Stoughton Daze ran from July 4-6, kicking off with Singo and a DJ at the Crossroads Inn on Friday night.
The following morning breakfast was prepared and served by the Stoughton Tecumseh Fire Department, with Jeremy Hogg from P & H Weyburn donating all the P & H pancake mix.
The turnout was great with the proceeds raised going towards upgrading equipment
and units from the department. Slowly Government Road began to fill up with floats. They lined the street as far as one could see with a whopping 43 floats entering.
Each year, prizes are handed out to float owners for Best Business going to Crossroads Electric; Best Comic to Coderre Construction; Best Non-Profit to #58; and Best Classic to Phillip’s Tractor.
The parade proceeded up to the Flattops and circled around
past the New Hope Pioneer Lodge where all the seniors sat outside in anticipation. Many floats tossed candy, including plenty for seniors, who enjoy the treats. As the parade proceeded along Main Street, families, friends, and neighbours stood along the sides, observing the event and waiting for candy to be thrown.
After the parade, the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce hosted activities for all ages at the Green Space on Main Street.
Carlyle Fun Dayz and Fair, a community based summer festival, was a huge success again this year which was held on Friday, June 27 to Sunday June 29. Weather was great for the full weekend. Full article in the Thursday, July 17 Observer.
The Agricultural Society held its annual fair at the Stoughton Drop-In Centre, featuring a range of entries in sewing, crocheting, knitting, and more. The festivities continued at the Fair Grounds, with food trucks and a trade show in the Stoughton Curling Rink. They had a large kids play area which included bouncy castles, mini golf, Zorb balls, and an obstacle course. Children of all ages visited the park throughout the day.
Community Calendar
Your first stop to find events happening in our community!
July
Sat, July 12 – 10th Annual Show & Shine –Kenosee Lake
July 15, 22, 29 – Kenosee Bingo – see Classified Page
Fri to Sun, July 11-13 - Bear Claw Casino & Hotel White Bear First Nations Powwow
Mon to Fri, July 14-18 - Eyes – Educating Youth in Engineering and Science
September
Sat, Sept 27 – Fall Supper – Arcola 2026
Tues to Sat - Mar 25 -29 – 125th Arcola Curling Club Bonspiel
*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.
Stoughton Daze attracts large crowd
Four teams entered the slow pitch tournament, and when they needed to cool down, they could go to the fire department’s beer gardens.
At dusk, the skies lit up and the fireworks began. The bright colours lit the sky bringing cheers from the crowd. The finale had the crowd cheering and wanting more when the large colourful fan lit the sky. The fireworks display lasted 25 minutes and was visible throughout the town.
On Sunday, the weather continued to be great for the beach volleyball. This turned into an informal event allowing those who wished to play to come out and enjoy the sand pit. The 5-kilometre Colour Walk-Run-Bike drew about 30 participants, and a cornhole tour-
nament took place on the grounds. This concluded another Stoughton Daze weekend, which was filled with something for everyone.
By Stephanie Zoer
It was a special day at Arcola School on June 25, when students received their awards and a celebration was held for Kevin Hengen.
The event began with Principal Ron Wardrope of Arcola School introducing the students who received the honour roll and high average certificates.
Awards were given for a junior and senior student in many categories with over 40 awards handed out.
Upon the announcement of a student’s name, their peers responded with a noticeable reaction.
Students, teachers, and parents filled the gymnasium, waiting for the special recognition announcement.
After the students received their awards, the next scheduled event was Kevin Hengen’s retirement.
Kevin’s career is well known in Arcola School, but it did not start there.
He started as a student at the school and once he graduated from Grade 12, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a teacher. Kevin’s dad was the principal in Arcola in 1974.
His first job as a teacher started in Wolsey in 1995.
From there he went to Arcola School later in 1995 to teach mathematics and science until 2005.
Kevin became the vice principal of Arcola School from 2005-2007 and became the principal at Stoughton Central School from 2007-2008.
In 2008 Kevin took the Arcola principal position and remained their until 2015.
After this he took on the superintendent position until he retired in 2025.
Just before Kevin came to the stage to speak, the Grade 1 students had a special song for him, and the Grade 3-4 class read a poem written just for him.
As Kevin came to the stage he had on his Class of 90 jacket, which he felt still fit him well after all these years.
“Once a Panther, always a Panther,” said Kevin.
He was happy to attend Arcola School as a student and later taught some of the current teachers there.
He appreciated the large turnout and their support at his honourary event.
Kevin said he has had a lengthy career with memories that will last a lifetime, and he is happy to have had the time at the school that he attended as a child.
Everyone was welcome to stay for a social after the ceremony and enjoy cupcakes made by Cathy Burton.
From left to right, Nixon, and Parks Clark rode in the old Stoughton fire truck with their dad, the mayor of Stoughton, Stefan Clark for the Stoughton Lions Parade. Photo by Stephanie Zoer
The Grade 1 class from Arcola School sang a special song to Kevin Hengen on his recent retirement. Photo by Stephanie Zoer
Disc golfing becoming popular sport in Oxbow
By Paul Kimball
A few sports seem to be gaining in popularity these days. Pickleball is one…disc golf is another. Disc golf is somewhat similar to golf. Rather than hitting a ball with a club, disc golfers throw a frisbee-like disc. Each hole has a starting spot…a teeing area – and a finishing spot…a basket that the golfers need to throw their disc into. Each hole has a par – the number of shots that it ought to take to find the basket. The score is the total number of throws that it takes to go from start to finish.
In disc golf, the holes are not as long as they are in golf, resulting in less walking. A game can be completed in a couple of hours, rather than the four that many golf courses require.
Just as there are many clubs in a golfer’s golf bag, so there are many types of discs. Discs are designed to have varying speeds, glides, turns and fades. There are literally thousands of combinations. Some golfers have hundreds of discs in their arsenal.
However, one doesn’t need that many to enjoy the game or to compete. A basic starting kit of three (which costs in the
area of $50) will do the job nicely.
One other thing that makes disc golf so attractive; most courses are free to play.
Lane Nicholls is the recreation manager for Oxbow. One of his values in that role is to provide opportunities for people to be active and get exercise in an enjoyable way.
A few years back, he was visiting his wife’s family in Ontario. His brotherin-law, Dwayne Dowdell, is an enthusiastic disc golfer, as is his nephew.
While there, Nicholls got the ‘disc golf’ bug.
Upon his return to Oxbow, Nicholls presented a plan to the Rec Board regarding the use of land to make a course. It would be another way for people to be active… plus it would bring ‘tourists’ into town to play, which would help local businesses. The Board gave him the green light to move forward with his plan. He invited his brother-in-law to Oxbow and the two of them designed
a nine-hole course to be built on the north side of Bow Valley Park. It was completed in 2023.
The first full year of disc golfing at the course was 2024. Fifteen golfers began playing it immediately and by the end of the golf season, 20 were regularly using it. Nicholls was happy with the first-year response…but it was just a sign of things to come.
Now, in 2025, 75 ‘discers’ are using the course. And…with the help of the assistant recreation manager, Blair Spencer, Nicholls has added another nine holes. It is now a full-fledged 18hole course.
Several sponsors have helped out with the cost of the course. Leeway Mechanical, JF Customs, Taylor Electric, Absolute Locating and Sandugo’s Bistro have each provided funding for the baskets…and their company names sit atop the baskets to prove it. Nicholls is looking for additional sponsors for the remaining 13 baskets. Your company can have its name placed on a basket for five years with a donation of $500.
Jeri-Ann Brownbridge, the media coordinator for Disc Golf Saskatchewan Community Outreach, was on hand for the Great Discape tournament on
June 29th. In her opinion, Oxbow’s course is one of the top five in all of Saskatchewan, which is pretty impressive considering that there are currently 106 of them in our province. Oxbow’s course is the southernmost… McClean Lake holds the distinction of being the northernmost.
The tournament was a success, despite the very windy conditions. Twenty-five golfers vied for the various prizes. Scott Tessier won the Experienced Division; Caine Emms topped the Beginner Division and Brandi
Morrisette went home as the best in the Female Division.
However, everyone was a winner. The number one rule of disc golfing is ‘Thou shalt have fun!’ That was certainly the case on this windy afternoon. Currently, there are more than 16,000 disc golf courses around the world. Surprisingly, you can even play a round if you happen to be in Antarctica. But there’s no need to go that far…yet. The one in Oxbow is a great place to start. Pick up a set of discs… and give them a whirl.
Caine Emms shows the form that put him at the top of the Beginner Division. Photo submitted by Paul Kimball
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Canada ‘D-eh’
We’re a couple of weeks removed from Canada Day, but we can still celebrate being Canadian.
I was picking up my mail towards the end of June. As I was leaving, a man who was unknown to me entered the building. As small-town people do, we greeted one another. I asked him how he was. He gave me an unexpected response.
He went into a rant. Not the kind of rant that you might be thinking, though. He went on for a few minutes about what a great country Canada is. He talked about the woes that come with living in so many other countries around the world and how good we have it here in Canada.
I contributed a few positive comments of my own, said goodbye and left.
And was feeling much better about being a Canadian.
We do have it good here. Oh sure, we have our national problems. How we love to focus on those, rather than our national benefits. We talk about all the negative things in that country south of us and somehow come to the conclusion that we have it just as bad here. Or at the very least, it puts us into a negative way of thinking. We talk about Canadian politics and allow that to overshadow all the good things that we enjoy and benefit from.
I found that ‘ranting man’ in the post office to be a breath of fresh air and was thankful for the proper perspective that he restored to me about our great land.
We love to complain. Take our health system, for example, which is one of the very best in the world. Yes, sometimes our local hospitals close for a day or two. Periodically we do have to wait longer than we’d like to see a doctor or specialist. But at least we still end up seeing them.
Years ago, my family was in Cuba for a winter holiday. (Oh, that’s another benefit of being Canadian. We have the freedom to travel wherever and whenever we like). We were out for a walk and came across a crippled lady begging for money. She was badly twisted up – it was hard to tell how old she was. Fifty, maybe.
When we got back to the resort (where we lived like royalty), I asked around to see if I could find anything out about her. I discovered that she had been born with a disability and had been unable to see a doctor and have it treated. After all these years, she was still waiting.
We complain about having to wait a few hours… or even a few days. This poor lady had been waiting a lifetime.
And I got to thinking – “I’ve sure got it good as a Canadian!”
When we returned home (we were living in Winnipeg at the time), the city was in the midst of a ‘garbage transition’. The city was no longer picking up trash and had contracted it out to a private firm. The transition resulted in periodic delays where garbage was picked up in eight or nine days, rather than the usual five.
Some citizens sure made a stink about that! The complaining was so loud that, believe it or not, it made the front pages of the local papers.
Now, I know that ‘negative news’ makes for more entertaining reading than ‘positive news’. (That is fodder for another column). But having to wait a few extra days for garbage collection…or having to stand in line for 20 minutes to vote…or sitting in Emergency for a few hours – I’d much rather have that than waiting a lifetime for medical care, or not being able to vote at all…or missing garbage collection for a week.
So, to that unknown man from the post office… thank you for reminding me how fortunate I am to be a Canadian.
Choose your friends wisely
“I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”
From the sidelines: Lessons learned, sometimes
We are given ample opportunities to “learn lessons” that are handed to us, often on silver platters through educators, work and recreational experiences, by reading and yes, even online sites that offer reality.
As we sift through our lives, even some of the youngest “practitioners of life” can look back at real-life experiences that taught them a lesson they’ll probably never forget unless or until Alzheimer’s or some other affliction cashes out the memory bank.
Sometimes the lesson you are being taught may not immediately resonate with you, but over time, it may come roaring back to lend assistance to something you are attempting to do in real time.
It may be something as simple as facts and figures you took in years ago that you can now use to forge an argument or come up with an answer to a probing question that you haven’t had to encounter for several years or maybe even ever.
As we learn these lessons of life, we would be well served if we also learned when and how to ask questions of those who know stuff. If you ask the right questions, you might get a good reply, and maybe together you find solutions.
After all, some problems and projects are best approached by teams, not solo performances.
Sometimes disagreements can actually lead to friendships and solutions. In the political world, they call it bi-partisan practices. Those moments can be most satisfying because it’s at that point where dignity and even kindness can find some room.
In the political world recently, we have seen more made-for-TV tantrums than actual reach out for assistance and bi-partisan supports because ego too often gets in the way of progress.
When we build alliances, whether it is in business, politics or educational edifices, things have a tendency to get done. Clarity certainly supersedes erratic behaviours. Lying loses you allies while truth and stability can save projects, programs, and yes, even lives, when applied with reason and the aforementioned kindness. We don’t need some “alternative facts” as one well-known politician once described it. We just need the real facts laid out so we can absorb, learn, rinse and repeat so we won’t forget the lesson.
Of course, some of our most important lessons are learned early in our lives, such as how to eat, walk, go potty and tying shoelaces and making beds. Hey, we all gotta learn that kind of stuff, eh? We learn how to talk and laugh and cry, although the laughing and crying, I believe, just come naturally from the inner self. We don’t have to be taught how to be sad or happy, that’s a built-in element for most, as is pain, for sure, both physical and emotional. But hey, I stopped well short of gaining my psychi-
atry degree. In fact, I didn’t even learn how to spell that word until I was 18. So count me well short of certification on that front.
We learn how to wash a car, bunt a baseball, shoot a puck, dance a polka, vacuum a floor, tie those shoelaces (hello Velcro, my old friend), sing and learn lyrics to songs, hold a fork and knife properly, or chopsticks. In other words, we can learn the fundamentals by simply observing, or by watching others perform duties, such as cooking and sewing and sorting, which they can do with ease, while we, as youngsters, had to learn how to do, sometimes the hard way.
Later on, we discover what paths we are going to follow professionally. For some, it’s easy; for others, it becomes a perplexing problem. Maybe they have no discernible skill set, or perhaps, too many, and they have difficulty choosing. Sometimes a career can be sorted out as a natural route because a parent, relative or close friend has led you toward that path. Personally speaking, I wasn’t one of those, although I did call upon a few of my mother’s skill sets in photography that she had taught me, to land my first job in the world of reportage and journalism. I knew how to develop and print pictures. Easy peasy for me, “back in the day.”
I landed a junior reporter’s job that involved rising at 5:30 every a.m., to make my way to the office/darkroom developing tanks to develop and then enlarge and print the photos we were going to use that day. Hey, it provided me with $40 per week and a ton of new friends and co-workers, and
I never felt a need to explore other avenues.
No downloading pix in those days. I learned how to listen, question, record and report, and I already knew how to write, but I had to learn how to “write good, eh?” So lessons I thought I had forgotten in Grade 7 to 12 English and literature and social studies classes came roaring back into the mindset. Oh yes, nouns, conjugations, idioms for idiots. There was always more to learn, but I was able to benefit by mingling with professional reporters and editors who knew what they were doing, and I was able to absorb, through osmosis, most of the trade requirements.
But that’s just one personal example.
Many learn by doing. Most farmers I have known have learned vital things via classrooms, but mostly they’ve arrived at success by just doing it, and learning as they went along by listening to other agricultural experts, Mother Nature and their own spirit world and instincts - another wonderful tool.
Nurses, doctors, sales personnel, teachers, miners, riggers, et al, don’t get there by accident - they get there by learning. The trick is to keep on learning, no matter what age or profession you’re at. In fact, just last week, a friend, an engineer neighbour, taught me a neat little trick I can use in my not-so-expert pursuits in my garage. And it didn’t cost me a thing, other than a more solidly framed friend and a reliable neighbour. It’s funny how those things turn out. Sometimes lessons just arrive, unannounced, unexpected, but greatly appreciated.
- Nelson Mandela
Paul Kimball Paulywogs
Norm Park
White Bear FN artist creates visual land acknowledgment
By Kaitlynn Nordal
Emilee Steffensen, a self-taught digital and traditional artist from White Bear First Nation and the owner of Moonemis Cree-ations, has recently been commissioned by Envision Counselling & Support Centre Inc. to make a visual land acknowledgment for their offices.
“My passion for art was passed down through my family,” said Steffensen. “My Grandma Dale Boutin inspired me to draw and paint when I was young, and when she passed, I lost that spark for a while. Later in life, when my Kookum Shirley Sparvier, adopted me as her own, came into my life and started teaching me cultural knowledge, I reconnected with my art in a new way through my identity as an Indigenous woman.”
“Art became not only healing for me but also a way to reclaim and share culture, teachings, and stories. One of the things I’ve come to specialize in is visual land acknowledgments. I’ve created several now, and it’s something I take great pride and passion in. Each one is a reflection of both cultural teachings and community connection,” continued Steffensen.
Envision Counselling & Support Centre Inc. contacted Steffensen about doing a visual land acknowledgment.
“I have worked with them in the past by selling my artwork that they have hung up in their locations,” said Steffensen. “Linda Rideout had seen my visual land acknowledgements through others that I have done and wanted one, something that represented Indigenous teachings and values while being unique to our shared Treaty Four and Two territory and what they do for the community. It was a respectful and collaborative approach, and from the very beginning, they trusted me to bring my voice and vision into the piece.”
Steffensen says she said yes because visual land acknowledgments are a powerful step beyond just words.
“They create lasting impact and visibility. Growing up, I didn’t see a lot of Indigenous representation in certain spaces, especially in professional or service-oriented organizations. So, to be asked to create something that permanently reflects Indigenous presence, teachings, and truth was meaningful,” said Steffensen.
“I’ve made it a part of my work to bring Indigenous visibility into public spaces, and this type of work is something I’ve found I truly excel at. It’s
more than just art, it’s storytelling, education, and healing combined,” continued Steffensen.
Steffensen says she decided to make the Seven Grandfather Teachings the core of the visual land acknowledgement.
“The Seven Grandfather Teachings: Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility, and Wisdom, are foundational teachings in many Indigenous communities, including mine. I chose to include them because they represent a way of life, a moral compass that guides how we treat each other and the land,” said Steffensen.
“I placed them in a circular form around the medicine wheel because they are interconnected, and like the wheel itself, they reflect balance, direction, and the cycles of life,” continued Steffensen. “It was important to ground the piece in teachings that speak to both Indigenous identity and shared human values.”
Steffensen then put Prairie Lilies and wheat around the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
“Prairie Lilies are Saskatchewan’s provincial flower (my grandmother Dale also loved Prairie lilies so, I’ve been adding them to all of my land acknowledgement, to honour her) and wheat is a symbol of the prairie landscape,” said Steffensen. “Including them was my way of honouring
the land we share, Treaty 4 territory, and bringing visual harmony between Indigenous knowledge and the natural beauty of the area.”
“These elements also represent growth and resilience,” continued Steffensen. “I placed them around the teachings to show that cultural teachings can root and blossom within the land we live on, and that reconcil-
iation can grow from that same soil.”
All of this then branches off the medicine wheel, which is a sacred symbol that represents balance, harmony, and the interconnection of all things: mind, body, spirit, and emotions.
“Everything in the piece branches out from the wheel because all aspects of life and teachings begin there,” said Steffensen. “The wheel is not just a symbol, it’s a way of understanding life. By allowing everything—flowers, teach-
ings, symbols—to grow outward from the wheel, I wanted to show how our worldview is expansive and deeply rooted, and how we carry those teachings into everything we do.”
From initial concept to final touches, this piece took Steffensen roughly four weeks.
“I spent a lot of time reflecting. I didn’t want to just create something beautiful; I wanted every element to have purpose. Once I started designing, it evolved naturally,” said Steffensen. “I kept revisiting it until it felt like it told the story it needed to tell. The final moment, when I looked at it and felt peace, was powerful. That’s when I knew it was complete.”
Linda Rideout, the general manager of Envision, ordered enough for every location.
“I just want to say how grateful I am to have had this opportunity. It’s not just a project, it’s a statement of presence, of truth, and of healing,” said Steffensen. “To see Indigenous teachings and symbols displayed in a space like Envision is a step forward. I hope this piece starts conversations, encourages learning, and reminds people that reconciliation is ongoing, and it requires visible action, not just words.”
OILFIELD DIRECTORY
Linda Rideout of Envision Counselling & Support Centre Inc (L) and Emilee Steffensen (R) pose for a photo at the unveiling of Steffensen’s Visual Land Acknowledgement.
Photo contributed
Southeast Steelers win provincial women’s softball title
The Steelers defeated the Saskatoon Stealth in the provincial final.
The Carnduff-based Southeast Steelers are the Softball Saskatchewan women’s A provincial champions, and they won the title on their home diamond.
The Steelers defeated the Saskatoon Stealth 9-3 on July 6 in Carnduff to win the title and qualify for another trip to nationals.
The Steelers went 4-0 during the weekend, starting with three straight victories in the round robin. They began with a 3-1 victory over the Saskatoon Prairie Pirates on July 4. Then they won twice on July 5, beating the Saskatoon Tigers 9-3 and the Stealth 3-2. The win over the Stealth left the Steelers in first place after the round robin, and they advanced directly to the gold-medal game.
The Stealth blanked the Prairie Pirates 11-0 in the semifinal.
Nationals are slated for July 30-Aug. 3 in Saskatoon. The Steelers won the championship in 2023 and 2024.
Stoughton Lions Club announce winners at Canada Day celebration
By Stephanie Zoer
The heat rolled in for Canada Day celebrations across Saskatchewan, but this did not stop crowds of people coming to the Taylor Memorial Park in Stoughton.
A flat deck trailer was the stage for the Carragan Ramblers from Forget as they entertained the crowd of over 100 people. With the heat, the guests sought shelter in the shade so they could sit back and take in the
music while visiting with their friends and neighbours.
The Town of Stoughton sponsored the event, while the Stoughton Lions Club handled the cooking and preparation for the crowd.
A $5 charge for burgers or hot dogs, salads, drinks, and dessert and the proceeds went to support first responders.
There was quite a lineup for food, but the Lions had it all under control and had the lines
moving quickly.
While the singers took a break, Del Coderre of the Stoughton Lions Club came to the stage to do the reverse draw.
Coderre welcomed everyone and thanked the Town for allowing this event to take place and he hoped that everyone was having a wonderful time.
Two hundred and fifty tickets were sold, 230 were drawn at the last meeting, leaving 20 for the end to be drawn at the celebration.
Usually with a draw it is the first names that are drawn would be the winners, but with a reverse draw it is the last name to come out of the draw that is the big winner.
The remaining tickets
had a chance of winning four prizes of $20, and the last three the big prizes. Many guests eagerly awaited to see if they would win the grand prize.
Arlene Charles won $150, while Lorne Perry took home $300. The big ticket of $1000 went to Randy Reige.
Cake and ice cream were served later in the afternoon for Canada Day.
As the sun began to set, the temperatures began to cool off, and the music ended, so did another Canada Day celebration. There were no fireworks on this day as it was decided to hold fireworks at the Stoughton Daze festivities on July 5.
The Carragan Ramblers from Forget are always ready to entertain with their lengthy list of popular songs. Photo by Stephanie Zoer
The Southeast Steelers gather for a group photo after winning provincials. Photo sources from the Southeast Steelers Facebook page.
Rosie’s Farm Stand opens in Carievale
By Paul Kimball
You might say that Holly Bayliss is a bit of an entrepreneur … for sure she has a knack for business.
A few years ago, she started up a greenhouse in Carievale, logically named Carievale Greenhouse. That has been quite successful. Now she’s at it again, opening
up a second business that is not seasonal – Rosie’s Farm Stand.
Rosie is Holly’s dog’s name…Holly loves her dog. Thus, the name. Rosie’s Farm Stand
opened for business on June 22nd and business has been good so far. It’s a unique business in that its operating hours are from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
And there’s a very good chance that as you shop at the store, you won’t find any staff.
It operates on the honour system. Every item has a price sticker affixed to it. You simply add up the price stickers of the items to be purchased and place the correct amount into the cash box. Holly trusts you.
The store is a novel idea. It is designed to accommodate everyone’s schedule and features the products of 15 local vendors, including Holly. Some of the items that you’ll find include jams, jellies and sauces made by Holly and her mom Wanda, bee baths and baking by Holly, bird houses and feeders by Ron Henderson, candles by Taylor Bayliss and car charms by Macy Henderson. There’s also a shelf holding locally-produced honey. Popular frozen soups, made by Rhonda Halliday are also avail-
able for purchase, along with sour dough bagels, hand-drawn cards and baking by Bitsy Baking and the Szakacs sisters.
In a few weeks, once gardens start producing their yields, fresh vegetables from MJ Acres will be available.
And as if that wasn’t enough, ice cream by Chapmans and other assorted frozen treats are also for sale.
Virtually everything is home-made by people living in Saskatchewan. All of this can be found in
a 6’ x 8’ shed on the same property as Carievale Greenhouse. For those not familiar with where the greenhouse is, drive to Carievale and then follow the signs. A heating/cooling system has just been installed, enabling the store to be open year-round.
The store fills a niche within Carievale. Visit them on Facebook to find out more, including daily specials. And plan to visit the latest business that has come from Holly’s entrepreneurial mind.
Town of Oxbow whoops it up for Canada Day
By Paul Kimball
Canada Day celebrations are becoming a bit of a rarity in the smaller towns of southeastern Saskatchewan. But not so in Oxbow. If anything, just the opposite is happening.
Canada Day was July 1st, but in Oxbow, a multi-cultural day took place the day before, making the celebration feel like a two-day event.
It was the third year in a row that Oxbow has celebrated multiculturalism by giving it its own day. It was made possible by a grant from the Canadian Heritage Grant Program, as well as sponsorships from several local businesses and groups.
The day opened at the Friendship Centre. Heather Sparrow of White Bear First Nations led a workshop called Let’s Learn Metawetan.
Children aged five to 10 took part and learned through crafts, games and hands-on activities.
Later that day, the focus shifted to Bow Valley Park, where two Tinikling workshops were held. Tiniklings are Filipino bamboo dances and they were taught by the Bayanihan Filipino Arts and Culture Club from Yorkton. The workshops
were very energetic and lots of fun.
Later on, the music took over. Two bands –the Moxie Blues and The Leftovers – played songs into the night, from 6:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. That kept those in the beer gardens well entertained as they were served by volunteers from the Bow Valley Villa.
At 10:15 p.m. a great display of fireworks went off, signalling the wind-down of one day’s celebrations…and the reminder that the next day’s was about to come Canada Day may have been even busier. A pancake breakfast provided the energy that was needed to take in the events. At 11:00 a.m., a parade made its way throughout some of Oxbow’s streets, with many of the entrants tossing treats to the kids who lined the streets. While adults watched the floats, kids watched the curbs for candies.
Everyone then moved on to the Bow Valley Park. Many took in the magic show by Magic With Mike. Being such a hot day, some chose instead to soak themselves and others with the hoses from the fire trucks and the water of the dunk tank. The river was also
an option for those who preferred to canoe and kayak.
A little later in the afternoon, 27 teams participated in the 3rd annual Cornhole Tournament. This is a fundraiser for the Bow Valley Villa. Since the villa does not receive government funding, it relies on rent payments and fundraising activities to continue. Half the proceeds from the registration fees and 50/50 draw went back to the villa.
The last ‘major’ event was the Duck Derby. Over
Mandated by provincial legislation, SoutheastCollege proudlyprovides academic,and skills trainingoppor tunities tailoredtomeet theregional and industr yneeds of southeastSaskatchewan.
Situated on Treaty 2and Treat y4 Territor yand thehomeland of theMétis,the College is deeply rooted in itscommitment to reconciliation and community engagement
As acor nerstone of theregion, SoutheastCollege transformslives through thepower of education. By fosteringstrong communities and drivingeconomic growth in an ever-evolving world, theCollege playsa vitalroleinshaping aprosperous future
TheCollege is governed by adedicatedseven-personBoardofGover nors.Withthree vacancies arising due to upcoming retirements, theBoardisseekingexpressions of interest from individuals eager to contribute as Boardmembers.Candidates will be assessedwithpreferencegiven to thosewho meet thefollowing criteria:
Geographic representation
BasedonSoutheastCollege’s operational footprint:
•1 representativefor ‘r ural west communities’
•1 representativefor ‘r ural nor th communities’
•1 representativefromWeyburn or immediatelyadjacent communities
Skills/experience
Ideal candidates will have exper tise in at leastone of thefollowing (not in order of impor tance): Government,Education systems,Indigenous relations,Legal,Leadership experience, Southeast College’s operating environment,Energy, Health,Trades,Small Business& Labor Relations, Management,Finance, Risk Management, Communications,and Marketing.
Diversity
Southeast College embraces diversit yand inclusivit y, actively encouraging
•Inclusion of individualswithdisabilities
•Equal gender representation
•Representation of visibleminor ities
•Par ticipationofwomen in non-traditional roles
Submission
SoutheastCollege BoardofGover nors invitesinterestedpar ties to apply, in wr itingoremail, before1st August 2025to:
CJohns,Board Liaison
SoutheastCollege
Box1565,Weyburn,SKS4H 0T1
Email: CJohns@southeastcollege.org
Pleaseinclude aresumewithyour professional background, previous boardexper ience, if any, and describe your interest/aimsinser ving on theBoardofSoutheastCollege.All submissions will be treated with theutmostconfidentialit y. Theboardwill review applications beforemakinga recommendation to theMinistr yofAdvanced Educationfor Ministerialapproval
Forfurther informationcontact CJ at cjohns@southeastcollege.orgor(306) 861-5751
a thousand rubber duckies were unceremoniously dumped off the bridge into the river and slowly drifted for about half a kilometre to the finish line. The money raised by the Derby was equally
split. Half was distributed amongst the owners of the top five ducks and half went to the Oxbow and Enniskillen Fire & Rescue Department to purchase equipment for a new fire truck that will be coming to them in the fall of 2026.
Canada is a country that highly values multiculturalism. For a couple of days, Oxbow celebrated both – Canada and its diversity.
Children learning the art of Tiniklings…bamboo dancing. Photo courtesy of Treena Mohrbutter
Candy! These parades are a lot of fun! Photo submitted by Paul Kimball
Redvers celebrates Homecoming and Canada Day
By Paul Kimball
Last year, 2024, was the year of Redvers’ 120th anniversary. As the committee went about planning a homecoming celebration, it was noted that attendance for Canada Day had been diminishing for the past several years. Many residents had begun using the beginning of July to get away to the cottage or take holidays and it was felt that a lot of work was being expended for the sake of a few.
That’s the problem with planning an extravaganza in a smaller community.
A suggestion was put forth – why not choose another weekend, when more would be around, and combine homecoming and Canada Day?
That’s what happened…and it turned out to be a huge success. So successful, in fact, that a homecoming was planned to celebrate Redvers’ 121st anniversary…and Canada’s 158th birthday…at the same time.
A lot was planned for people to take part in or watch. A slow-pitch tournament was held – actually, it started a day early, on Thursday and finished on Sunday. Twelve teams from Redvers, Alida and Storthoaks competed for the fame of being crowned champions.
On Friday, the very popular and fun horse race, sponsored by Craig Gaudet of I/G Wealth Management, occurred. Eight contestants, dressed in inflatable horse costumes,
ran through an obstacle course. Bidders were very generous as they ‘purchased’ the horse they thought would win. When the race was over, the winning horse received a trophy plus 30% of the pool, while its backer pocketed 50%. The remaining 20% went to the Homecoming Committee. All the other equine participants took home prizes.
Also taking place on Saturday was a car & motorcycle show, sponsored by KC Auto Services and Frank’s Auto Body. The kids had an opportunity to shine on vehicles of their own – they pedalled mini-tractors while pulling weights behind them. There were three age categories to make it fair – three-and-fouryear-olds, five-and sixyear-olds and seven-and eight-year-olds. Redvers Ag Supply was the sponsor of that event.
Saturday wrapped up with a pulled pork dinner, an outdoor concert at the Ag Arena with Sask Steel (a four-man band based out of Saskatoon) and of course, fireworks. Saturday was over, but the weekend wasn’t. Sunday started off with a pancake breakfast provided by the Knights of Columbus. The ranch rodeo, which had begun on Saturday, finished
on Sunday. The rodeo featured roping events, skills events, a show by the Truco Trick Riders, a candy scramble for the kids and the loonie straw bale, which was a scavenger hunt for money hidden in a haystack. There were other activities throughout the day for kids, including a toonie swim…and a parade for the whole family to enjoy.
That completed the homecoming. And just so Canada Day didn’t feel totally left out, the fireworks came out on Tuesday for the second time in four days.
Another successful celebration. Now the planning begins for Redvers’… and Canada’s birthdays next year.
The horses, getting some last-minute instructions. Photo courtesy of Jena Cowan
Face-painting and tattoos, as always, was a popular activity. Photo courtesy of Jena Cowan
CLASSIFIEDS AD RATES
The Village of Kisbey gets SMAK Attack Award from Arcola
By Stephanie Zoer
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Lots of work all season. Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d. Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844
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For over 25 years the SMAK Attack Award has been going strong between the towns of Stoughton, Manor, Arcola, and Kisbey.
This friendly competition judges towns on neatness, including mowed grass, weeded flower beds, cleaned alleys, removal of old vehicles, and trimmed tree branches.
Each town takes a great deal of pride in receiving this award and it is a fantastic way to get the town cleaned up for when guests come for a visit.
Competition is always
Notice to Creditors
In the estate of MacNeil McAr thur late of Pheasant Rump First Nation Saskatchewan, deceased All claims against the above estate, duly ver ified by statutor y declaration and with par ticulars and valuation of secur it y held if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 24th day of July, 2025
Br idges & Company LLP
1329 Third Street
Estevan, SK S4A 0S1
Solicitors for the Executors
Notice to Creditors
In the estate of Sonja Ann Peterson, late of Oxbow, Saskatchewan deceased All claims against the above estate, duly ver ified by statutor y declaration and with par ticulars and valuation of secur it y held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 24th day of July 2025
Br idges & Company LLP
1329 Third Street
Estevan, SK S4A 0S1
Solicitors for the Executors
tight, making it challenging for judges to choose this year’s winners.
Audrey Rasmussen, Heather Thomas and Beth Corrigan, all from Carlyle travelled to each town before noon, checking how the town looked.
Third Street Estevan, SK S4A 0S1 Solicitors for the Executors
Notice to Creditors IN THE ESTATE OF THELMA ERICA LOEFFLER
LATE OF MANOR, IN THE PROVINCE OF SASK ATCHEWAN, DECEASED
All claims against the above estate, duly ver ified by statutor y declaration and with par ticulars and valuation of secur it y held, if any must be sent to the undersigned before the 18th day of August, 2025
MCGEOUGH ZEPICK LAW OFFICE
1222 - 5th Street
Estevan Sask S4A 0Z
Solicitors for the Executors
Last year the award went to the Town of Arcola, and the luncheon was held in Kisbey, and Arcola being the defending champion hoped to win again this year.
When the judging was over, representatives from each town met at the Arcola Optimist/Legion Hall for lunch.
The judges once again said that the competition was close, but in the end only one town could win, and this year the prestigious SMAK Attack Award went to the Village of Kisbey.
Elisa Jackson, Kisbey’s
mayor, said they spent hours on the tractor, and they only have one town person.
“The community really pulled together and pitched in to get her done,” said Jackson.
“Luckily we never received any of the major storms, so it did not slow down the clean up,” she said.
Jackson praised the people of Kisbey for always helping each other, when they know of someone that has issues, others step in to give a helping hand.
Cathy Burton, Town of Arcola’s assistant administrator, handed over the award to Mayor Elisa Jackson at the luncheon.
Next year the towns will once again try to win the award, while Kisbey will try to be the winning team again.
Left to right, Village of Kisbey’s Mayor Elisa Jackson accepts the SMAK Attack award from Cathy Burton, assistant administrator Town of Arcola, and judges Audrey Rasmussen, Heather Thomas, and Beth Corrigan. Photo by Rebecca Korchinski
This newspaper is recycable
This newspaper is recycable
Notice to Creditors
In
of Travis Wayne Benner, late of Manor,
Bingo ever y Tuesday at the Four Seasons Drop in Centre, Kenosee Lake @ 7pm star t time Jack Pot is at $580 Luck y 7 is at $365
Happy 40th Anniversar y July
BUSINESS & SERVICEDIRECTORY
DL AE LE CT RI
33. Hole punch 34. Mesh fabric 36. Be able to pay for 37. Shaped
