The Golden Garbage Can is back, and southeastern Saskatchewan’s tidiest rivalry is ready for another round.
The Cities of Estevan and Weyburn will once again face off in the community cleanup competition on June 17, continuing the renewed tradition after the competition made its comeback in 2025 following a 15-year hiatus.
A panel of judges will tour both cities, scoring each community using a shared rubric that highlights cleanliness, visual appeal, civic pride and overall community care. The winning city will be awarded the Golden Garbage Can, along with a fresh year of bragging rights.
Estevan claimed the trophy in 2025, marking the first win of the competition’s modern comeback.
“While only one community can take home the trophy, the real win is seeing residents, businesses, schools and community groups come together and
build the kind of civic pride this competition was created to celebrate,” said Estevan City Councillor Kirsten Walliser.
Judges will review a range of areas in each community, including downtown, residential streets, school properties, parks, gateways, commercial areas and public facilities. Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate with creativity and community-led efforts, such as flower beds, beautification projects and cleanup initiatives ahead of judging day.
“Estevan and Weyburn both have a strong sense of community, and this competition gives us a chance to showcase that in a positive, good-natured way,” said Weyburn City Councillor Kellie Sidloski. “It is about more than clean streets. It is about the people who care enough to pitch in, take pride and help their community look its best.”
Continued on page 2
Couple’s quick action helped save eight people from a house fire
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
Samantha Tegart and her partner Greg Stewart are being hailed as heroes after saving their neighbours from a house fire.
The couple, who lives in Radville, had to be up early to get to work at their jobs in the southeast oil patch. According to Tegart, she went outside at 4 a.m. to start their truck. At the time, she didn’t see anything unusual.
She went inside, and when she exited the house again a short time later, she noticed an orange light in her peripheral vision. Tegart looked up and saw a neighbour’s front porch was on fire. She went in the house, called for her boyfriend, and they went to the house.
‘Wake up!’ ‘Get out’!
Stewart went to the
front door and Tegart to the side, and were banging on the doors, calling on the family to “Get Up”! and “Get out”! The flames became too high for Stewart at the front of the house, so he went to the side door as well and kicked it open.
“So, we went in and woke everybody up so they could hear us,” said Tegart.
One of the occupants emerged to ask what was happening, and was told the house was on fire and to exit the building.
The couple helped the family evacuate the house. The fire department showed up and extinguished the blaze.
All eight people and a dog were able to exit the building safely. One person, who was in the house the longest helping the family escape, needed
treatment for a couple of hours, Tegart said, and he also needed medication to help his lungs function properly again. And they had smoke irritation in their throats.
Stewart added he initially thought he could bring the fire under control, so he grabbed a garden hose, and spent a few minutes spraying the flames with water.
“It wasn’t working, and it was getting bigger and bigger and bigger,” said Stewart.
Tegart noted two people typically live in the house, but others were visiting during the long weekend to celebrate a family member’s birthday. Children were among those visiting.
Oilfield background helped in response
The couple works for Pro-Active Consulting,
based out of Regina, but they have been with Kingston Midstream near Alida, cleaning out tanks. Tegart is a confined space attendant and safety watch. She monitors the gases to make sure they don’t reach high levels. Stewart is an air hand who supplies oxygen to those in the tanks with airlines and monitors oxygen levels.
They have to be up early for work due to the commute from Radville to the Alida area.
“For some reason, we woke up a lot earlier and we were just ready to go, so we ended up leaving earlier,” said Tegart.
Luckily, they were outside shortly after the fire broke out, because they couldn’t smell the smoke from their house.
They believe their ca -
reers in the patch helped with their response to the incident. Tegart has been at her present job for a couple of months.
“Prior to becoming involved in the oilfield, I never had my CPR and first aid, I never talked to people about things that have happened on rigs. I’ve never taken certain certificates that train you in this type of stuff.”
“Running into the house and waking them up wasn’t in the course,” she said with a laugh later, “but you do what you have to do to get everybody out.”
Stewart usually works on drilling rigs, but found work elsewhere during spring break-up.
He added his experience in the patch helped him remain calm rather
than freaking out during the fire.
Family is OK
From what she has heard, Tegart said the family is shaken up about losing their home but they’re in good spirits.
“They’re just happy everyone’s alive, and they can live to the next day, and I think that’s what’s keeping them going,” said Tegart.
She has talked to her neighbour a couple of times since the incident.
“We didn’t do it to get recognition. We just did it because when you see a fire, you instantly run towards it, and want to help anybody that’s in danger,” she said.
The neighbour is with family and looking to rebuild her life.
Continued on page 2
Sara Irwin, chair of Plainsight Weyburn Art Collective, displayed Mosaics during the Artist Next Door festival, held at Knox Hall on May 23.
Photo courtesy of Sharlene Stanley
COMMUNITY
School
students
Family thankful after Radville house fire
Continued from front page
The homeowner and the family has received lots of support, Tegart said. When adversity strikes, Tegart said the people of the Radville area step up to help the victims in any situation.
“We’ve got a lot of thanks from the Radville fire department and the Radville RCMP, just letting us know that if we weren’t going to work that morning, it would have been a different story, so they thanked us for our quick actions. The family themselves has messaged us, all of them, and just thanked us again for saving their lives and their kids’ lives.”
Stewart said they have
received a lot of thanks and well wishes from people in the area, and news outlets have been reaching out to the family.
“A thank you would be good enough. Anyone would have done this,” he said. “I’m no different from anyone. Sam’s no different from anyone. I’m sure if anyone had seen a fire like that, with no one around – early hours of the morning, you’re the only people there – you gotta do what you gotta do,” he said, adding he’s just glad everybody got out safely.
‘A great thing they did’
Radville-Laurier Volunteer Fire Department Chief Byron Labbie credited Te-
gart and Stewart for their response.
“It was a great thing they did, otherwise we would probably have been dealing with a lot worse scenario than we did,” the fire chief said.
He’s not aware of anyone who has done something similar to Tegart and Stewart in the community since he has been with the department.
“We’re just thankful that they did what they did,” he said.
Labbie noted the damage was “very extensive” and the house will likely be a total loss. The home was a ready-to-move structure that was moved onto
the site in 2013. He added the garage, vehicles and a camper were not damaged.
The fire department received the call at 4:29 a.m. and didn’t return to the hall until 1 p.m. Ten firefighters were involved in the response.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Labbie said it’s not believed to be suspicious.
Civic pride celebrated during competition
Continued from front page
The Golden Garbage Can dates back to 1956, when Weyburn and Estevan first began the friendly challenge as a way to encourage community-wide cleanup efforts and showcase the value of welcoming public spaces.
Over the decades, the competition became a recognizable regional tradition before pausing after the 2010 contest.
Its return in 2025
brought new energy to the long-standing connection between the two cities.
The competition is lighthearted, but its purpose is meaningful: encouraging civic care, celebrating community effort and recognizing the shared commitment both cities have to keeping their communities welcoming, clean and vibrant.
The winner of the 2026 Golden Garbage Can will be announced following judging.
New ‘Hit the Trails’ program in Weyburn
Submitted
The Weyburn Trails Association recently introduced a Monday night trail riding group, “Hit the Trails” from 7 to 8 p.m.
Bike enthusiasts are welcomed to meet at the trail head by the large City of Weyburn sign at the top of the hill, located close to Michael’s Coffee Shop and Bakery.
During the ‘Hit the Trials’, the program explores one ride that covers most of the trail system. Linked to the city’s 12 km paved pathway system, these trails are popular with
walkers, runners, cyclists and pet owners. The program helps residents become familiar with the local trail system. It is also a good way to keep active. It also offers a chance to meet a new group of friendly people to ask questions about riding, gear and repairs. Byclists and E-bike owners are welcomed to attend the program. Since 2020, the Weyburn Trails Association has developed and maintained over 6 km of scenic dirt and grass trails near Tatagwa Parkway, the Souris River, and Heritage Village.
St. Michael
Pre-Kindergarten
Natasha, Jaidenne and Bella followed directions to make clay snails during the May Clay program held at the Sparks Centre.
Photo by Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn This Week
The Weyburn Trails Association introduced a Monday night trail riding group entitled “Hit the Trails”, which runs weekly from 7 to
Photo courtesy Mike Manko-Bauche
Regan Lanning demonstrated Sgraffito pottery technique during the Artist Next Door festival hosted at Knox Hall on May 23.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Tuesday, June 9 2026
Royal Canadian Legion (upstairs)
7:00 pm Call to Order
Prairie Sky Co-op Association Ltd. has three positions up for election. All 3 positions are for 3-year terms. Director Jim Linnell is running for re-election.
At the AGM, you’ll hear updates on the work of our Co-op and have the chance to vote on some key decisions. This year’s agenda includes a proposed amendment to Bylaw 6.01.
Everyone who attends the meeting will be entered to win 1 of 5 door prizes!
EDITORIAL
Weyburn council approves cellular tower near Jubilee park
SaskToday.ca
City council approved a development permit for a new 35-metre telecommunications tower on First Avenue Northeast, replacing an existing rooftop antenna at the Weyburn General Hospital.
The permit allows SaskTel to construct the tower at 1115 – 1st Ave. N.E., on the north west area of the Weyburn Church of Christ’s property. The site is currently zoned residential multiple house (R3), where telecommunications towers are considered discretionary uses.
Mayor Jeff Richards declared a conflict of interest and left the room, with Deputy Mayor Larry Heggs taking the chair.
The decision wasn’t unanimous. Councillor Laura Morrisseette opposed the location.
“I understand cell towers have to go up somewhere, but I don’t think this area is a good spot for it just because it is right along Jubilee Park,” she said. “I live underneath cell towers, but I knew when I moved into the house that cell towers were in my backyard. These residents I think should have the opportunity to not have a cell tower in their backyard.”
Councillor Ryan Jenke disagreed.
“One of the reasons that SaskTel likes to put these things in open areas like that is
that’s how FM signals work. Having seen the, actually thrilled to see the overwhelming number of people taking advantage of Jubilee Park, that sucks up a lot of spectrum space and does require that kind of thing nearby.
“Most of those people expect to be able to use their phones in that area,” he added. “I think this is a necessary requirement of just modern-day society.”
Shara-Lee Malcolm, planning and development co-ordinator, told council that neighbourhood notices were sent out to property owners within a 75-metre radius, and SaskTel mailed out notices to a 90-metre radius on behalf of the city. A 30day feedback period resulted in one written submission opposing the location.
The approval is subject to three conditions. It must comply with all applicable regulations of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for communication antenna support structures; the developer must erect a fence of 2.44 m in height around the cellular tower structure with all access provided through a locked gate, and shall take precautions to prevent any trespassers from accessing the site or structure; and a building permit is required.
Andrea Corrigan • acorrigan@sasktel.net
Leslie Coulter • lcoulter@sasktel.net
Sabrina Kraft • skraft@sasktel.net
Debbie Stuart • dstuart@sasktel.net
Our trip back to B.C.
By Trudy and Dale Buxton, Publishers of The Independent
We continue with our trip back to British Columbia travelling north on Idaho 95.
As we travel, we notice that we are getting more into the green of the forests and less of the farm rich prairie.
We come to the crossroads of highways 95 and 54 and the community of Athol.
Athol has a population of around 750 people and originally was named Colton, but somewhere in the mix of the upcoming railroad and the post office the named changed to Athol, from descendants from Scotland and Massachusetts. Nobody knows for sure if that was the real reason for the change but once the post office named it, it stuck.
Athol has a very colourful history dating back into the early 1800’s when the First Nations tribes used this area as a stopping place as they migrated through the region to different areas of the region.
1882 changed everything as the Northern Pacific Railroad set up a train station and the settlers came into the area promised vast acres of land for farming.
The community was built, and the post office was established.
By the early 1900’s businesses were open, and a sawmill was built which was the largest employer in the area.
Athol for being so small is the home of Silverwood Theme Park, the largest theme park in the Pacific Northwest, which features over 70 rides, a massive water park and a historic steam engine train that gives ride around the park.
Athol is near Lake Pend Oreille, which is a very deep lake, and because the lake is so deep Athol was also the home to some top-secret submarine testing that was done during wartime not to mention the high
level of navel training that also took place. The state park is about 4,000 acres and is a haven for campers, hikers and boaters. Who knew that you could have all this stuff into a small community.
Next up down the highway we come the City of Sandpoint, which sits along the shore of Lake Pend Oreille.
Sandpoint has a population of around 8,700 people and according to Rand McNally and USA Today, Sandpoint was voted as the “most beautiful small town” in America. That is saying a lot when you consider how many small towns there are.
Sandpoint was named after the long beaches of the lake and the Indigenous word “qapqape,” meaning sand.
Driving into Sandpoint you can’t help but notice why it was voted as the most beautiful small town; this is a recreation haven for many resorts and hotels and is surrounded by three major mountain ranges and is home to Idaho’s largest ski resort.
Coming into Sandpoint you are treated some spectacular views across the twomile bridge that crosses across the lake. Once downtown you will find that the buildings and streets are kept in great shape.
Sandpoint is home to the Panida Theatre, which is a Spanish style theatre built back in 1927. It serves as the cornerstone for a very large arts scene.
Of course, a little stop at a local saloon - the 1908 Saloon - that was built back in 1908, which gave the business its name. What a great stop on a beautiful day in Idaho.
Stay tuned next week as we continue our trip back into B.C.
The Northern Pacific Railroad set up a train station and the settlers came into the area promised vast acres of land for farming.
Emotional wellness for police officers
There’s no doubt, police officers must keep in good physical condition to be able to do their jobs effectively. But, beyond a healthy diet, exercise and rest routine, emotional wellness is critical to effective policing. Here are just a few ways mental health resources are essential to police work.
Strategies for stress management
Three members of the Weyburn Police Services shared why they are proud to serve the community.
Const. Melinda Mintenko
Years with the WPS: 25 Community/Volunteer involvement:
I helped create a non-profit organization called Saskatchewan Women in Policing (https://www.swipsk.ca/) and remain the board secretary.
SWIP mission is to empower leadership among women in law enforcement across the province, mentorship, and professional development. Leadership is more than stepping up in rank. I have chosen a different way to lead and I am proud I have been given the opportunity to be part of these great organizations.
A few years ago, I joined the Weyburn CMHA board to further help advocate for health. Daily, I see many people struggle and sometimes not know where to turn. Tasha from CMHA and I compiled local and provincial resource contacts and created a QR code, so if scanned, people can easily find helping links.
No doubt, life is hard. Unexpected situations happen, stress builds, things sometimes feel lousy or lonely. This is how we are all the same. This is also why we all must lean on someone at some point.
Why are you proud to be serving Weyburn?
I am thankful to be an officer, to help keep people safe and encourage good choices. I believe all lives are valuable and that we all can look after our mental health better.
I am proud that my police team includes well rounded officers, who are good listeners, that truly do care.
I am thankful to be able to serve our community. If you like helping others, Policing might be for you. It is a tough but beautiful job.
Const. Matt Sanders
Years with the WPS: 1
Community/Volunteer involvement:
• Currently on the Hockey Weyburn board as the U9 director and as an on-ice official.
Why are you proud to be serving Weyburn?
Having been born and raised in Weyburn, serving the community is important to me. Being involved and giving back to the community, helping people and building trust with the citizens of Weyburn are values I take pride in everyday.
Const. Philip Clark
Years with the WPS: 7 Community/Volunteer involvement:
I am involved in volunteering with various local nonprofits and youth programs.
Why are you proud to be serving Weyburn?
I am proud to serve as a police officer in Weyburn for a few different reasons. I believe the work we do as police has a direct and visible impact with people we have built valuable and positive long lasting relationships with. I am very proud to be a part of a great team of members that are very dedicated to showing up daily and putting their lives on the line to protect the community.
By learning techniques for self-regulation, officers can better maintain their composure during crisis situations. They can also help calm distressed or agitated individuals they encounter.
Judgment and empathy
By learning about emotional wellness, a police officer is better equipped to assess the emotional condition of others. It enables them to identify potential threats. It can also provide valuable insights for communicating with crime suspects and witnesses.
Trauma processing
The job of policing exposes an individual to many difficult—sometimes shocking—situations. Just as an accident can cause a physical injury requiring medical intervention, a traumatic event can leave a police officer with an emotional scar that requires care to minimize the long-term harm of the experience.
Emotional intelligence
High emotional intelligence enables an officer to understand their own mental state and recognize when they need extra care. On the job, it can help them determine when and how to de-escalate a difficult situation.
Mental health resources help police officers care for their own mental health and be more effective in their work.
Const. Melinda Mintenko
Const. Matt Sanders
Const. Philip Clark
Weyburn track athletes compete at SHSAA regionals
The Weyburn Comprehensive School track and field team hosted the regional meet on May 20.
The following are junior girls and senior results: Junior boys
In the 100 m, Malley Sterling from WCS won first, Cole Payak from WCS took second and Minh Tran from Radville won third.
In the 200 m, Malley Sterling from WCS took first, Cole Payak took second and Minh Tran finished in third. In the 400 m, Dalton Johnson from Ogema placed first.
In the 800 m, Easton Spagrud from WCS won first and Lucas Larose from Stoughton took second.
In the 1,500 m, Easton Spagrud won first, Aidan Spitzer from Radville won second and Lucas Larose finished in third.
In the 3,000 m, Aiden Spitzer won first. In the 100 m hurdles, Judah Sawatsky from WCS won first and Braeden Schnidel from Radville took second.
For long jump, Cody Goski from WCS won first, Easton Spragrud from WCS took second and Charlie Fitzpatrick from Ogema finished third.
For triple jump, Kade Vandenhurk from Radville took first, Charlie Fitzpatrick won second and Austin Fuchs from Ogema finished in third.
For high jump, Austin
Fuchs and Kade Vandenhurk tied for first, Damon Eden from Ogema placed second and Cody Goski from WCS took third.
In shot put, Samuel Thompson from Gladmar won first, Jett Woitas from Gladmar took second and Steling Abtosway from Gladmar finished third.
In discus, Jett Woitas won first, Samuel Thompson finished second and Cody Goski took third.
In javelin, Cole Payak won first, Steling Abtosway finished second and Cody Goski took third.
Junior girls
In the 100 metre, Emerse McKennittt from Wawota finished first, In the 200 m, Emerse McKinnit from Wawota won first and Claire Baylon from 33 Central finished in third place.
In the 400 m, Emerse McKinnitt won first. In the 800 m, Avyrelle Molnar from WCS won first. In the 1,500 m, Maggie Bryant from WCS won first and Renessa Lees from Arcola finished second.
In the 3,000 m, Maggie Bryant won first and Renessa Leese placed second.
For 80 m hurdles, Claire Baylon won first and Mya Bendickson from Gladmar finished second.
For long jump, Andrea Fradette from Gladmar won first, Mya Bendickson took second and Campbell Makelki from Wawota fin-
ished in third.
In triple jump, Andrea Fradette won first, mya Bendickson took seocnd and Campbell Makelki finished in third. For shot put, Tabita Kaufmann from Radville took first, Andrea Fradette placed second and Avryelle Molnar from WCS finished third.
In discus, Avryelle Molnar won first, Kendall Grimes from Arcola took second and Brynja Lunde from Gladmar took third.
In javelin, Campbell Malelki won first, Brynja Lunde took second and Avryelle Molnar took third.
Senior boys
In the 100 m, Vigo Orpiano from Stoughton won first, Aeryk Benning from WCS placed second and Ross Gill from WCS finished third. In the 200 m, Ross Gill from WCS won first, Tace Odima from WCS tooks econd and Aeryk Benning placed third.
For the 400 m, Tace Odima won first, Max Vennard from WCS finished second and Christian Vogel from Stoughton placed third.
In the 800 m, Tace Odima won first. For the 1,500 m, Camden Husband won first, Oren Nicolay took second and Logan Zieglganberger won first. All three represented the WCS.
In the 3,000 m Camden Husband placed first, Logan Zieglganberger took
second and Oren Nicolay finished in third. In 100 m hurdles, Christian Vogel won first and Andrew Hatch from WCS finished second.
For long jump, Vigo Orpiano won first, Tace Odima placed second and Markus Paquel from WCS finished third. In triple jump, Vigo Orpiano won first, Christian Vogel finished second and Manvir Novelles from Ogema finished third.
In high jump, Vigo Orpiano finished first. In shot put, Maverick Peterson won first, Zayne LaBatte from Gladmar won second and Lane Robinson from Gladmar finished third.
For discus, Curtis Hewitt won first, Brody Morrice from WCS took second and Jack Bell from WCS finished in third.
In javelin, Zayne LaBatte won first, Zander Fradette took second and Maverick Peterson won third.
Senior girls
In the 100 m, Peyton Lokken from WCS won first, Caitlin Cross from Wawota took second and Kinley Woodward from 33 Central placed third.
In the 200 m, Kinley Woodard placed first and Zaniyah Odima from WCS finished in second.
In the 400 m, Zaniyah Odima won first and Preston Treble-Wiberg from 33 Central finished second.
In the 80 m hurdles, Caitlin Cross won first, Zaniyah Odima finished second and Miya Beare from 33 Central finished in third.
In long jump, Peyton Lokken won first, Caitlin Cross finish second and
Icy Casimiro from Ogema placed third.
In triple jump, Peyton Lokken won first, Amy Fradette placed seocnd and Bailey Baumgartner from Stoughton finished third. In high jump, Peyton Lokken won first, Mita Beare placed second and Zaniyah Odima took third. For shot put, Joelee James from Ogema won first, Bailey Baumgartner took second and Lily Connery from WCS finished third. In discus, Bailey Baumgartner won first, Bailey Roy from WCS took second and Lily Connery finished in third.
for javelin, Bailey Baumgartner won first, Kya Woitas took second and Bailey Roy finished third. For bantam to intermediate track results, pick up the May 27th Weyburn Review
TAX ENFORCEMENT LIST
WCS track athlete, Keaton Walter, competed in shot put during the regional track meet held in Weyburn.
Southeast Saskatchewan Oil Industry Update June 2026
Saskatchewan’s
Sask Oil and Gas Show remains a vital event for the industry
David Willberg/SaskToday.ca
The Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show will once again serve as an opportunity to network, socialize, promote businesses and celebrate accomplishments.
Monica Osborn, who is the manager of the biennial showcase, offered history on the event and detailed plans for this year.
This year’s show will happen June 3 and 4 in Weyburn, and will feature indoor and outdoor exhibits. “Even though the show is held biennially in Weyburn, it does help bring light to our whole southeast Saskatchewan region, and the amazing people we have here,” said Osborn.
Activities will open June 2 with a golf tournament, saddle bronc riding, and a steak and lobster supper.
The oil show itself begins June 3 with a chain-cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. and the exhibits open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. An awards luncheon will feature the induction of six people as Southeast Saskatchewan Legends.
“These are people from all over southeast Saskatchewan that have made an impact on southeast Saskatchewan,” she said.
Exhibitors can network with clients and salespeople, Osborn said, and people can see how the products and services work.
During the evening, Doug Martens of Estevan will be recognized as the Southeast Saskatchewan Oilperson of the Year. Friends of the Show will be saluted for contributing their time to making the event happen. Osborn said this year’s honourees are Pat Maloney for helping get the grounds and facilities ready, and Jerry Mainil Ltd. for providing equipment to get the grounds ready.
Saskatchewan comedian Quick Dick McDick will perform that night and will promote the show on social media.
The final day of the show will start at 9 a.m. Activities include a safety stand down breakfast with Jeremy Evans, known as The Grizzly Dude after Osborn said Evans survived three encounters with grizzly bears. Osborn noted Brian Crossman with Independent Well Servicing came up with the idea for the safety breakfast.
“It’s just a way for us to connect, making sure that when people are going out to
do their job, they’re coming home safe to their families at night,” said Osborn.
Evans will discuss how people can prepare themselves to go into certain situations.
An industry luncheon will feature the inaugural Southeast Keystone Award for a business that made what Osborn called “huge” contributions and led the industry to the forefront. Pan-Canadian Petroleums, which is now the Whitecap Resources Weyburn Unit, will be recognized.
Senator Pamela Wallin will make an appearance at the luncheon on June 4.
New for this year will be tours for people in the community who want to see the grounds, learn how the exhibitors are connected and how they operate for the oil and gas industry. Osborn said tours will be June 4 at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. On the registration form, as companies are filling out information, they can indicate if they’re interested in a tour.
“We’ll get you information. We’ll get you set up with going around with a group to be introduced to some of these exhibitors,” said Osborn. “And they can
tell you what they do in the oil and gas industry and how they’re connected with everyone.”
Admission is $20 and anyone can attend. At one time, the show was free for the public to attend, but Osborn said changes have been made to let exhibitors know the impact of the event, the number of people in attendance and the demographics of the visitors.
Osborn noted the show has been going since 1985. It started through an economic development committee with the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce, and eventually went off on its own. Now it is associated with the Weyburn Chamber again, reporting to the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show Board.
“Back in 1984, there was obviously some vision seekers that knew that it was important to provide that education piece to our region about what oil and gas is, and how it affects our communities,” she said.
The committee has supported service groups in the region, to the tune of $1.5 million-$2 million.
Inside this edition of Black Gold
oil production is second only to Alberta among Canadian provinces, and provides about 20 per cent of all Canadian production
Photo courtesy of Bill Allen Photography
Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings to feature top-notch rodeo action
The best bronc horses in the world will be featured in Weyburn for the inaugural edition of “Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings” bronc-riding, to be held on Tuesday, June 2 at the Weyburn fair grounds, as a supplement to the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show.
This premiere pro rodeo event came up as rodeo producer Robert Schmidt approached the oil show board about bringing the event here as a way to kick off the show.
One of Schmidt’s partners in the venture is Weyburn oilman Jonathan Kmita, who is also known as a competitor and for providing rodeo stock to such top events as the Calgary Stampede and the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas – and those top bronc horses will be coming here.
As a part of the high calibre of this show, announcer Butch Knowles will be lending his voice to the event. He is famous as the announcer for the Stampede and the National Finals Rodeo, among other events. The Outlaw Buckers will be put on and organized separately from the Oil Show, but it will featured as a part of the show, with Cugnet taking part in the tailgate party in the afternoon from 2-4 p.m., with the bucking broncos to start at 4 p.m. Tickets are $30 each, and the riders will be going for $30,000 in cash prizes. Youth 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult, but they must have a ticket.
To buy tickets, go to the Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings website and click on the button for tickets.
5:30pm - Show Closes 5:30pm - Show Closes 6:30pm - Awards Supper 6:30pm - Awards Supper 8:30pm - Quick Dick McDick 8:30pm Quick Dick McDick 11:00pm - Grounds Close 11:00pm - Grounds Close
7:30am - Safety Stand Down 7:30am - Safety Stand Down Breakfast Breakfast 8:00am - Jeremy Evans ‘The 8:00am - Jeremy Evans ‘The Grizzly Dude’ Grizzly Dude’ 9:00am - Show Opens 9:00am - Show Opens 12:00pm - Industry Luncheon & 12:00pm - Industry Luncheon & Awards Awards 12:30pm - Senator Pamela Wallin 12:30pm - Pamela Wallin 3:00pm Show Closes 3:00pm Show Closes
Show Office - Lobby of Whitecap Resources Centre
Hours of Operation: Hours of Operation: Monday, June 1 Monday, June 1 8:00am - 6:00pm 8:00am - 6:00pm Wednesday, June 3 Wednesday, June 3 8:00am - 6:30pm 8:00am - 6:30pm Tuesday, June 2 Tuesday, June 2 8:00am - 7:00pm 8:00am - 7:00pm Thursday, June 4 Thursday, June 4 8:00am - 5:00pm 8:00am - 5:00pm
Official Show Partners
‘The Grizzly Dude’ June 4 at
Senator Pamela Wallin June 4 at 12:30pm
Welcome to Weyburn!
Aldon
Oils
The Weyburn Theatre Community Service Cooperative announced a significant $75,000 contribution from Aldon Oils, marking a major step forward in bringing the community’s long-envisioned movie theatre to life.
This generous investment positions Aldon Oils as a leading supporter of the new Spark Cinema, a project designed to serve as a modern gathering place for families, and residents across Weyburn and the surrounding area.
donates $75,000 to new theatre
“We are incredibly grateful to Aldon Oils for their leadership and commitment to our community,” said Laila Bader on behalf of WTCSC. “Their support brings us closer to creating a space where people can come together to relax, connect, and make lasting memories, just like generations did at the Soo Theatre.”
The new Spark Cinema will offer more than just movies. With two screening rooms, a dedicated party space, and modern amenities, the facility is being
designed as a hub for entertainment, celebration, and community engagement.
Aldon Oils’ contribution reflects a strong belief in the importance of community infrastructure and the role it plays in enhancing quality of life. Investments like this help strengthen Weyburn’s appeal as a place to live, work, and raise a family - while also supporting well-being through shared experiences and accessible entertainment.
“Weyburn has always
been a community that rallies behind meaningful projects,” said Del Mondor. “We’re proud to support something that will benefit local families, organizations, and the region as a whole for many years to come.”
The WTCSC aims to open the Spark Cinema in late 2026.
Community members and organizations interested in supporting the project are encouraged to get involved and be part of this transformative initiative.
Aldon Oils recently made a $75,000 donation to the Weyburn Theatre Community Service Cooperative. Pictured l-r, Aldon Oils representatives Jenya Kistanov, Paula Pick, Janessa Walliser, Kara Somerville, Laila Bader (WTCSC representative), Leah Kot, Irita Heinberga, Edna Honig and Sophia Jordens.
Photo courtesy Weyburn Theatre Community Service Cooperative
sample various local cuisines in a single night. Such tours can be especially enjoyable when those organizing them take some planning tips to heart.
• Confirm restaurant availability: A food tour might be best begun prior to the evening dinner rush, so it’s best to call ahead and confirm each establishment’s hours and menu availability at the time you hope to visit. Call ahead to identify which dishes may or may not be available at a given time. Some establishments may even arrange a special tasting menu depending on the size of the party.
• Confirm how many people will be attending: Many establishments will require reservations, particularly for larger parties. So it’s best to ask invited guests to confirm if they will be attending well in advance, allowing time to secure reservations at each establishment.
• Encourage guests to share any dietary restrictions: No two people are the same, and that’s something to keep in mind when organizing a restaurant tour. When inviting guests, ask each person to identify their dietary restrictions, including food allergies. A restaurant tour is a great way to support local establishments.
Community is important to SE Saskatchewan Oilman of the Year
The script of the biography of Doug Martens
My name is Doug Martens, and I’m the President and CEO of PRIMEC Controls Canada, based in Estevan, Saskatchewan.
My career in this industry started in 1990, after graduating from SIAST in Moose Jaw with a diploma in Instrumentation Engineering Technology. I started working at Estevan Meter Services, and that’s really where my journey in the oil and gas industry began.
I grew up on a farm in southeast Saskatchewan, and from an early age I learned the value of hard work, accountability, and helping the people around you. Those lessons stayed with me and still shape how I try to lead today.
At 23 years old, in 1993, I co-founded 3D Maintenance. It was an important experience early in my career, in 1998 I exited the business.
In 2000, I became a partner in Estevan Meter Services and later took on the role of President in 2008. When I became a partner, we were a small team of fewer than 10 people. Over time, that’s grown to more than 120 today, and that growth really speaks to the people who’ve been part of the journey along the way.
Although I am the recipient of this award it is really about the various team members that have supported me on this journey.
In 2011, we established Virden Meter Services to expand into Manitoba. In 2015, we acquired
Acutec Systems, which strengthened our technical capabilities. That same year, I joined the Board of Directors at Firesky Energy. It was a challenging period in the industry, through the 2015–2016 downturn and later through COVID, and it gave me a much broader understanding of the realities and cycles within the exploration and production side of the business.
In 2017, Apollo Electric and Controls joined the group, expanding our electrical and automation services even further.
Then in 2021, we launched PRIMEC Controls LLC in Williston, North Dakota, extending our services into the U.S. market.
In 2023, we brought the Canadian operations
together under one brand — PRIMEC Controls Canada — with the goal of building a stronger, more unified organization while keeping the people and culture that made each company successful.
Over the years, I’ve come to believe that any success I’ve been part of has always been a team effort. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside a lot of good people, and I’ve always tried to approach leadership by supporting others, creating opportunities, and building something that lasts.
Community has always been important to me as well. I’ve spent many years coaching kids’ sports, which has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Seeing young people
grow in confidence and learn how to be part of a team is something I’ve always valued. I was also involved from the very beginning with Moose Creek Golf Club, helping with the fundraising, design, construction, and operations for close to two decades. The golf course became an important part of the success of Moose Creek Regional Park, which I’ve also been proud to support over the years.
I’ve also had the opportunity to help establish the Estevan Bears U18 AAA Hockey Program, helping create opportunities for young athletes in our community.
Today, I remain rooted to southeast Saskatchewan with my wife, Kenda, and our family, and I
Doug Martens am committed to the future of our energy industry and the communities we call home. I continue to believe in responsible growth, strong relationships, and looking for opportunities to build for the long term across western Canada & Northern USA.
Hall of Fame: CEO actively develops oil and gas resources
Hall of Fame inductee
Randall Smith, president of Carlyle-based Spectrum Resource Group, was named Southeast Saskatchewan Oilman of the Year in 2017. This year he is being inducted into the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Hall of Fame. Randall was born in 1965 and raised in Oxbow. He has called southeast Saskatchewan home for most of his life. Randall attended school in Calgary twice, first graduating business admin and later petroleum land management
with honours from Mount Royal in 1993. Randall’s first oil industry job was with Dome Petroleum in 1984. His next job was with Nowsco Well Service in Medicine Hat. Randall moved back to Saskatchewan in 1988 to work for Encor Energy as an operator. After graduating petroleum land management, Randall took a job with Williston Wildcatters in Arcola, Saskatchewan, starting on the rig as a well site geologist and finally moving into the land department. In 1995 Randall and
partner Nick Lazic, whom he had met in geology class and then worked with at Wildcatters, started Spectrum Resource Group Inc. They have worked since to build Spectrum to what it is today. Randall and Nick have had a great partnership for over 30 years and have continually moved forward in business. They both love the challenges, especially finding new reserves in Southeast Saskatchewan. Spectrum has drilled over 360 wells, all in southeast Saskatchewan, discovering a number of
pools, selling some pools to major-size companies and developing some itself. The company currently has 12 employees and is assisted by a group of dedicated professional consultants and contractors in its operations. Randall is especially proud of this excellent team that executes on a daily basis, some of whom have been with the company for more than 20 years.
Spectrum is a great place to work and provides fulfilling growth opportunities for its people.
Randall enjoys the aspect of providing support for the many community groups in southeast Saskatchewan, helping many projects and recreation facilities that make Saskatchewan life great especially for our young people.
Spectrum’s model has been significantly different than many of the other junior oil producers who have come and gone over the years. The others would typically start up, build up production, sell the whole company to a larger public firm, and start again.
Spectrum’s model has been based on longevity. It’s been the junior producer with staying power. They would build up production, then sell about half of the assets, such as a particular pool, and then continue to
build. They never sold the whole company and started over. Over the years Spectrum did many deals when the timing was right, selling production larger public companies as feeder plays for their development. Deals were achieved with Crescent Point, Torc, and Whitecap, as examples.
“This model allowed Spectrum to maintain exposure to the upside of the finds while allowing continued focus for itself on the exploration aspect,” Randall explained. Spectrum has operated successfully in Southeast Saskatchewan for more than 30 years and is very proud to be from Saskatchewan. The plan is to continue discovering and developing our resources for the foreseeable future and to continue to work with mineral owners, land owners and all stake holders for best outcomes.
Randall Smith
Oilman of the Year values strong team and his community
The script of the biography of
Paul Colborne
My name is Paul Colborne, President and CEO of Surge Energy, and I’m very honored and humbled to have been named this year’s Saskatchewan Oil Person of the Year.
I was born in Sarnia, Ontario, in 1958 and raised in Calgary. I attended the University of Calgary, where I played for the University of Calgary Dinos football team and completed both an undergraduate degree in economics and a law degree, specializing in corporate law. I graduated in 1986 and was called to the bar the following year.
I began my career practicing law at a large
law firm called Parlee McLaws, focusing on securities, banking, and oil and gas law. I then moved in-house, serving as legal counsel at Husky Oil for four years and at Wascana Energy in Regina for one year.
After nine years practicing law, I decided to move into the oil and gas industry. I started a small company, with a great Team, called Startech Energy in 1993, which grew to more than 16,000 boepd - before being acquired by the ARC Energy Trust in 2001 for more than $500 million.
I then founded Crescent Point Energy in 2001, where I served as President and CEO. Alongside another strong Team, in -
cluding Scott Saxberg (a prior recipient of the Oilman of the Year award), the company grew to more than 180,000 boepd, primarily in Saskatchewan. The Bakken light oil play in Saskatchewan was a huge discovery for CPG. Over time, I stepped back from management, serving as Chairman of the Board, then as a Director, before leaving the Board in 2013.
When I stepped back to become Chairman at Crescent Point, I started another small oil and gas company called Star Point Energy Trust in 2003. With another excellent management Team, we grew the company to 36,000 boepd in just 3 years. A large portion of
our assets were located in Saskatchewan and consisted of high-netback, light oil. Star Point was ultimately sold through a $4.5 billion merger that formed Canetic Resource Trust in 2006.
After the sale of Star Point, I sat on a number of Boards, including Surge Energy.
In 2013, I was the Chairman of Surge Energy, and also took on the role of President and CEO. Since then, we have grown the company to more than 23,000 boepd today. Our primary assets are located in the Sparky/ Mannville oil plays in Alberta, and the Frobisher/ Midale light oil plays in SE Saskatchewan.
Since the great 2020
COVID meltdown/restart in our industry, from January 1, 2021 Surge has delivered total shareholder returns averaging more than 80 per cent per year for 5 years in a row, and Surge is now one of the top performing crude oil dividending companies in our peer group in Canada, with a large (8,000 boepd) presence in Saskatchewan.
Over the last 25 years, I have also been a founder of, and board member for, a number of other private and public oil and gas companies, as well as three private equity firms and two service companies.
It has been a tremendous privilege to spend my career in this business. I have four kids, all of whom have been involved
in the Canadian oil industry. I have been very fortunate to work alongside outstanding people over the years, and I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this recognition.
SE Sask. Legend: Ken Cugnet’s love affair with the oil business
Southeast Saskatchewan
Legend nominee
Ken Cugnet’s love affair with the oil business began when he was eight years old with the drilling of the Weyburn Unit discovery well on the neighbouring farm in 1954. The consultant on that rig became a bit of a hero to Ken and his twin brother, Dick, as he would drive into town to phone in the drilling reports to Calgary and Ken and his brother would wash his car while he did, and then get paid with a milkshake.
Ken was fascinated by the “technology” of the day and it was exciting to grow up in the midst of the development of the new oil field. Often rig personnel and their families camped in the Cugnet yard. Characters who were temporary neighbors are still part of family folklore today.
Ken’s first job in the oil patch was in the fall of 1962, at age 16. He was part of the crew tying steel for the Shell Plant in Midale. In December of that same
year, he worked for nothing on a Regent rig on one hole west of the farm. He did this just so that he could say he was experienced. During 1963 to 1964, he worked on a service rig for Addison & Leyen. From then until 1967, he worked off season (from farming) on a series of drilling rigs from Weyburn to the Northwest Territories. In 1968, he went to work for Halliburton cementing and acidizing from Weyburn to Rainbow Lake. He always showed up back in Weyburn each spring in time to farm. The next job closer to home was working part-time for Cardwell Supply. Gradually he evolved into land work, consulting, and investing.
Ken was a deal junkie, but he said the best deal he ever made was to marry his wife, JoAnne Bannatyne, in 1975. She was a public health nurse originally from Estevan. They would have four boys, Daniel, Craig, Tim and Matthew, all of whom ended up working in the various family businesses and farm.
In 1977, Ken became president of the family owned Cugnet Petroleums Inc. He formed his own company, Valleyview Petroleums Ltd., in March 1979.
It was during this time that Ken took a geology class through the University of Regina. All the other students were female teachers trying to complete their Bachelor of Education degrees. They ended up teasing him that they wish they started an oil company instead.
He first started joint ven-
tures in Alberta and in 1985 became a joint venture partner with Saskatchewanbased Tappit Resources. He went on to run their field operations and later became a company director in 1987 and then chairman of the board in 2000.
He served as director on Cypress Petroleum Corporation from 1989 to 1993. In 1987, Ken was appointed to the Saskatchewan Surface Rights Arbitration Board and served until 1992.
In 2003, Tappit Resources merged with Crescent Point Energy to form Crescent Point Energy Trust. The company became the dominant player in the Bakken boom. Ken was asked to serve on their board and did so until 2014. That year he was integral in the company’s donation, just a month before his death, of $4.5 million to the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation. That donation put the community over the top in its efforts to trigger provincial funding for a new hospital which is now coming to completion. It also came in the wake of a $1 million donation from Ken and JoAnne on behalf of their family for the same initiative.
Star Point Energy was the additional spin-off from the Crescent Point merger. Ken served as a director from September 2003 to January 2005. The spin-off coming from the Star Point Energy merger led to him serving on Mission Oil & Gas from January 2005 to February 2007 when it merged with Crescent Point Energy Trust.
Cugnet also served as
a director of Elkhorn Resources Inc. Formerly, he served as director of Tappit Resources Ltd., Starpoint Energy Inc., Mission Oil and Gas Inc., Medora Resources Inc. and Cypress Petroleum Corp.
In 2002, Ken established an office for Valleyview Petroleums Ltd. in Weyburn. He was particularly proud to work with his four sons who are following in his footsteps making their livelihood in “cows and oil.”
In 2007 he was named Southeast Saskatchewan Oilman of the Year, along with Jim Boettcher.
Ken served on numerous boards, including Tappit Resources Ltd. as chair-
man, Mission Oil & Gas Inc., StarPoint Energy Inc., Medora Resources Inc, Elkhorn Resources, Cypress Petroleum Corp., Panther Drilling, Aaron Well Servicing, Petrotherm, Alchem Energy Services, Cugnet Petroleums, Weyburn Security, and the Saskatchewan Surface Rights Board.
In addition to continuously farming for over 45 years, Ken served on the Nickle Lake Regional Park Board for over 30 years, the Grace United Church Board and the Queen Elizabeth School Local Board while his boys attended school there.
Due to his own difficulties in school because of a learning disability,
Ken generously supported the Saskatchewan Learning Disabilities Association for many years. His corporate sponsorship tended to be “low key”wheelchair ramps, bucking chutes for the local rodeo or hiring a landscape architect to design the first therapeutic park in the province (the brain child of Peter Boyle of the former Souris Valley Regional Care Centre). He did not seek acknowledgement.
Ken was always proud to call Weyburn his home.
As Dan said in his father’s eulogy, Ken often asked, “Did we increase shareholder value today?” Indeed, he did.
Paul Colborne
Ken Cugnet
Hall of Fame: Productive career in oil and gas business for Mah
Hall of Fame inductee
Andy Mah grew up in a family business, a quintessential Chinese restaurant in Kipling, Saskatchewan. There he learned to talk to people of all sorts, a skill that would come in handy in his career as an engineer and executive in the oilpatch.
His grandfather, who came to Canada in 1906, bought the Hub Café in Kipling in 1954, identifying the community for its location as divisional point for CN crews between Regina and Brandon. And soon thereafter, the Interprovincial Pipe Line was built through the town, with expansions every decade or so, meaning crews needed to be fed. Andy was born in 1959, and he grew up in that café, helping out
from a young age.
Andy enjoyed meeting and talking to these people, from farmers to railwaymen to the pipeliners. “Living, working and growing up in the café was always a lot of fun for me, because I Ioved talking to people and finding out what they did.”
Andy attended the University of Saskatchewan College of Engineering and earned a double degree in chemical engineering and chemistry over the course of five years. He convocated in 1982 and promptly went to work for British Petroleum, or BP. He soon found himself doing field work in Drayton Valley, Fort St. John and Bonnyville. He went through the company’s training program for young engineers, working on drill -
ing, reservoir engineering and production. “I spent a lot of time in the field. You’ve got to swing some wrenches to understand what the heck is going on,” he said.
He worked for BP for 11 Years. It was during this time he met and married Wendy Pallant, originally from Quebec, but now a teacher in Rocky Mountain House and then Calgary. They married in 1988 and had three children – Andrew, Emily and Nathaniel.
In 1983 he was headhunted by Sceptre Resources where he became a manager. There he met Grant Fagerheim, who would become a significant figure in Andy’s life.
“Grant and I left and went to Northrock Resources Ltd. in 1996,” he said. At Northrock he
joined the executive team as vice president operations. That company had around 10,000 boepd of production in southeast Saskatchewan.
In 2000, North Rock sold to Unocal Corporation. Andy stayed on another three years.
It was at that point Grant was putting together Ketch Resources Trust. He called Andy up and asked him to “get over here and help me run it.”
Ketch was a junior exploration company converted into an energy trust. Andy was its president.
But it was the 2006 “Halloween Massacre” that soon spelled the end of energy trusts. They had three years to adjust, and Ketch was merged into Advantage Energy Ltd.
Advantage had 30,000
boepd of production, including at one point about 10,000 boepd in southeast Saskatchewan around Estevan, Lampman, Carlyle and Wawota. It operated several rigs drilling in the region. Around 2016 the company sold its Saskatchewan assets, rolled into Longview Oil Corp., which eventually sold to Surge Energy.
Advantage is now focused principally in the Montney Play. In 2021, Andy retired as president and CEO after 12 years.
Andy loves hunting birds and big game whenever he can. He’s played on a lot of company hockey teams and enjoys cycling. Andy and Wendy’s three children have also found success. Andrew is a geologist with Whitecap. Emily specializes in marketing, and Nathaniel
recently retired as a world cup Nordic athlete and now works with Cross Country Skiing Canada. Andy is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and is also a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Southeast Sask. Legend: Don Spearing ‘born into the oilfield’
Southeast Saskatchewan Legend nominee
Don Spearing was literally born into the oilfield. His father, Ken, started hauling fluids from some of the first wells drilled in Saskatchewan, near Frobisher, in 1956. That company was Bowman & Spearing Service Ltd, operating out of
Frobisher. Don was born in 1961 in Oxbow, second of four children. He and his brother, Trevor, started working for Ken’s company at a young age, sweeping floors and fixing tires. After graduation in 1978 he worked in the shop full-time. It was a very slow time in the oilpatch due to the NDP’s Bill 42, so he got a job on a service rig. That didn’t last long, and he ended up spending a winter hitch on a service rig at Fort St. John, B.C., before returning to Oxbow.
By the early 80s, the company, now Spearing Service after Bowman was bought out in 1978, was running 10 full-time trucks and was operating from Oxbow. Don got his 1A license and drove for the family business until
1987, when he moved into the office and started to do dispatch and management, working alongside his brother. At that point, Ken decided to start spending ever-longer winters down south, leaving the company to his sons to operate. In 1989, Ken sold the majority of the company to his two sons, and reverted to a minority position. Don recalls his father saying, “Okay smartasses – you’ve been telling me how to run the company for the last 10 years. I’m going south. You guys run it!”
At this point they were running around 15 to 18 trucks, specializing in hauling fluid in the oilfield. This grew to include vac trucks, frac heaters, hot oilers, steamers and more.
It was during this time period Don met and mar-
ried Charlene Allen of Sturgis, an EMT and later nurse. They married in 1992 and had four children – Brianna, Jasmin, Courtney and Ryley, all of whom worked in the company at one time or another. Charlene left nursing to raise the children.
Spearing Service bought out Koch Trucking in 1996 with about a dozen trucks, and TransX’s oilfield division in 2003, adding another 10 trucks.
In 1999, Don started another trucking company, Great Northern Trucking USA, in North Dakota.
The 2000s proved fruitful for Spearing Service, growing to over 60 trucks and bases in Oxbow, Carlyle, Pipestone and Waskada.
In 2005 Don talked to
Murray Mullen about selling the company to Mullen Group. Don needed a break, and Mullen said, “Why don’t I own the equipment and you run it?
That deal was sealed in 2006, and took away a lot of the financial stress for Don.
While Trevor soon left to start his own hydrovac company, Extreme Hydrovac, Don stayed on for close to eight years, long past his contracted date. As the Bakken Boom took hold, Spearing grew quite a bit while Don was still onboard. Soon they had over 60 trucks, 100 crude oil trailers and 150 frac tanks, just as fracking was taking off. Don left in 2014, just before things went sour in the oilpatch, he explained.
When his non-compete expired, he added a new
company, Great Northern Trucking Canada.
The two Great Northern Trucking companies specialized in hauling oil for delivery across the border. Ironically, the USA version hauled oil to Canada for delivery, and the Canadian version delivered oil to the USA.
Daughter Brianna and her husband, Joey, were heavily involved in their operations until 2022. Then Courtney took over until the USA version was sold in 2024, and the Canadian version has been wound down in recent years. His brother and longtime business partner Trevor passed away in 2023.
These days Don and Charlene live in Lakeside, Montana, moving there before Yellowstone made it cool.
Congratulations to the Southeast Sask. Legend nominees
Andy Mah
Don Spearing
Hall of Fame: Lothian had strong influence to enter oilfield
E. Craig Lothian was born in 1962 and raised in Carlyle.
He attended the University of Saskatchewan obtained his B.A. in 1986 with a focus on economics and LL.B. in 1988 from the College of Law. He was called to the bar in 1989.
A strong influence on his desire to enter the oil business was his uncle Jack Irwin, who was vice president of land with an American oil company working out of Calgary. Craig was initially going to article in Calgary with a law firm specializing in oil and gas law, but the crash of 1987 meant they couldn’t offer him a job upon completion of his articles, as they had just laid off a significant number of lawyers.
That drove Craig to join a small boutique litigation firm in Regina that was not involved in oil and gas. Despite that, he was successful in building a sizeable oil and gas portfolio for the firm, Gerrand & Co., which made him a partner in 1992.
Craig ended up doing a lot of work for Strike Energy, and its founder, Ed Sampson brought him over for a short term stint that turned into a year and a half. They bought land at Tatagwa from PanCanadian and started drilling. Craig acted as the landman, corporate lawyer and did a bit of business development. When it was bought out, Craig went back to Gerrand.
Don Woolley started a new oil company in 1995 called Flatland Exploration and brought Craig on as an investor and on the board,
giving Craig his first inside look at the executive level of the industry. In 1989 he married Pamela Conklin, a fellow lawyer, who Craig credits with his and his family’s success. “I could never have done what I did in business and in law without Pam,” he said. They two daughters, Kelsey and Jasmine. And it was in large part because of those daughters the Lothians resisted the temptation, twice, to move to Calgary. After taking her second maternity leave, Pamela chose not to return to the legal profession, but rather raised the children and has subsequently done substantial board work with numerous organizations including SaskTel. Hard choices like that made a difference. In 2002, Craig led the acquisition of Keystone Petroleums Inc., a private company that held a significant amount of freehold mineral title in Saskatchewan. To do so, he took out a second mortgage on their personal home. When raising funds for Keystone, he was frequently asked how much skin he had in the game?
Craig pointed to that second mortgage, and the fact his wife was a divorce attorney!
Craig often says the most significant member of an executive team is the vice president of serendipity. And that truly was the case when it came to Keystone, which had acquired a significant land position in southeast Saskatchewan, particularly in the area around Stoughton that became the heart of the Bakken boom. It wasn’t
prescience, however. “Nobody thought there was a way to get oil out of the Bakken,” he explained.
A few years in, the Bakken boom took hold, and soon he often had four land deals on his desk at the same time. And the offers kept getting better and better, as everyone wanted in on what was then the hottest play on the continent. This led to a succession of private oil companies founded by Craig. He served as CEO for Flatland Exploration Ltd., Keystone Energy Inc., Keystone Energy Corp., Villanova Energy Corp. and Villanova 4 Oil Corp.
Craig was also a founder and executive chair of Villanova Oil Corp., Villanova Resources Inc. and the current iteration in the Villanova franchise, Villanova Energy Inc.
In April 2022, Topaz Energy Corp. acquired Keystone Royalty Corp., a private land and royalty company that was founded and led by Craig as President/CEO and Chair, for $96 million, equating to a 24.9X Gross Multiple for
initial investors.
Craig is the founder and CEO of Lex Capital Corp., a multi-family office, with a diverse suite of investments ranging from real estate, oil and gas to the tech and renewable resource sectors.
It was originally called Lex Minerals Inc., and Craig and his Uncle Jack were business partners in it then Lex Capital Corp. for 28 years. Jack passed away several years ago. At his celebration of life, Craig borrowed (and modified) a quote from Abraham Lincoln, saying, “I’m a success today, in no small part--- because I had a friend (in my case an Uncle) who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down”.
In addition to Craig’s role at Lex Capital Corp., he was one of three founders, the original CEO and now the executive chair of Lex Capital Management Inc., a private equity firm in Regina. Since its inception in 2009, the Lex Funds have raised in excess of $645 million, which was subsequently invested in a series of early-stage oil
and gas companies in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
All of this was accomplished from Regina, whereas the conventional wisdom says he should have long moved to Calgary. But as Craig notes, there were hundreds, maybe thousands, of people like him seeking to raise investment capital in Calgary, but very few targeting the same market in Regina. He recalled doing 75 presentations in 17 cities across seven states and three provinces. And 80 per cent of the investment dollars he raised came from the U.S., so it really didn’t matter if you were based in Regina or Calgary.
“I think you can build an oil company anywhere,” he said, and it was often seen as an advantage, being closer to the actual drilling in southeast Saskatchewan than Calgary was.
Craig also serves in an advisory role for the Emmertech AgTech Fund and the West Oak Investments Real Estate Fund. On the non-profit side, Craig has served on a number of charitable boards including
The Hospitals of Regina Foundation, Enterprise Saskatchewan and the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, where he also served as Finance Chair and Board Chair. Currently, Craig and his wife, Pamela, are co-chairing the Capital Campaign in support of a new Ronald McDonald House in Regina. Their daughter Kelsey is a dentist in Regina, and other daughter, Jasmine, is a partner with Miller Thomson LLP in Toronto, focusing mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate law including oil and gas.
E Craig Lothian
Hall of Fame inductee
The southeast oilfield is situated on the Bakken formation, one of the most prolific oil producing patches in the world. Photo courtesy of Bill Allen Photography
SE Sask. Legend: Mel Trobert an ‘original rat man’ in the oilfield
Mel Trobert
Southeast Saskatchewan Legend nominee Mel Trobert was born in 1950 and raised on a farm near Tribune. He soon found himself working on drilling rigs at a young age. That’s not surprising since, as the youngest of seven children, the probability of a Trobert working in the oilpatch was
pretty high. Nearly the entire family found itself working in the patch.
Mel was one of those irrepressible people who lived 24 hours in every day. That is, except for the one time Doris Frehlick asked why his time card said 25 hours. He replied, “Must not have stopped for lunch.”
He worked at Bourassa’s in Radville, assembling equipment, and bought his first truck before he had a drivers license. He went to work on drilling rigs at the age of 15.
After a few years on the rigs, Mel went to work for Flint, first as an equipment operator then as a pipeline foreman. He spent about five years with Flint before going to work for his brother Joe’s company CEDA in Williston. Mel spent about five years down south in
the 90s before coming to work for Ray Frehlick in the rat hole business.
A key but lesser-known component of drilling oilwells is done before the drilling rig even shows up. It’s done by the rat hole rig, which drills and installs the cellar and conductor pipe for the main hole, the mouse hole and the rat hole.
Mel entered the rat hole business in the 1980s. “We leased a rig from the States to get going. It was a bucket rig, a water well rig, more or less,” he said in 2011.
They got their first screw rig in 1987.
Ray Frehlick, the owner of Prairie Mud and Prairie Petro-Chem, used to own the business. Trobert was working for Frehlick at the time.
“Buck Scheely said we should get into setting con-
ductors,” Mel said. They initially leased a rig from Scheely.
Mel was partners with Ray for many years. He bought out his two partners in 2004 and 2008, becoming sole owner that year.
He also had two sideline businesses – M&N Rentals, an oilfield rental outfit, and Man Construction.
In 1998, Mel married Donna Paterson. It was a package deal, with Donna’s kids Travis and Tasha as part of the package. They very much became his kids, too, and by 2005 Travis was working in the business, and Tasha joined in 2010. Donna retired from SaskTel in 2007 and joined Prairie Rathole that year. Then Tasha’s son Bryce came onboard in 2016.
Tasha said Mel was “Saskatchewan’s original
rat man,” to which Travis added, “And I’m rat boy.”
Prairie Rat Hole is one of only two rat hole operations in Saskatchewan. While based in Estevan, they covered the whole province, and beyond. Mel said, “We’ve been in Cold Lake, Alberta. They told us, ‘You worked for us down there, you work for us up here.’”
The company was an early adopter of the SECOR program.
In 2013 the company expanded its fleet and moved into a new shop on the east side of Estevan.
If working 25 hours a day wasn’t enough, Mel decided to take up farming in 2004, pouring his heart into Simmentals and highland cattle and more. He even bought Donna a miniature donkey for a birthday gift. It
got to the point where Travis was largely running the rat hole operation and Mel would be tooling about on the farm, putting in fences and everything else you could imagine a few head needed. Prairie Rat Hole staff often spent a good chunk of spring breakup working on the farm.
Eventually Mel and Donna sold the farm in 2018.
When he wasn’t working or farming (is there a difference?), Mel loved spending time with his grandkids.
Mel did not retire, but he did pass away in 2021. Prairie Rat Hole continues to be run by son Travis and wife Donna. Tasha and her husband Jayson King and their son Bryce own and operate JK Containments.
SE Sask. Legend: Hugh Borgland enjoys the excitement of drilling
Southeast Saskatchewan Legend nominee
Hugh Borgland was born in Stettler, Alberta, and spend most of his life living in Calgary, so he considers it a special honour to be selected as a Southeast Saskatchewan Legend.
Even though he doesn’t live here, Hugh’s professional focus has been in Saskatchewan. He said, “southeast Saskatchewan is perfect for smaller companies. When companies are producing 50,000 and 100,000 barrels a day, the reserves are not there in Saskatchewan. But when you’re producing 1,000 to 2,000 the 50,000 barrel reserves per well, is very economical. I enjoy the excitement of the drilling and finding oil more than managing people, so staying small is a key to our success.”
Hugh graduated from the University of Calgary in 1967 with a degree in economics. His first job was with Sun Oil in their economics department. As part of Sun’s training program, he was exposed to the land department, and found being a landman was more exciting than crunching numbers. Hugh’s first exposure to southeast Saskatchewan was as a landman with Sun and drilling
wells in the Steelman area. It was also in 1967 he married his high school sweetheart, Laureen Pickard. Laureen made a career as a psychiatric nursing, specialising in adolescent day treatment and group therapy. They have three children –Craig, Brett and Stephanie.
Hugh then moved on to Anadarko Petroleum as division landman and eventually went on his own in 1973 as a consulting landman to various oil and gas companies. During this period, he started working with two geologists organizing and raising funding for three different small drilling funds. He was approached to convert a mining company to an oil and gas company. This was the formation of Ashlu Exploration in 1978. Ashlu did drill a couple wells in the Midale area. However, between bank lending money on a handshake, inflation, high interest rates, the National Energy policy; a little youth exuberance, and the bank wanting their money back, the 1980’s were a difficult period. For Ashlu to survive, Hugh had to dilute from 30 per cent of Ashlu to 3 per cent with a new board of directors. He eventually left Ashlu and determined that he needed a proper
defined business plan on future ventures. Part of the plan was to concentrate on a defined geographic area. The area he chose was southeast Saskatchewan for a variety of reasons.
He said, “When I came up with a new business plan, I said we’ve got to concentrate in one area, and I like Southeast Saskatchewan, because number one, it’s light oil, and number two, it’s perfect for small companies, and I don’t like to get too big.”
In 1993, he formed Trego Energy Inc, concentrating in the Weyburn area. This company was sold in 1998. Landex Exploration Ltd was subsequently formed. It was sold to NAL Resources Ltd. in 2003. Then subsequent Landex Petroleum Ltd. was sold to Crescent Point Energy 2008.
Hugh’s eldest son, Craig, got his initial oil and gas experience doing field work for Trego and was more involved in Landex Exploration and was president of Landex Petroleum Ltd. His younger son, Brett, started his oil and gas career working with a geologist in Landex Petroleum. After Landex Petroleum was sold, the Borglands formed Highrock Energy of which Craig Borgland was presi-
dent and Hugh was Chairman. At the same time, they also formed a family company called Triland Energy Inc. which Brett is president and Hugh, chairman. They have subsequently issued shares to Triland’s Staff and is still active today in southeast Saskatchewan.
After Highrock Energy was sold to Legacy Oil Ltd in 2014, Craig formed Highrock Resources Ltd and subsequently sold to Whitecap Resources in 2021. After the Whitecap sale, Craig formed Taprock Energy Inc. which is also currently active in southeast Saskatchewan.
During the period of Landex Petroleum, drilling rigs were in very short supply, so they formed Totem Drilling Ltd., of which Hugh was president. They built the company up to six rigs and eventually sold this company to CanElson Drilling. Hugh served on the Board of CanElson Drilling for several years prior to its sale to Trinidad Drilling.
At the current time, the Borglands have two active exploration companies. Taprock Energy Inc (1,000 boepd) has core areas near Alameda and Souris Flats. Triland Energy Inc. (1,200 boepd) in the Wordsworth, Arcola and Manor areas. Both are active strictly in southeast. Saskatchewan. Hugh serves on the board of
these two companies. Each company has a staff of nine including field operators.
The two sister companies each have a slightly different business plan, but they both focus on southeast Saskatchewan.
“My degree is in economics and I’ve taken, accounting courses which I consider is very critical in this business Especially after my experience in the 80’s. I have also had the attitude, and I think Craig and Brett would agree that, as a landman, you shouldn’t just concentrate on land. You should understand financial, engineering and geology, not to the point where you’re second guessing the experts, but understanding what they’re doing. You become an all-around oilman, not just one, facet,” he said.
“One thing that we like about southeast Saskatchewan is a lot of oilfield crews, grew up on farms in Saskatchewan, so they understand and are more accepting of exploration and production activities.
Hugh credited his wife Laureen, saying, “We’ve been married 58 years, and she’s gone through a lot of ups and downs over the years in this oil business, and she’s still hanging in.”
He also acknowledged Ken Collopy, whose been working with their various companies for over 30 years,
and is Triland’s operations manager. Ken’ s son, James, also works for Taprock. Their daughter, Stephanie is a neuro-scientist at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, which is part of the University of Calgary. She is also Vice President of Research at U of C and active on the board of Fresh Start Recovery Center of which Craig is currently Chairman.
“My wife and I are active in philanthropy, making donations to Fresh Start Recovery; All in for Youth and Planet Youth programs with United Way; and the O2 research cancer program at U of C. We were also one of the financial founders of the Glands-Look Lung cancer data base, We were honored to receive the Bill Siebens Award of Excellence granted by United Way in 2024,” Hugh said.
Hugh Borgland
SE Legend: Bruce Miller’s leadership and dermination is key
By Abby Kradovil and Shandel Clark
Bruce Miller was born to Alex and Shirley Miller and raised on the family farm near McTaggart, along with his sister Shelley. He went to Queen Elizabeth, St. Mike’s, and Weyburn Comp. Growing up, he was a true farm kid, busy playing hockey, curling, farming, riding dirt bikes, and snowmobiling.
Bruce learned early from his dad how to weld, fix, and operate just about anything. At 15, he was already renting land to farm on his own — a true sign of the work ethic that would carry him through life. By high school, he was juggling farm work, his own land, and two other jobs — as a busboy at the Weyburn Inn and as a gas attendant at Petro Canada.
In 1987, right after harvest, Bruce got a call from Laurence Woodard asking if he wanted to come work — that call changed his life. Not only did he find his career, but he also met Laurence’s daughter, Shannon, who he later married. Together they raised two kids, Nikole and Cody.
Bruce worked his way up through Woodard Well Servicing, then Penwood, and later Arc Resources as an operator. He enjoyed that experience, but his heart was still with the rigs. In 2001, Bruce, along with Kerwin and Del Mondor, started Miller Well Servicing Ltd.
They bought their first rig and never looked back. By 2003 they had three rigs, then more followed, Rig #4 in 2006, Rig #5 in 2007, Rig #6 in 2008, Rig #7 in 2009, Rig #8 in 2011, and Rig #9 in 2013. Rig #1 was rebuilt in 2018 into a double-triple, which just shows how far he’s taken things.
Today, Miller Well has been going strong for 25 years in Southeast Saskatchewan — a huge accomplishment that all traces back to Bruce’s leadership and determination. Over the years, Miller Well has grown steadily and employs an average of 45–50 people, the majority based out of Weyburn and traveling to service rigs across southeast Saskatchewan.
Since 2017, the oil industry has seen its fair share of ups and downs, yet Bruce has faced every challenge with determination and resilience. Through market changes, slowdowns, and uncertainty, he’s managed to keep his crews working — a testament to his dedication to both his employees and the community. He recognizes the value of having good workers and the importance of keeping them. That commitment to his people is one of the many reasons Miller Well continues to thrive today.
Bruce is one of those rare people who never forgets where he came from. His leadership shows in
every corner of Miller Well. It’s not just about running a successful company; it’s about keeping people safe, treating them right, and making sure they go home at the end of the day.
He doesn’t take shortcuts — and he won’t let anyone else take them either. He’s always thinking about how every decision will affect the crews. He’s built a culture where people are proud to say they work here. It’s no surprise Miller Well has employees who have been here for 10, 17, and even 20 years. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident.
Bruce always had an open-door policy — now maybe it’s more of an open-phone policy — but people know they can reach him. Over the years, he’s built up two excellent field supervisors who he’s mentored to take on leadership roles, and because of that, he’s been able to step back a little. It’s a sign of trust — something Bruce has earned from everyone around him.
It’s not uncommon to meet someone who’s never met Bruce but knows exactly who he is. His reputation speaks for itself. Whether it’s through clients, employees, or community members, people know Bruce Miller as someone who does things right and helps where he can. He doesn’t do it for recognition — he just does it because it’s the right thing to do. In fact,
he has no idea this letter exists, and if he did, he’d probably say, “I appreciate that, but it’s unnecessary.” Like many in this industry, he’s humble and likes to keep it that way.
Family means everything to Bruce. If he’s not helping his oilfield family, he’s teaching his grandchildren how to weld, fix, or build something from scratch. Whether it’s plumbing a sink, laying flooring, or building a horseshoe rack in the shop, Bruce makes sure they learn to do things right — and to finish what they starts, including sweeping the shop floor.
They learned they could ask grandpa for help from watching Bruce and his son Cody worked side by side often; “help -
ing” each other (depending who you asked). That bond was strong, and it showed in everything they did together.
In March 2024, Bruce and his family faced an unimaginable loss when Cody tragically passed away in a farming accident. It changed Bruce, Shannon, Nikole, Mike and family lives forever. Yet, through the heartbreak, Bruce’s strength and leadership continued to shine. He carries Cody with him every day showing his employees what resilience truly looks like. His ability to keep leading, to keep showing up for others, and to remind us all not to take anything for granted to keep moving forward with purpose and care.
Bruce Miller is more
Bruce Miller
SE Sask. Legend: Dale Zieger returned to his roots in business
Southeast Saskatchewan
Legend nominee
Dale Zeiger was born in 1967 and raised on a farm near Francis where he currently resides. During his high school years he worked at a seed plant in Sedley.
Immediately after high school Dale went to work for Lorne Stoppler with Midwest Pipeline, out of Regina. At Midwest he held different roles included labourer, parts runner, side-boom operator, bending machine operator, excavator operator, foreman, assistant superintendent and superintendent. That work took him across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
In 2000 he married Charity Knoll, also of Francis. They had three children –Brett, Breanna and Brodie.
In 1998 Dale started work with Carson Weld -
ing and Maintenance out of Lampman. With Carsons his roles included foreman, assistant superintendent, superintendent and Project Manager responsible for managing larger pipeline projects while actively pursuing work with existing and new clients.
In 2011 Carson Energy sold to Flint Energy. Within the next three years there were a lot of changes, as Flint Energy sold to URS and then URS sold to AECOM. His roles with these three companies changed a few times over the next four years, first as operations manager, central area manager and then vice president plains area as Ron Carson was working towards his retirement.
“It soon became very apparent that our perspective of the importance of looking
after our employees and key clients did not line up in any way,” Dale said. “It was time to move on and start a new business and go back to our roots where employees and key clients were the backbone of the operation.”
In early 2016 with the guidance of Ron Carson, some key managers and Dale started planning to start up a new entity, Canadian Plains Energy Services (CPES). It would specialize in pipelines, facility construction, fabrication and crew work, principally in Saskatchewan. Discussions started with Stephen Smith of Strike Energy and it was quickly decided that they would be a perfect fit to join forces with. CPES would be their Saskatchewan footprint.
Stephen Smith and his team made it very easy to get started in a very timely
manner, Dale said. Locations were quickly reopened in many of the old Carson Energy locations including Virden, White City, Alida and Carlyle. At a later date, North Battleford (previously a Strike entity) joined the CPES team. Acquisitions of Brent Gedak Welding in Estevan and Quakes Oilfield Construction in Lloydminster gave CPES a solid footprint in the key areas that the leadership felt it was important to operate out of.
“The key reasons for the success of CPES was due to the dedication and hard work of each and every employee, and I was very proud to work with every one of them,” Dale said.
In 2018 Dale participated in a STARS fundraiser called “Rescue on the Prairies.” A small team of participants were able to raise
over $500,000 for a very good cause.
In 2024 Dale retired from the president role and passed the reins on to Aaron Karpan. He returned to work for a short period as a business development advisor to help with some business development before officially retiring in the fall of 2025. Dale will continue to attend the management meetings periodically going forward.
Dale’s retirement plans include operating a small business out of Francis, traveling with his wife and spending time with family and friends.
In 2000 Charity opened, owned and operated Ziggy Mart, a convenience store/ gas station/bakery in Francis. It was sold in 2009. She now works as an executive assistant at McDougall Auctioneer, along with Breanna
Check out the displays and latest technology at the
Oil & Gas Show - Exhibition Grounds - June 3 & 4!
Dale Zeiger
and Brodie. Breanna has a degree in human resources and Brodie is working towards her degree in speech pathology. Brett works as an equipment operator with Canadian Plains.
Key mentors in Dale’s life include his parents, siblings, Lorne Stoppler, Ron Carson, Stephen Smith and Glen Greenshields.
Ministerial Message: Experiencing the Power of the Holy Spirit
Submitted by
Pastor Cameron Weber
I have been thinking about the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of the living God) this last week as the Christian Church has just celebrated Pentecost Sunday May 24th 2026. What is Pentecost Celebration all about?
Pentecost simply means 50 which means Pentecost Sunday falls 50 days after Easter Sunday in which Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. What happened on the Day of Pentecost that makes it so special to Jesus followers?
Jesus had promised when he went back to heaven Accension Day (40 days after Easter) that he would send the Holy Spirit Luke 24:49 and John 16:7 (God’s Spirit) to earth to empower believers to share the good news of the gospel. Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” So, on exactly 50 days after His resurrection the Holy Spirit came on the early believers as recorded
in Acts 2:1-4. After this event we see the early believers empowered to share the gospel message with boldness they never had before and endure much opposition and persecution because of there boldness, but because of this it changed the world forever with the gospel message. But does this happen today? Let me share part of my life story (Testimony) of how it changed my life. After I dedicated my life to Christ again in the summer of 1985 my hunger for to know the bible more and to share it with others grew. I realized I needed the baptism in the Holy Spirit so I started reading all I could about it in the bible. All that winter I longed for it and made up my mind to seek until I received it. In 1986 at Trossachs Camp I fasted and prayed about it and went forward and the brethren laid hands on me and prayed for me but nothing happened. God knew I wasn’t ready yet but I refused to give up. I went forward a couple other times in services throughout 1986 and 1987 but nothing happened. I was starting to feel that it wasn’t for me after all. But deep down in-
side I knew God had promised in his word that all who ask for the baptism in the Holy Spirit would receive it. During the spring of 1988 we were having some real spirit filled times of prayer and sharing Sunday evenings at church. During one of these on Sunday March 6 1988 Arlene (pastors’ wife) came over to me and asked if I was ready to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she felt God told her to come pray for me. All the people gathered around me and laid hands on me as she prayed. She prayed that I would be released from past hindrances and ideas that I would be set free to receive the Holy Spirit. I received a few sentences
that night and praised and thanked God for them. Then Satan came along and tried to take them away by putting doubt in my mind that I had really received them from God but I was just repeating what I had heard others say that night. Gail encouraged me by telling me don’t let Satan discourage you just use what God has given you and the more you use it the more your vocabulary will increase. So, I claimed it and praised God for His goodness.
Then at Trossachs Camp July 7 1988 after the evening service I went for a walk in the dark by myself and began praising God for the way He was leading me and working in our lives
and all of a sudden, I was singing and praising God in an unknown language. So not only did He give me a prayer language but also a song language. I thank Him so much for it for when I run out of words in English, He still gives me words for my spirit to commune with His. To God be the glory for the work He is doing in my life. My experience also was I went from being a shy scared guy to share my faith personally and in front of people 1987, to in 1991 pastoring Weyburn Gospel Assembly and 1992 being a founding member of the Weyburn Youth Center. If God’s Holy Spirit can do it for the early disciples and do
it in my life, I know God can and wants to do it in your life as well!! If you are a Jesus follower (Christian) and want more of God in your life, and more confidence to share Jesus with others you can have the baptism in the Holy Spirit as well. This is Pastor Cameron Weber saying surrender yourself totally to Jesus and ask Him to fill you with His power of the Holy Spirit and He will do that for you too because He promised in His word to do it. Acts 2:39
“For this promise is unto you, and your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” And my God never lies.
The Spirit of Grace and Spirit Singers performed during a ‘Shine On’ concert held at Grace United Church on May 24.
Photo courtesy of Colleen Weimer
Bruins’ Alumni golf tournament a success
SaskToday
The Estevan Bruins’ Alumni Association hosted the annual Boston Pizza Hole in One Par 3 Golf Tournament May 23 at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course.
Entries accepted for Estevan Parade
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
The SMILE Services Estevan Parade will once again kick off the Estevan Exhibition Association’s Energy City Ex.
The parade will be June 12, with the lineup starting to form at 3:30 p.m. in southwest Estevan and the event starting at 4:30 p.m.
The parade is expected to make its way through downtown Estevan this year, after being forced to use an alternate route the past two years due to the downtown revitalization project.
The parade will wrap up around the Estevan Leisure Centre.
A post on the City of Estevan’s Facebook page said businesses, community groups, organizations,
teams and performers are encouraged to join the lineup. Parade applications must be submitted to SMILE Services by May 29.
A letter from SMILE Services states the theme for this year’s parade is Hometown Heroes Local Businesses and Volunteers.
“We encourage you to use your imagination in the interpretation of this theme. A plaque will be awarded for this category,” states the letter.
Other awards will also be handed out.
Entries can be dropped off or emailed to SMILE Services.
The grad parade for the Estevan Comprehensive School’s Class of 2026 is also scheduled to be part of this year’s Estevan Parade.
A total of 34 teams entered this year’s tour -
The 18 holes at Woodlawn were converted to par 3s, and each had a hole-in-one prize of $10,000. Nobody recorded an ace this year. Kersey Hollingshed was the closest, as he was 10 inches away on the eighth hole.
nament. Erik McKersie, Ryan Stovin, and Landon and Preston Audet had the top score at 10-underpar to capture the Gary McKechney Memorial Trophy, named after the first-ever coach for the junior A Bruins. Tanner Forese and
Mike Ross were the other big winners, as they recorded the close approach and long putt on the 16th hole to each win a 65-inch television donated by Boston Pizza. Proceeds of the tournament will be directed to the Bruins hockey club.
United Way Estevan sets goal, theme for 50th annual telethon
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
The United Way Estevan continues to prepare for its milestone 50th fundraising telethon.
The organization has set a goal of $415,050 for the fundraiser, which will run from 8 a.m. on October 16 to 5 p.m. the following day at the Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. The telethon will air live on Access Now and unitedwayestevan.com.
Proceeds from the telethon will be directed to the United Way’s member
agencies and community impact projects.
Larry Elash and Lynn Trobert, the board’s longest-tenured members and co-presidents for this year, said they are confident the goal is attainable.
“We’ve set our goal realistically. We have to motivate the community, and when you set your goal too low, eventually it’s going to come back and bite you in the rear end ... because people are going to say ‘They’re going to hit that goal. They don’t need my money,’” said Elash.
“If it’s too low, the community doesn’t get excited, because they know we’re going to make it. But this is a challenge. This is a big, big year,” added Trobert.
Last year’s telethon set a new off-air record at $415,149.
This year’s theme is “Stronger Together – A United Way Forward.”
Trobert and Elash said they are pleased with how preparations are coming together for the broadcast.
A number of details are already in place, including the black-and-gold T-shirt
colours, which they believe fit both Estevan and the idea of a golden anniversary.
“It reflects back on our economy with our natural resources and our hockey team,” said Elash.
Former presidents, board members and entertainers have already been contacted, while more are expected to be approached in the coming weeks.
“We’ve had a really good response back from the ones we have contacted,” said Elash.
Board member Mark Pettitt has also developed
ideas for merchandise that will be available for the 50th anniversary, Elash said.
Organizers recognize there is still plenty of work ahead before the summer months become busier.
The first weekly meeting to prepare for the telethon is scheduled for September 2.
The United Way plans to promote the telethon heavily throughout the community over the coming months to highlight the 50th anniversary milestone. Efforts will include participating in the Estevan
Parade on June 12 with a float.
However, organizers noted they are already further ahead in planning than they typically are in May. The United Way has also been sharing memories from previous telethons through its Facebook page. The organization is seeking photos, videos, funny telethon stories and other historical content. Submissions can be sent to executive director Heidi Hesselink at the United Way office by calling 306634-3735.
EPS makes arrests for threats, taking an auto without consent
Members of the Estevan Police Service were called to a hotel May 22 regarding a report of a man uttering threats. As a result of the investigation, a 47-year-old Estevan man was arrested and charged. According to the Estevan Police Service, he was intoxicated and was lodged in cells to be released on conditions once sober. He will appear in Estevan Provincial Court at a later date to speak to the charge.
That same day, police received a report of an individual taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. Members located the vehicle and arrested a 45-year old Este-
van woman for taking an automobile without consent. She was subsequently released and will appear in court at a later date to speak to the matter.
Members attended to a local business to keep the peace while a former employee collected their belongings.
Officers dealt with a 37-year-old Estevan woman twice during night shift. The EPS said she was intoxicated and was eventually transported by taxi to her residence and cautioned that any further contact with police would result in her being arrested for public intoxication. No further issues were reported.
The EPS received a mischief to property report May 23 from the Hillcrest area. Police reported a residence and nearby vehicles had eggs thrown at them. The matter is under investigation. Police ask the public to report suspicious people or vehicles when observed. Anyone that may have information related to this occurrence is asked to call the EPS at 306-634-4767.
Police received a report of an all-terrain vehicle being operated within city limits. It was stuck south of the Valleyview area. The EPS said members had a separate occurrence involving an ATV earlier and believe it likely was the
same vehicle. The matter is under investigation.
The EPS received a request for a well-being check on an adult and children believed to be staying in Estevan. The EPS said they were located and determined to be safe and well.
Police were called to a disturbance involving several residents in the Hillside area. The EPS said the matter was temporarily resolved through mediation but members were called back a second time for a similar disturbance. The parties were separated for the night to prevent any further disputes.
Police received a request from a local hotel
to remove an individual.
Members attended, and the EPS said a 43-year-old woman from Ontario was sent on her way and advised that she was no longer welcome at the property.
A 911 call was received in which the line was open but the caller did not respond to the 911 operator before hanging up. The phone was geo-located and members attended, but were unable to locate anyone in distress. The EPS said the call was believed to be a pocket dial at the conclusion of the investigation.
The EPS reminds the public that in the event of an accidental dialing of 911, stay on the line and
answer any questions the operator may have to limit the requirement for police to investigate further.
The EPS received several reports May 24 of a man walking in traffic and acting strangely. The EPS said members located him and sent him on his way. No further calls for service regarding the individual were received.
A report came in of a man in a drop-off bin at a local business was received. According to the EPS, members located the man and advised him that he was not allowed to remove items from the bin. He was also sent on his way.
Erik McKersie, Landon Audet, Preston Audet and Ryan Stovin won this year’s Estevan Bruins’ Alumni Association golf tournament.
Photo courtesy of Riley Tetreault
Estevan writers mark group’s 40th anniversary
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
The Estevan Writers’ Group celebrated 40 years of inspiration with a book launch and anniversary bash May 19 at the Estevan Public Library.
Group member Maureen Ulrich said it was a great time of reflection and storytelling. Between 40 and 45 people were in attendance, including current and former members, their families and members of the public.
Jo Anne BannatyneCugnet, who is among the group’s most celebrated members, travelled from Weyburn to Estevan for the festivities. Laurel Reimche, the widow of long-time member Scott Gregory Miller, travelled from B.C. for the occasion.
“She was planning to come back to Estevan during the summer at some point to visit friends, and so she decided to come at this particular time,” said Ulrich, adding it was special to see Reimche.
Copies of their Forty Years of Ink anthology, which contains works from 23 people, some of whom are deceased, were available at the anniversary. Ulrich said the book is now
sold out. Another 25 copies have been ordered and most are already spoken for, she said. They should arrive in a couple of weeks.
Nine of the club’s 11 members were in attendance, Ulrich said and some of them read excerpts of their writings or works from other members. Some former members’ works were read by family members.
The program lasted about 40 minutes, Ulrich said, and birthday cake and socializing followed.
“Some people expressed interest in maybe joining the writers’ group,” said Ulrich.
If anyone wants to join the writers ‘ group, they can email estevanwritersgroup@gmail.com and express their interest. The organization will send details on attending a monthly meeting via Zoom on the last Wednesday of the month. The club won’t meet in the summer, and then regular meetings resume in the fall.
“We do meet in person a fair bit, but it’s just easier to do the monthly business on Zoom,” said Ulrich.
The Estevan Public Library has been a great partner for the group, Ulrich said, providing support for individual writers and the group.
Hey Dads! How has your spring been? Warm and sunny or maybe cold and windy? Or maybe dry and super windy? Like, the-neighbours-shed-just-blewacross-the-field-and-the-tree-outside-mywindow-just-blew-down windy. The pros say the winds around here reached almost 100km/hr the other day! That’s about as fast as my highway driving…or something approximately close.
Do you remember the Dust Bowl back in the 30’s? Me neither. But I hear it was quite windy and dusty! The combination of dry dust and windy wind last week reduced visibility to less than a mile. It was almost like fog but more like fine dusty fog that gets in your eyes and nose and mouth if you look into the wind. How do I know this? Well, I had to go for a little adventure walk with one of the kids to see if it was as windy as it seemed out there. It was! Five-year-old Mabel held my hand tight lest she blow away. We were strolling around the yard counting how many trees we would have to clean up later and inhaling fine dust into our lungs. I’m no fan of face masks but this could have been an opportunity to wear one. I’m glad I borrowed my brother-in-law’s chainsaw last year and still had it borrowed this year. It will come in handy on tree clean-up day. Little Mabel decided she had enough of this weather and headed back to the house without blowing across the prairies.
The previous dad who lived here did a great job of repairing one of the trees in
Funding agreement helps SE Techhub expand
Innovation Saskatchewan has announced it is spending $149,000 over three years in the Southeast Techhub (SETH) to expand startup support, strengthen regional innovation and grow the tech sector in Estevan and southeast Saskatchewan.
The investment will support SETH’s Rural Innovation Startup Ecosystem (RISE) program, which the government described as a “first-ofits-kind regional startup incubator” designed to help technology companies launch and scale locally. Similar to programs
Windy and dusty days
the yard. I bet you didn’t know you could repair trees. Maybe saying “repair” is a stretch. “Prolong its upstanding years” would be a more accurate phrase. The tree I refer to was split down the middle and I’m sure would have come crashing down in this wind if it wasn’t for his clever thinking. I guess at some point he noticed the tree splitting and wrapped a nice thick ratchet strap around it 3 or 4 times to keep it up a few years longer. Well done, previous dad!
Mabel had walked up on the porch behind the house while I wandered over to inspect how that strap was holding up in this wind. There were plenty of creaks and groans but it was still nearly good as new! Suddenly, I heard a giant crack behind me! Another tree came crashing down right between Mabel on the porch and me at the strapped tree. That was close! Thankfully neither Mabel nor I were traumatized, maimed, or killed by the falling tree. My patient wife and a few kids were watching from in the house and saw the near miss. No harm done. Just some more future chainsaw work. Mabel and I lived to tell the tale but if you’re looking for some advice, I don’t recommend inspecting gale-force wind damage in the middle of the gale-force winds. Like the old wives’ tale says, “Safety first!” Time flies, dad! Make every moment count! Even the windy ones!
Jason Weening cleans up trees with his 10 kids and one patient wife. Check out his book, “Yes, Dear…I’m Watching Them,” on Amazon.
like Co.Labs in Saskatoon and Cultivator powered by Conexus in Regina, the government said RISE offers mentorship, founder programming, pitch opportunities and targeted supports to help companies grow revenue and develop intellectual property.
By extending these services beyond larger cities, RISE helps rural entrepreneurs overcome barriers such as limited access to mentorship, networks and investment, making it possible to build and scale companies in their home communities. It also strengthens regional capacity in key sectors, including energy, mining and critical minerals.
“Innovation Saskatchewan is focused on growing
a strong, province-wide innovation ecosystem where ideas get started and grow,” said Warren Kaeding, the minister responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan.
“This investment helps more people build companies in their own communities, strengthening industries and creating high-quality jobs.”
In addition to supporting startups, SETH said it will partner with post-secondary institutions to deliver technology-focused training, expanding access for rural and Indigenous participants and helping build a skilled workforce.
This work builds on SETH’s partnership with Southeast College and the University of Regina to
establish the Innovation Centre for Energy Development, which supports applied research, industrydriven training and new opportunities in areas such as energy generation and advanced manufacturing, while helping attract new investment to the region. SETH’s impact has also been recognized provincially. In November 2025, it was named Project of the Year by the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance.
“This investment is a signal that rural Saskatchewan belongs at the centre of the province’s innovation storynot at the edge of it,” SETH executive director Gord More said. “We are grateful to Innovation Saskatchewan for backing that vision.”
Photo courtesy of Maureen Ulrich
Sasktoday
Ruth Elizabeth Susan Nygren
July 5, 1954 - May 8, 2026
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sisterin-law, aunt, niece, cousin and friend, Ruth Nygren (nee Sheppard) passed away with her husband by her side at the Lethbridge Chinook Regional Hospital, at the age of 71 years. Ruth was born and grew up in Pangman, SK. Ruth will be lovingly remembered by her husband Gerald; children Simon (Luisa) and Olivia; Joel (Myranda), Jaelynn, Ozmund and an expected granddaughter, Rhedwyn Lennox Ruth; brothers David (Rowene), Michael (Emma), Cyrus and Emily-Hope; John (Debbie), Jason, Reagan, Avery, and Hudson, Juel (Lis); Paul (Brenda), Roselyn (David), Joshua and William, Tim (Heather), Samuel, Edan, and Everett, Melissa (Jarred), Elyse, and Veronica; her Aunt Doreen; and many cousins, other relatives and friends. Gerald and his family express their heartfelt thanks especially to Stefano Ciofani, to Dr. Nelly Mbambo and all the teams of doctors, nurses, laboratory, imaging, occupational therapy, Home Care, admin staff, and the others at the Vulcan Medical Clinic. Funeral and Celebration of Life: 4:30 p.m. (MT) Saturday, May 30, 2026, Coaldale Mennonite Church, 2316 17 Street, Coaldale, Alta. To attend virtually, please visit www.generationsfh. ca and scroll to the bottom of Ruth’s obituary. Interment: Pangman Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. (CST) on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Email nygrenministry@gmail.com will be monitored by Gerald for more details.
FIREARMS AUCTION, June 27th: Ward’s and Bud Haynes Auctions in Edmonton. Consign Now! Firearms, Ammo, Optics, Accessories, etc. Call Brad Ward, 780-940-8378. FirearmsAuctions.ca Auctions
543-0927 www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca
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In loving memory of Kathy Refvik (Gaab) Who left us much too early. May 30, 2002 I miss you more the older I get. Love, Gaylene
In loving memory of Lindsay Farrell
October 27, 1978
June 2, 1996
The special years will not return, When we were all together, But with the love inside our hearts, You will walk with us forever. Always remembered by Dad, Mom, Jason and Alyssa
For Sale: Frank Lyman dresses for sale. Sizes 4 & 6. Some never worn. Call for pricing: (306) 842-0672.
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Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate my 100th birthday. Thank you for birthday wishes, cards, flowers, treats and donations to the Salvation Army Food Bank. You all made my 100th birthday so memorable and special.
Kathryn Groshong
Weyburn Comprehensive students attend spring music trip
Submitted Students from Weyburn Comprehensive School travelled to Edmonton May 14–17 for their Senior Spring Music Trip. Their first stop was Plainsview School, where the Senior Jazz Band, Rise Choir, Senior Concert Band and Senior Choir performed for approximately 200 students before continuing on to Edmonton. Plainsview band teacher Scott Adelman said, “The Weyburn Comprehensive High School performance was outstanding. Each group performed for 15 minutes, and the hour flew by. Our Grade 6-8 students were impressed with the musicality and energy exhibited by the four groups.”
The group of 99 stu -
dents, chaperones and teacher directors Holly Butz and Brayden Jensen performed at West Edmonton Mall on May 15 at the Phase IV Stage near the LEGO Store, entertaining shoppers with two sets of music. Afterwards,
The WCS band and choirs performed at West Edmonton Mall during a Senior Spring Music Trip from May 14 to 17.
the group enjoyed dinner and an evening performance of Footloose at Mayfield Dinner Theatre.
The students spent more time at West Edmonton Mall on May 16. They explored Galaxyland, the World Waterpark and the mall’s many shops. That evening, they attended Mamma Mia! at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium before
departing for home early Sunday morning. WCS Spring Concerts are coming up soon. The Junior Concert will be held Tuesday, June 2, and the Senior Concert on Wednesday, June 3. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation, with proceeds supporting the music department and future music trip travel expenses.
WCS Junior Concert - Tuesday, June 2. WCS Senior Concert - Wednesday, June 3.
