, the other three have put their business acumen to work closer to home, in Estevan, forming a triad of entrepreneurial success as leaders of the local construction industry.

Estevan Eavestroughing and Exteriors Inc. Brad Wilhelm was the first of the Wilhelm brothers to own his own business in the community. A power engineer by trade, Brad had spent several years working for SaskPower when he was presented with an opportunity to purchase an established, well-respected local business, Estevan Eavestroughing, in 2007.

Brad, who had worked briefly for the company in the late 1990s, jumped at the chance to return to working outdoors and re-enter an industry where he saw huge potential for growth.

The company’s solid reputation and lengthy 30-year history in the community remain huge driving factors for the business, and although Brad plans to continue to grow the business, he is also committed to maintaining the high level of service its previous owners had become known for. “Although we are expanding so much, I didn’t want to forget where we came from,” he said.

When Brad first took over ownership, Estevan Eavestroughing focused solely on eavestroughing, soffit and fascia. Since then, he has expanded from a single employee to several full-time staff, and now offers a full range of exterior products and installation services, including seamless and specialty metal roofing, continuous metal siding, vinyl siding, hardi board siding, and custom bent metal cladding.

One of the company’s biggest priorities is to bring new, innovative and energy-efficient products to the Estevan market, said Brad. For example, they are in the process of installing thermal panels—a new product that features spray foam insulation between two layers of steel—on a local shop for the first time.

“It completely insulates the building in one installation process, rather than three separate steps,” Brad explained. Although the product is a bit more expensive upfront, its easy installation helps cut down labour costs and it results in huge energy savings over the long term, he said.

Brad will continue to grow the company, and improve the products and services Estevan Eavestroughing and Exteriors has to offer. The company recently purchased an 8,000-squarefoot building to accommodate growth and allow it to keep more material in stock, as well as some high-end equipment to allow it to speed up its work and offer greater service to clients.

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Wilhelm Construction Services Inc. After completing his Construction Engineering Technology Diploma at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Nathan spent time working as a project coordinator for a Regina construction company while his wife, Evanne, finished university. However, Estevan’s booming economy soon led the young couple to return to Nathan’s hometown and start their own construction management firm. “I knew when we moved to Estevan that there would be lots of potential customers and jobs down here,” said Nathan.

Wilhelm Construction Services Inc. (WCSI) was launched in October 2007. At first, Nathan ran the company alone, with neither employees nor equipment.

However, his first job—a small office/shop project— quickly led to two more construction-management jobs. As new projects began to arise, Nathan decided to bring his retired father onboard as an onsite supervisor.

“He brings excellent leadership, quality, reliability and determination to Wilhelm Construction,” said Nathan.

“And he’s a good role model for the younger employees as far as work ethic and quality control.”

Since its start 4 1/2 years ago, WCSI has constructed more than 250,000 square feet of building area, expanding its repertoire from simple, wood-framed shops to pre-engineered metal buildings. The company, which now employs 22 people, is a member of the Canadian Design Build Association and offers its clients complete design-build solutions. “To put it in the simplest terms, you can come to us with an idea and we can turn that idea into a reality,” Nathan said.

Nathan is always looking to introduce new innovative products and methods to his clients. WCSI recently partnered with BuildBetter by Cardinal Systems to provide distribution for pre-manufactured metal construction panels, and continues to look for ways to bring new technology or advances in “green” building to the Estevan market.

WCSI has garnered a great deal of recognition in its short history. Wilhelm Construction won the 2011 EBEX Business of the Year award. The same year, Nathan Wilhelm was named the Young Entrepreneur of the Year by EBEX. Additionally, Nathan was nominated for ABEX’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to build up so much good will.

The company has had a great start, and looks to have an even brighter future. “With well over $25 million dollars of construction completed in the last 4 1/2 years and another $18 million dollars of awarded contracts in 2012, the future is strong,” said Nathan.

Wilhelm Masonry Inc. Shawn Wilhelm, the youngest of the brothers, was living and working in Australia as a bricklayer in 2008 when a conversation with Nathan inspired him to return to Estevan and start a business. He took his first job working on one of Nathan’s projects with only one employee and no equipment of his own. “When we first came back, we had no money and no equipment,” he said. “From there, it’s grown 10-fold at least.”

Wilhelm Masonry Inc. now employs twelve staff, including six long-term employees, and Shawn plans to add more to his team this summer. Although the hot labour market has made it challenging to find skilled, dependable employees, Shawn maintains high standards for his staff. “In the end, you are just as good as your worst employee,” he said.

The company offers a wide range of masonry and stucco services to both residential and commercial clients. If it involves stone, brick or block, Wilhelm Masonry can do it all, from stone and brick home exteriors, custom fences, and interior feature walls and fireplaces to brick facing on commercial buildings, and concreteblock fire walls, elevator shafts and washbays. Shawn said the company now has a stucco division, which includes custom moldings, and also erects scaffolds for clients Shawn also makes a point of staying on top of trends and ensuring Wilhelm Masonry has access to the latest productions and materials available on the market. “The trends change so often, especially in the housing market. I like to keep up with the times,” he said. “It’s quite interesting.”

Like his brothers, Shawn credits much of his success to the strong connections he has within his hometown community. As a locally owned business (Wilhelm Masonry is currently the only masonry company serving Estevan, and the only stucco company based in the city), Shawn said his clients value the reliability of the service he offers, as well as the quality. “I was born and raised here. My family all live here,” said Shawn. “If there is ever a problem with a job, we’re just a phone call away.”

Family Expertise Shawn said one of the biggest benefits of running his own business has been his ability to turn to his family members for advice. “That’s a really good thing to have.” Nathan agrees. “Working with my two brothers, Brad and Shawn, the quality of work and dependability is always first and foremost with us,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about something not being done right.”

Through their companies, and on their own, the brothers also strive to give back to the community where they were born and raised. In addition to supporting local organizations and charities, this also means making sure that the quality of the work they offer to other members of their community is second to none.

“At the end of the day, you can drive around and see all of the projects you have completed and the customers that appreciate the good, quality work that you do,” said Brad. “At the end of the day, I think that’s the most rewarding thing.”

Wilhelm Construction Services Inc. PO Box 1657, Estevan, SK S4A 1C8 p: 306.637.3230 f: 306.637.2152 e: wilhelmconstruction@sasktel.net www.wilhelmconstruction.ca Wilhelm Masonry Inc. 445 Maple Bay, Estevan, SK S4A 2E6 p: 306.634.6537 f: 306.634.3864 wilhelmmasonry@sasktel.net Estevan Eavestroughing & Exteriors Inc. Location: 1237 6th St, Estevan, SK Mailing Address: 1809 1st St, Estevan, SK, S4A 0H7 p: 306.634.3492 f: 306.634.3864 estevaneaves@sasktel.net

Photos: (1) Estevan Eavestroughing & Exteriors Inc Employees: Andy Little, Brett Whitman, Matt Caudle, Mytchell Bancarz, Johnathon LaPorte, Brad Wilhelm (owner), and Tenille Wilhelm (owner) (2) Wilhelm Masonry Inc Employees: Tenille Wilhelm, Vitaliy Makarauk, Aaron Eskra, Sergey Ponomarenko, Shawn Wilhelm (owner), Dylan Hengen, Apollo Moo, and Guy Dube (3) Front Row: David Crowley, Stacey Dupuis, Michelle Stepp, Nathan Wilhelm, Evanne Wilhelm, Brittany Pierce, Avery Lafrentz, Fei Tan, and Ben Essilfie; Middle Row: Garnet Wilhelm, Jackie Zhang, Doug Yee, Justin Nixon, Jeremy Johnston, Stephen Cress, Albert Baerg, Greg Gedak, and Josh Vass; Back Row: David Sinclair, Justin Bath, Jack Hancock, and Jim Crawford.

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Eric Salmers, Owner/Operator of Salmers Contracting Inc.

LOCAL COMPANY EXCELS AT LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS

By Ryan Holota. Photos by Brent Hume. ’m excited to be a part of Saskatchewan’s bright future.

That’s what I’ve always wanted, and that’s why I got into the contracting business.”

Eric Salmers is only 25 years old, but he has already managed to amass more then 13 years of experience running a business.

While most young people were off doing other things, Salmers founded his own company, EMS Property Maintenance, at age 12. From landscaping to backyard construction, Salmers was

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soon building fences and decks for customers – construction projects that were built to last.

Getting a head start on his career was beneficial for a myriad of reasons. Salmers and his company won an award for entrepreneurship when he was only 14, and in 2007 at the age of 20 he filled the paper work to incorporate Salmers Contracting Inc. Today, Salmers Contracting is participating in a number of exciting projects across southern Saskatchewan.

Land Development

Commercial Construction

In partnership with Ed Turnbull (of Turnbull Excavating Ltd.), Salmers identified a unique opportunity in Bienfait, a satellite community of Estevan that, not having seen the benefits of the growth Saskatchewan has experienced, was saddled with an under utilized parcel of land in the centre of town.

Large-scale projects are not new to Salmers Contracting. “My company has been designed to scale from small projects to very big projects. We can work on a project of any size by bringing the right subcontractors on board and managing the project to completion. I’ve put together a group of individuals who have an incredible attention to detail and the ability to follow through with any project. This is where we really excel.”

Salmers approached the town council with the idea of redeveloping that land to provide 14 new residential lots. This partnership will result in new residences and a reinvigorated housing market in the community. Plans are already in the works for other, larger projects near Estevan.

Getting a head start on his career was beneficial for myriad reasons. Salmers and his company won an award for entrepreneurship when he was only 14, and in 2007 at the age of 20 he filed the paperwork to incorporate Salmers Contracting Inc. Today, Salmers Contracting is participating in a number of exciting projects across southern Saskatchewan.

Carbon Capture Boundary Dam is the site of the world’s first large-scale carbon capture project, designed to produce electricity and capture carbon dioxide to reduce emissions. When global engineering firm SNC Lavalin needed a reliable general contractor for concrete work, it turned to Salmers Contracting. “Concrete work, such as floors and foundations, are the cornerstone of any project,” says Salmers. “And as such, concrete is a big part of what we do. Acting as a general contractor we handle certain phases of the project in house and work with partners on other aspects of the work that is required.”

As a result of this business model, which seems work like that of a national construction firm than that of a local contracting company, Salmers Contracting takes on a number of projects, including the building where their own office will be located, which is under construction on 5th Street in Estevan. With thousands of square feet of space and additional units available for lease, this new building will not only serve as a show case of the company’s talents but also provide muchneeded space for growing industries in Estevan.

When you’re ready to bring the best team to work on your project, phone (306) 421.2209 or email eric@salmers.ca. FLEW Salmers Contracting Inc. PO Box 1184 Estevan, SK S4A 2H8 p: 306.421.2209 e: eric@salmers.ca

Photos: (1)Left: nside Salmers new location; (2) Right: Concrete work at Boundary Dam Carbon Capture Project; (3) Bottom: Location of Bienfait development.

Warren Seeman, Owner

CONSTRUCTION WORK DONE WELL, DONE QUICKLY...

AND WITH PRIDE

By Amy Nelson-Mile. Photos by Starr Mercer. eeman Construction, provider of all construction needs, is riding a wave of popularity throughout southeastern Saskatchewan. The company is kept busy with new construction and renovations and works with siding, soffit, fascia, eavestroughs, doors, and windows.

Warren Seeman, the owner of Seeman Construction, notes that the company has thrived right from the beginning. “I started part-time in 2009 while I was working at the coal mine,” says Seeman. “At the time I had only one eavestrough machine and that’s what I did: install eavestrough. The demand was so great, though, that a few months later I left the mine and went fulltime.”

The business continued to expand. In 2009 Seeman had one other person working for him, and by the following year he had to hire more employees and also start working with numerous sub-contractors just to keep up with the demand.

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Seeman Construction provides work to customers from all over southeastern Saskatchewan including Estevan, Lampman, Weyburn, Regina, Carlyle, and Radville. The company does both residential and commercial work.

Seeman and his people deliver quality work that is backed by a two-year warranty. Not only do they take pride in their craftsmanship, they also specialize in getting their work completed in a timely manner. Each phase of the work, from the estimate through to the completion, has an outstanding turnaround time.

Seeman will do whatever it takes to make sure his customers are satisfied. As he points out, “Happy people give referrals.” He gets not only many referrals, but also a lot of repeat business.

Satisfied customers Such satisfied customers are always a business’s best advertising, and Seeman has plenty of those. Recently he did a complete exterior renovation for Chris Kennedy, and Kennedy says that everything about the experience was positive.

“He did a great job,” says Kennedy. “Everything was done very quickly, and the work is very high quality. Plus, he and his staff are very friendly, so that makes them a pleasure to deal with.”

Seeman’s clients also appreciate the company’s friendly atmosphere. Seeman himself is very personable, and his staff are equally easy to interact with.

Seeman oversees every aspect of the work so clients can be assured that they are getting high-level attention. Each client interacts with him regularly. “I do the estimate and I’m around every day reviewing the work that’s been done,” he explains. “I make sure I talk to the owners every day or two.”

Seeman Construction is a progressive company that will always offer its customers the best products available. “I keep on top of new materials coming on the market,” says Seeman. “It’s part of what I do to offer the best service possible.”

For more information on Seeman Construction, or to request a quote, call Warren Seeman at (306) 421-5706 or email warrenseeman@sasktel.net. FLEW Seeman Construction 1114-15th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 0Y5 p: 306.421.5706 e: warrenseeman@sasktel.net

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Ford Provides ChoiCe to Green drivers By nykea Behiel.

ith gas prices constantly on the rise, consumers are looking for fuel-efficient vehicles more than ever before. Aside from gas prices, many consumers are also becoming increasingly aware of the impact their driving has on the environment. Ford is giving its clientele the power of choice with their new products. From ultra-efficient gas powered cars, to hybrids, to a fully electric five passenger car, Ford has sustainable vehicles for any customer.

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William Ford, great grandson of the illustrious Henry T. Ford, passed the title of CEO to Alan Mulally in 2006. Still serving as executive chairman for the company, Bill asked that Alan work toward creating more environmentally friendly vehicles. They have.

Mark van Tol, communications manager at Ford, has come to Saskatoon from Toronto to explain some of the new features.

He assures us that Ford is making big commitments, but moving at a comfortable pace to ensure that the safety and power tantamount to the Ford name remain intact.

Ford has also incorporated many green materials into their production, and has plans to go even further. As an effort to use more renewable and recyclable materials, they have pioneered the use of soy-based foam for seats. By the end of this year, almost all Ford's vehicles will feature the bio-based foam.

I signed a waiver and hopped into the Ford escape, an SUV equipped with EcoBoost technology—a global Ford engine that increases fuel economy by nearly 20 percent while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 15 per cent. Driving the smooth SUV, I have a better understanding of why many of us Saskatchewanians enjoy big vehicles. The smooth drive, fuel economy, and safety are important considerations. Equally important to me is the extra room for suitcases so I can indulge the ridiculous overpacker in me.

Ford is also increasing their use of biodegradable plastics derived from the sugars in corn, sugar beet, and cane. This will mostly be used for carpeting, mats, upholstery, and interior trim. They also use wheat-straw reinforced plastic, grown by our neighbours in Alberta. Even recycled blue jeans are used in the 2012 Focus for carpet backing and sound absorption. These changes are not only beneficial to the environment, but can lighten the vehicle without detracting from overall safety.

The plug in hybrid is for people who do a mixture of city driving and out of town driving. "The charging port will give you a 30 to 35 kilometre range, then the gas will kick in," relays Mark. It is targeted to be the most fuel-efficient sedan in North America.

Sales

Fleet, Lease, New, Used, a great selection, a great deal, at Great Plains Ford in Weyburn.

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Come and see our knowledgeable service staff for all of your vehicle’s warranty and maintenance needs.

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We will give your car a new life with our state of the art, complete, SGI Accredited Auto Body Shop.

From windshield repairs and replacements to dents, frame straightening, to complete paint jobs in our down draft paint booth with bake oven.

We accept ALL makes and models!

A great selection of parts and accessories to personalize your vehicle.

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At Great Plains, Quality is Job #1!

206 Sims Ave, Weyburn SK • 306 842-2645 or Toll Free 1-800-667-7660 www.greatplainsford.com

The most impressive design is the battery Focus electric. It is a completely electric car that gives off no emissions. Besides being cheaper, it costs around two to three dollars to charge, there is less maintenance and no oil changes.

Charging only takes three and half hours plus efficient driving lets you go even longer on one charge. Ideal for city driving, this car has a system called brake coach that displays your power usage. You can also set your vehicle to charge at the most energy efficient times using an app developed by Ford which lets you access your vehicle information from anywhere—have your car heated or cooled to a comfortable temperature when you get out of the plane or head home from work.

I had the chance to drive one of these cars as well. Aside from the air conditioning, the car runs almost silently. I also quickly found out that the car’s sleek curves were matched by its smooth handling. Unlike gas-powered vehicles, all the power is available to you instantly, providing satisfaction to those of us that have a little bit of a heavy foot.

Ford’s commitment to improving their overall product sustainability is clear. They offer a host of fuel-efficient vehicles, and will have five either partly or fully electrified vehicles available in North America by the end of the year. BR

Making a commitment to driving a greener vehicle is now fun and sustainable.

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Ford escape an SUV equipped with EcoBoost technology

For the last seven years, Dun Rite Glass has been providing top quality service in window repair and automotive detailing. Eric Shier, the owner for the past 5 years, understands the importance of getting your vehicle detailed and makes sure that it gets done the right way. When you take better care of your car it helps maintain the resale value. Anyone who has ever owned a vehicle knows that over time the outside elements have an effect on not only the look of your vehicle, but also that value of it. Automotive detailing is the answer to both of those problems.

Keep Resale Value High With consistent care of your car, truck, or van it gives you the ability to keep the resale value of your vehicle a lot higher than if you just gave it a quick wash once you have decided to sell it. It will give the potential buyer confidence due to the fact that the vehicle looks fresh and brand new and they will be more comfortable paying a little more for a car that they know has been well kept and treated the right way.

Keep it Fresh In the winter, Saskatchewan can have an unforgiving effect on vehicles driving through snow and salt on a daily basis. In the summer and spring, if you drive on a lot of dirt roads, the dust and mud can leave your car looking dirty and worse for wear. Dun Rite Glass has a variety of options that will help get your car back to looking like it’s straight out of the showroom while also

Eric Shier Owner - Dun Rite Glass 1302 4th St. Estevan, SK p 634-6093 f 634-6115 dunriteglass@gmail.com

protecting you paint and upholstery so the outside elements do not have such an immediate damaging effect on your vehicle.

Peace of Mind In today’s fast-paced world, it sometimes feels like we don’t even have time to breathe, let alone make sure our car is properly taken off. That is a fact that Eric understands and an aspect of his business which he takes great pride in. To make your life as easy as they possibly can, Dun Rite offers a courtesy shuttle service and will get your vehicle back to you in one day. So with busy days taking over your life you can have peace of mind that you don’t have to do it all yourself when it comes to your car care.

Eric Shier and the courteous experienced staff at Dun Rite Glass offer automotive detailing options from a simple and quick vacuum and wipe to an extensive interior shampoo and detail that will leave your car looking brand new again. They also offer a full wash and wax as well as power polishing.

Ever since Dun Rite started detailing vehicles they have left a lot of customers happy and satisfied, which is the main reason why they need about a week’s notice to schedule in your vehicle. So if you’re looking to give your vehicle the protection and sparkle it needs then book your appointment with Dun Rite Glass today and take advantage of their reasonable rates and excellent service.

Morgan Shackleton, Journeyman and Bryan Biberdorf, Apprentice

An IdeAl ChoICe

By Taylor Bendig. Photos by doug Sully.

B

ill Fonstad understands that most customers won’t be in a good mood when they turn up at his shop. “When people get in an accident, they’re upset. They’re mad at somebody, whether it’s at themselves, or the person that hit them, or the insurance company,” says Fonstad, the founder of Ideal Autobody, which specializes in collision repair. “It’s not a good experience to wreck your car, and we realize that. We try to make it as painless as possible.”

Ideal has two ways of making things painless. Friendly, sympathetic service that soon has customers feeling better, and expert repair work that restores a vehicle’s appearance and safety to its pre-accident condition.

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In the 27 years since Ideal opened, that friendly attitude and dedication to doing things right haven’t changed. But the business of autobody repair certainly has changed—and Ideal has kept up with the times. To keep their skills fresh, all of the shop’s technicians take training courses at least once a year.

“If you look at a car 10 years ago compared to now, it’s completely different. You better be up on the times if you want to repair that car properly and safely,” says Fonstad. “It’s no different than for a doctor or a surgeon, they take training and they’re constantly changing equipment.”

Ideal has a record as an early adopter of new technology. In 1996, it brought in a downdraft spray booth that allows faster, cleaner, and more environmentally-friendly vehicle painting. In 2003, it became a dealer for Armaguard spray-on bedliner, an industry-leading product that protects the inside of a truck’s box from damage while giving it a non-slip surface.

Bill Fonstad

More recently, Ideal became one of the first autobody shops in the province to install a squeeze type resistance spot welder.

The welder automatically senses what metal a vehicle is made of, as well as its thickness and number of layers, and adjusts its timing and energy output accordingly. The technology is very similar to what’s used on vehicle assembly lines, and creates welds that look identical to those made in the factory.

“It’s something all shops will have to use sooner or later,” says Fonstad, and he’s firmly on the sooner side.

With modern techniques and technology, backed by solid experience and a dedication to quality, the Ideal team are autobody experts. And customers seem to agree, if repeat business is any sign: Ideal has clients that have been coming back since 1987. Last year, the readers of the Estevan Mercury named it the best autobody shop in town.

Tyrone Torkelson

Fonstad gives much of the credit to his employees, a hardworking trio that gives every job their utmost effort. But it might also have something to do with the reason he first got into autobody work.

“I`ve always liked cars, but I didn’t really want to be a mechanic.

You can’t see what you’ve done on a car’s exterior,” he says. So he chose body work, “because when you’re all finished you can sit back and look at what you’ve done.” And when a technician as experienced as Fonstad is satisfied with the look of a vehicle he’s repaired, chances are the owner will be happy with it too.

Ideal Autobody 445 - 4th Street, Estevan, SK S4A 0T9 p: 306. 634 2815 e:wfonstad@sasktel.net

Bill Fonstad

RETHINKING THE CLASSICS A passionate vision for custom work and restoration

AIR SUSPENSION TURN-KEY CARS CUSTOMS SHOW QUALITY PAINT PARTS METAL FABRICATION WIRING CUSTOM BODY WORK RESTORATIONS POLISHING

917 #A - 5th Avenue South • Warman, Sk, S0k 4S0

306.260.1155 graveyard@live.ca • www.graveyardrestorations.com

“To be a vital contributor to our customer’s success by consistently providing innovative products and services matched to their unique business needs.”

Hwy 39 W, Estevan Toll Free 866.659.5866 P 306.634.4788 F 306.634.2299 After Hours Emergency 306.634.4788

BUILT BY FOR PRODUCERS PRODUCERS

By Shawna Common

J

ohn Wilgenbusch, Mike Guest and partners started Western Prime Meats in Weyburn in 2004. They saw a need for quality meat processing at affordable prices for producers and consumers and decided to fill it themselves. They are owned and operated by local producers and they are as committed to quality as their customers are.

Western isn’t just a great solution for producers. Consumers get fresh, quality meat that is free of hormones and antibiotics. “If I want that stuff, I’ll get it from a doctor not my plate. The best genetics for cattle in the world is 136

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in southern Saskatchewan, so we’re very proud to be able to offer this level of quality to our consumers,” said Mike.

Whether it is local beef, pork, lamb, bison, elk, goat, turkey, or chicken— they offer consumers a healthy alternative while offering producers a local solution for their processing. They are so passionate about supporting local producers that they buy all their cattle locally.

Western is committed to quality. They proudly state that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency—responsible for enforcing quality and safety—shares the building with Western Prime Meats.

They are so confident that they exceed health and food safety regulations that they have no problem being under such close scrutiny. They are a full-service processor, and have control over all aspects of food safety and quality assurance.

They guarantee the quality of their processes and products for their consumers. They also offer sausage and other products that are low-sodium and gluten free, for those people that suffer from circulatory ailments, digestive conditions and food allergies.

Because Western offers the product directly from the producers, their prices are lower than most retail outlets.

They have eliminated the middleman by getting the meat directly from the producers to the customers. They offer custom cutting and wrapping, and also provide meat packages. Customers can request a variety of meats and cuts to stock their freezer, and Western Prime Meats gets it to them at wholesale prices. They also provide wholesale products to restaurants, and other food service businesses. “People call to find out our prices, and discover our regular prices are better than the grocery stores’ blow-out sales,� laughs Mike.

Mike Guest, Manager and Co-owner of Western Prime Meats, has been in the meat processing industry since 1996 and continues to constantly improve his knowledge. Most methods of commercial meat processing started in Europe, and some of the best Master Butchers are in Germany, where Mike has made frequent trips to hone his skills.

Mike also helps pass on his knowledge to others. He was one of the first journeypersons in Saskatchewan, and contributed to the curriculum and requirements for apprentices in the Saskatchewan Meat-Cutter Journeypersons and sub-trades program.

Western Prime Meats is located at 3 22nd Avenue South East in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Call 306-842-4448 to arrange for your meat packaging or processing. FLEW Western Prime Meat Processors 33 22nd Ave SE, Weyburn, SK 306 842.4448

Kelly Hansen and Bonnie Ernst.

PrAIrIE DIAgnoSTIC SEED LAB oFFErS growErS quICK, ABovE-AnD-BEyonD SErvICE

By Ryan Howse

griculture is always an uncertain business. Drought, flooding, poor weather, and disease can all wreak havoc on your crops and your finances. Fortunately, the ladies at Prairie Diagnostic Seed Lab are there to help.

Prairie Diagnostic Seed Lab was founded by Kelly Hansen and Bonnie Ernst in 2004. Both Hansen and Ernst are accredited seed analysts with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as well as the Canadian Seed Institute. Ernst is also a member of the Canadian Seed Analyst Association of Canada, and has a Diploma with Distinction from Kelsey Institute, SIAST, in Biological Sciences Technology. They both realized they shared 138

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a similar interest in helping the crop growers of Saskatchewan, and worked together to make it happen.

Hansen and Ernst are both married to farmers, and understand the business of agriculture. Many of the crops last year were damaged due to flooding or didn’t even get planted due to the very wet soils. Ernst hopes the growers have more luck with seeding this season. “growers in the Southeastern part of Saskatchewan didn’t have much luck seeding in 2011. we hope they have a more productive and prosperous growing season this year.”

Prairie Diagnostic Seed Lab does purity testing, which ascertains that no other crop of weed is present in the sample. Pedigreed seed needs to be purity tested before it can be sold with a pedigreed status. They also do germination, disease, and vigor testing on cereals, pulses and oilseeds. The precise technique depends on the crop in question. Certain crops require cold temperatures to start germinating, while others require warmer climates. Since Prairie Diagnostic Seed Lab is accredited by the CFIA, they follow the same strict methods and procedures as all other seed testing labs. what sets them apart from the other labs? Hansen says, “we always strive to provide quick turnaround service. we plant the sample within 24 hours, which means that when we are busy, we stay late to finish our work.” Being able to email results directly to their clients has also increased efficiency considerably.

Ernst adds, “our goal is to provide above-and-beyond service.

It sets us apart from everybody else. we are the ones who answer the phones and we know growers on a more personal basis because we offer that service. They know they will talk to analysts.”

Because of this exceptional service, they have clients from all across Saskatchewan and even from Manitoba. growers who want to know their seed is of good quality for planting deliver samples to the lab.

There are few of these kinds of labs in Saskatchewan, which makes the dedication of Prairie Diagnostic Seed Lab all the more noteworthy. For their tireless efforts in supporting the agricultural industry, both Ernst and Hansen were awarded weyburn’s quota International women of the year Award in 2007 for Exceptional Entrepreneurs. FLEw

Prairie Diagnostic Seed Lab Inc 1105 Railway Ave. E., Weyburn, SK S4H 3H5 p: 306.842.7375 e: pdsl@sasktel.net www.pdsl.net

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2320 John Deere JD 2320 Compact Tractor Package • 24.5hp • 4wd, 200xloader • 54” mid mount mower and a Frontier Rototiller • List $23,937

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Regina

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2012 JD 1023E Package • 23hp • 4wd • Hydrostatic Transmission • Engine Heater • Industrial Tires • Folding ROPS • The package includes a D120 loader and a 54” Auto Connect Deck (Drive on drive off mower) and a Frontier RT1149 Rototiller • List $21,435

1023E John Deere

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South Country Equipment Ltd. is a Full Line John Deere Agricultural, Lawn and Grounds Care, and Spray-Center dealer.

Now with 8 locations in Southern Saskatchewan our mission is to make South Country Equipment Ltd. your first choice for Parts, Sales and Service

southcountry.ca

Hwy 22 & Hwy 6 306.726.2155

Weyburn

1510 New City Gardens, Hwy 39E 306.842.4686

EXPERTAdvice We need both the good and bad bacteria to be balanced.

Bloating, constipation and gas might feel embarrassing, but they happen to everyone. When your good flora is out of balance with the bad flora in your gut, it can leave you feeling more than uncomfortable. It can be painful. Many people think that this is something they have to live with, but with a small diet change and the addition of probiotics, you can fix this problem completely and live a healthier and more comfortable life.

Medicine and Your Health Lesa Seipp Owner/Manager

Nutter’s Bulk & Natural Foods 400 King Street, Estevan, SK S4A 2B4 (Estevan Shopping Mall) p: 306.634.9577 f: 306.634.9578 e: estevannutters@sasktel.net www.nutters.com

Our flora can easily get out of balance due to our diets. We need both the good and bad bacteria to be balanced. Many people’s diets are high in sugar, yeast and processed foods, and low in vegetables and fermented foods. The bad bacteria feeds off sugars, yeast and vinegars, creating more. Conversely, if you don’t eat vegetables, the good bacteria doesn’t get the nutrients it requires to counterbalance this.

Medication can affect your stomach negatively as well. Antibiotics will kill both good and bad bacteria at the same time, which can cause an imbalance in your stomach. When we continuously take antacids to combat heartburn and indigestion, it alters the acid levels (PH) in our stomach. We need that acid for our stomach to be healthy. The lower PH level also promotes the growth of the bad bacteria.

By adjusting your diet and introducing probiotics, you can once again create harmony. There are many types and strains of probiotics and each has different jobs to do. Lactobacillus, also called L-S, is vital for the small intestine, and converts lactose and other sugars into lactic acid. It also lowers the risk of colon cancer. Bifido-bacterium, or B-S, helps the large intestine. It converts carbohydrates and prevents infections.

These probiotics do a lot to help our health and to make us feel better. They can improve the strength of the colon lining, keep inflammation down, and help our bodies maintain healthy and regular bowels. They also produce digestive enzymes and help the body absorb calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Why Nutters?

Nutters has a number of supplements that will greatly help anyone with these problems. For instance, Ultimate Flora’s Critical Care contains a great variety of bacteria which work together to improve your intestinal tract, and they boost your immune system at the same time.

CandiGONE works to eliminate candida and yeast that might otherwise build up in your intestinal tract and cause serious discomfort. The powerful cleansing formula guarantees results.

Our fantastic and knowledgeable staff is more than willing to help you get past these problems. Though people’s bodies react differently, at Nutters we have a variety of different supplements which can make your body feel whole and natural again. Come talk to us, and we can find a supplement that’s right for you. FLEW

By Dr. Toby Bridgman Naturopathic Physician Total Effects Day Spa 138 1st St. N. E. Weyburn, SK

the need for surgery, pharmaceuticals, insulin or antibiotics.

Naturopathic Physicians:

Improving The Quality Of Your Life If you are looking for an innovative, holistic approach to your health, consider the services of a Naturopathic Physician.

Drawing on a combination of ancient, traditional and modern medicine, a naturopathic physician can help you achieve a better quality of life than you’ve ever imagined. Contrary to popular belief, naturopathic medicine is not a faithbased medicine; rather, it is a system of medicine based on your body’s natural ability to heal itself. It does not dismiss 142

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Naturopathic physicians provide a valuable service to the community. They are devoted to their patients, and must spend more than 4,500 classroom hours learning naturopathic medicine in an accredited school to be able to perform their jobs. They must also complete 1,500 hours of clinical training and pass comprehensive board exams to be certified. In all, naturopathic doctors will complete approximately eight years of post-secondary education to insure that they can serve their patients in the best way possible. All naturopathic physicians are regulated, and must answer to an approved college.

The principles of naturopathic medicine are based on three concepts: the cause of illness, obstacles to curing illness, and how an illness can be addressed and treated to increase the quality of a patient’s life.

When addressing your medical concerns, your naturopathic physician will try to come up with a treatment plan that suits you best. Patients with chronic pain, skin problems, or a multitude of health issues can rely on a naturopathic physician to take the extra time to educate them and treat their conditions. Naturopathic doctors may use intravenous therapies, acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine and physical manipulation techniques, neutraceuticals (high-dose

vitamins) and botanical medicine, or a combination of these, to help you feel your best. They can also work in collaboration with your family physician to treat any health-care issue imaginable.

A naturopathic physician brings a special set of abilities to your health concerns.

He or she understands the physiology of the body and illness as a traditional physician would, but also considers the entire “state” of the patient—that is, a patient’s values, attitudes, and lifestyle—during the treatment process.

A naturopathic doctor treats each patient as an individual. Medical treatment is always tailored to your specific needs, and there is no such thing as a generic approach to your concerns.

Naturopathic medicine is always based on the gentlest, most effective approach to your health. Your naturopathic doctor can treat any medical condition, interpret and order any medical testing or lab work you need, and will always follow scientific evidence when it is available.

Whether you simply want to know more, or want a new way to approach your health, an hour-long consultation with a naturopathic physician will provide an in-depth analysis of any medical concern you may have.

Visit a naturopathic doctor today for a positive healing experience that you will not forget. FLEW

MOM OF THREE GETS A LIFT TO HER FACE AND HER CONFIDENCE

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arol and Lloyd her husband of “35 memorable years,” work together in their own construction and roofing business. The 53-year-old mom of three grown children started thinking about a facelift.

Says Carol of her experience, “They gave me a great information package and all my questions were answered. Of course, I could access WLF on Facebook and online.

It didn’t take me long to decide to have the facelift surgery.”

Carol calls WLF her family for a reason.

Their support before, during and after the surgery, and throughout recovery was “heartwarming, and above and beyond anything I ever expected.” She learned about Dr. Marcos Rodas, the plastic surgeon at the WLF Centre for Excellence, and was comfortable with him from the beginning.

“Meeting him in person to discuss my concerns and hopes helped me relax and completely trust him,” says Carol. “My husband was with me and was so impressed with everyone and how they all responded immediately to any questions or concerns he had, too. Dr. Rodas included him and asked his thoughts when options were outlined.”

Any regrets? Not one. Lloyd says he “can’t believe that he is lucky enough to hang out with such a young sexy chick,” Carol laughs.

More importantly, she says, “I think I look and feel so much younger, a smaller version of myself at 40.” FLEW www.weightlossforever.ca 136-1621 Albert Street Regina SK 306.352.8446 Toll Free 1.877.306.8891

Carol Caron After

Carol Caron Before

“Griffin” at Prairie Animal Health Centre Doggy Daycare.

Prairie animal HealtH Centre raising the Standard for Care

By Trilby Henderson Photos by Brent Hume and Erin Tollefson rairie Animal Health Centre (PAHC) is changing the face of veterinary care for clients in the Estevan and Weyburn areas. “Our practice really focuses a lot on creating a standard of care in medicine and having the best technology available to make sure our pets are well taken care of,” said Kristin Caldwell, Practice Manager and Registered Veterinary Technologist.

PAHC is owned by Dr. Jeremy and Dr. Carol Ross, a husband and wife veterinarian team. They are proud to have their businesses in agricultural communities where they can raise their family and provide great care to their patients. Veterinary medicine has been an integral part of Jeremy and Carol’s family for several generations and has seven practicing veterinarians within their 144

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family. Its two clinics, located in Weyburn and Estevan, employ a total of seven veterinarians and 35 support staff. The 10,000 square foot Estevan clinic also encompasses a pet motel and doggy daycare, and the Ross’ own and operate Cowtown Estevan at a separate location in the community.

While small animal care accounts for the majority of PAHC’s business, both clinics continue to support large animal producers, such as cattle and horse owners, by consulting with them on the best way to treat and manage their livestock and providing emergency care as needed. Caldwell said PAHC provides unique services, such as equine massage, and employs cutting edge technology, such as pregnancy testing by ultrasound, to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and quality of care they are able to offer.

“Our goal is to make sure we improve the quality of life and performance for the animals and the people that depend on them,” she said.

Dental Care for Dogs and Cats PAHC has recently revamped its dental program, with one of the biggest changes being that the clinic now offers digital x-rays, similar to what pet owners receive at their own dentist. “We’ve really advanced our dental services in the last year,” said PAHC veterinarian Catherine Colodey.

Most dental health problems begin below the gum line, where 60 per cent of the tooth resides, said Colodey.

By taking full mouth x-rays of all of the pet’s teeth before any dental procedure is performed, PAHC’s veterinarians can get a much better idea of the health of the entire tooth. “We’re pretty proud of that. There are not a lot of places that do offer that,” she said. “The x-rays really help us evaluate the health of the teeth from the root down. We know when something is going on, because often times it starts beneath the surface and creeps its way out until it becomes an obvious problem. We can now usually catch these things a lot earlier.”

While dogs and cats experience dental pain the same as humans, they don’t always express their discomfort, which makes it difficult for pet owners to detect when their pet is having a challenge. Colodey recommends owners take advantage of dental checkups that the clinic offers by bringing their pets in for regular visual dental exams. “It’s best to find these [issues] as early as you can and deal with them as early as you can, too,” she said. “We can’t see everything that’s going on but a lot of times we can get a pretty good idea whether or not a tooth needs to be extracted.”

Colodey said PAHC always puts the pet under general anesthesia before completing a comprehensive dental exam and procedure. This reduces stress for the animal and enables the veterinarian to get a much more thorough look at their mouths. While some pet owners may be concerned about complications from the anesthesia, Colodey assures that the risk is quite low. “It’s quite safe and they are monitored very, very carefully,” she said, adding that PAHC uses some of the best monitoring equipment available and dedicates one person to monitoring the pet throughout the procedure.

“There is still a risk, but we minimize it to the smallest level that we can,” she said.

Photos: (1) Dr. Cory Davis performing a teeth cleaning; (2)Dr. Catherine Colodey examining McGee’s teeth.

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Drs. Jeremy and Carol Ross, Jaycee, Sydney and Hugh.

Small Animal Wellness Services PAHC offers a full range of small pet health and wellness services, from surgeries such as fracture repair, spays and neuters, to routine vaccinations and check-ups. They have in-house equipment that allows them to get blood work results within 30 minutes, and use other high-end technology, such as digital x-rays and ultrasound, to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of both diagnosis and treatment. “The earlier we catch even the little things, the better the prognosis,” Colodey said.

The clinic also focuses on pain management and keeping pet owners informed of their pet’s care and progress, including how they should care for their pet at home. They try to maintain consistent care teams for each pet they treat, and have on call veterinarians for health emergencies.

“Clients usually comment that we give more information and better follow-up than they receive from their own doctors,” said Caldwell. “We do definitely strive to make sure that we are compassionate with the animals and that people feel that, not only was their pet taken care of, but we help their needs too.” FLEW

Prairie Animal Health Centre & Prairie Pet Motel 108 Breeze St. & Hwy 39 W., Estevan, SK, p: 306.634.7123 416 - 7th St. W., Weyburn, SK, p: 306.842.7677 www.prairieanimalhealthcentre.com Weyburn Centre Back: Dr. Davis, Amanda, Dr. Clarke, Julie RVT, Dr. Colodey, Janelle RVT Front: Crystal (Petey), Kathy, Karla RVT, Lisa RVT Estevan Centre Back: Robin, Tammi (Penny), Shauncee, Sandip RVT (hamster in his hand Gus), Shauna, Dr. Bergermann, Christie-Lee, and Troy.

Front: Kristin RVT (Jed), Shelley (Ben), Alicia RVT (Fizz), Sue (Andy), Melody RVT (Dutch), Darlene (Tiki ), and Rose (Griffin)

Does Yoga have any real health benefits?

Ashley Hodgkin Owner/Instructor

1776 - 1st Ave. NE Weyburn, SK S4H 3E8 306.861.0582 syoga@live.ca

Yoga is one of very few activities that not only provides an entire range of physical health benefits, but also provides mental and emotional relief to those who practice it.

The thousands of yoga poses that exist were created to stretch and tone every single muscle in the body. As you progress through the class, specific muscles are isolated, stretched, and strengthened. Gradually and safely your flexibility increases, your muscles grow, and you gain a much better feeling for your body and what it is capable of.

In addition, the yoga that we teach at Sadhana Yoga is a form called Flow Yoga. Flow yoga incorporates movement between the poses to provide an aerobic workout as well.

Yoga also benefits your body internally.

The Asanas, or yoga postures, that we perform help to squeeze the old, stale, and toxin-laded blood from our organs so that it can be replaced with fresh, oxygen-rich nutritious blood.

This stimulation and massaging of the organs detoxifies our bodies and helps to prevent toxin buildup and disease.

Your digestion will improve, along with your circulation, immune system, and lymphatic system.

For many people the greatest benefit of a yoga practice is its ability to provide relief from body pain. We develop pain for different reasons, sometimes injury, sometimes lifestyle. When you practice yoga, you undo the effect of your life on your body. You release a surprising amount of tension and learn techniques suited to your body that can be used to help provide natural pain relief.

Yoga also provides many mental benefits for those who practice it. It gives us an awareness of our body that leads to an enthusiasm for life and provides a boost to self-confidence that truly empowers people. Unlike other physical activities, yoga does not compare your abilities to other people. It is all about you and developing your abilities.

One of the most important aspects of yoga is learning to breathe properly.

Most people breathe very superficially and shallowly. In yoga you learn to breathe deeply and to use your full lung capacity. Our bodies require oxygen to survive, and learning to breath deeply provides your cells with the fresh oxygen that we need to thrive.

To summarize: does yoga provide any real health benefits? Yes. It provides stretching, strengthening, and detoxification to our bodies, while at the same time reducing our stress levels and teaching us how to deal with stressful situations. Combined, these factors lead to an increase in enthusiasm and appreciation for life. This translates to a healthier and happier you. You will build confidence in yourself, develop acceptance of your body, and find a sense of inner peace and joy.

I urge you to attend a class and try it for yourself.

Ashley Hodgkin is a yogi with more than 10 years of experience. As the owner and teacher at Sadhana Yoga, Ashley enjoys sharing the physical and mental health benefits of yoga with her students. FLEW

You will find yourself less anxious and better able to handle stress. There is a sense of inner peace and tranquility that comes from the practice that grows inside of you.

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Left to Right: Troy Dudziak - Manager of Professional Services, Tony Melaragno - Senior IT Support Engineer, Dwaine Senechal - IT Support Technician, Patricia Rawlick - Web Service Manager, Kevin Rawlick - President/CTO. Missing: Leah Scriven - Controller/Dispatch

RAWTEC SUPPLIES THE PEACE OF MIND ONLY A PROFESSIONAL I.T. FIRM CAN OFFER

By Nykea Marie Behiel. Photos by Carol Gillis.

ou wouldn’t think of sending your accountant to fix the leaky pipe in the basement, your first thought would be to call a plumber. So why would you expect them to be an expert when the computers crash?

A number of years ago, Kevin Rawlick realized that there is a need in today’s small- and medium-sized business world that was going largely unfilled. As

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a result, business owners were spending more than necessary when it comes to technological needs.

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Rawlick moved south of the border 15 years ago to take advantage of a hockey scholarship. He eventually settled in Ohio and accepted a job with an accounting firm as a Network Administrator. Kevin spent a few years acquiring and refining

his skills as in internal IT consultant before creating RawTec Consulting, a firm dedicated to customer service and simplifying technology for businesses.

After establishing a loyal clientele in Cleveland, Ohio, Rawlick had the opportunity to do some work in Yorkton.

“We were able to do the fix remotely from Cleveland,” he says “that was kind of a foot in the door.”

“We take care of your network so you can take of your business.”

Rawlick had often considered moving back to Saskatchewan, he wanted his children to experience life as he had growing up. After speaking with local business owners, Rawlick discovered there was a definite need for an IT firm in Yorkton. It was the chance he was waiting for to expand his company. With a successfully established business in Ohio and a capable partner at the helm, he packed his bags and relocated to Saskatchewan with his wife, Patti, and three children.

Full of opportunities, Rawlick is thrilled to be in Yorkton. However, he has noticed that many business owners are not proactive in regards to IT, but rather wait until a problem arises. This is costly in both dollars and time. When a system crashes, someone on staff, usually not trained in IT, tries to fix the problem. Between time, parts, and a lack of knowledge, businesses often spend more money than if an IT company was hired to manage the system properly.

“Employees should be doing what they do best rather than fixing computers, but unfortunately, that’s who most often gets coerced into it,” Kevin says.

RawTec works with clients to find solutions that meet individual needs.

Taking a proactive approach, they save business owners money by increasing productivity and minimizing downtime.

RawTec provides services that span the continent, with clients in Atlanta Georgia through to Western Canada. RawTec is a leading provider of IT application and infrastructure solutions for organizations across North America.

“At the end of the day, and I know it’s a cliché, but we really build a relationship with the company and every relationship is unique. The only thing that remains consistent is our focus on our clients, return on investment (ROI), and total cost of ownership (TCO)”, says Kevin.

RawTec customizes, optimizes and provides technological assurance. They don’t just fix computers—they provide peace of mind.

How much would you pay for total peace of mind? Costs are minimal, says Rawlick, and customers in turn are provided with 24-hour, seven-day-a-week assurance their systems will always be up and running. This is a guarantee successful businesses cannot go without.

“Our sole purpose of existence is to build trustworthy relationships while providing Information Technology solutions to our clients that create the best return on their investment, maximize their production and facilitate their growth.” – Kevin Rawlick echoes RawTec’s mission statement. FLEW

From server/network installations, helpdesk, remote backup, system monitoring, Voice Over IP (VOIP) solutions, and web design, RawTec works with its clients to ensure profitability and performance. An exclusive dealer of Star2Star VOIP systems, RawTec can provide your business with a professional and reliable way to manage communications.

Dwaine Senechal, IT Support Technician

RawTec Consulting P.O. Box 1441, Yorkton, SK S3N 3G3 p: 1.877.373.0088 e: sales@rawtec.com www.rawtec.com

Kevin Rawlick, President/CTO

ExcElling “I Your FitnEss

have always been an avid ‘gym rat’ and have been going to Excel Fitness ever since it opened.

Once the opportunity came to become a partner in the gym, I didn’t hesitate,” comments co-owner Judy Istace when speaking about her enthusiasm with fitness and why she jumped at the opportunity to be part owner in September 2011. It’s that same enthusiasm Istace and partners Lyle Grube and Burt Blondeau share with anybody looking to get in shape or live a healthier lifestyle.

By Sarah Ferguson Photos by Doug Sully

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Excel Fitness offers practically everything you need to be successful in your health and fitness goals. They have a wide variety of cardio and strength training machines as well as a large room—that can be rented to outside instructors—which is used as a stretching/ core training room when it’s not being used for yoga classes. Yoga teacher Cori-Lynn McIvors, who has 24 years of experience in the fitness industry, teaches a style that heals, detoxifies, and exhilarates the body and mind with emphasis on movement, balance, and intention.

Helping You Every Step of the Way If you’ve been hesitant to go to the gym because you are unfamiliar with the equipment and where to start, then you can sign up for a free consultation with one of Excel Fitness’ two resident on-site trainers. Both Chalsey Anderson, who is also the manager, and Cody Baril are ISSA Certified Personal Trainers and can help you reach your nutrition, training, and fitness goals through motivation and support.

Excel Fitness also keeps things fresh with The Shake of the Week promotion giving members the most variety possible so even your post-workout shakes don’t get boring. “Our shakes are made with the best protein and natural ingredients to get what you need in your body after a vigorous workout,” explains Istace when commenting about the promotion and the 20% discount members receive off all supplements.

Excel even offers members unlimited tanning for $15 per month to make your journey to looking your best as smooth as possible.

Accommodating the Masses The clean and friendly atmosphere offered by Excel Fitness will make anybody feel comfortable and relaxed when it comes to exercising and having a good time while you are. With one of their youngest members being only 13 years old, it is a place for all ages who want to exercise and be healthy. They also understand the people of Estevan and make getting to the gym for a workout as simple as they possibly can. “With all the different shift work around Estevan, we had to offer earlier and later hours to accommodate everyone. “ If you are looking for a friendly place where you can come to enjoy and attain the gift of health then Excel Fitness has everything you need. #1 461 King St., Estevan, SK 306 636-2639 excelfit@excelfitnessonline.com www.excelfitnessonline.com FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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Dr. Pompa was recognized as a World Leader in Bariatric Surgery by Newsweek Magazine TM

A

ONE OF THE TOP 10 BARIATRIC HOSPITALS IN THE WORLD A Canadian First, Weight Loss Forever Achieves Center of Excellence Designation

BY KARIN MELBERG SCHWIER

By Karin Melberg Schwier

fter a grueling two-year review by the American Surgical Review Corporation, Weight Loss Forever (WLF)’s hospital was recently designated as an International Bariatric Center of Excellence, one of only 18 in the world. WLF met and exceeded stringent requirements in three areas: the hospital, the surgeon, and the bariatric program.

Melanie Wildman, President & CEO of WLF, says, “We’re a world-renowned bariatric hospital with exceedingly high standards, excellent patient care and compassionate support. What is at stake is our patients’ health and well being, and our license. It’s our dedication to our patients that make us one of the top 10 bariatric hospitals in the world,” she adds.

WLF’s Chief Bariatric Surgeon is Mayo Clinic-trained Dr. Liza Pompa, MD, Ph.D, AFACS. She is board-certified in the United States and is the first female in the world to be awarded Surgeon of Excellence.

WLF encourages people to do careful research and has developed the guide How to Research Your Surgeon. Patient safety is the primary consideration.

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Their hospital and medical staff are held to rigorous standards and unannounced, independent inspections.

WLF’s patients include doctors, specialists, government officials, lawyers, teachers, mechanics and farmers. Obesity is the #1 preventable cause of death in Canada. WLF’s award winning support program gives patients the tools they need to achieve long-term success – and surgery is just one part of the solution.

Over the last four years, over 800 patients received surgery and support through WLF’s program. There are offices in Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Lethbridge and Fredericton, NB, with specialists throughout the country. FLEW

Take a tour of the hospital here

Weight Loss Forever 15 - 901 1st Avenue North, Saskatoon 306.665.8891 Toll Free 1.877.306.8891 patientservices@weightlossforever.ca www.weightlossforever.ca http://facebook.com/WLForever

HUMBOLDT MAN MAKES A DRAMATIC CHANGE FOR THE

BETTER I

’ve always struggled with my weight from childhood. I continuously tried to diet on my own with some success, but I always gained it back plus more. Finally last year I hit my highest weight of 283 pounds. I’m 5’11” and I knew I was only going to go much higher if I didn’t do something.

I have a lot more energy throughout the day. My history of depression is now completely in control. Food no longer has power over me. I don’t feel the hunger or the cravings like I used to, especially for junk food. I now eat a healthy amount and I am very satisfied for a long time. I know I’ve added many years to my life and that every one of them will be so much better. The sleeve was the best decision I’ve ever made. I feel so good about myself and my only regret is not doing it sooner.

I had a very easy recovery and quick results. WLF has been terrific; they would call me every day and the support has been amazing. They were extremely thorough and very honest. I recommend the entire team at WLF to anyone. The experience has made me into a new healthy person, one that I will be the rest of my life. FLEW

“My only regret is not doing it sooner” Chris Hergott

Chris, before losing 100lbs with WLF www.weightlossforever.ca 136-1621 Albert Street Regina SK 306.352.8446 Toll Free 1.877.306.8891

HOW JASON GAINED HIS HEALTH AND HAPPINESS BACK

BY KARIN MELBERG SCHWIER

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.J. “Jason” Everett struggled with obesity most of his young life. Always a big guy, Jason assumed his European background was the reason for being of good, solid stock. But “there were never limits on eating in my family,” he explains. “I was always physical, so it wasn’t until I was in mid 20’s when things really got out of hand.” Suddenly it was far more serious than just being a “big guy.” High blood pressure, diabetes and, Jason says, “all the ‘large person’ health problems.”

Jason is one of the 1% of patients who experienced a post-surgery complication. “My facilitator Julie was right there with me. Melanie drove down from Saskatoon and my doctor was on a teleconference with Dr. Pompa to share the information about my surgery. When I had a hospital stay, the Regina support group met at the hospital so I could attend. I was also so pleased with all the support from everyone on the WLF website and Facebook group, patients and facilitators alike. I couldn’t go to the Christmas party in Saskatoon so they even made me a video greeting and I was so happy. It felt like I was there with everybody.” Jason says he still feels “completely taken care of” throughout the journey.

“I just moved to Saskatoon and got a job right away at a tire shop,” Jason says. “Life is physically so much easier since I’ve lost over 145 pounds since October of last year. I am embracing a whole new life and outlook, enjoying meeting new people in Saskatoon, and happy to be telling my story.”

Another exciting chapter in Jason’s story is completing his first fun run, the Bridge City Boogie 5 km, in June. FLEW

“Life is so much easier” Jason Everett

Jason, before losing 145lbs www.weightlossforever.ca 136-1621 Albert Street Regina SK 306.352.8446 Toll Free 1.877.306.8891 154

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Take a tour of the hospital here

From the Greek plastikos, which means to mold or shape

PLASTIC SURGEON’S PASSION FAR MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

BY KARIN MELBERG SCHWIER

P

lastic surgery combines both art and science, and both are fields I am passionate about,” Dr. Rodas told Fine Lifestyles. “It is a profession where you can change and improve lives.”

“Plastic surgery involves reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. There still exists a misconception of vanity that is not applicable any more,” Dr. Rodas insists.

“This profession is much deeper than the concept of aesthetics alone.”

Dr. Rodas Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Weight Loss Forever 15 - 901 1st Avenue North, Saskatoon 306.665.8891 Toll Free 1.877.306.8891 patientservices@weightlossforever.ca www.weightlossforever.ca http://facebook.com/WLForever

“Plastic surgery gives priority to the functionality of the body. Self-esteem is very important and is no longer a taboo subject,” explains Dr. Rodas.

“Changes in body contour, combined with psychosocial aspects, may lead to embarrassment or difficulty in everyday life. The goal of plastic surgery is to improve a person’s quality of life.”

He encourages potential patients to become well informed about plastic surgery and research their surgeon.

“One of the most common misconceptions of plastic surgery is that it’s magic,” Dr. Rodas explains.

“We are working with living tissue so it is very hard to predict a perfect result since there can be slight asymmetry, for example. Another misconception is that surgery is always complicationfree since the plastic surgery patient is healthy,” he adds. “As in any procedure, there is a risk, but with a qualified, experienced surgeon and team these can be managed correctly.”

“When patients come to us, they always receive the best care available,” says Dr. Rodas. “Our patients are not treated as a business, but with human care and kindness. The beautiful results and word of mouth from our patients is the reason we are in such high demand today.”FLEW (A plastic surgeon for nearly 18 years, Dr. Rodas has presented a variety of courses, and national and international medical conferences. He is also Board Certified by the Mexican Association of Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and of the Baja California Association of Plastic Surgery. To learn more about Dr. Rodas’s credentials, or if you wonder if you are a candidate for this type of surgery, visit www.weightlossforever. ca, and click on Plastic Surgery.)

www.weightlossforever.ca 136-1621 Albert Street Regina SK 306.352.8446 Toll Free 1.877.306.8891 FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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BaBy NixoN: OvercOming the Odds

By Ryan Holota

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ixon Lawson looks like any other five month old boy. He smiles and laughs, likes being tickled, and loves his mommy and daddy, Shantal Ecarnot and Cole Lawson.

However, Nixon isn’t just like any other baby boy. He was born with a congenital heart defect and without a thymus gland. His heart condition (pulmonary artresia with VSD) can be dealt with through a surgery that is scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer in Edmonton. He may need follow-up surgeries, but this procedure will effectively restore his heart to normal function.

The missing thymus gland, however, is a more complicated problem. The thymus gland is a specialized part of the immune system that is critical in preventing disease and infection. Nixon’s small or missing thymus gland was revealed during a pregnancy ultrasound, and the effects of that missing gland were noticed soon after birth. Suffering from the effects of pneumonia, Nixon was sent to the Calgary Children’s Hospital to meet with an immunologist. Nixon’s parents’ worst fears were confirmed: Nixon did not have a functioning immune system. Most babies in this condition do not live more than two years.

Thankfully, the doctor offered a ray of hope. A doctor at Duke University in North Carolina, M. Louise Merkert (M.D. Ph.D) has developed an experimental surgery that could allow Nixon to live a long and normal life. In an interview on CNN, Dr. Merkert explained the procedure, “…we obtain thymus tissue from babies who are having heart surgery. Because the thymus sits on the heart, and covers it up actually, some of it has to be removed for the surgeon to get to the heart.

Instead of throwing it in the trash, they put it in a sterile cup.”

If they have a baby in the hospital that can use the tissue, and the parents of the baby who is having heart surgery consent, slices of the thymus tissue are inserted into the thigh muscle of the baby who is missing their thymus gland. The success rate for this surgery is excellent.”

The procedure costs about $500,000, and thankfully, the province of Saskatchewan has agreed to cover the surgery costs. However, the family must travel to North Carolina and live there for up to six months while waiting for thymus tissue to become available and for Nixon to recover. During recovery, Nixon must be isolated to prevent exposure to infection while his immune system develops. There is no funding from the province for the family to stay in North Carolina.

Friends and family created The Nixon Fund to help raise money for Nixon’s parents to be with him in North Carolina and enable the surgery to take place. A Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/TheNixonFund) provides updates on Nixon and fundraising progress. The family holds events to raise money, but more donations are desperately needed to help this little boy experience all that life has to offer. You can help by making a donation to The Nixon Lawson Fund at the Affinity Credit Union branch at 4503 Rochdale Blvd. FLEW

What customers are saying about

Iron Bar FItness Dave Knipfel Iron Bar Fitness is a wonderful environment to train in, and Mandi is a dedicated and inspirational trainer.

Doing these CrossFit® inspired workouts has changed me entirely.

Instead of feeing tired and achy all of the time, I am full of energy and I have a new zest for life. On top of that I have lost 45 pounds and over 22 inches in only 3 short months. I LOVE Iron Bar Fitness as well as Mandi and Brandon— they have an amazing facility and, even better, they are amazing people.

I am better at work, better at life, and things keep getting better every day. I owed it to myself, and it’s been the best decision I have ever made.

Susan Minard I hired Mandi in Sept. 2011 after not working out for several years. I had no idea how it would go but I knew I needed a PT to get me back into gear.

I knew immediately that it was going to be a successful venture. After sitting and talking with me to establish my goals, we did measurements and began my program within a couple of days.

I have always felt comfortable at Iron Bar Fitness. That was important. It is all about a healthy lifestyle and body—not just about losing weight. That being said, Mandi pushes me to levels that I wouldn’t achieve just going on my own.

She knows what I want to accomplish, and with her encouragement and knowledge, I know I will reach my goals.

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Mandi is also well-versed in nutrition and supplements which is an added bonus. She’s there to help us all become more fit and healthy. Most importantly… you will never be judged at Iron Bar Fitness. You will only be encouraged.

Health is #1!

Todd Gardner After breaking my back in a snowmobiling accident I became overweight and lazy, with no ambition.

After some serious discussions with my friend and training partner, we decided to try and turn our lives around by going to the gym and involving a personal trainer to kick our butts into gear! After hiring Mandi we could not have asked for a better person to help motivate and keep us in line. The programs designed

are incredible, and the entire atmosphere at Iron Bar Fitness is just want we needed. We really have not looked back. Our energy levels have increased ten-fold, and quite honestly this is the best decision I have made in the last ten years.

Tammy Bell I am very excited about the future of Iron Bar Fitness with Mandi and Brandon as the new owners. Their passion and commitment to health and fitness is evident, and so is the care they have for their members.

Last August I began personal training with Mandi and WOW, let me tell you, she sure knows how to design a program that is just right for your ability with room to push you just a little bit beyond what you thought was possible. Even though I have been going to the gym for quite some time, I never thought I would be capable of what Mandi now has me doing. My energy and strength levels have increased tremendously and inches lost are icing on the cake!

Shauna MacDougall Whether it is super early at 5 in the morning or a later training session at 5 at night, Mandi is always cheerful and upbeat. She has a gentle yet commanding way with her training that makes me want to work harder for myself and for her. It is great to have a trainer with a vast array of knowledge on healthy eating, especially when it comes to living gluten-free.

The gym itself is always fresh and clean and it is a great atmosphere to train in — the owners trust their members, however they are always available if you have questions or just need some help with the equipment. If you are looking for an energetic trainer or a great place to workout, then Iron Bar Fitness is the place to be!

Katie Garven CrossFit® training has made me feel so amazing; I have more energy, more motivation and I see and feel my muscles becoming stronger and more toned. I’m not a big girl but I had some extra weight, and in three months I lost a total of 7 1/2 inches! Iron Bar Fitness has a very welcoming, clean environment and all the equipment is easy to use. I can’t say enough good things about this gym, and I will continue working out here as long as I am in Weyburn!

Iron Bar Fitness 534 5th St, Weyburn, SK 306 861.9395

Bell Medical Aesthetics is introducing the HydraFacial No downtime, instant results you can see, a facial like you’ve never had before The HydraFacial is a skin resurfacing procedure that uses vortex technology to rejuvenate your skin. It cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and hydrates your skin instantly. It uses advanced medical technology to achieve instant, lasting results.

The HydraFacial is suitable for all skin types, and is ranked above IPL for skin rejuvenation. It’s a non-invasive procedure that shows immediate results without discomfort or downtime. The HyrdaFacial targets specific skin concerns such as sun damage, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, dry and dehydrated skin, acne prone, aging skin and oily congested skin.

If you are looking to have healthy skin for life then HydraFacial is your answer. Skin health is a lifestyle that requires monthly maintenance and the right treatment, The HydraFacial is not just a quick fix procedure, but it also helps improve the quality and health of your skin and protects it from future skin damage.

Candyce Bell

Clinic Owner & Operator Certified Medical Aesthetics Nurse

Bell Medical Aesthetics 3 - 419 Kensington Avenue Estevan, SK S4A 2H8 p: 306.634.6789 e: cbell@bellmedicalaesthetics.com bellmedicalaesthetics.com

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Understanding skin damage is the key to keeping your skin healthy. Every day we expose our skin to the free radicals of stress, pollution, toxins and, worst of all, sunlight. These free radicals are the largest factors of skin damage and aging.

They destroy the make-up of our skin cells, which causes pre-mature aging.

There are 2 different classes of UV rays—UVA, which are aging rays, and UVB, which are burning rays. Both are a major concern for our skins health. UVA

rays have the same damaging effects at all times. UVB rays result in surface burns of the skin, which can lead to hyperpigmentation.

The best defense against these free radicals is anti-oxidants. They neutralize free radicals, restoring and protecting the skin. This is why the HydraFacial is so important—not only does it remove surface damage such as dead skin cells and impurities, but it also replenishes the skin with anti-oxidants through VortexFusion, the most advanced application of nutrients to the skin.

The Vortex-Fusion technology infuses anti-oxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid. The procedure is soothing, moisturizing, non-irritating and immediately effective. Each treatment uses a HydraPeel tip, which is used to exfoliate the skin several times achieving optimal results. The unique spiral design creates a vortex effect to easily dislodge and remove impurities while simultaneously hydrating the skin and introducing anti-oxidants.

Bell Medical Aesthetics is also now offering Hair Rejuvenation with the illumiWave. It rejuvenates hair thickness, fullness, texture, density, health and appearance with a true laser bio-stimulation. Because of this, hair rejuvenation with the illuiWave is a no pain, non-invasive treatment.

Hair is an important part of our appearance and hair loss can alter our looks dramatically. It also has a serious impact on self-esteem and selfconfidence. A recent study showed that half of all men and one third of all women have hair loss concerns. Our goals are to make you feel more confident and to help you feel better about your appearance.

The sooner you start the illumiWave treatments the quicker we can assist in stopping the progression of hair loss and reverse the hair loss process.

Early diagnosis is also a key to effective treatment so the sooner you get started, the better.

Hair growth is affected by hormones and nutrition.

Dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT, is the main cause of hair loss. It disrupts the cell binding of essential proteins and nutrients to be carried to the follicle. Over time the lack of transported proteins and nutrients to the follicle leads to the weakening in hair structure.

The illumiWave increases cellular stimulation in the hair follicle, and helps repair the weakening hair stem cells. It increases blood flow to the hair follicle along with essential nutrients of proteins and calcium. It inhibits and decreases the effects of DHT. IllumiWave prevents follicular swelling, tissue death and and increase mRNA production which helps make your stem cells work harder and faster.

Hair growth has 3 stages—the growing phase, the resting phase and the shedding phase. About 84% of hair is in the growing phase, which is about 1 centimeter every 28 days. 2% of the hair is in the resting phase when growing stops. 10-15% of hair is in the shedding phase. Of 100,000 hairs approximately 100 are lost per day.

Hair rejuvenation is not only for men but for women as well.

40 million women currently suffer from hair loss. Over 50% of women by the age of 50 will experience hair loss, some as early as age 35.

There are different types of hair loss that occur in women •

• • •

Telogen Effuvium: Hair shedding caused by stress from something tramatic to the body, for example: chemo, pregnancy or child birth, divorce.

Alopecia Areata: Round patterns of hair loss.

Androgenic (Androgenetic) Alopecia: Genetic hair loss, which normal occurs with the widening of the part in women.

Traction Alopeica: Damage to the hair follicle by over processing the hair or pulling the hair too much with hair

extensions, tightly braiding or ponytails. This may be permanent and can cause scarring.

Hair loss affects women differently than it affects a man. The smartest, most beautiful women—when faced with hair loss— go into a shell as soon as it starts happening. They end up not wanting to socialize or go out.

Clients should follow a 6-12 month treatment program and continue with maintenance thereafter. Treatments can be customized to any lifestyle.

Female Results: 87.5% stabilization of hair loss in frontal area 100% stabilization of hair loss in vertex area 75% stabilization of hair regrowth in frontal area 96.4% increased hair regrowth in vertex area

Male Results: 100% stabilization of hair loss in frontal and vertex areas 84.6% increased hair regrowth in frontal area 82.8% increased hair regrowth in vertex area For anyone losing their hair, IllumiWave is definitely worth it! FLEW

Bell Medical Aesthetics 3-419 Kensington Ave, Estevan, SK S4A 2B4 306 634.6789 e: cbell@bellmedicalaesthetics.com bellmedicalaesthetics.com

Damara Day Spa 1800 Victoria Ave E. Regina, SK 306 347.2511

REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST STARTING BEGINNING OF JULY AT BELL MEDICAL AESTHETICS. Bell Medical Aesthetics wants to help make getting the massage you want even easier. We offer DIRECT billing for those who have Direct West Life as their insurance provider.

This includes Sasktel, Sask Energy, Sask Power and Sun Country Health Region. That means no out of pocket expense to receive your treatment. We provide a wide variety of massages including hot stone, aromatherapy and more.

Please check out our website for more details and pricing.

FineLifestyles Estevan/Weyburn

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Dustin Krepakevich, Field Operations Manager; Shelly Ross, General Manager; and Kelly Stoll, Owner .

Piece of Mind Photos by Carol’s Photography.

ith more than 30 years of service in the security industry Gardon Securities has a solid reputation for a fast, efficient response to every alarm. Gardon’s professional operators are trained to act quickly, with precision and confidence, whenever our Monitoring Centre receives an alarm. No recorded messages: you are always greeted by a live operator located in Saskatchewan.

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“Somewhere along the line the personal experience has left the security industry,” says Gardon Securities owner Kelly Stoll. “We all experience frustration contacting service providers: press one for this department, press three for this service...

Home and business are personal, and people deserve to know and trust the people who provide them, their families, their loved ones and their staff with that most crucial service.”

To ensure an accurate response, Gardon’s advanced monitoring equipment interprets and records each signal, while operators rapidly access information to relay vital facts to the authorities.

Gardon Securities’ quality and performance meet or exceed the Canadian Standards Association’s strict requirements for electronic safety and security equipment. Gardon uses DSC product, the finest equipment in the industry, and maintains telephone, cellular and internet monitoring using triple-redundant systems. A telephone line is no longer required to have a monitored alarm system.

Gardon Securities is one of the few companies in Saskatchewan to offer all three monitoring options.

Many insurance companies offer a discount of up to 25 per cent off your home policy when you have a home security system. A monitored security system offers peace of mind. If you travel, the stay mode feature allows you to be protected from home invasions even while loved ones or pets roam freely inside your home. Gardon Securities’ monitored systems also provide protection from intrusion, fires, floods, carbon monoxide gas and damage due to low temperatures. FLEW

35 Betts Ave, Yorkton, Sk, S3N 1M1 p: 306-782-0211 tf: 1.888.782.0211 e: admin@gardonsecurities.com www.gardonsecurities.com

Photos: (1) Dustin Krepakevich, Field Operations Manager; (2) Keypad for security system ; (3) Gardon Securities Head Office.

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