such as the Arctic Circle. The aurora borealis is caused by the
interaction of charged particles from the sun with Earth’s magnetosphere. While auroras can occasionally be visible in southern Saskatchewan during periods of heightened solar activity and favorable geomagnetic conditions, their frequency of occurrence
in this region is generally lower compared to more northern latitudes.
The term “aurora borealis” comes from the Latin words “aurora,” meaning “dawn,” and “borealis”, derived from the name of the ancient god of the north wind Boreas, meaning “of the north.” It is named after
the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the northern location where the phenomenon is often observed. Overall, the aurora borealis is a captivating manifestation of the complex interaction between the sun, Earth’s magnetic field, and the planet’s atmosphere.
Estevan - Little J's Food Town - 938 Eva
Estevan - Pharmasave - 1239 5th Street
Weyburn - Pharmasave - 30-3rd Street
Oxbow - Southern Plains Co-op - 405 Prospect Ave
Fri, May 17 - Arcola 2024 Graduation
Sat, May 18 - Carlyle Town Wide Garage Sale
first stop to find
Sat, May 18 - High Tea Bake Sale - Carlyle Library - 2pm - 4pm
Wed, May 22 - Oxbow Car Seat Clinic
Wed, May 22 - Rebekah Hamburger Lunch - Kisbey Rec. Centre - 11:30am - 1pm
Thurs, May 23 - Carlyle Car Seat Clinic
Sun, May 26 - Manor Town Wide Garage Sale
Thurs, May 30 - Lampman Car Seat Clinic
Fri, May 31 - Redvers 2024 Graduation
By Stephanie ZoerTri Tran, his wife Ann Nguyen and his sister Charlie Tran moved to Canada from Vietnam in 2010, and they have loved living here.
After living in Regina, they moved to Edmonton for a few years, and then headed to Whitecourt for a few more before returning to Saskatchewan.
In June 2020, they opened Ann’s Nails and Spa in Weyburn, after they had taken all the necessary courses to open a salon.
Tri said they are remarkably busy and often remain open until 10 p.m. to accommodate their customers.
They pride themselves on knowing all their customers by name and remember the stories that are shared, which include names of their families.
“This is not only a business for us, but our customers become family,” said Tri.
The three of them got into this profession because they love to make people feel beautiful.
Tri said Vietnamese men are not typically as strong physically, and they cannot always do the work in construction or oilfields, so they do this kind of work instead and are successful, because they love doing it.
After operating their business in Weyburn for five years, they had been asked to consider opening a place in Carlyle, as many of their customers come from the area.
They decided this was a fantastic opportunity to offer their customers a closer place to go, but they will keep the Weyburn spa open as well and have hired staff to
136 3rd Street NE, Weyburn SK S4H 0W2
Facebook: Ann’s Nails & Spa Weyburn 306-842-4010 annsnailsweyburn@gmail.com
114 Main Street, Carlyle SK S0C 0R0
Facebook: Ann’s Nails & Spa Carlyle 306-453-0008 annsnailscarlyle@gmail.com
Monday-Saturday: 9AM-8PM Sunday: 10AM-4PM
Sat, June 1 - Wawota 2024 Graduation
Fri-Sun, June 7-9 - Lampman Sports Weekend
Tues, June 18 - Kennedy Car Seat Clinic
Thurs, June 20 - Redvers Car Seat Clinic
Tues, June 25 - Stoughton Car Seat Clinic
Wed, June 26 - Wawota Car Seat Clinic
Fri-Sat, June 28-30 - Canuck Amusements Midway - Carlyle
*Do you have a community event you want listed here?
Send us the name of the event, date, and what community it’s being held by emailing: observer@sasktel.net OR calling: (306) 453-2525.
If you would like to include more information than that listed here contact our sales people to see how we can help.
accommodate everyone.
Now living in Carlyle, they love the community, the people, and the peaceful and relaxed feeling of being in a smaller town.
Living in Canada has given them a great feeling, and they enjoy talking to their clients to get more information on the culture in Canada. They also love to be educated on the history.
“We want to learn all about this country as we love it,” said Tri. “This will remain our home and we will retire here.”
They have gone to Kenosee Lake and White Bear, seeing the beauty that surrounds the lakes. The welcome they have received from the community and surrounding areas has been wonderful.
The spa, which is located on Main Street in Carlyle, will have its grand opening on Friday, May 17. They are excited for everyone to see the new place.
They will offer acrylic
and gel nails, pedicures, manicures and 3D design. Along with this, they will offer eyelash
extensions, eyebrow tattoos, and micro-blading and waxing of all kinds. They have some work
to do in the building and their sign needs to be hung, but they will be ready for the opening.
Nineteen Working Equitation Canada (WECan) enthusiasts joined in on a clinic and horse show last Saturday and Sunday at the New Hope Ranch near Qu’Appelle.
Riders came from across southern Saskatchewan to learn about the discipline and then enter the show.
WECan is growing very quickly, and many are enjoying the laid back and enjoyable sport.
On Saturday, each rider was given a time slot and pointers from coach DeeAnna Lyke, who has been involved with horses since she was child and is a huge advocate for WECan.
Lyke teaches the group how to do straight lines, bended circles and halts, as this is what the sport is all about.
Points can be collected in certain areas that double when a halt
is executed perfectly or near that level. Riders also earn points for straight lines and the bend of a person’s horse while doing a circle.
From the sideline, it looks relatively easy, but once in the saddle it is much more difficult than anticipated.
This was a licensed WECan show, and all points are accumulated and posted on the rider’ and horse’s number.
Judge Diane Bolen from Fort Qu’Appelle came out on Sunday to watch the equestrians perform their dressage test. The rider must perform a series of halts, circles, straight lines and back ups. Judging is done on the clarity of these efforts.
There are several levels, beginning with children and moving up to Level 7, and then the master’s level is the top.
Jennifer Russel from Indian Head was the scribe for the day. It
is her job to write the score and comments the judge may have during a test. At the end, the judge will add her own remarks.
There is also a show secretary. Becky Oliver enters everything into the computer so the marks are recorded through the WECan site. Susan Turpin was the gates person. She made sure the gate was opened at the right time to allow a rider in or out, and also called the next person in line to ride.
Krista Cieckiewicz was the announcer. She is also a women’s ranch bronc rider. Payton Mason was the official photographer that day through her Secretly Wild Photography business. She captured all the riders in that moment.
Also in attendance were two women through the International Rural Exchange Canada program.
Emma Lang from Germany and Nina Gave from Switzerland came to Canada to learn the cowgirl way, and they felt this was the perfect place to learn all about this growing sport.
These two women did not sit on the sideline; they were put to work as the arena crew. It was their responsibility to ensure the markers were in the correct spot and obstacles were put back up when knocked down.
Lang and Gave said that the experience was so enjoyable and they met a lot of great people throughout the weekend.
Sunday afternoon the Eaze of Handling course was done. This course consists of making perfect circles around
barrels, going over a wooden bridge, grabbing the garrocha pole, opening and closing a gate, and picking up a ring that was located at the top of a wooden bull and placed in a barrel. One also needs to ring a bell, back out of the corridor, ride up to a cup and move it from one pole to the next, which is all done with the right hand.
There are rules to follow and if they are broken the rider will receive a disqualification and not be marked.
Allison Holzer from Estevan joined the WECan group five years ago and she will be attending the Cross National Cup in Moose Jaw that will be held at the end of August.
She feels the mixture of events and the great horsemanship are amazing. She went on to say the group of people is always incredibly supportive and offers encouragement throughout the show.
Children’s level went to Grace Dinwoodie riding Jazz. Rachel Offiah on Oakley won the introductory youth level. The introductory open class went to Debbie Allen riding Archie. Laurie Stringer won novice A riding Fynn, and the intermediate open and speed round went to DeeAnna Lyke riding Braam.
Another award was presented by the judge for Judges’ Choice. This award went to Stephanie Zoer, as the Bolen said her smile and enthusiasm was shown through-
out the whole ride.
Denny Moody supplied the prizes of handmade ponies, which had the ribbons sewn on them.
“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”
Just a few words
Graduating from Grade 12 is an exciting time for most students, their families and friends.
It finishes the first book in the series of their lives and now the next book will start, bringing more exciting and new things to their lives.
For months now, moms have taken their daughters shopping for the elegant formal gown and their sons have gone for fittings to make sure their suit is tailored exactly right.
The valedictorian is chosen, scholarship recipients are named, and awards will all be handed out the night of the big event.
Some schools will have a banquet, while others might have a parade with the graduates, and some will have an evening at the school. A formal photo will be taken, and it will hold memories for years to come.
The evening will consist of speeches, and thank yous to teachers and families for everything they have had to endure while the student went to school. Parents, grandparents and friends will sit in the audience feeling pride and other emotions running high as they see their child take a step into adulthood.
It is this night that will alter the path of many families as graduates go off to college and university. Some will remain close to home, while others travel far away and can only be reached by a phone call. This can be a scary time as students leave their families and friends behind to further their education in the career path they have chosen.
As the students are given their diplomas and the evening ends, it is time for the after-graduate party. The after-grad location is carefully selected and back in the day when my kids graduated, the location was top secret so the party would not be crashed by uninvited guests. I am not sure if the same rules apply today.
Vehicle keys were given to the adults in charge, and no one went home until the following morning when everyone was cleared to go. An abundance of food will be supplied, but there will also be plenty of alcohol.
First of all, the legal drinking age in Saskatchewan is 19 years of age, and most students graduating are under this age.
I do not mean to put a damper on things, but most parents try to discourage their children from drinking, yet at the graduation parties it is an accepted occasion.
According to a press release sent out by Drug Free Kids Canada, over half of the eager graduates will consume four to five drinks on this evening, which would push them highly over the legal limit for driving. This alarming number is 2 1/2 times higher than the national average for similar behavior at other times of the year.
That is a shocking number and one I feel is not necessary.
Who supplies the alcohol for these parties and are keys still taken away upon entering the premises?
Those who hold the party at their place, do you realize that if a student leaves the party and gets into an accident, you are liable?
We all want our kids to stay safe and enjoy their graduation, but they also need to remain smart about how much they are going to drink at this event.
It can lead to so many things. Drugs can also be a factor and this all might be regrettable later, but once done it cannot be undone.
So do your part in ensuring that all these students stay safe during and after the graduate party.
Be firm on the rules. Students do not drink and drive. If you need to go home, call a family member.
There were many times I received a call in the early morning hours to pick up kids. Of course I was not happy being woken up, but was sure happy that they felt comfortable calling me for a ride.
We all want our graduates to be able to have a healthy and fantastic future.
The story behind the hero in the headline
“The bus was empty. Twenty-six children and their bus driver Frank Edward Ray had simply disappeared.”
Those were the opening words of a speech I gave as a Grade 7 student, based on a book that captivated me. I can’t say for sure how many times I read it cover to cover, but it was many. Kidnapped at Chowchilla: the School Bus Hijacking, told the true story of 26 students and their bus driver who were abducted and buried inside a truck trailer in a quarry, to be held for ransom.
On a lovely California day in 1976, Ray picked up students from their summer classes and drove his typical route until discovering a blocked road. Three men with nylon stockings covering their faces hijacked the bus. At gunpoint, Ray was removed from his driver’s seat so one of the kidnappers could drive the bus to a hiding spot and different vehicles picked them up. The children, ages five
to 14, were driven around for 11 hours in stifling, blackened out vans When they stopped they were forced through a hole down a ladder into a darkened underground bunker where they found a pit toilet, mattresses, and a bit of food and water. The kidnappers moved sheet metal over the hole and placed heavy industrial batteries on top. The children and driver were buried alive.
Fearing they would never be found, they stacked the mattresses and began clawing away at the space they had been forced through. Very slowly they wedged a piece of wood into the hatch and began digging their way out.
Sixteen hours after being forced underground, they emerged. So far, these details of the story are agreed upon by all involved. The next part is where things get tricky.
After getting quick check-ups, Ray and the children were driven home where frantic families greeted them. Well-intentioned authorities wanted to protect the students from the spotlight so reporters were not able to talk to them. Immediately, Ray, the only adult in the story, was hailed as a hero for having saved the lives of the 26 children.
He received awards and citations, had a ballad written about him, had a park named for him and a day set aside each year in his honour. But the atten-
tion was said to have embarrassed him. He was a private, hardworking man caught up in an unthinkable situation and did his best to care for the kids. He passed away at the age of 91 carrying the Chowchilla legacy.
In the years since, more of the story has come to light including the heroic efforts of 14-year-old Mike Marshall, who devised the cunning escape plan but never received any credit or accolades. Ray was reluctant to try any sort of escape but the teenager felt they had to take a chance.
With air running out he took charge and shared his plan with the bus driver, telling other students they weren’t going to die without a fight. The only way out was through the sealed manhole so he climbed up the stack of mattresses and began pushing. Ray joined him and they were able to heave open the cover, only to have the massive batteries fall down around them.
That’s when they discovered a large box surrounding the manhole and more dirt. With his 14-year-old hands, Mike dug and dug and dug until a sliver of light shone in.
After 16 hours entombed, the group was able to climb out and seek help. The decades since have been hard as these children dealt with the trauma of their kidnapping. Substance abuse, depression, nightmares,
panic attacks and personality changes have been the fallout.
For 14-year old Mike, there was the added pain of no hero’s welcome. But the kids knew, and as adults they have told their stories. Mike’s efforts gave the children hope.
“I never gave up—not completely,” said one, “because I was taught, at six years old by a 14-yearold boy, you don’t give up. You keep digging.”
Students have since spoken with Mike to acknowledge what he did.
“I didn’t realize how much it would help me to understand and to actually hear one of the kids tell me that I saved their lives and that they were grateful,” he remarked.
The three kidnappers came from wealthy San Francisco families. They were arrested and given life sentences, but by 2022 all three had been paroled.
I came across the book recently but was cautioned the story has played out differently than that book described. Agreed, but perhaps there is a lesson. This incredibly sad story left its marks on so many, but it made me think that sometimes the heroes aren’t the ones who get the front page, or have places named after them or receive the honour they are due.
But they are the ones hard at work, often out of sight. They just keep digging. That’s my outlook.
The Carlyle Observer’s annual salute to farming has long been a highlight for the paper.
It features a variety of stories on local people in the agriculture sector, and it’s supported by local businesses.
Now the Observer has been recognized for its efforts.
The 2023 special edition, Saluting Agriculture in our Communities, won for Best Special Section at the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Awards, announced Thursday afternoon. The open-ended category featured specials that covered a variety of topics.
The Observer received high marks for its quality of writing, clarity, impact to the community, content and presentation, for a total score of 93 of a possible 100.
Observer manager Dolores Young handled the sales and administrative duties for the section. Laura Kish took care of the pagination.
Stephanie Zoer and Gordon Paulley were the writers.
Young said she is very proud of the honour.
“This could not have been accomplished without all the Observer team,” Young said. “Thanks to Stephanie Zoer, Laura Kish, Gord Paulley and Dorothee Corrigan for all that was done to put this feature together and get the win.”
Young also thanked all of the advertisers of the agriculture week feature for also making this possible because without their support, this couldn’t have happened.
Zoer said she is “hon-
oured” to be part of an excellent team that won the Special Selection Award.
“For the past two years I have been writing articles for Ag. section and it is so enjoyable to speak with the different farmers on their aspects of farming, as this comes in all shapes and sizes. I was raised on a farm and through the years farming has changed in so
many ways, but the one thing that has remained is the care that farmers put into their work.”
Zoer thanked Spitfire Services of Benson, Right Cross Ranch of Kisbey and Nora Weightman of Kisbey for allowing her to write their stories for this section of the paper.
“I feel the articles captured their business well and they were enjoyable to put together.”
Steven Bonk, MLA for Moosomin Constituency
622 Main Street, Moosomin, SK
Phone: 306-435-4005
Email: stevenbonkmla@sasktel.net
The Government of Saskatchewan claims it is making progress on its health-training seat expansion.
In 2024-25, a $51.2 million investment will support new and ongoing expansion of health-care training across the province, with an emphasis on nursing seats.
Over the past three years, the government has invested over $111.5 million to expand health training programs in support of the Health Human Resources Action Plan. Approximately 870 new health-care training seats – over 250 in nursing programs – are being implemented for Saskatchewan students.
“Our government recognizes the importance of training the next generation of health care professionals to serve the needs of people across Saskatchewan,”
Premier Scott Moe said. “Expanding education opportunities is a key deliverable of our Health Human Resources Action Plan. This investment in training is a part of broader efforts to meet the current and future need for nurses and other health care professionals in our province.”
This year’s funding will add 66 new training seats across six programs and develop four new domestic training programs – occupational therapy,
speech language pathology, physician assistant and respiratory therapy. It also supports the continuation of previously announced expansions of 550 health training seats and 150 nursing seats across the province in urban, rural and northern locations.
Out of the 2024-25 investment in health-care training, $4.9 million is targeted to support new nursing education opportunities in the province. Three nursing
programs at Saskatchewan institutions will be expanded, including:
•Twenty-four registered urse seats through the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN) program, jointly delivered by the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic;
•Sixteen registered psychiatric nurse seats at Saskatchewan Polytechnic; and
•Eight registered psychiatric nurse seats
at North West College (brokered by Saskatchewan Polytechnic).
The new registered nursing and registered psychiatric nursing seats will be available for students in the fall 2024.
Nurses and other health-care professionals can benefit from a variety of supports during and after their studies.
Nursing graduates who work in designated rural Saskatchewan communities could be eligible for up to $20,000 in Sas-
katchewan student loan forgiveness. Graduates might also be eligible for the graduate retention program which provides an additional $20,000 in tax credits for living, working and filing taxes in Saskatchewan after graduation. For more information on these expanded programs and additional health care training opportunities in a variety of professions and locations, visit: saskatchewan.ca/hhr-train.
https://elizabethmcmullenrmt.noterro.com
Being a first responder is not for the faint of heart. Every call out is different and the first responders never know what they may face when they arrive on the scene of an accident.
Diane Adams has been a first responder for the Stoughton and District Ambulance Service for 20 years.
Born and raised in the Stoughton area, it was her plan to become a nurse out of high school but decided not to and sought employment elsewhere.
She worked in Calgary at a nursing home for five years and upon her return to Stoughton, it was suggested that she become a first responder. Adams works at the New Hope Pioneer Lodge (NHPL) in Stoughton and has been the longest employee there.
Adams took her primary care provider (PCP) course, which was offered through the Sun Country Health Regioon in the early 2000s. It was offered as long as a two-year contract was signed.
She completed this course in 2006 on a part-time basis. Today
it needs to be done full-time. has remained with the Stoughton First Responders service since.
There are six other resolute members on this team, and are emergency medical responders (EMR).
Back in the day, Adams things were done a little ferently as now the rules changed and there are many things that no longer can be if a person is an EMR.
Adams said their shifts long. Often they are on call 24 hours, and the wage does reflect the work that they She feels that this needs to changed.
Most of the staff members other full-time jobs and when they come home from work, be on call for the ambulance vice. This service is a vital part the community and a service communities cannot do without.
When Adams is on call, she prepared to go within minutes.
Once she hits the road this is time she gets herself mentally ready for what might be ahead her, but she will also talk to
full-time. She Stoughservice ever resolute they respondsaid difhave many done shifts are call for does not they do. to be have when work, will ambulance serpart of service that without. she is minutes. is the mentally ahead of to her
husband for added support.
Once on the scene, it is all work and one’s emotions are put to the side to do what is needed to save someone’s life. Coming from a small community, it is often someone they know, and this can be difficult once they arrive home.
Adams said they have a great support team within the service and often check up on each other to make sure everyone is okay. They also have services that they can call if the burden becomes too much to manage.
In any given month, Stoughton’s ambulance goes out on 35-
Being a paramedic is more than just a job — it’s a calling that demands resilience, compassion and unwavering dedication. Here’s what a typical day entails for these frontline healthcare heroes.
40 calls. This can be transfers from one hospital to another, or someone from a nursing home needing hospital care.
The severity of the situation, the level of care needed and the location of the patient’s doctor will determine which hospital a person is transported to.
If the accident is severe, a call will go to the STARS Air Ambulance or there will be an advance care intercept done in transit. This is when a doctor or PCP meets them on the road, jumps into the ambulance, and continues to its destination.
Adams and her team are always taking courses to improve their education and get the latest information.
Gayla Gilbertson is an EMR with the Stoughton service and she has been accepted to school for the fall to become a PCP, which is needed in the Stoughton community.
Adams said being the only PCP is difficult and 2 PCPs are needed at all times.
“We are in need of more people,” said Adams. Anyone wanting to get into this line of work can contact Adams at Stoughtonambulance@sasktel.net and she will gladly answer questions.
It also important that when an emergency vehicle is seen on the road, a person slows down to 60 kilometres and pulls over so that the emergency vehicle can pass safely.
Keep an eye on the rearview mirror in case an emergency vehicle is coming down the road.
Adams said that most people are good for following these rules, but at times they will need to honk their horn at someone who is not moving over or slowing down.
Preparation and readiness
The day begins with meticulous preparation. Paramedics must check their equipment, ensuring everything is in working order and fully stocked so they can respond to any emergency.
On the frontlines
Once on duty, paramedics are on standby. They may receive a call to respond to a car accident, medical emergency or traumatic injury. Time is crucial as they rush to the scene, navigating traffic and obstacles to reach the patient as quickly as possible.
Critical interventions
At the scene, paramedics assess the situation and administer life-saving interventions. They stabilize patients, control bleeding, provide CPR and administer medications. Their quick thinking and expert medical care can mean the difference between life and death.
Transport and care
Once patients are stabilized, paramedics transport them to the hospital while continuing to provide critical care. They communicate with hospital staff to ensure a smooth handover and provide essential information about the patient’s condition and treatment.
Routine tasks and training
Between emergency calls, paramedics engage in routine tasks, such as restocking supplies, completing paperwork and joining training sessions to stay up to date with the latest medical advancements and protocols.
Paramedic Services Week is May 19 to 25. Take this time to celebrate these healthcare heroes who work tirelessly to save lives and provide critical care to those in need.
When the opportunity came up for Grant and Melissa Bueckert to an open a restaurant, they jumped on it.
Grant Bueckert was raised in the Saskatoon area and moved to Kisbey for work 10 years ago. He said the job opportunities here were much better and so was the pay. He is a mechanic and works for Keep them Rollin, but he is also the owner of Pheonix Fireworks in Kisbey. He does not build the fireworks but sets them off at events such as Canada Day celebrations.
Melissa is the director at the Arcola Daycare and enjoys her job.
She will remain in this position while working at the restaurant.
Heritage Grill is located on the main floor in Buddy’s Pub, which is on Main Street in Arcola. The pub is on the upper level of the building.
The main floor of the pub had been closed for several years and it needed deep cleaning and sanitizing in order to be inspected. Once they received 100 per cent from their inspection, they began the task of preparing food, with many taste tests to ensure the food they would offer to the public was high quality.
“We have done a great deal of taste testing,” said Bueckert. “We want to offer great
quality food at reasonable prices.”
They both enjoy cooking, catering and plan-
ning meals, and thought this would be a great fit for them.
Their menu will begin
with a wide selection of pizzas with homemade crusts, as well as burgers and finger foods, but Bueckert will ease up on the salt, as this is something that customers can add for their own taste.
They will be happy to place large orders for gatherings and may even deliver if the place is in Arcola, depending on how busy they are.
Gluten-free options are another aspect they are looking into, but Bueckert feels this is something they need to be incredibly careful with.
When the time comes that they offer this on the menu they want to be 100 percent sure that it will be gluten free.
The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed May 12-18 as Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, to raise awareness and highlight the services and supports available to help victims and survivors of crime.
The week also provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Saskatch-
ewan’s volunteer victim support workers, staff and community board members, who were recognized at the legislative building on May 13 for their contributions to police-based victim services programs.
“Saskatchewan’s widely-recognized volunteer spirit is exemplified by the dedication of our
volunteer victim support workers, boards and staff members with police-based Victims Services,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said. “I would like to sincerely thank them for helping victims and survivors of crime overcome tragic situations and ensuring that they are not alone as
they navigate the criminal justice system.”
Currently, there are 133 volunteer victim support workers working with police-based victim services programs in Saskatchewan, including those with Southeast Regional Victim Services. In 2023-24, they dedicated over 6,800 hours, and more than 15,000 victims
of crime were supported through their efforts.
Fourteen police-based victim services programs operate throughout the province. Four are part of municipal police services, while the other ten are connected to RCMP detachments and overseen by a board of directors, including 81 volunteer community board members.
On May 13, they were open for the first time, and Bueckert said it went perfectly.
During the week, since they both work, the restaurant will be open from 4-8 p.m. and on the weekends hours will be 11 a.m.-8 p.m. At this time, they are not looking to hire, but once they get busy it is something they will need to do.
“We wanted to have a reliable restaurant in Arcola, where people could come and enjoy a great meal,” said Bueckert.
They are excited about this new adventure and look forward to meeting many old and new customers in the future.
For more information on Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, volunteer victim support worker opportunities, and services and supports available for victims and survivors, please contact a police-based victim services program through a local RCMP detachment or municipal police service.
The Arcola Food grocery store has new owners, and they are happy to be living in the small community.
Rakesh Patel and his wife Bharti took over the role on March 24.
The couple immigrated to Canada in 2009 from a small town in India, which was located close to Mumbai. First residing in Regina, they moved to Outlook after they and Rakesh’s brother purchased a retail business, which they still own together.
For several years, the couple had been looking for a business in a small community and this is when they came across the Arcola Food store. It was originally Chapman’s and was owned and operated by the Chapman family for years.
Five years ago, they sold the business to Chris Kim and Joanne Sol, who moved to Arcola from Brandon, Man.
Kim and Sol immigrated from Korea to Canada and worked for the Coop retail chain, but they wanted to own their own grocery business.
The store began to have many changes as they brought in a wider variety of food. Loving the feel of the community, they soon bought a house and made Arcola home.
On March 23, they held a thank you for all their customers by offering coffee and donuts as a farewell for the store and not the community. They are not sure yet what they will do for the next chapter in their lives.
As for the new owners, they moved into Arcola right away as they love small communities and already feel at home in Arcola. The staff that had worked previously at the store remained on and Patel has already hired another employee, bringing the total to six.
He hopes this will ease the staff ’s work load, but they will always bring
great customer service to their customers.
Patel and Bharti often make trips into the city and other towns to look in grocery stores for ideas and selection. They have already brought in many new products but wish to bring in what
A Carnduff woman was recently saluted for her commitment to leadership and innovation through her contributions to her business and community. Vi Day of Carnduff was the winner of the
customers are asking for.
The produce department has a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, with homemade salads for lunches. Sandwiches and hot meals are also part of the variety they offer, with many items made fresh daily.
Innovative Leadership Award, presented by SaskTel, at the South East Women of Distinction Awards in Estevan earlier this month.
This award recognizes women who have created or implemented innovative programs, practices, partnerships or other opportunities that significantly improve the lives of women in their community.
Day and her late husband Tony Day owned and operated Fast Trucking in Carnduff and other businesses, and have been strong
The meat and freezer department are also well stocked with a large baked goods area.
Kenosee: Sunday at 9 a.m. Forget: Sunday at 9 a.m. 306-453-6200 Full Gospel Church Welcomes You 202-4th St. W. Service Schedule: Sunday morning Service 10:30 a.m.
Church of Our Lady, Carlyle Father Chris
Carlyle: Saturday at 7 p.m. Sunday at 11 a.m.
Patel said the first month was a little challenging as he takes care of the ordering, and there was a lot to learn, while Bharti and the staff tend to stocking shelves, preparing food and looking after the customers.
employers in the region.
The Day family has also supported many causes in the region. Other nominees were
Enjoying their new role as owners, Patel said, “The customers have been great and are very friendly, and we look forward to making new friends and building this place as home.”
Daralee Kittelson, Chandra Marchuk, Sara East, Trina Battersby, Kylie Jo McGregor and Brooke Wilson.
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The new Estevan regional nursing home project is seeing more progress, as the local committee has recently put forward recommendations to the provincial government on how they see the building.
The committee met
with representatives of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Ministry of Health earlier this year, when the business case for the new nursing home was presented, and the location, building size and cost were discussed. The business plan calls for 167 long-term care beds, and to meet that goal two potential op-
tions were suggested.
ious options that were in front of us. And we recommended to the government that we proceed with building 129 new beds on the greenspace that is opposite the hospital across Sister Ruddy Road,” Kindopp said.
quiring X-rays or things of that nature.”
He also outlined that within the new building, they are also considering creating an adult day program, palliative and respite care, and they are looking into the potential for a daycare unit for staff and – if there are still any openings afterwards – the community.
my crystal ball. And if that crystal ball vision of spring of 2025 is cloudy, then probably the fall of 2025 would be a possibility,” Kindopp said.
“The basic reason for that was the space for the building itself. Otherwise building on St. Joe’s property would force us to go higher in stories.
However, the work for the community, which in 2015 reached $8 million raised as the city’s 20 per cent share of the original projected cost of $40 million, may soon open up again.
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“We were presented with two options – a greenspace owned by the city, just opposite the hospital across Sister Roddy Road; or [option] two – build on the property of St. Joe’s hospital. The 167 beds indicated in the needs assessment could be made up of the 38 long-term care beds that are presently within St Joe’s special care component of the hospital and add 129 new beds,” said Don Kindopp, the chairman of the new nursing home committee.
The committee was asked to provide their recommendations to the government.
“We discussed the var-
“There are a lot of pros and cons in doing that, but we felt cost-wise and space-wise, that this would be the best, and that St. Joe’s hospital would make every effort to accommodate the care needed within the new construction in terms of visiting a doctor or re-
The recommendation has been sent to Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health, to then go to the cabinet for approval. Kindopp noted that if there are any further questions, the government will reach out to the committee, but otherwise, he expects the next phase, which is the design of the new building, to start soon.
“Once it’s approved by cabinet, they will move into design. And as part of that process, we are hopeful that we will be involved in some of those discussions around design. There is a possibility that by spring of next year, it could be started to have some groundwork done, that’s looking into
“Because the needs assessment indicated 59 more beds than what we had anticipated, the cost will have gone up ... And then the inflation has struck,” said Kindopp.
“The community has a responsibility for a portion of the costs of the new building. And because the number of beds has increased, and certainly inflation’s set up, there will be additional support or funding needed from the community.”
He noted that there is a discussion on how much of a cost should the community be responsible for now that the cost has gone up significantly, but decisions on that and further fundraising efforts haven’t been made.
NOMINATIONS FOR CELEBRATING
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Deadline for nominations is June 14, 2024
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Dustin Duncan, the minister responsible for the Crown Investments Corporation, says there is work to be done before a decision is made on the location of Saskatchewan’s first potential small modular reactor (SMR).
Duncan was asked at a media event on May 7 about a comment during Premier Scott Moe’s speech to the Food Fuel Fertilizer Global Summit in Regina the previous day. Moe said that SaskPower was to place an SMR “quite likely, in the Estevan area — but
NOTICETOCREDITORS
I don’t think that’s been announced yet.”
The indication from Duncan seemed to be not so fast.
“I would just say the premier’s comments, he certainly is right that Estevan is potentially one of the candidates for the home for Saskatchewan first nuclear reactor and SMR, but there is huge steps that I as a minister have to do along the way before we can formally make an announcement on that,” said Duncan. Duncan acknowledged they were still looking at two regions of the province for a potential SMR – the Estevan and Elbow areas.
ary to communities in those recent regions.”
But he noted “there’s a lot of work and due diligence that SaskPower has to do behind the scenes, first and foremost, a very broad consultation with people across the province, as we are putting this question in front of Saskatchewan as to whether or not the generation mix going forward will include nuclear.”
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“The people of those areas have been very enthusiastic about the potential of deploying SMRs in Saskatchewan and they’ve been really great to work with.
I know SaskPower has been very compliment-
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As for when a potential SMR location might be identified, Duncan said that by this summer, “we’ll be able to be in a position to provide more definitive clarity based on what the premier had said yesterday.”
“And based on again, all the work that’s going on behind the scenes — lots of boxes we need to check in terms of process to get us to a point where we formally make a public announcement. But I would just say that lots of benefits to both regions — that’s why we wanted, why SaskPower wanted to do the due diligence we did to go through the process of establishing the benefits that would be available at both regions.
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“Obviously, Estevan and area has been a very important part of SaskPower’s past and present in terms of generation and transmission and energy for Saskatchewan, and so for both of those reasons there’s lots of benefits for selecting that region. But as I said before, as a minister I still have a few other things on the list of things I have to check off before we can formally make the final decision on which region we would be selecting.”
A talented young volleyball player from southeast Saskatchewan will be playing in the U.S. next season.
Jenna Knibbs, who played for the Southeast Vipers program in Arcola is currently in Grade 12 at the Estevan Comprehensive School, has committed to play for the George Fox University Bruins, an NCAA Division 3 school located in Newberg, Ore. An outside hitter, Knibbs cited numerous reasons for selecting the school.
“It was really unexpected for me to go play at George Fox,” Knibbs said in an interview with the Observer and SaskToday. “I was always looking for a team that was outside [Saskatchewan], in the States or somewhere else in Canada because I’ve always wanted to go on an adventure outside of home.”
Knibbs had previous contact with George Fox coach Emily Davis about the school. She was vis-
iting with her grandparents in Oregon when she was invited to visit the campus.
“It was the perfect atmosphere. It felt so much like family. It’s a Christian school and the coach was so nice. I got to sit down with some of the girls.”
Knibbs will be studying biochemistry at George Fox, and she hopes to attend medical school one day.
“The class sizes at George Fox are really small, so I’ll be able to have lots of connections with my profs, and they have a really good lab-to-theory ratio at their school, so I’m really excited for that because I love lots of hands-on labs, and definitely lots of science,” said Knibbs.
She will be just 2 1/2 hours from her grandparents’ home, and her brother James is just a few hours away in B.C. Athletics are a big part of the school, she said. The women’s volleyball team has done really
well in their conference. She has talked with the other incoming firstyear players, and she has interacted with other future teammates.
“We had a Zoom call just a few weeks ago to get to know everybody,” said Knibbs.
According to Knibbs, Davis is looking for players who not only want to be on the volleyball team, but want to get to know the other girls and create a tight-knit team.
Knibbs is currently playing for the Regina Cougars club volleyball team, and commutes from Estevan to Regina to practise. They will be competing at nationals during the Victoria Day long weekend. She has played in Estevan at the school and club level in addition to the Vipers.
Knibbs has been with the ECS Elecs senior girls’ volleyball team for three years and has been a captain for the past two.
“From when I’ve been really young, I’ve loved
my coaches here,” she said. “They definitely taught me the initial tactical skills that I needed to get to where I am today. It’s definitely been
a huge supportive environment with all of the coaches at the school.”
sOnce her season with the Cougars is finished, Knibbs looks forward to
playing some beach volleyball, spending a lot of time in the gym and doing what she can to be ready for the upcoming season.
A Gainsborough hockey product was selected in this year’s Western Hockey League Prospects Draft, held May 9. Forward Nathan Gar-
diner was picked in the sixth round, 117th overall, by the Calgary Hitmen. He has spent several years playing in the Estevan minor hock-
ey system, and spent the 2023-24 campaign playing for the Estevan TS&M U15 AA Bruins. He finished with 19 goals and 42 assists in
26 games with Estevan, and added two goals and three assists in two
postseason contests. Gardiner has committed to play U18 AAA
hockey with the Regina Pat Canadians next season.
Zipped
Hawaiian cookout
Without moisture
Lions’ lairs
Fitting
Merchants
Frankly
Fuses 41. Flat-topped formation 42. Oohs and ____ 43. Long journey
45. Santa’s time
47. Chatter
49. Contest
50. Architectural add-on
51. Ump’s kin
ACROSS 1. Scandal 5. Unruly crowd 8. Angel’s headdress 12. Took a taxi 13. Rage 14. To be paid 15. Yoke animals 16. Family member
Patch 18. Smile 20. Annoying people 21. Distribute
Cloudy
Theme
Cauliflower 28. Child 31. Duplicated
33. Personality 35. Sweltering 36. Pair 38. “If I Only Had a ____” 39. Cry 40. Praises 41. Paired up 44. Leered 46. Nobleman 47. Large antelope 48. By any possibility 52. Take off, as clothes 53. 100 percent 54. Agitate 55. Questions
56. See you!
57. ____-service DOWN 1. ‘60s do 2. Bagels and 3. Cooling drink
Antarctic native
Type of skirt
Breakfast juice
Plot
Cozy
Intimidates
Let use 11. Betting numbers 19. Shrunk 20. Moralistic story 21. Scratch
Fly alone 23. Small stain
THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: SAGITTARIUS, CAPRICORN AND AQUARIUS ARIES
You must put your feelings aside during negotiations to guarantee a positive outcome. It will also be essential to respect laws and regulations closely to avoid potential problems.
TAURUS
You’ll have a heavy workload at the office this week, leaving you little time to breathe. If your health isn’t at its best, you’ll need to rest to regain energy and face the challenges life throws you head-on.
GEMINI
Completing a challenging task could pride. However, your family might create stressful situations, making coping harder.
CANCER
You may spend part of the week at home, renovating your space or moving spontaneously. Household chores could take up all your time. A family member will need your help.
LEO Your discretion will be put to the test. If it challenging to keep them to yourself, risking unwittingly revealing sensitive information. Position yourself to receive information rather than give it out.
VIRGO
This is the ideal time to consider buying or selling a property. You’ll be surprised to discover that you have the means to reach your ambitions. Affection is necessary in a happy relationship.
LIBRA
You may feel unstable at times this week, but you’ll know how to make decisions and solve problems when faced with challenges. You may be surprised to your call.
SCORPIO
Your creativity will peak, and you could create an artistic masterpiece. An exhibition or show could impress you and give you an unforgettable moment. You’ll be generous.
SAGITTARIUS
You’ll have an active social life this week. Many of your friends will want to meet up at the same time. You’ll take part in important events and engage in enriching and sometimes very revealing conversations.
CAPRICORN
The opportunity to start your own business could present itself. You could also take a big step forward in your career by getting promoted to a leadership position. You’ll take on this new role until retirement.
AQUARIUS -
tial or discover a secret. You may have to decipher a message in a foreign language at work or receive a particular comment from your partner.
PISCES
You may feel nervous or excited, possibly caused by tears of happiness. It could be due to a significant achievement of one of your children, such as taking make you incredibly proud.
