Estevan Mercury 20230222

Great learning experience. College’s students learn about healthcare.

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The Pleasantdale tug of war

Coming events. Estevan OTS looking forward to four activities.

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Five generation gather. Stories from seniors in the area.

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Students from Pleasantdale School participated in a tug of war on Friday morning. The young people were divided into teams and many were joined by their parents for the competition. The tug of war was part of the activities for the Festival du Voyageur at Pleasant dale on Friday. Pleasantdale, which offers French Immersion classes, held the festival as a celebration of French culture.

Estevan selected to host regional campus for new Saskatchewan virtual school

By David Willberg

Starting strong. ECS Cheerleaders third at Best of the West.

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The new Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation’s (Sask DLC) virtual school will have a strong presence in Estevan when classes begin this fall.

The provincial government announced Thursday nine regional campuses will be established for the Sask DLC, and one of them will be in Estevan. Students will have the opportunity to connect and receive instruction from local teachers at the regional campus and through the main office in Kenaston.

Pink Shirt Day. Students take a stand against bullying at school and the community.

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Darren Gasper will serve as the Sask DLC chief executive officer. He is currently seconded from Sun West School Division to assist with this initiative, and has more than 27 years of experience in the education sector, including expertise in online learning.

He said Estevan was selected for one of the regional campuses after consultation meetings across the province.

“One of the items that was really identified … was the need to have local context for a plan moving forward,” said Gasper.

“And so when we were going through the planning process, and looked around the province for some ideal locations, Estevan just made sense to be that for the southeast corner of the province.”

The regional campuses will allow students in a virtual classroom setting to come in for support as well.

“Typically we see most kids access that help remotely online,” said Gasper.

The provincial government is in the midst of discussions with the South East Cornerstone Public School Division on a location for the regional campus. The local site for South East Cornerstone’s Cyberstone Virtual School is located at the Estevan Comprehensive School.

“We’re in discussions with the division right now

to see what possibilities are there,” said Gasper.

Gasper pointed out that because all of the online schools will be coming together as one, the amount of programing opportunities for students will be much higher.

“We wanted to make sure we had equity across the province, so taking a great program that’s offered in one particular location, and just making sure it’s available to all students across the province – that, I think … is the biggest gain are those unique program opportunities for kids,” said Gasper.

Teachers will run classes from the main Sask DLC office or from the regional campuses, and will work collaboratively to provide high-quality education to all students, who will have the choice to attend the Sask DLC on a full-time or part-time basis. Students will register with the new school and then be connected to their local school

division, which will provide tuition to the Sask DLC.

School divisions, together with the Sask DLC, will provide local support for students such as educational assistants, speech language pathologists and counsellors. School divisions will also provide student activities such as driver training, graduation ceremonies and extracurricular activities, such as arts and sports.

The provincial government announced last year that it would be running all online schools for publiclyfunded divisions, so it will take the place of an initiative like Cyberstone, which has been meeting the needs of students for years.

South East Cornerstone director of education Keith Keating said they don’t know what the regional campus will look like, but the division will be working with the ministry to try to work in a partnership so education dollars are used in the best fashion possible.

Cyberstone has about 150-200 full-time students, but they also have students who take classes within the division and some through Cyberstone.

The division is working with the ministry on what will happen to the Cyberstone staff members, since they are considered to be employed by South East Cornerstone.

“Those staff members are part of our staff, so there will be some opportunities, I believe, to either teach in the new provincial online version of the school, or there’ll be some opportunities for them in other schools within our school division,” said Keating.

The school division is assuming that all of the staff members will be taken care of, said Keating.

Seventeen teachers and an administrative assistant are currently working for Cyberstone. They are specifically dedicated to the virtual school.

Photo by David Willberg

It’s once again Telemiracle time in Saskatchewan, and members of the Estevan Kinsmen and Kinettes will be helping out at the beloved province-wide fundraiser.

Telemiracle 47 will start at 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 25 with the Countdown to TeleMiracle, streamed live on TeleMiracle’s YouTube channel. The main broadcast begins at 9 p.m. on Feb. 25 and continues until 5 p.m. the following day, raising money for the medical needs of Saskatchewan people. This year’s broadcast will be in Saskatoon and will air live on CTV.

Tara Kyle, who is the local zone representative for the Telemiracle Foundation board, said the fundraiser is entirely Saskatchewan run and operated.

“All of the money raised through Telemiracle stays in Saskatchewan,” Kyle said proudly. “It helps the people of Saskatchewan. So, it is

“We also have some counselling services that are dedicated to that school, and of course, we also utilize some of the other services within our school division like speechlanguage pathologists and occupational therapists and those particular ancillary services,” said Keating.

Keating said South East

something that is local and it’s very unique to Saskatchewan.”

She knows of other provinces that have tried to emulate Telmiracle, but have not enjoyed the same degree of support.

Local Kin members have been busy fundraising in advance of the broadcast. There was an online auction organized by the Kinettes that raised $6,500, which she said made it the best edition yet of the fundraiser.

They did Pizza with a Purpose at the Black Grasshopper restaurant on Mondays in January, with $5 from every pizza sold donated to Telemiracle. There was an silent auction at the Estevan Bruins’ hockey game last Wednesday that had a variety of different items available, and they held a Toonie for Telemiracle matinee at the Orpheum Theatre on Family Day.

Cornerstone started Cyberstone many years ago strictly as a high school program, but it has evolved into a full kindergartenGrade 12 school that would allow people to conceivably get their full education online.

Student registration for the new provincial online school will be available

Last year’s Telemiracle was the most successful one yet, and Saskatchewan Kinsmen and Kinettes are looking forward to great support again this year. File photo

“I’m always overwhelmed by the amount of support from our community. It’s always amazing,” said Kyle.

As the zone rep., she is a voice for people from the area who assistance through the Telemiracle Foundation. This is the second year in a two-year term for her.

“This has been probably

in April. The Ministry of Education has initiated discussions with education unions and stakeholders. The ministry will work with Sask DLC management to commence recruitment for positions at the main office and regional campuses beginning in March this year.

Students of the Sask DLC will have access to a wide variety of courses, with classes from kindergarten to Grade 12 available, as well as a variety of high school electives such as autobody, agricultural

one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life. It is just phenomenal. You know where that money is going,” said Kyle. “You know that you’re actually getting to help those who definitely, truly need it. Knowing you’re changing their lives, there is truly no better feeling.”

Members of the Kin

equipment technician, field crop production, forensic science, cow/calf production and exercise science, among others.

Adult students wishing to complete their Grade 12 or take additional electives will be able to do so at the Sask DLC as well.

The other regional campuses will be in La Ronge, Moose Jaw, Neilburg, Nipawin, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Swift Current and Yorkton.

Gasper said there has been a lot of interest in

clubs will be busy at Telemiracle. Some of them will be working security and registration areas. Others will be serving as messengers – relaying receipts to the financial department and transporting anything else to where it needs to go. Others will be visible on screen during the broadcast by updating the tote board.

the online school. Teachers are looking to come in to work for the organization. Even after the news release Thursday, they received additional inquiries about the project.

“I’m looking forward to

People from throughout the province will be showing support throughout the broadcast by calling in their pledges. Others, including Kin clubs throughout Saskatchewan, will make presentations on air.

And there will be entertainment throughout, with a couple of local connections for the performers.

Country music singer Brad Johner will be part of the national cast for Telemiracle. Former Estevan resident Brad Brown and his daughter Ashley, who now live in Sedley, will be part of the pre-telethon entertainment.

Kyle said she is looking forward to hearing the performers, whether it be through the national cast or the local performers.

Last year’s Telemiracle was the most successful yet, as it eclipsed the $8 million mark for the first time.

working together with all of the different skillsets from around the province and just providing all of those unique programming opportunities for kids all over Saskatchewan,” Gasper said.

Guilty plea for aggravated assault

An Estevan man pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and other charges in Estevan Court of King’s bench on Feb. 13, avoiding a trial.

Travis Smyth was supposed to have a week-long trial starting that day, but instead entered the guilty plea. In addition to aggravated assault, he pleaded guilty to assault by choking, suffocation or strangulation; assault causing bodily harm; and uttering threats.

Other charges were stayed, including a second count of aggravated assault, and single counts of obstruction of justice, and forced confinement or imprisonment.

Smyth was sentenced to 1,825 days in the

federal penitentiary in Prince Albert, but after being given credit for time served, the sentence was reduced to 1,510 days, equivalent to four years and 50 days.

Meanwhile, two people charged in connection with a drug bust last year in Estevan have pleaded guilty to charges in Estevan Provincial Court.

Tristen Stuckey pleaded guilty on Feb. 16 to four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking drugs, which in this case were ecstasy, ketamine, heroin and Xanax. Four charges of trafficking the above substances were stayed, as was a charge of breaching a release order.

Brandon Tremblay pleaded guilty on Feb. 13 to two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, in this case ketamine and meth, and one charge of breaching his release conditions.

Two charges for trafficking were stayed, as was a charge of breaching his release conditions.

Tremblay and Stuckey were each given a conditional sentence order of two years less a day.

Also, a person charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer was back in court on Feb. 16.

Theodore A. Brycks was remanded into custody for his next court appearance on March 16.

The RCMP said officers went to Brycks’ home on Dec. 7 to arrest him for violating release conditions. He then allegedly went into the house and retrieved a firearm. An altercation occurred which included the discharge of a firearm by the responding police officers.

No physical injuries were reported and Brycks was then arrested without further incident.

Brycks is also charged with four counts of failing to comply with a probation order.

None of the charges have been proven in court.

Continuing care assistant program at college helps students gain experience and find employment

By David Willberg

A continuing care assistant (CCA) program at the Southeast College’s Estevan campus has proven to be a great training ground for the students enrolled, including some from the Philippines.

Eleven people are registered in the program, including four international students. It is an eight-month course that started in September and wraps up on May 6. All of the students have been hired for jobs once the program is finished.

The students recently had a clinical program through the Estevan Regional Nursing Home, which resulted in a great experience. Those who didn’t have jobs prior to the clinical session were offered employment by the nursing home once the program was complete.

“Clinical experience is when we go out for 105 hours to somewhere in the community and start to show off our skills,” said instructor Vanessa Butler. “Our skills at the nursing home would be helping the seniors with their daily routine, things like bathing, things like assisting with meals, things like that.”

The 105 hours were spread out of over three weeks.

Another clinical session will start on April 11 and will occur at St. Joseph’s Hospital’s long-term care.

When they aren’t in clinical sessions, the students have been in the classroom.

“There was a lot of theory and there was also lab skills, so the lab skills, the hospital gave us two rooms up there at Unit A, and we were able to go up there and learn on mannequins and learn how to do these lab skills, and sometimes [practise] on each other,” sad Butler.

CCAs are in high demand in the region, Butler said.

Jonalyn Santos said she has learned a lot through the course. This marks her first foray into the medical field. While she was in the Philippines, she spent seven years working on a cruise ship. When she came to Canada, she decided to start working as a CCA.

“We’re taking care of the elderly,” said Santos. “It’s different now, but I love it, so when we went to our clinical session, I learned how to take care of the elderly, to prepare them for the morning, how to feed them and how to clean them.”

They have learned how to communicate with seniors and to talk to them nicely.

Santos said it’s good that she was able to get to know some of the residents during her clinical stay. When she went back to the ERNH after her clinical session ended, some of them recognized her and wanted to know if she was there for work or for a visit.

“When we were starting the course, I could not do that or I could not do this, but for the clinical one, [I thought] if

you just learn everything, you will do the job,” said Santos.

Imele Virador was a registered nurse in the Philippines before she came to Canada, so she brings a background in healthcare to the program.

“My family is surrounded with medical professionals,” sad Virador. “My mother is a mid-wife, my sister s a nurse, my other sister is a pharmacist, my aunties are … nurses,” said Virador.

She wanted to get back to work in healthcare, and the CCA course was a good opportunity.

Her orientation at the nursing home will happen next month.

“The clinical was fun and memorable. At the same time, I am learning a lot,” said Virador. “It’s different.”

She has noticed a lot of differences between the elderly in the Philippines and Saskatchewan.

The staff at the nursing home was very helpful, teaching the clinical students techniques to provide care.

She is looking forward to seeing the ERNH’s residents once again.

The CCA program has been a good reminder of some of the things she learned in college, but there are other items she hadn’t heard until now.

Erika Valencia was an office administration clerk when she lived in the Philippines. But she wanted to try a challenging new career in Canada.

“I wanted to move around, using all of my strength.

That’s why it’s interesting working in health care, because I think that it’s more challenging working in health care than working in clerical things,” sad Valencia.

Her parents are getting older, and so she wanted to know how to care for the elderly.

“In the Philippines, we don’t have home care like you have here in Canada, and in the Philippines, mostly the children of the elderly people are the ones who took care of them until the day they’re gone. I wanted to know how to provide a proper care for them.”

Once she is finished, she believes it will also benefit her parents.

The program has been good from the outset. Va-

lencia said Butler has been very approachable and understanding if there has been a language barrier. A good bond has been formed among the 11 students.

The clinical experience was very good and helped them a lot, she said. It gave them a chance to apply what they had learned beyond the laboratory session.

“When we’re in the clinical setting, it’s all different because you have to really take care of them because they’re real people and they are very vulnerable,” said Valencia.

Butler is a registered nurse who worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital. When she shifted to the college in 2011, her transition was gradual because she had young children and she wanted to work Monday-Friday.

This is the first year the program has been instructorled, Butler said. The college used to send students with a preceptor and Butler would check in, but for 202223, Sask. Polytechnic has changed it to instructors at the helm, which means she is with the students all the time.

“We really appreciate the community,” said Butler. “We appreciate that they’re always helping us to learn, they’re always willing to take our students in and be preceptors to them.”

The health-care facilities don’t have to accept the students so willingly, and Butler is thankful for their support.

Provincial wildlife convention coming to Estevan

Up to 200 delegates from across the province will be in Estevan from Feb. 23-25 for the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation’s (SWF) convention.

Most of the activities will be happening at the Estevan Comprehensive School, but there will also be some functions at the Western Star Hotel.

In a press release, the SWF said each year it brings together conservationists from around the province to discuss fish and wildlife issues impacting Saskatchewan. There will be program updates, information from the Ministry of Environment, the opportunity to vote on resolutions and the chance to hear from keynote speaker Randy Nelson.

“The annual convention is an opportunity for dialogue between researchers, program managers, and resource users on issues that matter to the people in this province,” said SWF executive director Darrell Crabbe.

This will be the first in-person convention for the SWF since 2020, and the organization is anticipating a great turnout.

Delegates wishing to attend

this event must have purchased a 2023 SWF membership. The convention will start with registration and hospitality at the Western Star on Feb. 22. Opening ceremonies will be on Feb. 23 at 1 p.m., with speeches, including Nelson’s keynote address, and various reports.

Crabbe noted Nelson is an author and a former conservation officer in Saskatchewan and B.C.

“He’s really a well-written fellow who writes about a lot of the various interesting takedowns and whatever else that he participated in during those years,” said Crabbe.

There will be a reception and awards banquet that night for branches and individuals that met certain goals.

The 24th will feature the report from the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, among others.

“It’s one of the favourites of our attendees,” sad Crabbe.

“The conservation officers come in and make presentations on a number of the cases that they’ve had over the year.”

A fundraising banquet that night will include an auction.

“We end up with hundreds of people there,” said Crabbe.

“We’ve got lots of unique, interesting things being auctioned off for that event.”

Activities on Feb. 25 will include more reports, the election of the next SWF president, the announcement of the host branch for the 2025 convention, and a presentation with conservation officer enforcement dogs. SWF branches will be saluted for donations to the SWF’s various programs.

The president’s banquet will occur the evening of the 25th, with several awards being handed out. The keynote speaker for that night will be

Environment Minister Dana Skoropad.

Fisheries, habitat and education will be among the topics covered at the convention, Crabbe said.

Estevan was chosen to host in 2021, but those plans were scuttled due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

“Estevan put forward an application in 2019 to host in 2021,” said Crabbe, who is looking forward to seeing all of the delegates again.

“It’s like many other conferences or conventions where the camaraderie is very much

there, and a lot of these people only see each other once or twice a year, and have had a hiatus for three years now.

There’s a lot of catching up to do … and it’s gong to be a great event,” said Crabbe. Virtual conventions were held for 2021 and 2022.

With the number of delegates expected to be in Es-

tevan for the convention, and with some of the other events happening, Crabbe expects it to be an event that carries a big economic impact for the community. The SWF has 123 branches across the province. Registration forms can be found online at swf.sk.ca, and submitted to the Estevan Wildlife Federation.

From left, Jonalyn Santos, Imele Virador, instructor Vanessa Butler and Erika Valencia are part of the continuing care assistant program at Southeast College. Missing is Juan Padillo.

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Compounding a challenging situation

For more than 20 years, we’ve heard about the issues of physician recruitment and retention in Estevan.

It’s been a perpetual cycle. We have a physician shortage. We recruit more doctors. They talk about how much they like it here and they stay a few years, but when the opportunity comes up to move to a larger centre, most seize that chance.

It’s becoming increasingly rare to see a physician remain in a community of this size for the long term. Those who have had the same doctor for more than a decade typically consider themselves very fortunate.

We’re also not alone in this situation. Cities much larger than Estevan are trying to deal with physician shortages of their own.

This problematic cycle isn’t going away any time soon. But we’re seeing another layer applied when it comes to a most essential segment of health-care delivery: nurses.

We’re hearing about services that are being suspended because of a lack of nurses rather than a lack of doctors.

It’s been a long time since we’ve had a surplus of nurses. But we’ve usually had enough to be able to offer the services that we need, even when numbers were lower.

This isn’t just an issue affecting Estevan or southeast Saskatchewan. Much like the physician shortage, it’s become a problem everywhere, including the much larger markets.

to discuss the recent service interruptions for the Galloway Health Centre. That town has three doctors. Good ones, too, Well respected in the community. But the problem has shifted to a lack of nurses.

These town hall gatherings are a positive in that they get people together to inform them of the problem. But anyone who comes to them looking for a silver bullet is going to be disappointed. And it’s unlikely anyone in attendance will have that magic solution.

Oxbow’s health centre plays an important role in the region. If the emergency room is closed, and someone in Carievale or Gainsborough has a serious health problem, the next-closest ER is in Estevan, at least an hour away.

Oxbow hasn’t had that prolonged service outage yet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

Much like the physician shortage, the lack of nurses is an issue with no quick fixes and no simple solutions. It’s a multilayered problem that’s going to take time to rectify. Bring in nurses from other countries? That’s a good step. But it will take time to get them here. And you still need those who were born, raised and trained in Canada.

Pay them more? That will help, but a better wage will only go so far.

Give them equipment to work with? Again, it helps. But it’s going to take time and money.

system? Some would like to see that, but it’s going to take a long time to bring such a system to fruition because you still have to ensure some form of health-care for everybody.

Nursing is an incredibly difficult profession. The education and training component takes time, you have to be able to think and react quickly, the hours are long and demanding and it’s a mentally draining job.

A lot of nurses left the profession once the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic was over. Many of them had been in the profession and were just done. Others are younger, were feeling burned out and thinking that maybe this wasn’t the position for them any longer.

The ones who are left are overworked and feeling the impact of a difficult situation. They’re working extra hours to ensure they meet everyone’s needs as quickly as possible. It doesn’t help that every time there’s even the slightest mistake, an ignoramus would criticize them on social media, such as a rant and rave page, often under the “group member” name.

We need to be there for our nurses. We need to show our support, let them know how lucky we are to have them in our communities, and remember they are a vital part of our health-care system.

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Oxbow held a meeting Tuesday night

Find some sort of a blend between universal health care and a private, for-profit

It’s difficult enough to have to worry about constantly recruiting and retaining of physicians. It’s going to be ever more difficult if nursing shortages become a long-term problem.

Surviving the scores of scams

It has been a fantastic start to 2023. We have enjoyed great weather with very few storms. Local playoff hockey has begun, and the days are getting longer. Life has been good, and spring is right around the corner.

But this year there is one thing that has been really bothering me. Doesn’t there seem to be an inordinate number of scams out there? I’m certain I’m not the only one. Either by text, email or phone. It just never ends.

In no particular order, here is a sampling of what I have received in the past couple of weeks. I am sure many of you can relate.

By text: Your shipment from Canada Post is on hold. To reschedule a delivery, see XXXXX. If you no longer wish to receive SMS updates, please reply.

By phone: An unknown number from Amazon; your parcel awaits.

By email: From Canada Revenue Agency: An e-transfer of C$2,860 was sent to you. Select your financial institution, press the black box. This refund expires on April 16.

By Text: CA Recovery has authorized a $378 refund. Reply A to deposit; reply C to cancel. Thank-you.

By Email: From Ryan. Here are your subscription payment details from Geek Squad. Your subscription will renew to-

Gord Paulley

Paulley’s Ponderings

day for $349. If this is not your charge, please phone our customer care department to reverse the transaction.

Last week I received a legitimate text from a friend.

“Hi Gord, I’m going to send you a friend request for Facebook. I was hacked in the middle of January and between my son and I, we screwed up and managed to get my account disabled and now I can’t get it back. So, I gave up and I’ve started a new account under my first name and middle name. So, if you see a request, it’s legit.”

I replied, “Request accepted and thanks for letting me know. What a nightmare!”

Said my friend, “Yep, it has been. More than you know!”

I recently upgraded my phone. It is a beautiful device, takes awesome pictures and seamlessly connects to my same name computer. Just before Christmas, the phone started prompting me to use SIRI, the voice command control app.

I took the bait and was somehow linked to a site where they needed my

credit card information. I gave it out, and within seconds Visa had flagged it and asked me if I wanted a certain $55 transaction to go through. It was to some exotic dance studio in New York City. Thankfully, Visa flagged it, reversed the charge, and sent me a new card.

Amazingly, I was smart enough to use my secondary card. Unfortunately, I had to be bothered changing credit card numbers on other pre-authorized transactions.

Scams have been around for centuries. Bernie Madoff is a famous swindler. There was a recent cryptocurrency crash. Pyramid schemes come and go all the time. People just never seem to learn.

It is hard to remain diligent, but I can offer you some common-sense advice for your phones, emails and computers.

•If it is too good to be true, it is certainly a scam or a fraud.

•Double check to make sure the offer or request is legitimate.

•Triple check before you click onto a link.

•Quadruple check before providing your credit card number.

Always have two credit cards in your possession in case one becomes disabled.

It is important that you remain vigilant in this digital world. I hope this helps you along.

The message can’t be limited to one day David

Willberg

Willberg’s

World

The last Wednesday in February is set aside each year as a day to take a stand against bullying.

There are different labels for it. Day of Pink. Pink Shirt Day. Anti-Bullying Day. But the message is the same: it’s the day when we renew our desire to fight bullying.

But it can’t just be the one day a year when we commit ourselves to taking a stand versus bullies, nor can it be limited to a symbolic gesture of wearing a pink shirt.

If you want to fight bullying, then you have to commit to the cause throughout the year. And it’s not just good enough to say we won’t be bullies. We have to call out bullying whenever we see it.

Nobody deserves to be bullied.

I find the message of the Day of Pink doesn’t resonate like it did a decade ago. Perhaps that’s because it was something new. It’s natural to tune something out when you’re hearing it again and again, year after year.

Or maybe it’s simply a matter of timing. Back in 2012, a Pink Shirt Day walk was held in Estevan for the first time. A very large crowd marched through downtown Estevan on Fourth Street on an absolutely gorgeous Wednesday afternoon. In late April.

Most of that crowd was school students. But you had a good turnout of people from the community. Over the years the number of people from the community slowly dwindled, until it was event organizers and a handful of dignitaries joining the school kids.

And the skeptic would wonder how many kids viewed the walk as nothing more than a reason to get out of school for an hour or two.

Now that everything is concentrated into one day in February, it’s tougher to have these events for the schools and the community. The schools are on their winter break. While they had activities last week, the impact isn’t the same as the day of the event.

As for a community walk, it wouldn’t be the same without the kids, and it’s going to be tough to get people to do even a short walk on a bitterly cold February afternoon.

Still, I support the efforts to have things happen to fight bullying.

I was bullied when I was a kid. With my size, build, voice and glasses, I made an easy target. It didn’t help that I snubbed my nose at virtually anything related to popular culture at the time.

The bullying was particularly bad in the later years of elementary school and the first couple of years in high school. By the later years of high school, my peers grew more accepting and the antics subsided, although nobody would have classified me as one of the cool kids.

I’ll admit there were peers I didn’t treat as well as I should have.

I don’t know if anyone can say they have a spotless record when it comes to bullying, whether it’s being a bully or a bystander.

Back then, bullying was more accepted. Oh sure, if it became physical and if it was caught, the staff stepped in. But the belief among many was that if you were bullied, you did something to bring it upon yourself, so it was up to you to change to be accepted. Nobody would tell everyone else just to accept the annoying little kid with bifocals.

We also have a greater awareness that bullying isn’t just a school thing. It happens every day in the workplace, within teams and organizations, and in the community as a whole. It’s important that we take the time to address bullying in these areas as well.

There’s always going to be bullies. It’s not something that we’re going to magically just whisk away and never hear about again. We can vow to take a stand against bullies in schools or communities, but there will always be someone who will think it’s their right to treat someone poorly for being different.

But initiatives like the Pink Shirt Day are still of value. It’s still important that we take the time to reflect and consider how we can treat people better.

And then we need to follow through with that commitment throughout the year.

Only when we reach the unattainable objective of a world without bullies will we find ourselves in a situation in which Pink Shirt Day won’t be necessary.

Estevan’s innovation council expects to have another busy year

Members of Estevan city council received an update on initiatives from the community’s innovation council during Monday night’s meeting.

In a correspondence, Coun. Rebecca Foord wrote that the innovation council had a busy year in 2022. A highlight came when they successfully applied to be named an Intelligent Community through the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), which is a global network of cities and towns focusing on economic development, and looking to solve challenges through innovation and new economic development opportunities through technology.

Estevan placed in the top 21 list of communities globally, which created global attention.

They have applied once again and hope to at least finish in the top seven this year.

“In our 2023 application, we were again able to focus on what we are doing in the education sector, from elementary to post-secondary education,” Foord wrote. “We were able to share links with the ICF to connect them to our city pages, newspapers and partners in our community that allow us to showcase the work that’s been done in Estevan.”

They also looked at areas of the community where they could pay more attention in terms of technology, innovation and finding ways to make the community a great place to work and play.

Last year also saw the opening of a rural tech hub,

the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, alongside the Southeast Innovation Business Development Centre, which Foord said allows the community to diversify in technology, to create and attract new business and support local businesses in their journey through technology and expansion.

Foord said they are looking forward to all that 2023 offers, and showing the community that technology and innovation can be fun and is crucial to diversifying the economy.

She noted a lot of communities in the world are going through challenges similar to Estevan.

•••

Council approved $300 to be part of the Hudson Bay Route Association this year. It runs all the way to Churchill, Man., and as the Northwest Passage thaws, Mayor Roy Ludwig said more goods could be going that route.

Councillor Tony Sernick said it would be a good way to ship coal out of the area. •••

Western Municipal Consulting will handle the board of revision for Estevan in 2023. The previous agency for the board, NorSask. Board Services, says it will no longer be available.

•••

Two building permits were issued for $150,000 in January. Both were for commercial permits.

•••

Council gave first reading to a bylaw on the terms of reference for the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum.

Board member Kathryn Gilliss explained why the changes are taking place and answered questions from council. She said this is essentially an update to the present bylaw, as some of the terms are a little bit dated.

For example, the bylaw states the board needs to have representatives of certain groups in the community. Now there will be members at large and a council representative.

“Starting to mandate other agencies is just difficult because of the volun-

teer nature of the positions,” said Gilliss.

They have also outlined board member duties and expectations. They also want to see a leadership ladder, as some members have been on the board for some time.

There are also measures in the bylaw for filling vacancies should someone step down from the executive.

It also calls for the EAGM to still be “the cultural perspective of the community,” as a voice for art, culture and history.

There are also clauses for fundraising, how someone can approach the EAGM with a donation, and steps to follow if the EAGM ever has to fold.

••• Council gave second and third readings to halt the mailing of tax notices in non-assessment years. The city will continue to mail the forms in assessment years or any other time a ratepayer has a change in assessment. It’s believed the move will result in a cost savings for the city.

EPS call volumes increased in January

The Estevan Police Service (EPS) saw a jump in call volumes last month, but the activity level remained below the five-year average.

Numbers released at Wednesday meeting of the Estevan board of police commissioners showed the EPS had 576 calls for service, up 11 per cent from January the previous year. The five-year average is 615.

The EPS responded to eight crimes against the person, with seven assaults and one sex crime, down from 12 in January 2022, when the EPS handled seven assaults, three sex crimes and two assaults causing bodily harm.

Police Chief Richard Lowen said when he looked

into assaults, they all involved substance abuse of some kind.

Seventeen crimes against property occurred, with nine thefts under $5,000, six mischief/willful damage complaints and two break and enters. In 2022, there were nine mischief/willful damage incidents, six thefts under $5,000 and three residential break and enters.

Six charges were laid under the Controlled Dugs and Substances Act, with five for possession and one for trafficking. That compares with the four for possession and one for trafficking that occurred last year for the same month.

Criminal Code Traffic violations saw the biggest

increase, from five in 2022 to 16 this year. There were 12 charges for impaired driving/exceeding .08, three for dangerous driving and other, and one for impairment by drug. Last year for the same month, there were three for impairment by drug and two for impaired/exceed-related offences.

Member-at-large Roberta DeRosier asked about the sharp increase in the number of cases of impaired driving. Lowen said it’s because of increased patrols and check stops.

Lowen believes that with the uptick in activity so far this year, the total number of calls might have bottomed out in 2022.

The five-year average for January is 6.6 crimes against the person, 22.6 crimes against property, 8.2 Criminal Code traffic violations and four Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges.

The bylaw enforcement officer’s report from Special Const. Anna Volmer showed she had 122 occurrences last month, with 40 parking violations leading the way. She also had 20 snow-removal notices, 15 animal calls and 20 classified as other bylaw to account for the bulk of her activity.

Last year the bylaw division had 65 occurrences in the first month of the year, including 33 parking tickets.

Gummy Bear has been at the shelter for 10 months! That sure is a long time to wait for a home. She came to the shelter as a feral, but has turned into the most loving cat!! She can be shy in new situations so would do best in a calm/quiet household preferably one with other cats. Gummy Bear is partially sponsored and her adoption fee is only $30. We would love to see this sweet gal out of the shelter life and into a loving home!

Hi I’m Morgan! I’m a high-energ y, fun-loving goofball My fa vourite things to do is playing fetch and tug of war I’m also a big fan of the sno w! The staff a t the shelter say I’m a good learner, and will thrive with someone who can help me reach my fu potential With proper introduction I could get alon with dogs or ca ts I’m a ha ppy, healthy bo y and ca wait to meet my new family!

Members of the present Estevan city council. File photo

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Co-op supports women’s health centre and nearly 20 other causes in the southeast

The Southern Plains Co-op has been busy in the first two months of the year, showing support for a variety of causes in the southeast region.

The co-op has presented 20 cheques worth a total of $35,000. The largest contribution was to the women’s health outpatient centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The co-op has donated $15,000, to be paid out over the next 10 years, and will receive the naming rights for the area.

Brooke Spagrud, who is the marketing and community relations manager for the co-op, said one of the objectives is to give back to communities they serve, and supporting healthcare is a great way to do it.

“We are excited to continue to build this initiative with the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation,” said Spagrud.

She noted that nearly 75 per cent of their employees are females, and they want to support women’s health.

The other organizations received $500 to $2,000, benefiting child care, animals, first responders, the arts, health, sports, recreation and more.

“This list of organizations was put together by our staff

and management in the beginning of January,” said Spagrud. “We asked them to nominate or come up with a list of groups or organizations that they felt were important, that they would like to support. From that list, then we were able to allocate funds and surprise them with donations.”

The organizations didn’t know until they received a phone call that they would receive a donation. Spagrud asked each entity how the co-op could help.

“All of them have a list of things, on an ongoing basis, that they’re looking to purchase, or they have needs to fulfill. Once you get talking to them, it varies,” she said

For example, the Manor Fire Department is adding an expansion for its fire hall, so the funds will help with that project, Spagrud said. The Carlyle Fire Department needs to purchase one of its trucks, so firefighters are fundraising for a rapid response truck. The Emergency Support Fund in Oxbow used the money for gift cards for people who need help purchasing groceries.

Bow Valley Villa in Oxbow is looking to replace beds for its residents. The

Estevan Humane Society is making upgrades to its cat rooms, adding climbing structures so the animals are more comfortable and active in their space.

Saskatchewan Southeast Search and Rescue will use the money to help them be ready when called to find a missing person. The Souris Valley Theatre needs to replace their sprinkler system.

And then there was a group of quilters out of Carlyle.

“The quilt club was nominated to receive some funds, and when I called them, I asked them to explain a little bit about what they do, because I was unaware,” said Spagrud. “It turns out that these ladies create quilts and gift them to cancer patients and people who were recently diagnosed with cancer in Carlyle and the surrounding area.”

Shortly after the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy in 2018, the guild sent some quilts to the Humboldt area.

Funds from the co-op will allow the quilt club to purchase batting and other supplies so they can continue to give a homemade quilt to people.

It was also important to donate to projects

throughout the southeast. The co-op has operations in Carlyle, Oxbow, Alameda and Gainsborough in addition to Estevan.

Spagrud said a percentage of the co-op’s sales goes back into the communities they serve, so they’re always supporting non-profits throughout the year.

“This is the first time

we’ve approached organizations and said ‘Hey, we have money we want to give you.’ Typically, donations and sponsorship requests come to us. These organizations come to us and they ask if we can help them. What made this one unique was that this one was a list of groups nominated by co-op employees

of different organizations they wanted to support.”

Co-op employees are members, too, so basically the co-op was making donations to groups and organizations important to employees.

Last year the co-op donated nearly $160,000 to the community groups in a variety of ways, Spagrud said.

Money Matters: Build the budget that works for you

Financial trends come and go, and it appears as though one approach to finance that industry professionals have long touted is having a budget.

Eighty-six per cent of more than 1,000 respondents who participated

GO Digital SASK

in an annual budgeting survey said they budget their spending. That marks a roughly 16 per cent increase since 2019.

If budgeting is getting a star turn in individual financial planning, it’s well deserved. Budgeting can help people save money and achieve an assortment of financial goals, including paying down debt, financing tuition and planning a dream vacation.

Each person’s budget will be different, but that doesn’t mean people need to take wholly unique approaches to building a budget. In fact, a conventional approach to budget building can help people from all walks of life.

•Determine your net income. Net income, also known as take-home pay, is the foundation of a budget. In the era of direct deposit, it can be easy for anyone to forget how much money they’re taking in each month. Salaried workers can de-

termine their net income pretty quickly and easily, while workers who are paid by the hour and freelancers may need to do a little extra work and serve as their own bookkeepers as they try to calculate their net incomes.

•Monitor your spending. Spending habits fluctuate, but some patterns will likely develop over time, and identifying these patterns is vital to building a budget. Individuals needn’t wait to track their spending. Log into your bank account and see how you spent money each month over the last six months to a year. This can give you an accurate idea of where your money went after it came in.

Monthly utility bills may be constants, but those bills tend to fluctuate depending on the season, so a closer examination can yield what the average cost is. Budgets may need to be tweaked during months when utility bills peak.

•Don’t discount the importance of things you want. It’s important when building a budget that money is left for more than just bills. Things you want to do like dine out, travel or additional expenses like entertainment should be built into your budget so you can still enjoy yourself and your budget is not blown up when opportunities to have fun inevitably arise. •Track and tweak. Progress can be tracked and the budget can be tweaked if you’re still having trouble saving or your efforts to save are causing issues. Tracking progress allows you to see what is and isn’t working, while tweaking affords room to compromise if the budget is proving too restrictive or not allowing you to meet your goals. A conventional approach to budgeting can help people achieve their financial goals and feel better about their futures.

Katie Bell with St. Joseph’s Hospital, Southern Plains Co-op marketing and community relations manager Brooke Spagrud, and St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation executive director Lori Gervais participate in a cheque presentation.

Photo courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital

Estevan OTS gearing up for annual events

The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) will once again have four events for those who work in or support the local oil and gas sector.

The first event, the 63rd open bonspiel, will happen March 24 and 25 at the Power Dodge Curling Centre. OTS president Tony Sernick said they already have considerable interest for the event.

Eight or nine teams signed up in the first couple of days of registrations, which Sernick said is a pretty good start.

“That might not seem exciting, but it actually is, considering we’re still over a month away yet,” said Sernick.

In the past couple editions of the bonspiel, they have

been anywhere from 22-28 teams. They hope to have 24 this year.

A supper for the curlers will be held on March 24 at the curling rink. Sernick said they stagger the timing of the supper, so that some people will be eating while others are curling.

“It keeps everybody at the rink, which means less driving and more fun,” said Sernick.

Winners will be crowned in the A, B and C events at the end of the bonspiel.

The next event will be the Top Gun Trap Shoot on May 12 at the Estevan Wildlife Federation’s range along Boundary Dam. Then the OTS will host its biggest event of the year, the 66th annual golf tournament, from June 2-4

at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course.

The slate of events will wrap up with the second annual mixed two-person scramble at the Hideout Golf Course at the Hidden Valley RV Resort on July 8.

The OTS had enough volunteers to pull off four events last year. And they have a different chairperson for the curling bonspiel, the trap shooting event and the two golf tournaments.

“At the end of the day, we all have our duties, and last year we were looking at each other and we were thinking we’re definitely all volunteers, but at the same time, we all turned into event planners,” said Sernick.

They also have a lot of help from organizations, such as the oilwomen’s club

and representatives of the host venues, to help make the events a success. These events are also great social functions for the participants, Sernick said.

Town of Redvers holds community meeting regarding a new hotel

By Gord Paulley

In 2020, the Western Star Hotel in Redvers burned to the ground.

Since that time, the town and surrounding area has been talking about attracting new investment to the area. Whether it’s for a wedding, reunion, event or simply visiting friends and family, welcoming accommodation is a necessity.

The Town of Redvers organized an informational meeting that was held at the Golden Age Centre on Feb. 7.

“Based on community feedback, we have heard it loud and clear that we had to bring the community and a developer together to discuss

the possibility of constructing a new hotel for Redvers,” said Mayor Brad Bulbuck. “We wanted to move the needle and get the ball rolling. And so we did.”

The meeting attracted over 50 interested individuals. Addressing the audience was Ken Rempel, one of the owners of both Steel Creek Developers and Blue Crescent Hotels. Rempel and his three sons have been developing rural community complexes for several years and are becoming well known in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Ken lives in Elm Creek, Man., and has been in real estate and sales for decades. Youngest son Tim lives in Saskatoon and was previously a mechanical engineer.

He oversees construction. Another son, Andrew, has experience in marketing and computer graphics. He presides over site inspections and all advertising, websites and hotel operations.

The family has been instrumental in constructing and developing several community projects in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Rural hotels have been developed and are operating in Rivers and Souris, Man., and in Grenfell. A new hotel has just opened in Carman, Man., and includes a swimming pool and waterslide.

A five-unit complex has just been built in Melita, Man., which is only phase one of a larger project.

Trevor Rempel is the old-

est son and has years of experience in both the business development and marketing industries.

“Our family focuses on rural development in smaller communities that the larger chains cannot service. We are keenly interested in developing facilities in towns such as Redvers that are progressive and growing. Providing there is local investment interest, we would be very excited to help them out.”

Mayor Bulbuck concluded the meeting by thanking everyone who came out. Additional meetings are being planned for the coming weeks. The Town of Redvers Facebook page will provide the date, time, and location of the next meeting.

Retail liquor store permit in Estevan sells for more than $1.4 million

The auction for the retail liquor store permit in Estevan and five other communities has wrapped up, and it drew a lot of interest for the Energy City.

The auction began on Feb. 8 and wrapped up Thursday afternoon. It wound up selling for $1,407,500 through an unreserved online auction conducted by McDougall Auctions.

The bidder was under the name of Liquormerchants. A total of 128 bids were received.

The highest bid was sitting at over $300,000 as of Thursday morning at 11 a.m. But a rush of bids came in starting at 11:47 a.m.

The auction could have closed at 2 p.m., but it didn’t wrap up until a bid didn’t occur for 10 minutes.

The final bid for Estevan was submitted at 2:44 p.m.

The entity that purchased the retail permit will receive only the permit. Estevan’s governmentowned liquor store closed on Feb. 11, and the ownership of the store building has transferred back to the Estevan Market Mall.

Auctions for a permit in each of Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Assiniboia and Moosomin also closed on Thursday. The final auction to close was just before 6 p.m. for the Moose Jaw permit.

There will be multiple auctions for Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert due

to the number of liquor stores owned by SLGA in those communities.

fall that all government-

stores would close by the end of March this year.

“It brings everybody together having the four events,” said Sernick. “And we’ve diversified things as well. For the curling bonspiel, you’ll have a different crowd than the trap shoot or the golf tournaments.”

They also like to help out the organizations that allow them to use their facilities, and these are the biggest events of the year at the curl-

ing club, the trap range and the Woodlawn golf course.

It’s good to give people the opportunity to come out and support the oil and gas sector.

Sernick said last year was a good opportunity to get back to normal with their events.

The OTS has met, they’ve evaluated what they did right and how they could improve, and they’re looking forward to seeing everybody this year.

Members of the Estevan Kinsmen and Kinettes Clubs showed their support for people of all ages in the community during the annual Kin Kindness Day on Saturday.

Several members met up at the Tim Hortons on King Street and then fanned out to locations throughout the community. Some delivered toques and blankets to the maternity ward at St. Joseph’s Hospital, while others were at Creighton Lodge to play card games with the residents. A few members shovelled around the fire hydrants to make them easier to access.

They filled goody bags for children that included Estevan Bruins tickets; placed coins in vending machines to help people with a purchase; and delivered pizza to the young people at the Estevan Public Youth Centre (EPYC).

And they gave away coffee at the Estevan A&W, Slurpees at 7-11, reusable bags at Sobey’s and gift cards at the

Southern Plains Co-op.

The card games, the shovelling around fire hydrants, the giveaways were new for this year, said Estevan Kinette Club president Krissy Wallman.

“We tried to do some new things this year to spread the kindness to different areas of the community,” said Wallman. They try to have something at the hospital each

Five generations of a southeast family gather

It is not often that five generations have a chance to meet, but according to Deborah Mclenaghan of Stoughton, this opportunity happened for her family.

Kenna Lucille Lynn Barry was born on Dec. 31, 2022, in Regina. Her proud parents are Chelsea Pongracz and Mackenzie Barry of Arcola.

Kenna’s parents have resided in Arcola for three years with Barry working at Hoffman Elite Enterprises Ltd. as a swamper and Pongracz is employed by Keep them Rollin.

Proud grandmother is Marcie Bott of Corning. She is Barry’s mother.

Mclenaghan is the proud great grandmother and the mother of Bott, and is thrilled to have the title.

Ida Payton, who lives in Stoughton with her daughter Mclenaghan is the great-great grandmother and she is excited. Payton will turn 90 years old in June of this year.

The family said it was ecstatic to be able to get together and have this special moment that will last a lifetime.

Feel Safe In Your

year, and this year they selected the maternity ward to benefit.

Kin Kindness Day is part of a national initiative for Kin Canada. The local members view it as

something great to do for the community. It’s also a great way to lead up to Telemiracle, which will be on Feb. 25 and 26 in Saskatoon this year. People are very appre-

ciative of the gifts and gestures they receive during the day.

“This year I tried to focus on the different demographics, with everywhere from babies to children to the teenagers at EPYC to the adults who are receiving gift cards. And then we have the seniors here. It’s just a fun thing. I think this will be exciting at Creighton Lodge, because to interact with seniors and to play cards, I think is going to be a fun thing.”

She noted that with this being a long weekend, a lot of the Kin members were out of town with their families, but the Kin members who could participate were very eager.

She noted the Kin club members are also doing a Facebook draw in which people can submit great reviews for different businesses in the community. They are asked to put them on their individual Facebook page and then share the posts as a screenshot on the Kinettes Facebook page to enter a draw.

Serving others allows you to make a difference

Like many of us, Adam Oake of Toronto spent a lot of time last fall thinking about the war in Ukraine.

Unlike most of us, he decided to do something to help. “I couldn’t sit on the couch knowing that there’s something I can do to make a difference,” he said.

A contractor by trade, Adam finished his last job, sold his collection of Toronto Maple Leafs memorabilia, took his life savings out of the bank, and bought an airline ticket to Ukraine. When he got there, he was assigned to the Norwegian Crisis Response Volunteer Organization and spent five months delivering food to civilians trapped near the front lines. After several close calls, he arrived home safe and sound in January.

Oake plans to return to Ukraine in March so that he can help people rebuild their homes. When asked why, his response was, “If people like me aren’t

willing to go there and help, then who will go and help these people in need?”

Adam Oake sacrificed every material thing he had and put himself in danger to help people he did not know, and it made the national news because of it.

People who selflessly serve others not only make a difference but also get noticed.

The value and importance of servanthood is nothing new though. Two thousand years ago, Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). Paul encouraged the church to “serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13). Jesus’ example was that he

Tim Pippus of the Estevan Church of Christ

came to serve, not to be served, and to give his life (Matthew 20:28).

These days there is a lot of talk about how to influence others and make a difference in the world.

The answer begins when we forget about ourselves, our agendas, our preferences and what we want, and start to think about how we can serve other people. You do not need to go to the extreme that Adam Oake did, but we can all make a difference each day wherever we are. All it takes is a small change of focus from me to you.

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).

Back left, Ida Payton, Deborah Mclenaghan and Marcie Bott. Front, Mackenzie Barry and Kenna Barry

Photo by Deborah McLenaghan

Clockwise from front left, Earl Craig, Louise Fleck, Irene Craig and Dave Elliott had fun playing cards during Kin Kindness Day.

Hill View Manor celebrates Valentine’s Day

By Jeannette Betteridge

We have a new resident who has joined our family here at Hill View. We would like to extend a very warm welcome to Mariann H.

This month we also had to say goodbye to one of our long-time residents, Betty K. She will be missed by all.

Many activities have been happening in February, including exercises, Valentine’s Day crafts, a Valentine’s party, Bingo, card games, crokinole,

bowling, a bean bag toss, shuffleboard and magnetic darts, to name a few.

The last Friday of the month is loonie Bingo, followed by wine and cheese or fruit juice for anyone not wanting wine. Outings this month are to Walmart and Fired Up Grill for lunch.

We have three birthdays in February. Allan D. turns 93, Irene M. is 85 and Grace C. is 98. Happy birthday to all.

Entertainment this month

has been courtesy of the Caragana Ramblers, Lisa Kuntz, Wilma and Val, Keith and Gary, the Szakacs Family and Susan Shepard. For Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, we had a Valentine’s party. Entertainment was provided by Wilma and Val. This event was enjoyed by all. We also crowned a king and queen. After the votes were in and counted, our Valentine’s Queen was Grace C. and our king was Hank L. They were picked by our residents.

We are a licensed personal care home that provides all levels of care. This includes Level 1-4 care, memory care, end of life care, palliative care and respite care. Our Philosophy of “Living in the Right Place”, provides residents the choice to live at Hill View Manor as long as they like regardless of their care needs.

Our dedicated team are kind, courteous and committed to making each resident feel right at home. Always

Time for a Music Lesson!

“Living in the Right Place”

Grace C. and Hank L. were crowned this year’s queen and king.

Photo courtesy of Hill View Manor

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Bruins dropped three straight last week

The recent struggles for the Estevan Bruins continued on the weekend, as the Black and Gold dropped two games in Humboldt against the Broncos.

In the first game, the Bruins rallied after falling behind 5-1 midway through the second period, but lost 5-4 Friday night. Humboldt grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal by Spencer Bell. Mitch Kohner tied the game with 53 seconds remaining in the first, but Bell scored with 10 seconds to play in the period.

Matthew Van Blaricom, Ethan Zielke and Bell scored in the first 11 minutes of the second period to give Humboldt a 5-1 lead. Salvatore Collora provided a spark for the Bruins when he scored 85 seconds after Bell’s third tally.

Kade Runke scored on a power play in the third, and after the Bruins killed off a five-minute major, Cody Da-

vis scored on another power play to pull the Bruins to within one.

Estevan had several chances to tie the game, but couldn’t beat Broncos goaltender

Jared Picklyk, who made 40 saves. Bruins’ netminder Cam Hrdlicka stopped 36 shots.

The following night, the Bruins fell 4-1 to Humboldt.

Ben Kotalyk opened the scoring for Humboldt with a short-handed goal, and Timothy Kim’s marker in the second doubled Humboldt’s lead. The Broncos outshot the Bruins 29-14 in the first two periods, but only beat Jackson Miller twice.

The Bruins had a few power plays in the opening 12 minutes of the second period, but couldn’t convert.

Van Blaricom and Lucas Ceccarelli scored in the third to put Humboldt up by four.

Gabriel Filion’s goal with 35 seconds to play spoiled the

shutout bid for Humboldt goalie Benjamin Motew, who made 24 saves on the night. Miller stopped 36 shots. Estevan played both games without several regu-

lars, including forward Keagon Little and defencemen Owen Miley and Robbie Stewart.

The Bruins have now lost four straight and eight of

nine. Their last win in regulation was Jan. 14.

The Bruins also dropped a 3-2 decision in overtime against the Melville Millionaires last Wednesday night at

Elecs cheerleaders third at Best of the West

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs cheerleaders brought home a bronze medal from the annual Best of the West competition in Regina.

Coach Bonnie ChepilKvamme said she was proud of the members because 80 per cent of the 14 athletes were competing in their first-ever meet, and the other schools were from the big cities.

“There were five of us in total at the scholastic Level 2 High School Intermediate division,” said Chepil-Kvamme.

Most of the rookie performers for the Elecs are in Grade 9, but they also have a Grade 11 and a Grade 12.

Estevan finished with a score of 67.2 out of 100. The winning school finished with a 71.9 and the runner-up had a 67.8, so Estevan was just out of the silver position.

“Our dance was fabulous,” said Chepil-Kvamme. “All of our stunts … they didn’t wobble, we didn’t have any falls, we didn’t have any spills. It was a good, solid little routine.”

Judges thought the Elecs had a lot of energy, an excellent cheer and a lot of crowd involvement. The stunts weren’t overly difficult, and Chepil-Kvamme hopes they can be more ambitious for provincials.

“The routine just needs to be more difficult in terms of stunting, which is the hardest part, always, of any cheerleading routine. I’m going to have to beef those up a little bit. I feel the girls, now that they’ve experienced a competition … that definitely we’ll have more confidence going into it,” she said.

Chepil-Kvamme wasn’t sure how the new athletes would perform at their first meet. The setting can be over-

whelming with the number of competitors present and the amount of people in the crowd. But the students have

put in a lot of time and effort, and the returning athletes have taken a leadership role and have mentored the new competitors.

“There’s been lots and lots and lots of hours, a ton,” Chepil-Kvamme said. “More than a usual season, simply because we have so many who are brand new.”

Ashley Tedford, who was a member of the Elecs cheer

Affinity Place. Estevan raced out to a 2-0 lead by the 7:04 mark of the first period. Daniel O’Neill scored his first goal as a member of the Bruins to open the scoring and Sam McPeak doubled the lead a few minutes later.

Carter McKay replied for Melville a little more than 4 1/2 minutes after McPeak’s goal.

It remained a 2-1 game until late in the third, when Jaxon Martens scored on a power play to tie the game.

Martens wasn’t finished, as he scored the overtime winner with 2:01 remaining.

Miller and Melville’s Ethan Rau each made 28 saves for their respective teams.

Estevan (24-21-3-2) has 53 points with six games remaining. The Bruins will visit the Melville Millionaires on Feb. 22, and host the Yorkton Terriers on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.

team while she was a student at ECS, is now a community coach for the team.

“Because of the coaching staff, the returning cheerleaders and the dedication and devotion of those new people who have put the time in [we did great], but the bottom line is it’s the athletes and their drive,” said Chepil-Kvamme. Every time they go into the gym it’s good to work with them.

Best of the West is a longstanding competition and Chepil-Kvamme knows the people who owned and organized the event, so she wants to support it each year. Since it’s in Regina, it’s closer to Estevan than some of the other competitions. Provincials will be March 18 in Regina. Chepil-Kvamme said the performance at Best of the West gives her confidence entering the culminating event of the season.

After the winter break, they will be busy practising to get ready, so they can have a nice, clean routine that the cheerleaders can be proud of, she said.

Southeast athletes competing at Canada

Winter Games

A couple of Estevan athletes are in Charlottetown, P.E.I., for the 2023 Canada Winter Games.

Kaylee Carlson of Estevan is entered in archery and Sebastian Murphy is competing in snowboarding.

Also, former Lampman resident Robin Ulrich is a coach of the female hockey team.

Estevan U5 Cubs 2022-2023

SALES

Opening ceremonies occurred Saturday, and the competition will continue until March 5.

There are 217 athletes, 20 sports, 74 coaches and

port staff, and 26 mission staff coming from 60 communities across Saskatchewan, forming a full contingent of 317 participants.

Athletes who compete at the Canada Games represent the country’s next generation of national, international, and Olympic and Paralympic champions.

Owen Barrow (28) and the Bruins faced the Melville Millionaires last Wednesday at Affinity Place. Photo by Robert Godfrey with Lemon Wedge Marketing

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs cheerleaders had their first meet of the season at Best of the West. Photo courtesy of Bonnie Chepil-Kvamme

sup-

Back Row: Coaches Garrett Fleck, Anthony Melle, Stephen Truman, Blake Jamieson, Kevin Wolensky, James Jones, Tye Doan, Evan Reid, Dusty Smyth

Middle Row: Ryatt Brown, Liam Fleck, Koa Wanner, Mason Griffin, Messer Wolensky, Klay Melle, Hannah Jamieson, Liam Jones, Xander Erdie, Bryce Lalonde, Jaxton Meyer, Jack Cassidy, Emerson Hunt, Benjamin Tamulaitis, Wyatt Vatamaniuk

Front Row: Huxton Doan, Jax MacDonald, Jaxon Cederwall, Jett Almond, J.P. Chabot, Chester Truman, Jackie La Rose, Cru Curtis, Nash Moriarty, Cameron Smyth, Dawson Garrioch, Jett Deguerre, Abigail Reid, Emerson Erdman Inset: Huxton Hirsch

The photo of the Estevan U5 Cubs hockey team was inadvertently missed in last week’s Salute to Minor Hockey special. The Mercury apologizes for the error.

The semifinals have been decided in the Big Six Hockey League’s postseason. The top-seeded Redvers Rockets will play the seventh-ranked Yellow Grass Wheat Kings in one matchup, while the No. 3 Moosomin Rangers will square off with the No. 5 Bienfait Coalers in the other.

Redvers reached the semifinal round by sweeping the eighth-ranked Mi-

The top-ranked team in the Saskatchewan AA Hockey League’s U18 playoffs has taken a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.

The Estevan Apex Bruins defeated the Lumsden-Bethune Lions 5-1 on Friday night at Affinity Place and 5-3 the following day at the Lumsden Arena.

Estevan scored four times in the first 10 1/2 minutes of the first period of Game 1.

Carter Beck scored twice for Estevan, and Emmett McCarthy and Ryker Mathison also scored in the early offensive barrage.

Lumsden would get one

are

dale Mustangs in their bestof-three quarter-final series. Yellow Grass, meanwhile, upset the No. 2 Oxbow Huskies in two straight games in their showdown.

Game 1 between Yellow Grass and Redvers was slated for Tuesday night in Redvers. (Results were not available at press time).

The Rangers swept the sixth-ranked Carlyle Cougars in their quarter-final matchup, while the Coal-

before the first period was out, and it remained a 4-1 game until Sutter Baily scored midway through the third.

Game 2 saw the Lions take an early 1-0 lead, but then Estevan responded with five goals in the final 11:30, including two in the last 68 seconds. Landon Marcotte, Jordan Marcotte, Spencer Copeland, Ty Hoste and Baily had Estevan’s goals.

The Lions scored twice in the third period to make the score respectable.

Ty Fehrenbach made 22 saves in Game 1 and 31 saves in Game 2.

ers dethroned the reigning league champions, the Carnduff Red Devils, in a three-game series. Bienfait rallied from an early 3-0 deficit in the first period to defeat the Red Devils 6-4 in the third and deciding game Thursday in Carnduff

The semifinals will be best-of-five showdowns. None of the other game dates had been announced as of Monday morning.

The Bruins have the chance to wrap up the bestof-five quarter-final series in Game 3 Thursday night at Affinity Place, starting at 8:00 p.m.

•••

The Estevan Steelhaus U18 AAA Bears picked up one of a possible four points during weekend games against the Battlefords Stars.

The point came in a 4-3 overtime loss on Saturday. Kole Keen had two of the Bears’ goals. Jase Konecsni also scored for Estevan.

The Stars scored the overtime winner with 92 seconds to play.

Three Big Six teams are still playing in provincials. In Senior D action, Carnduff defeated Central Butte 5-4 on Sunday to win the best-of-three south semifinal in three games. Carnduff will now play Lashburn or Lucky Lake in the south final.

Carnduff won Game 1 5-3 on Feb. 11, but lost Game 2 5-3 in Central Butte a week later.

As for the Senior C

Kaden Perron made 25 saves for Estevan. The following day, Estevan lost 5-1 to the Stars. Blaze Gutzke scored midway through the second to tie the game, but the Stars took the lead for good when they scored a power-play goal with 13 seconds to play in the period, and then added three in the third.

Riley Deck made 36 saves for Estevan.

The Bears also lost 5-2 to the Regna Pat Canadians last Tuesday. Cade Cole and Colton Pushie had Estevan’s goals. Pushie’s marker was his first in the

south semifinal, the Redvers Rockets defeated the Assiniboia Rebels 5-2 on Sunday in Assiniboia. Game 2 will be Feb. 25 n Redvers and Game 3, if necessary, would be the following afternoon in Assiniboia.

The winner will play Kenaston or Langenburg in the south final.

The Rangers are out in Senior B provincials. They lost 5-4 at home to Gren-

Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League. The Bears (10-24-7) will visit the Yorkton Maulers on Feb. 25 and 26.

The Estevan Meter U13 AA Bruins had their season come to an end on Feb. 15 in a 4-3 double-overtime loss at the Lumsden-Bethune Lions in the play-in game for the South Division.

After a scoreless first period, Lumsden took a 2-0 lead. Merek Wilhelm scored 2:18 into the third to cut the deficit in half, but the Lions would later take a 3-1 advantage.

fell on Feb. 19 in the third and deciding game of that series. Grenfell won Game 1 8-5 on Feb. 11, but Moosomin took Game 2 5-2 on Friday night. Grenfell will face Carlyle in the south final. Carlyle advanced by sweeping the Oxbow Huskies in two straight.

For updated coverage of the Big Six playoffs, you can visit our provincial news hub at www.sasktoday.ca.

the Big Six playoffs Apex Bruins take 2-0 series lead over Lumsden-Bethune

Goals by Cooper Hale and Logan Hunt tied the game with less than four minutes to play.

The Lions notched the winner on a power play early in the second overtime period.

Easton Pushie made 50 saves in the contest

The Estevan Ironside Energy U11 AA Bruins defeated the Weyburn Wings 8-3 on Feb. 15.

Ethan Phillips had six of Estevan’s eight goals. Kolter Snell and Brooks Cote were the other scorers.

Ty Blackburn was in goal.

Goldwings finish second after two big victories

The South East Aaron Well Servicing U18 AA Goldwings wrapped up the regular season with a couple of big victories in Midale.

The Wings trounced the North East Aces 9-1 on Saturday. Bostyn Runge scored twice and Brooke McKinnon also scored to give the Wings a 3-0 lead in the first period. Jada Naviaux and Megan Reid also scored twice, and Alex Reid and Katelyn Thackeray had the other goals.

Thackeray added three assists.

Phoenix Preston-Winder was in goal for the win.

The following day, the Wings beat the Saskatoon Legends 2-1. Charlotte Kosior and Mazey Hillrud scored for the Wings.

Ivey Grant was the Wings’ goalie.

The Wings finished second in the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League’s U18 AA South Division. They will play the Swift

Current Wildcats in the south semifinal.

•••

The Estevan Southland Pulse U15 A Bearcats concluded their regular season with a couple of victories.

Up first was a 6-2 win over the Borderland Badgers. After a scoreless first period, Brianna Fleck, Lainee McMillen, Taya Northrop, Kate Sauder and Kaybree Fonstad scored in the second to give Estevan a 5-1 advantage. McMl-

len added her second of the game in the third.

Estevan then beat the Weyburn Wings 4-3 in their season finale Sunday. McMillen scored twice for the second straight game, while Miley Lockerby and Dannie Eaton had the other goals.

Kayla Mitchell was in goal for both games for Estevan, who finished the season with an 11-7-2 record.

The Estevan IG Wealth

Management U13 AA

Bearcats played the Weyburn Wings to a 1-1 draw last Wednesday.

After the two teams were scoreless through the first 55 minutes, Weyburn opened the scoring with 4:23 to play, but Bree Poelen responded with the tying goal 43 seconds later.

Baya Summers was in goal.

Estevan (5-19-2) will play the Lumsden Bethune Lynx in a first-round series.

Renewal

Game 1 will be Feb. 25 in Bethune, Game 2 will be Feb. 26 at the Power Dodge Arena at 6:30 p.m., and Game 3 would be March 2 in Bethune.

The Estevan Steel Reef U13 A Bearcats lost 12-0 to the Parkland Fire in Grenfell on Friday. (Details on the game were not available).

The Bearcats (2-18) will play the Fire in a best-ofthree first-round series.

saved

Carnduff & Area

Beef 4-H Club enjoys curling

By Fallyn M. Shier

Our club has started this year off with a bang, with members taking part in various events throughout the month of January.

We held our club Christmas party on Jan. 3 at the Carnduff Bowling Alley. Later that week, many of us took part in the district curling fun spiel in Redvers. We had members on both the A and B side winning teams, so this was exciting.

We finished off this busy week with our first calf weigh-in, on Jan. 8, at the Thompson farm in Carnduff

10 Years

On Jan. 11, we held our monthly general meeting combined with our project meeting. The project this time around was to learn how to make rope halters. We each got to take a rope halter home to use with our calves.

Finally, our junior curling team attended 4-H regional event in Maryfield. Members of the team this year are lead Damion Seymour, second Declynn Allum, third Fallyn Shier, skip Bryler Franken and alternate Dugan Franken. We won the B side event, and advanced to provincials in Swift Current in February.

15 Years

25 Years

20 Years

25 Years

available 30 Years

Years

Years

30 Years

Members of the junior curling team at the Carnduff 4-H Club advanced to provincials in Swift Current. Photo submitted 40Years Annette Dyck 35Years Laurie Dyck

Annette Kendall 30Years Angela Wiebe

Tammy Hoffart

Lauretta Murphy

Val Tendler

25

Cheryl Harrison

15

Ashley Baker

Nicole Matthews

Jennifer Stopanski

Pryznyk

Nadine Linthicum

Robert Slastukin

Mark Pettitt

Lori Fichter

Photo not available

Photo not available

Photo not available

available

IN MEMORIAM

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In the Estate of Richard Earl Elliott, late of Estevan, Saskatchewan All claims against the above estate, duly verified by Statutory Declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 31st day of March, 2023 to: Kohaly, Elash & Ludwig Law Firm LLP Barristers and Solicitors 1312 - 4th Street Estevan, SK S4A OX2 Solicitor for the Estate

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE ESTATE OF DARRELL MICHAEL WHITMAN, LATE OF ESTEVAN, IN THE PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN, DECEASED.

by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 22nd day of March, 2023.

MCGEOUGH ZEPICK LAW OFFICE 1222 - 5th Street Estevan, Saskatchewan S4A 0Z6 Solicitors for the Administrator

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

In the Estate of BRIAN IRVINE LEIFSO late of Torquay, Saskatchewan, deceased. by Statutory Declaration, and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 1st day of March, 2023.

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Holy Family program is still busy

By Greg Nikkel of the Weyburn Review

The Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) has a full caseload in the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division, and is so busy there are children on the waiting list who need its services.

The Holy Family board of trustees heard an update on the program from program manager Shannon Culy, who also provides ECIP services to the South East Cornerstone Public School Division. These two school divisions are the only ones in Saskatchewan that have ECIP within their divisions.

She said she appreciates having this program in the school divisions, as it makes it much easier for program workers to connect with the students and their families.

Children are referred to ECIP if there are any developmental or emotional delays, and the program is available for children from birth up to six years, including when they are in kindergarten or Grade 1.

er is to have 18-20 on their caseload, and there are four children she’s aware of that are on the wait list and have no access to services right now.

“2017 is the last time we had kids on the wait list. This year we’re really full, so we’re doing the best we can,” said Culy, commenting she feels badly for these children as they have no access to programs that could help them outside of ECIP.

On the positive side, “we’re getting to them earlier, so they stay on the caseloads longer,” she added, with every family getting two home visits a month.

“Some families we’d like to see more frequently,” she added.

The Estevan area has 12 children, Weyburn has 22 and Radville has one currently.

Visits usually last about an hour, and a worker will see four to five families a day on average. Sometimes they meet families at early learning resource centres where they have full access to programs and play areas.

306-769-8844

84 Athabasca Street West Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan S6H 2B5 Solicitor for the Executor

Culy noted that some people mistakenly believe the children are done with ECIP as soon as they’re in school, but they’re eligible for assistance up to six years of age.

Referrals have come in from playschools and daycares, as well as from health care professionals. On average, children are part of their caseloads for 2 1/2 years.

“More and more referrals are coming from parents and from pre-k or kindergarten teachers,” she added.

There were 17 referrals in the 2020-21 school year and 31 referrals in 202122, with 12 new referrals currently on the rolls so far, and 35 children on the caseloads right now. Culy noted that it is highly likely there will be more coming in the current school year.

She said the provincial average for an ECIP work-

There are a number of screening tests available for ECIP to use, with some being a quick checklist to see how a child is doing developmentally, or to determine what social or emotional needs a child may have.

“When I’m not doing visits, I’m doing school visits and outreach programs,” said Culy, noting she just did one at Radville and was going to be at St. Michael School for a visit the day following the board meeting. She noted Estevan has a drop in and play program at their resource centre.

“What we’re doing in ECIP is working, because we’re getting early intervention, and we’re getting results,” said Culy, noting they know of 14 new children who will be coming into the Holy Family schools from their program.

“I feel like we’re in a really good spot right

she added.

how!

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 51 local community newspapers, distributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306-649.1405 or visit www.swna.com for details.

Barristers & Solicitors Paul Elash K.C.

Aaron Ludwig, B.Sc., LL.B. Genevieve Schrader, B. Mgt., J.D. Gainsborough: Thursday a.m. Carnduff: Thursday p.m. 1312 - 4th Street, Estevan,

MAYOR’S MESSAGE:

With February 22nd being Anti-Bullying Day, let’s please remember and be aware this damages not only younger people in schools, but as well as on the social media side, which can be very hurtful and disrespectful to everyone.

GUARD/MATRON

The Estevan Police Service is seeking applications for a casual Guard/Matron position.

Guard/Matrons provide constant observation of persons held in custody at the Estevan Police Service Detention Center. Hours of work can vary and will include night shifts. Length of shifts vary from three to eight hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Successful applicants may also be called upon on short notice. Training will be provided.

Application packages can be picked up in person or downloaded from our website at www.estevanpolice.ca

Completed packages are to be forwarded to the attention of;

Murray Cowan

Deputy Chief of Police

Estevan Police Service

301-11th Avenue, Estevan, Saskatchewan

S4A 1C7 • 306-634-4767

Anyone interested in this position may also contact Fern THIESSEN fthiessen@estevanpolice.ca or call

306.634.1510 for further information

PUBLIC NOTICE

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 for the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum Board to Define its Powers and Duties for the City of Estevan

On February 13, 2023 meeting the first reading of the Bylaw 2023-2067 was passed and the final readings is expected to be on February 27, 2023.

The proposed Bylaws 2023-2067 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 14th day of February, 2023.

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

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1975

Kids posed for a picture displaying their costumes, which have been prepared by very busy mothers in time for the Estevan Figure Skating Club’s annual Ice Show in February 1975. Young skaters are, from left, Andrea Jean Neil, David Morrison, Petra Kirchgesner and David Batters

The Estevan Police Service is seeking applications for the position of Police Constable.

The Estevan Police Service offers a competitive salary and benefits package, ongoing professional development, and a range of career opportunities.

Currently serving and trained Canadian police officers are encouraged to apply.

All candidates must possess minimum qualifications, including the following:

18 years of age

Grade 12 Diploma or equivalent

Excellent physical condition and health with no medical conditions that would prohibit your ability to safely complete recruit training and perform all aspects of police work Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, or have a permanent residency at the time of application

Valid driver’s license (unrestricted for a minimum of one year) and good driving record

Good moral character Exemplary employment record

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Computer skills

For more information on the requirements, selection process, and the application package, please visit our website, www.estevanpolice.ca (Employment Opportunities). A fully completed Personal Disclosure Form must accompany each application. Please submit completed packages, including an up-to-date resume, in a sealed envelope to:

Chief of Police

Estevan Police Service

301-11th Ave. Estevan, Sask.

S4A 1C7

Thank you for your interest in the Estevan Police Service. No phone calls, please. Only successful candidates will be contacted. The closing date is March 31, 2023.

PLEASE HELP KEEP OUR SIDEWALKS SAFE SO ALL CITIZENS CAN ENJOY A SAFE PASSAGE WHILE WALKING

Traffic Bylaw 2016-1963

Depositing Substances

53. (1) No person shall deposit any natural substances on any highway, public sidewalk, boulevard or ditch within the City of Estevan (3) The occupier of property in the City of Estevan shall remove any snow, ice or other obstruction from the public sidewalk adjacent to such property within twenty-four (24) hours of the time such snow, ice or other obstruction appears on such public sidewalk.

* In the event that this subsection is not complied with, the City may remove such snow, ice or other obstructions at the expense of such occupants or owner, and in the event of the non-payment of such expense, such expense may be charges against the property as a special assessment to be recovered in like manner as and with the taxes.

Poltava to perform in Estevan in March

Estevan residents will be treated to a celebration of Ukrainian culture on March 12, thanks to a performance by the Poltava Ensemble of Song, Music and Dance.

The performance will be at the Estevan Comprehensive School, starting at 2 p.m., and it’s a special concert through the Estevan Arts Council.

Tickets are $25 each for those who are season pass holders for the Estevan Arts Council. This is a special attraction concert and not included in a subscription, but the ticket costs the same as their other concerts.

For those who don’t have a season ticket, the tickets are $35 each and can be purchased in advance at Henders Drugs. Or they can be had for $40 at the door.

Those who want to attend the concert can also contact the EAC office.

EAC president Wilma Mantei said they had booked the six performances through the Estevan Concert Series

when the opportunity arose to have Poltava in Estevan, so they decided to make it an added attraction.

Poltava will bring its 50-member group to Estevan.

She noted Potava has been here twice in the past 15 years, but it’s likely been nearly a decade since the group’s last visit.

“We have a lot of new-

comers coming to Estevan [from Ukraine] and I think this would be something that they would like to see. It’s their culture. I’m hoping that it makes them feel welcome because we’re sharing some of … their culture with them to the community,” said Mantei.

People enjoyed watching the ensemble when it was in Estevan in the past. She re-

St. Mary’s School takes a stand against bullying

A week before the annual Pink Shirt Day in Canada, students at St. Mary’s School took a stand against bullying.

Students and staff donned pink shirts and other pink clothing on Feb. 15 to promote kindness and a positive attitude around the school. School counsellor Brooklyn Lund said it was part of an anti-bullying and empathy week within the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division.

“We included some escape room booklets for the pre-ks [prekindergartens] to Grade 4s and the Grade 5s to Grade 9s, and of course we also handed out some prizes for each student in the school for their hard work with the booklets,” said Lund.

The booklets turned out really well, she said. It was up to each student and staff member on how they would approach completing them. They could do one activity per day during the week, or they could do all of the activities in one day. Students had until Feb. 17 to complete the booklets.

“Each booklet comes with a word that they have to unscramble to complete the booklet,” she said.

Lund believes it’s important to continue to support Pink Shirt Day activities and other anti-bullying initiatives.

“We really want the students and staff to focus on being kind to each other. We obviously strive for kindness every day in our schools, but this week we wanted to bring as much awareness in our schools,” said Lund.

She believes students are getting the message about the importance of kindness. Everyone had such a positive attitude when she went into the classrooms, and the students and staff look forward to anti-bullying week each year.

Other schools in Estevan and throughout southeast Saskatchewan held a Pink Shirt Day last week to say they wouldn’t tolerate bullying. Activities were held early because Pink Shirt Day falls on the final Wednesday of February each year, and the schools are on their annual winter break.

calls watching Poltava during a previous concert.

“It was amazing. It was beautiful with all of their costumes and everything.”

In addition to the talented dancers who will be on stage, Poltava has an orchestra with about 24 talented performers who play the songs from Ukraine.

“That alone always sounds good to hear an or-

chestra like that, but the dancing is amazing. I’ve seen them on TV when they do special events … and they’re amazing. But when you see a whole group of them [it’s even better].”

She would like to have the Estevan Sunflower Network – which has been working to bring Ukrainians to Estevan and other Saskatchewan communities

– involved with the concert as well so that the network can raise funds for its ongoing efforts. Mantei believes this is the first time the arts council has held a concert at the Estevan Comprehensive School since the first of the COVID-19 restrictions came into effect nearly three years ago, and so they are ready to have something big again.

The Poltava Ensemble of Song, Music, and Dance will be at the Estevan Comprehensive School on March 12.

St. Mary’s School was among those to participate in Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 15.

Students and staff members from St. Mary’s School in Estevan donned pink shirts on Feb. 15. Photos by Lyse King

BEST OF ESTEVAN – 2023

RULES:*

- Fill in your favourite local business/service name on the lines below.

- A minimum of 25 categories must be completed in order for your vote to be counted.

- Every ballot with 25 categories completed will be entered to win $100.

- Ballots must be submitted by March 8, 2023.

- To enter, drop off a newsprint ballot at the Estevan Mercury (68 Souris Avenue), send a picture of a completed newsprint ballot to contests@estevanmercury.ca or complete the online ballot at https://forms.office.com/r/zbkGfr0ewQ.

- Only ONE ballot per person will be counted.

Businesses that receive the most votes in their category will be declared the ESTEVAN MERCURY’S READER’S CHOICE BEST OF ESTEVAN.

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Home Improvement ________________

Hot Tub __________________________

Kitchen Renovation ________________

Landscaping/Excavating ___________

Lawn Service _____________________

Lighting __________________________

Paint ____________________________

Painter

Plumbing & Heating _______________

Roofing __________________________

Window Covering ________________

Windows & Doors_________________

OIL INDUSTRY

Drilling Company _________________

Equipment Rentals _________________

Hotshot __________________________

Oilfield Construction _______________

Oilfield Hauling ___________________

Oilfield Trucking __________________

Safety Service ____________________

Service Rig Company ______________

Supply Store

SHOPPING

Appliances _______________________

Art & Home Decor ________________

BBQ/Smoker & Supplies ___________

Bicycle Shop _____________________

Camping & Outdoor Equipment

Cannabis ________________________

Cell Phones ______________________

Children’s Clothing ________________

Computers _______________________

Drug Store _______________________

Electronics _______________________

Eyeglasses _______________________

Florist/Plant Shop _________________

Fresh Produce ____________________

Furniture _________________________

Gift Shop ________________________

Grocery _________________________

Jewellery

Liquor Store ______________________

Mattresses _______________________

Meat/Deli

Men’s Clothing ___________________

Office Supplies ___________________

Shoes ___________________________

Sporting Goods ___________________

Women’s Clothing

BEST OF THE BEST

Best Customer Service _____________

Best New Business ________________

Favourite Place to Shop ____________

ALL SUBMITTED BALLOTS WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN!*

$100 CASH

Name:__________________________________

Phone Number: __________________________