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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 9,2020

The great December weather

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Sara Davis pushed Bradley Earnshaw on the swing at the Dennis Moore Centennial Park on Thursday afternoon. Thanks to the warmer than normal conditions this month, many families have been out enjoying the nice conditions. Parks in Estevan have been a popular destination for those looking to enjoy an activity that typically wouldn’t occur in December. Photo by David Willberg

New regional nursing home committee salutes its Christmas angels

By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

The new Estevan Regional Nursing Home committee is celebrating the legacy of a couple of large donors, whom they have referred to as their “Christmas angels.”

The committee announced Friday that the late Tom and Irma Trofimenkoff, who were long-time residents of Estevan, had left a large legacy gift, which will be directed towards replacing the outdated nursing home.

The amount of the donation will not be released, but the Trofimenkoff estate said it is a six-figure gift.

Don Kindopp, who is the chairperson of the new nursing home committee, said this will be the largest donation from a family the new nursing home committee has received.

“A bequest of this size validates our efforts,” says Kindopp. “This project is very meaningful to the people in Estevan and region and these

angels have inspired us to intensify our campaign.”

A second installment from the Trofimenkoff estate is scheduled to occur at a later date.

Tom was a long-time employee of the City of Estevan who died in April at the age of 87, while Irma was a SaskTel worker who died in August at the age of 83. They were married for 47 years.

Kindopp said he knew the couple for many, many years, and he always found them to be very friendly people who were community-minded. During the Hearthstone Community Campaign that raised money for the nursing home, the couple was very generous.

The Trofimenkoffs were residents of the long-term care at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

“Any time you met them at the hospital, when they were down having coffee, they were very friendly. They visited and liked to be visited with,” said Kindopp.

They didn’t have any children, so Kindopp believes

they took Estevan on as their children, and provided for the community through their legacy. Other organizations in the region will also benefit from their generosity. Those organizations were not immediately disclosed.

“It leaves you in a bit of awe that people would consider their community in that manner,” said Kindopp.

He recalled members of the new nursing home committee were called to a meeting in July. At the time, they knew they were beneficiaries of the Trofimenkoff estate, but they didn’t realize the amount. The cheque for the first installment from the estate arrived a couple of weeks ago.

“When we went down there, and we were informed of the generosity of Tom and Irma Trofimenkoff, it was surreal. To think that people can be that generous and consider the new nursing home as their beneficiary was extremely pleasing.”

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Donors see the need for a new nursing home « A1 nephew of the Trofimenkoffs and one of the executors of their estate, said the new nursing home was one of a number of organizations that meant a lot to the couple.

“They were very quiet. They kept to themselves. They enjoyed travelling. Together they basically travelled the world,” said Schindel.

While they were never residents of the nursing home, Irma’s mother Marth Schroeder lived there from 1991 until her death in 1998. At that time, Schindel said Schroeder could see the need for a new facility.

The new nursing home committee was also proud to announce that the estate of Mylan Chase had donated $100,000 to the construction of the building. It’s another donation that caught the new nursing home committee by surprise.

“When we found out it could be a nice legacy from the Mylan Chase estate, you’re

always caught off guard in a very pleasant way to know that people in the community are still thinking about the new Estevan Regional Nursing Home committee,” said Kindopp.

This donation reflects how fortunate people are to have individuals who are so generous and community-minded, Kindopp said. They see the need for causes like the new nursing home in the city.

Kindopp said he did not know Chase personally, but he had seen him at a few events in the community. And after seeing how generous Chase was, he wishes he had known the man.

“It’s nice to have people like that in your associations that are generous and think of other people, and think of the community when it comes to passing on a legacy. Even though they’re no longer with us, they can still have an impact and an effect on the future beyond their existence here on

Earth with us.”

He died in November 2018 at the age of 96.

Chase’s widow, Adaline Deschneider, said her husband was such a kind and giving man, but he was a very quiet person.

He decided to support the new nursing home because he thought she might wind up there some day, and she would rather be in a new one because of the current building’s age.

This isn’t the first time that a local organization has benefitted from Mylan Chase’s commitment to Estevan. Last year Deschneider and Chase’s stepdaughter Deshan announced a $100,000 donation to long-term care at the hospital in his name.

The committee continues to wait on approval from the provincial government to move forward with the project.

Discussions for a new nursing home in Estevan began more than a decade ago. The Hearthstone Community Cam-

paign was launched in 2011 in an effort to raise funds for the building. Its goal was $8 million, which represented the necessary 20 per cent of the project’s $40 million cost.

The new nursing home committee announced in January 2015 it had reached the $8 million goal, and the new nursing home project for Estevan was inserted into the queue for new long-term care facilities.

Nearly six years later, it remains in the queue, despite lobbying efforts and numerous changes to the project to reduce its cost in an attempt to gain government support.

Kindopp said they now have more than $8.6 million in commitments, including $3 million in pledges owing. Most of those outstanding pledges are the RMs who committed to the project back in 2012. They’re holding that money in trust until the new nursing home gets the green light.

Mylan Chase’s estate has made a significant donation to the new nursing home committee.

File photo

St. Joseph’s acted quickly after patient at addictions centre tested positive for COVID-19 A patient at the addictions recovery centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital tested positive for COVID-19 last month, and the hospital acted quickly to minimize the spread of the virus to other recovery centre patients and the rest of the hospital.

The patient, who resides outside of the southeast region, was asymptomatic and tested positive on Nov. 26, shortly after arriving at the centre.

“That prompted a number of actions,” said St. Joseph’s Hospital executive director

SLOW DOWN

Greg Hoffort. “First and foremost, the patient was isolated away from the other patients.

The staff who had been in contact were placed at home on a 14-day quarantine.”

Some new COVID protocols were put in place with the

chief medical health office of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the hospital has not had any further positive cases.

Replacement staff members arrived. Cedars at Cobble Hill, the B.C.-based treatment centre that the hospital has

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Four councillors from the St. Joseph’s centre are in quarantine.

The addictions centre has been largely using virtual counselling since late November, and will continue to do so until they can get all of their counsellors and staff back for in-person sessions.

“There certainly are some challenges being virtual, with virtual lectures and virtual counselling, rather than in person, but we’re certainly very appreciative of how it’s been handled by an amazing staff,” said Hoffort.

They have the clinical leader from Cedars and one counsellor on-site.

The residents have done well since the new measures were introduced. In-person counselling would be the preferred route, as opposed to virtual meetings, but the residents have adjusted.

It’s allowed the addictions recovery centre to continue operating and it remains full.

Hoffort said the hospital will always learn from everything, including how to minimize exposure and the risk of transmission, even when there aren’t any positive cases.

“It’s difficult in a residential environment like we’ve created there, and that’s part of the program. It’s difficult to have an environment a successful environment that requires so much separation. We’ll learn from what’s happened, we’re pleased that at this point anyways it’s been contained, and we’ll move forward.”

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Despite the pandemic, the young Southeast Search and Rescue chapter keeps moving forward

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

Like with many other organizations, the retreating year turned out to be quite tricky for the young Southeast Saskatchewan Search and Rescue (SESKSAR). But despite the challenges, the group of dedicated volunteers was able to still progress in setting an equipped, trained and fully functioning SAR organization.

The results and achievements were discussed during an annual general meeting that took place on Dec. 1 at the Carnduff Fire Hall. Several members were present, while others joined via Zoom call.

U n l i k e m a ny o t h e r chapters across Saskatchewan, SESKSAR is heading forward in good financial shape. The chapter was able to secure some funds for further equipment purchases as well as for finishing and packing off the incident command trailer, thanks to the generosity of the southeast, and especially the family of Ruby Barnes, who donated the trailer, the Olson family, local RMs and numerous co-op fundraisers.

The funding was also generated from some other private donations and a few fundraisers held in 2019 and in 2020 before the pandemic, including the Richard Carriere Memorial Bike Ride.

According to fundraising committee chair Trish Read, since its establishment, the chapter was able to raise over $40,000 in cash and non-cash donations. And even though not much could be done in a sense of fundraising since March, the organization was able to still attract some funding. It was also agreed during the meeting that SESKSAR

All trained members of the SESKSAR now have proper winter jackets to be used in potential operations. will organize a virtual fundraiser moving forward.

The funds that have already been raised will allow the equipment committee to keep working on the donated incident command trailer.

The trailer was plated and the committee was able to insulate it and put a divider wall into it to allow for an actual command centre and an equipment/recovery room.

A lot of work and materials were donated by different businesses and individuals. The committee also has acquired several GPS units, radios, a laptop and a Toughbook and did some other work on the trailer in 2019.

With the money received from the southeast Saskatchewan RMs, the chapter was also able to purchase 21 profession-

al winter jacket, so all trained members now have something to keep them warm and safe if a call for service comes over the winter months. In 2020 the equipment committee also received some important donations that will help get the trailer up and running, and they are currently looking into putting cabinetry in and then acquiring a generator to power the command trailer.

While quite a few things were already accomplished, SESKSAR still has a long wish list of equipment that is necessary to ensure an efficient and safe operation when members get called out.

Jason Russill, the emergency service officer with Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), joined the meeting via Zoom from Re-

gina as a guest speaker. He spoke to SESKSAR members about the organization, its role in the emergency response system and the resources and equipment the organization possesses and that can be utilized by SAR chapters among others for training and in operations.

So far the organization has 19 trained members that can partake in SAR operations.

While no new members were trained in 2020 due to the pandemic, the existing ones were able to participate in several field pieces of training at the beginning of the year. In 2019, a few members also went through technical training, and a long list of other free training opportunities was offered to the chapter.

Two members also par-

took in Adventure Smart special training, which allows them to teach others to deliver the preventative school-level program, designed to try and reduce the number and the severity of search and rescue incidents. However, due to the pandemic, the delivery of the program to schools has been on pause since March.

In 2021, the training committee is hoping to have its first SESKSAR team leaders trained, and also to hold a few mock call outs.

The board of directors has also been developing the chapter's own constitution, bylaws and policies based on the appropriate documents from other entities.

"I'm pleased to report that we've made it through the constitution and we are cur-

rently working on the bylaws.

Once we've got the bylaws finished, we'll tap on policies and then we are going to send those out to the membership for a review. And of course, it will have to be run by member vote at one of the upcoming meetings," explained board member Dan Hardern.

The chapter is always open to new members. The application package is available on SESKSAR's Facebook page as well as through existing members.

SESKSAR is also working on organizing canine and equine SAR units and is looking for people with dogs or horses willing to join the organization and undergo the training. For more information, people can email sesk.sar@gmail.com.

Firefighter and police Toy drive attracts lots of donations The annual F ill the Trucks Toy Drive at Canadian Tire proved to be a big success.

Members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service, Estevan RCMP and Estevan Police Service were at the Canadian Tire in Estevan on Saturday for the initiative, which supports the Community Hamper Association’s

Angel Tree program.

Fire and police vehicles were parked in front of Canadian Tire, with their lights flashing. People purchased a toy from the store, and dropped it off in a trailer supplied by Derek Young with Signal Direct.

Cash donations were also accepted.

Fire Chief Dale Feser

Fire trucks and police vehicles were at Canadian Tire on Saturday for the annual Fill the Trucks Toy Drive.

said the trailer was needed because it would minimize contact with people and gifts. Normally the gifts would be stored in a fire truck. People could still take a look at the fire truck’s exterior tools and compartments, but they couldn’t tour the inside.

Feser said the fire department has done this for several years, and they believe it was important to do it again this year to support the Community Hamper Association and the Angel Tree during a year of great need.

“They do amazing work here, and they’re indicating that there’s going to be quite a few more applicants this year, so it’s nice to always be able to help out, and hopefully help everybody have a Merry Christmas. You don’t want to have people making a choice where they’re going to have a Christmas meal versus buying Christmas

presents.”

If the hamper association is short of toys, the fire department will purchase additional toys.

Feser marvelled at the support from the community once again.

"It's just astounding, the amount of the support that we have in our community.

Not once, not twice, but three, possibly more times there were people that came with entire shopping carts overloaded with toys and donated the entire shopping carts," Feser said.

The toys were taken to an area where they will be stored. Later this month, those toys, and others collected through the Angel Tree, will be spread out in the basement of St. Giles Anglican Church for the Toy Store. Adult hamper recipients with a child or children will be able to visit the toy store and select a toy

Members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service with all of the toys that were collected this year. for each child.

The Angel Tree will be located at Walmart, Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse Casual and Your Toy Store and More this week.

The Community Hamper Association has received nearly 390 requests for hampers this year, and more than 520 requests for toys. They

will be in need of more toys this week.

The Estevan Kinette Club’s PJ Project is run in conjunction with the hamper association and the angel tree, as each kid who receives a toy will also receive a new pair of pyjamas, so the Kinette Club is also in need of pyjamas.

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Editorial

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

A4

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EDITORIAL

Loss of provincial curling hurts us all The latest marquee event in the Estevan area to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic is the Scotties-Tankard, the two provincial curling championships that were to happen in the Energy City early next year.

The Viterra Scotties women’s provincials and the SaskTel Tankard men’s provincials, to be held back-to-back over 10 days at Affinity Place, would have been the latest high-profile curling events to happen here, joining the 2018 Tankard and the 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup of Curling.

Local curling fans were no doubt looking forward to watching the two top curling events in Saskatchewan at a warm, beautiful venue in their own backyard. And it would have been yet another stepping stone for our city as we work towards having even bigger curling events here.

In normal years, they’re also great opportunities to get youths hooked on the sport, with the Junior Stars initiative that matches up young people with the teams, and field trips for school students to watch the morning draws.

Obviously, with COVID-19, this would have been a very different event even if provincials did go ahead. You wouldn’t have had the school kids being bused in, and who knows how many people would have been allowed to attend. Affinity Place would have looked really empty with just 150 people for the men’s and women’s finals.

The loss of these curling events won’t just hurt the local curling community.

These events create a significant economic spinoff for our region. They bring people here.

In the case of the Scotties-Tankard, it would draw not only the curlers, but their family members, curling officials, media and numerous others to Estevan. They’d be staying in our hotels, eating at our restaurants and enjoying the other amenities our city has to offer.

And it’s a showcase for our community, and our great venue, Affinity Place.

Nobody will argue for hosting a marquee event without fans present, unless it’s in a bubble. But even if the Scotties and the Tankard would have gone ahead without anybody in attendance, there would have at least been a spinoff for the community.

We’ve missed out on a lot over the past nine months due to this pandemic. At the start of the year, we were looking forward to a pretty busy year, with our fair and rodeo on the same weekend for the first time this century, a weekend double header for the Dakota Classic Modified Tour at the Estevan Motor Speedway for the first time, the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association provincial convention, events such as the Rafferty Rumble and so much more.

Obviously, these events are lower on the priority scale than lost jobs or closed busi-

nesses, or families who have suffered through illness or even death for a loved one due to COVID. And there’s the tremendous toll the pandemic has taken on those in care facilities in our community. While the staff members of these facilities have done great work in trying to meet the needs of residents for the past nine month, the residents are missing the in-person interactions with their loved ones.

Technology has helped to bridge the gap, but it’s not the same.

Still, the loss of these big events hurts.

We’ll get to have the Scotties and the Tankard one day. It will be a great event for the city. And we’ll get to marvel at the great shots of these skilled athletes, who also tend to be pretty humble people.

It’s another thing we get to look forward to somewhere down the road.

It doesn’t look like it will be in 2022, since the curling club doesn’t want to infringe on the 2022 Centennial Cup national junior A hockey Tournament. But we’ll get the top curlers in some day.

And it will lead to bigger curling events that will give us the opportunity to showcase our community on a grander scale.

In the meantime, all we can do is lament what could have been, due to something completely out of our control.

The premier that stole Christmas Many of you probably have seen the press conference in which Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister broke down and cried as he pleaded for people to "stay apart at Christmas."

He was asked why he liked being hated so much. And while the restrictions put in place in Manitoba have indeed been pretty severe as the situation there is much worse than it should be in a setting as they have there, his emotions brought to light the burden that he, and probably most other political leaders, have been feeling and bravely carrying throughout the past nine months.

When Pallister was talking about all he's taken away from people this holiday season, and why he was doing it, I couldn't resist thinking that to be any kind of a ruling political leader is the worst job there is these days.

Not only have they had to make hundreds of unpopular decisions and probably will continue with that for a while (probably eventually putting an end to their careers as it sometimes happens once the crisis is over), they also have to make unprecedented decisions with not much appropriate experience to rely on.

There are no guarantees that any of the tough measures will work. They are supposed to, but might not be enough. Or might be not exactly the right ones. And if they don't work, or even if they do, but original assumptions prove to be wrong, as it happened in the spring, it seems that there is hardly any room for forgiveness from the exhausted and totally stressed out population.

Some countries like Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea and New Zeeland so far have

Ana Bykhovskaia Twenty Lines About… managed the crisis better than the others.

And while there were some common points in strategies used by these and many other states (like intense and early mass testing, contact tracing, partial or full temporary lockdowns and so on), not many of them made it to this point in a good shape.

It could have been bad timing, or lack of supplies or people, or mentality and cultural differences, or geography, or climate, or economic situation, or other ongoing issues, or thousands of other variables. But for many countries, measures that worked for others, not only didn't result in the same effect, but also scrutinized other areas. And who else but the leaders are being blamed for that?

And while our elected leaders are supposed to be the best on all fronts, nobody gets trained for qualitatively new challenges like a highly contagious virus spreading in a globalized world.

How often kids say that when they grow up they want to become presidents?

I bet those who are growing up now, have already changed their minds. I know I definitely wouldn't want to be the one making big decisions now. No matter what you do, chances are you'll have thousands of people hating you are pretty much at 100 per cent.

But you still have to do what it takes to

ensure that on a bigger scale this ship, be it the city, province, country or our world, makes it to the other side of the ocean.

I felt Pallister's pain, listening to his response. He sees the goal, but he also sees all the challenges his province has to get through to get to the final destination. The province that did so well during the first wave completely failed during the second. I guess it's like the story about a boy who cried wolf; Manitobans probably just got burnt out and didn't believe anything when fall came.

I'm pretty sure people in Saskatchewan and other provinces feel the same, but it seems that the disease we are fighting is just seeking that tiredness as an entrance point.

And then, when we almost don't believe that the enemy is real it attacks full power before we get a chance to organize the defence.

I sincerely believe that no leader, no one in their right mind – it doesn't matter if they have good or bad intentions – would enjoy shutting everything down, cancelling business opportunities and paralyzing life. It hurts everybody. But the hope is it will help most people in the end.

I guess most premiers, presidents and other types of governors are turning into Grinches in our eyes this Christmas. But it's important to remember that while we will be missing out on a year of excitement, gatherings, fun and easy shopping, crazy parties and more, they are trying to ensure that every one of us has many more great years with family and friends ahead.

So when irritation puts you on edge, just think greater picture.

Goosfraba and try not to hate anyone.

Op-Ed A5

David Willberg Willberg’s World

Is it really December?

I did something on Saturday, and I can’t remember the last time it happened.

I barbecued in December.

It wasn’t my best work, but when it’s well above zero and we’re just over two weeks away from the first day of winter, I’m not complaining about the end result when I get to fire up the grill.

Most years the barbecue is shut down in late October. This year, I was lucky. I was able to continue barbecuing until early November. Consequently, I was able to cook all of the burgers and steaks in the freezer.

No freezer burns for the meat supplies this winter.

Of course, one of the issues that would keep me from firing up the grill in December is the lack of daylight, especially with an east-facing patio. I want to be able to see the steak that’s on my barbecue.

(Note: for those of you thinking that I could always barbecue indoors, I have too much respect for the men and women of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service to ever try that. And people who live in condos and try to barbecue indoors deserve to get beat up).

The other issue is there’s usually a lot going on during weekends in December, but not this year. Of course, I would much rather have leftovers for supper and then head out to an Estevan Bruins hockey game that has 800 people present, than barbecue a steak in December.

I wouldn’t complain if this is the weather trend for the rest of the winter. Obviously, that’s not realistic. We’ll get hit with some cold weather eventually. Even in the winter of 2005-06, when the average daytime high in January was above zero, there were a few frigid stretches.

We ducked one powerful winter storm already last month.

We can’t expect it will happen again.

And I’m smart enough to know that we need the moisture.

We’ve been pretty dry since mid-July; many areas have had fire bans in the late summer and early fall. Give us a nice healthy dump of snow, one that can sit and soak into the ground, and then gradually melt away at the end of winter.

(I’m sure the local snowmobiling fraternity would agree with me).

Plus, the ground looks so much nicer with that nice, thick layer of light fluffy snow on the ground. Right now, when I drive through town, I see bare, brown grass that is crying out for moisture.

Still, you won’t see me doing a snowstorm dance in front of my apartment building any time soon.

And given the few chances that I’ve had to barbecue in December in the past, you likely won’t see me barbecuing again until February, at the earliest. * * * While we don’t get to do many of the things that we would normally do this year before Christmas, we can still do some things, including some measure of socializing.

The opportunities to gather for a boozy Christmas party, or have those large gatherings with family members and friends are out the window. I was at a Thanksgiving dinner on Oct. 11 that had 27 people; at that time, it was acceptable. Nobody became sick, but now you won’t have more than five people present in a private residence.

We can still have a measure of socializing. We can still meet up with a few friends at a table of four and enjoy a few drinks.

And while we’re not supposed to gather outside of our own immediate families, that’s not going to stop some people, although if you’re in a private gathering of more than five, and you get fined, you have nobody to blame but yourself.

But if you do choose to get together in that small social group, please don’t drink and drive.

We’ve seen the number of impaired driving charges has been dropping the past few months. Some of that is due to the pandemic, and fewer people out and about, but still, we’ve had months in which you can count the number of people charged for impaired driving on one hand.

For a city that had a serious problem with impaired driving just a few years ago, the lower numbers are encouraging.

We’ve had a couple people charged for impaired drivingrelated infractions so far this month. I’d be thrilled if that number remains the same.

Staying safe and being smart isn’t just limited to how we cope with the pandemic.

It also extends to whether we drive while impaired over the next few weeks.

Hopefully we can do the right thing.

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Estevan police welcoming two new recruits, replacing departed members

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

The Este van Police Service (EPS) announced Friday morning that they've recruited two new members, who are filling the positions that were left vacant earlier.

Constable K atel y nn Ruthven, 25, of Regina and Constable Justin Nelson, 27, of Moose Jaw joined the EPS as of Dec. 3.

Ruthven and Nelson have post-secondary education in policing.

"Both of them have shown commitment and dedication to policing. Both have a strong interest in relocating to this community and becoming a part of this community," said Estevan Police Chief Paul Ladouceur. "There was an extensive search conducted from this police ser vice, which was both in province and out of province. And we felt at the end of the day that these were two candidates that's the best. We are happy to welcome them."

"These members are not an increase in complement, but to replace the previously existing members," Ladouceur added.

There are also some further changes. It was officially announced that programming officer Monica Rae was promoted to an inhouse social worker with the EPS. Rae has a social work background and is registered with the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers.

"Social workers help resolve problems that affect our day-to-day lives. People see social workers when they are going through difficult periods in their lives, be it personal, family or work.

Social workers help find, identify and understand the sources of stress and difficulties, develop coping skills and effective solutions for their problems by providing ongoing counselling and support," Ladouceur said.

Moving into the new year, the EPS is looking into the social welfare and harm reduction model of policing in conjunction with traditional policing and law enforcement efforts.

"This position and approach is the first in the province, and will undergo continuous review and design development throughout 2021 as we formalize the role and responsibilities," Ladouceur pointed out.

Rae will be working with individuals, families and children that have come into contact with the police to assess needs and connect people with the most appropriate ser vices and professionals. She will also assist with the interviewing of children and domestic dispute situations as the role develops.

"The in-house social worker will also follow up with individuals to evaluate ser vice deliver y and satisfaction levels, so we can continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the services that we provide," Ladouceur said.

For example, Rae will be tasked with following up with people placing Report Impaired Drivers (RID) calls or other calls for service, so they would be aware of the outcome. She will also check on individuals or families, where EPS members attended the scene.

Rae will continue providing education and support to schools, seniors and vulnerable citizens and represent the service on the southeast region’s behalf.

"Really happy to announce this program. It's certainly a different approach for policing. It's new, and it's something that we'll be working through," Ladouceur said.

"We want to start to address the root causes of why people are coming into conflict with the police and help them (so) that will

Constable Katelynn Ruthven

Constable Justin Nelson avoid them coming into future conflict with the police."

Ladouceur added that by expanding Rae's responsibilities they also hope to ensure that they are doing their best when delivering services, as she will be looking for feedback from

the community, which will help the EPS improve in the future.

Rae will also continue with her duties as a community programming officer, as the in-house social worker is not an extra position, but rather an expansion of the existing duties.

Rollover, collision and rig shacks part of busy week for RCMP Members of the Estevan RCMP were called to a rollover near Midale and a collision between a train and a vehicle early last week.

The RCMP responded to the report of a rollover on Highway 606 near Mainprize Regional Park at about 4:40 p.m. on Nov. 30. The driver and lone occupant did not sustain any injuries.

As a result of the rollover, a 46-year-old man from Midale was arrested for impaired operation of a vehicle and possession of a con-

trolled substance, believed to be fentanyl.

He was released to appear in court on Jan. 4 at 9:30 a.m.

The RCMP, the Estevan Fire Rescue Service and Estevan Emergency Medical Services were called to a collision involving a vehicle and a train, which occurred Dec. 1 at the railway crossing of Township Road 32 near Hitchcock.

The road, on the north side of Highway 39, was closed for a period of time.

Estevan RCMP members assisted the CP Rail Police investigation.

Also, two rig shacks that were reported as missing from the Estevan area have been located.

The Estevan RCMP announced in late November that it was investigating the theft of the rig shacks.

In a follow-up post on Dec. 3, the RCMP said that with the assistance from the Fillmore RCMP, they have recovered the two shacks.

The two shacks were located

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at a rural oilfield site near Stoughton.

An oilfield worker in the area noted that the rig shacks did not belong there and remembered seeing a media release about the theft.

The RCMP would like to thank the public and in this case, the oilfield worker who assisted with the investigation.

No charges have been laid at this point and the investigation into how the rig shacks arrived at that location is ongoing.

A6 December 9, 2020

www.estevanmercury.ca

The Village of North Portal announced Christmas lights contest

By Ana Bykhovskaia

abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

The Village of North Portal announced their nowtraditional Christmas contest Light up North Portal last week.

Lindsay Arnold with the North Portal administration said that it's their third year organizing the village-wide contest. Every time they try to do something new to make it more interesting for the community.

"We've done the competition a few different ways.

(This year) we have a people's choice award, and then a draw. So if you have any kind of Christmas lights on your house at all, you can enter your name to win a prize," said Arnold.

For those who are really going an extra mile in decorating their places, the administration decided to run the people's choice award, in which other community members can put in their votes, choosing the best show.

To vote or enter their names in the draw, people can send

their choices by messaging the Village of North Portal on Facebook, emailing them or calling the village office.

"Everybody in North Portal is considered eligible (to participate in the draw). As long as you have some Christmas lights up on the outside of your home, you can enter the draw. And you can vote for whomever you want for people's choice," Arnold added.

She also pointed out that as early as the first days of December, there were a few obvious contenders for the people's choice award.

"It's fun to see each year how different households decide to take on the contest," Arnold said.

It's not the first time running the contest for the administration, and Arnold noticed that from year to year some people improve their lights display during the Christmas season.

"In year two, one particular person really stepped it up. He has a huge pine tree in his front yard, and he actually lit the whole tree. It's quite impressive. So I think it

More and more houses in North Portal will be well-lit for Christmas. Photo submitted raises the bar for people, and I walked around town and I've seen some additional lights this year," Arnold said.

The contest is on until Dec. 16. The administration will calculate the votes and do the draw during their last 2020 council meeting. The people's choice award winner

will receive a $100 Canadian Tire gift certificate, and the draw winner will take home a gift card to Michael's Coffee Shop and Bakery.

The Village of North Portal usually has a few community events throughout the year, but most of them were cancelled due to the pandemic,

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including the CP Holiday Train stop and their annual potluck, which has been held for over 20 years. So the light contest was a safe and fun way to get people engaged this time of the year.

"We wanted to keep doing the Light up North Portal this year because we won't

be doing our potluck, and of course the Holiday Train won't be coming through town. So this year I think people just have to focus on what they can do, and not what they can't do. Hopefully, everybody puts a little extra effort into their light show this year," Arnold said.

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Shop Estevan to host pre-Christmas drive-in concert Saskatchewan country music star and all round cowboy Justin LaBrash and his band True North are bringing their high energy Jingle Bell Rock concert tour to Estevan for a preChristmas show.

The concert, sponsored by the Shop Estevan initiative, will happen on Dec. 19 at 6:45 p.m. at Affinity Place.

LaBrash has done so much this year to entertain many people, lift their spirits and fundraise for communities across Saskatchewan during these crazy times, from the early days of COVID when he did live online performances at home to the outdoor drive-in shows with True North.

At each show in this concert series, LaBrash and his band shone the spotlight on a local organization and proceeds in part will be going to help that organization.

By the end of this year, more than a dozen charities will have benefitted.

Even 80 kilometre per hour winds, tornado warnings, torrential rain and 35 C temperatures didn’t stop the shows on what was North America’s first drive-in concert tour.

More than 3,000 people have already enjoyed this tour of 15 shows from the comfort of their vehicles, tuning in on their radios.

L aBrash br ings the community together while

still staying apart.

With diverse crowds ranging in ages from newborns to LaBrash’s 100-yearo l d g r e a t g r a n d f a t h e r, LaBrash and the band will be playing songs from old to new country and rock hits and many treasured holiday classics, including his hit Drunk on Christmas Cookies, which has charted in the Canadian Top 100 the last two years.

“Music heals,” LaBrash said. “The people of Saskatchewan are ready to begin to heal. This is one way we are able to give back and support the people and communities in Saskatchewan who support me. And this tour has sparked a challenge among

the show communities to outdo the previous show with bringing their old trucks, boats on trailers, fancy cars and tractors.

“We never know what we are going to see when we step onto the stage. We can’t wait to see what creativity the Christmas shows will bring out in each community.”

LaBrash has family in the southeast and has spent a considerable amount of time in this region. He performed at Saskatchewan’s first drivein concert in Lampman in June.

He was recently revealed to be one of five finalists for the Country Artist of the Year Award for Saskatchewan Music.

SK country music singer Justin LaBrash will perform at a drive-in concert in Estevan on Dec. 19. File photo

Midale providing variety of gifts to new residents The Town of Midale has come up with a promotion to help new residents in the community feel more welcome.

Vanessa Lund, who is the town’s administrative assistant, said the town is piecing together a kit that will include gift certificates and merchandise from businesses in the community, and other information from the town.

It ’s an effort to help newcomers learn what’s in the community, and to feel

like they belong by getting free things.

The initiative just started, and the town has been sending out letters. They have yet to hand out a kit to anyone who has arrived.

“The idea is that this will be a nice welcome to people, and also it is a promotion for our businesses in town as well,” said Lund.

The business community has appreciated the idea so far.

Lund noted there haven’t been requests for

something like this in the past, but the town council decided to be pro-active to promote Midale.

She has heard that there used to be a similar effort in the community, but it fell by the wayside. When she moved to the town nine years ago, the pac kages weren’t being distributed.

Lund doesn’t know of any small communities that have such a program, but it is common in larger centres to have a Welcome Wagon or something else.

She hopes they can have as many people as possible on board, from the bank to the service stations, and from the Saskatchewan Government Insurance agency to the two restaurants, which would allow them to have a little bit of everything.

And it shows how much Midale has to offer.

“People who come here might not know that there is a pool, or where the library is, so this will give them some of that information,” said Lund.

Estevan Farmer’s Market Will be holding their

Christmas Sales in the Estevan Market Mall

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Starting a new business? Here’s how Southeast Business Startup can help you!

Southeast Business Startup opened its’ doors to businesses earlier this year. Since that time, manager Jeff Taylor has been available to meet with business owners and entrepreneurs to provide guidance about doing business in Estevan. Southeast Business Startup provides a number of resources from consultation, to coworking space, which provides desks and a board room available to rent by the day, week and month. Rentals include access to high-speed Internet, printing, copying and other standard office amenities.

Business Startup is through networking. “I help wherever I can, and I work closely with the people here, but it’s not just what I know and what I can bring to the table.

It’s also networking opportunities between other businesses. There are a lot of people in Estevan who want to see businesses succeed, and I can act as a gateway to those other business people for anyone who may not have those connections in yet.”

The services at Southeast Business Startup are available to everyone that wants to do business in or around Estevan. From start-ups Southeast Business Startup to longstanding businesses and has already had people take businesses of any size, Jeff is advantage of the coworking available to help with your plans. space, and manager Jeff Taylor If you are interested in learning says it has worked out really well more about how Southeast so far. “Our first renter told us that Business Startup can help you, they were able to get more done Taylor encourages you to either in a week here than in the 100 stop by in person or reach out days prior to using our space.” by email or phone at info@ Adding that, “The coworking southeastbusinessstartup.ca or space works really well because 306-634-3895. The Southeast I am available at all times to help Business Startup is located in provide guidance, to act as a fresh the Spectra Financial Building set of eyes, and as an impartial at 403A 9th Ave. and is open from sounding board when it comes to 10am until 6pm Monday, working through business plans.” Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and from 12pm until 8pm on Taylor says in his experience, Thursdays to visit. one of the benefits of Southeast www.estevaneconomicdevelopment.ca | 306.634.1843

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A8 December 9, 2020

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Addictions Recovery Centre receives meaningful donation The Addictions Recovery Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital received a unique donation from Tracey Grube and a group of very generous kids recently.

Grube, head of a functional fitness club in Estevan, has a long history of addiction in her family. With the new Addictions Recovery Centre opening at St. Joseph’s Hospital, not only did she want to help the centre, she decided to share her personal story with her group of 11-15 year old kids at her fitness club.

“Our sons have both battled addiction and if it wasn’t for treatment centres our story may have turned out a bit differently,” said Grube.

Grube’s two sons are now both sober.

Her family had to travel to B.C. for treatment, and they want the community to know the importance of now being able to have treatment available at home. Grube wanted to reach out and help the centre in some way now that it has opened its doors.

She talked to the parents of the kids in the functional fitness club about her story and how she wanted the kids to get involved in supporting the new treatment centre. They all agreed that it would be a great idea to share her family’s experience with the club to not only educate the young kids, but to also teach them that confidence in themselves is vital in making good choices as they grow up.

“As we listened to our son through his journey, the one common denominator was always confidence in himself. We wanted to make sure that the kids know this as they become teenagers”, said Grube.

“Sharing our story with the kids really connected with them as they heard it from someone they knew. Addiction truly hits close to home for everyone.”

After talking with the kids about her experience, Grube mentioned that she wanted to show support of the new Addictions Recovery Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

She pledged a $300 donation and told the kids that they should also do something as a club to show their support.

Little did Grube know the effect that sharing her story would have on these young kids. At the next club meeting, the kids showed up with their own donations totalling over $1,300, and they wanted to help even more.

They decided to use some of the donations to purchase over $500 worth of winter coats, toques, mitts and more for the patients in the treatment centre.

“Taking them to the store

and seeing how much they truly cared was incredible. Just knowing a teenager took time out of their day to help. This means more than they will ever know,” said Grube.

The addiction process has truly affected the Grube family.

“If it can happen to us, it can happen to anyone. Addiction is something that affects everyone in some way. It is a never-ending battle, but we just need to keep pushing through it.”

A couple of weeks have passed since the funds were raised and Grube can already see a difference in her club.

“We are already seeing changes in the kids with their confidence and we know this is important to help them as they continue to grow into young adults,” said Grube.

The centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation officially opened its doors this fall.

It treats all addictions, with a focus on crystal meth.

NEWS FLASH! IT’S OFFICIAL... HE’S RETIRING We are proud and excited to congratulate our Father and Grandfather Bryan Hirsch on his retirement after 51 years of work in Estevan and surrounding areas.

Young people from Tracey Grube’s functional fitness club have shown their support for the new Addictions Recovery Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Photo submitted

Bryan grew up in the community of Kingsford and graduated in 1969 from Lampman School. He then began work for Bouchard Electric where he started his apprenticeship for an electrician and later completed his Journeyman. Bryan also worked at Glasser Electric before beginning his career at Hirsch Construction in 1971.

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Bryan’s 49 years at Hirsch Construction started as a labourer, moving up to Foreman of crews and then into the Manager position where he succeeded with numerous projects and accomplishments as well as building great relationships with co-workers, colleagues, business associates and customers in our community and southeast Saskatchewan.

If you had the opportunity to work with Bryan you would agree that he has a genuine, honest and upstanding work ethic and treated every job, no matter how big or small, with the highest integrity and importance.

Bryan is ready to enjoy Retirement! He may be hanging up the hammer but not the hat. He continues to enjoy his love of farming at their family farm in the Kingsford area. Bryan & Karen also have a few other projects and interests in the community.

When you see Bryan around town, please join us in wishing him a happy retirement, congratulations on his accomplishments and hard work as well as good luck in future aspirations.

Congratulations and wishes of a Happy Retirement can also be sent to bryanisretired@gmail.com With love, Kirk, Brody and Erin Dawn & Cory, Cody and Jaycee Kandyce & Conrad, Taylen, Olivia, Emily and Max

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Crescent Point supports addictions recovery centre Crescent Point Energy Corp. has donated $10,000 to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation. The money will be designated to help fund programming and counselling materials at the new Addiction Recovery Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

“We are so grateful for the support that we have received from Crescent Point Energy. This donation will be a huge help in the new Addiction Recovery Centre at our hospital,” said Breanne Van De Woestyne, the executive director of St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.

“We approached Crescent Point Energy through their grant program earlier this year. They were excited to be able to make a donation that will directly support this new department.”

Crescent Point Energy has been a great supporter of St. Joseph’s Hospital with their 10-year naming rights agreement of the emergency department at the hospital along with this new donation supporting the Addiction Recovery Centre.

Shelby Dunnigan, left, and Juanita Fleming from the Addiction’s Recovery Centre were pleased to receive support from Crescent Point Energy. Photo submitted

Estevan area leads the way for Crown land sale

By Brian Zinchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The December public offering of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights, held Dec. 1, generated $912,899 in revenue for the province.

This was the fifth of six oil and gas public offerings for the 2020-21 fiscal year and brings cumulative earnings to $6,230,542.

The Estevan area saw the most interest, raising $889,374 from 15 parcels totalling 6,669 hectares.

The highest bonus bid received in this offering was $304,103 for a lease in the Estevan area that totalled 64.75 hectares.This was also the highest bid on a dollar per hectare basis at $4,696 per hectare. This lease was awarded to Midale

Petroleums Ltd. and is prospective for oil in the Midale beds and Frobisher beds of the Madison Group.

In the Lloydminster area, just one lease sold. Caltex Resources Ltd. was successful in picking up the 129.5-hectare parcel for $3,181, or $24.56 per hectare. This lease is located within the Westhazel Mannville oil pool, 14 kilometres west of Turtleford, and is prospective for heavy oil in the Mannville Group.

In the Kindersley-Kerrobert area, one 16.2-hectare parcel was leased for $20,344, or $1,257 per hectare. The lease is located 11 kilometres north of Smiley and adjacent to the Prairiedale Viking oil pool and the Prairiedale East Viking oil pool.

There were no dispositions posted in the Swift Current area in this land sale.

The land sale was of interest for another reason.

For many years, it has been known that Saskatchewan has oil shale resources, but they have never been developed.

The offering of Crown petroleum and natural gas public included six oil shale leases for a total of $150,000, which the Ministry of Energy and Resources noted was the “first oil shale leases to be issued through a public offering.”

These oil shale leases are a relatively new concept, launched in 2016. Instead of the three years to develop a lease, or five years to develop an exploratory permit, which is more typical in developing new wildcat areas, these oil shale leases have a 15-year term, according to the ministry. A total of 6,086.5 hectares were posted and sold as leases.

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The bonus bid came in at $24.64 per hectare.

The area is 12-30 kilometres southwest of Hudson Bay. These leases were acquired

by Burgess Canadian Resources Inc. for $25,000 each or $150,000 in total. The new area is adjacent to, but not the same land that had been permitted

by Saturn Oil and Gas. Saturn had drilled a few wells in the area several years ago, but nothing came of them, and those permits have since expired.

The sale was also highlighted by renewed interest in the Preeceville-Sturgis area, with one petroleum and natural gas special exploratory permit included in this offering and awarded to Nordic Minerals Ltd., with a work commitment bid of $43,239. This permit is situated near the towns of Preeceville and Sturgis. Notably, it

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is the first “special exploratory permit” issued since 2016.

As a special exploratory permit, that money does not actually go to the province.

Rather, the company has committed to spend that $43,239 on exploration within the next two years. They will have to pay 25 cents per hectare per year rent.

If that name sounds familiar, it is because Nordic Oil and Gas Ltd. spent several years in the first half of the last decade trying to develop oil properties near Preeceville and Sturgis. In 2012, Nordic Oil and Gas said it has discovered oil about eight kilometres

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northeast of Sturgis, but nothing came of it. Nordic Minerals has the same CEO, Donald P. Benson, as Nordic Oil and Gas. Nordic Minerals had also leased two sections northeast of Sturgis in June 2020.

Wildcat wells have been drilled in the Preeceville area off and on since the 1950s without any further development. The most recent series were drilled around 2009 to 2012. PanTerra Resources drilled a well on the outskirts of Preeceville in 2009, looking for shale gas at the time.

The next Crown petroleum and natural gas public offering is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2021.

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A10 December 9, 2020

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This Christmas, you can WIN your...

courtesy of the Estevan Mercury!

To enter, list the items you want from the participating local businesses!

Item: ___________________ Local Business: _____________ Item: ___________________ Local Business: _____________ Item: ___________________ Local Business: _____________ Item: ___________________ Local Business: _____________ Item: ___________________ Local Business: _____________ Item: ___________________ Local Business: _____________ Item: ___________________ Local Business: _____________ Item: ___________________ Local Business: _____________ Name: ___________________ Phone Number: _____________ Total value of prize will not exceed $1000.

There are 3 ways to enter your wish list!

1) Cut this out and drop off at 68 Souris Avenue, Estevan 2) Take a picture of this list and email to admin@estevanmercury.ca 3 ) Enter online at estevanmercury.ca under the contest tab Winner will be notified by phone call December 16.

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Scotties-Tankard provincials not coming to Estevan in 2021 Another marquee event that was scheduled to happen in Estevan has been wiped out due to COVID-19.

CurlSask announced on Dec. 2 that it was cancelling the Viterra Scotties Provincial Women’s Curling Championship and the SaskTel Tankard Provincial Men’s Curling Championship, scheduled to take place consecutively at Affinity Place from Jan. 29Feb. 7, 2021.

The initial news release said events were cancelled outright, but CurlSask later said the events wouldn’t be happening in Estevan. A decision has not been made on how CurlSask would crown its provincial champions.

“Under current public health orders this championship was no longer feasible nor financially responsible to attempt to host,” said Ashley Howard, CurlSask’s executive director. “Estevan has served as a first-class host community for a number of events including the 2018 SaskTel Tankard and 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup of Curling.

"Given the success of past championships hosted by the community of Estevan, our team will not hesitate to return to Estevan when it is

safe and responsible to do so.”

Tyler McMillen, who was the event chair for the Scotties-Tankard, said that with the tighter restrictions that came into effect on Nov. 27, it became even tougher to host the event. Games for team sports were suspended on Nov. 27 and won’t be lifted until at least Dec. 17. Arenas are now limited to 30 people.

“We’ve been following, watching to see what hockey does and other sports for letting fans in. I’ve had a nerve-wracking kind of fall here, just watching how things transpired, and CurlSask was working day-in, day-out, trying to get answers and clarification, and when things started to go the wrong direction, I feared the worst.”

It wasn’t responsible to try to host a large event and bring people from across the province into the community.

Having playdowns was also going to be a challenge, since some qualifiers were already cancelled, and southern qualifiers were scheduled for early 2021.

Prior to the Nov. 27 restrictions, the Estevan Curling Club was still hopeful provincials could be held in Estevan.

They were in discussions with

CurlSask on how it might look, but they knew the event wouldn’t be quite as big.

Concepts such as Junior Stars, which partners up local young players with teams, and busing in kids from schools to watch the morning draws likely weren’t going to happen.

But they were still hopeful that they could have a competition that would bring up to 24 teams to the city over the 10 days.

“It was disappointing that the (COVID) numbers started to creep up, but we understand health and safety has to come first,” said McMillen.

Plans for the event were coming along well despite the pandemic. They had a committee in place with people who had been part of the 2018 Tankard and Canada Cup, but they also had some new members involved.

“There was lots of energy and hopefulness and things like that, so when we had to deliver that news to our community group, they were disappointed but understood, but most of them will be ready to go when we get the go-ahead again,” said McMillen.

There had been a fundraiser this summer in which a crop was harvested north-

Scotties-Tankard committee chair Tyler McMillen wasn’t surprised the event, scheduled for Estevan in January and February of next year, has been cancelled.

File photo east of Estevan, with proceeds being split between the Scotties-Tankard and the 2022 Centennial Cup national hockey tournament. Most sponsorships were going to be through ticket sales to get more people in the stands, rather than going door to door to seek money from businesses struggling financially.

“It was an exciting strategy, and I was looking forward

to seeing how it would play out, and I think that we will throw our support behind the Centennial Cup committee now,” said McMillen.

In the news release, CurlSask said Estevan would be given first right of refusal for the 2021-22 curling season.

Since Estevan is scheduled to host the Centennial Cup in 2022, the curling club will look to host the Scotties-

Tankard in 2023. If Estevan doesn’t get to host the Centennial Cup in 2022, then the curling club would look to host the two provincial events in 2022.

McMillen said the curling club doesn’t want to host provincials in the same year that Estevan has a national hockey tournament. It would be asking a lot of sponsors and volunteers.

Parent-tot skate has grown in popularity this year A valuable program provided by the City of Estevan’s leisure services division has received some support.

Representatives of the Estevan Strippers hockey organization presented a cheque for $2,000 to leisure services program manager Erin Wilson on Thursday. The money will be directed to the ParentTot Skate program offered at Affinity Place.

Funds were raised during previous editions of the Strippers’ Molson Spring Bust hockey tournament, which is the largest recreation hockey tournament in the province. The 2020 edition of the competition had to be called off due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Support shown for

the cabarets, beer garden and other initiatives during the tournament have allowed the Strippers to support causes in the community.

Wilson said the program has been busy, and they usually have the maximum number of 30 participants. They have had to add a second ice time from 12:15-1 p.m. to go with their usual time of 11:15 a.m. to noon.

Participants need to pre-register.

Donations like the one from the Strippers help cover the cost of the program, she said.

Those who have been attending the Parent-Tot Skate have been having a great time. Anyone under the age of five must have an adult with them on the ice.

Tony Sernick, left, and Terry Germain, right, from the Estevan Strippers participated in a cheque presentation to Estevan leisure services program manager Erin Wilson on Thursday. The money will be directed to the Parent-Tot Skate Program.

Gymnastics Club continues to meet amid restrictions While recently released provincial restrictions for COVID-19 have made it more difficult for the Estevan Gymnastics Club to continue to meet, they are still able to hold practice sessions.

The regulations that came into effect on Nov. 27 called for games to be suspended, but allowed for youth sports clubs under the age of 18 to continue to practise, as long as groups were no more than eight people, and as long as participants are separated by three metres and wearing masks.

In the case of the gymnastics club, the coaches aren’t able to be spotters for the gymnasts.

Rebecc a Fedyk, the coach of the competitive team, said the gymnasts have made tremendous progress since the season started early in the fall, and so it’s important to keep practising.

“They’re making it work with whatever new regulations have been thrown on us, which seem to be changing almost every class,” said Fedyk.

There are 16 kids in the

competitive program. The club also has a pre-competitive and developmental program with another 15 gymnasts, and a recreational program, which includes Active Start, that has the largest number of gymnasts with around 130. Active Start is associated with Special Olympics.

“They are so resilient, those kids. They come in with the best possible attitudes, and they just get what they need to do done, and they don’t usually complain too much, which is so amazing,” said Fedyk.

They have had to cut back on the class times for the gymnasts, so that they have time to get everybody in.

Some of them used to come in and train for five hours.

“Getting a kid to wear a mask for five hours while doing extreme activity is quite impossible,” said Fedyk.

“So we cut down the classes a little bit to get the girls through the gym, but they’re still finding it hard to do some of their tumbling with wearing a mask because they find it slides up into their eyes when they’re doing certain

things,” said Fedyk.

Coaches have had to wear masks since September, so they’re used to it now.

Fedyk is pleased they’re able to remain open and still have practices for the kids.

They have enjoyed being able to stay in the gym.

At this point, it doesn’t appear the club will be travelling to meets in the late winter or early spring due to COVID-19 restrictions.

There would be quite a few people in a building for a meet.

“They are talking about

doing virtual competitions this year, which it’s not quite the same feel, but at least the girls will have some sort of competition season this year,” said Fedyk.

The club has secured some funding through Gymnastics Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Lotteries and the federal government’s Canada Emergency Benefits Account, which have helped sustain the club.

And they just wrapped up a fundraiser that fetched about $20,000. Another one will occur in January.

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Estevan Public Library added toy rental to their services Not only books, but now also a variety of entertaining and educating toys can be checked out from the Estevan Public Library (EPL) and enjoyed at home.

For Christine Batke,

the children and adult program co-ordinator, the creation of the toy library was a long-time dream.

"My partner had always spoken very fondly of the Weyburn toy library. When

he had grown up, he would have checked out toys there, and that was one of his fondest memories of that library.

So when I came here and I told him that we didn't have a toy library, he was a little

bit disappointed in me,” said Batke.

“So that was always one of the main goals that I had, to get a functioning toy library up and running because if something builds a memory that strong in somebody, it's an important thing to carry on.”

It took a long time to get the project going, but as of last Thursday, the EPL officially announced the opening of their new toy library.

"It's been nearly two years. It took me a long time to get the funding for it," Batke recalled.

Affinity Credit Union provided the library with the initial funding to get the toy library up and running last summer, and then Batke started accumulating the toy collection. She purchased the toys from Your Toy Store and More as well as from local craftsman Garnet Hall.

"It was really important for me to keep it all local because that's where the money was coming from," said Batke.

It also took some time to get the proper shelves built. The library commissioned Estevan Diversified Services to do it, and they created exactly what Batke was envisioning, with windows so the toys could be seen. And a local locksmith put in little locks.

"It's a little kismet maybe, that it's coming out right before Christmas, during COVID when people maybe are trying to shop less, and our kids' area is not functioning just because of sanitation reasons. So I think it's really perfect timing for it," Batke said.

The toy librar y has about 40 toys for kids anywhere from infant up to eight years of age. They are spread all across the diverse educational needs of different ages.

"We have toys that will help children with their math, there are toys that will help children with their life skills, toys that will help children with their science.

And then there are gross motor ones there too. So we are hopefully encompassing a variety of learning activities for the kids to check them out," Batke said.

Toys can be checked out just like books and can be used for up to three weeks.

When returned to the library they are kept in quarantine and then sanitized when necessary, before they can be returned to the shelves.

The Estevan librar y doesn't have an official limit on how many toys each child people can check out at a time, however, since the collection is not very big yet, they are asking people to try to stick to one toy at a time

so that more people could benefit from the service.

Toy s wear and tear pretty easily, and the library wants to grow the collection to meet the needs of more people in the community, so going forward, the hope is to find consistent funding.

"What we are looking for right now is somebody to fund it long-term. Weyburn (library) has somebody who funds (their big toy library) every year, and they would give a grant or a bursary to it every year. And so we are just looking for somebody who would be willing to make that investment with us," Batke explained.

The closet with toys available for check out is located inside the library on the left side by the entrance.

The first day of the toy library was also Batke's last day in her position with the library.

"I have been very, very grateful to the community of Estevan. I always was a member of the community and actively involved in the community prior to my position here, but it really increased my community awareness and my community involvement, so I've been really grateful to all the different organizations.

We have just a beautiful community here with so many beautiful involved and engaged people," Batke said.

Estevan Public Library now has a collection of toys to be checked out and enjoyed at home.

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December 9, 2020 A13

Long-time Estevan resident receives posthumous honour The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) recognized the winners of the 20th annual Apprenticeship Awards on Friday, and one of the top honours went to a long-time employee of the local mines.

Kelly Avery, who died in January at the age of 62, was posthumously honoured with the Artisan Award.

It’s a lifetime achievement award presented each year to someone for outstanding contributions to apprentice-

ship and skilled trades in Saskatchewan.

Kelly earned his welding certification in 1977 through the Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Moose Jaw and his journeyman qualification following his training. Upon completion of his crane mobile course in Saskatoon, he began the work that he most enjoyed, and he was a contributing member of the Crane and Hoist Trade Advisory Board who examined the national curriculum for crane opera-

The prestigious Artisan Award for the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.

Photo submitted

tors.

Also, Kelly went to Ottawa twice to do crane exams, and had numerous meetings in Saskatoon and Regina, with nearly perfect attendance.

“He was offered to do the training for Saskatchewan, but declined because he didn’t want to travel and have to move to Saskatoon,” said his widow Arlette.

Kelly was always available to talk whenever new SATCC staff members were learning the intricacies of the crane trade and its history.

He ran the mobile crane at the mines starting in 1990.

Kelly was a safety co-ordinator for the mines and he joined the Mine Rescue Team.

Kelly’s efforts with the Saskatchewan Occupation Health and Safety Division continue to positively impact workplace safety throughout Saskatchewan.

“Kelly was nominated for his valuable work with the apprenticeship community and as part of the mobile crane operator trade board,” Arlette said.

Through his work with the curriculum, he was responsible for the exams and the wording.

“Kelly, when he put his mind to something, he would do it 110 per cent,” said Arlette. “He got 99 on the crane exam and they approached him right away (about doing the training) and he was really interested, and he was really in with the guy that was doing all of the training, and he was trying to groom Kelly to take over.”

Kelly loved running the crane and the other parts associated with the job.

At meetings, the board turned to Kelly for advice when writing the exams, and

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Arlette wouldn’t have been surprised if he memorized the content of the books.

Arlette found out in September that Kelly was being honoured posthumously.

She knows how proud her husband would have been, but he was always hesitant to talk about his accomplishments.

Kelly wasn’t the only local person recognized this year. Also saluted were Derek Hildahl of Estevan in the steamfitter-pipefitter category; and Danielle Dixon, a construction electrician, who was one of two recipients of the SaskPower Outstanding New Journeyperson Award.

The annual apprenticeship awards event recognizes a variety of apprenticeship stakeholders, including educators, apprentices and journeypersons, for significant achievements within the apprenticeship and trade certification system.

The SATCC presents many of the awards; industry partners also issue their own scholarships and awards.

Typically, an in-person banquet is held in Regina to celebrate the honourees. However, this year’s face-to-face-event was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Award winners are being celebrated through a variety of platforms, including the SATCC’s website and social media channels.

Every year, the Outstanding New Journeypersons comprise the largest cohort of award winners. Thirty-two certified tradespeople received the Outstanding New Journeyperson awards this year, which recognize the apprentices who achieved the highest marks on the journeyperson certification exams between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

Kelly Avery was a long-time employee at the local mines who helped employees learn how to operate cranes. Photo submitted

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Pleasantdale students use technology to show talents Pleasantdale School found a way to showcase the talents of its students through a virtual talent show.

Principal Michelle Smart said the school traditionally has a talent show during the week of student-led conferences in late November, but they obviously couldn’t have a traditional talent show this year, so they took the virtual talent show route.

Students watched the show from their classrooms on Nov. 26.

“It turned out very well,” said Smart.

Two teachers, Kelsey Krieger and Stacy Aspinall, have organized the talent show previously, and they believed it could happen this year with pre-recorded videos.

Traditionally they would have auditions and then select the acts for the talent show, but they had fewer entries than normal, and with the videos, this year they could select almost everyone who wanted to be involved. Sixteen acts were part of the finished product.

“They recorded themselves and made a video of themselves doing their talent at home, or wherever they were, and then they brought in the video,” said Smart.

Aspinall’s daughter Kenzie was the MC and the school’s mascot, Spike the Bulldog, served as the judge, and told the kids they did a good job.

The virtual talent show format allowed them to have some different acts. There were

the traditional singing, dancing and instrumental performances, but there was also a cooking show, some skateboarding and more that they normally wouldn’t have when it was live.

“Usually we have so many. When it’s in person, we have to pare them down a little bit, or it would be too long. It was a nice little break and it was pretty fun to watch them,” said Smart.

The school used Microsoft Teams to bring it together, but it took a lot of work to make it happen.

Smart believes that anything the school can do to have their traditional activities is important. Change has been constant this school

year, and there are a lot of things they can’t do.

“When we can still carry on with some of our activities that students love and are part of our culture here in the building, I think it’s important to try to do that, so I do really appreciate the teacher effort that goes into it,” she said.

It’s been a busy and intense fall, and the talent show represented a fun break.

Now the school is working on a virtual Christmas concert, so that will take a lot of time and effort, too. Smart said they hope to have it ready for release in the last week before the Christmas holiday, because that’s when they would normally have their Christmas production.

Don’t drink and drive Don’t text and drive Don’t do drugs and drive

E V I R AR VE ALI

Local MADD leader officially receives national award as a volunteer of the year assisted with the program.”

Hagel received her welldeserved award Friday at the Estevan police station.

“Connie started the program here in Estevan a couple of years ago when there was a desperate need and a call for a MADD program in our community,” Ladouceur said.

“Estevan police has a strong commitment to reducing impaired driving over the past several years, and it’s nice to see that this commitment has finally started to pay off.”

Among others, one of Hagel’s big projects was the “Impaired driver was caught here” sign campaign. The initiative started in Estevan as an effort to remind the community that drinking and driving is never an option, and that if someone does make a poor decision, they should be ready to face the consequences, since impaired drivers get nailed everywhere.

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

The day finally came, and Connie Hagel’s national award arrived in Estevan, allowing the community to celebrate her dedication, commitment and input in cracking down on impaired driving.

Hagel, who stood at the origins of the Estevan’s chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), was nominated by Estevan Police Chief Paul Ladouceur and later was recognized for her work as a volunteer of the year at the national level.

“I was happy to nominate Connie … because of Connie’s outstanding work and effort in reducing impaired driving within Estevan,” said Ladouceur. “The main qualities about Connie is she is 100 per cent committed to the program and she managed to gain a number of volunteers that

The idea was quickly picked up by other policing agencies, first across Saskatchewan, and later in other provinces.

“This is very humbling because I didn’t think that something as small as a sign being put into the community would draw such attention. But MADD is all about awareness, and this is just one big sign of awareness,” Hagel said. “People notice the signs; they tell me all the time, ‘I saw your sign.’”

She added that the program was created in partnership with the Estevan Police Service (EPS), and she is glad that it’s working.

High-visibility check stops, organized in partnership of EPS, SGI and MADD are also proving to be impactful.

“It’s a good reminder that it’s not only the police’s responsibility to reduce impaired driving, but it’s everybody’s,”

said Ladouceur. “Connie’s attended with her volunteers many of these events, and has been involved with many programs, and raises awareness throughout this community on a constant basis.”

Ladouceur also noted that Estevan is finally starting to see a decline in impaired driving cases, which he attributes to joint efforts of the police, community members and volunteers like Hagel and other MADD supporters.

Mayor Roy L udwig thanked Hagel for her input in battling impaired driving on behalf of the Estevan board of police commissioners.

“We are proud to thank Connie. It’s been a great job that Connie has done on behalf of MADD and on behalf of the police department, and it has resulted in lower numbers and is helping to get the drunk drivers off the road.

We can’t thank you enough for

Local MADD leader Connie Hagel was named volunteer of the year last month and was presented with a national award Friday by Estevan Police Chief Paul Ladouceur on behalf of MADD Canada.

Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia that,” Ludwig said.

The award was virtually announced by MADD

Canada earlier last month and was then mailed to Estevan to be handed to the recipient.

“Dear Santa: This year, I wish no one would drive impaired” With the holiday season upon us, December’s Traffic Safety Spotlight is focused on impaired driving.

SGI asked numerous people what they are asking for this Christmas.

“Dear Santa: This year, I hope that someone decides to be a good wingman and prevents an impaired friend from driving off, even if that friend insists they’re only driving a short distance.” – Cst. Jarren Senchuk, Estevan Police Service.

“Dear Santa: This year, I wish no one would drive impaired.

And if they’re planning to consume alcohol or drugs, I hope they also plan for a safe ride home.” – Penny McCune, chief operating officer of SGI’s auto fund.

“Dear Santa: I wish every vehicle we pull over at our check stops has a sober driver behind the wheel, so we can wish them ‘Happy Holidays’ and send them on their way.” – Cpl. Andree

Sieber, Regina Police Service.

“Dear Santa: This year I hope that people will remember that impaired driving charges come with vehicle impoundments, licence suspensions, and there are stiff fines and possible jail time upon conviction.” – Community safety officer Lisa Robertson, Weyburn Police Service.

“Dear Santa: This year, I wish friends don’t let their friends drive after having a few of those boozy eggnogs.” – Cst. Harlovepreet Gahrha, Prince Albert Police Service.

“Dear Santa: This year, I hope people call a designated driving service, or a rideshare, or a taxi, or a sober friend to bring them home safely.” – Cst. Kris Kluz, Saskatoon Police.

“Dear Santa: This year, I hope people remember that there is zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving. If that Christmas baking contains cannabis, don’t drive after eating it.” – Cst. Harmandeep

Singh, Moose Jaw Police Service.

“Dear Santa: This year, we hope there are no serious collisions that we need to respond to, so we can leave the flying to you and the reindeer.” – Raegan Gardner, STARS Air Ambulance nurse and clinical educator.

“Dear Santa: I hope this holiday season, I don’t have to operate on you or your loved ones because of a drunk driver, or drunk driving. Happy holidays, and happy New Year.” –Dr. Jagadish Rao, trauma surgeon.

“Dear Santa: This year, I hope I won’t have to knock on a family’s door to tell them that someone they love was killed because of impaired driving.” – Cpl. Marsha Shaw, RCMP. “Dear Santa: This year, I wish that no more names get added to our memorial wall.” – Heather Tatham, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Regina. Her husband was killed by an impaired driver.

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December 9, 2020 A15

City Hall: 1102 4th Street 8 am to 4:30 pm | (306) 634-1800 Leisure Office: 701 Souris Avenue 8 am to 4:30 pm | (306) 634-1880

A Message From The Mayor Have some Christmas fun doing the “Twinkle Tour Scavenger Hunt” supported by Estevan Tourism.

Take a look on the back page of this week's Mercury to find out how to play.

INVITATION

The City of Estevan invites interested citizens to sit on The Estevan Board of Police Commissioners.

If you are interested in becoming a Member at Large, please send a letter explaining your qualifications and what past experiences you have that could benefit this board in writing by December 10, 2020: City Clerk, 1102 - 4th Street, Estevan, SK S4A 0W7 Ph: 306-634-1852; Fax: 306-634-9790 email: cityclerk@estevan.ca Criminal Records Check may be required upon request.

The Council of the City of Estevan pursuant to the Cities Act that the Council of the City of Estevan, gives notice of its intention to implement a bylaw to establish and statutory authority to set Utility Rates within the City of Estevan PUBLIC NOTICE

On November 23, 2020 meeting the first reading of this bylaw was passed and the final readings is expected to be on December 14, 2020.

The proposed Bylaw 2020-2033 may be inspected by any person in the City Clerk’s Office, on the main level of City Hall, between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Dated this 24th day of December, 2020.

Judy Pilloud 1102 4th Street Estevan, SK S4A 0W7

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TUESDAY LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM LANE SWIM 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM LANE SWIM 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM AQUA AWE 9:15AM - 10:00 AM LANE SWIM 12:15 PM -1:00 PM LANE SWIM 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM SURF & SWIM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

THURSDAY SPIN 6:10 AM - 6:50 AM SPIN 9:10 AM - 9:50 AM AQUA AWE 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM SPIN 10:15 AM - 10:55 AM AQUA AWE 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM HEAD TO TOE MOBILITY 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM SPIN 5:30 PM - 6:10 PM OPEN 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

WEDNESDAY LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM LANE SWIM 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM LANE SWIM 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM AQUA AWE 9:15AM - 10:00 AM LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM LANE SWIM 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM SURF & SWIM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM LANE SWIM 9:00 PM - 9:45 PM

THURSDAY LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM LANE SWIM 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM LANE SWIM 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM AQUA AWE 9:15AM - 10:00 AM LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM AQUA AWE 1:15 PM -2:00 PM SURF & SWIM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

FRIDAY LANE SWIM 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM LANE SWIM 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM LANE SWIM 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM AQUA AWE 9:15AM - 10:00 AM LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM LANE SWIM 1:15 PM -2:00 PM SURF & SWIM 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM FREE SWIM 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ** LANE SWIM 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM *** **NO NOV 6 OR 27 *** ONLY OCT 9, 16, 30 & DEC 4, 11, 18

SATURDAY LANE SWIM 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM PUBLIC SWIM 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM LANE SWIM 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM FAMILY SWIM 6:15PM - 7:15 PM PUBLIC SWIM 7:15PM - 9:00 PM

SATURDAY OPEN 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

SUNDAY SPIN 9:10 AM - 9:50 AM • SPIN 10:10 AM - 10:50 AM DEEP WATER POWER 8:00 PM - 8:45 PM • OPEN 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

PLEASE NOTE - Due to the pandemic-related protocols registration has moved to a PRE-Registration process. Users must pre-register online or by calling the Information Desk. Patrons will be screened upon arrival and asked a few questions as per the Operational Health and Safety Guidelines. Space between workout stations have either increased or a machine has been put into ‘not in use.’ Drinking fountains and change rooms will be closed.

Memberships that were bought previously were put on hold; the days remaining on memberships have been applied to your accounts starting June 8th, 2020.

If you need a new membership, please either book online at www.estevan.ca or call the Information Desk for contactless payment.

SUNDAY LANE SWIM 1200 PM - 12:45 PM FAMILY SWIM 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM LANE SWIM 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM DEEP WATER POWER 8:00 PM - 8:45 PM

PLEASE NOTE - Due to the pandemic-related protocols, Lane Swim, Aqua Step, A.I.S., Deep Water Power Awe programming has moved to a PRE-Registration process. Users must pre-register online or by calling the Information Desk. For all other activities space is limited.

Patrons will be screened upon arrival and asked a few questions as per the Operational Health and Safety Guidelines. Water fountains are not available.

Classifieds

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

A16

Obituaries

Career OppOrtunities

Feed & Seed

Jean Arlene Friedrich 1940 – 2020 With profound sadness the family wishes to announce that Jean Friedrich late of Estevan, SK passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at the age of 80 years.

Jean was predeceased by her parents, Glenn and Katie Giem; brother Clifford Giem and sister Marj Bell.

Left with precious memories are her loving husband of 61 years, Lambert Friedrich and their children Kevin (Diana) Friedrich, Mark Friedrich and Lana Friedrich (Ron). Grandma will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Aaron (Denise) Michel, Gregory Michel (Amanda Wallin), Jade (Justin) Fichter, Sydney (Ricardo) Scott and Brett Smith (Josh Naka) and great grandchildren, Landon Michel and Kolby and Karter Fichter. Jean will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and a Private Family Service will be held at a later date.

Those so wishing may make donations in memory of Jean to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation (designate Dialysis Unit), 1176 Nicholson Rd., Estevan, SK S4A 0H3.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan provided care to the Friedrich family – Deb Heidinger, Funeral Director.

Thank you

The family would like to thank Dr. Babkis and the nursing staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital for the outstanding care and compassion they gave to our Wife, Mother and Grandma. You went above and beyond and for that we are deeply grateful. Thank you also to everyone that has expressed their condolences, sent flowers, cards, food and gift cards. We appreciate your compassion.

SRI HOMES’ Estevan Facility SHELTER HOME SYSTEMS is currently accepting applications for

PRODUCTION WORKERS • Required Immediately

Duties include:

NORTH EAST PRAIRIE GRAIN INC. BUYING: FEED BARLEY, SOYBEANS, DAMAGED CANOLA. On Farm Pickup, Prompt Payment! PH: 306-873-3551 WEBSITE: neprairiegrain.com “In Business to Serve Western Producers”

Mary-Louise Real Late of Estevan, Sask. and formerly of Fertile, Sask.

1928 - 2020 The family of Mary-Louise Real wishes to announce her passing on Thursday, November 26, 2020 at the Lampman Community Health Centre, Lampman, Sask. at the age of 92.

Mary-Louise will be remembered by her many friends and family.

Mary-Louise was predeceased by her loving husband of 45 years, William T. (Bill) Real; son Philip Real as well as brothers: Marcel, Paul, Lucien, Albert and sister Clothilde. She leaves to mourn her children: Rosemary (Cam) Hanna, Janet (Ken) Gray, Anita (Marc) Boutin, Dorothy (Norm) Deseautels and Dell (Jeanine) Real; brother Vital (Elsie) Frecon; sister Jeanne Saleski; 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Mary-Louise was always up for an adventure whether it be with her loving children or grandchildren. She was a faithful member of the Catholic Women’s League for many year and volunteered with the St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary.

Mary-Louise will be lovingly remembered by her children and grandchildren.

Due to ongoing restrictions on gatherings, a Private Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Anthony's R.C. Church, Storthoaks, Sask. with Rev. Ronald Andree Presiding.

Interment took place in the Fertile Cemetery, Fertile, Sask.

Those so wishing may make donations in Mary-Louise’s memory to the Fertile Cemetery Fund, c/o Annette Holden, Fertile, Sask., S0C 0W0, or a charity of choice.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan and Redvers provided care to the Real family - Dustin Hall, Funeral Director.

Patricia Englund

In MeMorIaM IN MEMORY OF A SPECIAL SON AND BROTHER WARREN JEFFREY COWAN JAN. 7, 1975 + DEC. 12, 1999

Andrew Deren February 13, 1926 December 9, 2009 Sadly missed along life’s way Lovingly remembered every day No longer in our life to share But in our hearts you’re always there.

Lovingly remembered and always missed by June, Paul, Donna, Bill, Lil, Linda, Delmar, Joy and families

Notices / NomiNatioNs Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

It’s sometimes hard to know, Why some things happen as they do, For so much JOY AND HAPPINESS Was centered around you.

It seems so hard to comprehend, That you’re no longer here, But all the HAPPY MEMORIES Will help to keep you near.

You’re thought about with PRIDE, SON, With each mention of your name, Death cannot change a single thing, The LOVE will still remain.

“He’s gone,” they said, And in that moment our Hearts shattered into a million pieces, And our whole world, turned upside down.

We Love You Warren, We Miss You Warren and We Will Never Forget You Warren, RIP. Love Mom, Dad and Darren

H

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Box 845 #200 Hwy. 18 West, Estevan, SK S4A 2A7 Fax: 306-634-7597 jobs.shelter@gmail.com www.shelterhomes.ca

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SHELTER

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Heavy Duty Mechanics required:

Labourers Wanted: Duties inc, in part: pressure washing heavy equipment, trucks and trailers. Cleaning shops. Assisting where required. Heavy lifting involved.

Mechanical aptitude an asset; must be safety conscious and able to work around heavy equipment.

Must have a clean driver’s abstract.

Position located in Arborfield, Sk. Camp accommodation provided if necessary.

Late model, clean CAT, JD equip; winch, dump, gravel trucks, and trailers. Both camp and shop locations; R & B provided Wage negotiable.

Clean drivers abstract a must.

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction Box 100, Arborfield, Sk. S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

Integrity Post Frame Buildings

Patricia Englund, of Saskatoon and formerly Midale, SK passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. No Funeral Service will be held. Please visit www.mourningglory.ca to send condolences. Arrangements in care of Ashley Knash – Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 9785200.

In MeMorIaM

• Assembling and installing modular components Send, fax, e-mail or drop off resume to:

HealtH ServiceS HIP/KNEE Replacement?

Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and up to $50,000 Lump sum refund.

SINCE 2008

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Seeking professional drivers with Class 1 – 5 license to transport RV’s throughout North America.

We have company driver spots available in Double Haul, Triple Haul and Semi fleets and O/O spots available in Single (1 ton) and Double Haul fleets. For more information on each fleet, please visit roadexservices.com. Subsidized health and dental insurance, monthly bonus available for company drivers. Must have valid passport and be able to cross the border. To apply please email resume and a current driver’s abstract to recruiting@roadexservices.com

Announcements

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction Box 100, Arborfield, Sk. S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

Announcements

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www.estevanmercury.ca

December 9, 2020 A17

Estevan Humane Society is looking for foster families for the holiday season

BY TENDER TENDER BY

TENDER BY TENDER R.M. OF ARGYLE NO. 001 R.M.OF OFARGYLE ARGYLENO. NO. 001 R.M. R.M. OF ARGYLE NO. 001 R.M. OF ARGYLE NO.001 001 SE 05-01-30-WlM

The Estevan Humane Society is hoping to have an empty shelter for the holidays.

Photo submitted they currently receive.

The shelter will provide food, water and food dishes, blankets, litter and litter boxes if needed to all foster families. If the animal require medical care, they will also pick up the bill.

"It's just a home that is really needed and someone to take care of them."

To foster an animal people would need to fill out an application providing information about their environment as well as some references.

"We do require references just because the animals won't be in the shelter, so we won't be able to keep an eye on them ourselves. So we just need to know what the families are like that are taking animals home, what their past history is with animals, if they do have animals currently, any allergies, stuff like that. Just so that

we could find them a good fit when they do decide to come in and pick one out," Pho said.

Usually, applications are reviewed within one business day but may take a bit longer depending on the workload. The application forms can be found on their website and at the shelter.

Pho added that if people will want to keep animals after fostering them, they offer a foster with intent trial adoption option.

"If they take these animals home and they decide, 'Oh, I can't,' they can take them back to the shelter. But they do get this full twoweek trial period and then they just let us know if they want to keep that animal, and then we just finalize the adoption," Pho said.

There are no fees or expenses associated with fostering. And if people decide to keep the animal after, they would need to pay the regular adoption fee.

CROSSWORD ANSWER

If you ever considered fostering an animal, now will be the time.

The Estevan Humane Society has announced their Foster Home for the Holidays campaign. They are hoping to find foster families for their animals for the upcoming Christmas season.

Since the pandemic and related restrictions will keep many people at home this year, fostering an animal may become an option, that may also add some happiness and joy.

Humane society manager Michaela Pho said that they are looking for temporary foster homes for their 57 cats and possibly two dogs to empty out the shelter over the holidays.

The shelter will be closed Dec. 21-28, so the hope is people will pick up animals the weekend before it and will keep them until the weekend after New Year’s Day, for about two weeks in total.

"It's always nice for the animals to be in a home environment," Pho said.

"It's nice to have as many as we can in a home, where they are going to get a little bit more attention and have somewhere to spend a holiday. Most people will be home anyway, so we figured this would be a great idea."

The humane society will have reduced hours over the holidays, so if there are any animals left in the shelter, they are not going to get as much attention as

LAND FOR SALE LAND LAND FOR FOR SALE SALE FOR SALE LAND FOR SALE

BY TENDER

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Kohaly, Elash Ludwig Law Firm LLP in Deposits for all all rejectedoffers offersFirm willbe be returned Kohaly, Elash &rejected Ludwig LLP intrust. trust.

Deposits for rejected will returned Deposits for all offers will be returned Deposits for all rejected will be returned forthwith after January 6, 2021.

Deposits for all rejected offers will be returned forthwithafter after January January 6, 6, 2021.

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Highestororany anytender tender not not necessarily Highest necessarilyaccepted. accepted.

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A18 December 9, 2020

www.estevanmercury.ca

EPS makes arrest for violating public health orders The Este van Police Ser vice (EPS) has laid a charge against a person who failed to comply with Public Health Orders.

A 25-year-old Estevan woman was charged on Dec. 2 for failing to isolate after returning home from international travel.

The EPS was assigned to do a compliance check on the individual, and discovered she had failed to comply with the mandatory 14-day isolation order.

Police also attended to a single-vehicle collision in south Estevan that day.

No injuries were reported

but the vehicle did sustain significant damage and was towed from the scene.

Members of the EPS responded to an assault that occurred at a south Estevan residence on Dec. 3. The victim received minor injuries and was assessed by Estevan Emergency Medical Services on scene. Further investigation revealed that two individuals forced their way into the home and assaulted the male before fleeing on foot. One individual was identified and arrested a short time later. He was released before a justice of the peace on Dec. 4. The matter

is still under investigation.

The EPS and the Estevan Fire Rescue Service attended to a two-vehicle collision at the corner of 13th Avenue and Sixth Street on Dec. 4. A passenger car had its front end damaged by a semi-trailer unit while making a right hand turn onto 13th Avenue. No injuries were reported and both vehicles were drivable. Police are still investigating the incident.

Po l i c e i s s u e d a n 18-year-old Estevan man a ticket under the Cannabis Control Act for possessing, consuming or distributing

cannabis in a vehicle. He received a $360 fine, his driver’s licence was suspended for 72 hours and his vehicle was seized.

Members received a Report Impaired Drivers call that resulted in an Estevan female being arrested for being in care and control of a vehicle while impaired.

She was released later in the evening to appear in Estevan Provincial Court in February. Her vehicle was also impounded and driver’s licence was suspended. She has also been charged with possession of fentanyl under the Controlled Drugs and

Substances Act. A 41-year-old Regina man is facing multiple charges after he was arrested

by Estevan Police Service (EPS) members Dec. 5.

Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle in the Pleasantdale area. Officers attended and located the vehicle. The man was arrested and charged for impaired driving, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and breaching his previous release conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court in Estevan in March.

Police received an RID call in east Estevan. Officers

attended and located the vehicle parked. The vehicle was observed by the public being driven again later, and prior to police being able to perform a traffic stop, the vehicle was parked again.

The driver wasn’t located and matter is still under investigation.

Police have received two complaints of someone providing cannabis in the form of oil for vaping to minors. These matters are still under investigation.

The EPS reminds the community that this is unlawful and will result in a fine of $900.

Firefighters were called to vehicle vs train accident The beginning of the last week saw Estevan firefighters attending two serious incidents in the Estevan area.

Early morning last Tuesday, the Estevan Fire Rescue Service was called out to a train versus truck collision, which occurred on the west side of the city.

"Crews arrived on scene to find that the vehicle has left the highway surface after the collision and was overturned in the ditch," said Estevan Fire Chief Dale Feser.

Firefighters secured the scene quickly and located the driver, who was the only occupant of the vehicle. Emergency Medical Services crews who were on the scene transported the

man to St. Joseph's Hospital for treatment and assessment.

"Fire department crews remained on scene to ensure that the vehicle wasn't going to start on fire and to take care of minor leaks that were on scene, and also assisted with traffic control for the RCMP services until CP Rail Police could arrive on scene, and then we turned it over to them to investigate the cause of the collision," Feser said.

Crews then returned to the station and were back in service.

The next call came last Wednesday afternoon. At about 3:30 p.m. firefighters were called out to a shop fire, occurring in the

RM of Estevan, northeast of the city by the airport road.

"Once crews did arrive on scene, they found that the structure was already entirely consumed by the fire that had occurred. So crews did put out the ground fires and the remaining fire to ensure that no other buildings would start on fire," Feser said.

Further investigation concluded that the fire was caused by an electrical issue.

Earlier last week, firefighters also responded to a residential fire alarm. The call came in at about 7:30 p.m. last Monday. The alarm went off in a residence in the northcentral part of Estevan.

Once on scene, crews found that occupants had been taking a hot shower, and some steam escaped the bathroom, setting off the alarm.

"There was no actual emergency occurring. Crews were able to clear the scene and return to the station with a gentle reminder to the homeowner to ensure that they are the first point of contact when it comes to fire alarm activation," Feser said.

On Saturday firefighters, along with the Estevan RCMP and Estevan Police Service participated in a toy drive for the Estevan Hamper Association's Angel Tree program.

For more on the story see page A3.

y t i n u m m Co D R A O B N I T E L L BU

Jewels and Jems Furniture Redesign Introduces

Kits for a Cause

Helping to Spread Christmas cheer for families in need this Holiday Season In co

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$15 from select DIY Kits sold will help to purchase No Frills gift cards and a personal DIY DEADLINE TO ORDER Kit for families needing a little extra help this DEC 15 1207 4TH STREET holiday season

Purchase instore or online www.jewelsandjemsfurnitureredesign.com

Brought to you by:

Gift Card Fundraiser

Choose Life Ministry & Estevan’s Second Chance Thrift Store is hosting a gift card fundraiser to help raise money for women in need.

All Gift Card’s were Donated or Purchased from Local Businesses in Estevan.

Tickets can be purchased at Estevan’s Second Chance Thrift Store.

1Ticket for $5.00 or 3 Tickets for $10.00 Draw Date: December 18, 2020

“Where community happens” Estevan Market Mall Holiday Hours

chooselifeministry.ca

Truck Raffle

Monday - Friday 9 am - 9 pm

Royal Canadian Legion Win a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado, $10,000 cash, $5000 cash

Saturday 9 am - 6 pm

50/50

Kin Canada

Estevan Kinsmen Club

Chase the Ace

Draw Date: December 31, 2020 $100/Ticket Get tickets at Murray GM or the Legion

Estevan Kinsmen Club Every Thursday night @ 6:00pm at the Black Grasshopper

St Joseph's Hospital Foundation Win up to $50,000 Draw Date: December 9, 2020 Tickets: 1 for $10, 5 for $20, 25 for $50 - Get Tickets at www.sjhf5050.ca

Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm Don’t forget to visit our Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 9am - 2pm

The Estevan Shoppers Mall is now the • Ardene • Dollarama • Eclipse • Marks • Money Mart

• Nutters • Peavey Mart • Pet Valu • Sask Liquor • SaskTel

• Sobeys • SportChek • Star Gift • Studio C Fitness • The Brick

• The Source • Tim Horton’s • Warehouse One LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

400 King Street

kids speak What are some things you can give during holiday season?

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Age: 5 “I can give candy, toys and a hug.”

Colton Juneau

Age: 7 “This Christmas I will be giving my family my motocross cards and window stickers. To my friends I want to give candy.”

421 King St #3, Estevan, SK I 306-634-3244

www.scotsburndental.com

Seriously GREAT flooring.

Cheers & Jeers

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

A19

Seriously GREAT flooring people.

306-634-5588 104 - Hwy. 47 S. Estevan, SK

www.floorstoreestevan.ca

306-453-2519 Bay #1 - Hwy. 13 Carlyle, SK

Flashback – Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999

Cheers Cheers to the homeowners on Jubilee Place.

The Christmas spirit is alive and well there. Thanks for all of their hard work and dedication so the rest of the community can enjoy the lights.

Cheers to the fire department and the police officers for collecting toys for the Angel Tree program once again, and doing their part to help people have an enjoyable Christmas.

Cheers to the cleaning of the Walmart bathrooms by the cleaning staff. It has been very thorough, as were other areas within the store.

Given COVID-19, the cleaning staff needs to be commended.

Cheers to the number of people who have been active outside the past few days, enjoying the warm weather by going for walks or jogs, or visiting parks in the city.

Jeers Jeers to the people who treat the Pleasantdale valley like a dog park. Keep your dogs on a leash for the safety of everyone.

Jeers to the individuals who broke off all the sticks in Churchill Playpark that were placed there by city employees. Maybe they did not know they are used to guide the snowplow driver who keeps walking paths clear of snow.

Jeers to governments and their coal transition initiatives. What about all the oilfield workers that are already out of work? Where was, and is, the support for them? The governments and environmentalists of Canada want to shut down the oil industry just as much, if not more, than the coal industry.

To submit a cheer or a jeer, please email it to dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca, or visit www.estevanmercury.ca.

Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) students ventured into fashion world at the end of 1999. Some of the male models who displayed some of the new fall and winter fashions at the ECS fashion show pictured here included, from left, Tyler Selk, Tyler Hildebrand, Brett Breakey, Stephen Bachorcik and J.D. Martin.

Learning to wait I picked the wrong day to go to the post office.

The line was so long that it started outside the building.

When I finally made it in, I saw the problem immediately. An older lady was trying to ship several huge packages and she was having a lot of trouble.

First, she could barely lift any of the parcels onto the counter. Then she could not hear what the Canada Post worker was telling her. The insurance options were confusing her, and she had no idea what to do with the tracking number she was given.

As I stood there watching this, I thought, “Oh come on!

There are 29 people in this line, and you are taking forever! I

Tim Pippus of the Estevan Church of Christ have better things to do than stand here all day!”

Then I overheard the lady say, “I am sending these presents to my grandkids. They were supposed to be with me this Christmas, but now they cannot come.” Those two sentences changed everything for me.

Instead of thinking only about myself, I began to think

about what this lady was going through. I thought about the fact that she might have to spend Christmas alone this year. I thought about what it took for her to purchase those presents, wrap them, and haul them down to the post office.

I thought about the looks on her grandkids’ faces when those huge packages arrive at their house, and, even better,

when they get to open them on Christmas morning.

Suddenly, I did not mind waiting as much. In fact, I would have stood in that line all day just so that this grandma could send her presents.

Most of the time, what we need is not a new set of circumstances. Rather, we need a new way to see the circumstances that we are in. Typically, things go better when I stop focusing on my selfish desires and start thinking about others.

Maybe I picked the right day to go to the post office after all.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

Twelve Days of

Christmas

DAY 1

DAY 2

DEC. 13

BUY 1 - 30 2 OR MORE - 50% %

Gifts for that hard to buy for person...

GIFT BASKETS full of candy, chocolates and treats.

DEC. 16 Duplo Playmobil & Lego

30-50% DAY 7

DEC. 19

50% DAY 8

30

Schleich

30-50% DAY 9

DEC. 20

20 DAY 12

DEC. 23

DEC. 21 Models

%

12pm - 5pm

DAY 11

DEC. 18

Thomas & Friends / Chuggington

Rocket Cars

50%

DEC. 22

DAY 6

DEC. 17 Clicformers

14” - 18” Dolls & Acces.

DAY 10

30%

Open till 8pm!

DAY 5

DEC. 15

Children Furniture i.e. Chairs ...

20%

12pm - 5 pm

DAY 4

DAY 3

DEC. 14

Aquarium & Aquarium Supplies

Pedi Ped Shoes for children

Breyer / Calico Critters

%

OFF

WHAT’S UNDER YOUR TREE? Gift cards available!

CARPET - HARDWOOD - LAMINATE LUXURY VINYL - TILE FIND IT AT

DEC. 24 Fish

% 30-50% 30-50% 30-50

Sugar Free baskets available too!

10am - 4pm

Thank you for supporting local.

440 King St., Estevan 306-637-2550 Locally Owned & Operated

106 Souris Ave N, Estevan | 306.634.8100

SERIOUSLY GREAT FLOORING. SERIOUSLY GREAT FLOORING PEOPLE. 306-634-5588 104 - Hwy. 47 S. Estevan, SK

Regular Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10-6

306-453-2519 Bay #1 - Hwy. 13 Carlyle, SK

FLOORSTOREESTEVAN.CA

NOTICE - EARLY AD BOOKING DEADLINES Dec. 16th Issue Ad booking - Dec 11 Ad approval - Dec 14 Classifieds - Dec 9

Dec. 23th Issue Ad booking - Dec 11 Ad approval - Dec 16 Classfieds - Dec 14 @ 11am

Dec. 30th Issue Jan. 6/2021 Ad booking - Dec 15 No Publication Ad approval - Dec 17 1st issue of 2021 Classifieds - Dec 15 @ 11am will be January 13.

Our office will be closed from December 21, 2020 through January 1, 2021.

We will re-open January 4, 2021 @ 8:00 am 306.634.2654 dtarnes@estevanmercury.ca

A20 December 9, 2020

www.estevanmercury.ca

&

Christmas Decoration

T W INKLE TOUR SCAV ENGER HUNT Santa ________________________________ Candy Cane ___________________________ Wreath _______________________________ North Pole Sign ________________________ Snowman _____________________________ Carolers ______________________________ Elf ___________________________________ Giant Present __________________________ Angel _________________________________ Peace Sign ____________________________

Rudolph ______________________________ Spiral Tree ____________________________ Joy Sign ______________________________ Christmas Train ________________________ Disney Character _______________________ Polar Bear_____________________________ Stocking ______________________________ Teddy Bear ____________________________ Snowflake _____________________________ Toy Soldier ____________________________

Pointsettia ____________________________ Gingerbread Man_______________________ Snowglobe ____________________________ Disney Character _______________________ Mrs. Claus ____________________________ 3 Deer ________________________________ Sleigh ________________________________ Paw Patrol_____________________________ Snoopy _______________________________ Big Ornament __________________________

Bonus: Coldwell Banker Choice Real Estate House for sale: __________________________________________________________

HOW TO PLAY:

Name: ________________________________

1) Cut this out 2) Drive around town & find the items on the list 3) Write down the address 4) Drop off at the Estevan Mercury, 68 Souris Avenue 5) Watch the January 13th Estevan Mercury for the winner 6) Have fun #makingmemories.

Phone Number: _________________________

There are so many houses lit up all over town this year.

DON’T MISS THESE ONES! 1271 King Street 1601 Grundeen Crescent 825 Eva Street 508 Albert street Spruce Drive 300 block Peterson Frehlick Bay 430 426 Brooks Galloway Street

Stuckey Road (first left after Woodlawn Golf 426 Brooks Road Course entrance) 1400 2nd Street South of Roche Percee on Hwy 39 300 block 3rd Street Over by West Valley Edge 1300 3rd Street Newcombe Drive 8th Street Heading out of town towards Stoughton(Hwy47) Woodlawn Regional Park Festival of Lights (after Dec 18) Collins Road Music on 1st Street If you find any other gems, email dtarnes@estevanmercury.ca!

Jubilee Place

GuidinG you home.

Custom, Programmable, LED Christmas Lights!

Presents the

4th Annual

Festival of Lights 2020

Merry Christmas from

December 18, 2020 - January 8, 2021

Thanks to our sponsors:

24 Hour Electrical Service Company Owned and operated

by Tye Doan

Henders Drugs • Energy Electric Ltd. Southern Plains Co-op Estevan Chamber of Commerce

1210 4th Street • 306-634-9898 • www.coldwellbanker.ca

Our Gift to You!

LOVE WHAT'S UNDER YOUR TREE.

$50

Enjoy your twinkle tour! #makingmemories

Serving SE Sask.

Your experienced local paving company. gencoasphalt.ca • 306.634.8001

We take great pride in finding the right flooring for your home.

Thank you for choosing The Floor Store.

For every gift certificate ate purchased, d,, receive a $5 5 gift certificate ate FREE!

100 Souris Avenue • 306-634-6858

104-Hwy 47 S Estevan, SK 306.634.5588

Bay1 Hwy 13 Carlyle, SK 306.453.2519 FLOORSTOREESETVAN.CA

presents

Get a FREE 55� Smart TV

with the purchase of any new or used vehicle!

0

%

FOR 96 MONTHS

(on select models)

10,000 off 2020 Trucks $

15% off the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Durango 10% off the Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Compass and Jeep Wrangler 409 Kensington Ave | 306.634.3644 Powerdodge.ca

Holiday

SAVING EVENT at

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349 bi/wkly

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SERVICE SPECIALS Peace-of-Mind Maintenance Package $89.95 Service includes: Up to 5 liters Genuine Mopar Motor Oil • Mopar Oil Filter • Rotation of 4 tires • Peace-of-Mind Inspection of cooling system, all fluid levels, electronic battery test, front and rear brake systems, exhaust system, suspension system • Provide written report • Synthetic/semi-synthetic oil available at additional cost • Manufacturer check Wheel Alignment - $95 No appointment Necessary Oil Change - $39.95 409 KENSINGTON AVENUE, ESTEVAN • WWW.POWERDODGE.CA