A variety of spooky inflatables will greet you at this home on Ash Drive.
Southeast athletes/volunteers invited to join Winter Games
SaskToday staff
With less than four months to go until the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Flying Dust First Nation and the City of Meadow Lake, opportunities are opening for southeast athletes, coaches and volunteers to get involved in the province’s weeklong celebration of sport, culture and community.
The games will take place from Feb. 15 to 21, 2026, and will feature competition in 16 different sports.
Athlete tryouts are underway across Saskatchewan, and participants can visit saskgames.ca/athletes to view listings for their chosen sport and learn how to register. Competitors from Weyburn, Estevan, Whitewood, Carlyle, Balgonie, Broadview and surrounding communities will have the opportunity to
represent Team South East.
Upcoming tryouts for souhteast athletes include:
Curling – Ages 11 to 17 (born on or after January 1, 2009). Tryouts will be held January 9 in Lampman. Fee: $160 per team.
Figure skating – Ages 10 to 18 (born 2008 to 2015). Province-wide tryouts are set for December 5 to 7 in Yorkton. Fee: $100.
Futsal – Under-16 (born 2010 to 2012). Tryout dates to be announced. Fee: $20.
Gymnastics – Ages 10 to 14 (born 2012 to 2016). Tryouts are scheduled for November 23 in Regina. Fee: $25.
Weightlifting – Ages 10 to 18 (born 2008 to 2016). Expressions of interest are currently being accepted.
Volunteer coaches and team managers are also being recruited for various sports. Those interested can visit saskgames.ca/
coaches to view open positions.
In addition, SaskEnergy has been announced as the Volunteer Sponsor for the 2026 Games. The provincial Crown corporation is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Champion of Volunteers program, which supports the recruitment, training and recognition of hundreds of volunteers needed to deliver the event.
As Volunteer Sponsor,
The City of Weyburn is inviting residents to an information open house on the 2024 annual budget. This will be held on November 4 and 6 at the Credit Union Spark Centre, with two sessions available:
• November 4 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• November 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.
SaskEnergy’s involvement will help build a comprehensive volunteer program across both host communities — creating a lasting legacy of community engagement beyond the Games.
Volunteers will be needed in a variety of roles, including venue operations, athlete services, ceremonies, transportation, media, culture and more. No previous Games experience is
Council and city staff will be available to answer public questions and discuss budget priorities at the open house.
An open budget process offers citizens an opportunity to learn about the municipal budget process and provide input on priorities. Transparent and inclusive budgeting
required, and training will be provided. Those interested can register at saskgames.ca/volunteer.
The Saskatchewan Games were first established in 1972 to give developing athletes, coaches and officials a chance to participate in an inclusive, multi-sport event. The Games have served as a stepping stone for many athletes who have gone on to national and international competition, including Olympic champions.
facilitates citizen understanding of issues and government processes, ensures transparency and accountability, improves the quality of decisions made and increases support for the decisions made.
Individuals and/or organizations requesting an opportunity to appear as a
For more information on the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games, including full tryout details and volunteer opportunities, visit saskgames.ca. Interested participants, coaches and team managers can also contact Joni Hagen with the South East District for Sport, Culture and Recreation to learn more.
delegation before Council regarding budget, must submit request to the City Clerks Office by 4 p.m. on November 18, 2025 to attend the November 24, 2025 regular Council meeting in Council Chambers. To appear as a delegation, please review the Council Procedures Bylaw.
Photo James Dempsey
COMMUNITY
Envision Counselling and Support Centre has announced a new program for moms in the Weyburn area. The Weyburn Family Support Team will host “Coffee with Moms” every second Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Metro Centre— a welcoming and supportive space for moms to connect, share experiences, and build community.
The next “Coffee with Moms” program will be held on November 12.
This informal gathering is designed to give moms the opportunity to take a break, meet others who understand the challenges and joys of parenting, and gain encouragement from peer support.
“Sometimes, just sitting down with others who ‘get it’ makes all the difference,” said Tania Smith,
Family Support Development Specialist. “Coffee with Moms is about connection, support, and creating a safe place for moms to recharge.”
Sessions will take place every second Wednesday starting October 8 in Weyburn. Attendance is free, and all moms are welcome. For more information, please call 306-842-8821 Ext. 2 or email info@envisioncounsellingcentre. com.
Envision Counselling & Support Centre has been serving Southeast Saskatchewan since 1994, offering free and confidential counselling, outreach, and support programs. Initiatives like “Coffee with Moms” reflect Envision’s commitment to building stronger families and communities.
Cribbage tournament held at Wheatland
The Wheatland Senior Centre held a Cribbage tournament on October 18. There was 15 tables, which was a new record, with several new faces.
They were pleased to see Marie Marcotte back in town, as she was a staunch supporter of the tournament and a valued member. Marie also brought five family members to play in 22 tournaments and to date only one family member has missed.
Laurie from Wolfpoint, Montana, made it an international event. The next tournament will be held on Saturday, November 15.
Competing in Spades on October 20, Stan
Hubick won first, Coral Schindel took second and Ernie Lokken placed third.
In kaiser, held October 21, Blake Johnson and Rose Levesque won first, Lavine Stepp and Alice Schneider won second and Marlene Szczecinski and Eva Morley won third.
During Canasta on October 22, Ione Schnell won first, Coral Schindel took second, Marg Warnke placed third, Lavine Stepp won fourth, Eveline Porte finished fifth and Gerry Thompson placed sixth.
Competing in Hi-low Whist on October 22, Willa Mae Donald and Elaine Frasz won first, Marge Schultz and Fay Johnson took second, Phyllis Lindskog and Brenda Paul placed third and the team of Brenda Paul and Dave Frayn finished in fourth place.
During the Thursday crib game held October 23,
Cheryl Vogel and Emily Zyla won first, Cris Herlick and Joni McNaughton placed second and Bert Sanquin and Denis Tremblay finished third.
During a Fun Crib tournament held on October 25, Valerie Thomas won first, Stan Hubick placed second, Marlene Szczecinski took third and Garth White placed fourth
Competing in Shuffleboard on October 24, Coral Schindel won first, Stella Hoffart and June Irvine placed second, and Ron Frayn and Jannette Tonn finished in third.
In a Kaiser game held October 14, Blake Johnson and Rose Levesque won first, Evan Morley and Marlene Szczecinski took second and Alice Schneider and Lavine Stepp placed third.
During Canasta on October 15, Heather Carter
won first, Lavine Stepp took second, Janet Van Winkoop placed third, Marlene Szczecinski took fourth, Marge Warnke won fifth and Doreen Knibbs placed sixth.
Competing in Hi-low Whist on October 15, Dave Frayn and Brenda Paul won first, Janet Van Winkoop and Emily Zyla took second, and the team of Fay Johnson and Marge Schultz tied third with the team of Gladys Looken and Sharon Eggum.
During Thursday Crib on October 16, Elaine Frasz and Gerry Thompson won first, Doreen Knibbs and Diane Bell placed second, Ruth Boren and Garnet Bartlett finished third and Marge Schultz and Fay Johson placed fourth.
For information on upcoming games, check out the Wheatland Centre Facebook page.
A variety of costumes were showcased during a Halloween Dance fundraiser held for Inclusion Weyburn on October 23. Pictured, l-r, Blake, Finley, Briella, Gabriella, Lyla, Jordan, Mar and Josie.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
An Art of India station is explored during Culture Day at Little Discoveries Daycare on October 22. Pictured, l-r, Priscilla, Violet, daycare teacher, Muskan, Maisie and Millie.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
Starting this Winter -Early 2026,all transactions will be checked instantlyagainst your available credit.Ifyourlimit is exceeded,your purchase will notgothroughorstop mid-fill. Askyourself:doesmy charge account limitmatch what I actually need?Visit www.prairieskyco-op.crsorscanthe QR codefor more informationon howtoincreaseyourcreditlimit on your PrairieSky co-op charge account. Applicationformneeds to be submittedbyDecember12, 2025.
Shawn Ruley made repairs to a computer during a Repair Cafe event held at the Weyburn Public Library on October 23.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
EDITORIAL
MY OUTLOOK: WHAT WILL THEY SAY ABOUT US WHEN WE’RE GONE?
Shelley Luedtke SaskToday.ca
When I was a teenager, I was asked to provide music at a memorial service for a man who had once resided in our community, but spent much of his life living in places around the world. When he died, he didn’t have one place to call home, so his service was held on a summer day in the town where one of his siblings still lived. It was a small service with about a dozen family members, the pastor, and me. A brother and a nephew shared a handful of stories that were rather unique in that they weren’t the typical fare at these services. The remembrances included highlights of his travels and some of the unusual jobs he took, but there were also many stories speaking of his inadequacies and shortcomings. It was perhaps the most authentic recounting of someone’s life I’d experienced at a service of this kind. The family members spoke of challenges few outside his circle knew about but were pivotal in shaping the decisions he made regarding how he lived. It
was clear he worked hard to carve out a life that made sense to him, even if others didn’t understand his choices.
In the days that followed, there was interest within the community about this man who had lived differently from most. But it was evident they weren’t asking questions out of the best of intentions. They seemed to be craving the gossipy, negative anecdotes to satisfy their curiosity about the man they did not know.
When someone in the public eye passes away, interest in them often increases. Diane Keaton’s memoir “Then Again”, published in 2011, is back on the bestseller list following her death on October 11 this year. Sales of music surged following the deaths of musicians such as Whitney Houston, Prince, David Bowie, Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse. So did the stories. And that’s where many try to cash in.
Retrospectives of celebrity lives garner attention, even amongst those who didn’t necessarily follow their careers. But so much of the postmortem coverage seems intended
to cast aspersions on the memory of those who passed, knowing the appetite is there and that can raise ratings, readership and revenue.
Initially, it is the good stuff; the artistry, the honours, the awards, the sales…until the tide turns and the public seemingly grows weary of the mundane. It then becomes a feeding frenzy of scandalous stories designed to spark public interest, once again using words like “claims include” and “sources close to the star” to give the stories a sense of credibility without having to back them up. It often starts with an eye-grabbing headline like “The Truth about…” or “The 10 Awful Things You Need to Know about…”
I was reading an article from a legitimate online news source following the passing of a famous musician. According to the running tally, there were just over 6,000 people who had read the story. An item appeared in the sidebar under ‘Sponsored Content’ with the headline “The Hidden Truth about…” the man who had passed. There were more than 18,000 hits on that story--three times more than the real one. People were more drawn to the negative, salacious, and unseemly. Innuendo, apparently, is enough to go on, and the more shocking the better. It might very well be the sponsored story contained true information, I can’t say. But why is it so appealing to read the bad and the ugly, and not necessarily the good? The other
extreme, of course, is when someone passes and they are suddenly elevated to a status that bears little resemblance to the reality of their life. The truth for them, as it would be for most of us, lies somewhere in the middle.
Between the summits and valleys, highlights and low points, there is an opportunity to savour the pinnacles while reflecting on the stumbles. I can point to many times in my life where I said and did the wrong thing. I have made many mistakes. But I hope I am remembered for more than what happened on my worst days.
When we hear of the passing of someone we don’t know very well, it would be good to focus on the elements of their life that are part of a shared experience, and not whispered about by those who know little.
I have thought back to the summer day when a small group gathered to remember a man I had never met. He had struggles and many, many lows, but he also had unique experiences and interesting adventures around the world that were high points in his life. Most of his days were spent in the middle. His life would have made for a great book. In his death, segments of the community sought to know the worst. How sad.
Whether it’s an acquaintance with an intrusive question or clever marketers trying to get our attention, we should demonstrate the kind of respect and restraint we hope will be shown to us when the day comes that our lives will be recounted. That’s my outlook.
SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESSES
Five reasons family businesses have a competitive edge
Family businesses have a unique charm and a strong foundation that often give them an edge over their competitors.
In recognition of Small Businesses, here are five reasons you should support a family business in your area: Long-term vision: Family businesses are motivated by a desire to create a legacy for future generations. This long-term perspective encourages strategic planning and sustainable growth, enabling them to withstand economic challenges. Their commitment to posterity ensures you can
rely on the businesses being around for the long haul.
Trust and loyalty: With a focus on familial bonds, trust and loyalty are integrated into every aspect of the business. Employees are often valued as extended family, leading to improved morale, reduced turnover and enhanced productivity.
Strong culture and values: Strong values embedded within the family’s ethos guide the business ethically and socially. This sense of purpose resonates with customers, fostering brand loyalty. Therefore, you can feel good about supporting a business that prioritizes integrity and community values.
Flexibility in ownership: Family businesses have the flexibility to customize ownership structures to fit their unique circumstances, allowing smooth transitions between
generations and promoting continuity. This stability means you can count on continued quality and service over time.
Community engagement: Many family businesses are deeply rooted in their communities and proactively contribute to local growth and well-being. This community engagement builds trust and goodwill, further enhancing their competitive position.
Local residents can support local family businesses to ensure they thrive and inspire in the community’s ever-evolving business landscape.
Lacrosse Association awards night celebrates athletes
The Weyburn Lacrosse Association celebrated the conclusion of its season by recognizing its top athletes and volunteers at the annual awards ceremony, which was held on October 16.
Players from the U11 to U17 divisions were honoured for their performance, improvement and sportsmanship throughout the year. The season wrapped up with three teams receiving silver medals in the provincial championships, and one team capturing gold.
The Weyburn U13 Young’s Equipment Thrashers, who won the provincial title in June were named the Team of the Year.
Lindsay Hignett received the Volunteer of the Year award, and Chloe Tuchscherer was named the Minor Volunteer of the Year. The association’s top athletic awards went to Bree Tuchscherer as the Female Athlete of the Year
and Andrew Charlton as the Male Athlete of the Year. Individual team award winners is as follows:
U17 Panther Drilling Thrashers: Most Improved Xavier Pehl, MVP Bode Petty, Most Sportsmanlike Chloe Tuchscherer. Coaches: Brett Mickler. Assistant Coaches Jeromy Charlton and Jake Dammann. Manager: Melissa Bocian. Trainer: Amanda Skogberg.
U15 Young Fellow Thrashers: Most Improved Kesler Jensen, MVP Ryder Stepp, Most Sportsmanlike Ronin Pouteaux. Coaches: Randy Labrecque, Assistant: Mike Wyatt and Bethany Honig. Manager: Brittany Stepp. Trainer: Michelle Schmidt. U13 Weyburn Security Thrashers. Most Improved Connor Pocha, Most Sportsmanlike Bree Tuchscherer, MVP Judd Venard. Coaches: Brad Hillstead, Assist -
ant: Jessica Benning, Callie Dammann, Lindsay Tuchscherer and Andrew Lawson. Manager: Sabrina Fox. Trainer: Danielle Gibson.
U13 Weyburn Young’s Equipment Rattlers Field Lacrosse: Most Improved Ben Cote, MVP
Pasiley Besharah, Most Sportsmanlike Bryson Lefort-Lynx. Coaches: Ray Leroux, Assistant: Mike Furgason, Jackie Law, Branson Law, and Ella Schenher. Manager: Brianna Rivière. Trainer: Rose Debogorski. U13 Weyburn Security
Rattlers Field lacrosse: Mose Improved Owen Huntley, MVP Roman Quigley, Most Sportsmanlike Jett Fox. Coaches: Scott Eberle. Assistant Coaches Devin Baumgartner, Ryder Stepp and Alex Labrecque. U11 Weyburn Credit
Union Thrashers: Most Improved Henry Arneson, MVP McGinnish, Most Sportsmanlike Regan Cote. Coaches: Devin Baumgartner, Assistant: Jeremy Wig, Shanelle Pare and Chris Turner. Manager: Ashley Wig. Trainer: Molly Mason.
114th Grey Cup will shimmer with Rider green: Saskatchewan awarded 2027 CFL championship game
Dave Thomas SaskToday.ca
The Canadian Football League has awarded the 2027 Grey Cup to the province of Saskatchewan.
The 114th Grey Cup will be played on Sunday, November 7, 2027 at Mosaic Stadium.
“Rider Nation is legendary and Saskatchewan’s winning bid was an unmistakable reflection of this incredible fan base, filled with passion, celebration, a strong sense of community and of course, a deep love of Canadian football. We look forward to seeing
the entire province come together and open its arms to fans from coast to coast to coast, while showcasing the green and white pride of the prairies.” CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston said in a statement.
The 114th Grey Cup will be contested in the 117th year of the Roughriders. Since its founding in 1910, the team has hosted the championship game on four occasions.
Historic Mosaic Stadium was home to the game in 1995, 2003 and 2013. In 2013, the hometown Saskatchewan Rid -
ers beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 45-23 before 44,710 spectators. That’s the last time the Riders won the Grey Cup.
The 109th Grey Cup was the first to be played at new Mosaic Stadium, and five years later in 2022, the game will return to the venue in search of a new champion to hoist the iconic trophy.
“Rider Nation! I look forward to seeing Rider Pride on full display as Saskatchewan welcomes fans from across the nation for the 2027 Grey Cup. Our government is excited to support this event and the economic benefit that it will bring to local businesses and our province’s growing tour-
ism sector,” premier Scott Moe said in a statement.
In addition to a thrilling game in a best-inclass stadium, for the first time ever, the entire 2027 Grey Cup Festival, including the street festival, will be hosted indoors, allowing fans to enjoy the warm Saskatchewan hospitality, without the chill November of the air. Fans can expect more exciting festival announcements in the coming months.
“I look forward to seeing Rider Pride on full display as Saskatchewan welcomes fans from across the nation for the 2027 Grey Cup,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. “Our government is excited to support
this event and the economic benefit that it will bring to local businesses and our province’s growing tourism sector.”
“Grey Cups in Saskatchewan are incredibly special. More than a game, they are week-long gatherings that bring the entire CFL community together. Mosaic Stadium was built to host events of this magnitude, and welcoming the league here again in 2027 is a tremendous honour. Rider Nation’s energy and hospitality are second to none, and we can’t wait to celebrate with them once more. Our deepest thanks go to the province of Saskatchewan, the city of Regina and our many partners whose support
made this possible,” Roughriders’ president and CEO Craig Reynolds said in a statement.
The 112th Grey Cup, featuring global icon mgk in the Grey Cup halftime show, Canadian rock band Our Lady Peace in the Grey Cup kickoff show and rising country star Catie St. Germain’s performance of the national anthem, will be played on Sunday, November 16, with kickoff slated for 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT.
The game will air live across Canada on TSN, CTV and RDS.
The 113th Grey Cup will be hosted by the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on November 15, 2026.
WCS volleyball teams complete second half of Co-op Challenge
The Weyburn Comprehensive Senior boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams travelled to Estevan on October 22, to play the second half of the Co-op Challenge. The Eagles had some work to do, as Estevan took both games of the Co-op Challenge in Weyburn on October 8.
The senior boys kicked
off the action at 5:30 in front a packed house but unfortunately the Eagles could not stop the Estevan Elecs and lost three straight sets with scores of 22-25, 20-25, and 15-25.
The senior girls finished the evening, with a very exciting match that went back and forth each set. Estevan won the first set
25-14, but Weyburn rallied back and took the second set by a score of 25-16. The third set was a nail biter, with a final score of 26-24 in favour of Estevan. The Eagles did not give up and rallied back again taking the fourth set by a score of 25-16. The fifth and final set was a quick game to 15 and with some strong
serving and big blocks. Weyburn came out on top, beating the Elecs by a score of 15-10 and winning the match three sets to two. In the end however, it was Estevan who was crowned the Co-Op Challenge Champions this year, as they were victorious in three out of the four games played.
The Weyburn U13 Young’s Equipment Thrashers, who won the provincial title in June, were named the Team of the Year.
Photo submitted
The Grade 4 to 6 musical theatre group at Assiniboia Park Elementary held a dress rehearsal for ‘Lion King Junior’, after school on Monday. The musical will be performed today, October 30, at the APES gym at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Ministerial Message: An amazing story of the great banquet
Submitted by Rev. Doug Loden Calvary Baptist Church.
Jesus told a fascinating story about a great banquet in Luke 14. Jesus was an amazing storyteller. But you need to do some thinking about the story in order to truly understand its meaning. The story Jesus told of the great banquet is really about the feast in the kingdom of God, the wedding feast of the lamb, the feast at the end of time, where God is together with all his people.
A certain man was preparing. Jesus had a veiled way of speaking about himself. He called himself the Son of Man. I believe that the certain man of the story is Jesus. There are preparations for a great banquet, and many people were invited. The invitations went out well ahead, and everyone invited agreed that they would come. When everything was ready, the message again went out, Come. The meat was all prepared. I suspect beef, lamb, and goat all cooked to perfection. Fresh bread had been baked. There were fruits, pomegranate, grapes, salads, nuts, olives, dates, figs, and the best of wines. The absolute best food possible was prepared. The tables were set with the finest decorations available in the town. The best musicians were present as well as the best singers and the best dancers. It was to be a great feast, the absolute best of everything.
And then an astonishing twist to the story. Everyone invited said, No, they would not come. One man said he had bought a field, and he needed to go see it. This is an absolute lie. Farmers then were very careful. The owner knew the history of his field, possibly going back 50 years, and probably also the history of the field in the hands of his father, and his grandfather. The buyer spent long hours, and hours talking learning everything about the field. When he was ready to buy,
he knew the history of the field and every tree on the field going back probably 50 years. When he says he needs to go see the field, it is an absolute lie. Then with mocking politeness, he says, Please excuse me. He is giving a great insult. His meaning is, Dirt is more important to me than you. The second man said he bought five pairs of oxen, and he needs to go test them. Again, this is a total lie. Five pairs of oxen is s significant purchase, and he would not do this lightly. He had watched the animals plow in the morning,in the afternoon, and in the evening, when they were tired, He had watched them plough on cold days and hot days. He had watched them pull a cart through the streets. And he had stood behind the team working the plough many times, and in all different conditions. And he had been driving the team as they pulled a heavy cart along the road. He knew exactly how they worked. To say that he needed to test them
was an absolute lie. Then with mock politeness he says, Please excuse me. In truth, he was giving a great insult, Animals are more important to me than you. And then the third man said, I got married, I can’t come. This man has agreed to come to the feast. He doesn’t even have mocking politeness just a curt, I cannot come. Again it is a total lie, and his words are an insult, This woman is more important to me than you.
The master was understandably angry. Wouldn’t you be angry if you had poured your heart and soul into preparing a great meal,and the ones who had agreed to come, at the last moment said, No?
The people who agreed together to not attend, were anticipating that it would be a horrendous embarrassment for the master. He had prepared a magnificent feast and absolutely no one came. But the master had other plans. He sent his servant into the streets and alleys of the town and called the poor, the crippled, the blind and
the lame to come to the feast. When these ones arrived, there was still room. The master sent the servant out into the roads and the country lanes. This is perhaps the most shocking part of the story. In the town, the people were Jews. And poor Jews were invited and came to the great feast. But out in the country roads and the country lanes non-Jews were passing by. People from Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome were out on the roads. Some of the people
passing by were Gentiles and they too were brought into the great feast.
The ones who refused to come to the feast were anticipating laughing at the great failure. Instead, they were left outside and the lame and the poor and the Gentiles had a great feast, marvellous food, music, singing, and dancing and a wonderful time.
This is not just an interesting story that Jesus told. There is an important message here for you. The message is, You come
to the great banquet, the banquet of all of God’s people, in the presence of God. You come. You are invited, come when it is time. When all is ready, don’t refuse the invitation with silly excuses that you’re too busy, that you don’t want to come, that you don’t believe. You come to the feast the great banquet that God has prepared for all his people. Jesus himself invites you to come to this great feast. This is the meaning of this fascinating story.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn
Co-op’s Trail of Terror attracted approx. 3,000 people
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
The Southern Plains Co-op’s Trail of Terror has become a popular Halloween tradition in Estevan.
The Co-op held the event October 24 at Rotary Park and the Preddy Trail inside Woodlawn Regional Park. An estimated crowd of 2,800-3,000 people turned out to walk the spooky trail, which was lined with props and people dressed in scary costumes. Other activities were also offered.
Brooke Spagrud, who is the marketing and member relations manager at the Co-op, said everyone who attended seemed to be really excited to be there on what was a beautiful fall evening.
The Co-op tried to track the number of people present, she said, but they lost count when the lineup became too long.
The Trail of Terror started with a sensory-sensitive and mobility-friendly version, followed by lessscary monsters for young families. The full-scare zone occurred after dark.
“We do see a good number of people coming earlier when it’s still daylight, with the younger kids,”
said Spagrud. “I would almost lump the first two groups together ... which are really for people that don’t want the trail to be too scary.”
The first two groups don’t have to worry about flashing lights, excess noise or live scares on the trial.
The biggest crowds came for the full-scare portion.
“They’re both big draws, and we like the fact that we can offer different sorts of experiences,” said Spagrud.
She recalled chatting with one woman who went through during both the daylight and the after-dark versions.
“She said that she was wowed by how much detail and everything that goes into it. And she said both experiences were great but completely different. In the daylight, you get to see all of the finer details and everything with the way we decorated things,” said Spagrud.
“But then in the evening, when it’s dark and the lights are flashing and we have the real scares and stuff in there, things look different and it’s just a different atmosphere.”
Spagrud said they had some new decorations on the trail this year. They also change the theme in the kids’ area and the tents at Rotary Park.
“No two Trail of Terrors are ever the same,” she said.
The live scares and their costumes looked great, she said. The co-op provides costumes for some, while other volunteers have their own. And there were lots of people who showed up wearing great outfits.
“I love to see how people get dressed up when they come. Some people just paint their faces ... because they want to stay warm, but some of the younger kids have some really cool costumes, and it really adds to the whole experience and atmosphere of the trail when they come dressed up.”
Spagrud said the Trail of Terror has become popular because it’s held outdoors. The Co-op’s team members and volunteers put so much time into it. She had 80 volunteer spots to fill and all were occupied.
“We plan this for months,” said Spagrud. “We put in hours. I spent the last two or three week-
ends building creations and displays and things in my garage, and we put so much time into it. I think over the years, we have built the reputation that when we do this event, we do it well.”
Even a couple years ago, when the Estevan area had inches of snow fall just before the Trail of Terror, the Co-op still pulled off the event.
“It really takes a large number of people to do this.”
People love the free food and activities for the kids, and having something for everybody.
“This year the weather co-operated, so I think that is a big plus too. It’s a nice evening and people want to do something as a family.”
Halloween event a showcase for Estevan’s new-look downtown
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
The Estevan Downtown Business Association’s (DBA) first event with the new-look downtown area was not only a chance to show off all of the work that has taken place, but it provided families with some Halloween fun.
The DBA hosted its Trick or Treat on Fourth and Fifth Streets on Oct. 25. Children under the age of 12 dressed in their Halloween costumes, and dropped by participating
businesses to receive candy and a stamp on their special Halloween activity sheet.
Once complete, they signed their name and dropped off the form at A&A Jewellery for a chance to win a prize.
“It was so good to see the brand-new downtown all filled with kids and families, and people going out and exploring all of our local downtown businesses,” said Breanne Lees with the DBA.
She claimed more than 400 children participated.
People who attended the event had lots of good things to say about the work that has taken place in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Fourth Street during the past 18 months as part of the revitalization project, and they were happy to have the wider sidewalks.
“All the business owners and the DBA members that were part of today were just so excited to see their stores full again. The streets were full, and it was just really,
really cool to get the families and our community out once again, and really enjoy the revitalization project,” Lees said.
The children’s costumes were cool and spooky, she said, and Lees was pleased to see parents dressed in their costumes. And it was a beautiful day for families to walk from business to business.
A lot of the companies joined the fun with window displays, Halloween decorations and in-store specials, she said.
“People were definitely taking advantage of the higher traffic and being creative with Halloween event,” said Lees.
A number of businesses on Fifth Street were also involved. Some companies were involved for the first time.
“It was a widespread amount of walking for people, and that really got people to take advantage of checking out all of the upgrades,” she said.
The DBA will have a couple more events
upcoming. Black Friday sales will take place on Nov. 28, and the annual Moonlight Madness Christmas shopping event and the Miracle on Fourth Street are also scheduled.
“We’ll be definitely busy and taking advantage of having that downtown open all winter season long,” Lees said.
The DBA hopes people will come out to the local businesses, shop locally as Christmas approaches and support entrepreneurs in the new-look downtown.
‘Estevan is at the forefront,’ mayor says on coal, nuclear plans
David Willberg
SaskToday.ca
The future of coal-fired power and the potential for small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Estevan area have been in the spotlight the past couple of days. The Saskatchewan First Energy Security Strategy and Supply Plan was introduced by the Government of Saskatchewan on Oct.ober 20 in Saskatoon.
Crown Investment Corporations Minister Jeremy Harrison reaffirmed the government was going to extend the life of coal facilities and utilize Saskatchewan coal reserves to continue powering the province.
Estevan Mayor Tony Sernick said the province has committed $900 million over the next five years for the coal retrofit project.
“It’s good for Saskatchewan. It’s good for the city,” Sernick said in an interview with SaskToday. “We know nuclear is the future. We knew that coal was being rebuilt. Yesterday was firming it up that nuclear is happening and Estevan is at the forefront.”
Sernick was pleased to be at Cameco’s head office in Saskatoon to hear Harrison talk about Estevan.
The mayor added the
work to bring Unit 4 back up to a stand-by level of service is already underway.
“I have numerous friends that work out at the power plants, and they’ve been texting me over the past couple of weeks that work is happening,” said Sernick.
Premier Scott Moe has previously stated that if the province proceeds with SMR technology, the first unit(s) would be built in Estevan. SaskPower has partnered with GE-Hitachi on their SMR as the Crown corporation’s first. As work continues to build nuclear and strengthen energy
security, in addition to pursuing the BWRX-300 technology, Saskatchewan will continue to consider large-scale reactors and advanced SMRs to meet growing industrial and regional demand for electricity.
The government has yet to commit to a specific location, whether it be Boundary Dam south of the city or Rafferty Dam to the northwest, near Macoun. Sernick said he hopes it would be at Boundary Dam, but he added he would be happy to see two at Boundary and then two at Rafferty.
Sernick spent October 21 at the Canadian Nuclear
Association (CNA) West conference in Saskatoon, where he said there was lots of discussion about SMRs for Estevan, with more than 500 delegates in attendance.
“In the first couple of hours this morning, Estevan was mentioned three or four times. Here we are, little old Estevan, and all the eyes are on us,” Sernick said.
CNA president and CEO George Christidis added he has heard a lot of talk about Estevan and the SMR project.
“Everyone is very aware of Estevan’s potential of being a host of the technology, so we’re very
aware of the role Estevan will play in the future.”
Once he is finished at CNA West, Sernick will then head to Regina on October 22 to listen to the throne speech at the Saskatchewan legislature.
Sernick noted that in the past 10-15 years, there hasn’t been a lot of certainty in the Estevan area, and now there is discussion on generational decisions and moving forward with the energy sector.
“I was standing shoulder to shoulder with the government on anything that makes our province better. Energy is at the forefront. It keeps everything going,” said Sernick.
This clown was among the frightening sights during the Trail of Terror event in Estevan.
Photo courtesy of Brooke Spagrud
Lego event showcases creativity and passion of builders
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
The Saskatchewan Lego Users Group’s (SLUG) annual Brickery event once again showed the many things that can be created using the popular plastic construction toys.
Brickery was held October 25 at the Estevan 55-and-Over Club’s space in the Estevan Leisure Centre. Local organizer and SLUG member Chris Ursu said they had about 20 builders from southern Saskatchewan come to Estevan to show what they have built. More than 700 people were in attendance.
Ursu said this is one of their best years for both attendance and participation. He believes the number of activities happening at and around the Estevan Leisure Centre helped at -
tract people.
“We have a lot of support from our group, so that’s been helpful,” said Ursu. “They just like to come down and visit and show off their stuff.”
As part of a friendly competition, the builders constructed an item and selected a winner after an anonymous vote.
“Every year it’s new, because you’ll always have different builds and stuff like that,” said Ursu.
The show also had mechanical projects created with Lego. Dave Finnson built a yellow crane that was at the entrance to the building. Keith Reed had a train operating through a community built with Lego.
A lot of the projects on display were new, and Ursu said they anywhere
Call to apartment part of busy week for Estevan fire crews
SaskToday staff
The Estevan Fire Rescue Service (EFRS) is reporting there wasn’t any damage or injuries from a call to an apartment building.
On October 26 at 12:10 p.m., the EFRS, along with the Estevan Police Service and Estevan EMS, were dispatched to a structure fire at the Casa Colina apartments in southeast Estevan. Crews responded, determined there wasn’t a fire and it was a cooking-related incident. Members ventilated the structure and ensured the alarm system was reset.
Also in the past week, the fire department was dispatched to a commercial fire alarm in the central part of the city on October 21 at 4 a.m. Crews responded and investigated. They performed a search of the exterior and interior of the building, and confirmed no emergency was occurring. The alarm panel was reset and was OK, and the incident was believed to be from a possible faulty detector.
Crews were called back to the same location at approximately 9:30 p.m. on the same day. The same issue was found. The building’s maintenance staff was to reach out to the contractor to inspect and repair the alarm system.
On October 22 at 6:15 p.m., the EFRS was dispatched for a gas odor investigation in northeast Estevan. Crews re -
from one month to six or seven months to complete.
“We have different shows over the year. We have our big show in Moose Jaw, and then this
sponded and investigated. They confirmed the smell of natural gas in the area. SaskEnergy was called to the scene to further investigate. Crews continued to investigate the area until a small leak was found and confirmed in a residential yard. Crews were able to isolate the leak without further issues. SaskEnergy confirmed all were OK prior to fire crews clearing the scene.
The EFRS was dispatched for a residential carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in northwest Estevan on October 24 at 2:45 p.m. Crews responded and confirmed moderate CO readings in the structure. SaskEnergy was called to the scene to assist. Crews worked to ventilate the structure until no CO readings were detectable. The scene was turned over to SaskEnergy to further investigate the cause. No injuries or illness were reported from the incident.
The EFRS was dispatched for a two-vehicle collision south of the city on October 25 at 7 p.m. Crews responded and assisted, along with the Estevan Police Service, Estevan EMS and the Estevan RCMP. The fire department said no injuries were reported from the incident, and the vehicles sustained minor damage. In the community, EFRS members participated in and assisted Southern Plains Co-op with traffic and parking at the annual Trail of Terror community event October 24.
is a smaller one. And then we have another Legoonly event in White City. Throughout the year, people are building.”
Brickery also allows
people to see each other’s creativity, visit, get some ideas for projects of their own and promote SLUG to people with an interest in Lego.
“If you’re over 18 and interested in building Lego and building your own creations, then this is the group for you,” said Ursu.
Hey Dads! Do you have any pets at your house? Dogs, cats, fish… pigs? We’ve had a variety of pets around here. Usually, they get along and don’t eat each other. Over the years we’ve had all manner of marvelous mammal around our property. The regulars – cats, dogs, fish.
The less regulars –pigs, goats, bees. And some in between –budgies, cows, ducks, rabbits, guinea fowl. Someone found a garter snake the other day and a few years ago the kids wanted to keep the four baby raccoons we found eating the cat food in our yard but I had to draw the line somewhere (Don’t worry. The coons found a nice home in the forest down the road).
Our most recent pet is a new (to us) dog named Reba. She’s a smart and friendly border collie. She was raised on a farm but not on a farm with
A Dog’s Tail Tale
hens. You can probably see where we’re going with Reba’s tail, ahem, tale. We had a few uneventful weeks of Reba frolicking around the farm in joyful merriment. But that all came to an end when we picked up some more laying hens from a friend last week. (Hint: this is where the animals start to eat each other.)
Somewhere in the house I heard a child scream. “Reba’s running around with a chicken in her mouth!” I could hear feet scrambling around to the closest window to get a view of the victim. More screaming ensued. “Dad! The dog got a chicken!”
I stumbled out of my home office trying to quickly make the mental switch from Zoom calls to zoo chaos(kills?)
Sure enough, our pokey little puppy was puttering around with a lifeless bird hanging from her mouth.
Me and a few of the kids
rushed outside to see if there was any hope for the harmed hen. Alas, there was no hope.
But being the glasshalf-full kind of dad that I am I thought some good could still come of this.
On a cool, fall day who doesn’t appreciate a piping hot bowl of chicken soup? We already had the chicken, all we needed was the soup! “Hey kids, who wants to help dad process this chicken?” Hands and shouts went up all over the yard. To the garage we went to begin processing.
Understand that we have never processed a chicken before. We’ve done some other animals of the non-avian variety so how hard could it be?
Since we were already outside and I was holding a somewhat damaged hen I wasn’t about to get my phone out of the house to watch YouTube dads teach me what to do. We’d figure it out. And
we did. In fact, we did such a poor job of it that my patient wife declined the offer to make chicken soup from the mangled mess I presented her with as I walked through the front door with it dripping on her floor. But hopefully the kids learned some biology from the day’s adventure.
Sometimes you win and sometimes you L… learn. The kids learned some things about chicken biology and I learned something about my wife’s food safety standards. Maybe there’s something you can do with the kids to learn something new. Fix a flat tire or fix a fine meal. Time flies, dad. Make every moment count. Even the tragic ones. Jason Weening and his 10 kids and one wife try to keep all their livestock ‘alive-stock’. Read more in his new book, “Yes, Dear…I’m Watching Them,” on Amazon.
Brickery had lots of Lego displays for people to view.
Photo David Willberg/SaskToday.ca
CLUES ACROSS
1. Expression of surprise
4. Keyboard key
7. One who works on lights
12. Notable children’s story
15. Fall back into a bad pattern
16. Eye parts
18. Atomic #18
19. Of she
20. Farm state
21. One point
south of southeast
24. British media entity
27. Asian garment 30. Drench
31. Expressions of pleasure
33. Turf
34. UK trade union (abbr.)
35. Bleated
37. Fifth note of a major scale
39. Paddle
41. Monetary unit of Italy
42. American classical pianist
44. Shuts down for the day
47. Seize
48. Soluble ribonucleic acid
49. Greeting
50. Some cars still need it
52. Atomic #22
53. Let go
56. Marched in public 61. U.S. residents, Mexicans and Canadians 63. Hostilities
64. Speak aloud
65. River in NE Scotland
CLUES DOWN
1. Razorbill genus 2. Longtime Baltimore tight end
3. Performs on stage 4. Supports a sentiment 5. Rugged mountain ranges
6. Broadway songwriter Sammy 7. Snakelike fish 8. Men’s fashion accessory
9. Hospital worker
10. Something to scratch 11. No (Scottish) 12. Volcanic ash 13. Of this 14. American jazz drummer Watts 17. Drop down
22. English dialect
23. Predatory seabirds
24. Imams’ deputies
25. Fertility god
26. Fence material
28. Parks and DeLauro are two
29. Distinctive smell (Brit.)
32. Protein-rich liquids
36. Touch lightly
38. Season for Catholics
40. Boat race
43. Police actions
44. Chinese river
Remind your neighbours to recycle and help preserve our planet’s natural resources.
45. Waterfall (Scottish)
46. Walk ostentatiously
51. Type of carpet
54. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano
55. Sea eagles
56. An enclosure for confining livestock
57. Dry
58. An increase in price or value
59. The highest point of something
60. Government lawyers 62. Larry and Curly’s pal
In loving memory of Glen Fleming (who passed October, 2020)
With love from Millie, Kathy & Dale, Sandy & Yancy, Shelley & Darin, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Halloween is enjoyed by people of all ages, but few get a bigger kick out of the holiday than children.
There are costumes to be worn, time spent with friends and the opportunity to collect free candy and other treats.
Although Halloween can be a fun time, it’s also a time when accidents can happen. The most dangerous day for pedestrians is Halloween. It is essential to prioritize safety on Halloween, and following these guidelines can help.
• Make sure costumes are short. Costumes that drag on the floor are tripping hazards, which can lead to injury. Be sure that costumes do not cover the feet or drag on the ground.
• Trick-or-treat in groups. Children are safer in numbers due to the increased visibility of a crowd and because, if something happens, others can call for help. Parents can use their discretion on what age they feel is mature enough to let children go out alone. Until then, children should be accompanied by adults.
• Improve visibility. It’s important to be seen while trick-or-treating, and that can be achieved by making sure costumes and trick-or-treat bags feature reflective tape. Trick-or-treaters also can carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility, and stick to areas with streetlights if going out after dark.
• Stay on sidewalks. Whenever possible, trick-or-treaters should stick to the sidewalks and avoid walking on the roads. This may not always be possible in neighborhoods without sidewalks, where parents and youngsters must be especially careful.
• Eat before trick-or-treating. A meal or snack before trick-or-treating can reduce the tendency to fill up on candy while out and about. All candy and other treats should be inspected by an adult before it is eaten.
• Keep pets locked away. Animals can become skittish when there are many people loitering outside of homes or ringing doorbells. Keep pets in a quiet room away from the action to prevent them from getting loose, injured or scared enough to bite or scratch someone.
• Avoid masks that obstruct vision. It can be hard to see peripherally with a mask on, so avoid costumes with masks that compromise vision.
• Test out makeup beforehand. All makeup used for costumes should be tested for allergic reactions prior to use. Heed the warnings on packaging and avoid putting makeup too close to the eyes or lips.
These are some safety strategies designed to keep Halloween fun and incidentfree this year.
your
Grab
crayons and create a boo-tiful drawing!
Toppings are added to the Mummy Pizza creations by Sofia, Mila, Maci, Willo and Teresa during a Junior Chef program at the Weyburn Public Library.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
